perpend

¹

[ pur-puhnd ]

noun

1. a large stone passing through the entire thickness of a wall.

perpend

²

[ per-pend ]

verb (used with object)

1. to consider.

verb (used without object)

1. to ponder; deliberate.

perpend

¹

/ pəˈpɛnd /

verb

1. an archaic word for ponder

perpend

²

/ ˈpɜːpənd /

noun

1. a large stone that passes through a wall from one side to the other Also calledparpendperpend stone

Word History and Origins

Origin of perpend¹

1225–75; variant of parpen, parpend, Middle English perpein, parpein ( late Middle English perpend- in compound) a stone dressed on more than one side < Old French perpein, parpain, perhaps representing Medieval Latin parpanus < ?

Origin of perpend²

1520–30; < Latin perpendere to weigh carefully, ponder, equivalent to per- per- + pendere to weigh

Word History and Origins

Origin of perpend¹

C16: from Latin perpendere to examine, from per- (thoroughly) + pendere to weigh

Origin of perpend²

C15: from Old French parpain, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Perpend, per-pend′, v.t. to weigh in the mind, to consider carefully.

From Project Gutenberg

For justice it is which disposes them there, Political craft in this mighty free land, Whose Rulers perpend not what impost were fair, But what imposition tax-payers will stand.

From Project Gutenberg

I pray, perpend, my dearest dear; While blue-eyed maids the praise were drinking, How insubstantial was their cheer— It was of yours that I was thinking!

From Project Gutenberg

If we consider the apologetical declaration itself, which is so bespattered, and so odiously represented, and so rigorously enjoined to be abjured; who will more narrowly look into it, and ponder and perpend the purpose and scope of it, will see nothing that can be abjured conscientiously in it, but the whole of it, laying aside prejudice and invidious critical censoriousness, capable of a fair and acceptable construction.

From Project Gutenberg

But in this particular instance, the change occurred preceded by no transitional approach; for within the small circuit of thirty years it seemed as if the events of whole centuries had been more miraculously compressed, than any in those “lives of the saints” whose legendary lore, provided the saints were English, Master Fabyan had loved to perpend.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acknowledge
• contemplate
• deal with
• examine
• favor
• grant
• look at
• recognize
• regard
• scrutinize
• see
• study