PERCH

n. & v. --n. 1 a usu. horizontal bar, branch, etc. used by a bird to rest on. 2 a usu. high or precarious place for a person or thing to rest on. 3 a measure of length, esp. for land, of 5Ì yards (see also ROD, POLE). --v.intr. & tr. (usu. foll. by on) settle or rest, or cause to settle or rest on or as if on a perch etc. (the bird perched on a branch; a town perched on a hill). øknock a person off his perch 1 vanquish, destroy. 2 make less confident or secure. square perch 30Í sq. yards. [ME f. OF perche, percher f. L pertica pole]