Both Uses of
perish
in
The Taming of the Shrew
- till I found it to be true, I never thought it possible or likely; But see, while idly I stood looking on, I found the effect of love in idleness; And now in plainness do confess to thee, That art to me as secret and as dear As Anna to the Queen of Carthage was, Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio, If I achieve not this young modest girl.†
Scene 1.1perish = die, be destroyed, or cease to exist
- 'Twas a commodity lay fretting by you; 'Twill bring you gain, or perish on the seas.†
Scene 2.1 *
Definition:
to die -- especially in an unnatural way
or:
to be destroyed or cease to exist
or:
to be destroyed or cease to exist
You may encounter an informal expression, "Perish the thought." It means that the speaker hopes the thought will cease to exist and the thing it represents will never happen.