punch1
v.
- strike with the fist.
- press (a button or key on a machine).
▸
(punch in or out)
N. Amer. (of an employee) clock in (or out).
- N. Amer. drive (cattle) by prodding them with a stick.
n.
- a blow with the fist.
- informal effectiveness; impact.
Phrase
- punch above one's weight
informal engage in an activity perceived as beyond one's abilities. - punch the clock
N. Amer. (of an employee) clock in or out.
Derivative
Etymology
ME (in the sense ‘puncture, prod’): var. of pounce1.
punch2
n.
- a device or machine for making holes in materials such as paper and metal.
- a tool or machine for impressing a design or stamping a die on a material.
v.
pierce a hole in (a material) with or as if with a punch.
▸pierce (a hole) in this way.
Etymology
C16: perh. an abbrev. of puncheon1, or from punch1.
punch3
n.
a drink made from wine or spirits mixed with water, fruit juices, spices, etc.
Etymology
C17: appar. from Sanskrit pañca ‘five, five kinds of’ (because the drink had five ingredients).
punch4
n.
-
(Punch)
a grotesque, hook-nosed humpbacked buffoon, the chief male character of the Punch and Judy puppet show.
-
(also Suffolk punch)
a draught horse of a short-legged thickset breed.
Phrase
- as pleased
(or proud)
as Punch
feeling great delight or pride.
Etymology
C17: abbrev. of Punchinello; sense 2 derives from a dial. term denoting a short, fat person.