pərˈvərs, pəˈvəs, pəˈvəis, ˈpərˌv-, ˈpəˌv-, ˈpəiˌv- adjective
Etymology: Middle English pervers, from Latin perversus, from past participle of pervertere to turn the wrong way, destroy, corrupt, pervert — more at pervert
1.
a. : turned away from what is right or good : corrupt , wicked
the only righteous in a world perverse — John Milton
b. : contrary to accepted standards or practice : incorrect , improper
felt it perverse that a bondman's son should be made a bishop — G.G.Coulton
c. of a verdict : contrary to the evidence or the direction of the judge on a point of law
2.
a. : stubborn, obstinate, and persistent by temperament and disposition in opposing what is right, reasonable, correct, or accepted : wrongheaded
a dual nature, one half positive, and passionate to yearning, one half negative, satirical, and really perverse — H.S.Canby
certain matters of fact which not even the most perverse of … clerks could disguise — F.M.Stenton
b. : arising from or indicative of stubbornness or obstinacy
will gain nothing by keeping it except a possible perverse satisfaction in doing so — Hervey Allen
3. obsolete : adverse , unfavorable
4. : marked by peevishness or petulance : cranky
if thou thinkest I am too quickly won, I'll frown and be perverse — Shakespeare
5.
a. : relating to, characterized by, or resulting from a perverted disposition or inclination
the last perverse whim which has taken possession of the debauchee — J.W.Krutch
b. : suffering from a perversion
Synonyms: see contrary