ˈperɪʃ v. 1 intr. be destroyed;
suffer death or
ruin. 2 a intr. (esp. of rubber, a rubber
object, etc.)
lose its normal qualities;
deteriorate,
rot. b tr.
cause to rot or deteriorate. 3 tr. (in passive) suffer
from cold or
exposure (we
were perished
standing outside). øperish
the thought an
exclamation of
horror against an
unwelcome idea. øøperishless adj. [ME f. OF perir f. L perire pass
away (as
PER-,
ire go)]