noun pl. perch or perches perch′es

1. any of a family (Percidae) of small, spiny-finned, freshwater, percoid food fishes of Europe and America; esp., a yellowish species (Perca flavescens) of North America
2. any of various other spiny-finned bony fishes, as the white perch and the surfperches

Etymology: ME perche < OFr < L perca < Gr perkē < IE base *per-, speckled, colorful > Ger farbe, color, OE forn, trout

noun

1. a horizontal rod, pole, etc. provided as a roost for birds
2. anything, as a branch or wire, upon which a bird rests
3. any resting place, position, or vantage point, esp. a high or insecure one
4. 1. a unit of linear measure equal to 5 yards (5.029 meters); rod
   2. a unit of land measure equal to 30 square yards (25.3 square meters)
   3. a cubic measure for stone, usually equal to 24 cubic feet (.70 cubic meters)
5. a pole connecting the front and rear axletrees of a wagon, carriage, etc.

Etymology: ME perche < OFr < L pertica, a pole, staff

intransitive verb

Etymology: Fr percher < OFr < the n.

transitive verb