perch

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   sit, as on a branch

   The birds perched high in the tree

2. 2
   verb

   cause to perch or sit

   They perched their hat on their head.

3. 3
   noun

   A rod, staff, tree branch, ledge, etc., used as a roost by a bird.

   We know him now: […] / Not making his high place the lawless perch / Of wing'd ambitions, nor a vantage-ground / For pleasure; […]

4. 4
   noun

   A position that is secure and advantageous, especially one which is prominent or elevated.

   Last year, Eighth Grade found poignancy and humor in its eponymous time period: that purgatorial perch between childhood and adulthood.

5. 5
   noun

   A position that is overly elevated or haughty.

   You may thanke me, (Lady) / I haue taken you off your mellancholly pearch, / Boare you vpon my fiſt, and ſhew'd you game, / And let you flie at it: I pray the kiſſe me, […]

6. 6
   noun

   A linear measure of 5+¹⁄₂ yards, equal to a rod, a pole or ¹⁄₄ chain; the related square measure.

   The whole surface of the country is divided into irregular patches, following the undulations of the ground, from many acres to a few perches in extent, each of which is itself perfectly level, but stands a few inches or several feet above or below those adjacent to it.

7. 7
   verb

   To rest on a perch (especially, of a bird); to roost.

   The macaw perched on Jim's shoulder.

8. 8
   verb

   To sit upon the edge of something.

   The platform was already crowded, but the newcomers threaded their way to the front amid a decorous murmur of welcome. Mr. Peeble shoved and exhorted and two end seats emerged upon which Enid and Malone perched themselves.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *perḱ-der. Ancient Greek πέρκη (pérkē)der. Latin percader. Old French perchebor. Middle English perche English perch From Middle English perche, from Old French perche, from Latin perca, from Ancient Greek πέρκη (pérkē, “perch”), cognate with περκνός (perknós, “dark-spotted”). Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *perḱ-, whence also Old English forn (“trout”), German Forelle (“trout”).