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Webster 1913 Edition


Perfection

Per-fec′tion

,
Noun.
[F.
perfection
, L.
perfectio
.]
1.
The quality or state of being perfect or complete, so that nothing requisite is wanting; entire development; consummate culture, skill, or moral excellence; the highest attainable state or degree of excellence; maturity;
as,
perfection
in an art, in a science, or in a system;
perfection
in form or degree; fruits in
perfection
.
2.
A quality, endowment, or acquirement completely excellent; an ideal faultlessness; especially, the divine attribute of complete excellence.
Shak.
What tongue can her
perfections
tell?
Sir P. Sidney.
To perfection
,
in the highest degree of excellence; perfectly; as, to imitate a model to perfection.

Per-fec′tion

,
Verb.
T.
To perfect.
[Obs.]
Foote.

Webster 1828 Edition


Perfection

PERFEC'TION

,
Noun.
[L. perfectio.] The state of being perfect or complete, so that nothing requisite is wanting; as perfection in an art or science; perfection in a system of morals.
1.
Physical perfection, is when a natural object has all its powers, faculties or qualities entire and in full vigor, and all its parts in due proportion.
2.
Metaphysical or transcendental perfection, is the possession of all the essential attributes or all the parts necessary to the integrity of a substance. This is absolute,where all defect is precluded, such as the perfection of God; or according to its kind, as in created things.
3.
Moral perfection, is the complete possession of all moral excellence, as in the Supreme Being; or the possession of such moral qualities and virtues as a thing is capable of.
4.
A quality, endowment or acquirement completely excellent, or of great worth.
In this sense, the word has a plural.
What tongue can her perfections tell?
5.
An inherent or essential attribute of supreme or infinite excellence; or one perfect in its kind; as the perfections of God. The infinite power, holiness,justice, benevolence and wisdom of God are denominated his perfections.
6.
Exactness; as, to imitate a model to perfection.

Definition 2024


perfection

perfection

English

Noun

perfection (countable and uncountable, plural perfections)

  1. The quality or state of being perfect or complete, so that nothing requisite is lacking; entire development; consummate culture, skill, or moral excellence; the highest attainable state or degree of excellence; maturity; as, perfection in an art, in a science, or in a system; perfection in form or degree; fruits in perfection.
  2. A quality, endowment, or acquirement completely excellent; an ideal; faultlessness; especially, the divine attribute of complete excellence.
    What tongue can her perfections tell? -Sir P. Sidney
  3. The highest degree of excellence.
    to imitate a model to perfection

Quotations

  • 1784, William Jones, The Description and Use of a New Portable Orrery, &c., PREFACE
    • THE favourable reception the Orrery has met with from Perſons of the firſt diſtinction, and from Gentlemen and Ladies in general, has induced me to add to it ſeveral new improvements in order to give it a degree of Perfection; and diſtinguiſh it from others ; which by Piracy, or Imitation, may be introduced to the Public.

Synonyms

Translations

Verb

perfection (third-person singular simple present perfections, present participle perfectioning, simple past and past participle perfectioned)

  1. (obsolete, transitive) To perfect.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Foote to this entry?)
    • William Woty
      Sooner I'd kneel unto the modern nine / Alike perfectioned, though a virgin's name / They cannot boast []

References

  • perfection in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913

French

Etymology

From Latin perfectio.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /pɛʁfɛksjɔ̃/

Noun

perfection f (uncountable)

  1. perfection

Related terms


Middle French

Noun

perfection f (plural perfections)

  1. perfection