adj.
Pronunciation: ( ˌ )p ə r- ' v ə rs, ' p ə r- ˌ
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French purvers, pervers, from Latin perversus, from past participle of pervertere
Date: 14th century
1 a : turned away from what is right or good : CORRUPT b : IMPROPER , INCORRECT c : contrary to the evidence or the direction of the judge on a point of law < perverse verdict>
2 a : obstinate in opposing what is right, reasonable, or accepted : WRONGHEADED b : arising from or indicative of stubbornness or obstinacy
3 : marked by peevishness or petulance : CRANKY
4 : marked by perversion : PERVERTED
synonyms see CONTRARY
– per · verse · ly adverb
– per · verse · ness noun
– per · ver · si · ty \ p ə r- ' v ə r-s ə -t ē , -st ē \ noun