ENGLISH
REFERENCE

perch

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈpɝtʃ// UK //pˈɜːtʃ// perch Archaic

n. a high place where a person or animal sits or rests. You use this when someone is sitting on something narrow or high up, like a bird on a branch.

n. a high or elevated position, such as a branch or a seat, used for resting or observation. Refers to both physical resting places for birds and metaphorical vantage points for people.


SIMPLE

The bird returned to its perch on the fence.

CONTEXTUAL

From her perch on the balcony, she could watch the entire parade pass through the square.

COMPLEX

The cat watched the garden from a high perch atop the bookshelf, waiting for any sign of movement near the window.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English perche, from Old French perche, from Latin perca, from Ancient Greek πέρκη (pérkē, “perch”), cognate with περκνός (perknós, “dark-spotted”). Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *perḱ-, whence also Old English forn (“trout”), German Forelle (“trout”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English perche, from Old French perche, from Latin pertica (“staff, long pole, measuring rod”).

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'on' or 'atop'.

Idioms2 entries

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