I. R _pər, |pər, +V |pər.; - R _pə(r, |pə̄, +V |pər. or |pə̄ also |pə̄r preposition
Etymology: Latin, through, by means of, for the sake of, for each — more at for
1. : by the means or agency of : by way of : through
per bearer
wealth … of a nation could increase only per medium of an expanded consumption — Economica
enter through the mouth lining and per the bloodstream to the stomach — Sydney (Australia) Bulletin
2. : with respect to every member of a specified group or series : for each
miles per hour
income per person
greater number of trout per cubic foot than any other Vermont stream — H.E.McDaniel
capital investment abroad per dollar stimulates no more production or development than … consumption expenditure at home — T.J.Kreps
3. : as indicated by : as directed or stated in : according to
per list price
employers paid their quota … per the number of employees working for them — C.P.Curtis
mats are moistened as per his specifications — G.A.Kubler
calling in his coach as per family arrangement — Times Literary Supplement
4. : in the direction of — used in heraldry to indicate division of the field or a charge into parts by a line or lines having the direction and unless otherwise specified the customary position of one of the ordinaries
per fess
per saltire
per pale or and sable is borne by the English family of Serle — John Woodward
II. ˈ ̷ ̷ adverb
1. slang
a. : for each of an implied unit (as of time)
swung crazily down the road at sixty-five per — Glenn Scott
b. : apiece
back numbers two-fifty per — Susan Glaspell
2. slang : in the usual manner : customarily
she was by herself, as per , reading — Richard Llewellyn
III. ˈpər(.), ˈpe(ə)r adjective
Etymology: per-
1. : containing a chemical element in its highest or relatively high oxidation state
2. : peroxy — not used systematically
IV. abbreviation
1. perdendosi
2. perennial
3. period
4. person