perfect

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: A2 — Elementary

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a tense of verbs used in describing action that has been completed (sometimes regarded as perfective aspect)
  2. verb make perfect or complete
  3. adjective being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

Etymology

From Middle English perfit, from Old French parfit (modern: parfait), from Latin perfectus, perfect passive participle of perficere (“to finish”), from per- (“through, thorough”) + facere (“to do, to make”). The spelling was modified in the 15th century to conform to its Latin etymon. Doublet of parfait, perfecto, and perfectus. Displaced native Old English fulfremed.

In classic literature

Synonyms

perfective, perfective tense, perfect tense

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