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| perch [ purch ] |
noun (plural perch·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. place for bird to sit: a place for a bird to land or rest, e.g. a branch or a pole in a cage
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2. resting place: any temporary resting place for a person or thing
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3. advantageous position: a place or position that is secure, advantageous, or prominent
 She now runs the organization from her new perch as director.
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4. solid measure for stone: a unit of measure for the volume of stone, equal to about 0.7 cu. m (24 cu. ft)
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5. unit of length: a unit of length equal to 5.03 m (51/2 yd)
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6. unit of area: a unit of area equal to 25.3 m2 (301/4 sq yd)
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7. textiles inspection frame: a frame that woven fabric is laid on to be inspected after weaving
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8. peg to hang things on: a pole, bar, or peg on which to hang things
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verb (past and past participle perched, present participle perch·ing, 3rd person present singular perch·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. intransitive verb sit precariously somewhere: to sit or rest in a high or precarious position
 She perched on the edge of the desk.
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2. transitive verb put something in high place: to place something or somebody in a high or precarious position
 I looked up at the the old fort perched on the cliffs.
 The child was perched on a high stool.
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3. intransitive verb sit on perch: to land or rest on a perch
(
refers to birds
)
 A pair of doves perched on the apple tree.
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4. transitive and intransitive verb textiles lay item on perch: to place woven fabric on a perch to inspect after weaving, or be placed on a perch
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| [13th century. Via French< Latin pertica "pole, stick"] |
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 perch·er noun |
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knock somebody off his or her perch to make somebody feel less proud or superior
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