perch

perch
{{11}}perch (n.1) "where a bird rests," late 13c., "a pole, rod, stick, stake," from O.Fr. perche "unit of linear measurement" (5.5 yards), also "measuring rod, pole, bar" used to measure this length (13c.), from L. pertica "pole, long staff, measuring rod," related to Oscan perek "pole," Umbrian perkaf "twigs, rods." Meaning "a bar fixed horizontally for a hawk or tame bird to rest on" is attested from late 14c.; this led to general sense of "any thing that any bird alights or rests on" (late 15c.). Figurative sense of "an elevated or secure position" is recorded from 1520s. The "land-measuring rod" sense also was in M.E., hence surviving meaning "measure of land equal to a square lineal perch" (usually 160 to the acre), mid-15c.
{{12}}perch (n.2) "spiny-finned freshwater fish," c.1300, from O.Fr. perche, from L. perca "perch," from Gk. perke, from PIE root *perk-/*prek- "speckled, spotted" (Cf. Skt. prsnih "speckled, variegated;" Gk. perknos "dark-colored," perkazein "to become dark").
{{12}}perch (v.) "to roost," late 14c., from PERCH (Cf. perch) (n.1). Related: Perched; perching.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Perch — (p[ e]rch), n. [Written also {pearch}.] [OE. perche, F. perche, L. perca, fr. Gr. pe rkh; cf. perkno s dark colored, Skr. p[.r][,c]ni spotted, speckled, and E. freckle.] (Zo[ o]l.) 1. Any fresh water fish of the genus Perca and of several other… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Perch — ist der Name von: Perch Island, mehrere Inseln in den USA Perch ist der Familienname folgender Personen: James Perch (* 1985), englischer Fußballspieler Perch bezeichnet: Perch, eine alte englische Längeneinheit …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • perch — perch1 [pʉrch] n. pl. perch or perches [ME perche < OFr < L perca < Gr perkē < IE base * perk̑ , speckled, colorful > Ger farbe, color, OE forn, trout] 1. any of a family (Percidae) of small, spiny finned, freshwater, percoid food… …   English World dictionary

  • Perch — Perch, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Perched}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Perching}.] [F. percher. See {Perch} a pole.] To alight or settle, as a bird; to sit or roost. [1913 Webster] Wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch. Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Perch — Perch, v. t. 1. To place or to set on, or as on, a perch. [1913 Webster] 2. To occupy as a perch. Milton. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Perch — Perch, n. [F. perche, L. pertica.] 1. A pole; a long staff; a rod; esp., a pole or other support for fowls to roost on or to rest on; a roost; figuratively, any elevated resting place or seat. [1913 Webster] As chauntecleer among his wives all… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • perch — perch·er; perch; un·perch; …   English syllables

  • Perch — [pə:tʃ] das; <aus gleichbed. engl. perch, dies aus fr. perche, vgl. ↑Perche> altes engl. Längenmaß …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

  • perch — [n] object placed high for sitting on branch, landing place, lounge, pole, post, resting place, roost, seat; concepts 443,479 perch [v] sit atop of alight, balance, land, light, rest, roost, set down, settle, sit on, squat, touch down; concept… …   New thesaurus

  • perch — Ⅰ. perch [1] ► NOUN 1) a branch, bar, etc. on which a bird rests or roosts. 2) a high or narrow seat or resting place. ► VERB 1) sit, rest, or place somewhere. 2) (be perched) (of a building) be situated above or on the edge of …   English terms dictionary

  • Perch — (Pearch, engl., spr. Pertsch, Pole, Rod, entsprechend der deutschen Ruthe), englisches Maß; das gesetzliche Standard P. – 161/2 engl. Fuß (à 0,304 Meter od. 0,97 preuß. Fuß), die Forest P. (Waldruthe) = 21 engl. Fuß, die Woodland P.… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

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