I. pər-ˈsent adverb
Etymology: earlier per cent, from per + Latin centum hundred — more at hundred
Date: 1568
: in the hundred : of each hundred
II. noun
( plural percent or percents )
Date: 1667
1. plural percent
a. : one part in a hundred
b. : percentage
a large percent of their income
2. percents plural , British : securities bearing a specified rate of interest
III. adjective
Date: 1888
1. : reckoned on the basis of a whole divided into 100 parts
2. : paying interest at a specified percent