different between perfect vs brilliant

English

Alternative forms

• perfite (obsolete)
• pf. (abbreviation, grammar)

Etymology 1

From Middle English perfit, from Old French parfit (modern: parfait), from Latin perfectus, perfect passive participle of perficere (“to finish”), from per- (“through, thorough”) + facere (“to do, to make”). Spelling modified 15c. to conform to Latin etymology. Doublet of parfait.

Displaced native Old English fulfremed.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?p??.f?kt/, /?p??.f?kt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?p?f?kt/

Adjective

perfect (comparative perfecter or more perfect, superlative perfectest or most perfect)

1. Fitting its definition precisely.

2. Having all of its parts in harmony with a common purpose.

3. Without fault or mistake; thoroughly skilled or talented.

4. Excellent and delightful in all respects.
5. (mathematics) Of a number: equal to the sum of its proper divisors.

   6 is perfect because the sum of its proper divisors, 1, 2, and 3, which is 6, is equal to the number itself.

6. (grammar, of a tense or verb form) Representing a completed action.
7. (biology) Sexually mature and fully differentiated.
8. (botany) Of flowers, having both male parts (stamens) and female parts (carpels).
9. (mathematical analysis) Of a set: equal to its set of limit points, i.e. set A is perfect if A=A'.
10. (music) Describing an interval or any compound interval of a unison, octave, or fourths and fifths that are not tritones.
11. (of a cocktail) Made with equal parts of sweet and dry vermouth.

12. (obsolete) Well informed; certain; sure.

    • I am perfect that the Pannonians and Dalmatians for their liberties are now in arms.

13. (obsolete) Innocent, guiltless.

    • My parts, my title, and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly.

Usage notes

Some authorities proscribe the comparative and superlative forms "more perfect" and "most perfect", on the grounds that perfection is an absolute state. Nevertheless, graded forms have been in common use in writing for centuries – for instance the Preamble to the United States Constitution, drafted in 1787, describes its goal as "a more perfect Union". In these cases, "more perfect" can mean "closer to perfection", "less imperfect" or "improving upon an already perfect state".

Synonyms

• (fitting its definition precisely): accurate, flawless
• (without fault or mistake): faultless, infallible
• (thoroughly skilled or talented): expert, proficient
• (biology: sexually mature and fully differentiated): mature
• (botany: having both male and female parts): bisexual, hermaphroditic
• See also Thesaurus:flawless

Antonyms

• (fitting its definition precisely): flawed
• (without fault or mistake): faulty, faultful, fallible
• (botany: having both male and female parts): imperfect

Hyponyms

Coordinate terms

• (music): augmented
• (music): diminished

Derived terms

Related terms

• perfect competition
• perfect market
• perfect number
• perfect pitch
• practice makes perfect

Translations

Noun

perfect (plural perfects)

1. (grammar) The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.
2. (video games) A perfect score; the achievement of finishing a stage or task with no mistakes.
   • 2007, Barbara Smith, Chad Yancey, Video Game Achievements and Unlockables (page 17)

     Awarded for scoring all Perfects in the Dominator rank!

Translations

Synonyms

• (grammar): preterperfect

Etymology 2

From perfect (adjective).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /p??f?kt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /p??f?kt/

Verb

perfect (third-person singular simple present perfects, present participle perfecting, simple past and past participle perfected)

1. (transitive) To make perfect; to improve or hone.

   I am going to perfect this article.

   You spend too much time trying to perfect your dancing.

2. (law) To take an action, usually the filing of a document in the correct venue, that secures a legal right.

   perfect an appeal; perfect an interest; perfect a judgment

Synonyms

• (to make perfect): enhance, hone, improve, optimize

Related terms

• perfecter
• perfectible

Translations

References

Anagrams

• prefect

Dutch

Etymology

From Middle Dutch perfect, from Latin perfectus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /p?r?f?kt/, /p?r?f?kt/
• Hyphenation: per?fect
• Rhymes: -?kt

Adjective

perfect (comparative perfecter, superlative perfectst)

1. perfect

   Synonym: volmaakt

Inflection

Derived terms

• imperfect
• perfectie

Related terms

• imperfectum
• perfectum

Descendants

• Afrikaans: perfek

Adverb

perfect

1. perfectly

Romanian

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin perfectus, German perfekt.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [per?fekt]

Adjective

perfect m or n (feminine singular perfect?, masculine plural perfec?i, feminine and neuter plural perfecte)

1. perfect, flawless

Declension

Synonyms

• des?vâr?it

Antonyms

• imperfect
• nedes?vâr?it

Adverb

perfect

1. perfectly, completely

Noun

perfect n (uncountable)

1. perfect tense

Derived terms

• perfect compus
• perfect simplu

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French brillant (late 17th century), present participle of the verb briller, from Italian brillare, possibly from Latin berillus, beryllus (“a beryl, gem, eyeglass”), from Ancient Greek ???????? (b?rullos, “beryl”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?b??lj?nt/

Adjective

brilliant (comparative more brilliant, superlative most brilliant)

1. Shining brightly.

   the brilliant lights along the promenade

2. (of a colour) Both bright and saturated.

   butterflies with brilliant blue wings

3. (of a voice or sound) Having a sharp, clear tone
4. (Britain) Of surpassing excellence.

   The actor's performance in the play was simply brilliant.

5. (Britain) Magnificent or wonderful.
6. Highly intelligent.

   She is a brilliant scientist.

Synonyms

• (shining brightly): glittering, shining
• (of a colour: both light and saturated):
• (of a voice or sound: having a sharp, clear tone):
• (surpassing excellence): excellent, distinctive, striking, superb (obsolete except in UK usage)
• (magnificent or wonderful): exceptional, glorious, magnificent, marvellous/marvelous, splendid, wonderful (obsolete except in UK usage)
• (highly intelligent): brainy, ingenious
• See also Thesaurus:intelligent

Related terms

• brilliance
• brilliantine
• brilliantly
• brilliantness
• beryl (possibly)
• beryllium (possibly)

Translations

Noun

brilliant (countable and uncountable, plural brilliants)

1. A finely cut gemstone, especially a diamond, cut in a particular form with numerous facets so as to maximize light return through the top (called "table") of the stone.
   • 1717, Alexander Pope, The Basset-Table

     This snuffbox — on the hinge see brilliants shine.
3. (uncountable, printing, dated) The size of type between excelsior and diamond, standardized as 4-point.
4. Most hummingbird species of the genus Heliodoxa.
5. A kind of cotton goods, figured on the weaving.

Descendants

• (small type size): (German) Brillant

Translations

Further reading

• brilliant in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• brilliant in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• brilliant at OneLook Dictionary Search

Crimean Tatar

Etymology

French brillant.

Noun

brilliant

1. brilliant.

Declension

References

• Mirjejev, V. A.; Usejinov, S. M. (2002) Ukrajins?ko-kryms?kotatars?kyj slovnyk [Ukrainian – Crimean Tatar Dictionary]?^[1], Simferopol: Dolya, ?ISBN