Concussion definition | Dictionary.com

A violent jarring; a shock. See Synonyms at collision.
An injury to an organ, especially the brain, produced by a violent blow and followed by a temporary or prolonged loss of function.

[Middle English concussioun, bruise, contusion, from Latin concussiō, concussiōn-, concussion, from concussus, past participle of concutere, to strike together; see concuss.]

con·cus'sive (-kŭs'ĭv) adj., con·cus'sive·ly adv.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
concussion

1490, from L. concussionem (nom. concussio), pp. of concutere "shake violently," from com- "together" + quatere "to shake." Modern sense of "brain injury" is 1541.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

concussion
noun
1.	injury to the brain caused by a blow; usually resulting in loss of consciousness
2.	any violent blow

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The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

concussion (kən-kŭsh'ən) Pronunciation Key

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.

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American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

concussion con·cus·sion (kən-kŭsh'ən)
n.

A violent shaking or jarring.
An injury to a soft structure, especially the brain, produced by a violent blow and followed by a temporary or prolonged loss of function.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Concussion

Con*cus"sion\, n. [L. concussio, fr. concutere, concussum, to shake violenty; con- + quatere to shake. See Cashier, Quash.]

1. A shaking or agitation; a shock; caused by the collision of two bodies.

It is believed that great ringing of bells, in populous cities, hath dissipated pestilent air; which may be from the concussion of the air. --Bacon.

2. (Med.) A condition of lowered functional activity, without visible structural change, produced in an organ by a shock, as by fall or blow; as, a concussion of the brain.

3. (Civil Law) The unlawful forcing of another by threats of violence to yield up something of value.

Then concussion, rapine, pilleries, Their catalogue of accusations fill. --Daniel.

Concussion fuse (Mil.), one that is ignited by the concussion of the shell when it strikes.

Syn: See Shock.

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