GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 6 definitions

1.       
   perch , n. [Written also pearch.] [OE. perche, F. perche, L. perca, fr. Gr. πέρκη; cf. περκνός dark-colored, Skr. pṛçni spotted, speckled, and E. freckle.] (Zool.)
   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 syn. Perca Americana), and the European perch (Perca fluviatilis).
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   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.
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   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 perch, or Striped perch, the pope. -- White perch, the Roccus Americanus, or Morone Americanus, a small silvery serranoid market fish of the Atlantic coast.
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2.       
   Perch , n. [F. perche, L. pertica.]
   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.
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   As chauntecleer among his wives all
   Sat on his perche, that was in his hall.
   Chaucer.
   
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   Not making his high place the lawless perch
   Of winged ambitions.
   Tennyson.
   
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   (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.
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   A pole connecting the fore gear and hind gear of a spring carriage; a reach.
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3.       
   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.
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   Wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch.
   Shak.
   
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4.       
   Perch, v. t.
   To place or to set on, or as on, a perch.
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   To occupy as a perch.
   Milton.
   
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5.       
   Rod , n. [The same word as rood. See Rood.]
   A straight and slender stick; a wand; hence, any slender bar, as of wood or metal (applied to various purposes). Specifically: (a) An instrument of punishment or correction; figuratively, chastisement.
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   He that spareth his rod hateth his son.
   Prov. xiii. 24.
   
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   (b) A kind of sceptor, or badge of office; hence, figuratively, power; authority; tyranny; oppression. “The rod, and bird of peace.” Shak. (c) A support for a fishing line; a fish pole. Gay. (d) (Mach. & Structure) A member used in tension, as for sustaining a suspended weight, or in tension and compression, as for transmitting reciprocating motion, etc.; a connecting bar. (e) An instrument for measuring.
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   A measure of length containing sixteen and a half feet; -- called also perch, and pole.
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   Black rod. See in the Vocabulary. -- Rods and cones (Anat.), the elongated cells or elements of the sensory layer of the retina, some of which are cylindrical, others somewhat conical.
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6.       
   Sprat , n. [OE. sprot, sprotte, D. sprot; akin to G. sprotte.] (Zool.) (a) A small European herring (Clupea sprattus) closely allied to the common herring and the pilchard; -- called also garvie. The name is also applied to small herring of different kinds. (b) A California surf-fish (Rhacochilus toxotes); -- called also alfione, and perch.
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   Sprat borer (Zool.), the red-throated diver; -- so called from its fondness for sprats. See Diver. -- Sprat loon. (Zool.) (a) The young of the great northern diver. [Prov. Eng.] (b) The red-throated diver. See Diver. -- Sprat mew (Zool.), the kittiwake gull.
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