Dictionary: PER – PERZ

► PERACT vb. to practice, to perform; to accomplish, to carry out → 1621 obs.
► PERACTION n. performance, accomplishment of a task → 1623 obs.
► PERADVENTURE adv. by chance, by accident → 1325 arch.
n. 1. the possibility of a thing being so or not; uncertainty, doubt; a chance; a risk, hazard → 1450 arch.
n. 2. an adventure → 1584 arch.
► PERADVERTENCE n. thorough carefulness or attention → 1529 obs.
► PERAFFABLE adj. easy to talk to; affable → 1623 obs.
► PERAGRATE vb. to wander through the country; to rove about; to travel over or through → 1542 
► PERAGRATION n. a wandering thorough, a travelling over → 1611 
► PERAMBLE n. a long rambling speech or tale → 1824 Eng. dial.
► PERAMBULANT adj. strolling, itinerant → 1865 
► PERAMBULATOR n. a brakevan (caboose) → 1977 US sl.
► PERAMBULATORY adj. moving from place to place, wandering, strolling, itinerant → 1650 
n. a place in which to walk about; a walk → 1636 
► PERAMENE adj. very pleasant → 1657 obs.
► PERANTIQUE adj. very antique; ancient → 1883 obs.
► PERASPERATE vb. to vex → 1623
► PERATHA n. a herd of cattle or horses → 1940 Amer. dial.
► PERCEIT n. perception, understanding, comprehension → 1399 obs.
► PERCEIVANCE n. 1. mental or physical perception; discernment, wisdom, understanding; awareness, sense → 1534 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
n. 2. heed, notice → 1916 Amer. dial.
► PERCEIVANT adj. perceiving, observant, observing, understanding → 1400 obs.
► PERCEIVERANCE n. perception; awareness; understanding; a perceiving with the mind → 1500 obs.
► PERCEIVERANT n. a person who perceives something; an observer → 1517 obs.
► PERCEIVERATION n. perception; awareness; understanding; a perceiving with the mind → 1500 obs.
► PERCENTAGE n. a profit; an advantage → 1948 UK sl., orig. military
► PERCENTAGE DICE n. dice that have been altered to favour a certain roll → 1975 US sl.
► PERCENTAGE JOINT n. a carnival concession that relies on volume for profit → 1985 US sl.
► PERCENTAGE PLAYER n. a  gambler who appreciates odds and percentages, absorbing losses in the belief that the odds will ultimately favour him → 1961 US sl.
► PERCENTER n. an ex-girlfriend → 1982 Bahamas
► PERCEPT vb. 1. to perceive → 1652 obs.
vb. 2. to make perceptible or distinct; to reveal → 1946
► PERCH vb. 1. to push oneself forward, esp. in a presumptuous or conceited manner → 1530 obs.
vb. 2. to die → 1886 sl., obs.
► PERCH BUG n. a dragonfly or damselfly nymph; rarely, the adult → 1943 Amer. dial.
► PERCHED adj. presumptuous, self-assertive → 1600 obs.
► PERCHER n. a person who aspires to a higher rank or status; an ambitious or self-assertive person → 1581 obs.
► PERCHIST n. a trapeze artist → 1938 
► PERCIPIENCE n. perception; recognition; insight; good understanding of things → 1768 
► PERCIPIENCY n. perception; recognition, insight; a good understanding of things → 1662 
► PERCIPIENT adj. capable of perceiving; conscious; perceptive, discerning → 1692 
n. a person with extrasensory perception → 1883 
► PERCLOSE n. 1. close, conclusion, esp. of a sentence, discourse, or writing → 1300 obs.
n. 2. a partition, screen, or railing, serving to enclose or shut off a space in a building; a screen or railing in a church enclosing an altar, a tomb, etc., or separating a chapel, etc. from the main body of the church → 1400 
n. 3. an enclosed space, enclosure, cloister, closet; esp. one in a building, separated from the main part by a screen or railing → 1445 obs.
vb. 1. to enclose; to fence in or shut off with a screen, railing, etc. → 1577 
vb. 2. to bring to a close, to close, to conclude → 1610 obs.
► PERCOCT n. that which is exaggerated, hackneyed, or trite → 1879 obs.
► PERCOLATE int. let it happen! → 1960 Amer. sl.
vb. 1. to walk, to stroll, to wander → 1881 US sl.
vb. 2. to be or become excited, lively, or active → 1962 
► PERCOLATE AWAY vb. to gradually disappear → 1897 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► PERCOLATOR n. 1. a carburettor; also, a car engine → 1942 sl., orig. US
n. 2. a good time; a party; a rent party → 1946 US sl.
► PERCONTATION n. a question or inquiry which requires more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer → 1623
► PERCONTATORIAL adj. given to questioning, inquisitive → 1853 obs.
► PERCRUCIATE vb. to inflict intense torment upon; to torture → 1656
► PERCULSION n. 1. consternation; a shock to the mind or feelings → 1657 obs.
n. 2. a physical shock or trauma → 1822 obs.
► PERCULSIVE adj. characterized by giving a shock → 1609 obs.
► PERCUNCTORILY adv. lazily in a dilatory manner → 1615 obs.
► PERCUR vb. to pass along or through; to traverse, to cross → 1657 obs.
► PERCURRATION n. a journey; a crossing → 1785 obs.
► PERCURSORY adj. 1. passing rapidly or hastily through something, taking little notice of details → 1837 obs.
adj. 2. running or moving quickly → 1884 humorous usage, obs.
► PERCUSS vb. to strike so as to shake or shock; to hit, to knock, a deliver a blow to → 1575
► PERCY n. 1. a man or boy characterized as being weak, timid, or unmanly; a conscientious objector → 1916 sl., derogatory
n. 2. an educated man; an officer → 1961 military usage, derogatory
n. 3. the penis → 1965 Aust. & Brit. humorous usage
► PERDIDDLE n. a car with only one working headlight → 1959 Amer. dial.
► PERDIDDO n. a car with only one working headlight → 1959 Amer. dial.
► PERDIDO n. a desperado, a desperate man, a ruined man → 1734 obs.
► PERDIE adv. certainly, truly, indeed, assuredly → 1290 arch.
int. By God! → 1413 arch.
► PERDILIGENCE n. a being very diligent → 1694 obs.
► PERDILIGENT adj. very diligent → 1694 obs.
► PERDISTURB vb. to disturb or hinder greatly → 1538 obs.
► PERDITE adj. debauched, abandoned, wicked → 1625 obs.
► PERDITION n. 1. a being destroyed or ruined; utter destruction, complete ruin → 1382
n. 2. the place of destruction or damnation; hell → 1382
► PERDITIOUS adj. damnable, pernicious; also, harmful, undesirable → 1600
► PERDITLY adv. desperately, with abandon; also, wickedly → 1632 obs.
► PERDIX n. a partridge → 1609
► PERDRICIDE adj. that kills partridges, esp. for sport → 1826 humorous usage, obs.
► PERDU adj. 1. placed in an extremely hazardous position or situation; desperate, lost → 1625
adj. 2. sleeping or passing the night outside or out of bed → 1634 obs.
adj. 3. hidden, concealed; disguised → 1734
n. 1. a wicked or degenerate person → 1611 obs.
n. 2. a person who acts as a lookout, scout, or spy → 1639 obs.
► PERDUE vb. to hide oneself in preparation for an ambush, etc. → 1694
► PERDUELL n. a stubborn opponent or enemy → 1623 obs.
► PERDUELLION n. high treason → 1533 Roman & Sc. law usage
► PERDUELLISM n. high treason → 1656 obs.
► PERDURABLE adj. 1. of a material thing: able to withstand wear or damage; durable, hard-wearing → 1425
adj. 2. lasting; enduring or able to endure over a long period, esp. the course of human history or a lifetime → 1439
adj. 3. of a person or living thing: long-lived, hardy → 1849
► PERDURANCE n. a being everlasting; permanence, endurance → 1508
► PERDURANT adj. lasting, continuous, permanent → 1670
► PERDURATE vb. to continue, to endure; to persist; to last forever → 1558
► PERDURATION n. an enduring or the capacity to endure indefinitely; continuous duration → 1450
► PERDURE vb. to continue, to endure; to persist; to last forever → 1475
► PEREGRINAGE n. in early use: a pilgrimage; later, a journey, travels → 1340
► PEREGRINANCY n. movement, change; restlessness → 1674 obs.
► PEREGRINATE adj. 1. affecting foreign styles or expressions; affected; mannered; also, having the appearance of a foreigner → 1598 chiefly literary usage
adj. 2. relating to pilgrimage or pilgrims → 1987
vb. to travel, to journey; to go from place to place → 1593
► PEREGRINATION n. 1. a pilgrimage; a making pilgrimages → 1500
n. 2. a travelling or going from place to place; a course of travel; a journey, esp. on foot → 1548
► PEREGRINATOR n. a pilgrim (obs.); a traveller or wanderer → 1610
► PEREGRINATORY adj. characteristic of a traveller or wanderer → 1773
► PEREGRINE adj. 1. foreign; outlandish, strange; imported from abroad → 1532
adj. 2. travelling; wandering; formerly, on a pilgrimage, travelling as a pilgrim → 1599
n. 1. a pilgrim; a traveller in a foreign country → 1570
n. 2. a person residing permanently or temporarily in a foreign country; an immigrant → 1593 obs.
n. 3. an emigrant; an exile → 1657
► PEREGRINITY n. 1. foreignness in style, fashion, dialect, etc.; outlandishness → 1591
n. 2. a being a foreigner or alien → 1850
n. 3. a journey to or temporary residence in a foreign country → 1851 obs.
► PEREMPTOR adj. 1.  of a statement, conclusion, event, etc.: decisive, final; unequivocal → 1550
adj. 2.  insistent on obedience or compliance; also, imperious, dictatorial → 1630 obs.
adv. 1. conclusively, categorically → 1838 obs.
adv. 2. swiftly, without delay → 1920 Sc.
► PEREMPTORILY adv. 1. with strong or positive belief or assurance; confidently, emphatically → 1571 obs.
adv. 2. determinedly, resolutely; obstinately → 1575 obs.
adv. 3. so as to settle or decide a matter, question, etc.; decisively, conclusively → 1582
adv. 4. absolutely; without exception or question → 1626 obs.
► PEREMPTORY adj. 1. deadly, destructive → 1567 obs.
adj. 2. intolerant of refusal or opposition; insisting on compliance or obedience; imperious, dictatorial → 1590
adj. 3. thorough,  utter → 1601 obs.
adj. 4. absolutely essential; important, vital → 1607
adj. 5. impudent, saucy → 1691 Eng. dial., obs.
► PERENDINATE vb. 1. to put off till the day after tomorrow; to defer from day to day → 1656
vb. 2. to stay from day to day, to make an indefinite stay → 1656
► PERENDINATION n. a deferring or postponing for a day → 1658 obs.
► PERENDURING adj. enduring throughout a process or action, or for a long period of time → 1883 obs.
► PERENNIAL adj. lasting through a succession of years, or through a long, indefinite, or infinite time; continua, perpetual; enduring, everlasting → 1717
► PERENNITY n. a being perennial; permanence, perpetuity → 1597
► PEREQUAL n. an equal, peer, or match → 1578 obs.
► PEREQUITATE vb. to ride through or along on horseback → 1780 obs.
► PERERRATE vb. to wander up and down → 1623 obs.
► PERERRATION n.  a wandering → 1611 obs.
► PEREXCELLENTLY adv. in a very excellent manner → 1429 obs.
► PERF adj. perfect → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► PERFABRICATE vb. to build completely → 1623 obs.
► PERFAY int. by my faith; truly; indeed, certainly → 1300 obs.
► PERFECKLE adj. perfect → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► PERFECTABLE adj. 1. beneficial, useful; profitable → 1450 obs.
adj. 2. capable of being brought to perfection → 1535
► PERFECTATION n. a becoming or making something perfect or complete → 1832
► PERFECTIONAL adj. perfect; characterized by perfection → 1495
► PERFECTIONATE vb. to bring to perfection; to make perfect or complete → 1570
► PERFECTIONATION n. a bringing to perfection; a being made perfect; later, perfection → 1812
► PERFECTIONIZE vb. to bring to perfection → 1805
► PERFECTIOUS adj. perfect; characterized by perfection → 1607 obs. exc. Sc.
► PERFECTIVE adj. tending to make perfect or complete → 1590
► PERFECTLY KILLING adj. 1. resplendently beautiful; gorgeous → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
adj. 2. excellent; first-rate → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► PERFECTO adj. perfect; excellent → 1941 colloq., orig. US
► PERFECTORY adj. tending to make perfect or complete → 1693 obs.
► PERFECT SIGHT n. 1. something unattractive → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
n. 2. an unattractive person → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► PERFORATE vb. to possess carnally → 1903 sl. (Bk.)
► PERFECTUATION n. completion; accomplishment → 1859 obs.
► PERFECTURE n. perfection; maturity → 1552 obs.
► PERFERVENT adj. ardent, impassioned → 1888
► PERFERVID adj. very fervid; ardent, impassioned → 1833
► PERFERVIDITY n. passion, fervour → 1884
► PERFERVOUR n. ardour, passion → 1859
► PERFICIENT adj. accomplishing or achieving something; effective → 1659
n. 1. a person who accomplishes or completely something → 1641 obs.
n. 2. a person who endows a charity → 1828 obs.
► PERFICK adj. perfect; often with the implication that the speaker is from an unsophisticated, rural, or uneducated background → 1771 colloq.
► PERFIDENTLY adv. with complete trust or confidence; very confidently → 1650 obs.
► PERFIDIATE adj. perfidious, deceitful and untrustworthy → 1632 obs.
► PERFIDIOUS adj. guilty of breaking faith or violating confidence; deliberately faithless; treacherous; deceitful and untrustworthy → 1538
► PERFIDITY n. deceitfulness, untrustworthiness; betrayal of trust; breach of a promise; treachery → 1607
► PERFIDY n. deceitfulness, untrustworthiness; betrayal of trust; breach of a promise; treachery → 1592
► PERFINISH vb. to finish off thoroughly, to complete; to kill → 1523 obs.
► PERFLATILE adj. exposed to the wind; well ventilated; airy → 1667 obs.
► PERFORATE vb. to shoot or stab a person → 1838 US sl.
► PERFORCE adv. 1. by physical force or violence; forcibly, violently → 1330 obs.
adv. 2. of necessity, inevitably, unavoidably; as a matter of course → 1425
vb. 1. to try, strive, or endeavour to do the utmost; to do one’s best → 1490 obs.
vb. 2. to force, to constrain, or to oblige → 1509
► PERFORM vb. 1. to display extreme anger or bad temper; to misbehave; to create a disturbance → 1509 sl.
vb. 2. to have sexual intercourse, esp. satisfactorily → 1902 sl.
vb. 3. to urinate or defecate; used esp. of a child or pet → 1963 euphemism
► PERFORMANCE n. a display of anger or exaggerated behaviour; a fuss, a scene → 1864
► PERFORMANCER n. a performer → 1621
► PERFORMANCY n. a performance → 1608
► PERFORMANT adj. performing or operating well; functioning at a high or sophisticated level; effective → 1977
n. a person who performs a duty, ceremony, etc.; a performer → 1809 obs.
► PERFORMATIVE adj. characterized by performance → 1922
► PERFORMENT n. a performance → 1527 obs.
► PERFORMER n. an habitually insubordinate or disruptive person; a troublemaker → 1937 sl., chiefly nautical usage
► PERFORM ON vb. to possess carnally → 1903 sl. (Bk.)
► PERFRETATION n. a sea voyage or crossing → 1656 obs.
► PERFRICATE vb. to rub thoroughly or all over; to scour → 1598
► PERFRICATION n. a rubbing thoroughly all over; vigorous friction, chafing, scouring → 1607
► PERFRICT adj. unblushing, brazen, shameless → 1660 obs.
► PERFRICTION n. 1. a severe chill, a shivering with cold → 1607 obs.
n. 2. a rubbing hard or thoroughly → 1656 obs.
► PERFRIGERATE vb. to cool or chill through → 1650 obs.
► PERFRIGERATION n. 1. a severe chill → 1585 obs.
n. 2. a cooling something; a being cooled or chilled → 1650 obs.
► PERFUMATORY adj. perfuming something → 1611
n. 1. a censer, an incense burner, etc. for burning incense or perfume → 1641 obs.
n. 2. the production of perfumes; the trade, etc. of a perfumer → 1856 obs.
► PERFUMED adj. sweet, pleasant; made to seem sweet, disguised → 1580
► PERFUMED PUSSY n. a skunk → 1966 Amer. dial.
► PERFUME KITTY n. a skunk → 1966 Amer. dial.
► PERFUME MERCHANT n. a skunk → 1946 Amer. dial.
► PERFUME PUSSY n. a skunk → 1966 Amer. dial.
► PERFUMIER n. 1. a box or casket for perfume → 1601
n. 2. a producer or seller of perfumes → 1927
► PERFUMIST n. a producer or seller of perfumes; also, a person who wears perfume → 1603
► PERFUNCTION n. a finishing or accomplishing something → 1656
► PERFUNCTORATE vb. to do in a perfunctory manner; to go through as a matter of routine → 1860 obs.
► PERFUNCTORIOUS adj. perfunctory; done merely as a matter of duty, form, or routine, and so without interest, care or enthusiasm; done with a minimum of effort → 1599 chiefly Sc., obs.
► PERFUNCTORIZE vb. to perform in a perfunctory manner; to go through as a matter of routine → 1866 obs.
► PERFURNISH vb. to perform, to carry out, to execute, to accomplish → 1325 obs. exc. Sc.
► PERGE vb. to go on, to proceed → 1607 obs.
► PERGRACIL adj. lean, slender → 1623 obs.
► PERGRAPHICAL adj. very skilful or artful → 1623 obs.
► PERGRATEFUL adj. very agreeable → 1657 obs.
► PERHAPPEN adv. perhaps, possibly → 1578 Sc. & Eng. dial., obs.
► PERHAPSER n. 1. a person who says ‘perhaps’ with regard to a particular issue → 1909
n. 2. in cricket: a risky or unintended stroke → 1954 sl.
► PERHENDINANCER n. a sojourner, a lodger → 1489 obs.
► PERHIBIT vb. to esteem or repute; to hold to be → 1613 obs.
► PERHIEMATE vb. to spend or pass the winter → 1623 obs.
► PERHORRESCE vb. to shudder (at) → 1882
► PERIAPT n. something worn as a charm against illness, misfortune, etc.; an amulet → 1584
► PERICENTER ► PERICENTRE n. the point in the path of a spacecraft orbiting around a centre at which it is nearest to the centre → 1875 
► PERICLITANCY n. an exposing a person or thing to danger; a state of danger → 1650
► PERICLITATE adj. exposed to peril → 1525 obs.
n. to expose to peril, endanger, risk, hazard → 1581 obs.
► PERICLITATION n. an exposing a person or thing to danger; danger, hazard, etc. → 1527 obs.
► PERICLITATOR n. a person who undertakes a venture or experiment, esp. of a dangerous or risky kind → 1602 obs.
► PERICULANT adj. endangered, exposed to peril → 1882
► PERICULOUS adj. dangerous, hazardous, full of peril, causing danger → 1533 
► PERICULOUSNESS n. danger, risk → 1547 obs.
► PERIEGETE n. a writer of geographical descriptions or guidebooks → 1849
► PERILEPTIC adj. characterized by comprehension or rational understanding → 1678 obs.
► PERILSOME adj. pull of peril; dangerous → 1593
► PERILUNE n. the point at which a spacecraft in lunar orbit is nearest to the moon’s centre → 1960 
► PERIMPLENISH vb. to fulfil, to carry out; to accomplish, to complete → 1499 obs.
► PERIMPLISH vb. to fulfil, to carry out; to accomplish, to complete → 1468 obs.
► PERIMPLISHMENT n. fulfilment, completion → 1554 obs.
► PERINDULGENT adj. extremely gracious or courteous → 1623 obs.
► PERIOD n. 1. the end of a journey; a destination → 1605 obs.
n. 2. death → 1613 obs.
► PERIODEUTIC adj. relating to a travelling physician → 1857 obs.
► PERIODICAL n. an habitual drinking bout or spree → 1886 US colloq.
► PERIODICALIST n. a person who writes for periodicals; a journalist → 1824 obs.
► PERIODICITY RAG n. the ‘menstrual cloth’ → 1893 sl. (Bk.)
► PERIPATETIC adj. 1. travelling from place to place; itinerant → 1607
adj. 2. of speech or writing: rambling → 1864 
n. a person who walks about; a traveller; an itinerant dealer or trader → 1600 chiefly humorous usage
► PERIPATETICAL adj. travelling from place to place; itinerant → 1633
► PERIPATETICATE vb. with it: to walk on foot → 1793 obs.
► PERIPATICIAN n. one given to walking or travelling about; a pedestrian → 1598 obs.
► PERIPATIZE vb. to walk about → 1641 obs.
► PERIPHRASE vb. to speak periphrastically, to use circumlocution → 1652 obs.
► PERIPHRASIS n. a roundabout way of speaking → 1533 
► PERISCIAN adj. having shadows all about one, as happens during the course of a summer day in the polar regions → 1682
n. an inhabitant of either of the polar regions → 1594 obs.
► PERISH n. a period of drought → 1914 Aust. colloq.
vb. to consume food or drink rapidly or greedily → 1876 colloq., chiefly Sc.
► PERISHED adj. 1. paralyzed → 1921 Amer. dial.
adj. 2. exhausted, esp. by exposure to heat or cold; wasted, withered → 1940 Amer. dial.
► PERISHED OUT adj. dead → 1884 Amer. dial.
► PERISHER n. 1. a short-tailed coat → 1889 colloq.
n. 2. a person, usually implying contempt or pity; an annoying or awkward person → 1896 colloq., chiefly Brit.
n. 3. the periscope of a submarine → 1925 nautical sl.
n. 4. a mischievous child → 1935 sl.
n. 5. a qualifying course for submarine commanders → 1948 sl.
► PERISHING adj. – confounded, troublesome; insignificant → 1605
► PERISHMENT n. 1. destruction, damage, loss; downfall → 1540
n. 2. a severe cold; a being very cold; extreme discomfort due to cold → 1828 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► PERISH ONE’S PACK ► PERISH THE PACK vb. to spend or squander all of one’s money; to squander one’s fortune, to be or become destitute through extravagance, to be at the end of one’s resources → 1656 chiefly Sc., obs
► PERISH TO DEATH vb. to die a slow death; to waste away → 1940 Amer. dial. 
► PERISSOLOGICAL adj. using more words than are necessary, exuberant in words, verbose → 1828
► PERISSOLOGY n. the use of more words than are necessary; superfluity of expression → 1583
► PERITE adj. experienced, knowledgeable; expert, skilled → 1530 obs.
► PERITION n. destruction, annihilation → 1640 obs.
► PERIWINKLE n. 1. a person who excels; the most excellent of a group or category → 1335 obs.
n. 2. a girl or woman; a term of affection → 1604 obs.
► PERJINK adj. 1. exact, precise, extremely accurate → 1775 Sc.
adj. 2. fussy, fastidious, prim; neat → 1889 Sc.
n. a fastidious or very neat person → 1995 Sc.
► PERJINKETY adj. 1. apt to take offense → 1880 Eng. dial. 
adj. 2. exact, precise, minutely accurate; extreme as to neatness, fussy, finical → 1887 Sc. 
► PERJINKITIES n. exact details; niceties, proprieties → 1822 obs., chiefly Sc.
► PERJINKLY adv. precisely, scrupulously; fussily, primly → 1775 Sc.
► PERJINKS n. niceties; fussiness → 1822 obs.
► PERJURATE vb. to perjure → 1623 obs.
► PERJURATION n. a perjuring oneself; perjury → 1570 obs.
► PERJURATOR n. a perjurer → 1623 obs.
► PERJURESS n. a female perjurer → 1898
► PERJURIOUS adj. of a person: guilty of perjury → 1460
► PERJUROUS adj. guilty of perjury → 1460
► PERK vb. to vomit → 20C US sl.
► PERKIN n. a pretender or impostor, esp. to a throne or to some high position → 1673
► PERKIN WARBECK n. a pretender or impostor, esp. to a throne or to some high position → 1641
► PERKISH adj. conceited, pert or forward in manner; lively → 1870
► PERKNESS n. self-assurance, presumption → 1640 obs.
► PERK UP vb. to cheer up → 1656 
► PERLAGE n. the tiny bubbles which form on the surface of a glass of sparkling wine, champagne, etc. → 1983
► PERLASSENT adv. by mutual consent or agreement → 1548 obs.
► PERLAVER n. 1. chat, talk, conversation → M18 
n. 2. wearisome, idle or insincere talk → M18 
n. 3. fussiness; a fuss → 20C 
► PERLECTION n. a reading through a text; a reading → 1485
► PERLEGATE vb. to read through → 1597 obs.
► PERLIBRATE vb. to weigh exactly → 1623 obs.
► PERLIBRATION n. a weighing → 1623 obs.
► PERLIGATE vb. to bind tightly → 1623 obs.
► PERLOCUTION n. a speaking; elocution → 1599 obs.
► PERLUCID adj. 1. translucent; transparent → 1647 obs.
adj. 2. clear in expression; easy to understand → 1925
► PERLY HAIL HAS A LONG TAIL phr. said when showers of hail occur between large flakes of snow → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► PERMANABLE adj. enduring, permanent; everlasting → 1422 obs.
► PERMANE vb. to remain; to continue → 1485 obs.
► PERMANENTIZE vb. to make permanent → 1919 orig. US
► PERMANSIBLE adj. enduring, permanent → 1568 Sc. arch.
► PERMANSION n. continuation, continued existence or duration, permanence → 1646 obs.
► PERMANSIVE adj. enduring, permanent → 1475 obs.
► PERMILLION n. a melon → 1963 Amer. dial.
► PERMIRIFIC adj. very wonderful or marvellous → 1868 obs.
► PERMISCIBLE adj. capable of being thoroughly mixed → 1500 obs.
► PERMISE adj. permitted → 1475 obs.
► PERMISSORY adj. permitting or giving permission → 1849
► PERMISTION n. a thorough mixture; an intermingling → 1612 obs.
► PERMITTANCE n. a permitting, allowing, or giving consent; consent, or liberty to do something → 1580
► PERMIX vb. to mix thoroughly, to intermingle → 1660
► PERMIXTIVE adj. having the quality of mixing thoroughly → 1528 obs.
► PERMOTION n. mental stirring; emotion → 1656 obs.
► PERMUE vb. to change completely → 1450 obs.
► PERMUTATE vb. to change or alter → 1598 obs.
► PERNABLE adj. capable of being taken or caught → 1393 obs.
► PERNAVIGATE vb. to sail through; to steer a course through → 1652 obs.
► PERNE vb. to change one’s opinion, adherence, etc. frequently and insincerely → 1608
► PERNEGATE vb. to deny absolutely → 1623 obs.
► PERNEGATION n. absolute denial, a denying → 1623 obs.
► PERNEL(E) n. a priest’s mistress; a sexually loose woman; a prostitute → 14C Brit. sl.
► PERNICATED adj. swaggering, conceited → 19C Amer. sl.
► PERNICIABLE adj. likely to cause harm; dangerous, destructive, causing death → 1656 obs.
► PERNICION n. total destruction; perdition; ruin → 1530 obs.
► PERNICIOSITY n. wickedness, harmfulness → 1475
► PERNICIOUS adj. 1. having the quality of destroying; tending to destroy, kill, or injure; destructive, ruinous; fatal → 1475 
adj. 2. villainous, wicked, evil, malicious → 1533 obs.
adj. 3. rapid, swift, quick → 1656 
► PERNICITY n. swiftness, quickness, agility → 1592 obs.
► PERNICKETINESS n. fussiness, preciseness → 1890 Amer. dial.
► PERNICKETTY ► PERNICKETY ► PERNICKITY adj. fussy, finicky, particular, meticulous, precise; crotchety, cranky; disagreeable → 1834 Amer. dial.
► PERNIO n. a chilblain → 1676
► PERNIZE vb. to change one’s opinion, adherence, etc. frequently and insincerely → 1611
► PERNOCTALIAN n. one who remains awake or watches all night → 1846 obs.
► PERNOCTATE vb. to stay all night; to pass the night → 1623 obs.
► PERNOCTATION n. a passing or spending the night; an all-night vigil → 1633
► PEROOT vb. to ramble, to explore → 1856 Amer.
► PERORATE vb. 1. to speak at length; to deliver an oration → 1603 
vb. 2. to sum up or conclude a speech or oration, esp. in a rousing manner → 1768 
► PERORATION n. a speech, a discourse → 1447 
► PERORATORY n. declamatory speech, rhetoric → 1903 
► PERORE vb. to speak at length; to speechify → 1594 obs.
► PERP n. the perpetrator of a crime → 1968 US sl.
► PERPACATE vb. to make something entirely peaceful and calm; to set things in order → 1623 obs.
► PERPEND vb. to ponder, to consider; to examine, to investigate → 1447 arch.
► PERPENDENT adj. pertinent, dependant → 1950
► PERPENDICULAR n. a party or gathering at which the participants remain standing; a meal eaten standing → 1863 chiefly university sl., obs.
► PERPENDMENT n. consideration; pondering → 1667 obs.
► PERPENSATION n. thorough consideration or reflection; deliberation, pondering → 1623 obs.
► PERPENSED adj. thoroughly considered, premeditated → 1550 obs.
► PERPENSION n. thorough consideration or reflection; deliberation, pondering → 1612 arch.
► PERPENSIVE adj. thoughtful; tending to careful deliberation → 1647 obs.
► PERPERITUDE n. thoughtlessness, ignorance, uncouthness, rudeness → 1623 obs.
► PERPEROUS adj. foolish, careless → 1905 obs.
► PERPESSION n. endurance of suffering → 1603 obs.
► PERPETRATE vb. to pretend to be something one is not → 2001 African-American sl.
► PERPETRATRESS n. a female perpetrator → 1811
► PERPETRATRIX n. a female perpetrator → 1829
► PERPETRE vb. to perpetrate a crime → 1475 obs.
► PERPETUOUS adj. perpetual, incessant → 1612
► PERPLACID adj. thoroughly placid or quiet → 1660 obs.
► PERPOTATION n. a drinking excessively; a drinking bout; thorough drunkenness → 1623 obs.
► PEROXIDE BLONDE n. artificially blonde hair → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► PERPETUAL EMOTION n. love → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► PERQUEER adj. of a person: thoroughly versed; knowledgeable → 1572 obs.
adv. 1. by heart, from memory; perfectly, exactly; clearly, distinctly → 1480 Sc.
adv. 2. certainly, without doubt → 1568 obs.
► PERQUIRE adj. of a person: thoroughly versed; accurate; knowledgeable; of a skill, judgement, etc.: demanding or revealing special knowledge; expert; clear, exact; also of a thing: skilfully made → 1572 Sc. obs.
adv. 1. by heart, by memory; perfectly, accurately, exactly → 1480 Sc. obs.
adv. 2. certainly, without doubt → 1568 Sc. obs.
vb. to search through, or make diligent search into; to inquire diligently into → 1460 obs.
► PERQUISQUILIAN adj. thoroughly trifling or worthless → 1647 obs.
► PERRICK n. a small field or enclosure; a paddock → 1677 Eng. dial.
► PERRIDICULOUS adj. thoroughly ridiculous → 1600 obs.
► PERRO n. a policeman → 1966 US high school sl. (Bk.)
► PERRY-MOUCHER n. the blackberry → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► PERSACITLY adv. exactly → 1851 Amer. dial.
► PERSACKLY adv. exactly → 1851 Amer. dial.
► PERSCRUTE vb. to scrutinize thoroughly; to make a thorough search or inquiry; to investigate → 1545 obs.
► PERSECATE vb. to cut → 1623 obs.
► PERSKWEE adj. splendid, fine, excellent, first-rate → 1913 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► PERSNICKERTY adj. fussy, finicky, particular, meticulous, precise; crotchety, cranky; disagreeable, obstinate → 1965 Amer. dial.
► PERSNICKETY adj. 1. disagreeable, cranky, crotchety; obstinate → 1905 Amer. dial.
adj. 2. fussy, finicky, particular, meticulous, precise → 1956 Amer. dial.
adj. 3. snobbish; vain → 1959 Amer. dial.
adj. 4. thrifty → 1965 Amer. dial.
► PERSONATE vb. to call by name; to designate specifically → 1927 Amer. dial.
► PERSPICABLE adj. 1. that can be seen through; transparent → 1615 obs.
adj. 2. capable of being seen; visible, in view → 1621
► PERSPICUOUS adj. of a speaker: clear or unambiguous in meaning or expression → 1593 obs.
► PERSPIRATE vb. to perspire; to sweat → 1822 
► PERSPRIATION n. perspiration → 1968 Amer. dial.
► PERSUADER n. 1. a bayonet → 1915 World War I Amer. sl.
n. 2. a six-gun → 1945 US Western sl. (Bk.)
n. 3. a spur → 1945 US Western sl. (Bk.)
► PERSUADING PLATE n. a short crowbar, used by housebreakers → 1896 sl. (Bk.)
► PERT vb. to speak insubordinately or impudently to a person → 1653 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
► PERTOLERATE vb. to endure to the end → 1623 obs.
► PERT PONY n. a spirited horse → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► PERTROUBLE vb. to perturb, to trouble greatly → 1470 chiefly Sc. obs.
► PERTY n. something beautiful or attractive → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► PERUSE vb. 1. to wander, to saunter, to prowl; to walk in a leisurely manner; to make one’s way → 1853 Amer. dial.
vb. 2. to be in tolerably good health → 1940 Amer. dial.
► PERV(E) n. someone with unconventional sexual tastes → 1944 sl., orig. US
► PERV(E) AT vb. to ogle → 1941 sl., chiefly Aust.