used for emphasis or to express annoyance

I could murder that perishing kid!

you've been a perishing long time with that coffee!

extremely cold

it's perishing in the tent

die, especially in a violent or sudden way

a great part of his army perished of hunger and disease

(of rubber, food, etc.) lose its normal qualities; rot or decay

an abandoned tyre whose rubber had perished

be suffering from extreme cold

I was perished with cold before the end of the day