I. ˈperəl sometimes -(ˌ)ril noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Latin periculum, periclum trial, attempt, danger — more at fear
1. : the situation or state of being in imminent or fearful danger : exposure (as of one's person, property, health, or morals) to the risk of being injured, destroyed, or lost : a position of jeopardy
in constant peril of death
a time of moral peril
2.
a. : something that imperils : a source of danger or possible cause of loss : risk
to lessen the perils of the streets
the perils of a turgid rhetoric — Van Wyck Brooks
a peril is marine if it threatens a waterborne vessel — H.L.Haehl
b. : conduct subjecting one to possible civil or criminal liabilities
3. archaic : risk of incurring a penalty or of suffering unhappy consequences in saying or doing something that is prohibited — used as an imprecation
by my soul's peril
that I speak the truth, my peril be my proof — Lord Byron
Synonyms: see danger
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- at one's peril
II. transitive verb
( periled also perilled ; periled also perilled ; periling also perilling ; perils )
: to expose to danger : hazard , risk
and periled his life daily to find out what would happen if you pulled a Mountain Battery mule's tail — Rudyard Kipling