Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PAR-A-CEN-TE'SIS, or PAR-A-CEN-TE'SY, n. [Gr. παρακεντησις; παρα, through, and κεντεω, to pierce.]

In surgery, the perforation of a cavity of the body either with a trochar, lancet, or other suitable instrument, for the evacuation of any effused fluid. – Encyc.