perpend

¹ American  

[pur-puhnd] / ˈpɜr pənd /

noun

1. a large stone passing through the entire thickness of a wall.

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perpend ² American  

[per-pend] / pərˈpɛnd /

verb (used with object)

1. to consider.

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verb (used without object)

1. to ponder; deliberate.

perpend ¹ British  

/ ˈpɜːpənd /

noun

1. Also called: parpend.   perpend stone.  a large stone that passes through a wall from one side to the other

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perpend ² British  

/ pəˈpɛnd /

verb

1. an archaic word for ponder

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Etymology

Origin of perpend¹

1225–75; variant of parpen, parpend, Middle English perpein, parpein ( late Middle English perpend- in compound) a stone dressed on more than one side < Old French perpein, parpain, perhaps representing Medieval Latin parpanus < ?

Origin of perpend²

1520–30; < Latin perpendere to weigh carefully, ponder, equivalent to per- per- + pendere to weigh

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

perpend

So I do, madonna; but to read his right wits is to read thus: therefore perpend, my princess, and give ear.

From Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

"Lud—a mercy," quoth I, Thomas, "I will perpend, Master Conscience" and I set myself to eschew the evil deed, with all my might.

From Tom Cringle's Log by Michael Scott

Wherefore, most selected friend, perpend at thy leisure, and so God speed thee!

From The Letters of Charles Dickens Vol. 1, 1833-1856 by Georgina Hogarth

I pray, perpend, my dearest dear; While blue-eyed maids the praise were drinking, How insubstantial was their cheer— It was of yours that I was thinking!

From Chimneysmoke by Christopher Morley

Would it not, as Henley used to say, give him much to perpend?

From An Ocean Tramp by William McFee

Related Words

• acknowledge
• contemplate
• examine
• favor
• grant
• look at
• recognize
• regard
• scrutinize
• see
• study