perch
1
[ purch ]
/ pɜrtʃ /
noun
verb (used without object)
to alight or rest upon a perch.
to settle or rest in some elevated position, as if on a perch.
verb (used with object)
to set or place on or as if on a perch.
to inspect (cloth) for defects and blemishes after it has been taken from the loom and placed upon a perch.
Origin of perch
1
1250–1300; Middle English
perche < Old French < Latin
pertica pole, staff, measuring rod
OTHER WORDS FROM perch
perch·a·ble, adjective un·perched, adjectiveWords nearby perch
Definition for perch (2 of 2)
perch
2
[ purch ]
/ pɜrtʃ /
noun, plural (especially collectively) perch, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) perch·es.
any spiny-finned, freshwater food fish of the genus Perca, as P. flavescens (yellow perch), of the U.S., or P. fluviatilis, of Europe.
any of various other related, spiny-finned fishes.
any of several embioticid fishes, as Hysterocarpus traski (tule perch) of California.
Origin of perch
2
1350–1400; Middle English
perche < Middle French < Latin
perca < Greek
pérkē
Example sentences from the Web for perch
British Dictionary definitions for perch (1 of 2)
perch
1
/ (pɜːtʃ) /
noun
verb
(usually foll by on)
to alight, rest, or cause to rest on or as if on a perch
the bird perched on the branch; the cap was perched on his head
(tr)
to inspect (cloth) on a perch
Derived forms of perch
percher, nounWord Origin for perch
C13
perche stake, from Old French, from Latin
pertica long staff
British Dictionary definitions for perch (2 of 2)
perch
2
/ (pɜːtʃ) /
noun plural perch or perches
any freshwater spiny-finned teleost fish of the family Percidae, esp those of the genus Perca, such as P. fluviatilis of Europe and P. flavescens (yellow perch) of North America: valued as food and game fishes
any of various similar or related fishes
Other words from perch
Related adjective: percoidWord Origin for perch
C13: from Old French
perche, from Latin
perca, from Greek
perkē; compare Greek
perkos spotted