The Collaborative International Dictionary
Persian \Per"sian\, a. [From Persia: cf. It. Persiano. Cf. Parsee, Peach, Persic.] Of or pertaining to Persia, to the Persians, or to their language.
Persian berry, the fruit of Rhamnus infectorius, a kind of buckthorn, used for dyeing yellow, and imported chiefly from Trebizond.
Persian cat. (Zo["o]l.) Same as Angora cat, under Angora.
Persian columns (Arch.), columns of which the shaft represents a Persian slave; -- called also Persians. See Atlantes.
Persian drill (Mech.), a drill which is turned by pushing a nut back and forth along a spirally grooved drill holder.
Persian fire (Med.), malignant pustule.
Persian powder. See Insect powder, under Insect.
Persian red. See Indian red (a), under Indian.
Persian wheel, a noria; a tympanum. See Noria.
Avignon berry \A`vignon" ber"ry\ (Bot.) The fruit of the Rhamnus infectorius, eand of other species of the same genus; -- so called from the city of Avignon, in France. It is used by dyers and painters for coloring yellow. Called also French berry.