per-
prefix
Elementary
1
In verbs: denoting the sense "through", as in perforate.
2
In verbs: denoting the sense "thoroughly", as in perfect.
3
In verbs: denoting the sense "to destruction", as in pervert.
4
In adjectives and adverbs: denoting the sense "extremely", as in perfervid.
5
Forming nouns and adjectives denoting the maximum proportion of one element in a compound, as in peroxide.
6
Added to the name of an element in a polyatomic ion to denote the number of atoms of that element (usually four).