peri

peri [peer-ee] ExamplesWord Origin noun, plural pe·ris.

1. one of a large group of beautiful, fairylike beings of Persian mythology, represented as descended from fallen angels and excluded from paradise until their penance is accomplished.
2. any lovely, graceful person.

Origin of peri 1770–80; Persian perī, variant of parī fairy, Middle Persian parīk, Avestan pairikā witch Related Words for peris spright, nymph, pixie, elf, fay, goblin Examples from the Web for peris Historical Examples of peris

Peris, in Persian story fairies, descended from the fallen angels.

Keats: Poems Published in 1820

John Keats

This maiden, said she, was my favourite of all the Peris that once attended me.

Wonder Tales from Many Lands

Katharine Pyle

She had dreamt that she swam across the river enticed by the singing of the Peris.

The Slaves of the Padishah

Mr Jkai

If it were not peris, they would certainly have searched him for his diamonds.

The Lion of Janina

Mr Jkai

Then I came out of my hiding, took a little of her dung and conveyed it to the peris.

The Brown Fairy Book

Andrew Lang

British Dictionary definitions for peris peri noun plural -ris

1. (in Persian folklore) one of a race of beautiful supernatural beings
2. any beautiful fairy-like creature

Word Origin for peri C18: from Persian: fairy, from Avestan pairikā witch Word Origin and History for peris peri n.

1777, from Persian pari, from Avestan pairika. Race of superhuman female beings originally represented as malevolent, later as angelic genii (cf. sense evolution of English fairy, to which it is not related).