peri

1 of 2

noun

pe·​ri ˈpir-ē How to pronounce peri (audio)
1
: a supernatural being in Persian folklore descended from fallen angels and excluded from paradise until penance is accomplished
2
: a beautiful and graceful girl

peri-

2 of 2

prefix

1
: all around : about
periscope
2
: near
perihelion
3
: enclosing : surrounding
perineurium

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Persian perī fairy, genius, from Middle Persian parīk; akin to Avestan pairikā sorceress

Prefix

Latin, from Greek, around, in excess, from peri; akin to Greek peran to pass through — more at fare

First Known Use

Noun

1739, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of peri was in 1739

Dictionary Entries Near peri

perhydrogenize

peri

peri-

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Peri.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peri. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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