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, adjective

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, noun

Word 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: percoid

Word Origin for perch

C13: from Old French perche, from Latin perca, from Greek perkē; compare Greek perkos spotted