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ponction

puncture

noun pohnk-SYOHN Rare
Body & Health Medicine

Origin: Latin punctio (a pricking)

Also means

levy

Usage Note

Ponction has two distinct registers: in medicine it means a needle puncture to drain fluid (e.g., une ponction lombaire — lumbar puncture), and in economics/finance it refers to a levy or drain on resources. The verb ponctionner covers both senses. Learners often encounter it in health contexts first.

Examples

"Le médecin a effectué une ponction du genou."

Natural Translation

The doctor performed a puncture of the knee.

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