perish

Pronunciation: /ˈperɪʃ/ (IPA, American)

Origin: Middle English, from Old French perir, from Latin perire ('to pass away, perish'), from per- ('through') + ire ('to go')

Meanings:

1. To die or be destroyed, especially in a sudden or untimely way
2. To suffer complete ruin or destruction
3. To disappear or cease to exist

Example Sentences:

1. Many species of animals perished during the ice age.
2. Without water, a person can perish within days.
3. Their dreams of success perished when the company went bankrupt.

Related Words:

• Noun: perishment
• Adjective: perishable
• Antonyms: survive, thrive, flourish

Synonyms: die, expire, decay, deteriorate, disintegrate, fade

Memorizable Tricks:

• Think of "per-" as "completely" and "-ish" as a process of finishing. So, "perish" is to completely finish or come to an end.
• Associate "perish" with perishable goods in a supermarket, which will spoil or decay if not consumed quickly.
• Remember the phrase "publish or perish" used in academia, emphasizing the pressure to continually publish work or risk career decline.