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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