Stubbornly contrary and unreasonable; deliberately going against what is expected or desired.
From Latin 'perversus' meaning 'turned the wrong way,' combining 'per-' (through) and 'vertere' (to turn). It originally described something physically turned backward, then evolved to describe contrary behavior or thinking.
A perverse person is 'turned the wrong way' by definition—it's almost like their internal compass is backwards. Interestingly, 'perverse' can mean someone who does things the hard way not from principle, but just because it's harder.
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