perish

per·ish

verb \ˈper-ish, ˈpe-rish\

Definition of PERISH

intransitive verb

1

: to become destroyed or ruined : cease to exist <recollection of a past already long since perished — Philip Sherrard> <guard against your mistakes or your attempts (perish the thought) to cheat — C. B. Davis>

2

chiefly British : deteriorate, spoil

transitive verb

1

chiefly British : to cause to die : destroy

2

: weaken, benumb

Examples of PERISH

1. Two people perished in the fire.
2. The sailors perished at sea.
3. The civilization perished after 500 years.
4. Many ancient languages have perished over time.
5. The rubber will perish with age.

Origin of PERISH

Middle English perisshen, from Anglo-French periss-, stem of perir, from Latin perire, from per- detrimentally + ire to go — more at per-, issue

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to PERISH

Synonyms: check out, conk (out), croak [slang], decease, demise, depart, drop, end, exit, expire, fall, flatline, go, kick in [slang], kick off [slang], pass (on), pass away, part, peg out [chiefly British], die, pop off, step out, succumb

Antonyms: breathe, live

Related Words: predecease; consume, disappear, dry up, fade, fail

Near Antonyms: come to, revive; linger; be, exist, subsist; flourish, prosper, thrive

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Rhymes with PERISH

bearish, cherish, fairish, garish, squarish