perched
perched — verb
- perchedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- percheds3rd person singular
- percheding-ing form
- perchededpast simple
1. past tense and past participle of 'perch'; used when a bird or other creature ca
past tense and past participle of 'perch'; used when a bird or other creature came to rest lightly on a branch, rail, post, or similar narrow support.
A sparrow perched on the fence while Nora filled the bird tray.
perched on + narrow support
By sunset, three gulls perched along the harbor rail above the boats.
An owl perched on the school gate after the storm passed.
Two swallows perched under the bridge while the river rose.
文法句型
perched on + branch/rail/wall
perched above/under + support
用法筆記
Usually followed by a phrase naming the narrow place where the creature stopped, especially on, along, or under. Use sense 2 instead when the focus is a high or risky position, or when someone put an object there.
常見錯誤
2. past tense and past participle of 'perch'; used when someone or something was hi
past tense and past participle of 'perch'; used when someone or something was high up or close to an edge, often looking balanced there, or when a person put it into that position.
The wooden cabin perched above the valley caught the first morning sun.
perched above + place for elevated position
Yasmin perched the vase on the shelf's narrow corner before guests arrived.
transitive: perched + object + on + edge
A paper cup perched on the speaker shook with every drumbeat.
The lookout hut perched at the cliff edge overlooked the fishing village.
文法句型
perched above/on + high place
perched + object + on + edge
用法筆記
Often used about buildings, cups, boxes, or other things that seem high, narrow-based, or slightly unsafe. Distinguish from sense 1, which is the ordinary bird-or-creature reading of resting on a support.
常見錯誤
perched — adjective
- perchedpositive
- perchedercomparative
- perchedestsuperlative
1. describing a bird, insect, person, or object that is resting lightly on a branch
describing a bird, insect, person, or object that is resting lightly on a branch, rail, rim, or another raised support.
Christopher sketched a perched owl above the gate on the museum poster.
attributive: perched + bird
A perched dragonfly glittered on the reed beside the pond.
The guide pointed to a perched hawk on the stadium lights.
One bright kingfisher was perched above the stream near the bridge.
文法句型
perched + bird/insect
be perched on + support
用法筆記
Common with birds and insects in nature writing, and also in predicative uses such as 'was perched on the roof'. Sense 2 adds the idea that the position is especially high or unsafe.
常見錯誤
2. describing something that is set high up or near an edge in a way that feels exp
describing something that is set high up or near an edge in a way that feels exposed or likely to slip or fall.
A perched suitcase on the top rack slid forward when the train braked.
perched + object in an unstable high position
The restaurant's perched terrace looked straight down onto the busy market.
A perched bucket near the scaffold edge made the foreman nervous.
The cabin's perched position above the rocks made every storm feel louder.
- precarious
stresses danger more strongly than perched
- teetering
suggests active wobbling rather than just position
- high-set
describes height without the same vivid image
文法句型
perched + terrace/object/position
be perched above/on the edge of + place
用法筆記
Often modifies terraces, huts, ladders, boxes, or bags when the speaker wants to stress height and instability together. If the item is simply resting on something without that risk, sense 1 is the better match.