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30 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
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peremptory
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ADJECTIVE
admitting of no contradiction, puttin an end to further debate, haughty, imperious |
Her peremptory tone made it clear that there would be no further discussion of the matter.
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perfunctory
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ADJECTIVE
cursory, done without care or interest |
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peripatetic
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ADJECTIVE
itinerant, traveling, nomadic |
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perspicacious
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ADJECTIVE
acutely perceptive, having keen discernment |
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petrous
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ADJECTIVE
like a rock, hard, stony |
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philistine
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NOUN
a crass individual guided by material rather than intellectual or artistic values |
In the Squid and the Whale, one of the boys acuses his mother's new boyfriend of being a philistine, of wanting material things rather than knowledge.
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picaresque
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ADJECTIVE
involving clever rogues or adventurers |
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pied
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ADJECTIVE
multi-colored, usually in blotches |
The pied goat was easily distinguishable in the herd of solid white and brown coats.
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pillory
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VERB
to punish, hold up to public scorn |
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pique
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NOUN
resentment, feeling of irriation due to hurt pride |
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pith
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NOUN
the essential or central part |
The pith of his argument seemed to be that he should get a bigger allowance, though it took him an hour to get to the point.
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plaintive
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ADJECTIVE
mournful, melancholy, sorrowful |
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plangent
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ADJECTIVE
pounding, thundering, resounding |
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platitude
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NOUN
a superficial or trite remark, especially one offered as meaningful |
Since Laura loved to say things that seemed profound initially but turned out to be banal once considered, she was a perfect candidate for writing the PLATITUDES that go in greeting cards.
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plumb
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VERB
to measure the depth (as with a plumb line), to examine critically |
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polemical
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ADJECTIVE
controversial, argumentative |
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prate
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VERB
chatter, babble |
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precept
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NOUN
rule establishing standards of conduct, a doctrine that is taught |
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probity
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ADJECTIVE
adherence to highest principles, uprightness |
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prodigious
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ADJECTIVE
abundant in size, force, or extend; extraordinary |
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profligate
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ADJECTIVE
excessively wasteful, recklessly extravagant |
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prolix
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ADJECTIVE
long-winded, verbose |
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propinquity
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ADJECTIVE
nearness in time or place, affinity of nature, kinship |
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propitiate
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VERB
to appease, conciliate |
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prosaic
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ADJECTIVE
dull, unimaginative |
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proscribe
(not prescribe) |
VERB
to outlaw or prohibit |
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provident
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ADJECTIVE
frugal, looking to the future |
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puerile
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ADJECTIVE
childish, immature |
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punctilious
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ADJECTIVE
precise, paying attention to trivialities, especially in regard to etiquette |
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pusillanimous
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ADJECTIVE
cowardly, craven |
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