peris

a. [ Gr. &unr_;; peri` around + &unr_; shadow: cf. F. périscien. ] Having the shadow moving all around. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ ‖ } n. pl. [ NL. See Periscian. ] Those who live within a polar circle, whose shadows, during some summer days, will move entirely round, falling toward every point of the compass. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pref. peri- + -scope. ] A general or comprehensive view. [ archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An optical instrument of tubular shape containing an arrangement of lenses and mirrors (or prisms), allowing a person to observe a field of view otherwise obstructed, as beyond an obstructing object or (as in submarines) above the surface of the water. [ PJC ]

a. [ Cf. F. périscopique. ] Viewing all around, or on all sides. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. of or relating to a periscope{ 2 }. [ 1913 Webster ]

Periscopic spectacles (Opt.), spectacles having concavo-convex or convexo-concave lenses with a considerable curvature corresponding to that of the eye, to increase the distinctness of objects viewed obliquely. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Perished p. pr. & vb. n. Perishing. ] [ OE. perissen, perisshen, F. périr, p. pr. périssant, L. perire to go or run through, come to nothing, perish; per through + ire to go. Cf. Issue, and see -ish. ] To be destroyed; to pass away; to become nothing; to be lost; to die; hence, to wither; to waste away. [ 1913 Webster ]

I perish with hunger! Luke xv. 17. [ 1913 Webster ]

Grow up and perish, as the summer fly. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The thoughts of a soul that perish in thinking. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To cause perish. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

perish the thought I hope it will never happen; -- a phrase used after mention of a possible undesirable event, sometimes facetiously. [ PJC ]

n. Perishableness. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. périssable. ] Liable to perish; subject to decay, destruction, or death; as, perishable goods; our perishable bodies. [ 1913 Webster ]