perch 1 
(pûrch)
(pûrch)n.
1. A rod or branch serving as a roost for a bird.
2.
a. An elevated place for resting or sitting.
b. A position that is secure, advantageous, or prominent.
3. A pole, stick, or rod.
4. Chiefly British
a. A linear measure equal to 5.50 yards or 16.5 feet (5.03 meters); a rod.
b. One square rod of land.
5. A unit of cubic measure used in stonework, usually 16.5 feet by 1.0 foot by 1.5 feet, or 24.75 cubic feet (0.70 cubic meter).
6. A frame on which cloth is laid for examination of quality.
v. perched, perch·ing, perch·es
v.intr.
1. To alight or rest on a perch; roost: A raven perched high in the pine.
2. To stand, sit, or rest on an elevated place or position.
v.tr.
1. To place on or as if on a perch: The child perched the glass on the edge of the counter.
2. To lay (cloth) on a perch in order to examine it.
[Middle English perche, from Old French, from Latin pertica, stick, pole.]