perpendicle 
Pg. perpendiculo = It. perpendicolo = G. Dan. 
Sw.perpendikel, < L. perpendiculum, a plummet, 
plumb-line, < "perpendere, hang downright : see 
perpend?."] A pendant or something hanging 
down in a direct line; a plumb-line, 
perpendicular (per-pen-dik'u-lar), a. and . 
[< ME. iierpendiculer (= D. perpendikulair = G. 
perpendikular, perpendikular = Sw.jwrpendilcu- 
lar = Dan. perpendikulxr), < OF. perpendicu- 
perpendieuhti-iiis, 
perpendiculum, a plumb-line : see perpendicle."] 
1. . 1. Perfectly vertical; at right angles with 
the plane of the horizon ; passing (if extended) 
through the center of the earth ; coinciding with 
the direction of gravity. 
In one part of the mountain, where the aqueduct is cut 
through the rock, there is a perpendicular clift over the 
river, where there is now a foot way through the aque- 
duct for half a mile. 
Pococke, Description of the East, II. i. 136. 
2. In geom., meeting a given line or surface (to 
which it is said to be perpendicular) at right 
angles. A straight line is said to be perpendicular to a 
curve or surface when it cuts the curve or surface in a 
point where another straight line to which it is perpen- 
dicular is tangent to the curve or surface. In this case 
the perpendicular is usually called a normal to the curve 
or surface. 
That the walls be most exactly perpendicular to the 
ground-work, for the right angle (thereon depending) is 
the true cause of all stability, both in artificial and nat- 
ural position. Sir H. Wotton, Keliquue, p. 20. 
3. In 2007., forming a right angle with the lon- 
gitudinal or latitudinal axis of the body: as, a 
perpendicularhead;epiiiaeroTipcrpendicular,etc. 
Perpendicular lift, a mechanical contrivance on canals 
for raising boats from one level to another. Perpendicu- 
lar plate or lamella of the ethmoid, the mesethmoid. 
Perpendicular style, in arch., the so-called Tudor 
style of medieval architecture, a debased style represent- 
ing the last stage of Pointed architecture, peculiar to 
England in the fifteenth century and the tirst half of the 
Perpendicular Style of Architecture. The Abbey Church, Bath, 
England. 
sixteenth. The window exhibits most clearly the charac- 
teristics of this style, which differs from others in that a 
large proportion of the chief lines of its tracery intersect 
at right angles. It corresponds in art-development to the 
French Flamboyant of the fifteenth century, but is with- 
out the grace, richness, and variety of French work, though 
some of its buildings present fine effects of masses. See 
also cuts under maiding and pinnacle. 
II. n. 1. A line at right angles to the plane 
of the horizon; a line that coincides in di- 
rection with a radius of the earth or with the 
direction of gravity. 2. In geom,., a line that 
meets another line or a plane at 
right angles, or makes equal angles 
with it on every side. Thus, if the 
straight line AB, falling on the straight 
line CD, makes the angles ABC, ABD equal 
to one another, AB is called a perpendicular C B D 
to CD, and CD is a perpendicular to AB. A 
line is a perpendicular to a plane when it is perpendicu- 
lar to all lines drawn through its foot in that plane. 
3. In gun., a small instrument for finding the 
center-line of a piece of ordnance, in the ope- 
ration of pointing it at an object; a gunners' 
level. 
perpendicularity (per-pen-dik-u-lar'i-ti), n. 
[=F. perpendicularity = Pg. perpendicularidade 
= It. perpendicularita, < NL. *perpendiculari- 
ta(t-)s, < LL. perpendicularis, perpendicular: 
see perpendicular. ] The state of being per- 
pendicular. 
perpendicularly (per-pen-dik'u-lar-li), adv. In 
a perpendicular manner; so as to be perpen- 
dicular, in any sense of that word. 
4410 
perpendiculum (per-pen-dik'u-lum), n. [< L. 
perpendiculum, a plummet: see perpendicle.~\ 
In her. , a carpenters' plumb-line and level used 
as a bearing, 
perpensiont (per-pen'shon), n. [< L. perpen- 
dere, pp. perpcnsus, weigh carefully : see per- 
pendl.] Consideration. 
Unto reasonable perpensions it [authority] hath no place 
in some sciences. Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., L 7. 
perpensityt (per-pen'si-ti), n. [< L, perpensus, 
pp. of perpendere, perpend (see perpend 1 ), 
+ -ity."] Consideration; a pondering; careful 
thought or attention. 
I desire the reader to attend with \\imoitperpenstty. 
Swift, Tale of a Tub, ix. 
perpensivet (per-pen'siv), a. [< L. perpensus, 
pp. of perpendere, perpend (see perpend 1 ), + 
-ii-e."] Considerate; thoughtful. [Bare.] 
It is rather Christian modesty than shame, in the dawn- 
ing of Reformation, to be very perpensive. 
Jf. Ward, Simple Cobler, p. 41. 
perpent, n. See perpend?. 
perpent-Stone (per' pent -ston), n. In arch., 
same as perpend?. 
perpessiont (per-pesh'on), n. [< L. perpes- 
sio(n-), a bearing, suffering, < perpeti, pp. per- 
pessus, bear steadfastly, < per, through, + pati, 
endure: see patience, passion.} Suffering; en- 
durance. 
The eternity of the destruction in language of Scripture 
signifies a perpetual perpession and duration in misery. 
Bp. Pearson, Expos, of Creed, xii. 
perpetrable (per'pe-tra-bl), a. [< L. as if *per- 
petrabilis, < perpetrare, perpetrate : see perpe- 
trate."] Capable of being perpetrated. 
perpetrate (per'pe-trat), v. t. ; pret. and pp. 
perpetrated, ppr. i>erpetrating. [< L. perpetra- 
tus, pp. of perpetrare, carry through ( > It. per- 
petrare = Sp. Pg. perpetrar = F. perpetrcr), < 
per, through, + patrare, perform, akin topotis, 
able, potens, powerful: MejMtMfc] 1. To do, 
execute, or perform; commit: generally in a 
bad sense: as, to perpetrate a crime. 
What great advancement hast thou hereby won, 
By being the instrument to perpetrate 
So foul a deed ? Daniel, Civil Wars, iii. 78. 
For whatsoe'er we perpetrate, 
We do but row, we're steer'd by fate. 
5. Butter, Hudibras. 
2. To produce, as something execrable or shock- 
ing; perform (something) in an execrable or 
shocking way: as, to perpetrate a pun. [Hu- 
morous.] 
Sir P. induced two of his sisters to perpetrate a duet. 
Charlotte Bronte, Shirley, xxxi. 
perpetration (per-pe-tra'shon), n. [= F. per- 
petration = Sp. perpetracion = Pg. perpetraq&o 
= It. pcrpetrazione, < LL. perpetratio(n-), a per- 
forming, < L. perpetrare, pp. perpctratus, per- 
petrate: see perpetrate.] 1 . The act of perpe- 
trating; the act of committing, as a crime. 
2f. That which is perpetrated ; an evil action. 
The strokes of divine vengeance, or of men's own con- 
sciences, always attend injurious3*rpetration8. 
Eikon BasUike. 
perpetrator (per'pe-tra-tor), n. [= OF. perpe- 
trateur= Sp. Pg. perpetrddor = It. perpetratore, 
< LL. perpetrator, < L. perpetrare, pp. perpetra- 
tus, perpetrate : see perpetrate."] One who per- 
petrates; especially, one who commits or has 
committed some objectionable or criminal act. 
A principal in the first degree is he that is the actor or 
absolute perpetrator of the crime. Blackstone, Com., IV. iii. 
perpetuable (per-pet"u-a-bl), a. [= OF. per- 
petuable, < L. as if *perpetuabilis, < perpetuare, 
perpetuate : see perpetuate."] Capable of being 
perpetuated or continued indefinitely. 
Varieties are perpetuaMe, like species. A. Gray. 
perpetual (per-pet'u-al), a. [< ME. perpetuel, 
< OF. perpetuel, F. perpetuel = OSp. perpetual 
= It. perpetuale, < ML. perpetualis, permanent, 
L. perpetualis, universal, < perpetmts, continu- 
ing throughout, constant, universal, general, 
continuous (> It. Sp. Pg. perpetuo, OF. perpetu, 
perpetual), < per, through, + petere, fall upon, 
goto, seek: see petition."] 1. Continuing for- 
ever in future time; destined to continue or be 
continued through the ages ; everlasting: as, a 
perpetual covenant; a, perpetual statute. 
A perpetual Union of the two Kingdoms. 
Baker, Chronicles, p. 290. 
2. Continuing or continued without intermis- 
sion; uninterrupted; continuous; continual: 
as, & perpetual stream; the perpetual action of 
the heart and arteries; a vow of perpetual pov- 
ertv. 
perpetuity 
The Christian Philosopher tells us that a good Conscience 
is a perpetual Feast. Howell, Letters, iv. 22. 
The perpetual work 
Of thy creation, finished, yet renewed, 
Forever. Bryant, Forest Hymn. 
Circle of perpetual apparition. See apparition. Cir- 
cle of perpetual occultation. See oceultatlan. Per- 
petual canon, curate, motion. See the nouns. - Per- 
petual lever. Same as continual lever (which see, under 
teeeri). Perpetual screw. Sanieasuffes8serew>(which 
see, under endless). =Syn. 1. Everlasting, Immortal, etc. 
(see eternal), unceasing, ceaseless, unfailing, perennial, 
enduring, permanent, lasting, endless, everlasting. 2. 
Continual, Incessant, etc. (see incessant), constant. 
perpetually (per-pet'u-al-i), ode. [< ME. *per- 
petuelly, perpetuelli; (.perpetual + -/# 2 .] In a 
perpetual manner ; constantly ; continually ; 
always; forever: as, lamps kept perpetually 
burning; one who is perpetually boasting. 
Perpetuelli schal ben holden a-forn ye ymage of oure lady 
at ye heye auter. English Gilds (E. E. T. H.), p. 42. 
The shadow of a tree in the river seemeth to have con- 
tinued the same a long time in the water, but it is perpetu- 
ally renewed in the continual ebbing and flowing thereof. 
Raleigh, Hist. World, Pref., p. 53. 
perpetualtyt (per-pet'u-al-ti), n. [= F. perpetu- 
alite = It. perpetualita; as perpetual + -ty.~\ 
The state or condition of being perpetual. Imp. 
Diet. 
perpetuanat, perpetuanet, [Also perpetu- 
ano; < Sp. perpetudn, a woolen stuff so called, 
< L. perpetuus, perpetual: see perpetual.] A 
stuff of wool, or wool and silk, mentioned in the 
seventeenth century : it was similar to lasting. 
He not see him now, on my soule ; hee 's in his old per- 
pelutma sute. Marston, What you Will, ii. 1. 
They had of diverse kinds, as cloath, perpetuanes, & other 
stuffs, besids hose, & shoes, and such like commodities as 
y 6 planters stood in need of. 
Bradford, Plymouth Plantation, p. 220. 
Perpetuano, so called from the lasting thereof, though 
but counterfeit of the cloth of the Israelites, which en- 
dured in the wilderness forty years. Fuller, Worthies. 
perpetuance (per-pet'u-ans), n. [= It. perpetu- 
anza; < perpetu(ate)~-t- -imce."] The act of per- 
petuating, or of rendering perpetual ; perpetua- 
tion. 
For if trust to the gospell do purchase perpetuance 
Of life unto him who therein hath confidence, 
What shall the light do? flew Custom, ii. 1. (Davies.) 
The transformation of religion essential for its perpetu- 
ance. 
if. Arnold, quoted in Oxeuham's Short Studies, p. 414. 
perpetuant (per-pet'u-ant), . [< L. perpetu- 
an(t-)s, ppr. of perpetuare, make perpetual : see 
perpetuate."] In math., an absolutely indecom- 
posable subinvariant. 
perpetuate (per-pet'u-at), v. t. ; pret. and pp. 
perpetuated, ppr. perpetuating. [< L. perpetu- 
atus, pp. of perpetuare (> It. perpetuare = Sp. 
Pg. perpetuar = F. perpetuer), make perpetual, 
< perpetuus, continuous, perpetual : see perpet- 
ual.] To make perpetual; cause to endure or 
to continue or be continued indefinitely ; pre- 
serve from failure, extinction, or oblivion : as, 
to perpetuate the remembrance of a great event 
or of an illustrious character. 
Present superstition too visibly perpetuates the folly of 
our forefathers. Sir T. Broicne, Urn-burial, iii. 
It is not a little singular that we should have preserved 
this rite, and insisted upon perpetuating one symbolical 
act of Christ whilst we have totally neglected all others. 
Emerson, The Lord's Supper. 
perpetuate (per-pet'u-at), a. [< L. perpetua tus, 
pp.: see the verb.] 'Made perpetual; contin- 
ued through the ages, or for an indefinite time ; 
recurring continuously; continually repeated 
or reiterated. 
The trees and flowers remain 
By Nature's care perpetuate and self-sown. Southey. 
perpetuation (per-pet-u-a'shon), n. [< F. per- 
petuation = Sj>.perpetuacion"=Pg.pi'rpetuac.3o 
= It. perpetuazionR, perpetuagioim, < ML. j>er- 
petuatw(n-), < L. perpetuare, pp. pcrjH timliix. 
perpetuate: see perpetuate."] The act of per- 
petuating or making perpetual ; the act of pre- 
serving through an endless existence, or for an 
indefinite period of time; continuation. per- 
petuation of testimony, in law, the taking of testi- 
mony, although no suit is pending, in order to preserve 
it for future use. This is allowed in some cases where 
there is reason to fear that controversy may arise in the 
future and after the death of witnesses. Thus, a party in 
possession of property, and fearing that his right or that 
of his successors might at some future time be disputed, 
was allowed in chancery to file a bill merely to examine 
witnesses, in order to preserve that testimony which might 
be lost by the death of such witnesses before he could 
rosecute his claim, or before he should be called on to 
efeud his right. 
perpetuator (per-pet'u-a-tor), . [(perpt-tiiiitv 
+ -oj'i.] One who perpetuates something. 
perpetuity (per-pe-tu'i-ti), w.; pi. perpetuities 
(-tiz). [< F. pfrpmtM = Sp.perpetuidad = Pg. 
