Main Entry: per·verse

Pronunciation: \(ˌ)pər-ˈvərs, ˈpər-ˌ\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French purvers, pervers, from Latin perversus, from past participle of pervertere

Date: 14th century

1 a : turned away from what is right or good : corrupt b : improper, incorrect c : contrary to the evidence or the direction of the judge on a point of law <perverse verdict>
2 a : obstinate in opposing what is right, reasonable, or accepted : wrongheaded b : arising from or indicative of stubbornness or obstinacy
3 : marked by peevishness or petulance : cranky
4 : marked by perversion : perverted

synonyms see contrary

— per·verse·ly adverb

— per·verse·ness noun

— per·ver·si·ty \pər-ˈvər-sə-tē, -stē\ noun