Chapter 1130

Per*fec"tion (?) , n. [F. perfection , L. perfectio .] 1. The quality or state of being perfect or complete, so that nothing requisite is wanting; entire development; consummate culture, skill, or moral excellence; the highest attainable state or degree of excellence; maturity; as, perfection in an art, in a science, or in a system; perfection in form or degree; fruits in perfection .

2. A quality, endowment, or acquirement completely excellent; an ideal faultlessness; especially, the divine attribute of complete excellence.

Shak.

What tongue can her perfections tell? Sir P. Sidney.

To perfection , in the highest degree of excellence; perfectly; as, to imitate a model to perfection .

Perfection <Xpage=1065>

Per*fec"tion , v. t. To perfect. [Obs.]

Foote.

Perfectional <Xpage=1065>

Per*fec"tion*al (?) , a. Of or pertaining to perfection; characterized by perfection. [R.]

Bp. Pearson.

Perfectionate <Xpage=1065>

Per*fec"tion*ate (?) , v. t. To perfect.

Dryden.

Perfectionism <Xpage=1065>

Per*fec"tion*ism (?) , n. The doctrine of the Perfectionists.

Perfectionist <Xpage=1065>

Per*fec"tion*ist , n. One pretending to perfection; esp., one pretending to moral perfection; one who believes that persons may and do attain to moral perfection and sinlessness in this life.

South.

Perfectionment <Xpage=1065>

Per*fec"tion*ment (?) , n. [Cf. F. perfectionnement .] The act of bringing to perfection, or the state of having attained to perfection. [R.]

I. Taylor.

Perfective <Xpage=1065>

Per*fect"ive (?) , a. Tending or conducing to make perfect, or to bring to perfection; -- usually followed by of . "A perfective alteration."

Fuller.

Actions perfective of their natures. Ray.

Perfectively <Xpage=1065>

Per*fec"tive*ly , adv. In a perfective manner.

Perfectly <Xpage=1065>

Per"fect*ly (?) , adv. In a perfect manner or degree; in or to perfection; completely; wholly; throughly; faultlessly. " Perfectly divine."

Milton.

As many as touched were made perfectly whole. Matt. xiv. 36.

Perfectness <Xpage=1065>

Per"fect*ness , n. The quality or state of being perfect; perfection. "Charity, which is the bond of perfectness ."

Col. iii. 14.

Perfervid <Xpage=1065>

Per*fer"vid (?) , a. [Pref. per- + fervid .] Very fervid; too fervid; glowing; ardent.

Perficient <Xpage=1065>

Per*fi"cient (?) , a. [L. perficiens , p.pr. of perficere to perform. See Perfect .] Making or doing throughly; efficient; effectual. [R.]

Blackstone.

Perficient <Xpage=1065>

Per*fi"cient , n. One who performs or perfects a work; especially, one who endows a charity. [R.]

Perfidious <Xpage=1065>

Per*fid"i*ous (?) , a. [L. perfidious .] 1. Guilty of perfidy; violating good faith or vows; false to trust or confidence reposed; teacherous; faithless; as, a perfidious friend .

Shak.

2. Involving, or characterized by, perfidy. "Involved in this perfidious fraud."

Milton.

Perfidiously <Xpage=1065>

Per*fid"i*ous*ly , adv. In a perfidious manner.

Perfidiousness <Xpage=1065>

Per*fid"i*ous*ness , n. The quality of being perfidious; perfidy.

Clarendon.

Perfidy <Xpage=1065>

Per"fi*dy (?) , n. ; pl. Perfidies (#) . [L. perfidia , fr. L. perfidus faithless; per (cf. Skr. par\'be away) + fides faith: cf. F. perfidie . See Faith .] The act of violating faith or allegiance; violation of a promise or vow, or of trust reposed; faithlessness; teachery.

The ambition and perfidy of tyrants. Macaulay.

His perfidy to this sacred engagement. DeQuincey.

Perfit <Xpage=1065>

Per"fit (?) , a. Perfect. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Perfix <Xpage=1065>

Per*fix" (?) , v. t. [Pref. per- + fix .] To fix surely; to appoint. [Obs.]

Perflable <Xpage=1065>

Per"fla*ble (?) , a. [L. perflabilis . See Perflate .] Capable of being blown through. [Obs.]

Perflate <Xpage=1065>

Per*flate" (?) , v. t. [L. perflatus , p.p. of perflare to blow through.] To blow through. [Obs.]

Harvey.

Perflation <Xpage=1065>

Per*fla"tion (?) , n. [L. perflatio .] The act of perflating. [Obs.]

Woodward.

Perfoliate <Xpage=1065>

Per*fo"li*ate (?) , a. [Pref. per- + L. folium leaf.] 1. (Bot.) Having the basal part produced around the stem; -- said of leaves which the stem apparently passes directory through.

2. (Zo\'94l.) Surrounded by a circle of hairs, or projections of any kind.

Perforata <Xpage=1065>

Per`fo*ra"ta (?) , n. pl. [NL. See Perforate .] (Zo\'94l.) (a) A division of corals including those that have a porous texture, as Porites and Madrepora; -- opposed to Aporosa . (b) A division of Foraminifera, including those having perforated shells.

Perforate <Xpage=1065>

Per"fo*rate (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Perforated (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Perforating .] [L. perforatus , p.p. of perforare to perforate; per through + forare to bore. See Bore , v. ] To bore through; to pierce through with a pointed instrument; to make a hole or holes through by boring or piercing; to pierce or penetrate the surface of.

Bacon.

Perforate, Perforated <Xpage=1065>

Per"fo*rate (?) , Per"fo*ra`ted (?) , a. Pierced with a hole or holes, or with pores; having transparent dots resembling holes.

Perforation <Xpage=1065>

Per`fo*ra"tion (?) , n. [Cf. F. perforation .] 1. The act of perforating, or of boring or piercing through.

Bacon.

2. A hole made by boring or piercing; an aperture. "Slender perforations ."

Sir T. Browne.

Perforative <Xpage=1065>

Per"fo*ra*tive (?) , a. [Cf. F. perforatif .] Having power to perforate or pierce.

Perforator <Xpage=1065>

Per"fo*ra`tor (?) , n. [Cf. F. perforateur .] One who, or that which, perforates; esp., a cephalotome.

Perforce <Xpage=1065>

Per*force" (?) , adv. [F. par (L. per ) + force .] By force; of necessary; at any rate.

Shak.

Perforce <Xpage=1065>

Per*force" , v. t. To force; to compel. [Obs.]

Perform <Xpage=1065>

Per*form" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Performed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Performing .] [OE. performen , parfourmen , parfournen , OF. parfornir , parfournir , to finish, complete; OF. & F. par (see Par ) + fournir to finish, complete. The word has been influenced by form ; cf. L. performare to form thoroughly. See Furnish .] 1. To carry through; to bring to completion; to achieve; to accomplish; to execute; to do.

I will cry unto God most high, unto God that performeth all things for me. Ps. lvii. 2.

Great force to perform what they did attempt. Sir P. Sidney.

2. To discharge; to fulfill; to act up to; as, to perform a duty; to perform a promise or a vow.

To perform your father's will. Shak.

3. To represent; to act; to play; as in drama.

Perform a part thou hast not done before. Shak.

Syn. -- To accomplish; do; act; transact; achieve; execute; discharge; fulfill; effect; complete; consummate. See Accomplish .

Perform <Xpage=1065>

Per*form" , v. i. To do, execute, or accomplish something; to acquit one's self in any business; esp., to represent sometimes by action; to act a part; to play on a musical instrument; as, the players perform poorly; the musician performs on the organ.

Performable <Xpage=1065>

Per*form"a*ble (?) , a. Admitting of being performed, done, or executed; practicable.

Performance <Xpage=1065>

Per*form"ance (?) , n. The act of performing; the carrying into execution or action; execution; achievement; accomplishment; representation by action; as, the performance of an undertaking of a duty .

Promises are not binding where the performance is impossible. Paley.

2. That which is performed or accomplished; a thing done or carried through; an achievement; a deed; an act; a feat; esp., an action of an elaborate or public character. "Her walking and other actual performances ." Shak. "His musical performances ." Macaulay .

Syn. -- Completion; consummation; execution; accomplishment; achievement; production; work; act; action; deed; exploit; feat.

Performer <Xpage=1065>

Per*form"er (?) , n. One who performs, accomplishes, or fulfills; as, a good promiser, but a bad performer ; especially, one who shows skill and training in any art; as, a performer of the drama; a performer on the harp.

Perfricate <Xpage=1065>

Per"fri*cate (?) , v. t. [L. perfricatus , p.p. of perfricare .] To rub over.

Bailey.

Perfumatory <Xpage=1065>

Per*fu"ma*to*ry (?) , a. Emitting perfume; perfuming. [R.]

Sir E. Leigh.

Perfume <Xpage=1065>

Per*fume" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Perfumed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Perfuming .] [F. parfumer (cf. Sp. perfumar ); par (see Par ) + fumer to smoke, L. fumare , fr. fumus smoke. See Fume .] To fill or impregnate with a perfume; to scent.

And Carmel's flowery top perfumes the skies. Pope.

Perfume <Xpage=1065>

Per"fume (?) , n. [F. parfum ; cf. Sp. perfume . See Perfume , v. ] 1. The scent, odor, or odoriferous particles emitted from a sweet-smelling substance; a pleasant odor; fragrance; aroma.

No rich perfumes refresh the fruitful field . Pope.

2. A substance that emits an agreeable odor.

And thou shalt make it a perfume . Ex. xxx. 35.

Perfumer <Xpage=1065>

Per*fum"er (?) , n. 1. One who, oe that which, perfumes.

2. One whose trade is to make or sell perfumes.

Perfumery <Xpage=1065>

Per*fum"er*y (?) , n. 1. Perfumes, in general.

2. [Cf. F. parfumerie .] The art of preparing perfumes.

Perfunctorily <Xpage=1065>

Per*func"to*ri*ly (?) , adv. In a perfunctory manner; formally; carelessly.

Boyle.

Perfunctoriness <Xpage=1065>

Per*func"to*ri*ness , n. The quality or state of being perfunctory.

Perfunctory <Xpage=1065>

Per*func"to*ry (?) , a. [L. perfunctorius , fr. perfunctus dispatched, p.p. of perfungi to discharge, dispatch; per (see Per ) + fungi to perform. See Function .] 1. Done merely to get rid of a duty; performed mechanically and as a thing of rote; done in a careless and superficial manner; characterized by indifference; as, perfunctory admonitions .

Macaulay.

2. Hence: Mechanical; indifferent; listless; careless. " Perfunctory in his devotions."

Sharp.

Perfuncturate <Xpage=1065>

Per*func"tu*rate (?) , v. t. To perform in a perfunctory manner; to do negligently. [R.]

Perfuse <Xpage=1065>

Per*fuse" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Perfused (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Perfusing .] [L. perfusus , p.p. of perfundere to pour over; per + fundere to pour.] To suffuse; to fill full or to excess.

Harvey.

Perfusion <Xpage=1065>

Per*fu"sion (?) , n. [L. perfusio .] The act of perfusing.

Perfusive <Xpage=1065>

Per*fu"sive (?) , a. Of a nature to flow over, or to spread through.

Pergamenous, Pergamentaceous <Xpage=1065>

Per`ga*me"no*us (?) , Per`ga*men*ta"ceous (?) , a. [L. pergamena parchment. See Parchment .] Like parchment.

Perhaps <Xpage=1065>

Per*haps" (?) , adv. [ Per + hap chance.] By chance; peradventure; perchance; it may be.

And pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. Acts viii. 22.

Peri- <Xpage=1065>

Per"i- (?) . [Gr. <?/, prep.] A prefix used to signify around , by , near , over , beyond , or to give an intensive sense; as, peri meter, the measure around; peri gee, point near the earth; peri ergy, work beyond what is needed; peri spherical, quite spherical.

Peri <Xpage=1065>

Pe"ri (?) , n. ; pl. Peris (#) . [Per. per\'c6 a female genus, a fairy.] (Persian Myth.) An imaginary being, male or female, like an elf or fairy, represented as a descendant of fallen angels, excluded from paradise till penance is accomplished.

Moore.

<page="1066"> Page 1066

Periagua <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*a"gua (?) , n. See Pirogue .

Perianth <Xpage=1066>

Per"i*anth (?) , n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. <?/ flower: cf. F. p\'82rianthe .] (Bot.) (a) The leaves of a flower generally, especially when the calyx and corolla are not readily distinguished. (b) A saclike involucre which incloses the young fruit in most hepatic mosses. See Illust . of Hepatica .

Perianthium <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*an"thi*um (?) , n. [NL.] (Bot.) The perianth.

Periapt <Xpage=1066>

Per"i*apt (?) , n. [Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ hung about, <?/ to hang about; <?/ about + <?/ to tie: cf. F. p\'82riapte .] A charm worn as a protection against disease or mischief; an amulet.

Coleridge.

Now help, ye charming spells and periapts . Shak.

Periastral <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*as"tral (?) , a. Among or around the stars. "Comets in periastral passage."

R. A. Proctor.

Periastron <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*as"tron (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ about + <?/ a star.] (Astron.) That point, in the real or apparent orbit of one star revolving around another, at which the former is nearest to the latter.

Periauger <Xpage=1066>

Per"i*au"ger (?) , n. See Pirogue .

W. Irving.

Periblast <Xpage=1066>

Per"i*blast (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ to grow around. See Peri- , and -blast .] (Biol.) The protoplasmic matter which surrounds the entoblast, or cell nucleus, and undergoes segmentation. -- Per`i*blas"tic , a.

Periblem <Xpage=1066>

Per"i*blem (?) , n. [Pref. peri- + root of Gr. <?/ to sprout.] (Bot.) Nascent cortex, or immature cellular bark.

Peribolos <Xpage=1066>

Pe*rib"o*los (?) , n. [Nl., fr. Gr. <?/, fr. <?/, adj., going round, fr. <?/ to throw round; cf. L. peribolus .] In ancient architecture, an inclosed court, esp., one surrounding a temple.

Peribranchial <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*bran"chi*al (?) , a. (Anat.) Surrounding the branchi\'91; as, a peribranchial cavity .

Peribranchial <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*bran"chi*al (?) , a. (Anat.) Around the bronchi or bronchial tubes; as, the peribronchial lymphatics .

Pericambium <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*cam"bi*um (?) , n. [NL. See Peri- , and Cambium .] (Biol.) A layer of thin-walled young cells in a growing stem, in which layer certain new vessels originate.

Pericardiac, Pericardial <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*car"di*ac (?) , Per`i*car"di*al (?) , a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to pericardium; situated around the heart.

Pericardial fluid (Physiol.) , a serous fluid of a pale yellow color contained in the pericardium.

Pericardian <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*car"di*an (?) , a. Pericardiac.

Pericardic <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*car"dic (?) , a. Pericardiac.

Pericarditus <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*car*di"tus (?) , n. [NL. See Pericardium , and -itis .] (Med.) Inflammation of the pericardium.

Dunglison.

Pericardium <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*car"di*um (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ about or near the heart; <?/ about + <?/ heart.] (Anat.) The double baglike fold of serous membrane which incloses the heart.

&hand; The inner layer is closely adherent to the outer surface of the heart, and is called the cardiac pericardium . The outer layer loosely incloses the heart and the adherent inner layer, and is called the parietal pericardium . At the base of the heart the two layers are continuous, and form a narrow closed cavity filled with fluid, in which the pulsations of the heart cause little friction.

Pericarp <Xpage=1066>

Per"i*carp (?) , n. [Gr. <?/; <?/ around + <?/ fruit: cf. F. p\'82ricarpe .] (Bot.) The ripened ovary; the walls of the fruit. See Illusts . of Capsule , Drupe , and Legume .

Pericarpial, Pericarpic <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*car"pi*al (?) , Per`i*car"pic (?) , a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to a pericarp.

Pericellular <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*cel"lu*lar (?) , a. (Anat.) Surrounding a cell; as, the pericellular lymph spaces surrounding ganglion cells .

Perich\'91th <Xpage=1066>

Per"i*ch\'91th (?) , n. [See Perich\'91tium .] (Bot.) The leafy involucre surrounding the fruit stalk of mosses; perich\'91tium; perichete.

Perich\'91tial <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*ch\'91"ti*al (?) , a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the perich\'91th.

Perich\'91tium <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*ch\'91"ti*um (?) , n. ; pl. Perich\'91tia (#) . [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ about + <?/ flowing hair, foliage.] (Bot.) Same as Perich\'91th .

Perich\'91tous <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*ch\'91"tous (?) , a. [See Perich\'91tium .] (Zo\'94l.) Surrounded by set\'91; -- said of certain earthworms (genus Perich\'91tus ).

Perichete <Xpage=1066>

Per"i*chete (?) , n. Same as Perich\'91th .

Perichondrial <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*chon"dri*al (?) , a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the perichondrium; situated around cartilage.

Perichondritis <Xpage=1066>

Per`i*chon*dri"tis (?) , n. [NL. See Perichondrium , and -itis .] (Med.) Inflammation of the perichondrium.

Perichondrium <Xpage=1066>