v.
Pronunciation: ' per-ish, ' pe-rish
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English perisshen, from Anglo-French periss-, stem of perir, from Latin perire, from per- detrimentally + ire to go ― more at PER- , ISSUE
Date: 13th century
intransitive verb
1 : to become destroyed or ruined : cease to exist <recollection of a past already long since perish ed ― Philip Sherrard> <guard against your mistakes or your attempts ( perish the thought) to cheat ― C. B. Davis>
2 chiefly British : DETERIORATE , SPOIL
transitive verb
1 chiefly British : to cause to die : DESTROY
2 : WEAKEN , BENUMB