per

[ See Per. ] 1. A prefix used to signify through, throughout, by, for, or as an intensive as perhaps, by hap or chance; perennial, that lasts throughout the year; perforce, through or by force; perfoliate, perforate; perspicuous, evident throughout or very evident; perplex, literally, to entangle very much. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Chem.) Originally, denoting that the element to the name of which it is prefixed in the respective compounds exercised its highest valence; now, only that the element has a higher valence than in other similar compounds; thus, barium peroxide is the highest oxide of barium; while nitrogen and manganese peroxides, so-called, are not the highest oxides of those elements. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. peractus, p. p. of peragere. ] To go through with; to perform. [ Obs. ] Sylvester. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. peracutus. See Per-, and Acute. ] Very sharp; very violent; as, a peracute fever. [ R. ] Harvey. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. & conj. [ OE. per aventure, F. par aventure. See Per, and Adventure. ] By chance; perhaps; it may be; if; supposing. “If peradventure he speak against me.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city. Gen. xviii. 24. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Chance; hap; hence, doubt; question; as, proved beyond peradventure. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. perai^os on the opposite side + -pod. ] (Zool.) One of the thoracic legs of a crustacean. See Illust. of Crustacea. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. peragratus, p. p. of peragrate. ] To travel over or through. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. peragratio: cf. F. peragration. ] The act or state of passing through any space; as, the peragration of the moon in her monthly revolution. [ Obs. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]