First Known Use: 1537
Dictionary
perpetrate
verb per·pe·trate \ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt\
: to do (something that is illegal or wrong)
per·pe·trat·edper·pe·trat·ing
Full Definition of PERPETRATE
transitive verb
1
: to bring about or carry out (as a crime or deception) : commit
2
: to produce, perform, or execute (something likened to a crime) <perpetrate a pun>
— per·pe·tra·tion \ˌpər-pə-ˈtrā-shən\ noun
— per·pe·tra·tor \ˈpər-pə-ˌtrā-tər\ noun
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Origin of PERPETRATE
Latin perpetratus, past participle of perpetrare, from per- through + patrare to accomplish, from pater father — more at father
Related to PERPETRATE
Rhymes with PERPETRATE
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PERPETRATION Defined for Kids
perpetrate
verb per·pe·trate \ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt\
per·pe·trat·edper·pe·trat·ing
Definition of PERPETRATE for Kids
: to bring about or carry out : commit <Thieves perpetrated the crime.>
— per·pe·tra·tor \ˈpər-pə-ˌtrā-tər\ noun
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