perry

You would not bite into a perry; you would sip it from a glass. This word mainly refers to an alcoholic drink made by fermenting pears, much like cider is made from apples. "Perry" is also used as a surname. In rare, old-fashioned use, perry can also mean a sudden squall or strong gust of wind. So the word may point to a drink, a family name, or, in older writing, rough weather.

The word "perry" changes its meaning with the context. Most often, perry means an alcoholic drink made from fermented pears. It is similar to cider, which is made from apples, and it has a long history in places such as England and France. It is often made from special pears grown for this purpose rather than for eating.

The capitalized form, "Perry," is also a surname. You may see it in names such as Matthew Perry, Oliver Hazard Perry, or other well-known people and families. That use is separate from the drink, but it is common enough that many readers will recognize it right away.

There is also a rare and archaic sense of perry meaning a sudden squall or violent gust of wind, especially in older sea writing. Most modern learners will almost never meet this meaning, but it can appear in historical or literary texts.

So in modern English, perry usually means a pear-based alcoholic drink. Less often, you will see "Perry" as a surname, and only rarely will you find the old weather meaning. Also, do not confuse perry with parry, which is a different word meaning to block or turn aside an attack.