Perforation Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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perforation

[หŒpษœห.fษ™หˆreษช.สƒษ™n ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

medical

A hole or opening made by piercing or drilling, especially in a material or body part.

Synonyms

aperture, hole, opening.

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Word Description / Examples
perforation

Used when referring to a small hole or series of holes, often in a line, usually made for the purpose of tearing paper or allowing fluids to pass through.

  • The tickets have a perforation that makes them easy to tear apart
  • The filter has tiny perforations to allow water to pass through
hole

A general term used for an opening or hollow place in a solid body or surface. It can refer to anything from a small puncture to a large gap.

  • He accidentally drilled a hole in the wall
  • The dog dug a hole in the backyard
opening

Refers to a space or gap that one can look through, pass through, or use to enter or exit. Also used metaphorically to refer to opportunities.

  • She looked through the opening in the fence
  • The door provided an opening to the next room
  • He found an opening in the job market
aperture

Commonly used in technical or scientific contexts to refer to an opening, especially one that controls the amount of light entering a camera or telescope.

  • The photographer adjusted the camera's aperture to get the perfect shot
  • The telescope's aperture determines how much light it can gather

Examples of usage

  • The doctor found a perforation in the patient's stomach lining.
  • The perforation in the paper allowed for easy tearing along the dotted line.
Context #2 | Noun

postal services

A line of small holes for ease in separation, as in a sheet of stamps or paper.

Synonyms

separation line, tear-off line.

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Word Description / Examples
perforation

This term is commonly used in technical or manufacturing settings to describe holes or cuts made in a material, especially paper, to allow for easy tearing or separation.

  • She easily tore out the coupon along the perforation
  • The notebook had perforations to help remove pages cleanly
tear-off line

This phrase is typically used in contexts where ease of tearing is the main focus. It is often found in everyday language to describe lines on items like tickets, forms, or packaging.

  • The envelope had a tear-off line for easy opening
  • Make sure you fold the receipt along the tear-off line before removing it
separation line

This phrase is often used in general or informal contexts when describing a line designed to mark where two sections should be divided or torn apart. It is ideal for contexts where non-technical language is preferred.

  • The ticket had a clear separation line to divide the stubs
  • Please fold the paper along the separation line before tearing

Examples of usage

  • The perforations in the stamp sheet allowed for easy tearing and distribution.
  • She tore off the coupon along the perforation.
Context #3 | Noun

arts

A series of small holes or slits in a design, allowing for a pattern to be created when torn or cut.

Synonyms

cutout, piercing, slit.

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Word Description / Examples
perforation

Usually used to describe small holes in a material that are created for easier tearing or separating parts.

  • The ticket has a perforation down the middle for easy tearing.
  • The document had a perforation along the edge to allow for clean removal from the binder.
slit

Describes a long, narrow cut or opening often made intentionally. Can sometimes be used in a negative context to describe something damaged or sinister.

  • There was a small slit in the envelope for inserting the invitation.
  • She noticed a slit in her dress that wasnโ€™t there before.
cutout

Used to describe a piece that has been cut out of a material or an area that has been removed, often used in arts and crafts or design.

  • The artist made a cutout in the shape of a star from the cardboard.
  • The dress had a cutout on the back, giving it a unique look.
piercing

Refers to the act of making a hole through something, often used when talking about body modifications or sharp objects. Can sometimes have a negative connotation.

  • She got a piercing in her nose last weekend.
  • The arrow pierced through the target effortlessly.

Examples of usage

  • The perforation in the paper created a beautiful lace-like pattern.
  • The artist used perforations to add texture to the paper.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Practical Applications

  • Used in creating notepads, where sheets are easily torn off using perforation.
  • In medical procedures, perforation can refer to making openings in tissues for treatment.
  • Common in packaging, where perforation allows easy access to enclosed items.

Cultural Significance

  • Perforated designs in art and architecture date back to ancient cultures, often used for decoration.
  • In modern music, perforated materials are utilized in soundproofing to create acoustically beneficial spaces.
  • Perforations in textiles have been employed in fashion design for both aesthetic appeal and functionality.

Engineering and Technology

  • Perforation is crucial in industries like pharmaceuticals, where packaging must allow for certain functionalities.
  • In electronics, perforated designs can heat dissipation parts for cooling technologies in devices.
  • Modern machinery often uses perforation to automate processes, improving efficiency in manufacturing.

Historical Facts

  • The first recorded use of perforation in paper production dates back to the 19th century.
  • Before automated methods, perforation was done manually, which was time-consuming and imprecise.
  • During World War II, perforation techniques were used in military supplies for easier distribution and handling.

Origin of 'perforation'

Main points about word origin

  • Derived from the Latin 'perforare', which means 'to pierce through'.
  • The word evolved in Middle English from 'perforacioun', reflecting its function of creating holes.
  • The prefix 'per-' means 'through', and 'forare' means 'to bore or pierce', which directly relates to its meaning.

The word 'perforation' has Latin roots, coming from the Latin word 'perforare', meaning 'to bore through'. The concept of perforation has been used in various fields such as medicine, postal services, and arts to create holes or openings for different purposes.


Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,059, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.