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perpend

1 American  
[pur-puhnd] / ˈpɜr pənd /

noun

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


perpend 2 American  
[per-pend] / pərˈpɛnd /

verb (used with object)

  1. to consider.


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

"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

perpend 2 British  
/ pəˈpɛnd /

verb

  1. an archaic word for ponder

"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

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Wherefore, reader, perpend the first "batch," and patiently await a second and a better.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. 3, July, 1851 by Various

Learn of the wise, and perpend: civet is     of a baser birth than tar- the very uncleanly flux of a cat.

From The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by Shakespeare, William

Therefore, to begin his work the better, he requested a learned physician of that time, called Master Theodorus, seriously to perpend, if it were possible, how to bring Gargantua into a better course.

From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 1 by Motteux, Peter Anthony

If he meets with only conscripts and militia he may penetrate as far as Harrisburg, and then let Europe perpend!

From A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital by Jones, John Beauchamp

Pray perpend, pronounce, and don't be offended with either.

From Life of Lord Byron, Vol. 3 With His Letters and Journals by Moore, Thomas