Beating

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈbiːtɪŋ/

Definitions

1. The act of striking something or someone repeatedly ; a loss experienced in a contest or struggle ; the regular rhythmic movement often felt in a pulse or sound
2. Repeated blows delivered to a person or object ; a clear loss or overwhelming defeat in a contest ; a steady rhythmic throbbing or pulsation, as in a heartbeat or drum
3. Continuous striking or hitting motions ; an instance of losing decisively in competition ; the pattern of rhythmic beats or pulses in music or physiology

Etymology: "Beating" is a plain formation: the verb "beat" with the suffix "-ing", which turns a verb into a noun for the action itself, as in "a beating" for a thrashing or "the beating of a heart" for its rhythmic throb. The same suffix lets "beating" serve as a noun for the rhythmic pulse of a heart or wings, and as a verb form meaning to strike repeatedly. The "beat" at its root is the older, more concrete sense of striking, which English has carried since Old English, so the word's core meaning of repeated hard blows was already there before the suffix was added. Because "beating" is formed directly from that verb, its sense has always stayed close to the action of striking, with the extended meanings of rhythm and defeat growing out of the same base.

Synonyms: thrashing, drubbing, pounding, hitting, striking

Antonyms: submission, surrender, peace, calm, rest