Latin · prefix
per-
through; thoroughly
Forms
- per-
- par- — Developed through French in some borrowed words.
Origin
Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *per-, ‘forward; through.’
Note
Going all the way through something naturally suggests completion.
Words sharing this root
imperfectHaving faults or lacking completeness.imperfectA verb form expressing ongoing or habitual action in the past.imperviousNot permitting penetration by an outside substance.parboilTo cook partly by boiling briefly.parfaitA rich dessert served frozen or in layers.perambulateTo walk through or around a place.perceiveTo become aware of something through the senses.perceptibleAble to be noticed by the senses or mind.perceptionAwareness gained through the senses.percolateTo pass slowly through porous material.percussionExamination of underlying body tissue by tapping the surface.percussionIgnition of a firearm or explosive by a blow.percussionInstrumental sound produced by striking, shaking, or scraping.perditionComplete ruin, especially spiritual damnation.peregrineA falcon known for its exceptionally fast diving flight.peremptoryDemanding compliance without allowing refusal or debate.perfectA grammatical form linking an earlier action or state to a later reference time.perfectHaving no shortcomings for a particular purpose, or making something so.perfectionCompletion of the formal requirements that protect a legal right against third-party claims.perfectionThe state of being completely without faults.perfectlyWithout fault or completely.perforateTo make holes through something, or having such holes.perforationPiercing holes through material.perfumeA pleasant scent.perfunctoryDone as a routine duty with little care or interest.perfusionThe passage of blood or other fluid through tissue.perishTo die or cease to remain intact.perjureTo deliberately lie while under oath to tell the truth.perjuryThe crime of knowingly lying under oath.permanenceThe quality of lasting indefinitely or remaining unchanged.permanentLasting indefinitely or intended to remain unchanged.permeableAllowing things to pass through.permeateSpread throughout or pass through something.permissibleAllowed under rules, laws, or standards.permissionApproval to do or access something.permissiveAllowing freedom rather than imposing strict limits.permitTo allow something to happen or be done.permutationA possible ordering of a set of things.permuteTo arrange items in a different order.perniciousCausing serious harm, especially gradually or subtly.perpetrateTo carry out a harmful or wrongful act.perpetrationThe act of committing a crime or harmful deed.perpetratorA person who commits a crime or harmful act.perplexTo make someone confused or uncertain.persecuteTo repeatedly mistreat or harass someone.persecutionSystematic mistreatment because of identity, beliefs, or group membership.persistContinue over time despite difficulty or opposition.persistenceContinued existence or activity over time.persistentContinuing or remaining despite interruption or difficulty.perspectiveThe representation of depth and distance on a flat surface.perspectiveA way of understanding something in relation to its context or importance.perspexA clear acrylic plastic used as an alternative to glass, also sold under the trademark Perspex.perspirationMoisture produced and released through the skin.persuadeCause someone to accept an idea or take action through argument or appeal.persuasionA particular belief or set of beliefs.persuasionThe act of convincing someone to believe or do something.persuasiveAble or intended to convince someone to believe or do something.pertainTo relate or apply to something.pertinentDirectly related to the matter at hand.perturbTo change a system or calculation slightly.perturbTo make someone uneasy or anxious.perturbationA disturbance that alters a system's state or motion.pervadeTo spread throughout and be present in every part.perversionA distortion from an intended or accepted form or purpose.pervertTo distort or corrupt something from its intended purpose.pluperfectA verb tense expressing an action completed before another past time.