perforate
UK[ˈpɜːfəreɪt]US[ˈpɜːrfəreɪt]
v
To make a hole or holes through something, especially a series of small holes.
v
To pierce and make a pattern of holes in something, for example so that a part can be torn off easily.
Morpheme Breakdown
per
forate
per
through
forate
to bore/pierce
Etymology
The word "perforate" entered English in the late 15th century from the Latin past participle perforatus, meaning "bored through." This Latin form is built from the preposition per ("through") and the verb forare ("to bore or pierce"). The root forare is thought to derive from the Proto-Indo-European root bherh-, meaning "to pierce, strike, or cut," which also gives us words like "bore" and "foramen" (an anatomical opening). Thus, the literal meaning of "making a hole through" has remained remarkably consistent from its ancient components to its modern technical and everyday usage.
Analysis
Structure: per (through) + forate (to bore/pierce)
- per: A Latin preposition meaning "through, thoroughly".
- forate: From the Latin verb forare, meaning "to bore, pierce, or perforate".
Examples
The machine is designed to perforate sheets of metal with precision.
The stamp is not properly perforated, making it difficult to tear from the sheet.
Surgeons may need to perforate the eardrum to relieve pressure from an infection.