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Perfect vs Perfection - What's the difference?

perfect | perfection |

Perfection is a related term of perfect.



As nouns the difference between perfect and perfection

is that perfect is the perfect tense, or a form in that tense while perfection is 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.

As verbs the difference between perfect and perfection

is that perfect is to make perfect; to improve or hone while perfection is to perfect.

As an adjective perfect

is fitting its definition precisely.

perfect

English

Alternative forms

*

Etymology 1

From (etyl) perfit, from (etyl) parfit (modern: parfait), from (etyl) perfectus, perfect passive participle of . Spelling modified 15c. to conform Latin etymology.

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Fitting its definition precisely.
  • :
  • Having all of its parts in harmony with a common purpose.
  • :
  • Without fault or mistake; thoroughly skilled or talented.
  • :
  • Excellent and delightful in all respects.
  • :
  • *
  • *:They burned the old gun that used to stand in the dark corner up in the garret, close to the stuffed fox that always grinned so fiercely. Perhaps the reason why he seemed in such a ghastly rage was that he did not come by his death fairly. Otherwise his pelt would not have been so perfect . And why else was he put away up there out of sight?—and so magnificent a brush as he had too.
  • Representing a completed action.
  • (lb) Sexually mature and fully differentiated.
  • (lb) Of flowers, having both male (stamens) and female (carpels) parts.
  • (lb) Of a set, that it is equal to its set of limit points, i.e. set A'' is perfect if ''A =A'.
  • (lb) Describing an interval or any compound interval of a unison, octave, or fourths and fifths that are not tritones.
  • (lb) Made with equal parts of sweet and dry vermouth.
  • :
  • (lb) Well informed; certain; sure.
  • *(William Shakespeare) (1564-1616)
  • *:I am perfect that the Pannonians are now in arms.
  • Synonyms
    * (fitting its definition precisely) accurate, flawless * (without fault or mistake) faultless, infallible * (thoroughly skilled or talented) expert, proficient * mature * bisexual, hermaphroditic * See also
    Antonyms
    * (fitting its definition precisely) flawed * (without fault or mistake) faulty, faultful, fallible * imperfect
    Derived terms
    * future perfect * nobody's perfect * past perfect * perfect number * perfect pitch * picture-perfect * pixel-perfect * practice makes perfect * present perfect * word-perfect

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (grammar) The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.
  • Etymology 2

    From (perfect) (adjective) or from (etyl)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make perfect; to improve or hone.
  • I am going to perfect this article.
    You spend too much time trying to perfect your dancing.
  • (legal) To take an action, usually the filing of a document in the correct venue, that secures a legal right.
  • perfect''' an appeal''; '''''perfect''' an interest''; '''''perfect a judgment
    Synonyms
    * (to make perfect) enhance, hone, improve, optimize

    Statistics

    *

    perfection

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • 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 .
  • A quality, endowment, or acquirement completely excellent; an ideal; faultlessness; especially, the divine attribute of complete excellence.
  • What tongue can her perfections tell? -
  • 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 Per?ons of the fir?t di?tinction, and from Gentlemen and Ladies in general, has induced me to add to it ?everal new improvements in order to give it a degree of Perfection ; and di?tingui?h it from others?;?which by Piracy, or Imitation, may be introduced to the Public.

    Synonyms

    * faultlessness * infallibility

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To perfect.
  • (Foote)
  • * (William Woty)
  • Sooner I'd kneel unto the modern nine / Alike perfectioned , though a virgin's name / They cannot boast
    (Webster 1913)

    References

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