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463 Cards in this Set

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  • 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
paean
song of praise or joy; Ex. paeans celebrating the victory
painstaking
taking pains; showing hard work; taking great care; very careful and through
palatable
agreeable; pleasing to the taste
palate
roof of the mouth; sense of the taste
palatial
of or suitable for a palace; magnificent
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)
palimpsest
parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased
parchment
writing material made from the skin of a sheep or goat
pall
become boring; grow tiresome
pallet
small poor bed; Ex. straw pallet
palliate
ease pain (without curing); make less severe or offensive (a crime or illness)
pallid
pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion
palpable
tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious; Ex. palpable blunder
palpitate
throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble; Ex. Her heart began to palpitate.
throb
(of a heart or machine) beat rapidly or violently; N. Ex. hearthrob: heartbeat; sweetheart
paltry
insignificant; petty; trifling; contemptible; Ex. paltry sum; CF. trash
pan
criticize harshly
panacea
cure-all; remedy for all diseases
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
pander
cater to (the low desires of others)
cater
provide food and drink (for); cater to: try to satisfy (desires of a bad kind)
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
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
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
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
inamorata
woman whom a man loves
paranoia
psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or persecution; N: ADJ: paranoid, paranoiac
paraphernalia
equipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; personal belongings; Ex. photographic paraphernalia; CF. married woman's property exclusive of her dowry
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
infest
inhabit in numbers large enough to be harmful; Ex. Mice infested the house; Ex. shark-infested waters
parched
extremely dry; very thirsty; V. parch: make or become extremely dry (by exposure to heat)
pariah
social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah
outcast
one that has been excluded from a society; ADJ.
parity
equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate
parlance
language; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in legal/common parlance
parley
conference (between opponents); CF. speak
parochial
narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes
parish
area in the care of a single priest and served by one main church
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.
spoof
parody
takeoff
burlesque; act of leaving the ground
paroxysm
fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst
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
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
partisan
one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike of any others); N: strong supporter of a party; guerrilla
parvenu
upstart; newly rich person
partition
divide into parts
pass\'e
old-fashioned; past the prime
passive
not active; acted upon; receiving an action without acting in return; accepting without resistance
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, compassion, pity; touching
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
pathos
tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs through the novel
patina
green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly taken by varnished painting
varnish
paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film; glossy coating produced by using this substance; Ex. nail varnish; V.
patois
local or provincial dialect
patriarch
father and ruler of a family or tribe
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
peccadillo
slight offense or fault; CF. sin
swipe
hit with a sweeping motion; N.
pecuniary
pertaining to money
pedagogue
teacher; CF. child leader
pedagogy
teaching; art of education
pedant
scholar who overemphasizes book learning, trivial details of learning, or technicalities
pedantic
bookish; showing off learning; marked by an excessive ostentatious concern for book learning; N. pedantry
bookish
fond of books and reading
studious
given to diligent study
pedestrian
ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); going on foot; Ex. pedestrian prose; N.
precinct
division of a city for election or police purposes; precincts: space that surrounds a building; Ex. precincts of the college
pedigree
ancestry; lineage
pediatrician
physician specializing in children's diseases; N. pediatrics
peerless
having no equal; incomparable
peer
one who has equal standing with another; nobleman; V: look intently; N. peerage; CF. peeress
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, because it patronized them.
pell-mell
in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell
pellucid
transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand
penance
self-imposed punishment for sin; Ex. do penance for one's sins; CF. penitent
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.)
pending
not yet decided or settled; impending; Ex. pending decision; PREP. while awaiting; until; Ex. delay the decision pending his return
pendulous
hanging; suspended
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
suspense
state of being undecided; anxiety or apprehension resulting from uncertainty
penitent
repentant; N.
pensive
dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative; CF. think over
penumbra
partial shadow (in an eclipse); CF. almost shadow
penury
extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy
peon
landless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial worker; N. peonage
perceptive
insightful; showing a good ability at perceiving and understanding; aware; wise; of perception
percussion
striking one object against another sharply; Ex. percussion instrument; N: striking together of two bodies; sound caused by percussion
perdition
damnation; complete ruin; hell
damn
condemn; criticize severely; condemn to everlasting punishment; doom; bring to ruin; N. damnation
doom
condemnation to a severe penalty; ruin; fate (esp. a tragic or ruinous one); V.
peregrination
journey; V. peregrinate
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, care, or enthusiasm; Ex. perfunctory kiss
perigee
point of moon's orbit when it is nearest the earth; CF. apogee
perimeter
outer boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference
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, rebound
peripatetic
walking about from place to place (to work); moving; Ex. peripatetic school of philosophy
peripheral
of a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor importance; not central; Ex. peripheral nerve/interest
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
pernicious
very harmful; deadly; very destructive; Ex. pernicious effect/anemia
peroration
conclusion of an oration; perorating; V. perorate: conclude a speech; speak at great length
perpetrate
commit an offense; do (something wrong)
perpetual
everlasting
perpetuate
make perpetual; make something last for a long time; preserve from extinction; N. perpetuity
perquisite(perk)
any gain above stipulated salary; Ex. perquisites such as free meals and a car
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
pert
(esp. of a girl or young woman) impertinent; forward; trim; jaunty; Ex. pert young miss/hat
forward
presumptuous or bold
pertinacious
holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent
pertinent
suitable; to the point; relevant
perturb
disturb greatly
peruse
read through with care; N. perusal
pervasive
spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells, ideas, feelings) spread throughout; charge; permeate
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
pervert
corrupt; turn from right to wrong; misuse; Ex. perverted sexual desire/scientific knowledge; N: person whose sexual behavior is not natural
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
pestilential(pestilent)
causing plague; tending to cause death; baneful; N. pestilence: fatal epidemic disease (esp. bubonic plague)
pestle
tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl or mortar
mortar
vessel in which substances are crushed with a pestle
mash
crush into mash; convert into mash; N: mixture of ground grain and nutrients fed to livestock and fowl
petrify
turn to stone; cause to become stonelike; stun or paralyze
petty
trivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded; petty-minded
petulant
touchy; peevish; ill-tempered
phalanx
formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack or defense)
pharisaical
pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical
pharisee
Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic law (considering themselves very holy); hypocritical self-righteous person
self-righteous
sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic
phenomena
observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation; SG. phenomenon: observable fact; very unusual person, thing, or event; marvel; wonder; CF. phenomenons; ADJ. phenomenal: very unusual; extraordinary; of a phenomenon; Ex. phenomenal strength
philanderer
faithless lover; flirt
philanthropist
lover of mankind; doer of good; N. philanthropy
philatelist
stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting
philistine
narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested in material gain; uncultured person who is indifferent to artistic and cultural values; member of an ancient people in Palestine; OP. aesthete
philology
study of language or words
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
phylum
major classification, second to kingdom, of plants and animals; category ranking below a kingdom and above a class; division
physiognomy
face (as showing the character and the mind); art of judging human character from facial features
physiological
pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms; N. physiology
piebald
of different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors (esp. in black and white); Ex. piebald horse; CF. pie+bald
piecemeal
one part at a time; gradually; in stages; Ex. read a novel piecemeal
pied
piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored
piety
devoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious
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.
pine
long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline
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
piquant
pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating; Ex. piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help
tart
sharp to the taste; acid-tasting; caustic; sarcastic; Ex. tart apple/reply
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
piscatorial
pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces
pitfall
hidden danger; concealed trap
beware
be cautious (of)
pith
core or marrow; spongelike substance in the center of stems; essence; substance
marrow
soft fatty tissue that fills most bone cavities and is the source of blood cells
pithy
concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty
pittance
small amount (of money); small allowance or wage
pivotal
of a pivot; central; critical; crucial
placate
pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease
placebo
harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill
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
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
plaintive
expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song
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, ponytail
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
commonplace
ordinary; N: something ordinary or common; trite remark
commonwealth
nation governed by the people; republic; people of a nation
platonic
purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire
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
plebeian
common; vulgar; pertaining to the common people; N: common people in ancient Rome; CF. patrician
plebiscite
direct vote by the entire electorate (on an important issue)
referendum
direct vote by all the people
plenary
(of power) complete; full; fully attended by all qualified members; Ex. plenary power
plenitude
abundance; plenty; great amount; completeness; fullness; CF. plenary, plenty
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
pluck
courage; V: pull off or out; pull out the hair or feathers of; ADJ. plucky: courageous; brave
plumage
feathers of a bird;
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
plumber
one who installs and repairs pipes and plumbing(pipes)
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
pedestal
support or base as for a pillar or statue
poignancy
quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion; ADJ. poignant: touching; deeply moving; (of sorrow, grief, etc.) painful; keenly distressing to the mind; Ex. poignant memory/anxiety; CF. prick
polarize
split into opposite extremes or camps
polarity
state of having two opposite qualities
polar
of a pole; characterized by opposite extremes; Ex. polar opposites
camp
group sharing a common cause or opinion
polemic
attack or defense of an opinion; controversy or refutation; argument in support of point of view; N. polemics: art of debate or controversy
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
ponderous
having great weight; weighty; unwieldy; lacking lightness; dull; Ex. ponderous body/style of writing
pontifical
pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious; CF. pontiff: pope; bishop
pore
study industriously; ponder; scrutinize; Ex. pore over the book; N.
porous
full of pores; like a sieve
interstice
narrow space between things
portend
foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N. portent: sign; omen; forewarning
soothsayer
one who foretells the future
portly
stout; corpulent
stout
rather fat; strong in body; sturdy; resolute; determined; strong in determination; Ex. stout stick/supporter
poseur
person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc., to impress others; person who poses; CF. pose
pose
assume a particular posture; put forward; present; affect a particular attitude (to impress others); Ex. pose a threat; N.
posterity
descendants; future generations; Ex. go down to posterity; CF. posterior, anterior
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
postmortem
autopsy; ADJ: occurring after death; of a postmortem
postulate
self-evident truth; something assumed without proof; V: assume the truth of (as a basis of an argument)
posture
assume an affected pose; act artificially; N: pose; attitude
potable
suitable for drinking; drinkable
potent
powerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influential
potentate
monarch; sovereign
potential
expressing possibility; latent; N: capacity for growth
potion
dose (of liquids); liquid dose
potpourri
heterogeneous mixture; medley; mixture of dried flower petals a pot (to give a pleasant smell to a room)
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
prance
move about in a spirited manner (proudly and confidently)
prate
talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly
prattle
talk idly; babble; N. CF. prate
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
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, rank, etc.)
precept
practical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mother's precept
precipice
cliff; dangerous position; Ex. on the edge of the precipice
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
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
predilection
preference; partiality
predispose
give an inclination toward (in advance); make susceptible to; Ex. predispose people to certain cancer; N. predisposition
preeminent
outstanding; superior
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
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
prehensile
capable of grasping or holding (esp. by wrapping around); Ex. prehensile tails
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, quantity, etc.; V. preponderate: be greater in power, weight, or importance; ADJ. preponderant
preposterous
absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous
prerogative
privilege; unquestionable right; CF. ask before
presage
foretell; be a warning or sign of; N: presentiment; foreboding; omen
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
presumptuous
going beyond what is right; excessively forward; arrogant; taking liberties
presume
take for granted; assume; act overconfidently; take liberties; presume on/upon: take unfair advantage of (someone's kindness or connection); N. presumption
pretentious
ostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; overambitious; Ex. pretentious films that claim to be art
pretend
feign; pretend to: claim to possess; make pretensions to; Ex. I don't pretend to much expertise; N. pretense
pretension
pretentiousness; claim (without foundation); Ex. I make no pretensions to skill as an artist.
preternatural
beyond what is normal in nature; supernatural; Ex. preternatural strength/forces
pretext
excuse
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
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.
prim
proper to the point of affectation; very precise and formal; exceedingly proper
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
primp
groom oneself with care; adorn oneself
pristine
unspoiled; remaining in a pure state; characteristic of earlier times; primitive; Ex. an old book in pristine condition
privation
lack of the basic necessities or comforts of life; hardship; want; CF. deprive
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
defalcate
embezzle
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
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
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
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
prolixity
tedious wordiness; verbosity; ADJ. prolix: wordy; verbose; diffuse
prologue
introduction (to a poem or play)
feud
bitter prolonged quarrel (usually between two peoples or families); V. CF. Romeo and Juliet; CF. feudal, feudalism
prolong
lengthen; extend; draw out
prominent
protruding(sticking out); conspicuous; notable; eminent
promiscuous
mixed indiscriminately; indiscriminate; not choosing carefully; indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners; irregular, particularly sexually; Ex. promiscuous life/girl; N. promiscuity
promontory
headland
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
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
cue
word or signal (as in a play to prompt another actor's speech or entrance); reminder or hint; V: give a cue to
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
propinquity
nearness (in space or relationship); proximity; kinship
propitiate
appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory
propitious
favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate; Ex. propitious day/sign
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, proprietary
usage
act or manner of using; accepted practice; way in which words are actually used
propulsive
driving forward; N. propulsion
prosaic
lacking in imagination; dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact(concerned with facts, not imagination or feelings); factual; CF. prose
proscenium
part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage
proscribe
prohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw
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.
proselytize
(induce someone to) convert to a religion or belief; N. proselyte: new convert to a doctrine or religion
prosody
art of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse
metrical
metric; written in the form of poetry; Ex. metrical translation of Homer
meter
arrangement of words in the form of poetry (by accentual rhythm)
prosperity
good fortune and financial success; physical well-being
prosper
become successful (esp. financially); thrive; grow well; Ex. children prospering under his care
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
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
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
protuberance
protrusion; swelling; bulge
bulge
protruding part; swelling of a surface; Ex. The apple made a bulge in his pocket; V: swell outward; protrude
provenance
place of origin; origin or source of something; Ex. Gunpowder is of Chinese provenance; CF. come
provender
dry food for livestock; fodder
provident
providing for future needs; displaying foresight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies; OP. improvident
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
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
prowess
extraordinary ability; military bravery; Ex. prowess in battle
proximity
nearness; ADJ. proximate
proxy
authorized agent; authority to act for another
prude
excessively modest or proper person (who is easily shocked by improper things, esp. of a sexual nature); N. prudery; ADJ. prudish: excessively concerned with propriety
prudent
cautious; careful; prudential
prune
cut away; trim
prurient
having or causing lustful desires and thoughts; arousing immoderate sexual desire
pry
inquire impertinently (someone else's private affairs); use leverage to raise or open something; prize; N. pries: tool for prying
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
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
psychosomatic
of the influence of the mind on the body (esp. with respect to disease)
pterodactyl
extinct flying reptile; CF. wing+finger
puerile
childish; immature; CF. puer: boy
pugilist
boxer; CF. pugilism: boxing
pugnacity
combativeness; disposition to fight; ADJ. pugnacious: (of people) belligerent; combative in nature
puissant
powerful; strong; potent; N. puissance: power
pulchritude
beauty; comeliness; ADJ. pulchritudinous
pulmonary
pertaining to the lungs
pulsate
throb; beat regularly; vibrate regularly
pulse
rhythmical throbbing of arteries; brief sudden change in a normally constant quantity; V: pulsate
pulverize
crush or grind into very small particles
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, punctiliousness: careful attention payed to every small exact detail
pundit
authority on a subject; expert; learned person
pungent
stinging; acrid; sharp in taste or smell; (of speech or writing) caustic; N. pungency
punitive
punishing; Ex. punitive measures
puny
tiny; weak; insignificant
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, guilt, or defilement); N.
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
rooster
cock; adult male chicken
rabble
mob; noisy crowd
purse
pucker; contract (lips) into wrinkles; N: wallet
pucker
gather into wrinkles or folds; N: wrinkle or fold
purveyor
furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer; V. purvey: supply (eg. food); furnish; CF. provide
pusillanimous
cowardly; lacking courage; fainthearted
putative
supposed; reputed; generally regarded as such; Ex. putative father of the child
putrid
decayed and foul-smelling; foul; rotten; decayed; N. putridity
putrefy
make or become putrid; N. putrefaction
putrescent
becoming putrid; putrefying
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