Percussive

/pərˈkʌsɪv/ adjective

Definition

Producing sound by striking or hitting, or having a sharp, rhythmic quality like the sound of drums or impacts.

Etymology

From Latin 'percutere' meaning to strike or hit. The adjective form evolved to describe both the physical action of percussion and the resulting sound quality.

Kelly Says

Drummers, dentists, and rainfall all create 'percussive' effects—the word unites the rhythm of music with the tap of a hammer and the patter of rain, showing how human senses create categories across nature.

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