perv
UK[pɜːv]US[pɜːrv]
n
A person whose sexual desires or activities are considered abnormal or unacceptable.
v
To behave in a sexually unacceptable or deviant way.
Etymology
The term 'perv' is a modern English slang abbreviation, originating in the mid-20th century as a clipped form of the adjective 'perverted'. 'Perverted' itself derives from the Latin verb 'pervertere', meaning 'to overturn, subvert, or corrupt', from 'per-' (thoroughly) and 'vertere' (to turn). The semantic journey moved from a general sense of corruption to a specific focus on the distortion of natural sexual instincts. The slang clipping 'perv' retains this core meaning but carries a more informal, often derogatory, and sometimes humorous connotation.
Analysis
The word is a clipping of the adjective "perverted". As a simplex form, it does not contain separable morphemes in its current spelling.
Examples
He was branded a perv for his inappropriate comments.
The tabloids accused him of perving on his young co-stars.
She felt uncomfortable, thinking the man at the bus stop was a bit of a perv.