perched
An animal or object is perched when it's sitting or positioned on top of something else.
When we say that a bird is perched on a branch, we mean it's sitting comfortably there. In everyday language, we use "perched" to describe animals and objects in various situations - like a cat perched on the windowsill or a bike parked perched on its stand. It can also refer to something being suspended or balanced between two points, as when you talk about a bridge perched high above water or a beam perched precariously on some pillars.
How common is "perched"?
Word perched is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
verb
To rest on (or as if on) a perch; to roost.
Example: The macaw was perched on Jim's shoulder.
adjective
Situated as if balancing above something.
Real examples of "perched" in context
