perpetrate

[ pur-pi-treyt ]
/ ˈpɜr pɪˌtreɪt /

verb (used with object), per·pe·trat·ed, per·pe·trat·ing.

to commit: to perpetrate a crime.
to present, execute, or do in a poor or tasteless manner: Who perpetrated this so-called comedy?

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?
Question 1 of 10
earnest
full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.
a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.
urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of perpetrate

1540–50; < Latin perpetrātus (past participle of perpetrāre to carry out, execute, perform), equivalent to per- per- + -petr- (combining form of patrāre to father, bring about; see pater) + -ā- theme vowel + -tus past participle suffix; see -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM perpetrate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH perpetrate

perpetrate perpetuate

Words nearby perpetrate

perp walk, perp., perpend, perpendicular, perpent, perpetrate, perpetrator, perpetual, perpetual adoration, perpetual calendar, perpetual check
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for perpetration

British Dictionary definitions for perpetration

perpetrate
/ (ˈpɜːpɪˌtreɪt) /

verb

(tr) to perform or be responsible for (a deception, crime, etc)

Derived forms of perpetrate

perpetration, nounperpetrator, noun

Word Origin for perpetrate

C16: from Latin perpetrāre, from per- (thoroughly) + patrāre to perform, perhaps from pater father, leader in the performance of sacred rites

usage for perpetrate

Perpetrate and perpetuate are sometimes confused: he must answer for the crimes he has perpetrated (not perpetuated); the book helped to perpetuate (not perpetrate) some of the myths surrounding his early life
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