Word: perfect Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From Middle English perfit, from Old French parfit (modern: parfait), from Latin perfectus, perfect passive participle of perficere (“to finish”), from per- (“through, thorough”) + facere (“to do, to make”). The spelling was modified in the 15th century to conform to its Latin etymon. Doublet of parfait, perfecto, and perfectus. Displaced native Old English fulfremed. Pronunciation: /ˈpɜː.fɪkt/, /-fɛkt/, /ˈpɝ.fɪkt/, /ˈpɜː.fekt/ 1. Fitting its definition precisely. Labels: not-comparable, usually Example: a perfect circle 2. Having all of its parts in harmony with a common purpose. Labels: not-comparable, usually Example: That bucket with the hole in the bottom is a poor bucket, but it is perfect for watering plants. 3. Without fault or mistake; without flaw, of supreme quality. Labels: not-comparable, usually Example: The gymnast performed a perfect somersault. Example: I think I'm in love—I can't stop thinking about her. She's perfect! 4. Without fault or mistake; without flaw, of supreme quality. Labels: not-comparable, usually Example: The expert forger made a perfect copy of the victim's driver's license 5. Without fault or mistake; without flaw, of supreme quality. Labels: not-comparable, usually 6. Without fault or mistake; without flaw, of supreme quality. Labels: not-comparable, usually Example: Practice makes perfect. Example: word-perfect, letter-perfect 7. Without fault or mistake; without flaw, of supreme quality. Labels: not-comparable, obsolete, usually Example: Our Battaile is more full of Names then yours, / Our Men more perfect in the vse of Armes, / Our Armor all as strong, our Cause the best 8. Excellent and delightful in all respects. Labels: not-comparable, usually Example: a perfect day Example: And was the day of my delight ⁠As pure and perfect as I say? ⁠The very source and fount of Day Is dash’d with wandering isles of night. 9. Morally or spiritually immaculate or ideal. Labels: not-comparable, usually Example: Marke the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace 10. Representing a completed action. Labels: not-comparable, usually 11. Sexually mature and fully differentiated. Labels: not-comparable, usually 12. Having both male parts (stamens) and female parts (carpels). Labels: not-comparable, usually 13. Equal to the sum of its proper divisors. Labels: not-comparable, usually Example: 6 is perfect because the sum of its proper divisors, 1, 2, and 3, which is 6, is equal to the number itself. 14. Equal to its set of limit points, i.e. set A is perfect if A=A'. Labels: not-comparable, usually 15. Describing an interval or any compound interval of a unison, octave, or fourths and fifths that are not tritones. Labels: not-comparable, usually Example: perfect fifth 16. Made with equal parts of sweet and dry vermouth. Labels: not-comparable, usually Example: a perfect Manhattan Example: a perfect Rob Roy 17. Well informed; certain; sure. Labels: not-comparable, obsolete, usually Example: I am perfect that the Pannonians and Dalmatians for their liberties are now in arms. 18. Innocent, guiltless; without blemish. Labels: not-comparable, obsolete, usually Example: My fault being nothing—as I have told you oft— / But that two villains, whose false oaths prevail'd / Before my perfect honour, swore to Cymbeline / I was confederate with the Romans: so / Follow'd my banishment Example: My parts, my title, and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly. 19. Sane, of sound mind. Labels: not-comparable, obsolete, usually Example: Pray, do not mock me. / I am a very foolish fond old man, / Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less / And, to deal plainly, / I fear I am not in my perfect mind.