I. adjective
or per·due (ˌ)pərˈd(y)ü, per-
Etymology: Middle French perdu (masculine) & perdue (feminine), from past participle of perdre to lose, from Latin perdere to destroy, lose — more at perdition
1.
a. obsolete
(1) : keeping covert watch in a hazardous military outpost or ambush
so many … desire to enter upon breaches, lie sentinel perdu , give the first onset — Robert Burton
(2) : being in a desperate plight
b. : remaining out of sight : concealed
seek shelter in a cavern, stay there perdu for three days — Thomas Carlyle
2. : withdrawn from the public eye : obscured , unnoticed
the evidence has been lying perdu … in the preface — I.A.Shapiro
suffered from … lack of appreciation, remaining perdu in Italy — Publ's Mod. Lang. Association of American
II. noun
or perdue “
( -s )
1. obsolete
a. : a soldier assigned to extremely hazardous duty
b. : forlorn hope 1
2. obsolete : one that guards or reconnoiters : watch , spy