perversity
UK[pəˈvɜːsəti]US[pərˈvɜːrsəti]
n
The quality of being deliberately determined to behave in an unreasonable or unacceptable way, especially by doing the opposite of what is wanted or expected.
n
The quality of being contrary to what is right, good, or reasonable.
Morpheme Breakdown
per
vers
ity
per
through, thoroughly
vers
turn
ity
noun suffix
Etymology
The word "perversity" traces its lineage to Latin, built from the verb pervertere, meaning "to overturn, subvert, or corrupt." This verb itself is a compound of the intensive prefix per- ("thoroughly") and vertere ("to turn"). The literal sense is thus "to turn thoroughly" or "to turn the wrong way." Over time, this physical notion of twisting or turning aside evolved into the moral and behavioral sense of deliberately turning away from what is right or reasonable. The suffix -ity was later added to form the noun denoting the abstract quality or state of being willfully contrary and obstinate.
Analysis
Structure: per (through, thoroughly) + vers (turn) + ity (noun suffix)
- per: A Latin prefix meaning "through," "thoroughly," or "to destruction." It intensifies the meaning of the root.
- vers: From the Latin root vertere, meaning "to turn." It appears in many English words related to change or direction.
- ity: A noun-forming suffix of Latin origin (-itas), indicating a state, condition, or quality.
Examples
His refusal to accept help was seen as sheer perversity.
The perversity of the situation was not lost on the audience.
She took a certain perverse pleasure in his perversity.