First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
perish
verb per·ish \ˈper-ish, ˈpe-rish\
: to die or be killed
: to disappear or be destroyed : to cease to exist
: to slowly break apart by a natural process
Full Definition of PERISH
intransitive verb
1
: to become destroyed or ruined : cease to exist <recollection of a past already long since perished — Philip Sherrard> <guard against your mistakes or your attempts (perish the thought) to cheat — C. B. Davis>
2
chiefly British : deteriorate, spoil
transitive verb
1
chiefly British : to cause to die : destroy
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Origin of PERISH
Related to PERISH
PERISH Defined for Kids
perish
verb per·ish \ˈper-ish\
per·ishedper·ish·ing
Definition of PERISH for Kids
: to become destroyed : die <Dinosaurs perished long ago.> <The language slowly perished.>
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