puncture

 
Pronunciation: /ˈpʌŋ(k)tʃə/

noun

  • a small hole in a tyre resulting in an escape of air: she was on her way home when she had a puncture
  • a small hole in something such as the skin, caused by a sharp object: [as modifier]: a puncture wound

verb

[with object]
  • 1make a puncture in (something): one of the knife blows had punctured a lung
  • [no object] sustain a puncture: the tyre had punctured and it would have to be replaced
  • 2cause a sudden collapse of (mood or feeling): the earlier mood of optimism was punctured

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin punctura, from punct- 'pricked', from the verb pungere. The verb dates from the late 17th century

Spelling help

Spell puncture with a c in the middle.