concussion
/kənˈkʌʃ(ə)n
/noun
1 [mass noun] Temporary unconsciousness or confusion and other symptoms caused by a blow on the head: he was carried off the pitch with concussion [count noun]: nothing more serious than a mild concussion...
- The development of a better understanding of mild concussion is important for several reasons.
- These are signs of concussion and will need medical treatment.
- The vice chancellor is suffering from mild concussion after hitting his head on a tree branch earlier on the day of our interview.
Synonyms
temporary unconsciousness, temporary loss of consciousness, bang on the head;
Medicine mild cranial trauma
2A violent shock as from a heavy blow: the ground shuddered with the concussion of the blast...
- Thunderous night air raids on nearby Naples Harbor were becoming a regular thing and the tracers, explosions and bomb concussions made a violent show which we watched from the roof of our building.
- The movie begins with the crash, a violent concussion that leaves most of the crew and passengers dead.
- The other fighters shook from the concussion waves as their pilots looked in shock at the two fireballs.
Synonyms
force, impact, shock;
jarring, jolting, jolt, shaking
Origin
Late Middle English: from Latin concussio(n-), from the verb concutere 'dash together, shake' (see concuss).