Gre Vocab P Words

Front 1

propound

Back 1

put forth for analysis
In your discussion, you have propounded several questions; let us consider each one separately
proponere "put forth"

Front 2

propriety

Back 2

fitness; correct conduct.
behave with propriety in any social situation
Latin proprietas "ownership, appropriateness"

Front 3

proscribe

Back 3

ostracize; banish; outlaw
the leader proscribed all those who had conspired against Julius Ceasar
"Latin proscribere "publish in writing, publish somebody's name as outlawed" < scribere = "write"]

Front 4

proselytize

Back 4

induce someone to convert to a religion or belief.
...we should respect all points of view and not proselytize.

Front 5

prostrate

Back 5

stretch out full on the ground.
strat = horizontal layer, stretched, spread out.

Front 6

protean

Back 6

versatile; able to take on many forms.
The protean actor could take on any role.
""Greek sea god, Proteus, who could quickly change his form to escape his enemies. proteios "first, primary", the root of the word protein

Front 7

protract

Back 7

prolong.
the management tried to protract the negotiations endlessly.
pro: forward
tract: to drag, pull

Front 8

provenance

Back 8

origin or source of something.
... not interested in provenance; I am more concerned with its usefulness than with its source.

pro (for,before,forward,ahead)

Front 9

provident

Back 9

displaying foresight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies.
In his usual provident manner, he had insured himself against this type of loss.
< Latin providere "prepare in advance, supply," literally "see ahead" < videre "see"]

Front 10

proviso

Back 10

stipulation.
I am ready to accept your proposal with the proviso that you meet your obligations within the next two weeks.

Front 11

proxy

Back 11

authorized agent.
Please act as my proxy in my absence.
Latin procuratio "care, management"

Front 12

prurient

Back 12

having or causing lustful thoughts and desires.
Aroused by his prurient impulses...
prurire "itch, long for"]

Front 13

puerile

Back 13

childish.
His puerile pranks sometimes offended his more mature friends.
puer "child, boy"]
puer "child, boy"]

Front 14

pugnacity

Back 14

combativeness; disposition to fight.
... making a fist to show his pugnacity
Latin pugnac- < pugnus "fist"

Front 15

puissant

Back 15

powerful; strong; potent.
We must keep his friendship because he will make a puissant ally.
< French < Latin posse "be able," after potent- "powerful"

Front 16

pulchritude

Back 16

beauty;
... select Miss America from a collection of female pulchritude
pulch = pretty

Front 17

pulverize

Back 17

crush or grind into very small particles.
... pulverized into a fine powder

Front 18

pummel

Back 18

beat or pound with fists.
the girl pummeled her brother

Front 19

pundit

Back 19

authority on a subject; learned person.
write about the subject as if they are pundits...

Front 20

punitive

Back 20

punishing.
He asked for punitive measures against the offender.
Latin punire "penalty"]