concussion

[kuhn-kuhsh-uhn]

noun

1. Pathology.,  injury to the brain or spinal cord due to jarring from a blow, fall, or the like.

2. shock caused by the impact of a collision, blow, etc.

3. the act of violently shaking or jarring.

concussion

/ kənˈkʌʃən /

noun

1. a jarring of the brain, caused by a blow or a fall, usually resulting in loss of consciousness

2. any violent shaking; jarring

concussion

1. An injury to a soft structure, especially the brain, produced by a violent blow or impact and followed by a temporary, sometimes prolonged, loss of function. A concussion of the brain results in transient loss of consciousness or memory.

Other Word Forms

• concussional adjective
• concussant adjective
• concussive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of concussion¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin concussiōn-, stem of concussiō “a shaking,” also “earthquake, extortion”; equivalent to concuss + -ion

Example Sentences

“The house is shaking,” he says in the video as the escaping gas roars, its concussions jostling the camera.

From Salon

Quinton Jackson said his son had recently suffered a concussion from a sparring session and should not have been involved in physical activity.

From Los Angeles Times

Across the country, reports involving injuries to school staff caused by acts of violence have included loss or reduction of sight, concussion, fractures, dislocations and crush injuries.

From BBC

He was recovering from a concussion and had been advised by doctors to stay in a dark room so he could heal, Page recalled.

From Los Angeles Times

The NFL, however, cited a warning from the FDA that AIs can mask symptoms of a concussion and have not been proven to be safe or effective simply to increase energy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bump 
• injury 
• shock 
• trauma