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Webster 1913 Edition

Perverse

Per-verse′

(pẽr-vẽrs′)
,
Adj.
[L.
perversus
turned the wrong way, not right, p. p. of
pervertere
to turn around, to overturn: cf. F.
pervers
. See
Pervert
.]
1.
Turned aside; hence, specifically, turned away from the right; willfully erring; wicked; perverted.
The only righteous in a world
perverse
.
Milton.
2.
Obstinate in the wrong; stubborn; intractable; hence, wayward; vexing; contrary.
To so
perverse
a sex all grace is vain.
Dryden.
Syn. – Froward; untoward; wayward; stubborn; ungovernable; intractable; cross; petulant; vexatious.
–
Perverse
,
Froward
. One who is froward is capricious, and reluctant to obey. One who is perverse has a settled obstinacy of will, and likes or dislikes by the rule of contradiction to the will of others.

Webster 1828 Edition

Perverse

PERVERSE

,
Adj.
pervers'. [L. perversus. See Pervert.]
1.
Literally, turned aside; hence, distorted from the right.
2.
Obstinate in the wrong; disposed to be contrary; stubborn; untractable.
To so perverse a sex all grace is vain.
3.
Cross; petulant; peevish; disposed to cross and vex.
I'll frown and be perverse, and say thee nay.

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