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463 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
pachyderm
thick-skinned animal
pacifist
one opposed to force; antimilitarist; ADJ. N. pacifism: opposition to war as a means of resolving disputes
pacify
soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to
n paean
song of praise or joy; Ex. paeans celebrating the victory
n painstaking
taking pains; showing hard work; taking great care; very careful and through
n palatable
agreeable; pleasing to the taste
n palate
roof of the mouth; sense of the taste
n palatial
of or suitable for a palace; magnificent
n paleontology
study of prehistoric life or fossils; CF. paleo-: ancient or prehistoric; Ex. paleography: study of ancient written documents
palette
board on which painter mixes pigments(coloring matters)
n palimpsest
parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased
s parchment
writing material made from the skin of a sheep or goat
n pall
become boring; grow tiresome
n pallet
small poor bed; Ex. straw pallet
n palliate
ease pain (without curing); make less severe or offensive (a crime or illness)
n pallid
pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion
palpable
tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious; Ex. palpable blunder
n palpitate
throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble; Ex. Her heart began to palpitate.
s throb
(of a heart or machine) beat rapidly or violently; N. Ex. hearthrob: heartbeat; sweetheart
n paltry
insignificant; petty; trifling; contemptible; Ex. paltry sum; CF. trash
n pan
criticize harshly
panacea
cure-all; remedy for all diseases
n panache
flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on a helmet); Ex. with great panache; CF. ÀÜ ¾Æ•¡•Î õÀ» »©³»´Â ¼Ø¾¾
pandemic
widespread; affecting the majority of people; N: pandemic disease; CF. all people
pandemonium
wild tumult(commotion); wild noisy disorder; CF. Paradise Lost
n pander
cater to (the low desires of others)
s cater
provide food and drink (for); cater to: try to satisfy (desires of a bad kind)
n panegyric
formal praise; encomium; Ex. I don't deserve such panegyrics.
panoramic
denoting an unobstructed and comprehensive view; N. panorama: unbroken view of a wide area
pantomime
acting without dialogue; V.
papyrus
ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant
n parable
short simple story teaching a moral
paradigm
model; example that serves as a model; pattern; list of all the inflectional forms of a word
paradox
something apparently contradictory in nature (that may nonetheless be true); statement that looks false but is actually correct
paragon
model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue
parallelism
state of being parallel; similarity; analogy
s parallel
similar; analogous; corresponding; N: parallel line; person or thing that is parallel (to another); similarity; Ex. know of no parallel to the case; Ex. without parallel; V: be similar to; make parallel; Ex. Your experience parallels mine; CF. unparalleled
n parameter
limit; independent variable; Ex. parameters of the problem; Ex. within the parameters of the budget
paramount
foremost in importance; supreme; CF. para-: beyond; above; Ex. paranormal
paramour
illicit lover
s inamorata
woman whom a man loves
paranoia
psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or persecution; N: ADJ: paranoid
paraphernalia
equipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; personal belongings; Ex. photographic paraphernalia; CF. married woman's property exclusive of her dowry
s dowry
money or property brought by a bride to her husband at marriage
paraphrase
restate a passage in one's own words while retaining thought of author; N: restatement of a text in other words
parasite
animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant; CF. para-: beside
s infest
inhabit in numbers large enough to be harmful; Ex. Mice infested the house; Ex. shark-infested waters
n parched
extremely dry; very thirsty; V. parch: make or become extremely dry (by exposure to heat)
n pariah
social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah
s outcast
one that has been excluded from a society; ADJ.
parity
equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate
n parlance
language; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in legal/common parlance
n parley
conference (between opponents); CF. speak
n parochial
narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes
s parish
area in the care of a single priest and served by one main church
s outlook
point of view; view from a particular place; expectation for the future; prospect; Ex. outlook on life; Ex. pleasing outlook; Ex. weather outlook
parody
humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty; V.
s spoof
parody
s takeoff
burlesque; act of leaving the ground
paroxysm
fit or attack of pain
n parquet
floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece
parry
ward off a blow; deflect; Ex. He parried the unwelcome question very skillfully; N. CF. ¸•´Â´Ù´Â °³³äÀÌ ¾Æ´Ô
s ward
administrative division of a city; division in a hospital or prison; incompetent person placed under the protection of a guardian; V: guard; ward off: avert
parsimony
stinginess; excessive frugality; ADJ. parsimonious
partial
incomplete; favoring one side over another; having a liking for something
partiality
state of being partial; inclination; favorable bias; special fondness; preference
n partisan
one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike of any others); N: strong supporter of a party; guerrilla
s parvenu
upstart; newly rich person
partition
divide into parts
n pass\'e
old-fashioned; past the prime
passive
not active; acted upon; receiving an action without acting in return; accepting without resistance
n pastiche
imitation of another's style in musical composition or in writing; work of art openly imitating the works of other artists
pastoral
rural; of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor
patent
obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; of or protected by a patent; Ex. patent to everyone; N.
pathetic
causing sadness
s touching
causing a feeling of pity or sympathy; pathetic; V. touch: cause to feel pity or sympathy; ADJ. touched
pathological
pertaining to disease; N. pathology: study of disease
n pathos
tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs through the novel
n patina
green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly taken by varnished painting
s varnish
paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film; glossy coating produced by using this substance; Ex. nail varnish; V.
n patois
local or provincial dialect
patriarch
father and ruler of a family or tribe
n patrician
noble; aristocratic; N: person of high rank; aristocrat; CF. member of the governing classes in ancient Rome; CF. plebian
patronize
support; act superior toward; treat in a condescending manner; be a customer of; N. patron: one that supports; regular customer; N. patronage; CF. boycott
paucity
scarcity; dearth
pauper
very poor person
n peccadillo
slight offense or fault; CF. sin
s swipe
hit with a sweeping motion; N.
pecuniary
pertaining to money
pedagogue
teacher; CF. child leader
pedagogy
teaching; art of education
n pedant
scholar who overemphasizes book learning
n pedantic
bookish; showing off learning; marked by an excessive ostentatious concern for book learning; N. pedantry
s bookish
fond of books and reading
s studious
given to diligent study
n pedestrian
ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); going on foot; Ex. pedestrian prose; N.
s precinct
division of a city for election or police purposes; precincts: space that surrounds a building; Ex. precincts of the college
s pedigree
ancestry; lineage
pediatrician
physician specializing in children's diseases; N. pediatrics
peerless
having no equal; incomparable
s peer
one who has equal standing with another; nobleman; V: look intently; N. peerage; CF. peeress
n pejorative
(of a word or phrase) suggesting that someone is of little value; negative in connotation; having a belittling effect; Ex. Many women now considers ``housewife'' a pejorative expression
n pell-mell
in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell
n pellucid
transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand
n penance
self-imposed punishment for sin; Ex. do penance for one's sins; CF. penitent
n penchant
strong inclination; strong liking (esp. for something that is disapproved of by other people); Ex. penchant for fast cars
pendant(pendent)
hanging down from something; pending; N: ornament (hanging from a necklace etc.)
s pending
not yet decided or settled; impending; Ex. pending decision; PREP. while awaiting; until; Ex. delay the decision pending his return
n pendulous
hanging; suspended
s suspend
cause to stop for a period; interrupt; hold in abeyance; defer; hang from above; exclude for a period from a position; Ex. suspended state; Ex. suspend judgment; Ex. suspended from the team; N. suspension
s suspense
state of being undecided; anxiety or apprehension resulting from uncertainty
penitent
repentant; N.
n pensive
dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative; CF. think over
n penumbra
partial shadow (in an eclipse); CF. almost shadow
penury
extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy
n peon
landless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial worker; N. peonage
perceptive
insightful; showing a good ability at perceiving and understanding; aware; wise; of perception
n percussion
striking one object against another sharply; Ex. percussion instrument; N: striking together of two bodies; sound caused by percussion
n perdition
damnation; complete ruin; hell
s damn
condemn; criticize severely; condemn to everlasting punishment; doom; bring to ruin; N. damnation
s doom
condemnation to a severe penalty; ruin; fate (esp. a tragic or ruinous one); V.
peregrination
journey; V. peregrinate
n peremptory
demanding and leaving no choice; imperative; Ex. peremptory decree/knock
perennial
something long-lasting; perennial plant; ADJ: lasting through the year or many years; lasting for a long time; enduring
perfidious
treacherous; disloyal; N. perfidy: treachery
perforate
pierce; put a hole through
perfunctory
done routinely and with little care; superficial; not thorough; lacking interest
perigee
point of moon's orbit when it is nearest the earth; CF. apogee
perimeter
outer boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference
s bound
leap or spring; limit or confine; constitute the limit of; Ex. bounded by Canada; N: leap or jumping; boundary; ADJ: certain; having a duty to do something (legally or morally); confined by bonds; Ex. We are bound to be late; Ex. I am bound to say my opinion; CF. bounce
n peripatetic
walking about from place to place (to work); moving; Ex. peripatetic school of philosophy
n peripheral
of a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor importance; not central; Ex. peripheral nerve/interest
n periphery
outside edge especially of a round surface; perimeter; Ex. periphery of the town
perjury
false testimony while under oath; V. perjure oneself: testify falsely under oath
permeable
that can be permeated; penetrable; porous; allowing liquids or gas to pass through; V. permeate: spread or flow throughout; charge
n pernicious
very harmful; deadly; very destructive; Ex. pernicious effect/anemia
n peroration
conclusion of an oration; perorating; V. perorate: conclude a speech; speak at great length
n perpetrate
commit an offense; do (something wrong)
perpetual
everlasting
perpetuate
make perpetual; make something last for a long time; preserve from extinction; N. perpetuity
n perquisite(perk)
any gain above stipulated salary; Ex. perquisites such as free meals and a car
n personable
attractive (in personality or appearance)
perspicacious
(of someone) having insight; penetrating; astute
perspicuity
clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity
perspicuous
(of something) plainly expressed; easy to understand; Ex. perspicuous comments
n pert
(esp. of a girl or young woman) impertinent; forward; trim; jaunty; Ex. pert young miss/hat
s forward
presumptuous or bold
pertinacious
holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent
pertinent
suitable; to the point; relevant
perturb
disturb greatly
n peruse
read through with care; N. perusal
pervasive
spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells
n perverse
purposely continuing to do something wrong; stubbornly wrongheaded; perverted; directed away from what is right; wicked and unacceptable; Ex. perverse satisfaction; Ex. Hannibal Lecter in a perverse mood; N. perversity
perversion
corruption; turning from right to wrong
s pervert
corrupt; turn from right to wrong; misuse; Ex. perverted sexual desire/scientific knowledge; N: person whose sexual behavior is not natural
s wrongheaded
stubbornly wrong
pessimism
belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess; tendency to take the gloomiest possible view of a situation; ADJ. pessimistic
n pestilential(pestilent)
causing plague; tending to cause death; baneful; N. pestilence: fatal epidemic disease (esp. bubonic plague)
n pestle
tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl or mortar
s mortar
vessel in which substances are crushed with a pestle
s mash
crush into mash; convert into mash; N: mixture of ground grain and nutrients fed to livestock and fowl
n petrify
turn to stone; cause to become stonelike; stun or paralyze
petty
trivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded; petty-minded
n petulant
touchy; peevish; ill-tempered
s phalanx
formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack or defense)
n pharisaical
pertaining to the Pharisees
s pharisee
Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic law (considering themselves very holy); hypocritical self-righteous person
s self-righteous
sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic
n phenomena
observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation; SG. phenomenon: observable fact; very unusual person
philanderer
faithless lover; flirt
philanthropist
lover of mankind; doer of good; N. philanthropy
n philatelist
stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting
n philistine
narrow-minded person
n philology
study of language or words
n phlegmatic
calm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed; CF. phlegm: sticky mucus produced in the respiratory tract
phobia
morbid fear
phoenix
symbol of immortality or rebirth; Ex. phoenix rising from its ashes
n phylum
major classification
n physiognomy
face (as showing the character and the mind); art of judging human character from facial features
n physiological
pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms; N. physiology
n piebald
of different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors (esp. in black and white); Ex. piebald horse; CF. pie+bald
n piecemeal
one part at a time; gradually; in stages; Ex. read a novel piecemeal
n pied
piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored
piety
devoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious
n pigment
coloring matter (usually powder to be mixed with water or oil)
pillage
plunder
pillory
punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N.
n pine
long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline
n pinion
restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs; N: bird's wing
pinnacle
peak; highest point; acme; Ex. pinnacle of fame
pious
devout; religious; N. piety
n piquant
pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating; Ex. piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help
s tart
sharp to the taste; acid-tasting; caustic; sarcastic; Ex. tart apple/reply
s sour
having a sharp or acid taste; acid; tart; bad-tempered; V.
pique
irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss in a contest); V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to feel resentment; Ex. pique her curiosity
n piscatorial
pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces
pitfall
hidden danger; concealed trap
s beware
be cautious (of)
n pith
core or marrow; spongelike substance in the center of stems; essence; substance
s marrow
soft fatty tissue that fills most bone cavities and is the source of blood cells
pithy
concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty
n pittance
small amount (of money); small allowance or wage
pivotal
of a pivot; central; critical; crucial
placate
pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease
n placebo
harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill
s tablet
small round piece of medicine; flat piece of stone or metal bearing an inscription; Ex. stone tablet on the wall
placid
peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake
n plagiarize
steal another's ideas or writings and pass them off as one's own; Ex. ideas plagiarized from my article; N. plagiarism; CF. kidnap
n plaintive
expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song
n plait
braid; interwine; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; Ex. plaited hair; N: braided length as of hair o fabric; CF. pigtail
n plasticity
ability to be molded; ADJ. plastic: capable of being shaped or molded; Ex. plastic material such as clay
platitude
trite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ. platitudinous
s commonplace
ordinary; N: something ordinary or common; trite remark
s commonwealth
nation governed by the people; republic; people of a nation
platonic
purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire
n plaudit
praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or series) of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud
plausible
conceivably true; having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious
n plebeian
common; vulgar; pertaining to the common people; N: common people in ancient Rome; CF. patrician
s plebiscite
direct vote by the entire electorate (on an important issue)
s referendum
direct vote by all the people
n plenary
(of power) complete; full; fully attended by all qualified members; Ex. plenary power
n plenitude
abundance; plenty; great amount; completeness; fullness; CF. plenary
n plethora
excess; overabundance; Ex. a plethora of excuses
pliable
flexible; easily influenced; yielding; adaptable
pliant
flexible; easily influenced
plight
difficult condition; condition or state (esp. a bad state or condition); predicament
n pluck
courage; V: pull off or out; pull out the hair or feathers of; ADJ. plucky: courageous; brave
n plumage
feathers of a bird;
n plumb
exactly vertical; N: weight on the end of a line; V: examine very carefully or critically in order to understand; measure depth (by sounding); Ex. plumb the depth of
s plumber
one who installs and repairs pipes and plumbing(pipes)
n plummet
fall sharply; fall straight down; Ex. Stock prices plummeted.
plutocracy
society ruled by the wealthy
podiatrist
doctor who treats ailments of the feet; chiropodist; N. podiatrics
podium
pedestal; raised platform
s pedestal
support or base as for a pillar or statue
n poignancy
quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion; ADJ. poignant: touching; deeply moving; (of sorrow
n polarize
split into opposite extremes or camps
s polarity
state of having two opposite qualities
s polar
of a pole; characterized by opposite extremes; Ex. polar opposites
s camp
group sharing a common cause or opinion
n polemic
attack or defense of an opinion; controversy or refutation; argument in support of point of view; N. polemics: art of debate or controversy
n polemical(polemic)
aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious (rather than simply expressing opinions)
politic
prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well devised
polity
(particular form of) political organization; form of government of nation or state; Ex. student polity
polygamist
one who has more than one spouse at a time; CF. bigamy; CF. polyandry
polyglot
speaking several languages; multilingual; Ex. polyglot person/society; N.
pomposity
self-important behavior; acting like a stuffed shirt(pompous person); ADJ. pompous: self-important
n ponderous
having great weight; weighty; unwieldy; lacking lightness; dull; Ex. ponderous body/style of writing
n pontifical
pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious; CF. pontiff: pope; bishop
n pore
study industriously; ponder; scrutinize; Ex. pore over the book; N.
porous
full of pores; like a sieve
s interstice
narrow space between things
portend
foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N. portent: sign; omen; forewarning
s soothsayer
one who foretells the future
n portly
stout; corpulent
s stout
rather fat; strong in body; sturdy; resolute; determined; strong in determination; Ex. stout stick/supporter
n poseur
person who pretends to be sophisticated
s pose
assume a particular posture; put forward; present; affect a particular attitude (to impress others); Ex. pose a threat; N.
n posterity
descendants; future generations; Ex. go down to posterity; CF. posterior
n posthumous
after death (as of child born after father's death or book published after author's death); coming or occurring after one's death; Ex. posthumous fame/novel
s postmortem
autopsy; ADJ: occurring after death; of a postmortem
n postulate
self-evident truth; something assumed without proof; V: assume the truth of (as a basis of an argument)
n posture
assume an affected pose; act artificially; N: pose; attitude
n potable
suitable for drinking; drinkable
potent
powerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influential
n potentate
monarch; sovereign
potential
expressing possibility; latent; N: capacity for growth
potion
dose (of liquids); liquid dose
n potpourri
heterogeneous mixture; medley; mixture of dried flower petals a pot (to give a pleasant smell to a room)
n poultice
soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body
practicable
feasible
practical
based on experience; of or acquired through practice (rather than theory); useful; Ex. practical man
pragmatic
practical (as opposed to idealistic); concerned with practical worth or impact of something; Ex. pragmatic test of the skill
pragmatist
practical person; N. pragmatism: pragmatic way of dealing with things
s prance
move about in a spirited manner (proudly and confidently)
n prate
talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly
n prattle
talk idly; babble; N. CF. prate
s idle
not working; not employed or busy; lazy; without purpose; useless; lacking substance; baseless; not based on truth; Ex. idle worker; Ex. talk idly; V.
preamble
introductory statement
n precarious
unsafe; lacking in stability; uncertain; risky; Ex. precarious living
precedent
something preceding in time which may be used as an authority or guide for future action; V. precede; CF. unprecedented
precedent
preceding (in time
precept
practical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mother's precept
precipice
cliff; dangerous position; Ex. on the edge of the precipice
s brink
edge (at the top of a cliff); Ex. on the brink of the Grand Canyon
precipitant
something that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form; ħÀüÁ¦; OP. solvent
precipitate
hurl downward; throw headlong; hasten; cause to happen sooner; condense and fall as rain or snow; cause (a solid substance) to be separated from a solution; ADJ. hasty; rash; premature; sudden
precipitous
steep; overhasty; precipitate
n pr\'ecis
abstract; concise summing up of main points; concise summary of a text
precise
exact
preclude
make impossible; prevent; exclude; eliminate
precocious
advanced in development; N. precocity
precursor
forerunner; predecessor
predator
predatory animal or bird; predatory person; creature that seizes and devours another animal; person who robs or exploits others; ADJ. predatory: living by preying on other organisms; plundering; N. predation
predecessor
former occupant of a post
predetermine
determine in advance; predestine; settle or decide beforehand; influence markedly
predicament
difficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma
n predilection
preference; partiality
n predispose
give an inclination toward (in advance); make susceptible to; Ex. predispose people to certain cancer; N. predisposition
preeminent
outstanding; superior
n preempt
prevent in advance; head off(forestall); forestall by acting first; appropriate for oneself before others; supplant; take the place of; displace; Ex. preempt any attempts; ADJ. preemptive
n preen
make oneself tidy in appearance; feel self-satisfaction or pride; (of a bird) smooth or clean (feathers) with the beak; Ex. preen oneself on; CF. prune
prefatory
introductory; of a preface
n prehensile
capable of grasping or holding (esp. by wrapping around); Ex. prehensile tails
n prelate
church dignitary; priest of high position in the church (esp. bishop)
prelude
introduction; introductory performance or event; forerunner
premeditate
plan in advance; Ex. premeditated murder
premise
assumption; postulate; proposition upon which an argument is based
premonition
forewarning; presentiment; foreboding
premonitory
serving to warn
preponderance
superiority of power
preposterous
absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous
prerogative
privilege; unquestionable right; CF. ask before
presage
foretell; be a warning or sign of; N: presentiment; foreboding; omen
n prescience
ability to foretell the future; knowledge of actions before they occur; ADJ. prescient
presentiment
premonition; foreboding; feeling something will happen; anticipatory fear
prestige
respect or admiration; impression produced by achievements or reputation; ADJ: causing admiration; ADJ. prestigious: having prestige
n presumptuous
going beyond what is right; excessively forward; arrogant; taking liberties
s presume
take for granted; assume; act overconfidently; take liberties; presume on/upon: take unfair advantage of (someone's kindness or connection); N. presumption
n pretentious
ostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; overambitious; Ex. pretentious films that claim to be art
s pretend
feign; pretend to: claim to possess; make pretensions to; Ex. I don't pretend to much expertise; N. pretense
s pretension
pretentiousness; claim (without foundation); Ex. I make no pretensions to skill as an artist.
n preternatural
beyond what is normal in nature; supernatural; Ex. preternatural strength/forces
pretext
excuse
n prevail
be widespread; triumph over; gain victory; prevail on: persuade; induce; Ex. Justice has prevailed; Ex. prevail on someone to do something
prevalent
widespread; generally accepted
n prevaricate
lie; hide the truth (by equivocating)
prey
target of a hunt; victim; V: hunt and eat as prey; victimize; Ex. Cats prey on mice.
n prim
proper to the point of affectation; very precise and formal; exceedingly proper
n primogeniture
seniority by birth; state of being the first-born child; right of the eldest child (to inherit the entire property of one or both parents)
primordial
existing at the beginning (of time); rudimentary
n primp
groom oneself with care; adorn oneself
n pristine
unspoiled; remaining in a pure state; characteristic of earlier times; primitive; Ex. an old book in pristine condition
n privation
lack of the basic necessities or comforts of life; hardship; want; CF. deprive
n privy
secret; hidden; not public; made a participant in something secret; Ex. privy chamber government; Ex. be privy to a discussion; CF. private
probe
explore with a probe or tools; investigate; N: slender instrument used to explore a wound or body cavity; device designed to investigate an unknown region; thorough investigation; Ex. space probe
probity
uprightness; honesty; incorruptibility
s defalcate
embezzle
n problematic
causing a problem; open to doubt; doubtful; unsettled; questionable; Ex. Whether the arena will ever be completed is problematic.
proclivity
inclination; natural tendency (esp. towards something bad)
procrastinate
postpone; delay or put off
procurement
obtaining; V. procure: obtain by effort; obtain (a prostitute) for another
n prod
poke (with a pointed object); stir up; urge; goad to action; N: pointed object used to prod; prodding
prodigal
wasteful; reckless with money; profuse; Ex. a mind prodigal of ideas; N. prodigality
prodigious
enormous; marvelous; extraordinary; Ex. prodigious amount/memory
prodigy
highly gifted child; person with exceptional talents; marvel; wonder
profane
violate; desecrate (something holy); treat unworthily; be profane for; ADJ: secular; nonreligious; irreverent for holy things
n profligate
wasteful (of money); dissipated; wildly immoral; dissolute; N: profligate person; N. profligacy
profound
deep; not superficial; complete; Ex. profound thinker/remark/silence/deafness; N. profundity
profusion
great amount; plenty; overabundance; excess; lavish expenditure; Ex. profusion of choices; ADJ. profuse: plentiful; copious; giving or given abundantly; extravagant
progenitor
ancestor
n progeny
children; offspring; descendants
prognosis
forecasted course of a disease; prediction; CF. prognostic
prognosticate
predict (according to present indications)
prohibitive
so high as to prohibit purchase or use; tending to prevent the purchase or use of something; prohibiting; inclined to prevent or forbid; Ex. prohibitive tax
projectile
missile; fired or thrown object (such as stone or bullet)
proletarian
member of the working class; blue collar guy; N. proletariat: working class (who have to work for wages)
proliferate
grow rapidly (in numbers); spread; multiply; N. proliferation
prolific
producing offspring or fruit in abundance; fertile; fecund; abundantly fruitful; producing abundant works; Ex. prolific writer
n prolixity
tedious wordiness; verbosity; ADJ. prolix: wordy; verbose; diffuse
prologue
introduction (to a poem or play)
s feud
bitter prolonged quarrel (usually between two peoples or families); V. CF. Romeo and Juliet; CF. feudal
prolong
lengthen; extend; draw out
prominent
protruding(sticking out); conspicuous; notable; eminent
n promiscuous
mixed indiscriminately; indiscriminate; not choosing carefully; indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners; irregular
promontory
headland
n promote
advance in rank; advance; help to flourish; advocate; help actively in forming; publicize or popularize; Ex. Milk promotes health; Ex. promote a match/bill; Ex. promote a new product
n prompt
cause; urge; provoke; provide a cue (for an actor); ADJ: done without delay; done at the right time; punctual; on time; N: reminder or cue
s cue
word or signal (as in a play to prompt another actor's speech or entrance); reminder or hint; V: give a cue to
n promulgate
announce; proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by official publication
prone
inclined to; likely to (suffer); prostrate; lying with the front downward; Ex. prone to disease/make mistakes; Ex. accident-prone
propagate
increase in number by producing young; multiply; spread; Ex. Most plants propagate by seed; Ex. newspaper propagating their ideas
propellant(propellent)
substance which propels or drives forward (such as an explosive charge or a rocket fuel)
propensity
natural inclination
prophetic
of a prophet or prophecy; having to do with predicting the future; N. prophecy; V. prophesy; N. prophet
prophylactic
used to prevent disease; N: something prophylactic; condom; N. prophylaxis: prevention of disease
n propinquity
nearness (in space or relationship); proximity; kinship
n propitiate
appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory
n propitious
favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate; Ex. propitious day/sign
s horoscope
diagram of the positions of stars at a given moment (eg. of a person's birth) used by astrologers
proponent
supporter; backer; opposite of opponent
propound
put forth for consideration or analysis; set forth; Ex. propound a problem/theory
propriety
fitness; quality of being proper; correct conduct; conformity to prevailing customs and usages; CF. proprietor
s usage
act or manner of using; accepted practice; way in which words are actually used
propulsive
driving forward; N. propulsion
n prosaic
lacking in imagination; dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact(concerned with facts
n proscenium
part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage
proscribe
prohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw
s outlaw
fugitive from the law (excluded from legal protection); V: declare (someone) to be an outlaw; deprive of the protection of the law; declare illegal; Ex. Drinking has been outlawed.
n proselytize
(induce someone to) convert to a religion or belief; N. proselyte: new convert to a doctrine or religion
n prosody
art of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse
s metrical
metric; written in the form of poetry; Ex. metrical translation of Homer
s meter
arrangement of words in the form of poetry (by accentual rhythm)
prosperity
good fortune and financial success; physical well-being
s prosper
become successful (esp. financially); thrive; grow well; Ex. children prospering under his care
s prosperous
successful; rich; affluent; well-to-do; well-off
prostrate
stretch out full on ground; make prostrate; enervate; Ex. prostrating illness; ADJ: lying face down; having lost all strength
n protean
able to take on many forms; versatile; CF. Proteus: sea god to change his shape at will
prot\'eg\'e
person receiving protection and support from a patron
n protocol
diplomatic etiquette; ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats; first copy of a treaty before its ratification; Ex. Protocol demands that the queen meet him at the airport.
prototype
original work used as a model by others
protract
prolong; lengthen in time; draw out
protrude
stick out; jut; project; Ex. protruding teeth
n protuberance
protrusion; swelling; bulge
s bulge
protruding part; swelling of a surface; Ex. The apple made a bulge in his pocket; V: swell outward; protrude
n provenance
place of origin; origin or source of something; Ex. Gunpowder is of Chinese provenance; CF. come
n provender
dry food for livestock; fodder
provident
providing for future needs; displaying foresight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies; OP. improvident
s providence
quality of being provident; divine care; god's care; Providence: god; Ex. It seemed like providence that the doctor happened to be there; ADJ. providential: of divine providence; fortunate
provincial
pertaining to a province; limited in outlook; narrow; unsophisticated
provisional
tentative; temporary
proviso
stipulation; condition in an agreement; provision
s provision
act of providing; something provided; preparatory measure; provisions: necessary supplies (esp. food); stipulation; condition in an agreement; Ex. According to the provisions of the agreement
provocative
arousing anger or sexual interest; annoying; Ex. provocative in tight jeans; V. provoke: incite to anger; cause (an unpleasant action or feeling); N. provocation
n prowess
extraordinary ability; military bravery; Ex. prowess in battle
proximity
nearness; ADJ. proximate
proxy
authorized agent; authority to act for another
n prude
excessively modest or proper person (who is easily shocked by improper things
prudent
cautious; careful; prudential
prune
cut away; trim
n prurient
having or causing lustful desires and thoughts; arousing immoderate sexual desire
n pry
inquire impertinently (someone else's private affairs); use leverage to raise or open something; prize; N. pries: tool for prying
s prize
pry; move with a lever; value highly; esteem; Ex. his most prized possession; N: something captured during war-time (esp. an enemy ship)
pseudonym
pen name; fictitious name assumed by an author; ADJ. pseudonymous
psyche
soul; mind
psychiatrist
doctor who treats mental diseases
s psychic
of psyche; mental; of or possessing extraordinary mental powers
psychopathic
pertaining to mental dearrangement; N. psychopath: person with an antisocial personality disorder
psychosis
mental disorder; ADJ. N. psychotic
s psychosomatic
of the influence of the mind on the body (esp. with respect to disease)
n pterodactyl
extinct flying reptile; CF. wing+finger
n puerile
childish; immature; CF. puer: boy
pugilist
boxer; CF. pugilism: boxing
n pugnacity
combativeness; disposition to fight; ADJ. pugnacious: (of people) belligerent; combative in nature
n puissant
powerful; strong; potent; N. puissance: power
n pulchritude
beauty; comeliness; ADJ. pulchritudinous
n pulmonary
pertaining to the lungs
n pulsate
throb; beat regularly; vibrate regularly
s pulse
rhythmical throbbing of arteries; brief sudden change in a normally constant quantity; V: pulsate
pulverize
crush or grind into very small particles
n pummel
pommel; beat or pound with fists
punctilious
minutely attentive (perhaps too much so) to fine points; stressing niceties of conduct or form; N. punctilio
n pundit
authority on a subject; expert; learned person
pungent
stinging; acrid; sharp in taste or smell; (of speech or writing) caustic; N. pungency
n punitive
punishing; Ex. punitive measures
n puny
tiny; weak; insignificant
n purchase
secure grasp or hold; firm grasp or footing
purgatory
place of spiritual expiation; temporary state or place in which the souls must expiate their sins
purge
remove or get rid of something or someone unwanted; eliminate; free from blame or guilt; cleanse or purify (esp. of sin
purport
intention; purpose; meaning; V: claim; profess; Ex. order which purports to be signed by the general
purported
alleged; claimed; reputed or rumored; Ex. purported Satanists
s rooster
cock; adult male chicken
s rabble
mob; noisy crowd
n purse
pucker; contract (lips) into wrinkles; N: wallet
s pucker
gather into wrinkles or folds; N: wrinkle or fold
n purveyor
furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer; V. purvey: supply (eg. food); furnish; CF. provide
n pusillanimous
cowardly; lacking courage; fainthearted
n putative
supposed; reputed; generally regarded as such; Ex. putative father of the child
n putrid
decayed and foul-smelling; foul; rotten; decayed; N. putridity
s putrefy
make or become putrid; N. putrefaction
s putrescent
becoming putrid; putrefying
s gangrene
decay of body tissue caused by insufficient blood supply (usually following injury); ADJ. gangrenous
pyromaniac
person with an insane desire to set things on fire