perverse
Meaning
showing a deliberate and obstinate desire to behave in a way that is unreasonable or unacceptable, often to annoy or upset others.
contrary to the accepted or expected standard or practice.
Structure
Usage
his perverse refusal to follow the simplest instructions frustrated the entire team.
there's a perverse logic to her argument, but it ultimately fails to convince.
taking a perverse pleasure in others' misfortunes is a sign of a mean spirit.
Etymology
the word "perverse" originates from the latin perversus, the past participle of pervertere, meaning "to turn thoroughly" or "to overturn." this latin verb is a compound of the intensive prefix per- ("thoroughly") and vertere ("to turn"). the literal sense of turning something completely away from its proper direction evolved metaphorically to signify a deliberate deviation from what is right or reasonable. over time, the english word came to describe a stubborn and often irritating insistence on acting contrary to accepted norms or expectations.
Analysis
per (latin origin, a prefix meaning "through, thoroughly, to destruction"); verse (from latin versus, past participle of vertere, meaning "to turn").