perfect

perfect [pʉr′fikt; ] for v. [ pər fekt′]

adj.

[ME perfit < OFr parfit < L perfectus, pp. of perficere, to finish < per-, through (see PER-) + facere, to make, DO¹: mod. sp. is Latinized]

1. complete in all respects; without defect or omission; sound; flawless

2. in a condition of complete excellence, as in skill or quantity; faultless; most excellent; sometimes used comparatively [“to create a more perfect union”]

3. completely correct or accurate; exact; precise [a perfect copy]

4. without reserve or qualification; pure; utter; sheer; absolute [a perfect fool, perfect stranger]

5. designating a binding of books in which pages are glued to cloth or paper at the spine rather than having the signatures sewn together

6. Bot. MONOCLINOUS

7. Gram. expressing or showing a state or action completed at the time of speaking or at the time indicated: verbs have three perfect tenses: simple (or present) perfect, past perfect (or pluperfect), and future perfect

8. Music designating an interval of a unison, fourth, fifth, or octave

vt.

1. to bring to completion

2. to make perfect or more nearly perfect according to a given standard, as by training

n.

1. the perfect tense

2. a verb form in this tense

perfecter

n.

perfectness

n.