Definitions for: Perch


[n] any of numerous spiny-finned fishes of various families of the order Perciformes
[n] spiny-finned freshwater food and game fishes
[n] support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird)
[n] any of numerous fishes of America and Europe
[n] an elevated place serving as a seat
[n] a square rod of land
[n] (British) a linear measure of 16.5 feet
[v] sit, as on a branch; "The birds perched high in the treee"
[v] cause to perch or sit; "She perched her hat on her head"
[v] to come to rest, settle; "Misfortune lighted upon him."



Webster (1913) Definition: Perch (p[~e]rch), n. [Written also pearch.] [OE.
perche, F. perche, L. perca, fr. Gr. pe`rkh; cf. perkno`s
dark-colored, Skr. p[.r][,c]ni spotted, speckled, and E.
freckle.] (Zo["o]l.)
1. Any fresh-water fish of the genus Perca and of several
other allied genera of the family Percid[ae], as the
common American or yellow perch ({Perca flavescens, or
Americana}), and the European perch (P. fluviatilis).

2. Any one of numerous species of spiny-finned fishes
belonging to the Percid[ae], Serranid[ae], and related
families, and resembling, more or less, the true perches.

Black perch.
(a) The black bass.
(b) The flasher.
(c) The sea bass.

Blue perch, the cunner.

Gray perch, the fresh-water drum.

Red perch, the rosefish.

Red-bellied perch, the long-eared pondfish.

Perch pest, a small crustacean, parasitic in the mouth of
the perch.

Silver perch, the yellowtail.

Stone, or Striped, perch, the pope.

White perch, the Roccus, or Morone, Americanus, a small
silvery serranoid market fish of the Atlantic coast.


Perch, n. [F. perche, L. pertica.]
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 161/2 feet long, 1 foot in
height, and 11/2 feet in breadth, or 243/4 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, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Perched; p. pr. & vb. n.
Perching.] [F. percher. See Perch a pole.]
To alight or settle, as a bird; to sit or roost.

Wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch. --Shak.


Perch, v. t.
1. To place or to set on, or as on, a perch.

2. To occupy as a perch. --Milton.

Synonyms: alight, light, pole, rest, rod, roost

See Also: area unit, European perch, European perch, family Percidae, freshwater fish, furlong, land, lay, linear unit, order Perciformes, order Percomorphi, pace, Perca flavescens, Perca flavescens, Perca fluviatilis, Perca fluviatilis, Percidae, Perciformes, Percina tanasi, percoid, percoid fish, percoidean, Percomorphi, pike perch, pikeperch, place, place, pose, position, put, roost, seat, set, set down, sit, sit down, snail darter, square measure, support, yard, yellow perch, yellow perch

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