perishing
perishing Lexical Profile
perishing Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To die, especially in a sudden, violent, or untimely manner, or to suffer complete destruction and decay (present participle of perish).
"Many ancient manuscripts were in danger of perishing from dampness before conservationists intervened."
• adjective
British Extremely cold; freezing or bitingly chill (informal).
"We wrapped ourselves in heavy wool coats before stepping out into the perishing winter wind."
Undergoing death, decay, or destruction; dying or fading away.
"The rescue crew worked tirelessly to bring water and supplies to the perishing livestock."
British Used as a mild intensifier to express annoyance, frustration, or contempt toward someone or something (informal).
"The mechanic spent all afternoon trying to get that perishing engine to start."
• adverb
British To an extreme or unpleasant degree, especially with reference to cold weather (informal).
"It was perishing cold on the station platform while we waited for the early morning train."
• Rhymes for perishing
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed from the verb perish, which entered Middle English via Old French periss- (stem of perir), from Latin perire ('to pass away, be destroyed'). The informal British adjective and adverb senses arose in the 19th century from the hyperbole 'perishing with cold.'