per cent Definition

per cent
adverb, adj

1. In or for every 100.

Example: Sales are 20 per cent down
Example: a 15 per cent increase
2. On a scale of 1 to 100.

Example: 90 per cent certain

noun

1. A percentage or proportion.
2. A security that yields a specified rate of interest.

Example: invest in four-percents
Form: percents (usually)
3. One part in or on every 100.

Example: half a percent

Etymology: 16c: from Latin per centum for every 100.