(Irregular plural: perches).
1. Any of numerous lean-fleshed fishes of America and Europe.
2. Any of numerous spiny-finned fishes of various families of the order Perciformes.
3. Spiny-finned freshwater food and game fishes.
Any of the largest order of spiny-finned bony fishes, the Perciformes, with some 8,000 species. This order includes the sea basses, cichlids, damselfishes, mullets, barracudas, wrasses, and gobies. Perches of the freshwater genus Perca are found in Europe, Asia, and North America. They have varied shapes and are usually a greenish color. They are very prolific, spawning when about three years old, and have voracious appetites.
The American yellow perch p. flavescens, to 30 cm/12 in, is abundant in lakes and streams, feeding on insects and other fishes.

1. A branch or rod that serves as a resting place.
2. An elevated place serving as a seat.
3. A square rod of land; SYN. rod, pole.
4. (British) A linear measure of 16.5 feet; SYN. rod, pole.

1. To cause to perch or sit
2. To sit, as on a branch; SYN. roost, rest.