perfect

comparative perfecter · comparative more perfect · superlative perfectest · superlative most perfect · alternative obsolete perfite · alternative obsolete perfight · alternative abbreviation pf. · alternative humorous pronunciation spelling poifect

1. not comparableusuallyFitting its definition precisely.

   a perfect circle

   Synonyms: accurate, flawless

2. not comparableusuallyHaving all of its parts in harmony with a common purpose.

   That bucket with the hole in the bottom is a poor bucket, but it is perfect for watering plants.

3. not comparableusuallyWithout fault or mistake; without flaw, of supreme quality.

   The gymnast performed a perfect somersault.

   2 more examples

   I think I'm in love—I can't stop thinking about her. She's perfect!

   We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

   1787, Gouverneur Morris, Preamble to the United States Constitution

   1. not comparableusuallyExact, correctly reflecting the original in all aspects.

      The expert forger made a perfect copy of the victim's driver's license

   2. not comparableusuallyHaving thoroughly learned or memorized a part.
   3. not comparableusuallyobsolete outside set of phrasesHaving thoroughly learned or memorized a lesson; of a lesson: having been thoroughly learned or memorized.

      Practice makes perfect.

      1 more example

      word-perfect, letter-perfect

   4. not comparableobsoleteusuallyFully trained or very knowledgeable; highly skilled

      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

      c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]. Epilogue.”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i], lines 152–154

      Synonyms: expert, proficient

4. not comparableusuallyExcellent and delightful in all respects.

   a perfect day

   2 more examples

   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.

   1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XXIV”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 41

   They burned the old gun that used to stand in the dark corner up in the garret, close to the stuffed fox that always grinned so fiercely. Perhaps the reason why he seemed in such a ghastly rage was that he did not come by his death fairly. Otherwise his pelt would not have been so perfect. And why else was he put away up there out of sight?—and so magnificent a brush as he had too.

   1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter 1, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC

5. not comparableusuallyMorally or spiritually immaculate or ideal.

   Marke the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 37:37

6. not comparableusuallygrammarRepresenting a completed action.
7. not comparableusuallybiologySexually mature and fully differentiated.

   Synonyms: mature

8. not comparableusuallybiologyHaving both male parts (stamens) and female parts (carpels).

   Synonyms: bisexual

9. not comparableusuallymathematicsEqual to the sum of its proper divisors.

   6 is perfect because the sum of its proper divisors, 1, 2, and 3, which is 6, is equal to the number itself.

10. not comparableusuallymathematical analysisEqual to its set of limit points, i.e. set A is perfect if A=A'.
11. not comparableusuallyentertainmentDescribing an interval or any compound interval of a unison, octave, or fourths and fifths that are not tritones.

    perfect fifth

12. not comparableusuallyMade with equal parts of sweet and dry vermouth.

    a perfect Rob Roy

    1 more example

    a perfect Manhattan

13. not comparableobsoleteusuallyWell informed; certain; sure.

    I am perfect that the Pannonians and Dalmatians for their liberties are now in arms.

    1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]

14. not comparableobsoleteusuallyInnocent, guiltless; without blemish.

    My parts, my title, and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly.

    c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]

    1 more 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

    1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii]

15. not comparableobsoleteusuallySane, of sound mind.

    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.

    c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene vii]

plural perfects · alternative obsolete perfite · alternative obsolete perfight · alternative abbreviation pf. · alternative humorous pronunciation spelling poifect

1. grammarThe perfect tense, or a form in that tense.
2. video gamesA perfect score; the achievement of finishing a stage or task with no mistakes.

   Awarded for scoring all Perfects in the Dominator rank!

   2007, Barbara Smith, Chad Yancey, Video Game Achievements and Unlockables, page 17

   1 more example

   […] a table of all the ratings that each player has achieved, giving you several scoring options based on player feedback (I simply record the number of perfects).

   2007, Eli Neiburger, Gamers-- in the Library?!

3. historicalChristianityA leader of the Cathar movement.

   Synonyms: perfectus

present singular third person perfects · participle present perfecting · participle past perfected · past perfected · alternative obsolete perfite · alternative obsolete perfight · alternative abbreviation pf. · alternative humorous pronunciation spelling poifect

1. transitiveTo make perfect; to improve or hone.

   I am going to perfect this article.

   1 more example

   You spend too much time trying to perfect your dancing.

   Synonyms: enhance, hone, improve, optimize

2. lawTo take an action, usually the filing of a document in the correct venue, that secures a legal right.

   perfect an appeal

   2 more examples

   perfect an interest

   perfect a judgment