perch
1[ purch ]
/ pɜrtʃ /
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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 1250–1300; Middle English perche, perdge, preche, from Old French, from Latin pertica “pole, staff, measuring rod”
OTHER WORDS FROM perch
perch·a·ble, adjectiveun·perched, adjectiveOther definitions for perch (2 of 2)
perch2
[ purch ]
/ pɜrtʃ /
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 1350–1400; Middle English perche, from Middle French, from Latin perca, from Greek pérkē, feminine of adjective pérkos “having dark spots, spotted, speckled”
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use perch in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for perch (1 of 2)
perch1
/ (pɜːtʃ) /
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
/ (pɜːtʃ) /
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 perkē; compare Greek perkos spotted
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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