percuter

to crash into, to strike

verb pehr-ku-TEH Rare

Origin: Latin percutere 'to strike through'

Usage Note

Percuter is typically used for vehicles or objects striking something with force — a car hitting a wall, a ball striking a target. The reflexive se percuter means two things collide with each other. The related noun percussion shares the same root and is used in music and medicine.

Examples

"La voiture a percuté un arbre."

Natural Translation

The car crashed into a tree.

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