v. 1 intr. be destroyed; suffer death or ruin. 2 a intr. (esp. of rubber, a rubber object, etc.) lose its normal qualities; deteriorate, rot. b tr. cause to rot or deteriorate. 3 tr. (in passive) suffer from cold or exposure (we were perished standing outside). perish the thought an exclamation of horror against an unwelcome idea. perishless adj.
[ ME f. OF perir f. L perire pass away (as PER-, ire go) ]