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perch
1[ purch ]
/ pÉrtÊ /
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noun
verb (used without object)
to alight or rest upon a perch.
to settle or rest in some elevated position, as if on a perch.
verb (used with object)
to set or place on or as if on a perch.
to inspect (cloth) for defects and blemishes after it has been taken from the loom and placed upon a perch.
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Origin of perch
1First recorded in 1250â1300; Middle English perche, perdge, preche, from Old French, from Latin pertica âpole, staff, measuring rodâ
OTHER WORDS FROM perch
perch·a·ble, adjectiveun·perched, adjectiveWords nearby perch
Other definitions for perch (2 of 2)
perch2
[ purch ]
/ pÉrtÊ /
noun, plural (especially collectively) perch, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) perch·es.
any spiny-finned, freshwater food fish of the genus Perca, as P. flavescens(yellow perch ), of the U.S., or P. fluviatilis, of Europe.
any of various other related, spiny-finned fishes.
any of several embioticid fishes, as Hysterocarpus traski(tule perch ) of California.
Origin of perch
2First recorded in 1350â1400; Middle English perche, from Middle French, from Latin perca, from Greek pĂ©rkÄ, feminine of adjective pĂ©rkos âhaving dark spots, spotted, speckledâ
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use perch in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for perch (1 of 2)
perch1
/ (pÉËtÊ) /
noun
verb
(usually foll by on) to alight, rest, or cause to rest on or as if on a perchthe bird perched on the branch; the cap was perched on his head
(tr) to inspect (cloth) on a perch
Derived forms of perch
percher, nounWord Origin for perch
C13 perche stake, from Old French, from Latin pertica long staff
British Dictionary definitions for perch (2 of 2)
perch2
/ (pÉËtÊ) /
noun plural perch or perches
any freshwater spiny-finned teleost fish of the family Percidae, esp those of the genus Perca, such as P. fluviatilis of Europe and P. flavescens (yellow perch) of North America: valued as food and game fishes
any of various similar or related fishes
Other words from perch
Related adjective: percoidWord Origin for perch
C13: from Old French perche, from Latin perca, from Greek perkÄ; compare Greek perkos spotted
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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