peri
[ peer-ee ]
/ ˈpɪər i /
noun, plural pe·ris.
one of a large group of beautiful, fairylike beings of Persian mythology, represented as descended from fallen angels and excluded from paradise until their penance is accomplished.
any lovely, graceful person.
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Origin of peri
1770–80; <Persian perī, variant of parī fairy, Middle Persian parīk,Avestan pairikā witch
Definition for peri (2 of 3)
Peri
[ pe-ree ]
/ ˈpɛ ri /
noun
Ja·co·po [yah-kaw-paw], /ˈyɑ kɔ pɔ/, 1561–1633, Italian composer.
Definition for peri (3 of 3)
peri-
a prefix meaning “about” or “around” (perimeter, periscope), “enclosing” or “surrounding” (pericardium), and “near” (perigee, perihelion), appearing in loanwords from Greek (peripeteia); on this model, used in the formation of compound words (perimorph).
Origin of peri-
<Greek, prefixal use of perí (adv. and preposition)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for peri (1 of 2)
peri
/ (ˈpɪərɪ) /
noun plural -ris
(in Persian folklore) one of a race of beautiful supernatural beings
any beautiful fairy-like creature
Word Origin for peri
C18: from Persian: fairy, from Avestan pairikā witch
British Dictionary definitions for peri (2 of 2)
peri-
prefix
enclosing, encircling, or aroundpericardium; pericarp; perigon
near or adjacentperihelion
Word Origin for peri-
from Greek peri around, near, about
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for peri
peri-
pref.
Around; about; enclosing:perimysium.
Near:perinatal.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for peri
peri-
A prefix that means: around (as in pericardium,) or near (as in perihelion).
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.