Percival

American  

[pur-suh-vuhl] / ˈpɜr sə vəl /

noun

1. Arthurian Legend. Also Percivale a knight of King Arthur's court who sought the Holy Grail: comparable to Parzival or Parsifal in Teutonic legend.

2. a male given name.

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Percival British  

/ ˈpɜːsɪvəl /

noun

1. German equivalent: Parzival.  (in Arthurian legend) a knight in King Arthur's court

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Etymology

Origin of Percival

From Old French Perceval, of disputed origin; perhaps literally “pierce the valley” ( pierce ( def. ), vale ( def. ) ) or “through this valley” (from par “through” + cel “this” + val “valley”; per ( def. ) ); alternatively, an alteration of Welsh Peredur

Example Sentences

Percival also warned that alerting lawmakers would be seen as “in bad faith and bordering on material misrepresentation to Congress.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

However, funding provided by Carrick's foundation has enabled the club to employ a general manager, John Percival.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

In a response attached to the letter, DHS general counsel James Percival disputed the allegations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

Percival, in turn, has been instrumental in raising the capital for a new community hub, which was built in 2023.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

Percival Wemys Madison sought in his head for an incantation that had faded clean away.

From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding