1. （人或动物）惨死，猝死
    If people or animals perish, they die as a result of very harsh conditions or as the result of an accident.

    e.g. Most of the butterflies perish in the first frosts of autumn.
           大多数蝴蝶会在秋天的第一场霜冻来临时纷纷死去。
    e.g. ...the ferry disaster in which 193 passengers perished.
           造成193名乘客丧生的渡船事故

2. 湮灭；毁灭；丧失
    If something perishes, it comes to an end or is destroyed for ever.

    e.g. Buddhism had to adapt to the new world or perish...
           佛教必须适应新时代，否则将会消亡。
    e.g. Civilizations do eventually decline and perish.
           各种文明最后都会衰落、消亡。

3. （物质或材料）老化，腐烂，脆裂
    If a substance or material perishes, it starts to fall to pieces and becomes useless.

perish

    e.g. Obviously the plaster's just perished and all fallen off...
           很明显灰泥已脆裂老化,全剥落下来了。
    e.g. Their tyres are slowly perishing.
           他们的车胎在慢慢老化。

4. （表示认为建议不可能、荒谬）想都别想，死了心吧，没门儿
    If someone says perish the thought, they mean that they think that a suggestion or possibility is unpleasant or ridiculous.

perish

    e.g. Me a policeman! Perish the thought!...
           我当警察！想都别想了，不可能！
    e.g. We don't have a computer (perish the thought) and have only recently bought an electric typewriter.
           我们没有电脑（死了心吧），只好最近买了台电动打字机。