The Collaborative International Dictionary
Perch \Perch\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Perched; p. pr. & vb. n. Perching.] [F. percher. See Perch a pole.] To alight or settle, as a bird; to sit or roost.
Wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch.
--Shak.
Wiktionary
Etymology 1 n. The act of something that perches. vb. (present participle of perch English) Etymology 2
n. (context textiles English) Inspection of cloth before finishing.
Usage examples of "perching".
Above us, outlined against the brilliant sky, dragons crowded every available perching space on the Rim.
F'lar remarked, unconcerned, perching on the edge of the great stone table.
Mnementh launched himself toward the fire ridge above the Hold, where the perching dragons made black, regular crags against the darkening sky, their jeweled eyes gleaming down on the festal activities.
Berd cheerfully accompanied her, perching where he could watch her industry.
The fire-lizards were fascinated by the dolpins, perching on one of Gadareth's outstretched wings and learning just where dolphins like to be scratched with the excellent talons that were fire-lizard equipment.
Ruth followed, perching on a bollard while the exiles were hauled up on the dragons, and tied alongside the sacks that were to be left with them.
Lord Roke bowed and snapped his fingers, and the small blue hawk perching on the bracket beside the door spread her wings and glided to the table.
She felt despair sit on her shoulders, as heavy as if the harpy herself were perching there.
She found it easier this time, and there was the chough, with her in her own world, perching on a branch that hung low over the pavement.
Two Wildfolk came for the song, the blue sprite perching on his saddle peak and showing him her pointed teeth, a gnarled brown gnome who was new to him dancing in the road beside his horse.
A crowd of Wildfolk went with him, darting around or skipping beside him, a gaggle of green, warty gnomes, three enormous yellow creatures with swollen stomachs and red fangs, and his faithful blue sprite, perching on his shoulder and running tiny hands through his hair.
Just when Maddyn had given up on them, they flashed back into being, perching on his horse’s neck and saddle peak and pointing off to the west down a narrow and rough track indeed.
In its wake, she saw standing before her not the grotesque, skeletal figure, but Master Rugen as he had been in life, richly clad, with Quezal perching on his shoulder The architect was looking straight through her.
On across their larger, sagging roof—tiles starting to go in one place, sliding askew—to the one beyond and perching there amid on an unfamiliar dormer hidden from her own window by the peak of the roof.
Often perching gargoyle-like on gables and around corner-spires, watching folk of Waterdeep through their bedchamber windows—and learning much more than some young lasses do.