[ad. L. concussiōnem, n. of action f. concutĕre: see CONCUSS. Cf. F. concussion, 16th c. in Littré.]
1. The action of violently shaking or agitating; particularly, the shock of impact.
1490. Caxton, Eneydos, x. 39. Juno prayd the goddys of wyndes that eueryche … sholde make concussyon and tormente in the ayer.
1541. R. Copland, Guydon’s Formul., U iv. Woundes or sores made with concussyons or strypes.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., III. xlii. 303. A concussion of the Heavens.
1760. trans. Juan & Ulloa’s Voy. (1772), I. VI. i. 306. This terrible concussion was general all over the province of Quito.
1825. J. Nicholson, Operat. Mech., 647. Less liable to be broken by shocks or concussions.
1858. Greener, Gunnery, 89. The proper shape and form of cannon to resist concussions.
1879. Harlan, Eyesight, ii. 19. When the retina is irritated by the concussion of a violent blow … flashes of light … result.
b. transf. and fig.
1641. Bp. Hall, Serm., Rem. Wks. (1660), 65. The concussion or unsettlement of the state of Israel, and the division of it.
1846. Prescott, Ferd. & Is., I. Introd. 85. The brisk concussion given to the minds of the Catalans.
2. Surg. Injury caused to the brain, spine, or other part, by the shock of a heavy blow, fall, etc.
1541. R. Copland, Galyen’s Terapeutyke, 2 A ij b. The solution of contynuyte called ecchymosis in greke commeth most often with concussyon and ruption.
1656. Ridgley, Pract. Physick, 68. Concussion of the Brain is made from an external cause.
1803. Med. Jrnl., IX. 177. The term concussion conveys not a precise idea of that derangement which is produced in the organization of the brain by external violence, on which account … I have been induced to substitute that of contusion.
1847. South, trans. Chelius’ Surg., I. 411. In concussion there is always gorging of the brain with blood.
1879. Carpenter, Ment. Phys., I. ii. § 68 (1879), 72. The Spinal Cord must have been in a state of concussion.
3. Extortion by threats or violence, esp. on the part of the ruling power. Orig. in Rom. Law.
1597. Daniel, Civ. Wares, IV. lxxv. Concussion, rapine, pillories, Their catalogue of accusations fill.
1602. Fulbecke, Pandectes, 74. This Suetonius reckoneth as one of the concussions of Tiberius, who tooke from cities and priuate men the Mettals in which they were lawfullie interested.
1630. R. Johnson’s Kingd. & Commw., 86. Many concussions are put in practice from the kings prerogative, to furnish the offices with reasonable allowance.
1640–4. Petit., in Rushw., Hist. Coll., III. (1692), I. 81. These great and high Concussions in the Prosecution of this Cause.
1730–6. in Bailey (folio).
4. Comb., as concussion-bellows, a self-acting reservoir for regulating the wind-supply in an organ; concussion-fuse, a fuse (in a shell) ignited by concussion or impact.
1881. C. A. Edwards, Organs, 44. The concussion bellows [is] a triangular reservoir placed over a valve in the wind trunk.
1864. Daily Tel., 18 May. The segment shells could not derive much assistance from their concussion fuses, on account of the soft state in which the ground was.
