perch Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird)
  2. noun a linear measure of 16.5 feet
    pole; rod.
  3. noun a square rod of land
    pole; rod.
  4. noun an elevated place serving as a seat
  5. noun any of numerous fishes of America and Europe
  6. noun spiny-finned freshwater food and game fishes
  7. noun any of numerous spiny-finned fishes of various families of the order Perciformes
  8. verb sit, as on a branch
    roost; rest.
    • The birds perched high in the tree
  9. verb to come to rest, settle
    alight; light.
    • Misfortune lighted upon him
  10. verb cause to perch or sit
    • She perched her hat on her head

WordNet

Perch noun
Etymology
OE. perche, F. perche, L. perca, fr. Gr. cf. dark-colored, Skr. pni spotted, speckled, and E. freckle.
Definitions
(Zoöl.)
  1. Any fresh-water fish of the genus Perca and of several other allied genera of the family Percidæ, as the common American or yellow perch (Perca flavescens, ∨ Americana), and the European perch (P. fluviatilis).
  2. Any one of numerous species of spiny-finned fishes belonging to the Percidæ, Serranidæ, and related families, and resembling, more or less, the true perches.
Perch noun
Etymology
F. perche, L. pertica.
Definitions
  1. A pole; a long staff; a rod; esp., a pole or other support for fowls to roost on or to rest on; a roost; figuratively, any elevated resting place or seat.
    As chauntecleer among his wives all Sat on his perche, that was in his hall. Chaucer.
    Not making his high place the lawless perch Of winged ambitions. Tennyson.
  2. (a) A measure of length containing five and a half yards; a rod, or pole. (b) In land or square measure: A square rod; the 160th part of an acre. (c) In solid measure: A mass 16½ feet long, 1 foot in height, and 1½ feet in breadth, or 24¾ cubic feet (in local use, from 22 to 25 cubic feet); -- used in measuring stonework.
  3. A pole connecting the fore gear and hind gear of a spring carriage; a reach.
Perch intransitive verb
Etymology
F. percher. See Perch a pole.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Perched ; present participle & verbal noun Perching
Definitions
  1. To alight or settle, as a bird; to sit or roost.
    Wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch. Shak.
Perch transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To place or to set on, or as on, a perch.
  2. To occupy as a perch. Milton.

Webster 1913