perforate

views updated May 23 2018

per·fo·rate • v. / ˈpərfəˌrāt/ [tr.] pierce and make a hole or holes in: the worms had perforated the pages of the book from cover to cover | [as adj.] (perforated) a perforated appendix. ∎  make a row of small holes in (paper) so that a part may be torn off easily.• adj. / ˈpərfərit; -ˌrāt/ Biol. & Med. perforated: a perforate shell.DERIVATIVES: per·fo·ra·tor / -ˌrātər/ n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

perforate

views updated May 11 2018

perforate make a hole through. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. perforāre, f. PER-1 + forāre BORE1, pierce; see -ATE3.
So perforation XV. — (O)F. — medL.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

perforate

views updated May 21 2018

perforate. To form openings in something. A perforated wall is therefore one with openings, often arranged in patterns.

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture JAMES STEVENS CURL

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