peri

¹

[ peer-ee ]

noun

, Persian Mythology.

, plural pe·ris.

1. 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.
2. any lovely, graceful person.

Peri

²

[ pe-ree ]

noun

1. Ja·co·po [yah, -kaw-paw], 1561–1633, Italian composer.

peri-

³

1. 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 ).

peri

¹

/ ˈpɪərɪ /

noun

1. (in Persian folklore) one of a race of beautiful supernatural beings
2. any beautiful fairy-like creature

peri-

²

prefix

1. enclosing, encircling, or around

   perigon

   pericarp

   pericardium

2. near or adjacent

   perihelion

peri–

1. A prefix that means: “around” (as in pericardium, ) or “near” (as in perihelion ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of peri¹

1770–80; < Persian perī, variant of parī fairy, Middle Persian parīk, Avestan pairikā witch

Origin of peri²

< Greek, prefixal use of perí (adv. and preposition)

Word History and Origins

Origin of peri¹

C18: from Persian: fairy, from Avestan pairikā witch

Origin of peri²

from Greek peri around, near, about

Example Sentences

But in a post-Kardashian world (or at least a peri-Kardashian world), this is an old complaint.

From The Daily Beast

Peri somehow learned the English keyboard and used the program.

From The Daily Beast

Peri, the top student in the ninth grade, waved off our translator and made it through most of the interview without help.

From The Daily Beast

Aristoxenus promises to treat of Systems, 'and among them of the perfect System' (peri te tn alln kai tou teleiou).

From Project Gutenberg

Of the three extant books the first is obviously a distinct treatise, and should probably be entitled peri archn.

From Project Gutenberg

(from the words peri de synecheias kai tou hexs), and again pp. 58-72 Meib.

From Project Gutenberg

I hear the sound of my Peri's lute among the cypress trees—she is waiting to embrace me.

From Project Gutenberg

At the very first steps of Peri we slipped about in all directions, like quivering fragments of blancmange.

From Project Gutenberg