verb-intransitive. To die or be destroyed, especially in a violent or untimely manner: "Must then a Christ perish in torment in every age to save those who have no imagination?” ( George Bernard Shaw). verb-intransitive. To pass from existence; disappear gradually: "Man will go down into the pit, and all his thoughts will perish” ( A.J. Balfour). verb-intransitive. Chiefly British To spoil or deteriorate.v. To bring to destruction; destroy: "Many foul blights/Perish'd his hard won gains” ( Thomas Hood). idiom. perish the thought Used to express the wish that one not even think about something.