bludgeon

== English == === Etymology === First attested in 1730. Origin uncertain, perhaps of Cornish origin (recorded as blogon c. 1450) or from Middle French bougeon, a diminutive of bouge (“club, stick”). === Pronunciation === (UK, US) IPA(key): /ˈblʌd͡ʒ.ən/ (Northern England) IPA(key): /ˈblʊd͡ʒ.ən/ Rhymes: -ʌdʒən === Noun === bludgeon (plural bludgeons) A short, heavy club, often of wood, which is thicker or loaded at one end. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== truncheon === Verb === bludgeon (third-person singular simple present bludgeons, present participle bludgeoning, simple past and past participle bludgeoned) (transitive) To strike or hit with something hard, usually on the head; to club. (transitive) To coerce someone, as if with a bludgeon. ==== Synonyms ==== (to club): cudgel (coerce): harass, pummel ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== clobber beat ==== Translations ==== === References === Douglas Harper (2001–2026), “bludgeon”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.