perpend

1
[ pur-puhnd ]
See synonyms for perpend on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a large stone passing through the entire thickness of a wall.

Origin of perpend

1
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< ?

Words Nearby perpend

Other definitions for perpend (2 of 2)

perpend2
[ per-pend ]

verb (used with object)
  1. to consider.

verb (used without object)
  1. to ponder; deliberate.

Origin of perpend

2
1520–30; <Latin perpendere to weigh carefully, ponder, equivalent to per-per- + pendere to weigh

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use perpend in a sentence

  • I do perpend that to earn these pieces of which you speak one must perform some worthy business.

    Robin Hood | Paul Creswick
  • Would it not, as Henley used to say, give him much to perpend?

    An Ocean Tramp | William McFee
  • Wherefore, most selected friend, perpend at thy leisure, and so God speed thee!

  • There is a hint for you, worthy of the Row; and now, perpend—pronounce.

  • "We shall perpend the point of receiving her," replied the King, gravely.

    The Lancashire Witches | William Harrison Ainsworth

British Dictionary definitions for perpend (1 of 2)

perpend1

perpent

/ (ˈpɜːpənd) /


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

Origin of perpend

1
C15: from Old French parpain, of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for perpend (2 of 2)

perpend2

/ (pəˈpɛnd) /


verb
  1. an archaic word for ponder

Origin of perpend

2
C16: from Latin perpendere to examine, from per- (thoroughly) + pendere to weigh

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