perch1
n.
- a thing on which a bird alights or roosts.
- a high or narrow seat or resting place.
v.
- alight, sit, or rest on a perch.
-
(be perched)
(of a building) be situated above or on the edge of something.
-
(perch someone/thing on)
set or balance someone or something on.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: the noun from perch3; the verb from OFr. percher.
perch2
n.
(pl. same or perches)
a freshwater fish with a high spiny dorsal fin, dark vertical bars on the body, and orange lower fins.
[
Perca fluviatilis (Europe),
P. flavescens (
yellow perch, N. America), and other species.]
▸used in names of similar or related fishes, e.g. climbing perch.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. perche, via L. from Gk perkē.
perch3
n.
historical - a measure of length equal to a quarter of a chain or 5¹⁄₂ yards (approximately 5.029 m).
-
(also square perch)
a measure of area equal to 160th of an acre or 30¹⁄₄ square yards (approximately 25.29 sq. metres).
Etymology
ME (in the sense ‘pole, stick’): from OFr. perche, from L. pertica ‘measuring rod, pole’.