Definition of "perdu"

a perdue captain

c. 1616–1619 (first performance), John Fletcher, “The Loyal Svbiect”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1647, Act I, scene i

Among certain grizzled sea-gossips of the gun decks and forecastle went a rumor perdue […]

1924, Herman Melville, chapter 7, in Billy Budd‎, London: Constable & Co.

He should lie Perdue who is to walk the round.

1642, Thomas Fuller, The Holy State, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: […] Roger Daniel for John Williams, […]

I stood perdu behind Mr Grimbold; a tall personage, whose broad shoulders, however, just permitted me to peep over at the Major, who had not yet espied me.

1792, Charlotte Smith, Desmond, Broadview, published 2001, page 346

To watch, poor perdu, / With this thin helm?

c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act IV, scene vii], line 35