Chapter 1134

Per*nic"i*ty (?) , n. [L. pernicitas . See 1st Pernicious .] Swiftness; celerity. [R.]

Ray.

Pernio <Xpage=1069>

Per"ni*o (?) , n. [L.] (Med.) A chilblain.

Pernoctalian <Xpage=1069>

Per`noc*ta"li*an (?) , n. One who watches or keeps awake all night.

Pernoctation <Xpage=1069>

Per`noc*ta"tion (?) , n. [L. pernoctatio , fr. pernoctare to stay all night; per + nox , noctis , night.] The act or state of passing the whole night; a remaining all night. " Pernoctation in prayer."

Jer. Taylor.

Pernor <Xpage=1069>

Per"nor (?) , n. [See Pern , v. ] (Law) One who receives the profits, as of an estate.

Pernot furnace <Xpage=1069>

Per"not fur"nace (?) . [So called from Charles Pernot , its inventor.] A reverberatory furnace with a circular revolving hearth, -- used in making steel.

Pernyi moth <Xpage=1069>

Per"ny*i moth" (?) . (Zo\'94l.) A silk-producing moth ( Attacus Pernyi ) which feeds upon the oak. It has been introduced into Europe and America from China.

Perofskite <Xpage=1069>

Per*of"skite (?) , n. [From von Perovski , of St.Petersburg.] (Min.) A titanate of lime occurring in octahedral or cubic crystals. [Written also Perovskite .]

Perogue <Xpage=1069>

Pe*rogue (?) , n. See Pirogue .

Peronate <Xpage=1069>

Per"o*nate (?) , a. [L. peronatus rough<?/booted, fr. pero , -onis , a kind of rough boot.] (Bot.) A term applied to the stipes or stalks of certain fungi which are covered with a woolly substance which at length becomes powdery.

Henslow.

Peroneal <Xpage=1069>

Per`o*ne"al (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ the fibula.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the fibula; in the region of the fibula.

Perorate <Xpage=1069>

Per"o*rate (?) , v. i. [See Peroration .] To make a peroration; to harangue. [Colloq.]

Peroration <Xpage=1069>

Per`o*ra"tion (?) , n. [L. peroratio , fr. perorate , peroratum , to speak from beginning to end; per + orate to speak. See Per- , and Oration .] (Rhet.) The concluding part of an oration; especially, a final summing up and enforcement of an argument.

Burke.

Peroxidation <Xpage=1069>

Per*ox`i*da"tion (?) , n. Act, process, or result of peroxidizing; oxidation to a peroxide.

Peroxide <Xpage=1069>

Per*ox"ide (?) , n. (Chem.) An oxide containing more oxygen than some other oxide of the same element. Formerly peroxides were regarded as the highest oxides. Cf. Per- , 2.

Peroxidize <Xpage=1069>

Per*ox"i*dize (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Peroxidized (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Peroxidizing .] (Chem.) To oxidize to the utmost degree, so as to form a peroxide.

Perpend <Xpage=1069>

Per*pend" (?) , v. t. [L. perpendere , perpensum ; per + pendere to weight.] To weight carefully in the mind. [R.] " Perpend my words."

Shak.

Perpend <Xpage=1069>

Per*pend" , v. i. To attend; to be attentive. [R.]

Shak.

Perpender <Xpage=1069>

Per*pend"er (?) , n. [F. parpaing , pierre parpaigne ; of uncertain origin.] (Masonry) A large stone reaching through a wall so as to appear on both sides of it, and acting as a binder; -- called also perbend , perpend stone , and perpent stone .

Perpendicle <Xpage=1069>

Per*pen"di*cle (?) , n. [L. perpendiculum ; per + pendere to hang: cf. F. perpendicule .] Something hanging straight down; a plumb line. [Obs.]

Perpendicular <Xpage=1069>

Per`pen*dic"u*lar (?) , a. [L. perpendicularis , perpendicularius : cf. F. perpendiculaire . See Perpendicle , Pension .] 1. Exactly upright or vertical; pointing to the zenith; at right angles to the plane of the horizon; extending in a right line from any point toward the center of the earth.

2. (Geom.) At right angles to a given line or surface; as, the line ad is perpendicular to the line bc .

Perpendicular style (Arch.) , a name given to the latest variety of English Gothic architecture, which prevailed from the close of the 14th century to the early part of the 16th; -- probably so called from the vertical style of its window mullions.

Perpendicular <Xpage=1069>

Per`pen*dic"u*lar (?) , n. 1. A line at right angles to the plane of the horizon; a vertical line or direction.

2. (Geom.) A line or plane falling at right angles on another line or surface, or making equal angles with it on each side.

Perpendicularity <Xpage=1069>

Per`pen*dic`u*lar"i*ty (?) , n. [Cf. F. perpendicularit\'82 .] The quality or state of being perpendicular.

Perpendicularly <Xpage=1069>

Per`pen*dic"u*lar*ly (?) , adv. In a perpendicular manner; vertically.

Perpend stone <Xpage=1069>

Per"pend stone` (?) . See Perpender .

Perpension <Xpage=1069>

Per*pen"sion (?) , n. [See Perpend .] Careful consideration; pondering. [Obs.]

Sir T. Browne.

Perpensity <Xpage=1069>

Per*pen"si*ty (?) , n. Perpension. [Obs.]

Perpent stone <Xpage=1069>

Per"pent stone` (?) . See Perpender .

Perpession <Xpage=1069>

Per*pes"sion (?) , n. [L. perpessio , fr. perpeti , perpessus , to bear steadfastly; per + pati to bear.] Suffering; endurance. [Obs.]

Bp. Pearson.

Perpetrable <Xpage=1069>

Per"pe*tra"ble (?) , a. Capable of being perpetrated.

R. North.

Perpetrate <Xpage=1069>

Per"pe*trate (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Perpetrated (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Perpetrating .] [L. perpetratus , p.p. of perpetrare to effect, perpetrare; per + patrare to perform.] To do or perform; to carry through; to execute, commonly in a bad sense; to commit (as a crime, an offense); to be guilty of; as, to perpetrate a foul deed .

What the worst perpetrate , or best endure. Young.

Perpetration <Xpage=1069>

Per`pe*tra"tion (?) , n. [L. perpetratio : cf. F. perp\'82tration .] 1. The act of perpetrating; a doing; -- commonly used of doing something wrong, as a crime.

2. The thing perpetrated; an evil action.

Perpetrator <Xpage=1069>

Per"pe*tra`tor (?) , n. [L.] One who perpetrates; esp., one who commits an offense or crime.

Perpetuable <Xpage=1069>

Per*pet"u*a*ble (?) , a. Capable of being perpetuated or continued.

Varieties are perpetuable , like species. Gray.

Perpetual <Xpage=1069>

Per*pet"u*al (?) , a. [OE. perpetuel , F. perp\'82tuel , fr. L. perpetualis , fr. perpetuus continuing throughout, continuous, fr. perpes , -etis , lasting throughout.] Neverceasing; continuing forever or for an unlimited time; unfailing; everlasting; continuous.

Unto the kingdom of perpetual night. Shak.

Perpetual feast of nectared sweets. Milton.

Circle of perpetual apparition , &or; occultation . See under Circle . -- Perpetual calendar , a calendar so devised that it may be adjusted for any month or year. -- Perpetual curacy (Ch. of Eng.) , a curacy in which all the tithes are appropriated, and no vicarage is endowed. Blackstone . -- Perpetual motion . See under Motion . -- Perpetual screw . See Endless screw , under Screw .

Syn. -- Continual; unceasing; endless; everlasting; incessant; constant; eternal. See Constant .

Perpetually <Xpage=1069>

Per*pet"u*al*ly , adv. In a perpetual manner; constantly; continually.

The Bible and Common Prayer Book in the vulgar tongue, being perpetually read in churches, have proved a kind of standard for language. Swift.

Perpetualty <Xpage=1069>

Per*pet"u*al*ty (?) , n. The state or condition of being perpetual. [Obs.]

Testament of Love.

Perpetuance <Xpage=1069>

Per*pet"u*ance (?) , n. Perpetuity. [Obs.]

Perpetuate <Xpage=1069>

Per*pet"u*ate (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Perpetuated (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Perpetuating .] [L. perpetuatus , p.p. of perpetuare to perpetuate. See Perpetual .] To make perpetual; to cause to endure, or to be continued, indefinitely; to preserve from extinction or oblivion; to eternize.

Addison. Burke.

Perpetuate <Xpage=1069>

Per*pet"u*ate (?) , a. [L. perpetuatus , p.p.] Made perpetual; perpetuated. [R.]

Southey.

Perpetuation <Xpage=1069>

Per*pet`u*a"tion (?) , n. [Cf. F. perp\'82tuation .] The act of making perpetual, or of preserving from extinction through an endless existence, or for an indefinite period of time; continuance.

Sir T. Browne.

Perpetuity <Xpage=1069>

Per`pe*tu"i*ty (?) , n. [L. perpetuitas : cf. F. perp\'82tuit\'82 .] 1. The quality or state of being perpetual; as, the perpetuity of laws .

Bacon.

A path to perpetuity of fame. Byron.

The perpetuity of single emotion is insanity. I. Taylor.

2. Something that is perpetual.

South.

3. Endless time. "And yet we should, for perpetuity , go hence in debt."

Shak.

4. (Annuities) (a) The number of years in which the simple interest of any sum becomes equal to the principal. (b) The number of years' purchase to be given for an annuity to continue forever. (c) A perpetual annuity.

5. (Law) (a) Duration without limitations as to time. (b) The quality or condition of an estate by which it becomes inalienable, either perpetually or for a very long period; also, the estate itself so modified or perpetuated.

Perplex <Xpage=1069>

Per*plex" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Perplexed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Perplexing .] [L. perplexari . See Perplex , a. ] 1. To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated, and difficult to be unraveled or understood; as, to perplex one with doubts .

No artful wildness to perplex the scene. Pope.

What was thought obscure, perplexed , and too hard for our weak parts, will lie open to the understanding in a fair view. Locke.

2. To embarrass; to puzzle; to distract; to bewilder; to confuse; to trouble with ambiguity, suspense, or anxiety. " Perplexd beyond self-explication."

Shak.

We are perplexed , but not in despair. 2 Cor. iv. 8.

We can distinguish no general truths, or at least shall be apt to perplex the mind. Locke.

3. To plague; to vex; to tormen.

Glanvill.

Syn. -- To entangle; involve; complicate; embarrass; puzzle; bewilder; confuse; distract. See Embarrass .

Perplex <Xpage=1069>

Per*plex" , a. [L. perplexus entangled, intricate; per + plectere , plexum , to plait, braid: cf. F. perplexe . See Per- , and Plait .] Intricate; difficult. [Obs.]

Glanvill.

Perplexed <Xpage=1069>

Per*plexed" (?) , a. Entangled, involved, or confused; hence, embarrassd; puzzled; doubtful; anxious. -- Per*plex"ed*ly (#) , adv. -- Per*plex"ed*ness , n.

Perplexing <Xpage=1069>

Per*plex"ing (?) , a. Embarrassing; puzzling; troublesome. " Perplexing thoughts."

Milton.

Perplexity <Xpage=1069>

Per*plex"i*ty (?) , n. ; pl. Perplexities (#) . [L. perplexitas : cf. F. perplexit\'82 .] The quality or state of being perplexed or puzzled; complication; intricacy; entanglement; distraction of mind through doubt or difficulty; embarrassment; bewilderment; doubt.

By their own perplexities involved, They ravel more. Milton.

Perplexiveness <Xpage=1069>

Per*plex"ive*ness (?) , n. The quality of being perplexing; tendency to perplex. [Obs.]

Dr. H. More.

Perplexly <Xpage=1069>

Per*plex"ly , adv. Perplexedly. [Obs.]

Milton.

Perpotation <Xpage=1069>

Per`po*ta"tion (?) , n. [L. perpotatio , fr. perpotate . See Per- , and Potation .] The act of drinking excessively; a drinking bout. [Obs.]

Perquisite <Xpage=1069>

Per"qui*site (?) , n. [L. perquisitum , fr. perquisitus , p.p. of perquirere to ask for diligently; per + quaerere to seek. See Per- , and Quest .] 1. Something gained from a place or employment over and above the ordinary salary or fixed wages for services rendered; especially, a fee allowed by law to an officer for a specific service.

The pillage of a place taken by storm was regarded as the perquisite of the soldiers. Prescott.

The best perquisites of a place are the advantages it gaves a man of doing good. Addison.

2. pl. (Law) Things gotten by a man's own industry, or purchased with his own money, as opposed to things which come to him by descent.

Mozley & W.

Perquisited <Xpage=1069>

Per"qui*sit*ed , a. Supplied with perquisites. [Obs.] " Perquisited varlets frequent stand."

Savage.

Perquisition <Xpage=1069>

Per`qui*si"tion (?) , n. [Cf. F. perquisition .] A thorough inquiry of search. [R.]

Berkeley.

Perradial <Xpage=1069>

Per*ra"di*al (?) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Situated around the radii, or radial tubes, of a radiate.

Perrie <Xpage=1069>

Per"rie (?) , n. [F. pierreries , pl., fr. pierre stone, L. petra .] Precious stones; jewels. [Obs.] [Written also perre , perrye , etc.]

Chaucer.

Perrier <Xpage=1069>

Per"ri*er (?) , n. [OF. perriere , perrier , F. perrier . Cf. Pederero .] (Mil.) A short mortar used formerly for throwing stone shot.

Hakluyt.

Perroquet <Xpage=1069>

Per`ro*quet" (?) , n. [F.] (Zo\'94l.) See Paroquet , Parakeet .

Perruque <Xpage=1069>

Per`ruque" (?) , n. [F.] See Peruke .

Perruquier <Xpage=1069>

Per*ru"qui*er (?) , n. [F.] A marker of perukes or wigs.

Perry <Xpage=1069>

Per"ry (?) , n. [OF. per\'82 , F. poir\'82 , fr. poire a pear, L. pirum . See Pear the fruit.] A fermented liquor made from pears; pear cider.

Mortimer.

Perry <Xpage=1069>

Per"ry , n. A suddent squall. See Pirry . [Obs.]

Pers <Xpage=1069>

Pers (?) , a. [F. pers .] Light blue; grayish blue; -- a term applied to different shades at different periods. -- n. A cloth of sky-blue color. [Obs.] "A long surcoat of pers ."

Chaucer.

Persalt <Xpage=1069>

Per"salt` (?) , n. (Chem.) A term formerly given to the salts supposed to be formed respectively by neutralizing acids with certain peroxides. [Obsoles.]

Persant <Xpage=1069>

Per"sant (?) , a. [F. per\'87ant , p.pr. of percer to pierce.] Piercing. [Obs.]

Spenser.

Perscrutation <Xpage=1069>

Per`scru*ta"tion (?) , n. [L. perscrutatio , fr. perscrutari to search through.] A thorough searching; a minute inquiry or scrutiny.

Carlyle

Persecot <Xpage=1069>

Per"se*cot (?) , n. See Persicot .

Persecute <Xpage=1069>

Per"se*cute (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Persecuted (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Persecuting .] [F. pers\'82cueter , L. persequi , persecutus , to pursue, prosecute; per + sequi to follow, pursue. See Per- , and Second .] 1. To pursue in a manner to injure, grieve, or afflict; to beset with cruelty or malignity; to harass; especially, to afflict, harass, punish, or put to death, for adherence to a particular religious creed or mode of worship.

Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Matt. v. 44.

2. To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.

Johnson.

Syn. -- To oppress; harass; distress; worry; annoy.

Persecution <Xpage=1069>

Per`se*cu"tion (?) , n. [F. pers\'82cution , L. persecutio .] 1. The act or practice of persecuting; especially, the infliction of loss, pain, or death for adherence to a particular creed or mode of worship.

Persecution produces no sincere conviction. Paley.

2. The state or condition of being persecuted.

Locke.

3. A carrying on; prosecution. [Obs.]

Persecutor <Xpage=1069>

Per"se*cu`tor (?) , n. [L.: cf. F. pers\'82cuteur .] One who persecutes, or harasses.

Shak.

Persecutrix <Xpage=1069>

Per"se*cu`trix (?) , n. [L.] A woman who persecutes.

Perseid <Xpage=1069>

Per"se*id (?) , n. (Astron.) One of a group of shooting stars which appear yearly about the 10th of August, and cross the heavens in paths apparently radiating from the constellation Perseus . They are beleived to be fragments once connected with a comet visible in 1862.

Perseus <Xpage=1069>

Per"se*us (?) , n. [L., from Gr. <?/.] 1. (Class. Myth.) A Grecian legendary hero, son of Jupiter and Dana\'89, who slew the Gorgon Medusa.

2. (Astron.) A consellation of the northern hemisphere, near Taurus and Cassiopea. It contains a star cluster visible to the naked eye as a nebula.

Persever <Xpage=1069>

Per*sev"er (?) , v. i. To persevere. [Obs.]

Perseverance <Xpage=1069>

Per`se*ver"ance (?) , n. [F. pers\'82v\'82rance , L. perseverantia .] 1. The act of persevering; persistence in anything undertaken; continued pursuit or prosecution of any business, or enterprise begun. "The king-becoming graces . . . perseverance , mercy, lowliness."

Shak.

Whose constant perseverance overcame Whate'er his cruel malice could invent. Milton.

2. Discrimination. [Obs.]

Sir J. Harrington.