perfection English · revision 10617

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1225|origins=fro perfection|origins=la perfectio}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /pəˈfek.ʃən/, US /pɚˈfek.ʃən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fro|perfection|t=perfection, completeness]] (12th century),^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from Latin perfectiō, a finishing, completing,^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023) from perficere, to complete (see [[perfect]]).^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The state of being complete, completion: before 1225 in the OED;^(OED 1989) the consummate state that leaves nothing to be desired, the early 13th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The NODE gives the first sense as completeness.^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Flawlessness, correctness and purity is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline) about 1315 in the OED,^(OED 1989) and the act of making perfect from 1382.^(OED 1989) Full growth or maturity is from about 1566,^(OED 1989) and a quality of great excellence from the 1570s.^(Etymonline) A person or thing that embodies perfection is from 1594.^(OED 1989) In music, the perfection of a note or interval is from 1614.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1225 – completion.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1315 – flawlessness.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1382 – making perfect.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1570s – an excellent quality.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1594 – a perfect person or thing.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The state or quality of being [[perfect]], free from faults.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The act of making perfect.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person or thing considered perfect; an embodiment of perfection.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The highest degree of a quality.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[imperfection]]

+ * [[nonperfection]]

+ * [[perfectionism]]

+ * [[perfectionist]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[perfect]]

+ * [[effect]]

+ * [[fact]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}