per-

English

Etymology 1

From Latin per-

Prefix

per-

1. (non-productive) In verbs: denoting the sense "through", as in perforate.
2. (non-productive) In verbs: denoting the sense "thoroughly", as in perfect.
3. (non-productive) In verbs: denoting the sense "to destruction", as in pervert.
4. (non-productive) In adjectives and adverbs: denoting the sense "extremely", as in perfervid.
5. (chemistry) Forming nouns and adjectives denoting the maximum proportion of one element in a compound, as in peroxide.Or A prefix added to the name of an element in a polyatomic ion denote the number of that element (usually four).

Etymology 2

From Old French per (modern French par)

Prefix

per-

1. (non-productive) Denoting the sense "by" or "per", as in perchance or perhaps.