pun

Definition

To beat; strike with force; to ram; to pound, as in a mortar; reduce to powder, to pulverize.

Etymology

From Middle English ponnen, ponen, punen, from Old English punian, pūnian (“to pound, beat, bray, bruise, crush, grind”), from Proto-Germanic *punōną (“to break to pieces, pulverize”). See pound. As a kind of word play, from the notion of "beating" the words into place.

Example Sentences

• "He would pun thee into shivers with his fist."
• "We punned about the topic until all around us groaned."