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Definition of peril - 4 dictionary results

per⋅il

  [per-uhl] noun, verb, -iled, -il⋅ing or (especially British) -illed, -il⋅ling.
Use peril in a Sentence
–noun
1. exposure to injury, loss, or destruction; grave risk; jeopardy; danger: They faced the peril of falling rocks.
2. something that causes or may cause injury, loss, or destruction.
–verb (used with object)
3. to expose to danger; imperil; risk.
Origin:
1175–1225; ME < OF < L perīculum trial, test, danger, equiv. to perī-, verb base meaning “try” (found in the compound experīrī; see experience ) + -culum -cle 2

Related forms:
per⋅il⋅less, adjective

Synonyms:
1. See danger.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To peril
per·il   (pěr'əl)   
n.  

    1. Imminent danger.

    2. Exposure to the risk of harm or loss.

  2. Something that endangers or involves risk.

tr.v.   per·iled also per·illed, per·il·ing also per·il·ling, per·ils also per·ils
To expose to danger or the chance of injury; imperil.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin perīculum; see per-3 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

peril 
c.1225, from O.Fr. peril (10c.), from L. periculum "an attempt, risk, danger," with instrumentive suffix -culum and root of ex-peri-ri "to try," cognate with Gk. peria "trial, attempt, experience," empeiros "experienced," O.Ir. aire "vigilance," Goth. ferja "watcher," O.E. fær "danger, fear," all ult. from PIE base *per- "to lead across."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: per·il
Pronunciation: 'per-&l
Function: noun
1 : exposure to the risk of death, destruction, or loss
2 : the cause of a loss (as of property) perils> —compare RISK
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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