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 obstinacy3: marked by peevishness or petulance : cranky4: 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