perish

Everyday

1. (formal) To die, especially in an accident, disaster or war. tree →
2. To rot, go bad or be destroyed, like food or rubber getting old. tree →
3. «Perish the thought» means "I hope that never happens". tree →
4. (UK informal) «Perished» or «perishing» means very cold: "I'm perished!" tree →

In the lessons

In stories and history: «Many sailors perished in the storm». In science and everyday life, perishable foods like milk and fish go bad quickly and must be kept cold — a safety point. In UK chat «it's perishing out there» means freezing. Phrases: «perish in», «perish the thought», «perishing cold», «perishable goods».

Examples

• Many animals perished in the bushfire. tree →
• The rubber band had perished and snapped. tree →
• Fresh fruit perishes quickly in the heat. tree →
• "Me, late for school? Perish the thought!" tree →
• It's perishing cold outside, put your coat on. tree →
• Come in, you must be perished! tree →
• Thousands of trees perished in the drought. tree →
• Keep perishable food in the fridge. tree →

Note

Regular verb: perished. «Perish» about people is formal and serious; in daily talk say «die». Adjective: perishable (goes off fast); non-perishable (tins, dry pasta). In maths, «perished» items are taken away from the total.

In Jewish tradition

It means to die or be destroyed, often as punishment or disaster for a people. It can also mean to be lost or to vanish, as when counsel perishes from the wise, and Job asks about the innocent perishing.

Interpretation. The Torah's warnings of perishing are tied to the covenant. Tradition teaches that return to God (teshuvah) can avert such a fate. Job's question about the innocent perishing is read as part of the long Jewish discussion of why good people suffer.

Examples

• And ye shall perish among the nations, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up. (Torah LEV.26.38, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the children of Israel spoke unto Moses, saying: 'Behold, we perish, we are undone, we are all undone. (Torah NUM.17.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• Every one that cometh near, that cometh near unto the tabernacle of the LORD, is to die; shall we wholly perish?' (Torah NUM.17.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• Is counsel perished from the prudent? (Prophets JER.49.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• Why did I not perish at birth? (Writings JOB.3.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? (Writings JOB.4.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: perished. «Perish» about people is formal and serious; in daily talk say «die». Adjective: perishable (goes off fast); non-perishable (tins, dry pasta). In maths, «perished» items are taken away from the total.