perverse
pronunciation
How to pronounce perverse in British English:
UK [pəˈvɜ:s]
How to pronounce perverse in American English:
US [pərˈvɜrs]
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- Adjective:
- marked by a disposition to oppose and contradict
- resistant to guidance or discipline
- marked by immorality; deviating from what is considered right or proper or good
Word Origin
- perverse (adj.)
- mid-14c., "wicked," from Old French pervers "unnatural, degenerate; perverse, contrary" (12c.) and directly from Latin perversus "turned away, contrary, askew," figuratively, "turned away from what is right, wrong, malicious, spiteful," past participle of pervertere "to corrupt" (see pervert (v.)). The Latin word is glossed in Old English by forcerred, from past participle of forcyrran "to avoid," from cierran "to turn, return." Meaning "wrong, not in accord with what is accepted" is from 1560s; sense of "obstinate, stubborn" is from 1570s. It keeps the non-sexual senses of pervert (v.) and allows the psychological ones to go with perverted. Related: Perversely; perverseness.
Example
- 1. What explained this perverse policymaking ?
- 2. The most perverse impact of the mid-terms is the sudden interest in immigration .
- 3. Still nothing , except a dull pain and a perverse satisfaction , so I kick it again .
- 4. But disney doesn 't need to go to africa to see the effects of these perverse protections ; it can consult its own backlist .
- 5. Everyone understands what paedophilia is and why it is dangerous and perverse .