n. 1. The striking together of two bodies, especially when noise is produced. 2. The sound, vibration, or shock caused by the striking together of two bodies. 3. The act of detonating a percussion cap in a firearm. 4. A method of medical diagnosis in which various areas of the body, especially the chest, back, and abdomen, are tapped to determine by resonance the condition of internal organs. 5. Music a. The section of a band or orchestra composed of percussion instruments. b. Percussion instruments or their players considered as a group. [Latin percussiō, percussiōn-, from percussus, past participle of percutere, to percuss; see PERCUSS.] |
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