DictionaryRoot: facere
Latin

facere

do, make

Forms

  • fac-
  • fact- — Latin stem of the form meaning ‘done’ or ‘made.’
  • -fic- — Used in Latin compounds.
  • -fect- — Stem of the form meaning ‘done’ or ‘made’ in Latin compounds.
  • -fy — English ending developed from Latin -ficare, a formation based on this verb.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *dheh₁-, ‘put; set; do.’

Note

Especially productive in formations meaning ‘cause to become.’

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adjective / verb

perfect

PUR-fikt/ˈpɜːrfɪkt/

Having no shortcomings for a particular purpose, or making something so.

The craftsperson checks the bowl's perfect fit beneath its matching lid.

Flawless circular ceramic bowl with perfectly fitted lid checked by attentive craftsperson, complete and without chips, no text.
Etymology

The pieces express something made completely or finished. That idea of completion extends to having nothing lacking—not merely being finished, but being free of faults.

More examples

  • This small table is perfect for our kitchen.
  • She spent years perfecting her technique.
  • The restored vase looks almost perfect.

Forms

perfect · perfects · perfected · perfecting

perfection noun — the state of being without flaws

Similar words

flawless
Emphasizes absence of defects rather than suitability.
ideal
Emphasizes complete suitability rather than freedom from every flaw.