perish

Definition

To decay and disappear; to waste away to nothing.

Etymology

From Middle English perishen, borrowed from Old French perir (via the stem periss- used in various conjugations), from Latin perīre (“pass away, perish”), from per (“through”) + īre (“pass, go”).

Example Sentences

• "1881, Tarafa, translated by W. A. Clouston, The Poem of Tarafa I consider time as a treasure decreasing every night; and that which every day diminishes soon perishes for ever."
• "The difficulty is that fresh foods perish due to the multiplication in them of harmful bacteria."
• "When it goeth well with the righteous, the citie reioyceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting."