English Meaning & Definitions
To alter something from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion of what was intended; to corrupt or corruptly influence.
- “The conspiracy was a deliberate attempt to pervert the course of justice.”
- “They were accused of perverting the noble ideals of the revolution for personal gain.”
A person whose behavior, especially sexual behavior, is considered abnormal, unacceptable, or deviant.
- “The neighborhood watch was warned about a suspected pervert loitering near the school.”
- “He was widely condemned as a pervert after his illicit activities were exposed.”
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “pervert”.
From Middle English 'perverten', derived from Old French 'pervertir', which comes from the Latin 'pervertere' meaning 'to turn around, overturn, or corrupt'. This Latin root is a combination of 'per-' (thoroughly) and 'vertere' (to turn). Originally, the term was used in a religious context to describe turning away from a true faith, but by the late 19th century, it evolved to denote moral corruption and sexual deviance.
Associate 'pervert' with 'per-' (thoroughly) and 'vert' (to turn, as in convert or divert). A pervert has 'turned thoroughly' away from the normal or proper path.
Frequently Asked Questions About “pervert”
1. What is the meaning of “pervert” in English?
In English, pervert (verb) is defined as: “To alter something from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion of what was intended; to corrupt or corruptly influence.”.
2. How do you use “pervert” in a sentence?
“The conspiracy was a deliberate attempt to pervert the course of justice.”
3. What are English synonyms of “pervert”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “pervert”?
From Middle English 'perverten', derived from Old French 'pervertir', which comes from the Latin 'pervertere' meaning 'to turn around, overturn, or corrupt'. This Latin root is a combination of 'per-' (thoroughly) and 'vertere' (to turn). Originally, the term was used in a religious context to describe turning away from a true faith, but by the late 19th century, it evolved to denote moral corruption and sexual deviance.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
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A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.