Pär'a-çen-tē'sis, n.

n. [Lat., Gr. παρακέντησις, from παρακεντεῖν, to pierce at the side, to tap, from παρά, beside, at the side, and κεντεῖν, to prick, pierce; Fr. paracentèse.] (Surg.) The perforation of a cavity of the body with a trocar, lancet, or other suitable instrument, for the evacuation of an effused fluid.