pe|ri

pe|ri «PIHR ee», noun, plural -ris.

1. Persian Mythology. a beautiful fairy descended from fallen angels who is shut out from paradise until penance is accomplished.

2. a very beautiful or fairylike being.

╂[< Persian perī]

peri-,

prefix.

1. around; surrounding, as in »

perimeter, periscope, peripheral.

2. near, as in perihelion.

╂[< Greek peri- < peri around]