Hypertext Webster Gateway: "perverse"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Perverse \Per*verse"\, a. [L. perversus turned the wrong way,
not right, p. p. of pervertereto turn around, to overturn:
cf. F. pervers. See {Pervert}.]
1. Turned aside; hence, specifically, turned away from the
right; willfully erring; wicked; perverted.
The only righteous in a word perverse. --Milton.
2. Obstinate in the wrong; stubborn; intractable; hence,
wayward; vexing; contrary.
To so perverse a sex all grace is vain. --Dryden.
Syn: Froward; untoward; wayward; stubborn; ungovernable;
intractable; cross; petulant; vexatious.
Usage: {Perverse}, {Froward}. One who is froward is
capricious, and reluctant to obey. One who is perverse
has a settled obstinacy of will, and likes or dislikes
by the rule of contradiction to the will of others.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
perverse
adj 1: marked by a disposition to oppose and contradict; "took
perverse satisfaction in foiling her plans"
2: resistant to guidance or discipline; "Mary Mary quite
contrary"; "an obstinate child with a violent temper"; "a
perverse mood"; "wayward behavior" [syn: {contrary}, {obstinate},
{wayward}]
3: marked by immorality; deviating from what is considered
right or proper or good; "depraved criminals"; "a
perverted sense of loyalty"; "the reprobate conduct of a
gambling aristocrat" [syn: {depraved}, {immoral}, {perverted},
{reprobate}]
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