| 释义 |
perfectadj.n.adv. Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French parfit. Etymology: Originally < Anglo-Norman parfit, perfit (feminine parfite , perfite ) and Old French parfit (11th cent.) < classical Latin perfectus , use as adjective of past participle of perficere to accomplish, perform, complete < per- per- prefix + facere to do, make (see fact n., int., and adv.); subsequently influenced in form and sense by Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French parfait , Old French parfet , Middle French perfait , perfet (French parfait ), alteration of parfit after fait , past participle of faire to do (see fact n., int., and adv.; compare French parfaire : see perfect v.); in later use remodelled after classical Latin perfectus (compare Middle French parfect, parfaict, Middle French, French †perfect); perfect became the usual spelling from the late 16th cent. (although it took longer for pronunciations with /k/ to become fully established).Among the senses of classical Latin perfectus are: fully realized, complete, finished, having all the essential qualities, fully accomplished or trained, fully grown, (of a number) equal to the sum of its divisors, designating a verbal tense which denotes a completed action; in post-classical Latin perfectus also has the sense ‘spiritually perfect’ (Vulgate). With use as noun compare classical Latin perfectum state of perfection, perfect tense, use as noun of neuter of perfectus . Among the senses in Anglo-Norman and French compare: (of a person) accomplished, excellent, or ideal in a particular field or condition (10th cent.), that is perfectly accomplished without fault or lack, at the highest level of excellence (c1050), (of a person) who has committed no fault, holy (c1145), (of a quality) great, large (c1170 in parfite amur ), total, complete (beginning of the 13th cent.), having exceptional qualities (15th cent. in nombre parfait ), representing a type perfectly (c1480), showing a very advanced stage of development (1749). With use as noun compare: person who is perfect, flawless, or holy (c1170), thing which is excellent or the best (c1260), the perfect tense (1596). With perfect metal compare Middle French, French métal parfait (1563). With use in music (see sense A. 10) compare trios parfaits (1636), accord parfait (1690). Compare Old Occitan perfeit (c1100; also perfieg ; Occitan perfèit , perfèch ), perfag (early 13th cent. as a grammatical term; Occitan perfach , perfait ), Occitan perfecte , Catalan perfet (c1200 as perfeit , now only as a grammatical term), perfecte (13th cent. in feminine form perfecta ), Spanish perfecto (mid 13th cent.). In sense B. 2b after post-classical Latin perfectus (see Perfectus n.), French parfait (c1225 in Old French in this sense). With perfect concord , perfect consonance (see sense A. 10a) compare post-classical Latin perfecta concordia , perfecta consonantia (14th cent.). With perfect fifth (see sense A. 10a) compare post-classical Latin quinta perfecta (14th cent.). With mood perfect of the more , mood perfect of the less (see sense A. 10b(b)) compare post-classical Latin modus maior perfectus , modus minor perfectus (14th cent.). With perfect harmony (see perfect harmony n. at Compounds 1) compare post-classical Latin perfecta harmonia (14th cent.). Compare the following early use of Latin perfectum (in grammatical use; compare sense B. 3a) in an English context:OE Ælfric Gram. (St. John's Oxf.) 201 Eo ic fare, is ðu færst, it he færð; et plvraliter imus we farað, itis ge farað, eunt hi farað. praeterito inperfecto ibam. perfecto iui. fvtvro ibo. In sense B. 3b after post-classical Latin perfectum (1831 in this sense: G. H. A. Ewald Grammatica critica linguae arabicae I. §195). Compare German Perfect (1838 or earlier in this sense in Ewald; now Perfekt ). The source translated in quot. 1836, Ewald's Grammatik der hebräischen Sprache des Alten Testaments (1828), uses Modus I and Modus II respectively; Ewald switched to Perfectum and Imperfectum in his 1838 revised edition of his 1836 grammar. In senses which permit comparison, a comparative form perfecter (Middle English parfiter, etc.) is not uncommon from Middle English until the mid-17th cent. and a superlative perfectest (Middle English parfitest, etc.) occurs from Middle English until the present (but is now rare). Attested earlier as a surname: Ricadus Parfet (1196), Adam Parfait (1202), although it is unclear whether these are to be interpreted as reflecting the Anglo-Norman or the Middle English word. In Middle English and in early modern English the stress varied between the first and second syllables; pronunciations with stress on the second syllable are still (rarely) found in Scottish English (see Sc. National Dict. s.v. perfit). Continuing pronunciation without -c- in 17th-cent. southern English is indicated by the fact that the words perfect and imperfect, occurring 34 times in Milton's Poems, are spelt perfet, imperfet in 22 instances (according to A. J. Wyatt's edition of Paradise Regained (1898) iv. 468, note). T. Dyche Guide to Eng. Tongue (1707) states that c is lost in perfect, perfected, and perfectness. See also E. J. Dobson Eng. Pronunc. 1500–1700 (ed. 2, 1968) II. §442. A. adj. I. General uses. 1. society > morality > virtue > absence of moral flaw > [adjective] > morally perfect society > morality > virtue > absence of moral flaw > [adjective] > morally perfect > marked by moral perfection c1300 St. Francis (Laud) 160 in C. Horstmann (1887) 58 Ȝif þou wolt parfijt beo, Sul al þi guod. c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. v. 48 Be ȝee parfit, as and ȝoure heuenly fadir is parfit. a1425 (a1400) (Galba & Harl.) (1863) 3766 (MED) For som semes gude here and parfite Þat, after þe dede, er dampned als-tite. ?c1430 J. Wyclif (1871) III. 449 To teche a perfitere weie to hevene þan evere Crist dide himself. a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) x. 2 Thaim thynke that thaire vndirstandynge and thaire conuersacioun is perfitere than other. 1530 (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 76 None maye wythstonde eny temptacyon be he neuer so parfyt. 1599 J. Davies 37 The perfect Angels were not stable, But had a fall, more desperate then wee. 1611 Psalms xxxvii. 37 Marke the perfect man, and behold the vpright: for the end of that man is peace. View more context for this quotation 1653 H. More i. iii. 7 I define God therefore..an Essence or Being fully and absolutely perfect. 1738 J. Wesley (new ed.) cxxxix. xiv Guide me in thy perfect way. 1785 W. Cowper vi. 820 All were once Perfect, and all must be at length restored. So God has greatly purpos'd. 1851 H. Spencer i. 55 The moral law must be the law of the perfect man. 1889 R. L. Poole 112 (margin) The status of the extraclaustral clergy instituted by Christ is the most perfect. 1951 N. Annan v. 163 The Transcendental God..is perfect Good and therefore envious of nothing. 1999 (Nexis) 15 May 1 e Jesus lived a perfect life and never sinned. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > perfection > [adjective] > perfect the world > relative properties > wholeness > state or quality of being simple, unmixed, or uncompounded > [adjective] > without addition or qualification a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add.) f. 15 In somme bestis to parfite siȝt nediþ clernes of aire. c1475 ( Surg. Treat. in f. 83 (MED) A wood hound..haþ no parfiȝt siȝt, but he stumbliþ comounly at alle þingis þat he metiþ. a1500 ( (Egerton) (1953) v. xxvi. f. 103 (MED) Ther is no bodely forme so parfight as is a round body. 1542 A. Borde ix. sig. E.iiiv Abstynence for this matter is..the parfytest medysone that can be. 1565 in J. Cranstoun (1891) I. i. 80 My pen is not in perfytt plight her graces to displaie. 1590 R. Payne (1841) 3 Most of them speaking good and perfit English. 1623 F. Bacon Let. to T. Matthew in J. Spedding (1874) VII. 429 Those works, which I had formerly published,..being retractate and made more perfect. 1690 W. Temple Ess. Gardens of Epicurus in (1731) I. 185 The perfectest Figure of a Garden I ever saw..was that of Moor-Park in Hertfordshire. 1702 360 'Tis the Motive only that gives Merit to our Actions, and Uninteressedness that makes them perfect. a1722 J. Lauder (1900) 32 On of the perfectest men of the world subject to no imperfection. 1784 S. Johnson 20 Oct. (1994) IV. 426 A perfect performance of any kind is not to be expected, and certainly not a perfect dictionary. 1841 L. Hunt (1864) ii. 64 The perfectest prose-fiction in the language. 1854 J. H. Newman iv. ii. 240 The barbarian, in his own estimate, is perfect already; and what is perfect cannot be improved. 1891 T. Hardy II. xxxiii. 166 No, no—we can't have faults talked of—you must be deemed perfect to-day at least, Sweet! 1913 D. H. Lawrence v. 101 It was a perfect morning. 1940 J. Buchan i. 19 It was a perfect playground for children, for we were alone except for the gulls and a passing smack. 1984 6 Aug. 3/5 In a perfect world it [sc. radio] would be an aid to safety, but at what cost? the mind > emotion > pleasure > [noun] > a perfectly enjoyable day 1848 J. R. Lowell i. 5 And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days. 1884 J. J. Hissey vii. 99 A perfect day with us is somewhat of a rara avis. 1910 C. Jacobs-Bond 6 We find at the end of a perfect day The soul of a friend we've made. 1923 13 Sept. 6/3 (heading) The boy and the balloon. The sad end of a perfect day. 1930 13 134 A stay at a so-called refugio..in which all the comforts of home..brought the ‘end of a perfect day’ of hard trudging. 1990 D. Wingrove (BNC) 198 It was just the right touch. The perfect end to a perfect day. 2. the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [adjective] the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adjective] > expert, proficient, or versed the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [adjective] > complete or without qualification c1350 Athanasian Creed (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring (1891) 195 (MED) He is parfit God, parfit man. c1387–95 G. Chaucer 338 He..heeld opynyoun that pleyn delit Was verray felicitee parfit. 1483 ( tr. G. Deguileville (Caxton) (1859) v. xiv. 107 Ther is no body parfit withouten thre dymensions. a1500 (Trin. Cambr.) 3994 She allwais loued me with hert parfight. 1526 W. Bonde Pref. sig. Aiv Lyke as the great worlde was made perfecte in .vii. dayes. 1571 ii Two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the Godhead and manhood. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. i. 90 Mine eye hath well examined his parts, And findes them perfect Richard. View more context for this quotation 1665 S. Pepys 22 Sept. (1972) VI. 236 He did 12-foot under ground find perfect trees over-Covered with earth. 1748 B. Robins & R. Walter iii. i. 301 It had been a perfect calm for some days. 1795 E. Fenwick III. i Who upon earth would imagine, in a seclusion so perfect, this girl would..dupe a whole family? 1841 M. R. Mitford in A. G. L'Estrange (1870) III. viii. 124 That Mr. Newman is a man of..perfect sincerity, I have no doubt. 1869 J. Tyndall §11 There is no such thing as perfect transparency or perfect opacity. 1872 J. F. Clarke (1889) xvi. 349 Nature finishes everything... Every little flower is perfect and complete, from root to seed. 1949 H. Kuhn v. 81 The nature of this faith consists in the leaping forward to a position still beyond reach for the intellect.., but held with perfect trust. 1995 (Nexis) 6 Sept. (Features section) 6–7 She can say with perfect honesty that she's happier than she's ever been. the world > health and disease > mental health > [adjective] c1440 (Thornton) (1913) 57 (MED) Solde ilke a kyng be of perfite witt & mynde. 1485 (Caxton) xvii. v. sig. R.iij Whanne he sawe the letters and vnderstood them, yet he entryd, for he was ryghte parfyte of his lyf. 1552 R. Huloet Perfecte or sounde, integer. 1608 W. Shakespeare vi. 60 I feare I am not in my perfect mind. View more context for this quotation a1625 J. Fletcher Mad Lover i. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher (1647) sig. B2v/2 What postures he puts on, I doe not thinke he is perfect. 1692 C. Gildon I. xcvii. 264 Thy Piety, while here, was so refin'd, We hardly thought thee less than perfect Mind. 1720 T. Brown 266 Yonder your Author stands extreamly Ill, And, yet of perfect Mind, thus makes his Will. 1798 W. Wordsworth Female Vagrant in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge 79 And oft, robb'd of my perfect mind, I thought At last my feet a resting-place had found. 1810 G. Crabbe xviii. 239 Here is the poor old Merchant: he declin'd, And, as they say, is not in perfect Mind. 1848 L. H. Sigourney 151 Behold the sire, and husband come Erect, and in his perfect mind. 1856 J. Wilson (ed. 6) 59 In the former [example] the comma is used, because the first clause makes perfect sense of itself. 1896 7 32 For the troublesome caelum I read clare or clara, either making perfect sense. 1954 69 324 To the part-time real estate operator.., the frontier as a safety valve against agricultural bankruptcy has always made perfect sense. 1975 (Nexis) 3 Nov. 54 From Morgan's viewpoint, the approach makes perfect sense. 1993 Mar. (Premiere Issue) 77 Once his co-workers recognized the man in the second photo, it all made perfect sense. 3. the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > [adjective] > prepared or ready > completely ready a1382 (Bodl. 959) (1963) 1 Kings vi. 7 Þe hous, forsoþe..ys bildid of stonys ouer-scorchid & parfijt. 1553 T. Wilson ii. Though Tymber be had for making a Shippe,..yet the shippe shal never be perfite, till worke men begynne to set to their handes, and joyne it together. 1568 1 Kings vi. 7 The house..was built of stone perfite before it was brought. the world > people > person > adult > [adjective] c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 2 Macc. v. 24 Comaundynge to hym for to slea alle of perfit age [L. perfectae aetatis]. 1454 in C. T. Clay (1923) 125 (MED) The sayd close be occupide in the fourme beforesayde to the tyme that the sayd Thomas Fryth come to perfite age. a1475 ( Life St. Alexius (Harl.) in (1905) 21 113 (MED) The childe was set to scole and was taught in alle the artes of Philosophie and came to his parfight age. 1547 J. Harrison A vj b He shal at his perfect yeres bee restaured to the whole isle of Britayn. 1565 in J. H. Burton (1877) 1st Ser. I. 358 Thai may entir within thre termis nixt eftir thair perfyte age of xiiii yeris. 1597 J. Skene at Maritagivm Being within lesse age, or being of perfite age. 1608 W. Shakespeare ii. 72 Sons at perfit age, & fathers declining. View more context for this quotation 1773 Ld. Monboddo (1774) I. i. i. 11 When he comes to be of perfect age. 1822 A. Peterkin App. 97 At the perfyte aige of the said umquhile Oliver. 1958 R. L. Mackie i. 2 The prince was to wed the Lady Cecilia within six months of his coming of perfect age. 1991 J. Wormald (BNC) 82 Her daughter, being now in her twelfth year, had reached ‘her perfect age’. Legally this entitled her to choose her own curators. the world > life > biology > biological processes > development, growth, or degeneration > [adjective] > growth > maturation or mature a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 197 (MED) Somtyme a womman conceyueþ twey children and..þe children ben afterward i-bore oon after oþer, and beeþ perfit i-now. ?a1425 (c1400) (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 30 (MED) The first day next after men fynden in the askes a worm, And the seconde day next after men fynden a brid quyk & parfyt [Fr. tot parfait]. 1538 T. Elyot Abortio..to brynge forthe a chylde, or it be perfecte [1548 perfite]. 1567 W. Painter II. f. 123v The infant must be perfect and ready to be delivered. 1587 G. Turberville f. 51 She had spent Not full so many monthes as giue a babee breath, And make it vp a perfect childe. the world > action or operation > completing > [adjective] > completed > of a legal act ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) ii. 254 (MED) To þat ilk scrite Edward set his seale Þat his gift was perfite & with witnes leale. 1567 (1597) §1 The acceptation of the said office of Regentrie..sall be halden, repute, and esteemed lawfull, sufficient, and perfite. 1625 B. Jonson v. ii I haue your Deed... Is't not A perfect Act? and absolute in Law? a1794 E. Gibbon Memoirs in (1796) I. 180 The heir most gratefully subscribed an agreement, which rendered my life-possession more perfect. 1883 28 Dec. 2/1 Then in turn the new Act becomes perfect, final, and undisturbable. 1922 50 607 There was, at the time of and by virtue of the deposit, a complete and perfect gift of a joint title or interest in the money. 1979 2 948 If it had not been for s. 53 of the 1925 Act the gift of the house would have been a perfect gift. 1992 J. M. Kelly ii. 56 A special defence..directing the judge..to dismiss the action founded on the seller's title notwithstanding that, at civil law, this title was perfect. 4. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective] > exact in position a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 219 (MED) Among alle, he [sc. Plato] is i-preysed for a parfite techere of philosofie. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1879) VII. 71 By craft of þe sterres, in þe whiche craft he was perfit inow. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) 12483 (MED) Maister es he self parfit; To lere him oght i claim þe quit. c1450 tr. (Royal) 21 He that is a parfit studiaunt in that science. ?1510 T. More tr. G. F. Pico della Mirandola sig. a.iii [He] was in dede both a parfit philosopre and a parfit deuine. 1578 T. Nicholas tr. F. Lopez de Gómara 212 They were very perfite with theyr bowes. 1592 R. Greene sig. Dv The Hawke that is most perfect for the flight. 1600 W. Shakespeare iv. i. 153 Our men more perfect in the vse of armes. View more context for this quotation 1606 P. Holland tr. Suetonius 48 He deemed nothing lesse beseeming a perfit and accomplished Captaine, than hast-making and rashnesse. c1653 D. Osborne in (1916) viii. 35 I like the subject because it is that I would be perfect in. 1726 J. Swift II. iii. v. 65 It was indeed my Misfortune to find them at that time not very perfect in their Lessons. 1774 J. Woolman viii. 276 None of them were quite perfect in the English and Delaware tongues. 1831 W. Hamilton in June 388 The master, doctor, or perfect graduate, was, in like manner..obliged immediately to commence..and to continue for a certain period publicly to teach. 1860 R. W. Emerson ii. 984 The reason why Nature is so perfect in her art..is, that she has learned how..by dint of doing the same thing so very often. the mind > mental capacity > memory > retention in the mind > memorization > [adjective] > committed to memory society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > actor > [adjective] > knowing part 1581 R. Mulcaster v. 33 That the learning to write be not left of, vntill it be verie perfit. 1598 W. Shakespeare v. ii. 554 I hope I was perfect. I made a little fault in great. View more context for this quotation 1665 S. Pepys 21 Sept. (1971) VI. 236 To refresh myself in my Musique Scale, which I would fain have perfecter then ever I had yet. 1740 D. Bellamy ii. 22 Has thou instructed Snapsack in his Part? Is he perfect? 1809 E. Hall v. 86 O begar, me must talk a de French, dat I may have my part perfect. 1843 A. Smith in Mar. xiii. 220 Mrs. Grimley kindly undertook to prompt, as the performers were not all very perfect. 1852 S. J. B. Hale xv. 178 The little fellow..repeated his perfect lesson. 2002 (Nexis) 10 Nov. (Tempo section) 1 e She would always have her lesson perfect. 5. Completely corresponding to a definition, pattern, or description. the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [adjective] > that is completely what is specified the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > foundation in fact, validity > [adjective] > accurately so named society > morality > virtue > honourableness > [noun] > man c1387–95 G. Chaucer 72 He was a verray, parfit [v.rr. perfit, perfite, perfiȝt], gentil knyght. c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 233 (MED) Samaritanys..weren not perfite and ful Iewis, neither thei were perfite and ful hethen. 1548 f. xv Made hym as he surely coniectured his perfite frende, where in deede he was inwardly his dedly enemie. 1614 in T. Overbury et al. Newes of my Morning Worke sig. H2v The deuill is the perfectest Courtier. 1700 M. Pix ii. 8 You know my Master's Elder Brother, is a perfect Squire. 1758 D. Garrick iv. 49 He is a perfect knight errant, the very George for St. England! 1807 W. Wordsworth I. 15 A perfect Woman; nobly plann'd, To warn, to comfort, and command. 1818 Ld. Byron xxxii. 17 In short, he was a perfect cavaliero, And to his very valet seem'd a hero. 1856 C. M. Yonge i. xxiii. 245 Her instinct showed her that she was talking to a man of high ability. A perfect gentleman she saw him to be. 1903 G. B. Shaw Revolutionist's Handbk. i, in 182 This..is a great advance on the popular demand for a perfect gentleman and a perfect lady. 1949 E. Coxhead i. 25 You'll like the Fletchers—Hermia is a wonder, the perfect wife. 1967 A. Wilson iii. 320 All perfect ladies..eat messily, don't they? 2003 (Nexis) 27 July 11b Seven-year-old Sarah is, as always, the perfect lady around the family but suspicious..about most visitors. the world > relative properties > wholeness > state or quality of being simple, unmixed, or uncompounded > [adjective] a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) iv. 2500 (MED) Er that the metall be parfit, In sevene formes it is set. 1494 Loutfut MS f. 11v, in at Perfit(e Pourpre..suld nocht be put in range of colours na comptit for perfit colour..And for caus it is mixt with al the colouris forsaid it is said nocht perfit. 1554 D. Lindsay Dialog Experience & Courteour 6039 in (1931) I. 377 Boith erth and walter, fyre and air, Salbe more perfyte maid..The quhilkis affore had myxit bene. 1573 f. 8v If you mingle good greene and Safron together, by discretion you shall have thereof a perfitte Lincolne greene. 1600 J. Pory tr. J. Leo Africanus ii. 71 The walles, the towers, and the gates built all of perfect marble. 1648 in S. Tymms (1850) 217 My damaske sword, with the handle of perfect gold. 1705 tr. (1913) 244 'Tis above all of great importance to take care to have a perfect Black, whether it be Madder'd or Woaded only. 1758 W. Borlase 199 The most perfect copper..is the Malleable (from its purity called in Cornwall the Virgin-ore). 1834 J. W. Ord II. 131 Her spiritual brow And gorgeous bosom mock the foam-topp'd tide For perfect whiteness. 1879 4 186 Of course the shade of grey may vary from something indistinguishable from white to perfect black. 1983 R. Rendell ii. 25 This was the very quintessence of greenness, perhaps Aristotle's perfect green which all other greens must emulate and strive for. 2000 (Nexis) 3 Even voice-over-DSL needs perfect copper. the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > utter or absolute the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > utter or absolute > of a person or his character a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. i. 26 His complexion is perfect Gallowes. View more context for this quotation 1652 P. Heylyn iii. sig. Fff6 Fellowes of such a perfect and concocted malice. 1714 J. Addison No. 39. ⁋2 He..has..reduced himself to a perfect skeleton. 1744 J. Swift On Mutual Subjection in 5 A wise Man who does not assist with his Counsels,..and a poor Man with his Labour, are perfect Nusances in a Commonwealth. 1796 A. Wilson 3 She's tir'd wi' perfect skelpin'. 1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian xii, in 2nd Ser. II. 298 The queen tore her biggonets for perfect anger. a1845 S. Smith (1850) xiv. 187 A man whose chin terminated in a point..would be a perfect horror. 1861 R. Quinn (1863) 156 Gar a thief forget himsel', An' blush for perfect shame. 1882 W. Ballantine I. ix. 115 He was a perfect child in the world's ways. 1903 G. B. Shaw i. 40 You seem to understand all the things I dont understand; but you are a perfect baby in the things I do understand. 1961 L. R. Parks & F. S. Leighton xiii. 190 Rob Roy was a perfect angel with the First Family. 2002 W. Storandt iii. 34 The house was a perfect jewel box of a gambrel-roofed cottage. 6. a1450 ( G. Chaucer i. §18. 4 Somme of hem semen parfit cercles, and somme semen inparfit. 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny I. 30 We speake..[of] the round ball of the earth; and confesse that it is a globe... But yet the forme is not of a perfect and absolute roundle. 1664 J. Evelyn tr. R. Fréart ii. i. 92 That Zocolo or Plinth above wrought with a festoon (which in my judgment makes a part of it, as rendring it a perfect Cube). 1730 N. Bailey et al. Conoid (with Geomet.), a solid body resembling a cone, excepting that instead of a perfect circle, it has for its base an ellipsis or some other curve approaching thereto. a1774 A. Tucker (1777) III. i. 233 Tully tells us, a hog has been known to make a perfect letter A with his snout upon the ground. 1774 O. Goldsmith VIII. 70 The cells of the bees are perfect hexagons. 1823 H. J. Brooke 62 It is capable of being reduced again to the perfect octahedron. 1860 J. Tyndall i. x. 65 Heavy hail had fallen,..the stones being perfect spheres. 1891 20 June 400/1 If three hundred and sixty separate degrees be set-off from the centre of a perfect circle. 1954 (News of World) 82 His balloon, ‘Explorer II’,..bellowed out into a perfect sphere. 1990 28 Apr. (Colour Suppl.) 57/2 The Great Hall—a perfect cube towering 40 feet up through two storeys. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [adjective] > in natural state > faithful to original the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [adjective] > of statement: agreeing with reality the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [adjective] > following original exactly the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > explanation, exposition > interpretation > [adjective] > exact, accurate 1523 in J. B. Paul (1903) V. 218 For perfite noumer of thare cariage hors to be send in bill to the secretare. 1541 T. Elyot Pref. sig. aiiv In this boke was expressed of gouernance so perfit an ymage. 1574 W. Bourne (1577) xvii. 46 The perfit houre and minute of the chaunges of the Moone. 1576 T. Digges in L. Digges (rev. ed.) (title) A perfit description of the cælestiall orbes. 1611 M. Smith in Transl. Pref. 4 That Translation was not so sound and so perfect, but that it needed in many places correction. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. vi. 7 Hub. Whose there? Speake hoa... Bast. Hubert, I thinke. Hub. Thou hast a perfect thought. View more context for this quotation 1662 c. 21 §3 That the several Remembrancers of the said Court..make true and perfect Copies of..such other Seizure and Inquisicion. 1718 W. Taverner iii. 33 She has chalkt you out, but it wants true Colouring to make a perfect Likeness. 1790 W. Paley i. 6 A more perfect copy procured at Aleppo. 1832 D. Brewster ii. 33 The image was as distinct and perfect as if it had been formed by reflexion from a piece of mirror glass. 1867 W. D. Howells 299 The perfectest reproduction of the Greek theater in the world. 1891 1 488 Shading off from perfect likeness or indistinguishableness to just recognisable affinity. 1967 23 June 49 Kamagraphy faithfully produces 250 perfect copies of a painting on a special press, destroying the original in the process. 1988 July 345/3 Because they share the same digital technology, you could theoretically make perfect copies with no loss of quality. 2003 (Nexis) 6 Mar. (Arts section) 47 If you want a perfect likeness, take a photograph. the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > [adjective] > defined, well-formed > of statement or speaker 1569 R. Grafton II. 700 He had perfect worde that the Duke of Clarance came forwarde towarde him with a great armie. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. iii. 1 Thou art perfect then, our ship hath toucht vpon The Desarts of Bohemia. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. i. 72 I am perfect, That the Pannonians..for Their Liberties are now in Armes. View more context for this quotation 1923 E. Gepp (ed. 2) 86 ‘I ain't perfect of ut,’ or ‘perfect that was the chap.’ the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > [adjective] a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 84 Might we but haue that happinesse my Lord..we should thinke our selues for euer perfect . View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. iv. 20 Then comes my Fit againe: I had else beene perfect . View more context for this quotation II. Technical senses. 9. Mathematics. the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > [adjective] > prime > perfect a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add.) f. 325v Þe nombre of sixe..is perfite and y-made of his owne parties. 1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid vii. f. 187 The partes of 6 are 1. 2. 3..and mo partes 6 hath not:..Wherfore 6 is a perfect number. So likewise is 28 a perfect number... This kinde of numbers is very rare. a1690 S. Jeake (1696) 5 Perfect Numbers are almost as rare as perfect Men. 1702 V. Mandey tr. J. J. Hainlin i. 5 There are found but few Perfect Numbers..to wit, from 1 to 40000000, only these: 6, 28, 496, 8128, 130816, 2096128, 33550336;..all the Perfect Numbers begin by turns from 6 and 8. 1837 W. Whewell I. i. ii. 62 Four..was held to be the most perfect number. 1901 2 103 By a perfect number is meant a number which is equal to the sum of those of its divisors which are less than the number. Thus 6 = 1 + 2 + 3 is a perfect number. 1992 2 Apr. 27/8 The new perfect number is 455,663 digits long... (Perfect numbers are, by the way, perfectly useless.) a1450 (1885) 465 We are leued a-lyue elleuyn..For parfite noumbre it is none..Twelue may be a-soundir tone. a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. (Rawl.) (1898) 214 Tene is a perfite nombyr, and hit couetyth [read contenyth] in hym-Sylfe foure nombres, that is to witte, one and two and thre and foure. 10. Music. Cf. imperfect adj. 5. society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > pitch > interval > [adjective] > major a1450 Musical Treat. in (1935) 10 258 Ther be 9 a-cordis of descant..Of þe whech 9 a-cordis þer be 5 perfite & 4 inperfite. ?a1500 R. Cutell Treat. Descant in F. Mercer (1935) I. 700 (MED) There are ix acordes in discant..The 5 perfite are 1,5,8,12,15, and of these 5,3 er ful acordes..and 2 er lesse perfite, that is to say 5 & 12. 1597 T. Morley 72 Annot. Why some of those consonants [= consonances]..are called perfect, and othersome vnperfect, I can giue..no reason. 1654 W. Charleton 357 If the two strings be Consonous though but in the less perfect Consonance of a Fifth. 1667 C. Simpson 40 Concords are..Perfect and Imperfect..Perfects are these, 5th, 8th with all their Octaves. Imperfects are a 3rd, 6th, and their Octaves. 1704 J. Harris I Perfect Fifth, the same with Diapente. 1811 A. Rees at Inconcinnous Inconcinnous intervals..are such as are a comma flatter or sharper than perfect. 1825 J. F. Danneley Fifth, a note in music, of which there are three species, viz. the perfect fifth, called also dominant, the diminished and augmented. 1942 11 15 A tonal structure based, however..polyrhythmic the music may grow, on the absolute and perfect consonances rather than on the diatonic triad. 1986 Apr. 56 Remember the last article's work using the perfect fifth interval to discover the key signatures. society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > duration of notes > proportion of notes or rhythm > [adjective] > types of proportion 1588 W. Byrd Psalms, Sonets, & Songs Errata in (1920) XIV. p. xi In some of the songs the Moode is mistaken: wherefore where you see this Moode being the Perfect of the lesse: sing after this Moode being the Imperfect of the more. 1597 T. Morley 18 The moode perfect of the more is, when all go by three; as three Longes to the Large: three Breeues to the Longe [etc.]. 1597 T. Morley 18 The Moode perfect of the lesse prolation is, when all go by two, except the Semibreefe: as two Longes to the Large:..three Semibreeues to the Breefe. 1614 T. Ravenscroft 2 In regard the notes now in use are not of so long a quantity, as when the perfect Moodes were used. 1667 C. Simpson i. 30 The mood..called Perfect of the Less, in which three Semibreves went to a Measure. 1782 C. Burney II. 421 The great Mode perfect, in which all long notes were equal in duration to three of the next shorter in degree. 1880 W. S. Rockstro in G. Grove I. 766 Mode, Time, and Prolation were themselves capable of assuming a Perfect or an Imperfect form. 1961 R. Stevenson 47 The fourteen other masses contain but a handful of movements in triple meter; and never do these movements make use of ‘mood perfect of the less prolation’. 1986 D. M. Randel 487/1 Often, as in the case of a long followed by a dot followed by a breve, the dot has the effect of making the preceding note perfect, i.e., worth three of the next smaller value. 11. Grammar. the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > tense > [adjective] > past c1450 in D. Thomson (1984) 26 Qwerby knowyst þe pretyrtens perfyth? For it spekyth of tyme perfythly pasyd, and hath þis Englysch wurd ‘haue’, as amaui: ‘I haue louyd’. 1530 J. Palsgrave 84 The preterperfit tens, as je ay parlé I have spoken. 1583 A. Nowell et al. sig. N4v Fulke:... I pray you what tempus is it? Campion: The perfect tempus, euen as clausis the Latine worde is. 1728 E. Chambers Perfect, in Grammar, Preter- or Preterit-perfect Tense, is an Inflection, marking a Time perfectly past. 1795 L. Murray 61 Verbs passive are called regular, when they form their perfect participle by the addition of d or ed to the verb. 1845 2 50 These syllables in reality form the suffixes of the perfect tenses here spoken of. 1879 A. Bain 166 The infinitive followed by a past participle forms a perfect infinitive active: ‘to have loved’, ‘having loved’. 1973 19 ii. 101 The formation of the perfect form by be is exclusively restricted to some of the mutative verbs. 1989 3 15/1 The gradual abandonment [in American English] of the past perfect (pluperfect) tense. the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > aspect > [adjective] > perfect the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > a part of speech > verb > [adjective] > other specific types of verb 1530 J. Palsgrave Introd. 30 Verbes parsonall be of thre sortes, parfyte, anomales, and defectyves. 1751 T. Sharp 66 Nothing is more common in the Hebrew, than to express the present by the perfect tense. 1799 G. Fitzgerald x. 89 When a thing is certainly to happen, as by the decree of God, the perfect Tense is put for the future. 1874 VI. 752/1 [In Ethiopic] persons, gender, and number are indicated..by suffixes when the verb is in the perfect tense. 1919 38 113 The so-called Perfect Tense in Hebrew is often used to represent something, not as already accomplished, but as ‘undoubtedly imminent’. 1989 2 94 The perfect (= suffixed) forms and the imperfect (= prefixed) forms have a general Semitic significance. 2002 N. L. DeClaissé-Walford x. 94 The perfect aspect is generally translated as English past tense. the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical reasoning > [noun] > inductive reasoning > methods or types of 1565 W. Alley i. vi. f. 219v If you will reason thus. Origene erred in this point of doctrine, and..in that point of doctrine, and..in this article, and in that article, & so in all other articles. Ergo, Origene erred in all pointes and articles of doctrine. Now is your induction perfecte in fourm. 1629 T. Jackson ii. 32 This his position, may bee ratified by perfect induction. 1656 R. Sanderson 2 He proveth all along by sundry instances, many in number, and various for the kinde, to make the induction perfect. 1759 A. Gerard iii. iii. 184 It was long ago observed by Lord Verulam, that there are two kinds of induction, one imperfect and insufficient..; the other legitimate and perfect. 1843 J. S. Mill I. iii. ii. §1 352 The induction is asserted not to be perfect, unless every single individual of the class A is included in the antecedent. 1895 R. P. Halleck viii. 197 If we..interviewed every inhabitant,..our induction would be perfect. 1913 A. Schuyler xxvii. 344 It may be objected that a deduction from a perfect induction is useless, since the conclusion simply asserts what was already known. 2013 M. Sgarbi iv. 70 Induction is perfect when the mind considers all the particular cases and therefore the conclusion is necessary. †13. the world > life > biology > taxonomy > [adjective] > archetype, syntype, etc. 1684 tr. S. Blankaart at Perfecta Crisis One Crisis is called perfect, another imperfect;..perfect is that which frees the Patient perfectly and entirely from the Distemper; and it is either Salutary, or deadly. 1805 14 84 Inoculated cow pock, under its most perfect form. 1830 R. Knox tr. P. A. Béclard 244 Perfect cartilages also occur under the form of incrustation or plates. 1841–71 T. R. Jones xxviii. §599. 547 Most of the parts enumerated as entering into the composition of a perfect or typical skeleton. 1857 L. H. Grindon (ed. 2) xxv. 320 ‘Perfect’ is used by the naturalist..to express ‘the degree in which those peculiarities are developed which characterise a particular group’. 1863 V. 589/2 The mouths of mandibulate Insects are sometimes called perfect, and those which exhibit a different character, imperfect. 1728 E. Chambers Perfect, in Physiology. A perfect Animal, is used by some Writers for that which is born by univocal Generation, in opposition to Insects, which they pretend to be born by equivocal Generation. the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > [adjective] > having or relating to parts > of or having stamens or pistils > having both stamens and pistils or hermaphrodite 1706 (new ed.) Perfect flowers (among Herbalists) are those that have the finely colour'd small leaves, call'd Petala, with the Stamina, Apices, and Stylus. 1728 E. Chambers Perfect flowers, are such as have Petala, Pistil, Stamina and Apices. 1785 T. Martyn tr. J.-J. Rousseau ix. 92 The first thing you have to see is, whether the flowers are complete or perfect, that is, have both stamens and pistils. 1861 R. Bentley ii. iii. 557 Combretaceæ... Leaves exstipulate, entire, without dots. Flowers perfect or unisexual. 1930 22 Aug. 186/1 This [‘diclinous’] condition is more primitive than the much more common ‘perfect’ flowers having both stamens and carpels. 1975 P. V. Price ii. 18/2 (caption) Classic wine grapes mostly have perfect flowers—male and female organs in the same flower—making self-pollination the rule. 2002 89 1373 The weak hermaphrodite morph has low fruit set and ‘perfect’ flowers that superficially resemble the functionally staminate flowers of the male morph. the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > eggs or young > [adjective] > of young > in most complete or developed form 1781 (Royal Soc.) 71 145 Of every species there are three orders; first, the working insects..; next the fighting ones..; and last of all the winged ones, or perfect insects, which are male and female, and capable of propagation. 1834 IX. 86/2 Mouffet..mistook the aquatic larvæ of Libellulæ for creatures entirely distinct from the perfect insects. 1863 V. 591/1 The intermediate or pupa state often differs little..from the perfect state. 1929 4 216/1 The respiratory system in a typical perfect insect consists of a number of..spiracles, and the tracheal tubes connected with them. 1969 V. Nabokov ii. vii. 405 I would contribute colored figures of all the instars, and line drawings of the perfect insect's genitalia and other structures. society > communication > printing > printed matter > arrangement or appearance of printed matter > [adjective] > printed on both sides 1838 C. H. Timperley 104 2,000 is 4 tokens, or 4 hours one side—8 hours, or 8 tokens perfect. 1841 W. Savage 701 The reader, in revising the second form, then sees the sheet perfect, which is necessary to ascertain that the matter follows. 1888 C. T. Jacobi 98 Reams of paper made up to a printer's ream, i.e. 516 sheets, are said to be ‘perfect’. 1960 G. A. Glaister 303/2 In edition binding the printed sheets are said to be perfect as soon as some or all of the sheets (and plates) have been printed. the world > matter > physics > [adjective] > conceived as existing in perfect state the world > matter > chemistry > physical chemistry > gaseous phase > [adjective] > properties 1849 16 545 A perfect thermodynamic engine..is a machine by means of which the greatest possible amount of mechanical effect can be obtained from a given thermal agency. 1867 W. Thomson & P. G. Tait I. 592 A perfect fluid..is an unrealizable conception, like a rigid, or a smooth, body: it is defined as a body incapable of resisting a change of shape. 1933 A. W. Barton xiii. 284 [It is necessary to make] the walls of the cylinder of perfect heat insulators and the bottom of the cylinder of a perfect conductor. 1990 J. D. Barrow (1991) iv. 79 This kinetic elasticity of form is perfect elasticity for vortex rings in a perfect liquid. the world > plants > particular plants > fungi > [adjective] > of or exhibiting particular stage or condition 1854 (Royal Soc.) 144 302 In the course of a few days small circular patches of Penicillium glaucum, in perfect fructification, were observed studding the surface of the urine. 1891 G. Massee 32 The incomplete form is considered as belonging to the same genus as the perfect form. 1945 G. R. Bisby xvi. 87 The perfect state is that which ends in the ascus stage in the Ascomycetes, in the basidium in the Basidiomycetes, in the teleutospore or its equivalent in the Uredinales, and in the spore in the Ustilaginales. 1975 67 56 The perfect state of this fungus was transferred..to the genus Glomerella, and the name generally accepted today is G. tucumanensis. 2002 45 1355 No perfect stage has been known in M[agnaporthe] grisea under field conditions to date. society > communication > book > manufacture or production of books > book-binding > type of binding > [adjective] 1890 May 149/1 What is needed is a binding that will stand the rough treatment that such books [sc. library and Sunday School books] usually receive... Crawford's ‘Perfect’ Library Binding (patent applied for) entirely meets this need, and any book..can be bound with the ‘Perfect’ Binding. 1893 July 86 Mr. Crawford is the inventor of what is known as the ‘perfect library binding’. 1926 July 359/1 We..took immediate ways and means to do away with the old-fashioned binding, and you now hold in your hand a magazine bound with the so-called ‘Perfect’ binding. 1956 H. Williamson xix. 332 Sewing, rounding, backing, and lining can all be dispensed with in the unsewn or ‘perfect’ methods of binding. 2003 (Nexis) 4 June (Let's Eat section) 8 Perfect binding is paperback style, which means that the pages are simply glued together. 20. Mathematics. the world > relative properties > number > geometry > point > [adjective] 1897 19 188 If P(1) is non-enumerable, then P(1) contains among its points a perfect set of points. 1926 J. E. Littlewood (ed. 2) iv. 50 A perfect set is an existent set which is closed and dense-in-itself. 1957 J. R. Aumann et al. tr. F. Hausdorff vi. 133 The null set is everything: isolated, dense-in-itself, closed, perfect. 1997 125 3595 Recall that a perfect set is a closed set with no isolated points. the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > numerical arrangement > [adjective] > of sets > in abstract algebra > of groups 1898 20 277 Since a perfect group is identical with its derivatives, it cannot be isomorphic to any Abelian group whose order exceeds unity. 1940 D. E. Littlewood x. 174 A group is perfect if it is identical with its commutator subgroup. Hence the condition that a group is perfect is that it possesses no character satisfying χ0 = 1 save that character which is unity for every operation. 1959 J. S. Lomont ii. 2 Let us call a group (of order > 1) perfect if it is identical with its commutator subgroup. Every perfect group is then insolvable. 1990 60 169 Assume F is algebraically closed and G is the semidirect product of a normal p-group N and a perfect group with trivial Schur multiplier. B. n.the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > perfection > [noun] > perfect person or thing a1382 (Bodl. 959) Job xi. 7 Þe steppis of god þou shalt holden, & vn to parfit [v.r. vnto perfit; a1425 L.V. til to perfeccioun; L. usque ad perfectum] þe almyȝti þou shalt fynden. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) iv. 2363 (MED) Of every wisdom, the parfit, The hyhe god of his spirit Yaf to the men in Erthe hiere. c1400 J. Gower (1901) II. 486 And Crist hath set the parfit of the lawe, The whiche scholde in no wise be withdrawe. a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich xli. 146 (MED) Sory they ben In alle degre here hertes to sette In Swich parfyte. a1500 (Harl.) 92 (MED) Sheo hathe amonge hir vertues grete defautis tweyne: Vnmerciable mercye ande parfyte peteeles. 1586 in W. A. Craigie (1920) 38 So nature hes ordanit wyislie That in all kynde of thing Perfyite the vnperfyte supplie. 1612 B. Jonson ii. iii. sig. Ev Nature doth, first, beget th'imperfect; then Proceedes shee to the perfect . View more context for this quotation 1761 tr. C. Batteux I. i. ii. ii. 60 When it would shew us the excellent and the perfect, it fails in its intention. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Two Voices in (new ed.) II. 135 That type of Perfect in his mind In Nature can he nowhere find. 1854 R. Montgomery 211 His passion for the Perfect and the Pure Nerved him for Wonders. 1896 H. M. Foot 54 The perfect is not negative. a1909 G. E. Evans (1928) 113 Life's wine was bitter-sweet—Between the perfect and the incomplete. 1967 R. Singha & R. Massey xviii. 158 There are only small, but nevertheless crucial differences between the passable and the perfect. 1995 E. S. Haldane & F. H. Simson tr. G. W. F. Hegel III. iii. 133 The opposites are known, the beautiful and the ugly.., the perfect and the imperfect. 2. A perfect person. society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > [noun] > righteous person > collectively a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 6 (MED) Þe parfite bileueþ not lightly all þinges þat men telliþ. 1638 R. Brathwait 70 See and observe the Perfects close, the righteous man attend. 1721 R. Keith tr. Thomas à Kempis Soliloquy of Soul xii, in tr. Thomas à Kempis II. 194 He is the Way to Beginners, the Truth to Proficients, and Life to the more Perfect. 1755 W. Dodd 26 Apollo's eyes endure None but the good, the perfect and the pure. 1831 ‘Anne of Swansea’ II. iv. 331 The stately dowager is gone, with all her train of prudes and perfects. 1858 P. Bigandet in tr. 234 The Budhist Religious constitute the Thanga, or assembly of the Perfect. 1877 J. Morley 2nd Ser. 391 The only people whom men cannot pardon are the perfect. 1960 E. A. Peers tr. ix. 110 He may merit the consolations and favours given to the perfect by God. 1986 J. M. Hussey ii. 360 It is only after this life that full blessings come to the perfect. 1669 T. Gale ii. ix. 137 They..were admitted to the state of, τελείων, the perfect, and so made partakers of al Mysteries. 1742 L. Brown tr. J. B. Bossuet II. xi. cxl. 156 In regard of those four thousand Cathari,..none were understood by that name but the perfect of the Sect. 1826 in tr. J.-C.-L. S. de Sismondi Introd. Ess. p. xvii They were divided into two classes, the perfect and the believers. 1887 H. C. Lea I. iii. 103 If the Perfect is exhorted by the God in whom he believes to tell all about his life, he will faithfully detail it without falsehood. 1926 A. L. Maycock ii. 40 The ‘Perfect’ were forbidden to eat meat, eggs, cheese or anything that was the result of sexual procreation. 1970 xv. 423/2 The ‘perfect’ underwent a long and rigorous initiation which culminated in..the consolamentum. 1989 C. Morris (1991) xiv. 346 The perfects..were bound by the laws of perfection: they lived austerely..abstaining from meat and milk. 3. Grammar. the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > aspect > [noun] > perfect 1580 C. Hollyband sig. q.iv Thirdly, the second perfect, j'ay aimé, I haue loued. 1751 J. Wesley (1872) XIV. 154 The conversive particle ו, with a Patha..turns the Future into a Perfect. 1776 G. Campbell I. ii. iv. 506 All verbs expressive of hope, desire, intention, or command, must invariably be followed by the present and not the perfect of the infinitive. 1841 R. G. Latham §180 One of two forms, sometimes..that of the Greek Perfect, and sometimes..that of the Greek Aorist. 1888 B. H. Kennedy 72 The Perfect in the sense of I have loved is Primary: in the sense of I loved it is Historic. 1932 14 129 By starting from the full meaning of the finite..member of the group, the author compels us to look for a discussion of the progressive, perfect, etc. 1991 12 326 ‘Perfects’ and other features are more likely to represent retentions of EModE patterns. the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > aspect > [noun] > perfect 1836 J. Nicholson tr. G. H. A. Ewald 139 The distinction between the perfect and imperfect as to form is most strongly marked by the signs of the persons being attached in the verbal stem to the perfect. 1874 S. R. Driver ii. 15 The series of perfects is interspersed with the simple future forms. 1915 34 218 The perfect itself was formed in the first place by the combination of pronominal suffixes with a verbal noun. 1985 S. Thompson iii. 37 There was a tendency for the..translators to render Hebrew perfects by the Greek aorist. 2011 B. Burtea in S. Weninger et al. xxxvii. 678 As in the other Aramaic languages,..the perfect is used to express past or perfective action. society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > pitch > interval > [noun] > perfect interval c1580 f. 11 Of the quhilk Musitianis..dois not the cirkillis disting in perfeit and Imperfyt wt cyphris of trinar and bynar Numbris to ye forsaidis cirkillis adiunt. 1588 W. Byrd Tenor. sig. Aijv Where you see this Moode..being the Perfect of the lesse: sing after this Moode being the Imperfect of the more. 1659 C. Simpson 11 You must first know, that two Perfects of the same kind, as two Fifths, or two Eighths, are not allowed in Musick. 1667 C. Simpson 40 Concords are..Perfect and Imperfect..Perfects are these, 5th, 8th with all their Octaves. Imperfects are a 3rd, 6th, and their Octaves. C. adv.the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [adverb] > completely or thoroughly c1425 Edward, Duke of York (Vesp. B.xii) (1904) 64 Whan he is wel condicioned and perfitly, men hold þat he is good amonge al oþer houndes, but men fynden but fewe þat doon perfite. c1450 (Fairf.) (1957) 92 (MED) She hath of vertu grete defaultes tweyne: Vnmerciable and parfite pitelees. 1508 (Chepman & Myllar) sig. cviv As I am cristynit perfite. a1525 Crying ane Playe 120 in W. A. Craigie (1925) II. 153 In ane cuntre he & I May nocht baith stand perfyte. 1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie (1888) I. 61 Thay had the similitude of perfyte schapen foulis. a1665 K. Digby (1868) 48 I found that..hanging some lead in the iarres, it continued perfect good. 1682 T. Creech tr. Lucretius vi. 213 No Compound's perfect Solid, free from Pore. 1729 N. Tindal tr. P. Rapin de Thoyras VIII. xvii. 469 Walsingham..was so biassed in Favour of Charles, that he thought him a perfect honest Man. 1830 Ld. Tennyson ii Frowns perfect-sweet along the brow. 1902 J. Lumsden 96 Man! I'se be beggar'd—perfit penniless. 1990 Feb. 6/1 Model perfect forged eighteen to pound and half string. society > communication > book > manufacture or production of books > book-binding > type of binding > [adjective] 1960 3 Feb. 17/4 Most [paperback books] are now ‘perfect’ bound, i.e., the pages are stuck in singly with a plastic adhesive instead of being sewn like the conventionally produced book. 1977 Feb. 6A/2 Perfect bound (‘newspeak’ for ‘unsewn’) bindings on books have caused librarians grief and libraries money (for rebinding) since they fall apart so readily. 1993 Sept. 80/4 (advt.) Our magazine is perfect bound with high-grade two-tone photographs. Compounds C1. 1634 J. Barton i. 9 It is true also, that a man may resolve some perfect examples Elliptically, if he please. 1844 Ld. Brougham iii. 29 The British Constitution, the most perfect example of Mixed Government. 1947 A. Einstein vii. 67 The exposition of the first is a perfect example of demoniac explosion. 2002 21 Aug. 25/2 It's a perfect example of the traditional ‘11 o'clock’ Broadway number. 1840 16 June 8/1 (advt.) Very superior French..corsets,..generally esteemed for perfect fit. 1935 P. G. Wodehouse xvi. 192 Monty passed a finger round his collar. A perfect fit. 1997 7 Feb. ii. 5/2 I had to melt down and pour myself into size 12 Joseph trousers but a Wallis size 10 was a perfect fit. 1531 T. Elyot i. vii. sig. Cviii The perfecte vnderstandinge of musike..is made of an ordre of astates and degrees & by reason therof conteineth in it a perfect harmony. 1650 J. Bulwer 86 To make up the perfect harmony of a Face. 1759 A. Smith iii. i That perfect harmony and correspondence of sentiments which constitutes approbation. 1849 T. B. Macaulay II. 149 This mode of attack..was in perfect harmony with every part of his infamous life. 1994 (Sopexa) 17/1 Laurent-Perrier Brut is the perfect harmony between finesse, elegance and refinement. a1422 in H. Ellis (1827) 2nd Ser. I. 76 (MED) I beseche Al myghty God ever to..ȝeve ȝow ryght goode lyf and longe parfet helthe of body. 1509 S. Hawes xxxiv. iv Your lady..is in perfect health. 1791 J. Hampson III. 167 A freshness of complexion impressive of the most perfect health. 1860 4 88 There were healthy lofty regions in that country where Englishmen might live in perfect health. 1999 58 677 He sat on his cot with his legs in perfect yogic posture and his body in perfect health. 1640 J. Rutter II. i. i. 2 Equality does make the perfect match, Unequall persons render the link so weak That love can hardly make it hold together. 1828 28 Apr. 1/6 A Pair of beautiful black geldings, a perfect match. 1915 O. G. Sonneck i. 49 This gentleman should have married Cleopatra... It would have been a perfect match. 2000 97 13739/2 The observed editing..always creates a perfect match between the edited nucleotide and its complement. 1606 G. Chapman i. i. 9 The Adiectiue, the verbe, and the verbe, stand as far a sunder, as if they were perfect strangers one to another. 1699 J. Vanbrugh ii. i You talk..like a perfect stranger to that tenderness methinks every son should feel for a good father. 1878 T. H. Huxley (ed. 2) 6 To a perfect stranger..such a method of description would be unintelligible. 2000 M. Lewis 176 The sellers leap onto airplanes and fly to many cities, where they put on a show for the perfect strangers who they hope will buy their product. 1901 17 Apr. 4/2 Players..used to play this ball with a combination of perfect timing and swift wrist action in front of short leg. 2002 2 Jan. 48/3 The cooking is faultless... Foie gras, lobster, perfect timing and careful saucing are all much in evidence. C2. society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > section of piece of music > [noun] > ending > cadence > types of 1636 C. Butler 66 A perfect Cadence is that which to the disjoined Mesure-note and the Binding Concord, addeth a third Note in the key of the disjoined: which must bee either an Eight or an Unison to the Base. 1728 E. Chambers (at cited word) Perfect, In Music, something that fills and satisfies the Mind and the Ear. In this Sense we say, Perfect Cadence, Perfect Concord, &c. 1875 F. A. G. Ouseley (ed. 2) xiii. 154 The perfect cadence corresponds exactly to a full stop in writing. 2002 (Nexis) 16 Nov. 2 He would also sing the last note of a perfect cadence after the first chord was played. society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > harmony or sounds in combination > chord > [noun] > concord or perfect chord 1597 T. Morley 72 You must not rise nor fall with two perfect cordes togither. 1737 tr. J.-P. Rameau iii. 13 A Chord is the Disposition of several Sounds heard together... The only Chord we have at present need for, is the perfect, which is composed of one Note placed in the Bass, and of its Third, Fifth, and Octave, placed in the other Parts.] 1875 tr. P. Blaserna vi. 102 The above chord is the most consonant that exists in music, and it is therefore called the perfect chord. 2000 (Nexis) 1 Mar. 15 It played the perfect chord of E major. society > trade and finance > management of money > management of national resources > [noun] > political economy > states or trends of the economy 1853 3 421/2 When I first read this resolution, I supposed that it was intended to throw open the whole area to free and perfect competition. 1898 12 125 In passing from the study of perfect monopoly to that of perfect competition, Cournot considers also the intermediate case of a few, say two, competitors. 2000 20 13/3 E-commerce very nearly approximates the model of perfect competition of costless information, no barriers to entry, and a large number of buyers and sellers. 1908 L. MacQuoddy in 1 Mar. iv. (Worker’s Mag.) 2/1 I aim to perform the perfect crime, to leave absolutely no possible means by which my guilt—rather, my identity—may be discovered. 1933 48 78 A perfect crime may be revolting but the artistry involved fascinating. 1969 M. Pugh xix. 142 All his long life he'd been wanting to put one over on the police and to commit the perfect crime. 1992 I. Banks xvi. 420 ‘Bit of a risky way to top your wife, isn't it?’ ‘Convincing, though. And maybe..the perfect crime.’ 1907 5 June 9/1 (heading) Rube Pitched a Perfect Game With the Exception of a Walk or so, and for Seven Innings Only Twenty-one Men Faced Him. 1907 23 June ii. 4/5 What is a perfect game?..A perfectly pitched game would be where no one reached first base. 1913 11 Mar. 15/7 (headline) First 300 score made in tourney. William Knox of Philadelphia rolls only perfect game in history of A.B.C. 1995 10 Aug. 17/3 A lot of people say that if you bowl one strike in the 10th frame of a perfect game, you can probably get three. 2000 2 July 14/2 His record during..five seasons was 111-34, including four no-hitters and a perfect game. the world > matter > chemistry > physical chemistry > gaseous phase > [noun] > ideal gas 1850 20 148 The elasticity of a perfect gas at a given temperature varies simply in proportion to its density. 1922 T. M. Lowry xii. 124 The gas selected for filling the thermometer should be as nearly as possible a perfect gas. 1997 2 Jan. 14/2 Regnault's revelation that not even the permanent gases satisfy perfectly the law of perfect gases. 1944 J. Von Neumann & O. Morgenstern iii. 126 All zero-sum two-person games, in which perfect information prevails, are strictly determined. 1952 (Western Farm Econ. Assoc.) 25 44 In a hypothetical world where conditions of certainty and perfect information exist, the problem of capital accumulation would not arise. 1989 M. Schneider (1991) iii. 48 In a market with perfect information, the power of bureaucrats is reduced. 2010 L. Floridi vii. 97 Tic-tac-toe and chess..well illustrate a more formal definition of perfect information. 2015 46 218 We assume throughout the article that the negotiation between the buyer and the rival takes place under perfect information and is efficient. society > trade and finance > trading place > market > [noun] > other types of market 1889 52 75 In a perfect market there will only be one price for commodities of the same quality. 1939 R. C. Lyness & E. R. Emmet iv. 38 The characteristics of a perfect market are, firstly, full information... Secondly, complete accessibility... Thirdly, full freedom of choice. 2003 (Nexis) 3 145 In a perfect market, confidence in a brand should coincide exactly with its market share. society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > metal > precious metal > [noun] > gold or silver 1563 W. Fulke iv. f. 65 Then there remaineth but six perfect metalls, Gold, Syluer, Copper, Tinne, Lead, and Iron. 1671 J. Webster xv. 224 Being a perfect metal..containing in itself vive-spermatick sulphur, and vive immature Mercury. 1796 R. Kirwan (ed. 2) II. 89 The three first [sc. Gold, Platina, Silver] and Quicksilver are commonly called Noble and Perfect Metals. 1839 A. Ure 1116 Silver..was formerly called a perfect metal, because heat alone revived its oxide. 1992 No. 12. 59 The search for the perfect metal (gold) was perceived as an allegory for the search of the human soul for perfection. society > leisure > the arts > music > music appreciation > [noun] > ability to recognize pitch 1925 25 May 9/5 These singers seemed to be endowed, one and all, with a sense of perfect pitch. 1976 Aug. 318/3 Listeners with perfect pitch should be warned that the present issue sounds a semitone lower than normal. 1995 27 Mar. 106/3 Nauman's art does often earn its aggravations through its perfect pitch for the ugly tenor of contemporary American life. 1817 Mar. 4/9 We think there is not to be found in succession, in any English poem, the same number of perfect rhymes. 1830 B. Thorpe tr. R. K. Rask 139 Line-Rime is when two syllables, in the same line of verse, have their vowels and the consonants following them alike, which is called perfect rime (consonances), or unlike vowels, and only the following consonants the same, which is called half rime (assonances). 1966 T. W. Ford iv. 77 In the second stanza, east-amethyst form a suspended rhyme, go-true a vowel rhyme, and guest-pressed a perfect rhyme, assuming that the -ed is aspirated and not voiced. 2002 (Glasgow & Edinb. Events Guide) 25 Apr. 46/4 A four-line poem in perfect rhyme, full of music, rhythm and breath. 1811 P. Barlow vi. 472 Prob. VIII... To find three integral square numbers, such that the sum of each two, with double the other square, may form three perfect squares. 1850 G. R. Perkins ix. 182 The sum of the four numbers, 386, 2114, 3970, 10430, is a perfect square. 1951 W. W. Elliott & E. R. C. Miles (ed. 2) iv. 48 In order to form a perfect square trinomial in the left member, take one half the coefficient of x, square it, and add the result in both members. 1996 June 92/3 Some Padovan numbers, such as 9, 16 and 49, are perfect squares—are there others? society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > harmony or sounds in combination > chord > [noun] > concord or perfect chord 1878 (new ed.) III. 683/1 A seventh, instead of resolving into the perfect triad, may be succeeded by another seventh. 1966 R. S. Brindle viii. 68 We must be careful..that an unwanted triad does not slip in by accident (we will see in a moment how this happens to Stravinsky). 2001 (Nexis) 11 May c14 You can't get those tremolos of his that sounded like thunder if you're trying to play the perfect triad. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2005; most recently modified version published online June 2022). perfectv. Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: perfect adj. Etymology: < perfect adj. Compare classical Latin perficere (see perfect adj.), Italian perficere to make perfect (a1306). Compare also Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French, French parfaire to complete (c1119), to achieve (c1140), with alteration of the second element after faire (see fact n., int., and adv.), Old Occitan perfaire to finish a job (13th–14th cent). N.E.D. (1905) gives this word with stress on either the first or the second syllable, the former taking precedence. Stress on the first syllable is usual from at least the 16th cent. to the mid 19th cent. and is the only pronunciation indicated by Johnson, Walker, and 19th-cent. British dictionaries. Stress on the second syllable, in addition to that on the first, is shown by Webster from 1854 onwards. Editions of D. Jones Eng. Pronouncing Dict. up to 1988 give the pronunciation with stress on the first syllable stress as a less common variant. 1. the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare [verb (transitive)] > mature the world > action or operation > completing > complete (an action or piece of work) [verb (transitive)] a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add.) f. 114 Þe sonne..ordeyneþ and disposiþ & parfitiþ [L. perficit] alle þingis in þis worlde. c1425 (1923) 4 (MED) He wolde parfite his way that he hadde begone. 1512 Helyas in W. J. Thoms (1828) III. 30 After that the false olde woman had parfet and doone their treason. 1529 T. Cromwell in R. B. Merriman (1902) I. 324 All which bokes be not yet..parfyted unto my mynde. 1567 Creed in J. Jewel ii. i. 81 There he nowe sitteth, and shal sitte, til al thinges be ful perfitted. 1601 R. Dolman tr. P. de la Primaudaye III. 366 Some are engendred..of egs, as Serpents: and also by another manner, which is perfected in the matrice by egs, as the viper. 1615 H. Crooke 274 If wee respect the..conformation of both the Sexes, the Male is sooner perfected..in the wombe. 1641 J. Milton 13 Exact Reformation is not perfited at the first push. a1699 J. Kirkton (1817) 7 To perfyte publickly what he hade formerly essayed privately. 1725 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer I. ii. 125 Then urg'd, she perfects her illustrious toils. 1754 J. Erskine II. iii. iii. 290 Arrhae or earnest is sometimes given by the buyer, as an evidence that the contract is perfected. 1875 W. Stubbs II. xv. 291 This design was perfected in 1295. 1920 J. M. Hunter I. 53 A cheap rate..had been perfected for..the..cowboys returning home after the drives. 1990 Feb. 20/1 This will permit a lender to perfect its security interest faster. 1994 J. Grisham 335 He was perfecting his appeals as quickly as possible, and he would try to file by the end of the day. society > communication > printing > manner or style of printing > style of printing [verb (transitive)] > print on second side 1824 J. Johnson II. 661 When one side is printed, it revolves from one cylinder to the other, and is then perfected by the second form. 1888 C. T. Jacobi 98 Perfect up..the printing of the second side of the paper in half-sheet or sheet work. 1899 J. Southward III. xii. 117 Rotary web machines also perfect the paper..before it is delivered. 1927 R. B. McKerrow i. ii. 21 It is often evident..that the printer printed the whole number of impressions on one side before starting to perfect. 1964 F. Bowers iii. i. 71 The specific example of Match Me in London and its sheet that was perfected out of phase. 1999 (Nexis) Oct. 40 Perfecting the sheets in one pass not only cuts set-up and printing time, but also saves time and space needed for pile turning and interim storage. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > perfection > [verb (transitive)] c1440 S. Scrope tr. C. de Pisan (St. John's Cambr.) (1970) 9 Temperaunce moderatith vices and perfitith vertues. c1450 Cato's Distichs (Sidney Sussex) 538 in (1906) 36 46 (MED) For vsage schal parfite euer þi lore. 1567 T. Drant tr. Horace sig. Bij Those verses reprehende..Correcting, and perfyting them With ouernotynge hande. 1585 Abp. E. Sandys xxii. 379 Perfiting himselfe in Godlinesse. ?1608 S. Lennard tr. P. Charron iii. xiv. 473 Learning marreth weake wits and spirits, perfecteth the strong and naturall. 1678 S. Butler iii. i. 45 Man..had his better half..T'amend his Natural defects And perfect his recruited Sex. 1703 W. Burkitt Heb. vii. 12 To perfect sinful Man, is to free him from the guilt of Sin,..and to make him..capable of Communion with God. 1784 H. Walpole (1837) III. 354 A sort of meditation on future airgonation, supposing that it will not only be perfected but will depose navigation. a1807 W. Wordsworth (1959) xiii. 492 All that love can do..to complete the man, Perfect him, made imperfect in himself. 1859 W. M. Thackeray vi George especially perfected his accent so as to be able to pass for a Frenchman. 1875 C. Lyell & L. Lyell (ed. 12) II. iii. xxxvi. 289 When the art of the breeder has been greatly perfected. 1929 E. Bowen Dancing-Mistress in (1980) 254 In the mornings she got up early to perfect her dancing at Mme Majowski's studio. 1960 H. Lee (1963) i. iv. 45 We polished and perfected it, added dialogue and plot until we had manufactured a small play upon which we rang changes every day. 2001 15 Oct. r8/6 Princeton Optronics engineers were working around the clock to perfect the assembly-line process. society > education > teaching > [verb (transitive)] > teach thoroughly society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > inform (a person) > completely c1540 J. Bellenden tr. H. Boece (1821) I. p. xii Siclik my werk perfitis every wicht In fervent luf of maist excellent licht. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 79 Being once perfected how to graunt suites, how to deny them. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. iii. 138 Her cause, and yours Ile perfect him withall. View more context for this quotation 1628 Bp. J. Hall xvi. ii. 163 That which can perfit the teacher, is sufficient for the learner. 1744 E. F. Haywood i. 9 He..had masters to perfect him in riding, and those other exercises proper for the vocation he was now entering into. 1780 W. Beckford 110 He was charmed with the opportunities of perfecting himself in anatomy. a1784 A. Ross 182 An' gin he likes, can lear him too to write, An' in a thousand other things perfite. 1819 A. Balfour I. lii. 23 It will take five or sax years to perfyte him in that language. 1823 J. Galt I. xiii. 96 To send her for three months to Edinburgh; there, and in that time, to learn manners, ‘and be perfited’, as her mother said, ‘wi' a boarding-school education’. 1881 H. James I. v. 49 The opportunity of perfecting herself in French, which she already knows very well. 1932 G. G. Atkins v. 94 His experience at the Bar perfected him in an art of pleading which he was to exercise so conspicuously in another field. 1949 H. A. R. Gibb viii. 144 Every scholar who had perfected himself in some branch or other of religious studies became the centre of a group of students. 1988 E. Bramah 158 Sen had diligently perfected himself in the sounds and movements which King-y-Yang had contrived. the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare or get ready [verb (intransitive)] > mature 1870 W. Morris Epil. 437 And all those images of love and pain, Wrought as the year did wax, perfect, and wane. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022). <  adj.n.adv.c1300 v.a1398 |
