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perfect

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perfect¹

  • /ˈpɜː.fɪkt/ UK
  • /-fɛkt/ UK
  • /ˈpɝ.fɪkt/ Canada, US
  • /ˈpɜː.fekt/ Australia, New Zealand

Sounds like purrfect · Rhymes with -ɜː(ɹ)fɪkt, -ɜː(ɹ)fɛkt

Where it comes from

From Middle English perfit, from Old French parfit (modern: parfait), from Latin perfectus, perfect passive participle of perficere (“to finish”), from per- (“through, thorough”) + facere (“to do, to make”). The spelling was modified in the 15th century to conform to its Latin etymon. Doublet of parfait, perfecto, and perfectus.

Displaced native Old English fulfremed.

adjective perfecter · more perfect · perfectest · most perfect · perfite · perfight

  1. not comparable, usually Fitting its definition precisely. a perfect circle
  2. not comparable, usually Having all of its parts in harmony with a common purpose. That bucket with the hole in the bottom is a poor bucket, but it is perfect for watering plants.
  3. not comparable, usually Without fault or mistake; without flaw, of supreme quality. The gymnast performed a perfect somersault.
  4. not comparable, usually Exact, correctly reflecting the original in all aspects. The expert forger made a perfect copy of the victim's driver's license
  5. not comparable, usually Having thoroughly learned or memorized a part.
  6. not comparable, usually Having thoroughly learned or memorized a lesson; of a lesson: having been thoroughly learned or memorized. Practice makes perfect.
  7. not comparable, obsolete, usually Fully trained or very knowledgeable; highly skilled Our Battaile is more full of Names then yours, / Our Men more perfect in the vse of Armes, / Our Armor all as strong, our Cause the best
  8. not comparable, usually Excellent and delightful in all respects. a perfect day
  9. not comparable, usually Morally or spiritually immaculate or ideal. Marke the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace
  10. not comparable, usually Representing a completed action.
  11. not comparable, usually Sexually mature and fully differentiated.
  12. not comparable, usually Having both male parts (stamens) and female parts (carpels).
  13. not comparable, usually Equal to the sum of its proper divisors. 6 is perfect because the sum of its proper divisors, 1, 2, and 3, which is 6, is equal to the number itself.
  14. not comparable, usually Equal to its set of limit points, i.e. set A is perfect if A=A'.
  15. not comparable, usually Describing an interval or any compound interval of a unison, octave, or fourths and fifths that are not tritones. perfect fifth
  16. not comparable, usually Made with equal parts of sweet and dry vermouth. a perfect Manhattan
  17. not comparable, obsolete, usually Well informed; certain; sure. I am perfect that the Pannonians and Dalmatians for their liberties are now in arms.
  18. not comparable, obsolete, usually Innocent, guiltless; without blemish. My fault being nothing—as I have told you oft— / But that two villains, whose false oaths prevail'd / Before my perfect honour, swore to Cymbeline / I was confederate with the Romans: so / Follow'd my banishment
  19. not comparable, obsolete, usually Sane, of sound mind. Pray, do not mock me. / I am a very foolish fond old man, / Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less / And, to deal plainly, / I fear I am not in my perfect mind.

Similar: faultless, infallible, hermaphroditic

noun perfects · perfite · perfight · pf. · poifect

  1. The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.
  2. A perfect score; the achievement of finishing a stage or task with no mistakes. Awarded for scoring all Perfects in the Dominator rank!
  3. historical A leader of the Cathar movement.

Similar: preterperfect

perfect²

  • /pəˈfɛkt/ UK
  • /pɚˈfɛkt/ Canada, US
  • /pəˈfekt/ Australia, New Zealand

Rhymes with -ɛkt

Where it comes from

From perfect (adjective).

verb perfects · perfecting · perfected · perfite · perfight

  1. transitive To make perfect; to improve or hone. I am going to perfect this article.
  2. To take an action, usually the filing of a document in the correct venue, that secures a legal right. perfect an appeal

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