perfectˈible adjective

Capable of becoming or being made perfect

perfecˈtion noun

1. The state of being perfect
2. The process of making or becoming perfect
3. A quality in perfect degree
4. The highest state or degree
5. An embodiment of the perfect
6. Loosely, a degree of excellence approaching the perfect

perfecˈtionate transitive verb

To bring to perfection

perfecˈtionism noun

perfecˈtionist noun

1. A person who claims to be perfect
2. A person who aims at or calls for nothing short of perfection
3. Someone who holds some doctrine concerning perfection
4. Someone who thinks that moral perfection can be attained in this life
5. (with cap) one of the Bible Communists or Free-lovers, a small American sect founded by JH Noyes (1811–86), which settled at Oneida in 1848, holding that the gospel if accepted secures freedom from sin

perfectionistˈic adjective

1. Seeking to attain perfection
2. Being a perfectionist

perfectˈive adjective

1. Tending to make perfect
2. (of a verb aspect) denoting completed action (grammar)

perfectˈively adverb

perˈfectly adverb

perˈfectness noun

1. The state or quality of being perfect
2. Completeness

perfectˈo noun (pl perfectˈos)

(Sp, perfect) a large tapering cigar

perfectˈor noun

1. Someone who perfects
2. A machine for printing both sides at once

perfect binding noun

An unsewn bookbinding in which the backs of the gathered sections are sheared off and the leaves held in place by glue

perfect cadence noun (music)

One passing from the chord of the dominant to that of the tonic

perfect competition noun (economics)

Free competition for the sale of a commodity

perfect fifth noun (music)

The interval between two sounds whose vibration frequencies are as 2 to 3

perfect fluid noun

An ideal fluid, incompressible, of uniform density, and offering no resistance to distorting forces

perfect fourth noun (music)

The interval between sounds whose vibration frequencies are as 3 to 4

perfect game noun (baseball)

A game in which a pitcher does not allow any batter to reach base

perfect gas same as ideal gas (see under ideal).

perfect insect noun

The imago or completely developed form of an insect

perfect interval noun (music)

The fourth, fifth, or octave

perfect market noun (economics)

A market where there are many buyers and sellers, none of whom can influence prices individually

perfect metals plural noun

Noble metals

perfect number noun (mathematics)

A number equal to the sum of its factors (including unity), as 6=1+2+3 and 28=1+2+4+7+14

perfect pitch noun (music)

1. The pitch of a note as determined by the number of vibrations per second
2. The ability to identify or remember a note accurately
3. A term often used for absolute pitch (see under absolute)

perfect square noun

A square number (qv)

perfect storm noun

1. A particularly violent storm caused by the simultaneous occurrence of various intense meteorological phenomena
2. The disastrous effect of a combination of adverse events

perfect tense noun

A tense signifying action completed in the past (eg I have said) or at the time spoken of (as in the past perfect or pluperfect, eg I had said, and the future perfect, eg I shall have left by then)

perfect year see year

to perfection

Perfectly