perishing
UK/'periʃiŋ/US
GREB1
Definitions
adj.
(British, informal) extremely cold.
（英式口语）极冷的。
v.
Present participle of perish: dying or decaying.
perish 的现在分词：垂死的，腐坏中的。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedperishthrough, thoroughly
+
-ingto go, to walk
=perishing
perish + -ing. As a present participle it just means 'dying/decaying.' British informal usage hardens it into 'perishing cold' = bitterly cold, the kind of cold that feels like it could kill you.
Example Sentences
- 1.
It's perishing out there — wear a coat.
- 2.
Crops were perishing in the drought.