bash

Definition

To strike heavily.

Etymology

From Middle English *basshen, *basken, likely from Old Norse *baska (“to strike”), akin to Swedish basa (“to baste, whip, lash, flog”), Danish baske (“to beat, strike, cudgel”), German patschen (“to slap”)

Example Sentences

• "The thugs kept bashing the cowering victim."
• "If the engine won't start, bash it with this hammer."
• "It isn't the creature's fault that it bashed its head against a tree outside our hole."