Perverse - Peter

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Perverse (?), a. [L. perversus turned the wrong way, not right, p. p. of pervertereto turn around, to overturn: cf. F. pervers. See .] 1. Turned aside; hence, specifically, turned away from the right; willfully erring; wicked; perverted.
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The only righteous in a word perverse. Milton.
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2. Obstinate in the wrong; stubborn; intractable; hence, wayward; vexing; contrary.
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To so perverse a sex all grace is vain. Dryden.
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Syn. -- Froward; untoward; wayward; stubborn; ungovernable; intractable; cross; petulant; vexatious. -- , . One who is froward is capricious, and reluctant to obey. One who is perverse has a settled obstinacy of will, and likes or dislikes by the rule of contradiction to the will of others.
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Perversed (?), a. Turned aside. [Obs.]
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Perversedly (?), adv. Perversely. [Obs.]
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Perversely, adv. In a perverse manner.
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Perverseness, n. The quality or state of being perverse. “Virtue hath some perverseness.” Donne.
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Perversion (?), n. [L. perversio: cf. F. perversion. See .] The act of perverting, or the state of being perverted; a turning from truth or right; a diverting from the true intent or object; a change to something worse; a turning or applying to a wrong end or use. “Violations and perversions of the laws.” Bacon.
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Perversity (?), n. [L. perversitas: cf. F. perversité.] The quality or state of being perverse; perverseness.
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Perversive (?), a.Tending to pervert.
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Pervert (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Perverting.] [F. pervertir, L. pervertere, perversum; per + vertere to turn. See , and .] 1. To turnanother way; to divert. [Obs.]
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Let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath. Shak.
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2. To turn from truth, rectitude, or propriety; to divert from a right use, end, or way; to lead astray; to corrupt; also, to misapply; to misinterpret designedly; as, to pervert one's words. Dryden.
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He, in the serpent, had perverted Eve. Milton.
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Pervert, v. i. To become perverted; to take the wrong course. [R.] Testament of Love.
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Pervert (?), n. One who has been perverted; one who has turned to error, especially in religion; -- opposed to convert. See the Synonym of .
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That notorious pervert, Henry of Navarre. Thackeray.
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Perverter (?), n. One who perverts (a person or thing). “His own parents his perverters.” South. “A perverter of his law.” Bp. Stillingfleet.
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Pervertible (?), a. Capable of being perverted.
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Pervestigate (?), v. t. [L. pervestigatus, p. p. of pervestigare.] To investigate thoroughly. [Obs.]
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Pervestigation (?), n. [L. pervestigatio.] Thorough investigation. [Obs.] Chillingworth.
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Pervial (?), a. [See .] Pervious. [Obs.] -- Pervially, adv. [Obs.] Chapman.
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Pervicacious (?), a. [L. pervicax, -acis.] Obstinate; willful; refractory. [Obs.] -- Pervicaciously, adv. -- Pervicaciousness, n. [Obs.]
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Pervicacity (?), n. Obstinacy; pervicaciousness. [Obs.] Bentley.
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Pervicacy (?), n. [L. pervicacia.] Pervicacity. [Obs.]
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Pervigilation (?), n. [L. pervigilatio, fr. pervigilare.] Careful watching. [Obs.]
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Pervious (?), a. [L. pervis; per + via a way. See , and .] 1. Admitting passage; capable of being penetrated by another body or substance; permeable; as, a pervious soil.
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[Doors] . . . pervious to winds, and open every way. Pope.
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2. Capable of being penetrated, or seen through, by physical or mental vision. [R.]
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God, whose secrets are pervious to no eye. Jer. Taylor.
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3. Capable of penetrating or pervading. [Obs.] Prior.
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4. (Zoöl.) Open; -- used synonymously with perforate, as applied to the nostrils or birds.
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Perviousness, n. The quality or state of being pervious; as, the perviousness of glass. Boyle.
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Pervis (?), n. See .
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Pery (?), n. A pear tree. See . [Obs.]
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Pes (?), n.; pl. Pedes . [L., the foot.] (Anat.) The distal segment of the hind limb of vertebrates, including the tarsus and foot.
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Pesade (?), n. [F.] (Man.) The motion of a horse when, raising his fore quarters, he keeps his hind feet on the ground without advancing; rearing.
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Pesage (?), n. [F., fr. peser to weigh.] A fee, or toll, paid for the weighing of merchandise.
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Pesane (?), n. (Anc. Armor.) See .
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Pesanted (?), a. [F. pesant heavy.] Made heavy or dull; debased. [Obs.] “Pesanted to each lewd thought's control.” Marston.
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Peschito (?), n. See .
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Pese (?), n. [See .] A pea. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Peseta (?), n. [Sp.] A Spanish silver coin, and money of account, equal to about nineteen cents, and divided into 100 centesimos.
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{ Peshito (?), Peshitto (?), } n. [Syriac peshîtâ simple.] The earliest Syriac version of the Old Testament, translated from Hebrew; also, the incomplete Syriac version of the New Testament. [Written also peschito.]
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Pesky (?), a. [Etymol. uncertain.] Pestering; vexatious; troublesome. Used also as an intensive. [Colloq. & Low, U.S.] Judd.
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Peso (?), n. [Sp.] A Spanish dollar; also, an Argentine, Chilian, Colombian, etc., coin, equal to from 75 cents to a dollar; also, a pound weight.
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Pessary (?), n.; pl. Pessaries (#). [L. pessarium, pessum, pessus, Gr. �: cf. F. pessaire.] (Med.) (a) An instrument or device to be introduced into and worn in the vagina, to support the uterus, or remedy a malposition. (b) A medicinal substance in the form of a bolus or mass, designed for introduction into the vagina; a vaginal suppository.
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Pessimism (?), n. [L. pessimus worst, superl. of pejor worse: cf. F. pessimisme. Cf. .] 1. (Metaph.) The opinion or doctrine that everything in nature is ordered for or tends to the worst, or that the world is wholly evil; -- opposed to optimism.
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2. A disposition to take the least hopeful view of things.
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Pessimist (?), n. [L. pessimus worst: cf. F. pessimiste.] 1. (Metaph.) One who advocates the doctrine of pessimism; -- opposed to optimist.
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2. One who looks on the dark side of things.
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{ Pessimist (?), Pessimistic (?), } a. (Metaph.) Of or pertaining to pessimism; characterized by pessimism; gloomy; foreboding. “Giving utterance to pessimistic doubt.” Encyc. Brit.
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Pessimistical (?), a. Pessimistic.
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Pessimize (?), v. i. To hold or advocate the doctrine of pessimism. London Sat. Rev.
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Pessulus (?), n.; pl. Pessuli (#). [L., a bolt.] (Anat.) A delicate bar of cartilage connecting the dorsal and ventral extremities of the first pair of bronchial cartilages in the syrinx of birds.
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Pest (?), n. [L. pestis: cf. F. peste.] 1. A fatal epidemic disease; a pestilence; specif., the plague.
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England's sufferings by that scourge, the pest. Cowper.
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2. Anything which resembles a pest; one who, or that which, is troublesome, noxious, mischievous, or destructive; a nuisance. “A pest and public enemy.” South.
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Pestalozzian (?), a. Belonging to, or characteristic of, a system of elementary education which combined manual training with other instruction, advocated and practiced by Jean Henri Pestalozzi (1746-1827), a Swiss teacher. -- n. An advocate or follower of the system of Pestalozzi.
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Pestalozzianism (?), n. The system of education introduced by Pestalozzi.
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Pester (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pestered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pestering.] [Abbrev. fr. impester, fr. OF. empaistrier, empestrer, to entangle the feet or legs, to embarrass, F. empêtrer; pref. em-, en- (L. in in) + LL. pastorium, pastoria, a fetter by which horses are prevented from wandering in the pastures, fr. L. pastorius belonging to a herdsman or shepherd, pastor a herdsman. See , and , .] 1. To trouble; to disturb; to annoy; to harass with petty vexations.
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We are pestered with mice and rats. Dr. H. More.
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A multitude of scribblers daily pester the world. Dryden.
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2. To crowd together in an annoying way; to overcrowd; to infest. [Obs.] Milton.
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All rivers and pools . . . pestered full with fishes. Holland.
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Pesterer (?), n. One who pesters or harasses.
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Pesterment (?), n. The act of pestering, or the state of being pestered; vexation; worry. “The trouble and pesterment of children.” B. Franklin.
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Pesterous (?), a.Inclined to pester. Also, vexatious; encumbering; burdensome. [Obs.] Bacon.
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Pestful (?), a. Pestiferous. “After long and pestful calms.” Coleridge.
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Pesthouse (?), n. A house or hospital for persons who are infected with any pestilential disease.
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Pestiduct (?), n. [L. pestis pest + ductus a leading, fr. ducere to lead.] That which conveys contagion or infection. [Obs.] Donne.
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Pestiferous (?), a. [L. pestiferus, pestifer; pestis pest + ferre to bear: cf. F. pestifère.] 1. Pest-bearing; pestilential; noxious to health; malignant; infectious; contagious; as, pestiferous bodies. “Poor, pestiferous creatures begging alms.” Evelyn. “Unwholesome and pestiferous occupations.” Burke.
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2. Noxious to peace, to morals, or to society; vicious; hurtful; destructive; as, a pestiferous demagogue.
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Pestiferous reports of men very nobly held. Shak.
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Pestiferously, adv. In a pestiferuos manner.
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Pestilence (?), n. [F. pestilence, L. pestilentia. See .] 1. Specifically, the disease known as the plague; hence, any contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating.
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The pestilence That walketh in darkness. Ps. xci. 6.
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2. Fig.: That which is pestilent, noxious, or pernicious to the moral character of great numbers.
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I'll pour this pestilence into his ear. Shak.
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Coloq. Pestilence weed (Bot.), the butterbur coltsfoot (Petasites vulgaris), so called because formerly considered a remedy for the plague. Dr. Prior.
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Pestilent (?), a. [L. pestilens, -entis, fr. pestis pest: cf. F. pestilent.] Pestilential; noxious; pernicious; mischievous. “Corrupt and pestilent.” Milton. “What a pestilent knave is this same!” Shak.
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Pestilential (?), a. [Cf. F. pestilentiel.] 1. Having the nature or qualities of a pestilence. “Sends the pestilential vapors.” Longfellow.
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2. Hence: Mischievous; noxious; pernicious; morally destructive.
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So pestilential, so infectious a thing is sin. Jer. Taylor.
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Pestilentially, adv. Pestilently.
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Pestilentious (?), a. Pestilential. [Obs.]
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Pestilently (?), adv. In a pestilent manner; mischievously; destructively. “Above all measure pestilently noisome.” Dr. H. More.
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Pestilentness, n. The quality of being pestilent.
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pestillation (?), n. [LL. pestillum, L. pistillum. See .] The act of pounding and bruising with a pestle in a mortar. Sir T. Browne.
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pestle (pĕst'l or pĕs'l; 277), n. [OE. pestel, OF. pestel, LL. pestellum, L. pistillum, pistillus, a pounder, pestle, fr. pisere, pinsere, to pound, crush, akin to Gr. �, Skr. pish. Cf. .] 1. An implement for pounding and breaking or braying substances in a mortar; as, to grind with a mortar and pestle.
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2. A constable's or bailiff's staff; -- so called from its shape. [Obs.] Chapman.
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3. The leg and leg bone of an animal, especially of a pig; as, a pestle of pork.
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pestle (?), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Pestled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pestling (?).] To pound, pulverize, bray, or mix with a pestle, or as with a pestle; to use a pestle.
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pesto (pĕst�), n. [It. pesto, pounded, from pestare to pound, crush, fr. LL. pistare, fr. pinsere. See also .] (Cookery) A sauce used in Italian cuisine, typically made by blending olive oil, basil, garlic, pine nuts, and grated parmesan cheese; it is served hot or cold over pasta, meat, or fish. Where pine nuts are expensive, sunflower seeds are sometimes substituted.
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pet (pĕt), n. [Formerly peat, perhaps from Ir. peat, akin to Gael. peata.] 1. A cade lamb; a lamb brought up by hand.
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2. Any person especially cherished and indulged; a fondling; a darling; often, a favorite child.
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The love of cronies, pets, and favorites. Tatler.
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3. [Prob. fr. a fondling, hence, the behavior or humor of a spoiled child.] A slight fit of peevishness or fretfulness. “In a pet she started up.” Tennyson.
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4. Any animal kept as a companion, usually in or around one's home, typically domesticated and cared for attentively and often affectionately. Distinguished from animals raised for food or to perform useful tasks, as a draft animal.
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pet, a. Petted; indulged; admired; cherished; as, a pet child; a pet lamb; a pet theory; a pet animal.
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Some young lady's pet curate. F. Harrison.
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Coloq. Pet cock . [Perh. for petty cock.] (Mach.) A little faucet in a water pipe or pump, to let air out, or at the end of a steam cylinder, to drain it.
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Pet, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Petted; p. pr. & vb. n. Petting.] To treat as a pet; to fondle; to indulge; as, she was petted and spoiled.
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Pet, v. i. To be a pet. Feltham.
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Petal (?), n. [Gr. � a leaf, a leaf or plate of metal, fr. � outspread, broad, flat: cf. F. pétale. See .] 1. (Bot.) One of the leaves of the corolla, or the colored leaves of a flower. See , and Illust. of .
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2. (Zoöl.) One of the expanded ambulacra which form a rosette on the black of certain Echini.
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Petaled (?), a. (Bot.) Having petals; as, a petaled flower; -- opposed to apetalous, and much used in compounds; as, one-petaled, three-petaled, etc.
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Petaliferous (?), a. [Petal + -ferous.] Bearing petals.
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Petaliform (?), a. (Bot.) Having the form of a petal; petaloid; petal-shaped.
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Petaline (?), a. [Cf. F. pétalin.] (Bot.) Pertaining to a petal; attached to, or resembling, a petal.
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Petalism (?), n. [Gr. �, fr. � a leaf: cf. F. pétalisme.] (Gr. Antiq.) A form of sentence among the ancient Syracusans by which they banished for five years a citizen suspected of having dangerous influence or ambition. It was similar to the ostracism in Athens; but olive leaves were used instead of shells for ballots.
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Petalite (?), n. [Cf. F. pétalite.] (Min.) A rare mineral, occurring crystallized and in cleavable masses, usually white, or nearly so, in color. It is a silicate of aluminia and lithia.
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Petalody (?), n. [Petal + Gr. e'i^dos form.] (Bot.) The metamorphosis of various floral organs, usually stamens, into petals.
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Petaloid (?), a. [Petal + -oid: cf. F. pétaloïde.] (Bot.) Petaline.
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Petaloideous (?), a. (Bot.) Having the whole or part of the perianth petaline.
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Coloq. Petaloideous division , that division of endogenous plants in which the perianth is wholly or partly petaline, embracing the Liliaceæ, Orchidaceæ, Amaryllideæ, etc.
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Petalosticha (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. � a leaf + stichos a row.] (Zoöl.) An order of Echini, including the irregular sea urchins, as the spatangoids. See .
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Petalous (?), a. Having petals; petaled; -- opposed to apetalous.
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Petalum (?), n.; pl. Petala (#). [NL.] A petal.
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Petar (?), n. See . [Obs.] “Hoist with his own petar.” Shak.
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Petard (?), n. [F. pétard, fr. péter to break wind, to crack, to explode, L. pedere, peditum.] (Mil.) A case containing powder to be exploded, esp. a conical or cylindrical case of metal filled with powder and attached to a plank, to be exploded against and break down gates, barricades, drawbridges, etc. It has been superseded.
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{ Petardeer, Petardier } (?), n. [F. pétardier.] (Mil.) One who managed a petard.
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Petasus (?), n. [L., from Gr. �.] (Gr. & Rom. Antiq.) The winged cap of Mercury; also, a broad-brimmed, low-crowned hat worn by Greeks and Romans.
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Petaurist (?), n. [L. petaurista a ropedancer, Gr. �, fr. � to dance on a rope, fr. � a pole, a stage for ropedancers: cf. F. pétauriste.] (Zoöl.) Any flying marsupial of the genera Petaurus, Phalangista, Acrobata, and allied genera. See Flying mouse, under , and .
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Petechiæ (?), n. pl.; sing. Petechia (�). [NL., fr. LL. peteccia; cf. F. pétéchie, It. petecchia, Sp. petequia, Gr. � a label, plaster.] (Med.) Small crimson, purple, or livid spots, like flea-bites, due to extravasation of blood, which appear on the skin in malignant fevers, etc.
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Petechial (?), a. [Cf. F. pétéchial, LL. petecchialis.] (Med.) Characterized by, or pertaining to, petechiæ; spotted.
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Coloq. Petechial fever , a malignant fever, accompanied with livid spots on the skin.
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Peter (?), n. A common baptismal name for a man. The name of one of the apostles,
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Coloq. Peter boat , a fishing boat, sharp at both ends, originally of the Baltic Sea, but now common in certain English rivers. -- Coloq. Peter Funk , the auctioneer in a mock auction. [Cant, U.S.] -- Coloq. Peter pence , or Coloq. Peter's pence . (a) An annual tax or tribute, formerly paid by the English people to the pope, being a penny for every house, payable on Lammas or St.Peter's day; -- called also Rome scot, and hearth money. (b) In modern times, a voluntary contribution made by Roman Catholics to the private purse of the pope. -- Coloq. Peter's fish (Zoöl.), a haddock; -- so called because the black spots, one on each side, behind the gills, are traditionally said to have been caused by the fingers of St. Peter, when he caught the fish to pay the tribute. The name is applied, also, to other fishes having similar spots.
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