perforate

[v. pur-fuh-reyt; adj. pur-fer-it, -fuh-reyt] /v. ˈpɜr fəˌreɪt; adj. ˈpɜr fər ɪt, -fəˌreɪt/
verb (used with object), perforated, perforating.
1.
to make a hole or holes through by boring, punching, piercing, or the like.
2.
to pierce through or to the interior of; penetrate.
verb (used without object), perforated, perforating.
3.
to make a way through or into something; penetrate.
adjective
4.
perforated.
Origin
1530-40; < Latin perforātus, past participle of perforāre to bore1 through; see per-
Related forms
perforable, adjective
perforative, adjective
perforator, noun
multiperforate, adjective
nonperforating, adjective
unperforable, adjective
unperforating, adjective
unperforative, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for perforate

perforate

verb (ˈpɜːfəˌreɪt)
1.
to make a hole or holes in (something); penetrate
2.
(transitive) to punch rows of holes between (stamps, coupons, etc) for ease of separation
adjective (ˈpɜːfərɪt)
3.
(biology)
  1. pierced by small holes: perforate shells
  2. marked with small transparent spots
4.
(philately) another word for perforated (sense 2)
Derived Forms
perforable (ˈpɜːfərəbəl) adjective
perforative, perforatory, adjective
perforator, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Latin perforāre, from per- through + forāre to pierce
Word Origin and History for perforate
v.

late 15c. (implied in perforated), a back-formation from perforation or else from Latin perforatus, past participle of perforare "to bore through, pierce through." Related: Perforating.

perforate in Medicine

perforate per·fo·rate (pûr'fə-rāt')
v. per·fo·rat·ed, per·fo·rat·ing, per·fo·rates

  1. To make a hole or holes in, as from injury, disease, or medical procedure.

  2. To pass into or through (a body structure or tissue).

adj. (pûr'fər-ĭt, -fə-rāt')
Having been perforated.