perch

noun

1. 1

   Any of the three species of spiny-finned freshwater fish in the genus Perca.

2. 2

   Any of the about 200 related species of fish in the taxonomic family Percidae, especially: Acanthopagrus berda

3. 3

   Any of the about 200 related species of fish in the taxonomic family Percidae, especially: Distichodus engycephalus, Distichodus rostratus

4. 4

   Any of the about 200 related species of fish in the taxonomic family Percidae, especially: Johnius belangerii, Macquaria ambigua, Macquaria colonorum, Macquaria novemaculeata, Nemadactylus macropterus

5. 5

   Any of the about 200 related species of fish in the taxonomic family Percidae, especially: Kyphosus azureus

6. 6

   Any of the about 200 related species of fish in the taxonomic family Percidae, especially: Lateolabrax japonicus, Tautogolabrus adspersus

7. 7

   Several similar species in the order Perciformes, such as the grouper.

noun

1. 1

   A rod, staff, tree branch, ledge, etc., used as a roost by a bird.

   We know him now: […] / Not making his high place the lawless perch / Of wing'd ambitions, nor a vantage-ground / For pleasure; […]

2. 2

   A pole connecting the fore gear and hind gear of a spring carriage; a reach.

3. 3

   figurativeA position that is secure and advantageous, especially one which is prominent or elevated.

   Last year, Eighth Grade found poignancy and humor in its eponymous time period: that purgatorial perch between childhood and adulthood.

   [W]inning Wimbledon at just 19 years, earning her rightful place on the perch as world number one.

4. 4

   figurativeA position that is overly elevated or haughty.

   You may thanke me, (Lady) / I haue taken you off your mellancholly pearch, / Boare you vpon my fiſt, and ſhew'd you game, / And let you flie at it: I pray the kiſſe me, […]

5. 5

   datedA linear measure of 5+¹⁄₂ yards, equal to a rod, a pole or ¹⁄₄ chain; the related square measure.

   The whole surface of the country is divided into irregular patches, following the undulations of the ground, from many acres to a few perches in extent, each of which is itself perfectly level, but stands a few inches or several feet above or below those adjacent to it.

6. 6

   A cubic measure of stonework equal to 16.6 × 1.5 × 1 feet.

7. 7

   A frame used to examine cloth.

8. 8

   A bar used to support a candle, especially in a church.

9. 9

   A platform for lights to be directed at the stage.

verb

1. 1

   To rest on a perch (especially, of a bird); to roost.

   The macaw perched on Jim's shoulder.

2. 2

   To sit upon the edge of something.

   The platform was already crowded, but the newcomers threaded their way to the front amid a decorous murmur of welcome. Mr. Peeble shoved and exhorted and two end seats emerged upon which Enid and Malone perched themselves.

3. 3

   To stay in an elevated position.

4. 4

   To place something on (or as if on) a perch.

   The most obvious beneficiary of the visitors' superiority was Frank Lampard. By the end of the night he was perched 13th in the list of England's most prolific goalscorers, having leapfrogged Sir Geoff Hurst to score his 24th and 25th international goals. No other player has managed more than the Chelsea midfielder's 11 in World Cup qualification ties, with this a display to roll back the years.

5. 5

   To inspect cloth using a perch.

Forms

plural

perches

past tense

perched

past participle

perched

present participle

perching

third person singular

perches