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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)

98,828 entries. Headwords are matched first, then definition text.

67 words match “PERVERSE”

PERVERSE a. 2 definitions

ed away from the right; willfully erring; wicked; perverted. The only righteous in a word perverse. Milton.

Turned aside. [Obs.]

PERVERSEDLY adv.

Perversely. [Obs.]

PERVERSELY adv.

In a perverse manner.

PERVERSENESS n.

The quality or state of being perverse. "Virtue hath some perverseness." Donne.

Across the course; so as to thwart; perversely. All athwart there came A post from Wales loaden with heavy news. Shak.

AWK a. 2 definitions

Odd; out of order; perverse. [Obs.]

In an unlucky (left-handed) or perverse manner. [Obs.] Holland.

Perverse; adverse; untoward. [Obs.] "Awkward casualties." "Awkward wind." Shak. O blind guides, which being of an awkward religion, do strain out a gnat, and swallow up a cancel. Udall.

Aside from the line of truth, or right reason; unreasonable or unreasonably; perverse or perversely. Or by her charms Draws him awry, enslaved. Milton. Nothing more awry from the law of God and nature than that a woman should give laws to men. Milton.

BACKWARDLY adv.

Perversely; ill.[Obs.] And does he think so backwardly of me Shak.

large spiral marine shell, esp. the common whelk. See Buccinum. [Scot.] Deil's buckie, a perverse, refractory youngster. [Slang]

CANTANKEROUS a.

Perverse; contentious; ugly; malicious. [Colloq.] -- Can*tan"ker*ous*ly, adv. -- Can*tan"ker*ous*ness, n. The cantankerous old maiden aunt. Theckeray.

CONTRARINESS n.

state or quality of being contrary; opposition; inconsistency; contrariety; perverseness; obstinancy.

Showing contrariety; repugnant; perverse. [Archaic] Milton. She flew contrarious in the face of God. Mrs. Browning.

Given to opposition; perverse; forward; wayward; as, a contrary disposition; a contrary child.

CONTUMACIOUS a.

Exhibiting contumacy; contemning authority; obstinate; perverse; stubborn; disobedient. There is another very, efficacious method for subding the most obstinate, contumacious sinner. Hammond.

Stubborn perverseness; pertinacious resistance to authority. The bishop commanded him . . . to be thrust into the stocks for his manifest and manifold contumacy. Strype.

Not straightforward; deviating from rectitude; distorted from the right. They are a perverse and crooked generation. Deut. xxxii. 5.

In a curved or crooked manner; in a perverse or untoward manner.