Perishing: meaning, definitions and examples
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perishing
[ ˈperɪʃɪŋ ]
undergoing death
Perishing refers to the act of dying or ceasing to exist, often in a sudden or violent manner. It can also imply a decline or deterioration under adverse conditions. Often, this term is used in literature or poetry to evoke strong emotions about loss and mortality. Additionally, it can apply to things that become unusable or irretrievable due to neglect or harsh circumstances.
Synonyms
death, decease, dying, expiration, extinction
Examples of usage
- The animals perished in the harsh winter.
- Many plants are perishing due to lack of water.
- Without help, the trapped miners would surely perish.
Translations
Translations of the word "perishing" in other languages:
🇵🇹 perecendo
🇮🇳 नष्ट होना
🇩🇪 verderbend
🇮🇩 punah
🇺🇦 знищення
🇵🇱 umierający
🇯🇵 滅びる (horobiru)
🇫🇷 périssant
🇪🇸 pereciendo
🇹🇷 yok olmak
🇰🇷 멸망하는 (myeolmanghaneun)
🇸🇦 هالك (halik)
🇨🇿 zahynulý
🇸🇰 zanikajúci
🇨🇳 灭亡 (mièwáng)
🇸🇮 propadajoč
🇮🇸 eyðandi
🇰🇿 жойылу
🇬🇪 მოღუპული (moghupuli)
🇦🇿 məhv olmaq
🇲🇽 pereciendo
Etymology
The word 'perish' originates from the Middle English term 'perisshen,' which was derived from the Old French 'perir' or 'periss-,' meaning 'to die' or 'to be lost.' This French word can be traced further back to the Latin 'perire,' where 'per-' indicates 'through' or 'completely,' while 'ire' means 'to go.' Combining these roots, 'perire' conveys the idea of going completely away or being destroyed. 'Perish' has been used since the 14th century, primarily to denote the loss of life or the total collapse of an entity. The sense of suffering and inevitable decline associated with perishing has made the term popular in various literary works, underscoring the transient nature of existence. Over the centuries, it has maintained its relevance in discussions about mortality, survival, and the fragility of life.