perpétrer
to perpetrate, to commit (a crime)
verb pehr-pay-TRAY Rare
Origin: Latin perpetrare (to carry through to completion)
Usage Note
Perpétrer is a formal verb used almost exclusively with crimes or atrocities: perpétrer un crime, perpétrer un attentat. It is never used for everyday actions. Do not confuse it with perpétuer (to perpetuate, to carry on a tradition), which has a positive or neutral register.
Examples
"Le crime a été perpétré de nuit."
Natural Translation
The crime was perpetrated at night.

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