English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

pergola

noun

A framework in the form of a passageway of columns that supports a trelliswork roof; used to support and train climbing plants.

perhaps

adv

Possibly; maybe.

peri

noun

In Persian folklore, a beautiful winged spirit or fairy-like being.

pericardial

adj

Relating to the pericardium, the membrane surrounding the heart.

pericardium

noun

The thin, fluid-filled membrane that encloses the heart and lets it beat smoothly.

periclean

adj

Of or relating to Pericles, an Ancient Greek politician, or to the golden age of art and literature in Athens.

Pericles

name

A prominent Athenian statesman and general of the 5th century BC, considered the leading figure of Athens' golden age.

periculous

adj

(dated) Dangerous or risky.

periegesis

noun

A written account describing a particular place or region.

perigee

noun

The point in an orbit around the Earth or another planet where the orbiting body is closest to it.

perihelion

noun

The point in an orbit, such as a planet's or comet's, that is closest to the Sun.

peril

noun

A situation of serious, immediate danger.

perilous

adj

Full of danger; risky.

perimeter

noun

The total distance around the edge of a shape.

perimortem

adj

Happening around the time of death.

perineum

noun

The area of the body between the anus and the genitals, covering the floor of the pelvis.

period

noun

A stretch of time, or a particular era seen as a distinct whole.

periodic

adj

Happening again and again at regular intervals.

periodical

noun

A publication that comes out regularly, but not every day.

periodically

adv

From time to time; at recurring intervals.

periodontal

adj

Around a tooth.

peripheral

adj

Located on the outer edge or boundary, rather than at the center.

periphery

noun

The outer edge, boundary, or fringe of something.

periplus

noun

A written record of a sea journey, noting the ports and coastal features passed.

periscope

noun

A tube-shaped viewing device with mirrors or prisms that lets someone see over or around an obstacle.

periscopic

adj

Connected with periscopes or how they are used.

periscopically

adv

By means of a periscope.

perish

verb

To die, especially suddenly or violently.

perishability

noun

How quickly something is likely to go off or decay.

perishable

adjective

Likely to go bad or rot quickly unless kept cool or used soon, said especially of food.

perishing

adj

Bitterly cold.

perissodactyl

noun

Any ungulate mammal with an odd number of toes and belonging to the Perissodactyla, an equid, a tapir, or a rhinoceros.

peristalsis

noun

The wave-like squeezing of muscles in the walls of a tube-shaped organ, especially the gut, that pushes its contents steadily along.

peritoneum

noun

In anatomy, the membrane that lines the inside of the abdominal cavity in mammals and folds over the organs within it.

peritonitis

noun

A painful inflammation of the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity, often caused by infection.

periwig

noun

An old-fashioned decorative wig, once worn by both men and women.

periwinkle

noun

A small trailing evergreen plant with blue, white, or purple flowers.

perjure

verb

To deliberately lie while under oath, especially in court.

perjurer

noun

A person who has lied while giving evidence under oath.

perjury

noun

The crime of deliberately lying while under oath in a legal setting.

perk

noun

An extra benefit that comes with a job, beyond the salary.

perkiness

noun

The quality of being lively and cheerful.

Perkins

name

An English surname meaning "little Peter" or "son of Perkin".

Perks

noun

Plural of perk: extra benefits attached to a job or position.

perky

adj

Cheerful, lively, and full of energy.

perm

noun

A hairstyle created by chemically treating hair to make it curly.

permafrost

noun

Ground that stays frozen solid all year round, typically in polar or high-altitude regions.

permanence

noun

The quality of lasting forever or for an indefinitely long time.

permanency

noun

The state of lasting or staying the same forever.

permanent

adj

Lasting forever or for an indefinitely long time, without a planned end.

permanently

adv

In a way that lasts forever, or for good.

permanganate

noun

(chemistry) Any of a group of purple crystal salts of permanganic acid, mostly soluble in water and used as powerful oxidizing agents.

permeable

adj

Allowing liquids or gases to pass through it.

permeate

verb

To pass gradually into or through something, especially a loosely-textured substance, without damaging it.

Permian

adj

Relating to the final geological period of the Paleozoic era, roughly 299 to 252 million years ago.

permillage

noun

A rate or amount shown as a number out of one thousand.

permissibility

noun

The fact of being allowed or acceptable.

permissible

adj

Allowed by rules, law, or custom.

permissibleness

noun

The quality of being allowed.

permission

noun

Formal or informal consent for something to happen.

permissive

adj

Willing to allow things, or not strict about rules.

permit

verb

To allow something to happen or to give someone authorization to do it.

permitted

adj

Allowed by rule or authority.

permitting

noun

The process of applying for and obtaining official permits.

permutation

noun

One of the different ways a group of things can be arranged or exist.

permyriad

adv

For every ten thousand; equal to one hundredth of a percent.

Pernell

name

A given name and surname, a variant of Peter or Parnell.

pernicious

adj

Causing harm gradually or in a way that is not immediately obvious.

pernickety

adj

(informal) Very particular about small details, often more than necessary.

Pernod

noun

A French anise-flavored aperitif, often mixed with water.

Pero

name

A given name, a medieval Spanish and Portuguese form of Pedro.

Peron

name

A Spanish surname, notably borne by Argentine president Juan Peron and his wife Eva Peron.

peroneal

adj

(anatomy) Relating to the outer side of the lower leg, near the fibula.

perovskite

noun

(mineralogy) A calcium titanium oxide mineral found in small amounts within certain rocks.

peroxidase

noun

(biochemistry) An enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide and similar chemicals.

peroxide

noun

Hydrogen peroxide, especially the diluted form used as a disinfectant or hair bleach.

perp

noun

Informal short form of "perpetrator" — the person who committed a crime.

perpendicular

adjective

Meeting another line or surface at a right angle (90 degrees).

perpetrate

verb

To carry out or be responsible for a crime or other wrongdoing.

perpetration

noun

The act of carrying out a crime or other wrongdoing.

perpetrator

noun

The person who actually carries out a crime or other wrongdoing.

perpetuable

adj

Able to be kept going or made to last.

perpetual

adjective

Lasting forever, or continuing for so long it feels endless.

perpetualism

noun

The idea that a particular situation lasts, or should last, forever.

perpetualist

noun

A person who supports the idea that something should last forever.

perpetuality

noun

The state of lasting forever, without end.

perpetually

adverb

Constantly, without any sign of stopping.

perpetualness

noun

The condition of continuing without stopping.

perpetuana

noun

A long-lasting type of woollen cloth.

perpetuate

verb

To keep something going indefinitely, often something negative like a problem or stereotype.

perpetuation

noun

The act of making something continue, or keeping it going.

perpetuity

noun

A state of lasting forever, or an indefinitely long duration.

perplex

verb

To make someone feel confused because they cannot understand something.

perplexed

adjective

Confused and unable to understand something.

perplexing

adjective

Confusing; hard to make sense of.

perplexity

noun

A feeling of confusion because something is hard to understand.

perquisite

noun

An extra benefit, in money or otherwise, given on top of normal pay.

Perri

name

A given name and surname, a variant of Perry, sometimes used as a feminine form.

perrier

noun

A brand of naturally sparkling mineral water from France.

Perrin

name

An English and French surname, a diminutive form of Peter.

perry

noun

An alcoholic drink made from fermented pear juice, similar to cider.

persecute

verb

To treat someone cruelly or unfairly over a long period, often because of their race, religion, or beliefs.

persecution

noun

Cruel or unfair treatment over time, especially aimed at a particular group.

persecutor

noun

A person or thing that treats someone cruelly or unfairly over time.

Persephone

name

In Greek mythology, the daughter of Demeter who became queen of the underworld after being abducted by Hades.

Perseus

name

A hero in Greek mythology who slew the Gorgon Medusa; also the name of a constellation.

perseverance

noun

Steady effort to keep doing something despite difficulty or setbacks.

perseverant

adj

Continuing firmly despite difficulty.

perseverate

verb

To keep doing or repeating something even after there is no longer any reason to.

perseveration

noun

(psychology) The uncontrollable repeating of a word, phrase or action, often caused by damage to the brain.

persevere

verb

To keep trying to achieve something despite obstacles or discouragement.

Pershing

name

An American surname, notably borne by General John J. Pershing, commander of U.S. forces in World War I.

Persia

proper noun

The historical name for Iran, and for the empires ruled from that region.

Persian

adjective

Relating to Persia (modern Iran), its people, or its culture.

persimmon

noun

A sweet orange fruit that is very astringent and unpleasant if eaten before it is fully ripe.

persist

verb

To continue doing something despite difficulty or opposition.

persistence

noun

The quality of continuing to try despite difficulty.

persistency

noun

The quality of continuing firmly with something.

persistent

adjective

Continuing firmly despite difficulty or opposition; refusing to give up.

persistently

adverb

In a way that continues steadily despite difficulty.

persnickety

adj

A US standard form of pernickety.

person

noun

A human being, or any individual regarded as an entity with rights and identity.

persona

noun

The image or character someone presents to the world, which may differ from their true self.

persona non grata

noun

A person who is no longer welcome somewhere, especially a foreign diplomat formally declared unacceptable by a host government and required to leave.

personable

adjective

Having a warm, likeable manner that makes people feel comfortable.

personage

noun

A person of importance or fame.

personal

adjective

Relating to a specific individual rather than to others or to the public.

personalia

noun

A person's private possessions, papers and personal details, taken together.

personalise

verb

A non-Oxford British English standard spelling of personalize.

personality

noun

The particular mix of traits, attitudes, and behaviors that makes someone who they are.

personalize

verb

To change something so that it suits a particular person's needs or tastes.

personalized

adjective

Made or adjusted to suit one particular person's needs or tastes.

personally

adverb

Used to show that something is one's own private opinion or feeling.

personalty

noun

(law) Personal belongings and other property that can be moved, rather than land or buildings.

personate

verb

To pretend dishonestly to be someone else.

personation

noun

The act of playing a part or portraying a character.

personification

noun

A person or thing that perfectly represents a particular quality.

personify

verb

To show a quality so completely that you seem to be a living example of it.

personnel

noun

The people who work for an organization, such as a company or the military.

perspective

noun

A particular way of viewing or thinking about a situation.

perspectograph

noun

A device used to copy the outline of objects onto a picture, drawn accurately as they would look from one fixed viewpoint.

perspectography

noun

The skill or study of drawing scenes so that they look correctly three-dimensional.

perspicacious

adj

Quick to notice and understand things clearly.

perspicacity

noun

The ability to notice and understand things quickly and clearly.

perspicuity

noun

The quality of being clear and easy to understand, especially in writing or speech.

perspicuous

adj

Expressed so clearly that it is easy to understand.

perspicuously

adv

In a clear and easy-to-understand way.

perspiration

noun

Sweat, or the process of sweating.

perspire

verb

To release sweat through the pores of your skin.

perspiring

adjective

Sweating; giving off perspiration.