Which root means 'strike through'?

• A. Path(o)
• B. Per
• C. Pareunia
• D. Percuss

Answer: (D)

Percuss is the root that means to strike through. It comes from the Latin percutere, meaning to strike through or beat. In medical terms, percussion refers to tapping on a body surface to determine what lies beneath, so the root conveys the action of striking.

The other options don’t fit this meaning: path(o) relates to disease or suffering (path-/patho-); pareunia refers to sexual intercourse; and per- is a general prefix meaning through or thoroughly, not an action of striking.