Definition of "perfect"

perfect¹

/ˈpɜː.fɪkt/

adjective
comparative perfecter or more perfect, superlative perfectest or most perfect
1. Fitting its definition precisely.
2. Having all of its parts in harmony with a common purpose.
3. Without fault or mistake; without flaw, of supreme quality.
  1. Exact, correctly reflecting the original in all aspects. (of a copy)
  2. Having thoroughly learned or memorized a part. (of an actor)
  3. (obsolete outside set of phrases) Of a person: having thoroughly learned or memorized a lesson; of a lesson: having been thoroughly learned or memorized.
  4. (obsolete) Fully trained or very knowledgeable; highly skilled
    Quotations
    Our Battaile is more full of Names then yours, / Our Men more perfect in the vse of Armes, / Our Armor all as strong, our Cause the best
    c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act IV, scene i], lines 152–154
4. Excellent and delightful in all respects.
  Quotations
  They burned the old gun that used to stand in the dark corner up in the garret, close to the stuffed fox that always grinned so fiercely. Perhaps the reason why he seemed in such a ghastly rage was that he did not come by his death fairly. Otherwise his pelt would not have been so perfect. And why else was he put away up there out of sight?—and so magnificent a brush as he had too.
  1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter 1, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […]
5. Morally or spiritually immaculate or ideal.
  Quotations
  Marke the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace
  1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Psalms 37:37
6. (grammar, of a tense or verb form) Representing a completed action.
7. (biology) Sexually mature and fully differentiated.
8. (botany) Of flowers: having both male parts (stamens) and female parts (carpels).
9. (mathematics) Of a number: equal to the sum of its proper divisors.
10. (mathematical analysis) Of a set: equal to its set of limit points, i.e. set A is perfect if A=A'.
11. (music) Describing an interval or any compound interval of a unison, octave, or fourths and fifths that are not tritones.
12. (of a cocktail) Made with equal parts of sweet and dry vermouth.
13. (obsolete) Well informed; certain; sure.
  Quotations
  I am perfect that the Pannonians and Dalmatians for their liberties are now in arms.
  1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act III, scene i]
14. (obsolete) Innocent, guiltless; without blemish.
  Quotations
  My fault being nothing—as I have told you oft— / But that two villains, whose false oaths prevail'd / Before my perfect honour, swore to Cymbeline / I was confederate with the Romans: so / Follow'd my banishment
  1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act III, scene iii]
  My parts, my title, and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly.
  c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act I, scene ii]
15. (obsolete) Sane, of sound mind.
  Quotations
  Pray, do not mock me. / I am a very foolish fond old man, / Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less / And, to deal plainly, / I fear I am not in my perfect mind.
  c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act IV, scene vii]
noun
plural perfects
1. (grammar) The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.
2. (video games) A perfect score; the achievement of finishing a stage or task with no mistakes.
  Quotations
  Awarded for scoring all Perfects in the Dominator rank!
  2007, Barbara Smith, Chad Yancey, Video Game Achievements and Unlockables, page 17
  […] a table of all the ratings that each player has achieved, giving you several scoring options based on player feedback (I simply record the number of perfects).
  2007, Eli Neiburger, Gamers-- in the Library?!
3. (historical, Christianity) A leader of the Cathar movement.

perfect²

/pəˈfɛkt/

verb
third-person singular simple present perfects, present participle perfecting, simple past and past participle perfected
1. (transitive) To make perfect; to improve or hone.
2. (law) To take an action, usually the filing of a document in the correct venue, that secures a legal right.

Definition of "perfect"

perfect1

adjective

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noun

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perfect2

verb

perfect¹

perfect²