Pertusion, pėr-tū′zhon, n. a hole made by a sharp instrument.—adjs. Pertū′sate, pierced at the apex; Pertuse′, -d, pierced with holes. [L. pertundĕre, -tusum—per, through, tundĕre, to strike.]
Pertussis, per-tus′is, n. whooping-cough.—adj. Pertuss′al.
Peruke, per-ūk′, or per′ūk, n. an artificial cap of hair: a periwig—also Perruque.—adj. Peruquēr′ian, of or pertaining to the making of wigs.—n. Perru′quier, a wigmaker. [Fr. perruque—It. parrucca (Sp. peluca)—L. pilus, hair.]
Peruse, per-ūz′, or per-ōōz′, v.t. to read attentively: to examine carefully or in detail.—ns. Perusal (per-ūz′al, or per-ōōz′al), the act of perusing: careful examination: study: reading; Perus′er. [Formed from L. per, thoroughly, uti, usum, to use.]
Peruvian, per-ōō′vi-an, adj. pertaining to Peru in South America.—n. a native of Peru.—Peruvian balsam, a fragrant bitterish liquid yielded by a South American tree, used for asthma and in making soaps; Peruvian bark, cinchona (q.v.).
Pervade, per-vād′, v.t. to go through or penetrate: to spread all over.—n. Pervā′sion.—adj. Pervā′sive, tending or having power to pervade. [L. pervadĕre, pervasum—per, through, vadĕre, to go.]
Perverse, per-vėrs′, adj. turned aside: obstinate in the wrong: stubborn: vexatious.—adv. Perverse′ly.—ns. Perverse′ness, Perver′sity, state or quality of being perverse: inclination to oppose: wickedness.—adj. Perver′sive, tending to pervert. [L. perversus, turned the wrong way.]
Pervert, per-vėrt′, v.t. to turn wrong or from the right course: to change from its true use: to corrupt: to turn from truth or virtue.—v.i. to go wrong or out of the right course.—n. (per′vert) one who has changed from a former position: an apostate.—ns. Perver′sion, the act of perverting: a diverting from the true object: a turning from truth or propriety: misapplication; Pervert′er.—adj. Pervert′ible, able to be perverted. [Fr. pervertir—L. pervertĕre—per, thoroughly, vertĕre, versum, to turn.]
Perveyaunce. Same as Purveyance.
Pervicacious, per-vi-kā′shus, adj. very obstinate.—ns. Pervicā′ciousness, Pervicac′ity.