Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PER-TU'SION, n. [s as z. L. pertusus, pertundo.]

1. The act of punching, piercing or thrusting through with a pointed instrument. The manner of opening a vein in Hippocrates's time, was by stabbing or pertusion. – Arbuthnot.
2. A little hole made by punching; a perforation. – Bacon.