British Library Cataloguing Data
The concise Oxford dictionary of current English.--8th ed.
1. English language--Dictionaries
I. Allen, R. E. (Robert Edward), 1944-423
ISBN 0-19-861243-5 thumb index
ISBN 0-19-861200-1 plain
paca n. any tailless rodent of the genus Cuniculus, esp. the spotted
cavy of S. and Central America. [Sp. & Port., f. Tupi]
pace(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a single step in walking or running. b the
distance covered in this (about 75 cm or 30 in.). c the
distance between two successive stationary positions of the same
foot in walking. 2 speed in walking or running. 3 Theatr. &
Mus. speed or tempo in theatrical or musical performance (played
with great pace). 4 a rate of progression. 5 a a manner of
walking or running; a gait. b any of various gaits, esp. of a
trained horse etc. (rode at an ambling pace). --v. 1 intr. a
walk (esp. repeatedly or methodically) with a slow or regular
pace (pacing up and down). b (of a horse) = AMBLE. 2 tr.
traverse by pacing. 3 tr. set the pace for (a rider, runner,
etc.). 4 tr. (foll. by out) measure (a distance) by pacing.
Ьkeep pace (often foll. by with) advance at an equal rate (as).
pace bowler Cricket a bowler who delivers the ball at high speed
without spin. pace-setter 1 a leader. 2 = PACEMAKER 1. put a
person through his (or her) paces test a person's qualities in
action etc. set the pace determine the speed, esp. by leading.
stand (or stay) the pace be able to keep up with others.
ЬЬ-paced adj. pacer n. [ME f. OF pas f. L passus f. pandere
pass- stretch]
pace(2) prep. (in stating a contrary opinion) with due deference to
(the person named). [L, ablat. of pax peace]
pacemaker n. 1 a competitor who sets the pace in a race. 2 a natural or
artificial device for stimulating the heart muscle and
determining the rate of its contractions.
pacha var. of PASHA.
pachinko n. a Japanese form of pinball. [Jap.]
pachisi n. a four-handed Indian board-game with six cowries used like
dice. [Hindi, = of 25 (the highest throw)]
pachyderm n. any thick-skinned mammal, esp. an elephant or rhinoceros.
ЬЬpachydermatous adj. [F pachyderme f. Gk pakhudermos f.
pakhus thick + derma -matos skin]
pacific adj. & n. --adj. 1 characterized by or tending to peace;
tranquil. 2 (Pacific) of or adjoining the Pacific. --n. (the
Pacific) the generally placid expanse of ocean between America
to the east and Asia to the west. ЬPacific Time the standard
time used in the Pacific region of Canada and the US.
ЬЬpacifically adv. [F pacifique or L pacificus f. pax pacis
peace]
pacification
n. the act of pacifying or the process of being pacified.
ЬЬpacificatory adj. [F f. L pacificatio -onis (as PACIFY)]
pacifier n. 1 a person or thing that pacifies. 2 US a baby's dummy.
pacifism n. the belief that war and violence are morally unjustified and
that all disputes can be settled by peaceful means. ЬЬpacifist
n. & adj. [F pacifisme f. pacifier PACIFY]
pacify v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 appease (a person, anger, etc.). 2 bring
(a country etc.) to a state of peace. [ME f. OF pacifier or L
pacificare (as PACIFIC)]
pack(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a collection of things wrapped up or tied
together for carrying. b = BACKPACK. 2 a set of items packaged
for use or disposal together. 3 usu. derog. a lot or set (of
similar things or persons) (a pack of lies; a pack of thieves).
4 Brit. a set of playing cards. 5 a a group of hounds esp. for
foxhunting. b a group of wild animals, esp. wolves, hunting
together. 6 an organized group of Cub Scouts or Brownies. 7
Rugby Football a team's forwards. 8 a a medicinal or cosmetic
substance applied to the skin; = face-pack. b a hot or cold pad
of absorbent material for treating a wound etc. 9 = pack ice.
10 a quantity of fish, fruit, etc., packed in a season etc. 11
Med. a the wrapping of a body or part of a body in a wet sheet
etc. b a sheet etc. used for this. --v. 1 tr. (often foll. by
up) a fill (a suitcase, bag, etc.) with clothes and other items.
b put (things) together in a bag or suitcase, esp. for
travelling. 2 intr. & tr. come or put closely together; crowd
or cram (packed a lot into a few hours; passengers packed like
sardines). 3 tr. (in passive; often foll. by with) be filled
(with); contain extensively (the restaurant was packed; the book
is packed with information). 4 tr. fill (a hall, theatre, etc.)
with an audience etc. 5 tr. cover (a thing) with something
pressed tightly round. 6 intr. be suitable for packing. 7 tr.
colloq. a carry (a gun etc.). b be capable of delivering (a
punch) with skill or force. 8 intr. (of animals or Rugby
forwards) form a pack. Ьpack-animal an animal for carrying
packs. pack-drill a military punishment of marching up and down
carrying full equipment. packed lunch a lunch carried in a bag,
box, etc., esp. to work, school, etc. packed out colloq. full,
crowded. pack ice an area of large crowded pieces of floating
ice in the sea. pack it in (or up) colloq. end or stop it.
pack off send (a person) away, esp. abruptly or promptly.
pack-rat US a large hoarding rodent. pack-saddle a saddle
adapted for supporting packs. pack up colloq. 1 (esp. of a
machine) stop functioning; break down. 2 retire from an
activity, contest, etc. send packing colloq. dismiss (a
person) summarily. ЬЬpackable adj. [ME f. MDu., MLG pak,
pakken, of unkn. orig.]
pack(2) v.tr. select (a jury etc.) or fill (a meeting) so as to secure
a decision in one's favour. [prob. f. obs. verb pact f. PACT]
package n. & v. --n. 1 a a bundle of things packed. b a parcel, box,
etc., in which things are packed. 2 (in full package deal) a
set of proposals or items offered or agreed to as a whole. 3
Computing a piece of software suitable for various applications
rather than one which is custom-built. 4 colloq. = package
holiday. --v.tr. make up into or enclose in a package.
Ьpackage holiday (or tour etc.) a holiday or tour etc. with all
arrangements made at an inclusive price. ЬЬpackager n.
[PACK(1) + -AGE]
packaging n. 1 a wrapping or container for goods. 2 the process of
packing goods.
packer n. a person or thing that packs, esp. a dealer who prepares and
packs food for transportation and sale.
packet n. 1 a small package. 2 colloq. a large sum of money won,
lost, or spent. 3 (in full packet-boat) hist. a mail-boat or
passenger ship. [PACK(1) + -ET(1)]
packhorse n. a horse for carrying loads.
packing n. 1 the act or process of packing. 2 material used as padding
to pack esp. fragile articles. 3 material used to seal a join
or assist in lubricating an axle. Ьpacking-case a case (usu.
wooden) or framework for packing goods in.
packthread
n. stout thread for sewing or tying up packs.
pact n. an agreement or a treaty. [ME f. OF pact(e) f. L pactum,
neut. past part. of pacisci agree]
pad(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a piece of soft material used to reduce
friction or jarring, fill out hollows, hold or absorb liquid,
etc. 2 a number of sheets of blank paper fastened together at
one edge, for writing or drawing on. 3 = ink-pad. 4 the fleshy
underpart of an animal's foot or of a human finger. 5 a guard
for the leg and ankle in sports. 6 a flat surface for
helicopter take-off or rocket-launching. 7 colloq. a lodging,
esp. a bedsitter or flat. 8 the floating leaf of a water lily.
--v.tr. (padded, padding) 1 provide with a pad or padding;
stuff. 2 (foll. by out) lengthen or fill out (a book etc.) with
unnecessary material. Ьpadded cell a room with padded walls in
a mental hospital. [prob. of LG or Du. orig.]
pad(2) v. & n. --v. (padded, padding) 1 intr. walk with a soft dull
steady step. 2 a tr. tramp along (a road etc.) on foot. b
intr. travel on foot. --n. the sound of soft steady steps. [LG
padden tread, pad PATH]
padding n. soft material used to pad or stuff with.
paddle(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a short broad-bladed oar used without a
rowlock. 2 a paddle-shaped instrument. 3 Zool. a fin or
flipper. 4 each of the boards fitted round the circumference of
a paddle-wheel or mill-wheel. 5 the action or a spell of
paddling. --v. 1 intr. & tr. move on water or propel a boat by
means of paddles. 2 intr. & tr. row gently. 3 tr. esp. US
colloq. spank. Ьpaddle-boat (or -steamer etc.) a boat, steamer,
etc., propelled by a paddle-wheel. paddle-wheel a wheel for
propelling a ship, with boards round the circumference so as to
press backwards against the water. ЬЬpaddler n. [15th c.:
orig. unkn.]
paddle(2) v. & n. --v.intr. walk barefoot or dabble the feet or hands in
shallow water. --n. the action or a spell of paddling.
ЬЬpaddler n. [prob. of LG or Du. orig.: cf. LG paddeln tramp
about]
paddock n. 1 a small field, esp. for keeping horses in. 2 a turf
enclosure adjoining a racecourse where horses or cars are
assembled before a race. 3 Austral. & NZ a field; a plot of
land. [app. var. of (now dial.) parrock (OE pearruc): see
PARK]
Paddy n. (pl. -ies) colloq. often offens. an Irishman. [pet-form
of the Irish name Padraig (= Patrick)]
paddy(1) n. (pl. -ies) 1 (in full paddy-field) a field where rice is
grown. 2 rice before threshing or in the husk. [Malay padi]
paddy(2) n. (pl. -ies) Brit. colloq. a rage; a fit of temper.
[PADDY]
pademelon n. any small wallaby of the genus Thylogale, inhabiting the
coastal scrub of Australia. [corrupt. of an Aboriginal name]
padlock n. & v. --n. a detachable lock hanging by a pivoted hook on the
object fastened. --v.tr. secure with a padlock. [ME f.
LOCK(1): first element unexpl.]
padouk n. 1 any timber tree of the genus Pterocarpus, esp. P.
indicus. 2 the wood of this tree, resembling rosewood.
[Burmese]
padre n. a chaplain in any of the armed services. [It., Sp., &
Port., = father, priest, f. L pater patris father]
padsaw n. a saw with a narrow blade, for cutting curves.
paean n. (US pean) a song of praise or triumph. [L f. Doric Gk paian
hymn of thanksgiving to Apollo (under the name of Paian)]
paederast var. of PEDERAST.
paederasty
var. of PEDERASTY.
paediatrics
n.pl. (treated as sing.) (US pediatrics) the branch of medicine
dealing with children and their diseases. ЬЬpaediatric adj.
paediatrician n. [PAEDO- + Gk iatros physician]
paedo- comb. form (US pedo-) child. [Gk pais paid- child]
paedophile
n. (US pedophile) a person who displays paedophilia.
paedophilia
n. (US pedophilia) sexual desire directed towards children.
paella n. a Spanish dish of rice, saffron, chicken, seafood, etc.,
cooked and served in a large shallow pan. [Catalan f. OF paele
f. L patella pan]
paeon n. a metrical foot of one long syllable and three short
syllables in any order. ЬЬpaeonic adj. [L f. Gk paion, the
Attic form of paian PAEAN]
paeony var. of PEONY.
pagan n. & adj. --n. a person not subscribing to any of the main
religions of the world, esp. formerly regarded by Christians as
unenlightened or heathen. --adj. 1 a of or relating to or
associated with pagans. b irreligious. 2 identifying divinity
or spirituality in nature; pantheistic. ЬЬpaganish adj.
paganism n. paganize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). [ME f. L
paganus villager, rustic f. pagus country district: in
Christian L = civilian, heathen]
page(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a leaf of a book, periodical, etc. b each
side of this. c what is written or printed on this. 2 a an
episode that might fill a page in written history etc.; a
record. b a memorable event. --v.tr. paginate. [F f. L pagina
f. pangere fasten]
page(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a boy or man, usu. in livery, employed to run
errands, attend to a door, etc. 2 a boy employed as a personal
attendant of a person of rank, a bride, etc. 3 hist. a boy in
training for knighthood and attached to a knight's service.
--v.tr. 1 (in hotels, airports, etc.) summon by making an
announcement or by sending a messenger. 2 summon by means of a
pager. Ьpage-boy 1 = PAGE(2) n. 2. 2 a woman's hairstyle with
the hair reaching to the shoulder and rolled under at the ends.
[ME f. OF, perh. f. It. paggio f. Gk paidion, dimin. of pais
paidos boy]
pageant n. 1 a a brilliant spectacle, esp. an elaborate parade. b a
spectacular procession, or play performed in the open,
illustrating historical events. c a tableau etc. on a fixed
stage or moving vehicle. 2 an empty or specious show. [ME
pagyn, of unkn. orig.]
pageantry n. (pl. -ies) 1 elaborate or sumptuous show or display. 2 an
instance of this.
pager n. a radio device with a bleeper, activated from a central
point to alert the person wearing it.
paginal adj. 1 of pages (of books etc.). 2 corresponding page for
page. ЬЬpaginary adj. [LL paginalis (as PAGE(1))]
paginate v.tr. assign numbers to the pages of a book etc. ЬЬpagination
n. [F paginer f. L pagina PAGE(1)]
pagoda n. 1 a Hindu or Buddhist temple or sacred building, esp. a
many-tiered tower, in India and the Far East. 2 an ornamental
imitation of this. Ьpagoda-tree any of various trees, esp.
Sophora japonica, resembling a pagoda in shape. [Port. pagode,
prob. ult. f. Pers. butkada idol temple]
pah int. expressing disgust or contempt. [natural utterance]
Pahlavi n. (also Pehlevi) the writing system of Persia from the 2nd c.
BC to the advent of Islam in the 7th c. AD. [Pers. pahlawi f.
pahlav f. parthava Parthia]
paid past and past part. of PAY(1).
pail n. 1 a bucket. 2 an amount contained in this. ЬЬpailful n.
(pl. -fuls). [OE p‘gel gill (cf. MDu. pegel gauge), assoc.
with OF paelle: see PAELLA]
paillasse var. of PALLIASSE.
paillette n. 1 a piece of bright metal used in enamel painting. 2 a
spangle. [F, dimin. of paille f. L palea straw, chaff]
pain n. & v. --n. 1 a the range of unpleasant bodily sensations
produced by illness or by harmful physical contact etc. b a
particular kind or instance of this (often in pl.: suffering
from stomach pains). 2 mental suffering or distress. 3 (in
pl.) careful effort; trouble taken (take pains; got nothing for
my pains). 4 (also pain in the neck) colloq. a troublesome
person or thing; a nuisance. --v.tr. 1 cause pain to. 2 (as
pained adj.) expressing pain (a pained expression). Ьin pain
suffering pain. on (or under) pain of with (death etc.) as the
penalty. [ME f. OF peine f. L poena penalty]
painful adj. 1 causing bodily or mental pain or distress. 2 (esp. of
part of the body) suffering pain. 3 causing trouble or
difficulty; laborious (a painful climb). ЬЬpainfully adv.
painfulness n.
painkiller
n. a medicine or drug for alleviating pain. ЬЬpainkilling adj.
painless adj. not causing or suffering pain. ЬЬpainlessly adv.
painlessness n.
painstaking
adj. careful, industrious, thorough. ЬЬpainstakingly adv.
painstakingness n.
paint n. & v. --n. 1 a colouring matter, esp. in liquid form for
imparting colour to a surface. b this as a dried film or
coating (the paint peeled off). 2 joc. or archaic cosmetic
make-up, esp. rouge or nail varnish. --v.tr. 1 a cover the
surface of (a wall, object, etc.) with paint. b apply paint of
a specified colour to (paint the door green). 2 depict (an
object, scene, etc.) with paint; produce (a picture) by
painting. 3 describe vividly as if by painting (painted a
gloomy picture of the future). 4 joc. or archaic a apply liquid
or cosmetic to (the face, skin, etc.). b apply (a liquid to the
skin etc.). Ьpainted lady an orange-red butterfly, esp.
Cynthia cardui, with black and white spots. paint out efface
with paint. paint shop the part of a factory where goods are
painted, esp. by spraying. paint-stick a stick of water-soluble
paint used like a crayon. paint the town red colloq. enjoy
oneself flamboyantly. ЬЬpaintable adj. [ME f. peint past
part. of OF peindre f. L pingere pict- paint]
paintbox n. a box holding dry paints for painting pictures.
paintbrush
n. a brush for applying paint.
painter(1)
n. a person who paints, esp. an artist or decorator. [ME f. OF
peintour ult. f. L pictor (as PAINT)]
painter(2)
n. a rope attached to the bow of a boat for tying it to a quay
etc. [ME, prob. f. OF penteur rope from a masthead: cf. G
Pentertakel f. pentern fish the anchor]
painterly adj. 1 a using paint well; artistic. b characteristic of a
painter or paintings. 2 (of a painting) lacking clearly defined
outlines.
painting n. 1 the process or art of using paint. 2 a painted picture.
paintwork n. 1 a painted surface or area in a building etc. 2 the work
of painting.
painty adj. (paintier, paintiest) 1 of or covered in paint. 2 (of a
picture etc.) overcharged with paint.
pair n. & v. --n. 1 a set of two persons or things used together or
regarded as a unit (a pair of gloves; a pair of eyes). 2 an
article (e.g. scissors, trousers, or pyjamas) consisting of two
joined or corresponding parts not used separately. 3 a an
engaged or married couple. b a mated couple of animals. 4 two
horses harnessed side by side (a coach and pair). 5 the second
member of a pair in relation to the first (cannot find its
pair). 6 two playing cards of the same denomination. 7 Parl.
either or both of two MPs etc. on opposite sides absenting
themselves from voting by mutual arrangement. --v.tr. & intr.
1 (often foll. by off) arrange or be arranged in couples. 2 a
join or be joined in marriage. b (of animals) mate. 3 Parl.
form a pair. Ьin pairs in twos. pair production Physics the
conversion of a radiation quantum into an electron and a
positron. pair royal a set of three cards of the same
denomination. [ME f. OF paire f. L paria neut. pl. of par
equal]
paisa n. (pl. paise) a coin and monetary unit of India, Pakistan,
Nepal, and Bangladesh, equal to one-hundredth of a rupee or
taka. [Hindi]
Paisley n. (often attrib.) 1 a distinctive detailed pattern of curved
feather-shaped figures. 2 a soft woollen garment having this
pattern. [Paisley in Scotland]
pajamas US var. of PYJAMAS.
pakeha n. NZ a White person as opposed to a Maori. [Maori]
Paki n. (pl. Pakis) Brit. sl. offens. a Pakistani, esp. an
immigrant in Britain. [abbr.]
Pakistani n. & adj. --n. 1 a native or national of Pakistan. 2 a person
of Pakistani descent. --adj. of or relating to Pakistan.
[Hindu]
pakora n. a piece of cauliflower, carrot, or other vegetable, coated
in seasoned batter and deep-fried. [Hind.]
pal n. & v. --n. colloq. a friend, mate, or comrade. --v.intr.
(palled, palling) (usu. foll. by up) associate; form a
friendship. [Romany = brother, mate, ult. f. Skr. bhratr
BROTHER]
palace n. 1 the official residence of a sovereign, president,
archbishop, or bishop. 2 a splendid mansion; a spacious
building. Ьpalace revolution (or coup) the (usu. non-violent)
overthrow of a sovereign, government, etc. at the hands of
senior officials. [ME f. OF palais f. L Palatium Palatine
(hill) in Rome where the house of the emperor was situated]
paladin n. hist. 1 any of the twelve peers of Charlemagne's court, of
whom the Count Palatine was the chief. 2 a knight errant; a
champion. [F paladin f. It. paladino f. L palatinus: see
PALATINE(1)]
Palaearctic
adj. Zool. of the Arctic and temperate parts of the old world.
[PALAEO- + ARCTIC]
palaeo- comb. form (US paleo-) ancient, old; of ancient (esp.
prehistoric) times. [Gk palaios ancient]
palaeobotany
n. the study of fossil plants.
Palaeocene
adj. & n. (US Paleocene) Geol. --adj. of or relating to the
earliest epoch of the Tertiary period with evidence of the
emergence and development of mammals. --n. this epoch or
system. °Cf. Appendix II. [PALAEO- + Gk kainos new]
palaeoclimatology
n. (US paleoclimatology) the study of the climate in
geologically past times.
palaeogeography
n. (US paleogeography) the study of the geographical features
at periods in the geological past.
palaeography
n. (US paleography) the study of writing and documents from the
past. ЬЬpalaeographer n. palaeographic adj. palaeographical
adj. palaeographically adv. [F pal‚ographie f. mod.L
palaeographia (as PALAEO-, -GRAPHY)]
palaeolithic
adj. (US paleolithic) Archaeol. of or relating to the early
part of the Stone Age. [PALAEO- + Gk lithos stone]
palaeomagnetism
n. (US paleomagnetism) the study of the magnetism remaining in
rocks.
palaeontology
n. (US paleontology) the study of life in the geological past.
ЬЬpalaeontological adj. palaeontologist n. [PALAEO- + Gk onta
neut. pl. of on being, part. of eimi be + -LOGY]
Palaeozoic
adj. & n. (also Paleozoic) Geol. --adj. of or relating to an
era of geological time marked by the appearance of marine and
terrestrial plants and animals, esp. invertebrates. °Cf.
Appendix II. --n. this era (cf. CENOZOIC, MESOZOIC). [PALAEO-
+ Gk zoe life, zoos living]
palaestra n. (also palestra) Gk & Rom. Antiq. a wrestling-school or
gymnasium. [ME f. L palaestra f. Gk palaistra f. palaio
wrestle]
palais n. colloq. a public hall for dancing. [F palais (de danse)
(dancing) hall]
palanquin n. (also palankeen) (in India and the East) a covered litter
for one passenger. [Port. palanquim: cf. Hindi palki f. Skr.
palyanka bed, couch]
palatable adj. 1 pleasant to taste. 2 (of an idea, suggestion, etc.)
acceptable, satisfactory. ЬЬpalatability n. palatableness n.
palatably adv.
palatal adj. & n. --adj. 1 of the palate. 2 (of a sound) made by
placing the surface of the tongue against the hard palate (e.g.
y in yes). --n. a palatal sound. ЬЬpalatalize v.tr. (also
-ise). palatalization n. palatally adv. [F (as PALATE)]
palate n. 1 a structure closing the upper part of the mouth cavity in
vertebrates. 2 the sense of taste. 3 a mental taste or
inclination; liking. [ME f. L palatum]
palatial adj. (of a building) like a palace, esp. spacious and splendid.
ЬЬpalatially adv. [L (as PALACE)]
palatinate
n. territory under the jurisdiction of a Count Palatine.
palatine(1)
adj. (also Palatine) hist. 1 (of an official or feudal lord)
having local authority that elsewhere belongs only to a
sovereign (Count Palatine). 2 (of a territory) subject to this
authority. [ME f. F palatin -ine f. L palatinus of the PALACE]
palatine(2)
adj. & n. --adj. of or connected with the palate. --n. (in
full palatine bone) each of two bones forming the hard palate.
[F palatin -ine (as PALATE)]
palaver n. & v. --n. 1 fuss and bother, esp. prolonged and tedious. 2
profuse or idle talk. 3 cajolery. 4 colloq. an affair or
business. 5 esp. hist. a parley between African or other
natives and traders. --v. 1 intr. talk profusely. 2 tr.
flatter, wheedle. [Port. palavra word f. L (as PARABLE)]
pale(1) adj. & v. --adj. 1 (of a person or complexion) of a whitish or
ashen appearance. 2 a (of a colour) faint; not dark or deep. b
faintly coloured. 3 of faint lustre; dim. --v. 1 intr. & tr.
grow or make pale. 2 intr. (often foll. by before, beside)
become feeble in comparison (with). ЬЬpalely adv. paleness n.
palish adj. [ME f. OF pale, palir f. L pallidus f. pallere be
pale]
pale(2) n. 1 a pointed piece of wood for fencing etc.; a stake. 2 a
boundary or enclosed area. 3 Heraldry a vertical stripe in the
middle of a shield. Ьbeyond the pale outside the bounds of
acceptable behaviour. in pale Heraldry arranged vertically.
[ME f. OF pal f. L palus stake]
palea n. (pl. paleae) Bot. a chafflike bract, esp. in a flower of
grasses. [L, = chaff]
paled adj. having palings.
paleface n. a name supposedly used by the N. American Indians for the
White man.
paleo- comb. form US var. of PALAEO-.
Paleocene US var. of PALAEOCENE.
Paleozoic US var. of PALAEOZOIC.
Palestinian
adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to Palestine, a region (in
ancient and modern times) and former mandated territory on the
E. Mediterranean coast. --n. 1 a native of Palestine in
ancient or modern times. 2 an Arab, or a descendant of one,
born or living in the area formerly called Palestine.
palestra var. of PALAESTRA.
palette n. 1 a thin board or slab or other surface, usu. with a hole
for the thumb, on which an artist lays and mixes colours. 2 the
range of colours used by an artist. Ьpalette-knife 1 a thin
steel blade with a handle for mixing colours or applying or
removing paint. 2 a kitchen knife with a long blunt round-ended
flexible blade. [F, dimin. of pale shovel f. L pala spade]
palfrey n. (pl. -eys) archaic a horse for ordinary riding, esp. for
women. [ME f. OF palefrei f. med.L palefredus, LL paraveredus
f. Gk para beside, extra, + L veredus light horse, of Gaulish
orig.]
Pali n. an Indic language used in the canonical books of Buddhists.
[Skr. pali-bhasa f. pali canon + bhasa language]
palimony n. esp. US colloq. an allowance made by one member of an
unmarried couple to the other after separation. [PAL + ALIMONY]
palimpsest
n. 1 a piece of writing-material or manuscript on which the
original writing has been effaced to make room for other
writing. 2 a monumental brass turned and re-engraved on the
reverse side. [L palimpsestus f. Gk palimpsestos f. palin
again + psestos rubbed smooth]
palindrome
n. a word or phrase that reads the same backwards as forwards
(e.g. rotator, nurses run). ЬЬpalindromic adj. palindromist
n. [Gk palindromos running back again f. palin again + drom-
run]
paling n. 1 a fence of pales. 2 a pale.
palingenesis
n. Biol. the exact reproduction of ancestral characteristics
in ontogenesis. ЬЬpalingenetic adj. [Gk palin again + genesis
birth, GENESIS]
palinode n. 1 a poem in which the writer retracts a view or sentiment
expressed in a former poem. 2 a recantation. [F palinode or LL
palinodia f. Gk palinoidia f. palin again + oide song]
palisade n. & v. --n. 1 a a fence of pales or iron railings. b a
strong pointed wooden stake used in a close row for defence. 2
US (in pl.) a line of high cliffs. --v.tr. enclose or provide
with a palisade. Ьpalisade layer Bot. a layer of elongated
cells below the epidermis. [F palissade f. Prov. palissada f.
palissa paling ult. f. L palus stake]
pall(1) n. 1 a cloth spread over a coffin, hearse, or tomb. 2 a
shoulder-band with pendants, worn as an ecclesiastical vestment
and sign of authority. 3 a dark covering (a pall of darkness; a
pall of smoke). 4 Heraldry a Y-shaped bearing charged with
crosses representing the front of an ecclesiastical pall. [OE
p‘ll, f. L pallium cloak]
pall(2) v. 1 intr. (often foll. by on) become uninteresting (to). 2
tr. satiate, cloy. [ME, f. APPAL]
palladia pl. of PALLADIUM(2).
Palladian adj. Archit. in the neoclassical style of Palladio.
ЬЬPalladianism n. [A. Palladio, It. architect d. 1580]
palladium(1)
n. Chem. a white ductile metallic element occurring naturally
in various ores and used in chemistry as a catalyst and for
making jewellery. °Symb.: Pd. [mod.L f. Pallas, an asteroid
discovered (1803) just before the element, + -IUM; cf. CERIUM]
palladium(2)
n. (pl. palladia) a safeguard or source of protection. [ME f.
L f. Gk palladion image of Pallas (Athene), a protecting deity]
pallbearer
n. a person helping to carry or officially escorting a coffin
at a funeral.
pallet(1) n. 1 a straw mattress. 2 a mean or makeshift bed. [ME pailet,
paillet f. AF paillete straw f. OF paille f. L palea]
pallet(2) n. 1 a flat wooden blade with a handle, used in ceramics to
shape clay. 2 = PALETTE. 3 a portable platform for
transporting and storing loads. 4 a projection transmitting
motion from an escapement to a pendulum etc. 5 a projection on
a machine-part, serving to change the mode of motion of a wheel.
ЬЬpalletize v.tr. (also -ise) (in sense 3). [F palette: see
PALETTE]
pallia pl. of PALLIUM.
palliasse n. (also paillasse) a straw mattress. [F paillasse f. It.
pagliaccio ult. f. L palea straw]
palliate v.tr. 1 alleviate (disease) without curing it. 2 excuse,
extenuate. ЬЬpalliation n. palliator n. [LL palliare to cloak
f. pallium cloak]
palliative
n. & adj. --n. anything used to alleviate pain, anxiety, etc.
--adj. serving to alleviate. ЬЬpalliatively adv. [F palliatif
-ive or med.L palliativus (as PALLIATE)]
pallid adj. pale, esp. from illness. ЬЬpallidity n. pallidly adv.
pallidness n. [L pallidus PALE(1)]
pallium n. (pl. palliums or pallia) 1 an ecclesiastical pall, esp.
that sent by the Pope to an archbishop as a symbol of authority.
2 hist. a man's large rectangular cloak esp. as worn in
antiquity. 3 Zool. the mantle of a mollusc or brachiopod . [L]
pall-mall n. hist. a game in which a ball was driven through an iron
ring suspended in a long alley. [obs. F pallemaille f. It.
pallamaglio f. palla ball + maglio mallet]
pallor n. pallidness, paleness. [L f. pallere be pale]
pally adj. (pallier, palliest) colloq. like a pal; friendly.
palm(1) n. 1 any usu. tropical tree of the family Palmae, with no
branches and a mass of large pinnate or fan-shaped leaves at the
top. 2 the leaf of this tree as a symbol of victory. 3 a
supreme excellence. b a prize for this. 4 a branch of various
trees used instead of a palm in non-tropical countries, esp. in
celebrating Palm Sunday. Ьpalm oil oil from the fruit of any of
various palms. Palm Sunday the Sunday before Easter,
celebrating Christ's entry into Jerusalem. palm wine an
alcoholic drink made from fermented palm sap. ЬЬpalmaceous adj.
[OE palm(a) f. Gmc f. L palma PALM(2), its leaf being likened to
a spread hand]
palm(2) n. & v. --n. 1 the inner surface of the hand between the wrist
and fingers. 2 the part of a glove that covers this. 3 the
palmate part of an antler. --v.tr. conceal in the hand. Ьin
the palm of one's hand under one's control or influence. palm
off 1 (often foll. by on) a impose or thrust fraudulently (on a
person). b cause a person to accept unwillingly or unknowingly
(palmed my old typewriter off on him). 2 (often foll. by with)
cause (a person) to accept unwillingly or unknowingly (palmed
him off with my old typewriter). ЬЬpalmar adj. palmed adj.
palmful n. (pl. -fuls). [ME paume f. OF paume f. L palma:
later assim. to L]
palmate adj. 1 shaped like an open hand. 2 having lobes etc. like
spread fingers. [L palmatus (as PALM(2))]
palmer n. 1 hist. a a pilgrim returning from the Holy Land with a
palm branch or leaf. b an itinerant monk under a vow of
poverty. 2 a hairy artificial fly used in angling. 3 (in full
palmer-worm) a destructive hairy caterpillar of a European moth,
Euproctis chrysorrhoea. [ME f. AF palmer, OF palmier f. med.L
palmarius pilgrim]
palmette n. Archaeol. an ornament of radiating petals like a palm-leaf.
[F, dimin. of palme PALM(1)]
palmetto n. (pl. -os) a small palm tree, e.g. any of various fan palms
of the genus Sabal or Chamaerops. [Sp. palmito, dimin. of
palma PALM(1), assim. to It. words in -etto]
palmiped adj. & n. (also palmipede) --adj. web-footed. --n. a
web-footed bird. [L palmipes -pedis (as PALM(2), pes pedis
foot)]
palmistry n. supposed divination from lines and other features on the
palm of the hand. ЬЬpalmist n. [ME (orig. palmestry) f.
PALM(2): second element unexpl.]
palmy adj. (palmier, palmiest) 1 of or like or abounding in palms. 2
triumphant, flourishing (palmy days).
palmyra n. an Asian palm, Borassus flabellifer, with fan-shaped leaves
used for matting etc. [Port. palmeira palm-tree, assim. to
Palmyra in Syria]
palomino n. (pl. -os) a golden or cream-coloured horse with a
light-coloured mane and tail, orig. bred in the south-western
US. [Amer. Sp. f. Sp. palomino young pigeon f. paloma dove f.
L palumba]
paloverde n. any yellow-flowered thorny tree of the genus Cercidium in
Arizona etc. [Amer. Sp., = green tree]
palp n. (also palpus) (pl. palps or palpi) a segmented sense-organ
at the mouth of an arthropod; a feeler. ЬЬpalpal adj. [L
palpus f. palpare feel]
palpable adj. 1 that can be touched or felt. 2 readily perceived by the
senses or mind. ЬЬpalpability n. palpably adv. [ME f. LL
palpabilis (as PALPATE)]
palpate v.tr. examine (esp. medically) by touch. ЬЬpalpation n. [L
palpare palpat- touch gently]
palpebral adj. of or relating to the eyelids. [LL palpebralis f. L
palpebra eyelid]
palpitation
n. 1 throbbing, trembling. 2 (often in pl.) increased activity
of the heart due to exertion, agitation, or disease. [L
palpitatio (as PALPITATE)]
palpus var. of PALP.
palsgrave n. a Count Palatine. [Du. paltsgrave f. palts palatinate +
grave count]
palstave n. Archaeol. a type of chisel made of bronze etc. shaped to
fit into a split handle. [Da. paalstav f. ON p lstavr f. p ll
hoe (cf. L palus stake) + stafr STAFF(1)]
palsy n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 paralysis, esp. with involuntary
tremors. 2 a a condition of utter helplessness. b a cause of
this. --v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 affect with palsy. 2 render
helpless. [ME pa(r)lesi f. OF paralisie ult. f. L paralysis:
see PARALYSIS]
palter v.intr. 1 haggle or equivocate. 2 trifle. ЬЬpalterer n.
[16th c.: orig. unkn.]
paltry adj. (paltrier, paltriest) worthless, contemptible, trifling.
ЬЬpaltriness n. [16th c.: f. paltry trash app. f. palt, pelt
rubbish + -RY (cf. trumpery): cf. LG paltrig ragged]
paludal adj. 1 of a marsh. 2 malarial. ЬЬpaludism n. (in sense 2).
[L palus -udis marsh + -AL]
paly adj. Heraldry divided into equal vertical shapes. [OF pal‚ f.
pal PALE(2)]
palynology
n. the study of pollen, spores, etc., for rock-dating and the
study of past environments. ЬЬpalynological adj. palynologist
n. [Gk paluno sprinkle + -LOGY]
pampas n.pl. large treeless plains in S. America. Ьpampas-grass a
tall grass, Cortaderia selloana, from S. America, with silky
flowering plumes. [Sp. f. Quechua pampa plain]
pamper v.tr. 1 overindulge (a person, taste, etc.), cosset. 2 spoil
(a person) with luxury. ЬЬpamperer n. [ME, prob. of LG or Du.
orig.]
pampero n. (pl. -os) a strong cold SW wind in S. America, blowing from
the Andes to the Atlantic. [Sp. (as PAMPAS)]
pamphlet n. & v. --n. a small, usu. unbound booklet or leaflet
containing information or a short treatise. --v.tr.
(pamphleted, pamphleting) distribute pamphlets to. [ME f.
Pamphilet, the familiar name of the 12th-c. Latin love poem
Pamphilus seu de Amore]
pamphleteer
n. & v. --n. a writer of (esp. political) pamphlets. --v.intr.
write pamphlets.
pan(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a vessel of metal, earthenware, or plastic,
usu. broad and shallow, used for cooking and other domestic
purposes. b the contents of this. 2 a panlike vessel in which
substances are heated etc. 3 any similar shallow container such
as the bowl of a pair of scales or that used for washing gravel
etc. to separate gold. 4 Brit. the bowl of a lavatory. 5 part
of the lock that held the priming in old guns. 6 a hollow in
the ground (salt-pan). 7 a hard substratum of soil. 8 US sl.
the face. --v. (panned, panning) 1 tr. colloq. criticize
severely. 2 a tr. (foll. by off, out) wash (gold-bearing
gravel) in a pan. b intr. search for gold by panning gravel. c
intr. (foll. by out) (of gravel) yield gold. Ьpan out (of an
action etc.) turn out in a specified way. ЬЬpanful n. (pl.
-fuls). panlike adj. [OE panne, perh. ult. f. L patina dish]
pan(2) v. & n. --v. (panned, panning) 1 tr. swing (a cine-camera)
horizontally to give a panoramic effect or to follow a moving
object. 2 intr. (of a cine-camera) be moved in this way. --n.
a panning movement. [abbr. of PANORAMA]
pan(3) n. Bot. 1 a leaf of the betel. 2 this enclosing lime and
areca-nut parings, chewed in India etc. [Hindi f. Skr. parna
feather, leaf]
pan- comb. form 1 all; the whole of. 2 relating to the whole or all
the parts of a continent, racial group, religion, etc.
(pan-American; pan-African; pan-Hellenic; pan-Anglican). [Gk f.
pan neut. of pas all]
panacea n. a universal remedy. ЬЬpanacean adj. [L f. Gk panakeia f.
panakes all-healing (as PAN-, akos remedy)]
panache n. 1 assertiveness or flamboyant confidence of style or manner.
2 hist. a tuft or plume of feathers, esp. as a head-dress or on
a helmet. [F f. It. pennacchio f. LL pinnaculum dimin. of
pinna feather]
panada n. 1 a thick paste of flour etc. 2 bread boiled to a pulp and
flavoured. [Sp. ult. f. L panis bread]
panama n. a hat of strawlike material made from the leaves of a
pine-tree. [Panama in Central America]
Panamanian
n. & adj. --n. 1 a native or national of the Republic of
Panama in Central America. 2 a person of Panamanian descent.
--adj. of or relating to Panama.
panatella n. a long thin cigar. [Amer. Sp. panatela, = long thin
biscuit f. It. panatella dimin. of panata (as PANADA)]
pancake n. & v. --n. 1 a thin flat cake of batter usu. fried and
turned in a pan and rolled up with a filling. 2 a flat cake of
make-up etc. --v. 1 intr. make a pancake landing. 2 tr. cause
(an aircraft) to pancake. Ьflat as a pancake completely flat.
Pancake Day Shrove Tuesday (on which pancakes are traditionally
eaten). pancake landing an emergency landing by an aircraft
with its undercarriage still retracted, in which the pilot
attempts to keep the aircraft in a horizontal position
throughout. [ME f. PAN(1) + CAKE]
panchayat n. a village council in India. [Hindi f. Skr. pancha five]
Panchen lama
n. a Tibetan lama ranking next after the Dalai lama. [Tibetan
panchen great learned one]
panchromatic
adj. Photog. (of a film etc.) sensitive to all visible colours
of the spectrum.
pancreas n. a gland near the stomach supplying the duodenum with
digestive fluid and secreting insulin into the blood.
ЬЬpancreatic adj. pancreatitis n. [mod.L f. Gk pagkreas (as
PAN-, kreas -atos flesh)]
pancreatin
n. a digestive extract containing pancreatic enzymes, prepared
from animal pancreases.
panda n. 1 (also giant panda) a large bearlike mammal, Ailuropoda
melanoleuca, native to China and Tibet, having characteristic
black and white markings. 2 (also red panda) a Himalayan
racoon-like mammal, Ailurus fulgens, with reddish-brown fur and
a long bushy tail. Ьpanda car Brit. a police patrol car (orig.
white with black stripes on the doors). [Nepali name]
pandect n. (usu. in pl.) 1 a complete body of laws. 2 hist. a
compendium in 50 books of the Roman civil law made by order of
Justinian in the 6th c. [F pandecte or L pandecta pandectes f.
Gk pandektes all-receiver (as PAN-, dektes f. dekhomai
receive)]
pandemic adj. & n. --adj. (of a disease) prevalent over a whole country
or the world. --n. a pandemic disease. [Gk pandemos (as PAN-,
demos people)]
pandemonium
n. 1 uproar; utter confusion. 2 a scene of this. [mod.L
(place of all demons in Milton's Paradise Lost) f. PAN- + Gk
daimon DEMON]
pander v. & n. --v.intr. (foll. by to) gratify or indulge a person, a
desire or weakness, etc. --n. 1 a go-between in illicit love
affairs; a procurer. 2 a person who encourages coarse desires.
[Pandare, a character in Boccaccio and in Chaucer's Troilus and
Criseyde, f. L Pandarus f. Gk Pandaros]
pandit var. of PUNDIT 1.
P. & O. abbr. Peninsular and Oriental Shipping Company (or Line).
Pandora's box
n. a process that once activated will generate many
unmanageable problems. [in Gk Mythol. the box from which the
ills of mankind were released, Hope alone remaining: f. Gk
Pandora all-gifted (as PAN-, doron gift)]
p. & p. abbr. Brit. postage and packing.
pane n. 1 a single sheet of glass in a window or door. 2 a
rectangular division of a chequered pattern etc. [ME f. OF pan
f. L pannus piece of cloth]
panegyric n. a laudatory discourse; a eulogy. ЬЬpanegyrical adj. [F
pan‚gyrique f. L panegyricus f. Gk panegurikos of public
assembly (as PAN-, eguris = agora assembly)]
panegyrize
v.tr. (also -ise) speak or write in praise of; eulogize.
ЬЬpanegyrist n. [Gk panegurizo (as PANEGYRIC)]
panel n. & v. --n. 1 a a distinct, usu. rectangular, section of a
surface (e.g. of a wall, door, or vehicle). b a control panel
(see CONTROL n. 5). c = instrument panel. 2 a strip of
material as part of a garment. 3 a group of people forming a
team in a broadcast game, discussion, etc. 4 Brit. hist. a
list of medical practitioners registered in a district as
accepting patients under the National Insurance Act. 5 a a list
of available jurors; a jury. b Sc. a person or persons accused
of a crime. --v.tr. (panelled, panelling; US paneled,
paneling) 1 fit or provide with panels. 2 cover or decorate
with panels. Ьpanel-beater one whose job is to beat out the
metal panels of motor vehicles. panel game a broadcast quiz
etc. played by a panel. panel heating the heating of rooms by
panels in the wall etc. containing the sources of heat. panel
pin a thin nail with a very small head. panel saw a saw with
small teeth for cutting thin wood for panels. panel truck US a
small enclosed delivery truck. [ME & OF, = piece of cloth, ult.
f. L pannus: see PANE]
panelling n. (US paneling) 1 panelled work. 2 wood for making panels.
panellist n. (US panelist) a member of a panel (esp. in broadcasting).
pang n. (often in pl.) a sudden sharp pain or painful emotion.
[16th c.: var. of earlier prange pinching f. Gmc]
panga n. a bladed African tool like a machete. [native name in E.
Africa]
pangolin n. any scaly anteater of the genus Manis, native to Asia and
Africa, having a small head with elongated snout and tongue, and
a tapering tail. [Malay peng-goling roller (from its habit of
rolling itself up)]
panhandle n. & v. US --n. a narrow strip of territory extending from one
State into another. --v.tr. & intr. colloq. beg for money in
the street. ЬЬpanhandler n.
panic(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a sudden uncontrollable fear or alarm. b
(attrib.) characterized or caused by panic (panic buying). 2
infectious apprehension or fright esp. in commercial dealings.
--v.tr. & intr. (panicked, panicking) (often foll. by into)
affect or be affected with panic (was panicked into buying).
Ьpanic button a button for summoning help in an emergency.
panic-monger a person who fosters a panic. panic stations a
state of emergency. panic-stricken (or -struck) affected with
panic; very apprehensive. ЬЬpanicky adj. [F panique f. mod.L
panicus f. Gk panikos f. Pan a rural god causing terror]
panic(2) n. any grass of the genus Panicum, including millet and other
cereals. [OE f. L panicum f. panus thread on bobbin,
millet-ear f. Gk penos web]
panicle n. Bot. a loose branching cluster of flowers, as in oats.
ЬЬpanicled adj. [L paniculum dimin. of panus thread]
panjandrum
n. 1 a mock title for an important person. 2 a pompous or
pretentious official etc. [app. invented in nonsense verse by
S. Foote 1755]
panne n. (in full panne velvet) a velvet-like fabric of silk or rayon
with a flattened pile. [F]
pannier n. 1 a basket, esp. one of a pair carried by a beast of burden.
2 each of a pair of bags or boxes on either side of the rear
wheel of a bicycle or motor cycle. 3 hist. a part of a skirt
looped up round the hips. b a frame supporting this. [ME f. OF
panier f. L panarium bread-basket f. panis bread]
pannikin n. Brit. 1 a small metal drinking-cup. 2 the contents of
this. [PAN(1) + -KIN, after cannikin]
panoply n. (pl. -ies) 1 a complete or splendid array. 2 a complete
suit of armour. ЬЬpanoplied adj. [F panoplie or mod.L panoplia
full armour f. Gk (as PAN-, oplia f. hopla arms)]
panoptic adj. showing or seeing the whole at one view. [Gk panoptos
seen by all, panoptes all-seeing]
panorama n. 1 an unbroken view of a surrounding region. 2 a complete
survey or presentation of a subject, sequence of events, etc. 3
a picture or photograph containing a wide view. 4 a continuous
passing scene. ЬЬpanoramic adj. panoramically adv. [PAN- + Gk
horama view f. horao see]
pan-pipes n.pl. a musical instrument orig. associated with the Greek
rural god Pan, made of a series of short pipes graduated in
length and fixed together with the mouthpieces in line.
pansy n. (pl. -ies) 1 any garden plant of the genus Viola, with
flowers of various rich colours. 2 colloq. derog. a an
effeminate man. b a male homosexual. [F pens‚e thought, pansy
f. penser think f. L pensare frequent. of pendere pens- weigh]
pant v. & n. --v. 1 intr. breathe with short quick breaths. 2 tr.
(often foll. by out) utter breathlessly. 3 intr. (often foll.
by for) yearn or crave. 4 intr. (of the heart etc.) throb
violently. --n. 1 a panting breath. 2 a throb. ЬЬpantingly
adv. [ME f. OF pantaisier ult. f. Gk phantasioo cause to
imagine (as FANTASY)]
pantalets n.pl. (also pantalettes) hist. 1 long underpants worn by women
and girls in the 19th c., with a frill at the bottom of each
leg. 2 women's cycling trousers. [dimin. of PANTALOON]
pantaloon n. 1 (in pl.) a hist. men's close-fitting breeches fastened
below the calf or at the foot. b esp. US trousers. 2
(Pantaloon) a character in Italian comedy wearing pantaloons (in
sense 1a). [F pantalon f. It. pantalone, a character in
Italian comedy]
pantechnicon
n. Brit. a large van for transporting furniture. [PAN- +
TECHNIC orig. as the name of a bazaar and then a furniture
warehouse]
pantheism n. 1 the belief that God is identifiable with the forces of
nature and with natural substances. 2 worship that admits or
tolerates all gods. ЬЬpantheist n. pantheistic adj.
pantheistical adj. pantheistically adv. [PAN- + Gk theos god]
pantheon n. 1 a building in which illustrious dead are buried or have
memorials. 2 the deities of a people collectively. 3 a temple
dedicated to all the gods, esp. the circular one at Rome. [ME
f. L f. Gk pantheion (as PAN-, theion holy f. theos god)]
panther n. 1 a leopard, esp. with black fur. 2 US a puma. [ME f. OF
pantere f. L panthera f. Gk panther]
pantie-girdle
n. a woman's girdle with a crotch shaped like pants.
panties n.pl. colloq. short-legged or legless underpants worn by women
and girls. [dimin. of PANTS]
pantihose n. (US panty hose) (usu. treated as pl.) women's tights.
[PANTIES + HOSE]
pantile n. a roof-tile curved to form an S-shaped section, fitted to
overlap. [PAN(1) + TILE]
panto n. (pl. -os) Brit. colloq. = PANTOMIME 1. [abbr.]
panto- comb. form all, universal. [Gk pas pantos all]
pantograph
n. 1 Art & Painting an instrument for copying a plan or drawing
etc. on a different scale by a system of jointed rods. 2 a
jointed framework conveying a current to an electric vehicle
from overhead wires. ЬЬpantographic adj. [PANTO- + Gk -graphos
writing]
pantomime n. 1 Brit. a theatrical entertainment based on a fairy tale,
with music, topical jokes, etc., usu. produced about Christmas.
2 the use of gestures and facial expression to convey meaning,
esp. in drama and dance. 3 colloq. an absurd or outrageous
piece of behaviour. ЬЬpantomimic adj. [F pantomime or L
pantomimus f. Gk pantomimos (as PANTO-, MIME)]
pantothenic acid
n. a vitamin of the B complex, found in rice, bran, and many
other foods, and essential for the oxidation of fats and
carbohydrates. [Gk pantothen from every side]
pantry n. (pl. -ies) 1 a small room or cupboard in which crockery,
cutlery, table linen, etc., are kept. 2 a larder. [ME f. AF
panetrie, OF paneterie f. panetier baker ult. f. LL panarius
bread-seller f. L panis bread]
pantryman n. (pl. -men) a butler or a butler's assistant.
pants n.pl. colloq. 1 Brit. underpants or knickers. 2 US trousers
or slacks. Ьbore (or scare etc.) the pants off colloq. bore,
scare, etc., to an intolerable degree. pants (or pant) suit
esp. US a trouser suit. with one's pants down colloq. in an
embarrassingly unprepared state. [abbr. of PANTALOONS]
panty hose
US var. of PANTIHOSE.
panzer n. 1 (in pl.) armoured troops. 2 (attrib.) heavily armoured
(panzer division). [G, = coat of mail]
pap(1) n. 1 a soft or semi-liquid food for infants or invalids. b a
mash or pulp. 2 light or trivial reading matter; nonsense.
ЬЬpappy adj. [ME prob. f. MLG, MDu. pappe, prob. ult. f. L
pappare eat]
pap(2) n. archaic or dial. the nipple of a breast. [ME, of Scand.
orig.: ult. imit. of sucking]
papa n. archaic father (esp. as a child's word). [F f. LL f. Gk
papas]
papabile adj. suitable for high office. [It., = suitable to be pope, f.
L papa pope]
papacy n. (pl. -ies) 1 a pope's office or tenure. 2 the papal
system. [ME f. med.L papatia f. papa pope]
papain n. an enzyme obtained from unripe pawpaws, used to tenderize
meat and as a food supplement to aid digestion. [PAPAYA + -IN]
papal adj. of or relating to a pope or to the papacy. ЬPapal States
hist. the temporal dominions belonging to the Pope, esp. in
central Italy. ЬЬpapally adv. [ME f. OF f. med.L papalis f.
eccl.L papa POPE(1)]
paparazzo n. (pl. paparazzi) a freelance photographer who pursues
celebrities to get photographs of them. [It.]
papaverous
adj. like or related to the poppy. ЬЬpapaveraceous adj. [L
papaver poppy]
papaw var. of PAWPAW.
papaya n. = PAWPAW 1. [earlier form of PAWPAW]
paper n. & v. --n. 1 a material manufactured in thin sheets from the
pulp of wood or other fibrous substances, used for writing or
drawing or printing on, or as wrapping material etc. 2
(attrib.) a made of or using paper. b flimsy like paper. 3 =
NEWSPAPER. 4 a a document printed on paper. b (in pl.)
documents attesting identity or credentials. c (in pl.)
documents belonging to a person or relating to a matter. 5
Commerce a negotiable documents, e.g. bills of exchange. b
(attrib.) recorded on paper though not existing (paper profits).
6 a a set of questions to be answered at one session in an
examination. b the written answers to these. 7 = WALLPAPER. 8
an essay or dissertation, esp. one read to a learned society or
published in a learned journal. 9 a piece of paper, esp. as a
wrapper etc. 10 Theatr. sl. free tickets or the people
admitted by them (the house is full of paper). --v.tr. 1 apply
paper to, esp. decorate (a wall etc.) with wallpaper. 2 (foll.
by over) a cover (a hole or blemish) with paper. b disguise or
try to hide (a fault etc.). 3 Theatr. sl. fill (a theatre) by
giving free passes. Ьon paper 1 in writing. 2 in theory; to
judge from written or printed evidence. paper-boy (or -girl) a
boy or girl who delivers or sells newspapers. paper-chase a
cross-country run in which the runners follow a trail marked by
torn-up paper. paper-clip a clip of bent wire or of plastic for
holding several sheets of paper together. paper-hanger a person
who decorates with wallpaper, esp. professionally. paper-knife
a blunt knife for opening letters etc. paper-mill a mill in
which paper is made. paper money money in the form of
banknotes. paper mulberry a small Asiatic tree, Broussonetia
papyrifera, of the mulberry family, whose bark is used for
making paper and cloth. paper nautilus see NAUTILUS 2. paper
round 1 a job of regularly delivering newspapers. 2 a route
taken doing this. paper tape Computing tape made of paper, esp.
that on which data or instructions are represented by means of
holes punched in it, for conveying to a processor etc. paper
tiger an apparently threatening, but ineffectual, person or
thing. ЬЬpaperer n. paperless adj. [ME f. AF papir, = OF
papier f. L papyrus: see PAPYRUS]
paperback adj. & n. --adj. (of a book) bound in stiff paper not boards.
--n. a paperback book.
paperweight
n. a small heavy object for keeping loose papers in place.
paperwork n. routine clerical or administrative work.
papery adj. like paper in thinness or texture.
papier mѓch‚
n. paper pulp used for moulding into boxes, trays, etc. [F, =
chewed paper]
papilionaceous
adj. (of a plant) with a corolla like a butterfly. [mod.L
papilionaceus f. L papilio -onis butterfly]
papilla n. (pl. papillae) 1 a small nipple-like protuberance in a part
or organ of the body. 2 Bot. a small fleshy projection on a
plant. ЬЬpapillary adj. papillate adj. papillose adj. [L, =
nipple, dimin. of papula: see PAPULA]
papilloma n. (pl. papillomas or papillomata) a wartlike usu. benign
tumour.
papillon n. 1 a toy dog of a breed with ears suggesting the form of a
butterfly. 2 this breed. [F, = butterfly, f. L papilio -onis]
papist n. & adj. often derog. --n. 1 a Roman Catholic. 2 hist. an
advocate of papal supremacy. --adj. of or relating to Roman
Catholics. ЬЬpapistic adj. papistical adj. papistry n. [F
papiste or mod.L papista f. eccl.L papa POPE(1)]
papoose n. a N. American Indian young child. [Algonquin]
pappus n. (pl. pappi) a group of hairs on the fruit of thistles,
dandelions, etc. ЬЬpappose adj. [L f. Gk pappos]
paprika n. 1 Bot. a red pepper. 2 a condiment made from it. [Magyar]
pap test n. a test done by a cervical smear. [abbr. of G. N.
Papanicolaou, US scientist d. 1962]
papula n. (also papule) (pl. papulae) 1 a pimple. 2 a small fleshy
projection on a plant. ЬЬpapular adj. papulose adj. papulous
adj. [L]
papyrology
n. the study of ancient papyri. ЬЬpapyrological adj.
papyrologist n.
papyrus n. (pl. papyri) 1 an aquatic plant, Cyperus papyrus, with dark
green stems topped with fluffy inflorescences. 2 a a
writing-material prepared in ancient Egypt from the pithy stem
of this. b a document written on this. [ME f. L papyrus f. Gk
papuros]
par(1) n. 1 the average or normal amount, degree, condition, etc.
(feel below par; be up to par). 2 equality; an equal status or
footing (on a par with). 3 Golf the number of strokes a
first-class player should normally require for a hole or course.
4 Stock Exch. the face value of stocks and shares etc. (at par).
5 (in full par of exchange) the recognized value of one
country's currency in terms of another's. Ьabove (or below) par
Stock Exch. at a premium (or discount). at par Stock Exch. at
face value. par for the course colloq. what is normal or
expected in any given circumstances. [L (adj. & n.) = equal,
equality]
par(2) n. Brit. esp. Journalism colloq. paragraph. [abbr.]
par. abbr. (also para.) paragraph.
par- prefix var. of PARA-(1) before a vowel or h; (paraldehyde;
parody; parhelion).
para n. colloq. 1 a paratrooper. 2 a paragraph. [abbr.]
para-(1) prefix (also par-) 1 beside (paramilitary). 2 beyond
(paranormal). 3 Chem. a modification of (paraldehyde). b
relating to diametrically opposite carbon atoms in a benzene
ring (paradichlorobenzene). [from or after Gk para- f. para
beside, past, beyond]
para-(2) comb. form protect, ward off (parachute; parasol). [F f. It. f.
L parare defend]
parabiosis
n. Biol. the natural or artificial joining of two individuals.
ЬЬparabiotic adj. [mod.L, formed as PARA-(1) + Gk biosis mode
of life f. bios life]
parable n. 1 a narrative of imagined events used to illustrate a moral
or spiritual lesson. 2 an allegory. [ME f. OF parabole f. LL
sense 'allegory, discourse' of L parabola comparison]
parabola n. an open plane curve formed by the intersection of a cone
with a plane parallel to its side, resembling the path of a
projectile under the action of gravity. [mod.L f. Gk parabole
placing side by side, comparison (as PARA-(1), bole a throw f.
ballo)]
parabolic adj. 1 of or expressed in a parable. 2 of or like a parabola.
ЬЬparabolically adv. [LL parabolicus f. Gk parabolikos (as
PARABOLA)]
parabolical
adj. = PARABOLIC 1.
paraboloid
n. 1 (in full paraboloid of revolution) a solid generated by
the rotation of a parabola about its axis of symmetry. 2 a
solid having two or more non-parallel parabolic cross-sections.
ЬЬparaboloidal adj.
paracetamol
n. 1 a drug used to reduce pain and relieve fever. 2 a tablet
of this. [para-a cetyl aminophen ol]
parachronism
n. an error in chronology, esp. by assigning too late a date.
[PARA-(1) + Gk khronos time, perh. after anachronism]
parachute n. & v. --n. 1 a rectangular or umbrella-shaped apparatus
allowing a person or heavy object attached to it to descend
slowly from a height, esp. from an aircraft, or to retard
motion in other ways. 2 (attrib.) dropped or to be dropped by
parachute (parachute troops; parachute flare). --v.tr. & intr.
convey or descend by parachute. [F (as PARA-(2), CHUTE(1))]
parachutist
n. 1 a person who uses a parachute. 2 (in pl.) parachute
troops.
Paraclete n. the Holy Spirit as advocate or counsellor (John 14:16, 26,
etc.). [ME f. OF paraclet f. LL paracletus f. Gk parakletos
called in aid (as PARA-(1), kletos f. kaleo call)]
parade n. & v. --n. 1 a a formal or ceremonial muster of troops for
inspection. b = parade-ground. 2 a public procession. 3
ostentatious display (made a parade of their wealth). 4 a
public square, promenade, or row of shops. --v. 1 intr.
assemble for parade. 2 a tr. march through (streets etc.) in
procession. b intr. march ceremonially. 3 tr. display
ostentatiously. Ьon parade 1 taking part in a parade. 2 on
display. parade-ground a place for the muster of troops.
ЬЬparader n. [F, = show, f. Sp. parada and It. parata ult. f.
L parare prepare, furnish]
paradiddle
n. a drum roll with alternate beating of sticks. [imit.]
paradigm n. an example or pattern, esp. a representative set of the
inflections of a noun, verb, etc. ЬЬparadigmatic adj.
paradigmatically adv. [LL paradigma f. Gk paradeigma f.
paradeiknumi show side by side (as PARA-(1), deiknumi show)]
paradise n. 1 (in some religions) heaven as the ultimate abode of the
just. 2 a place or state of complete happiness. 3 (in full
earthly paradise) the abode of Adam and Eve in the biblical
account of the Creation; the garden of Eden. ЬЬparadisaical
adj. paradisal adj. paradisiacal adj. paradisical adj. [ME
f. OF paradis f. LL paradisus f. Gk paradeisos f. Avestan
pairidaeza park]
parados n. an elevation of earth behind a fortified place as a
protection against attack from the rear, esp. a mound along the
back of a trench. [F (as PARA-(2), dos back f. L dorsum)]
paradox n. 1 a a seemingly absurd or contradictory statement, even if
actually well-founded. b a self-contradictory or essentially
absurd statement. 2 a person or thing conflicting with a
preconceived notion of what is reasonable or possible. 3 a
paradoxical quality or character. [orig. = a statement contrary
to accepted opinion, f. LL paradoxum f. Gk paradoxon neut. adj.
(as PARA-(1), doxa opinion)]
paradoxical
adj. 1 of or like or involving paradox. 2 fond of paradox.
ЬЬparadoxically adv.
paraffin n. 1 an inflammable waxy or oily substance obtained by
distillation from petroleum or shale, used in liquid form (also
paraffin oil) esp. as a fuel. 2 Chem. = ALKANE. Ьparaffin wax
paraffin in its solid form. [G (1830) f. L parum little +
affinis related, from the small affinity it has for other
substances]
paragoge n. the addition of a letter or syllable to a word in some
contexts or as a language develops (e.g. t in peasant).
ЬЬparagogic adj. [LL f. Gk paragoge derivation (as PARA-(1),
agoge f. ago lead)]
paragon n. 1 a a model of excellence. b a supremely excellent person
or thing. 2 (foll. by of) a model (of virtue etc.). 3 a
perfect diamond of 100 carats or more. [obs. F f. It. paragone
touchstone, f. med.Gk parakone whetstone]
paragraph n. & v. --n. 1 a distinct section of a piece of writing,
beginning on a new usu. indented line. 2 a symbol (usu. X!X!)
used to mark a new paragraph, and also as a reference mark. 3 a
short item in a newspaper, usu. of only one paragraph. --v.tr.
arrange (a piece of writing) in paragraphs. ЬЬparagraphic adj.
[F paragraphe or med.L paragraphus f. Gk paragraphos short
stroke marking a break in sense (as PARA-(1), grapho write)]
parakeet n. (US also parrakeet) any of various small usu. long-tailed
parrots. [OF paroquet, It. parrocchetto, Sp. periquito, perh.
ult. f. dimin. of Pierre etc. Peter: cf. PARROT]
paralanguage
n. elements or factors in communication that are ancillary to
language proper, e.g. intonation and gesture.
paraldehyde
n. a cyclic polymer of acetaldehyde, used as a narcotic and
sedative. [PARA-(1) + ALDEHYDE]
paralegal adj. & n. esp. US --adj. of or relating to auxiliary aspects
of the law. --n. a person trained in subsidiary legal matters.
[PARA-(1) + LEGAL]
paralipomena
n.pl. (also -leipomena) 1 things omitted from a work and added
as a supplement. 2 Bibl. the books of Chronicles in the Old
Testament, containing particulars omitted from Kings. [ME f.
eccl.L f. Gk paraleipomena f. paraleipo omit (as PARA-(1),
leipo leave)]
paralipsis
n. (also -leipsis) (pl. -ses) Rhet. 1 the device of giving
emphasis by professing to say little or nothing of a subject, as
in not to mention their unpaid debts of several millions. 2 an
instance of this. [LL f. Gk paraleipsis passing over (as
PARA-(1), leipsis f. leipo leave)]
parallax n. 1 the apparent difference in the position or direction of an
object caused when the observer's position is changed. 2 the
angular amount of this. ЬЬparallactic adj. [F parallaxe f.
mod.L parallaxis f. Gk parallaxis change f. parallasso to
alternate (as PARA-(1), allasso exchange f. allos other)]
parallel adj., n., & v. --adj. 1 a (of lines or planes) side by side
and having the same distance continuously between them. b
(foll. by to, with) (of a line or plane) having this relation
(to another). 2 (of circumstances etc.) precisely similar,
analogous, or corresponding. 3 a (of processes etc.) occurring
or performed simultaneously. b Computing involving the
simultaneous performance of operations. --n. 1 a person or
thing precisely analogous or equal to another. 2 a comparison
(drew a parallel between the two situations). 3 (in full
parallel of latitude) Geog. a each of the imaginary parallel
circles of constant latitude on the earth's surface. b a
corresponding line on a map (the 49th parallel). 4 Printing two
parallel lines (ll) as a reference mark. --v.tr. (paralleled,
paralleling) 1 be parallel to; correspond to. 2 represent as
similar; compare. 3 adduce as a parallel instance. Ьin
parallel (of electric circuits) arranged so as to join at common
points at each end. parallel bars a pair of parallel rails on
posts for gymnastics. ЬЬparallelism n. [F parallЉle f. L
parallelus f. Gk parallelos (as PARA-(1), allelos one another)]
parallelepiped
n. Geom. a solid body of which each face is a parallelogram.
[Gk parallelepipedon (as PARALLEL, epipedon plane surface)]
parallelogram
n. Geom. a four-sided plane rectilinear figure with opposite
sides parallel. Ьparallelogram of forces 1 a parallelogram
illustrating the theorem that if two forces acting at a point
are represented in magnitude and direction by two sides of a
parallelogram meeting at that point, their resultant is
represented by the diagonal drawn from that point. 2 this
theorem. [F parall‚logramme f. LL parallelogrammum f. Gk
parallelogrammon (as PARALLEL, gramme line)]
paralogism
n. Logic 1 a fallacy. 2 illogical reasoning (esp. of which the
reasoner is unconscious). ЬЬparalogist n. paralogize v.intr.
(also -ise). [F paralogisme f. LL paralogismus f. Gk
paralogismos f. paralogizomai reason falsely f. paralogos
contrary to reason (as PARA-(1), logos reason)]
paralyse n. (US paralyze) 1 affect with paralysis. 2 render powerless;
cripple. ЬЬparalysation n. paralysingly adv. [F paralyser f.
paralysie: cf. PALSY]
paralysis n. (pl. paralyses) 1 a nervous condition with impairment or
loss of esp. the motor function of the nerves. 2 a state of
utter powerlessness. [L f. Gk paralusis f. paraluo disable (as
PARA-(1), luo loosen)]
paralytic adj. & n. --adj. 1 affected by paralysis. 2 sl. very drunk.
--n. a person affected by paralysis. ЬЬparalytically adv. [ME
f. OF paralytique f. L paralyticus f. Gk paralutikos (as
PARALYSIS)]
paramagnetic
adj. (of a body or substance) tending to become weakly
magnetized so as to lie parallel to a magnetic field force.
ЬЬparamagnetism n.
paramatta var. of PARRAMATTA.
paramecium
n. (also paramoecium) any freshwater protozoan of the genus
Paramecium, of a characteristic slipper-like shape covered with
cilia. [mod.L f. Gk paramekes oval (as PARA-(1), mekos length)]
paramedic n. a paramedical worker.
paramedical
adj. (of services etc.) supplementing and supporting medical
work.
parameter n. 1 Math. a quantity constant in the case considered but
varying in different cases. 2 a an (esp. measurable or
quantifiable) characteristic or feature. b (loosely) a constant
element or factor, esp. serving as a limit or boundary.
ЬЬparametric adj. parametrize v.tr. (also -ise). [mod.L f. Gk
para beside + metron measure]
paramilitary
adj. (of forces) ancillary to and similarly organized to
military forces.
paramnesia
n. Psychol. = DђJ° VU. [PARA-(1) + AMNESIA]
paramo n. (pl. -os) a high treeless plateau in tropical S. America.
[Sp. & Port. f. L paramus]
paramoecium
var. of PARAMECIUM.
paramount adj. 1 supreme; requiring first consideration; pre-eminent (of
paramount importance). 2 in supreme authority. ЬЬparamountcy
n. paramountly adv. [AF paramont f. OF par by + amont above:
cf. AMOUNT]
paramour n. archaic or derog. an illicit lover of a married person.
[ME f. OF par amour by love]
parang n. a large heavy Malayan knife used for clearing vegetation
etc. [Malay]
paranoia n. 1 a mental disorder esp. characterized by delusions of
persecution and self-importance. 2 an abnormal tendency to
suspect and mistrust others. ЬЬparanoiac adj. & n.
paranoiacally adv. paranoic adj. paranoically adv. paranoid
adj. & n. [mod.L f. Gk f. paranoos distracted (as PARA-(1),
noos mind)]
paranormal
adj. beyond the scope of normal objective investigation or
explanation. ЬЬparanormally adv.
parapet n. 1 a low wall at the edge of a roof, balcony, etc., or along
the sides of a bridge. 2 a defence of earth or stone to conceal
and protect troops. ЬЬparapeted adj. [F parapet or It.
parapetto breast-high wall (as PARA-(2), petto breast f. L
pectus)]
paraph n. a flourish after a signature, orig. as a precaution against
forgery. [ME f. F paraphe f. med.L paraphus for paragraphus
PARAGRAPH]
paraphernalia
n.pl. (also treated as sing.) miscellaneous belongings, items
of equipment, accessories, etc. [orig. = property owned by a
married woman, f. med.L paraphernalia f. LL parapherna f. Gk
parapherna property apart from a dowry (as PARA-(1), pherna f.
pherne dower)]
paraphrase
n. & v. --n. a free rendering or rewording of a passage.
--v.tr. express the meaning of (a passage) in other words.
ЬЬparaphrastic adj. [F paraphrase or L paraphrasis f. Gk
paraphrasis f. paraphrazo (as PARA-(1) phrazo tell)]
paraplegia
n. paralysis of the legs and part or the whole of the trunk.
ЬЬparaplegic adj. & n. [mod.L f. Gk paraplegia f. paraplesso
(as PARA-(1), plesso strike)]
parapsychology
n. the study of mental phenomena outside the sphere of ordinary
psychology (hypnosis, telepathy, etc.). ЬЬparapsychological
adj. parapsychologist n.
paraquat n. a quick-acting herbicide, becoming inactive on contact with
the soil. [PARA-(1) + QUATERNARY (from the position of the bond
between the two parts of the molecule relative to quaternary
nitrogen atom)]
parascending
n. a sport in which participants wearing open parachutes are
towed behind a vehicle or motor boat to gain height before
release for a conventional descent, usu. towards a predetermined
target. ЬЬparascender n.
paraselene
n. (pl. paraselenae) a bright spot, esp. an image of the moon,
on a lunar halo. Also called mock moon. [mod.L (as PARA-(1), Gk
selene moon)]
parasite n. 1 an organism living in or on another and benefiting at the
expense of the other. 2 a person who lives off or exploits
another or others. 3 Philol. an inorganic sound or letter
developing from an adjacent one. ЬЬparasitic adj. parasitical
adj. parasitically adv. parasiticide n. parasitism n.
parasitology n. parasitologist n. [L parasitus f. Gk parasitos
one who eats at another's table (as PARA-(1), sitos food)]
parasitize
v.tr. (also -ise) infest as a parasite. ЬЬparasitization n.
parasol n. a light umbrella used to give shade from the sun. [F f. It.
parasole (as PARA-(2), sole sun f. L sol)]
parasympathetic
adj. Anat. relating to the part of the nervous system that
consists of nerves leaving the lower end of the spinal cord and
connecting with those in or near the viscera (cf. SYMPATHETIC
9). [PARA-(1) + SYMPATHETIC, because some of these nerves run
alongside sympathetic nerves]
parasynthesis
n. Philol. a derivation from a compound, e.g. black-eyed from
black eye(s) + -ed. ЬЬparasynthetic adj. [Gk parasunthesis (as
PARA-(1), SYNTHESIS)]
parataxis n. Gram. the placing of clauses etc. one after another,
without words to indicate coordination or subordination, e.g.
Tell me, how are you? ЬЬparatactic adj. paratactically adv.
[Gk parataxis (as PARA-(1), taxis arrangement f. tasso
arrange)]
parathion n. a highly toxic agricultural insecticide. [PARA-(1) + THIO-
+ -ON]
parathyroid
n. & adj. Anat. --n. a gland next to the thyroid, secreting a
hormone that regulates calcium levels in the body. --adj. of or
associated with this gland.
paratroop n. (attrib.) of or consisting of paratroops (paratroop
regiment).
paratrooper
n. a member of a body of paratroops.
paratroops
n.pl. troops equipped to be dropped by parachute from aircraft.
[contr. of PARACHUTE + TROOP]
paratyphoid
n. & adj. --n. a fever resembling typhoid but caused by various
different though related bacteria. --adj. of, relating to, or
caused by this fever.
paravane n. a torpedo-shaped device towed at a depth regulated by its
vanes or planes to cut the moorings of submerged mines.
par avion adv. by airmail. [F, = by aeroplane]
parboil v.tr. partly cook by boiling. [ME f. OF parbo(u)illir f. LL
perbullire boil thoroughly (as PER-, bullire boil: confused with
PART)]
parbuckle n. & v. --n. a rope arranged like a sling, for raising or
lowering casks and cylindrical objects. --v.tr. raise or lower
with this. [earlier parbunkle, of unkn. orig.: assoc. with
BUCKLE]
parcel n. & v. --n. 1 a goods etc. wrapped up in a single package. b
a bundle of things wrapped up, usu. in paper. 2 a piece of
land, esp. as part of an estate. 3 a quantity dealt with in one
commercial transaction. 4 archaic part. --v.tr. (parcelled,
parcelling; US parceled, parceling) 1 (foll. by up) wrap as a
parcel. 2 (foll. by out) divide into portions. 3 cover (rope)
with strips of canvas. Ьparcel post the branch of the postal
service dealing with parcels. [ME f. OF parcelle ult. f. L
particula (as PART)]
parch v. 1 tr. & intr. make or become hot and dry. 2 tr. roast
(peas, corn, etc.) slightly. [ME perch, parche, of unkn. orig.]
parched adj. 1 hot and dry; dried out with heat. 2 colloq. thirsty.
parchment n. 1 a an animal skin, esp. that of a sheep or goat, prepared
as a writing or painting surface. b a manuscript written on
this. 2 (in full vegetable parchment) high-grade paper made to
resemble parchment. [ME f. OF parchemin, ult. a blend of LL
pergamina writing material from Pergamum (in Asia Minor) with
Parthica pellis Parthian skin (leather)]
parclose n. a screen or railing in a church, separating a side chapel.
[ME f. OF parclos -ose past part. of parclore enclose]
pard n. archaic or poet. a leopard. [ME f. OF f. L pardus f. Gk
pardos]
pardalote n. any small brightly-coloured Australian bird of the genus
Pardalotus, with spotted plumage. Also called diamond-bird.
[mod.L Pardalotus f. Gk pardalotos spotted like a leopard (as
PARD)]
pardner n. US colloq. a partner or comrade. [corrupt.]
pardon n., v., & int. --n. 1 the act of excusing or forgiving an
offence, error, etc. 2 (in full free pardon) a remission of the
legal consequences of a crime or conviction. 3 RC Ch. an
indulgence. --v.tr. 1 release from the consequences of an
offence, error, etc. 2 forgive or excuse a person for (an
offence etc.). 3 make (esp. courteous) allowances for; excuse.
--int. (also pardon me or I beg your pardon) 1 a formula of
apology or disagreement. 2 a request to repeat something said.
ЬЬpardonable adj. pardonably adv. [ME f. OF pardun, pardoner
f. med.L perdonare concede, remit (as PER-, donare give)]
pardoner n. hist. a person licensed to sell papal pardons or
indulgences. [ME f. AF (as PARDON)]
pare v.tr. 1 a trim or shave (esp. fruit and vegetables) by cutting
away the surface or edge. b (often foll. by off, away) cut off
(the surface or edge). 2 (often foll. by away, down) diminish
little by little. ЬЬparer n. [ME f. OF parer adorn, peel
(fruit), f. L parare prepare]
paregoric n. (in full paregoric elixir) hist. a camphorated tincture of
opium used to reduce pain. [LL paregoricus f. Gk paregorikos
soothing (as PARA-(1), -agoros speaking f. agora assembly)]
pareira n. a drug from the root of a Brazilian shrub, Chondrodendron
tomentosum, used as a muscle relaxant in surgery etc. [Port.
parreira vine trained against a wall]
parenchyma
n. 1 Anat. the functional part of an organ as distinguished
from the connective and supporting tissue. 2 Bot. the cellular
material, usu. soft and succulent, found esp. in the softer
parts of leaves, pulp of fruits, bark and pith of stems, etc.
ЬЬparenchymal adj. parenchymatous adj. [Gk paregkhuma
something poured in besides (as PARA-(1), egkhuma infusion f.
egkheo pour in)]
parent n. & v. --n. 1 a person who has begotten or borne offspring; a
father or mother. 2 a person who has adopted a child. 3 a
forefather. 4 an animal or plant from which others are derived.
5 a source or origin. 6 an initiating organization or
enterprise. --v.tr. (also absol.) be a parent of. Ьparent
company a company of which other companies are subsidiaries.
parent-teacher association a local organization of parents and
teachers for promoting closer relations and improving
educational facilities at a school. ЬЬparental adj. parentally
adv. parenthood n. [ME f. OF f. L parens parentis f. parere
bring forth]
parentage n. lineage; descent from or through parents (their parentage is
unknown). [ME f. OF (as PARENT)]
parenteral
adj. Med. administered or occurring elsewhere than in the
alimentary canal. ЬЬparenterally adv. [PARA-(1) + Gk enteron
intestine]
parenthesis
n. (pl. parentheses) 1 a a word, clause, or sentence inserted
as an explanation or afterthought into a passage which is
grammatically complete without it, and usu. marked off by
brackets or dashes or commas. b (in pl.) a pair of round
brackets () used for this. 2 an interlude or interval. Ьin
parenthesis as a parenthesis or afterthought. [LL f. Gk
parenthesis f. parentithemi put in beside]
parenthesize
v.tr. (also -ise) 1 (also absol.) insert as a parenthesis. 2
put into brackets or similar punctuation.
parenthetic
adj. 1 of or by way of a parenthesis. 2 interposed.
ЬЬparenthetical adj. parenthetically adv. [PARENTHESIS after
synthesis, synthetic, etc.]
parenting n. the occupation or concerns of parents.
parergon n. (pl. parerga) 1 work subsidiary to one's main employment.
2 an ornamental accessory. [L f. Gk parergon (as PARA-(1),
ergon work)]
paresis n. (pl. pareses) Med. partial paralysis. ЬЬparetic adj.
[mod.L f. Gk f. pariemi let go (as PARA-(1), hiemi let go)]
par excellence
adv. as having special excellence; being the supreme example of
its kind (the short story par excellence). [F, = by excellence]
parfait n. 1 a rich iced pudding of whipped cream, eggs, etc. 2 layers
of ice-cream, meringue, etc., served in a tall glass. [F
parfait PERFECT adj.]
pargana n. (also pergunnah, pergana) (in India) a group of villages or
a subdivision of a district. [Urdu pargana district]
parget v. & n. --v.tr. (pargeted, pargeting) 1 plaster (a wall etc.)
esp. with an ornamental pattern. 2 roughcast. --n. 1 plaster
applied in this way; ornamental plasterwork. 2 roughcast. [ME
f. OF pargeter, parjeter f. par all over + jeter throw]
parhelion n. (pl. parhelia) a bright spot on the solar halo. Also called
mock sun, sun-dog. ЬЬparheliacal adj. parhelic adj. [L
parelion f. Gk (as PARA-(1), helios sun)]
pariah n. 1 a social outcast. 2 hist. a member of a low caste or of
no caste in S. India. Ьpariah-dog = PYE-DOG. [Tamil paraiyar
pl. of paraiyan hereditary drummer f. parai drum]
parietal adj. 1 Anat. of the wall of the body or any of its cavities. 2
Bot. of the wall of a hollow structure etc. 3 US relating to
residence within a college. Ьparietal bone either of a pair of
bones forming the central part of the sides and top of the
skull. [F pari‚tal or LL parietalis f. L paries -etis wall]
pari-mutuel
n. 1 a form of betting in which those backing the first three
places divide the losers' stakes (less the operator's
commission). 2 a totalizator. [F, = mutual stake]
paring n. a strip or piece cut off.
pari passu
adv. 1 with equal speed. 2 simultaneously and equally. [L]
Paris commune
see COMMUNE(1).
Paris green
n. a poisonous chemical used as a pigment and insecticide.
[Paris in France]
parish n. 1 an area having its own church and clergy. 2 (in full
civil parish) a district constituted for purposes of local
government. 3 the inhabitants of a parish. 4 US a county in
Louisiana. Ьparish clerk an official performing various duties
concerned with the church. parish council Brit. the
administrative body in a civil parish. parish pump (often
attrib.) a symbol of a parochial or restricted outlook. parish
register a book recording christenings, marriages, and burials,
at a parish church. [ME paroche, parosse f. OF paroche,
paroisse f. eccl.L parochia, paroechia f. Gk paroikia sojourning
f. paroikos (as PARA-(1), -oikos -dwelling f. oikeo dwell)]
parishioner
n. an inhabitant of a parish. [obs. parishen f. ME f. OF
parossien, formed as PARISH]
Parisian adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to Paris in France. --n. 1 a
native or inhabitant of Paris. 2 the kind of French spoken in
Paris. [F parisien]
parison n. a rounded mass of glass formed by rolling immediately after
taking it from the furnace. [F paraison f. parer prepare f. L
parare]
parity(1) n. 1 equality or equal status, esp. as regards status or pay.
2 parallelism or analogy (parity of reasoning). 3 equivalence
of one currency with another; being at par. 4 (of a number) the
fact of being even or odd. 5 Physics (of a quantity) the fact
of changing its sign or remaining unaltered under a given
transformation of coordinates etc. [F parit‚ or LL paritas (as
PAR(1))]
parity(2) n. Med. 1 the fact or condition of having borne children. 2
the number of children previously borne. [formed as -PAROUS +
-ITY]
park n. & v. --n. 1 a large public garden in a town, for
recreation. 2 a large enclosed piece of ground, usu. with
woodland and pasture, attached to a country house etc. 3 a a
large area of land kept in its natural state for public
recreational use. b a large enclosed area of land used to
accommodate wild animals in captivity (wildlife park). 4 an
area for motor vehicles etc. to be left in (car park). 5 the
gear position or function in automatic transmission in which the
gears are locked, preventing the vehicle's movement. 6 an area
devoted to a specified purpose (industrial park). 7 a US a
sports ground. b (usu. prec. by the) a football pitch. --v.tr.
1 (also absol.) leave (a vehicle) usu. temporarily, in a car
park, by the side of the road, etc. 2 colloq. deposit and
leave, usu. temporarily. Ьparking-light a small light at the
side of a vehicle, for use when the vehicle is parked at night.
parking-lot US an outdoor area for parking vehicles.
parking-meter a coin-operated meter which receives fees for
vehicles parked in the street and indicates the time available.
parking-ticket a notice, usu. attached to a vehicle, of a
penalty imposed for parking illegally. park oneself colloq.
sit down. [ME f. OF parc f. med.L parricus of Gmc orig., rel.
to pearruc: see PADDOCK]
parka n. 1 a skin jacket with hood, worn by Eskimos. 2 a similar
windproof fabric garment worn by mountaineers etc. [Aleutian]
parkin n. Brit. a cake or biscuit made with oatmeal, ginger, and
treacle or molasses. [perh. f. the name Parkin, dimin. of
Peter]
Parkinsonism
n. = PARKINSON'S DISEASE.
Parkinson's disease
n. a progressive disease of the nervous system with tremor,
muscular rigidity, and emaciation. Also called PARKINSONISM.
[J. Parkinson, Engl. surgeon d. 1824]
Parkinson's law
n. the notion that work expands so as to fill the time
available for its completion. [C. N. Parkinson, Engl. writer
b. 1909]
parkland n. open grassland with clumps of trees etc.
parkway n. 1 US an open landscaped highway. 2 Brit. a railway station
with extensive parking facilities.
parlance n. a particular way of speaking, esp. as regards choice of
words, idiom, etc. [OF f. parler speak, ult. f. L parabola
(see PARABLE): in LL = 'speech']
parlay v. & n. US --v.tr. 1 use (money won on a bet) as a further
stake. 2 increase in value by or as if by parlaying. --n. 1
an act of parlaying. 2 a bet made by parlaying. [F paroli f.
It. f. paro like f. L par equal]
parley n. & v. --n. (pl. -eys) a conference for debating points in a
dispute, esp. a discussion of terms for an armistice etc.
--v.intr. (-leys, -leyed) (often foll. by with) hold a parley.
[perh. f. OF parlee, fem. past part. of parler speak: see
PARLANCE]
parliament
n. 1 (Parliament) a (in the UK) the highest legislature,
consisting of the Sovereign, the House of Lords, and the House
of Commons. b the members of this legislature for a particular
period, esp. between one dissolution and the next. 2 a similar
legislature in other nations and States. [ME f. OF parlement
speaking (as PARLANCE)]
parliamentarian
n. & adj. --n. 1 a member of a parliament, esp. one
well-versed in its procedures. 2 hist. an adherent of
Parliament in the English Civil War of the 17th c. --adj. =
PARLIAMENTARY.
parliamentary
adj. 1 of or relating to a parliament. 2 enacted or
established by a parliament. 3 (of language) admissible in a
parliament; polite. ЬParliamentary Commissioner for
Administration the official name of the ombudsman in the UK.
parliamentary private secretary a member of parliament assisting
a government minister.
parlour n. (US parlor) 1 a sitting-room in a private house. 2 a room
in a hotel, convent, etc., for the private use of residents. 3
esp. US a shop providing specified goods or services (beauty
parlour; ice-cream parlour). 4 a room or building equipped for
milking cows. 5 (attrib.) derog. denoting support for political
views by those who do not try to practise them (parlour
socialist). Ьparlour game an indoor game, esp. a word game.
parlour-maid hist. a maid who waits at table. [ME f. AF
parlur, OF parleor, parleur: see PARLANCE]
parlous adj. & adv. archaic or joc. --adj. 1 dangerous or difficult.
2 hard to deal with. --adv. extremely. ЬЬparlously adv.
parlousness n. [ME, = PERILOUS]
Parma violet
n. a variety of sweet violet with heavy scent and
lavender-coloured flowers often crystallized for food
decoration. [Parma in Italy]
Parmesan n. a kind of hard dry cheese made orig. at Parma and used esp.
in grated form. [F f. It. parmegiano of Parma in Italy]
Parnassian
adj. & n. --adj. 1 of Parnassus, a mountain in C. Greece, in
antiquity sacred to the Muses. 2 poetic. 3 of or relating to a
group of French poets in the late 19th c., emphasizing
strictness of form, named from the anthology Le Parnasse
contemporain (1866). --n. a member of this group.
parochial adj. 1 of or concerning a parish. 2 (of affairs, views, etc.)
merely local, narrow or restricted in scope. ЬЬparochialism n.
parochiality n. parochially adv. [ME f. AF parochiel, OF
parochial f. eccl.L parochialis (as PARISH)]
parody n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a humorous exaggerated imitation of
an author, literary work, style, etc. 2 a feeble imitation; a
travesty. --v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 compose a parody of. 2 mimic
humorously. ЬЬparodic adj. parodist n. [LL parodia or Gk
paroidia burlesque poem (as PARA-(1), oide ode)]
parol adj. & n. Law --adj. 1 given orally. 2 (of a document) not
given under seal. --n. an oral declaration. [OF parole (as
PAROLE)]
parole n. & v. --n. 1 a the release of a prisoner temporarily for a
special purpose or completely before the expiry of a sentence,
on the promise of good behaviour. b such a promise. 2 a word
of honour. --v.tr. put (a prisoner) on parole. Ьon parole
released on the terms of parole. ЬЬparolee n. [F, = word: see
PARLANCE]
paronomasia
n. a play on words; a pun. [L f. Gk paronomasia (as PARA-(1),
onomasia naming f. onomazo to name f. onoma a name)]
paronym n. 1 a word cognate with another. 2 a word formed from a
foreign word. ЬЬparonymous adj. [Gk paronumon, neut. of
paronumos (as PARA-(1), onuma name)]
parotid adj. & n. --adj. situated near the ear. --n. (in full parotid
gland) a salivary gland in front of the ear. Ьparotid duct a
duct opening from the parotid gland into the mouth. [F parotide
or L parotis parotid- f. Gk parotis -idos (as PARA-(1), ous otos
ear)]
parotitis n. 1 inflammation of the parotid gland. 2 mumps. [PAROTID +
-ITIS]
-parous comb. form bearing offspring of a specified number or kind
(multiparous; viviparous). [L -parus -bearing f. parere bring
forth]
Parousia n. Theol. the supposed second coming of Christ. [Gk, =
presence, coming]
paroxysm n. 1 (often foll. by of) a sudden attack or outburst (of rage,
laughter, etc.). 2 a fit of disease. ЬЬparoxysmal adj. [F
paroxysme f. med.L paroxysmus f. Gk paroxusmos f. paroxuno
exasperate (as PARA-(1), oxuno sharpen f. oxus sharp)]
paroxytone
adj. & n. --adj. (esp. in ancient Greek) having an acute accent
on the last syllable but one. --n. a word of this kind. [mod.L
f. Gk paroxutonos (as PARA-(1), OXYTONE)]
parpen n. a stone passing through a wall from side to side, with two
smooth vertical faces. [ME f. OF parpain, prob. ult. f. L per
through + pannus piece of cloth, in Rmc 'piece of wall']
parquet n. & v. --n. 1 a flooring of wooden blocks arranged in a
pattern. 2 US the stalls of a theatre. --v.tr. (parqueted;
parqueting) furnish (a room) with a parquet floor. [F, = small
compartment, floor, dimin. of parc PARK]
parquetry n. the use of wooden blocks to make floors or inlay for
furniture.
parr n. a young salmon with blue-grey finger-like markings on its
sides, younger than a smolt. [18th c.: orig. unkn.]
parrakeet US var. of PARAKEET.
parramatta
n. (also paramatta) a light dress fabric of wool and silk or
cotton. [Parramatta in New South Wales, Australia]
parricide n. 1 the killing of a near relative, esp. of a parent. 2 an
act of parricide. 3 a person who commits parricide.
ЬЬparricidal adj. [F parricide or L parricida (= sense 3),
parricidium (= sense 1), of uncert. orig., assoc. in L with
pater father and parens parent]
parrot n. & v. --n. 1 any of various mainly tropical birds of the
order Psittaciformes, with a short hooked bill, often having
vivid plumage and able to mimic the human voice. 2 a person who
mechanically repeats the words or actions of another. --v.tr.
(parroted, parroting) repeat mechanically. Ьparrot-fashion
(learning or repeating) mechanically without understanding.
parrot-fish any fish of the genus Scarus, with a mouth like a
parrot's bill and forming a protective mucous cocoon against
predators. [prob. f. obs. or dial. F perrot parrot, dimin. of
Pierre Peter: cf. PARAKEET]
parry v. & n. --v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 avert or ward off (a weapon or
attack), esp. with a countermove. 2 deal skilfully with (an
awkward question etc.). --n. (pl. -ies) an act of parrying.
[prob. repr. F parez imper. of parer f. It. parare ward off]
parse v.tr. 1 describe (a word in context) grammatically, stating its
inflection, relation to the sentence, etc. 2 resolve (a
sentence) into its component parts and describe them
grammatically. ЬЬparser n. esp. Computing [perh. f. ME pars
parts of speech f. OF pars, pl. of part PART, infl. by L pars
part]
parsec n. a unit of stellar distance, equal to about 3.25 light years
(3.08 x 10(16) metres), the distance at which the mean radius of
the earth's orbit subtends an angle of one second of arc.
[PARALLAX + SECOND(2)]
Parsee n. 1 an adherent of Zoroastrianism. 2 a descendant of the
Persians who fled to India from Muslim persecution in the
7th-8th c. 3 = PAHLAVI. ЬЬParseeism n. [Pers. parsi Persian
f. pars Persia]
parsimony n. 1 carefulness in the use of money or other resources. 2
meanness, stinginess. Ьlaw of parsimony the assertion that no
more causes or forces should be assumed than are necessary to
account for the facts. ЬЬparsimonious adj. parsimoniously adv.
parsimoniousness n. [ME f. L parsimonia, parcimonia f. parcere
pars- spare]
parsley n. a biennial herb, Petroselinum crispum, with white flowers
and crinkly aromatic leaves, used for seasoning and garnishing
food. Ьparsley fern a fern, Cryptogramma crispa, with leaves
like parsley. parsley-piert a dwarf annual herb, Aphanes
arvensis. [ME percil, per(e)sil f. OF peresil, and OE
petersilie ult. f. L petroselinum f. Gk petroselinon;
parsley-piert prob. corrupt. of F perce-pierre pierce stone]
parsnip n. 1 a biennial umbelliferous plant, Pastinaca sativa, with
yellow flowers and a large pale-yellow tapering root. 2 this
root eaten as a vegetable. [ME pas(se)nep (with assim. to nep
turnip) f. OF pasnaie f. L pastinaca]
parson n. 1 a rector. 2 a vicar or any beneficed member of the
clergy. 3 colloq. any (esp. Protestant) member of the clergy.
Ьparson's nose the piece of fatty flesh at the rump of a fowl.
ЬЬparsonical adj. [ME person(e), parson f. OF persone f. L
persona PERSON (in med.L rector)]
parsonage n. a church house provided for a parson.
part n., v., & adv. --n. 1 some but not all of a thing or number of
things. 2 an essential member or constituent of anything (part
of the family; a large part of the job). 3 a component of a
machine etc. (spare parts; needs a new part). 4 a a portion of
a human or animal body. b (in pl.) = private parts. 5 a
division of a book, broadcast serial, etc., esp. as much as is
issued or broadcast at one time. 6 each of several equal
portions of a whole (the recipe has 3 parts sugar to 2 parts
flour). 7 a a portion allotted; a share. b a person's share in
an action or enterprise (will have no part in it). c one's duty
(was not my part to interfere). 8 a a character assigned to an
actor on stage. b the words spoken by an actor on stage. c a
copy of these. 9 Mus. a melody or other constituent of harmony
assigned to a particular voice or instrument. 10 each of the
sides in an agreement or dispute. 11 (in pl.) a region or
district (am not from these parts). 12 (in pl.) abilities (a
man of many parts). 13 US = PARTING 2. --v. 1 tr. & intr.
divide or separate into parts (the crowd parted to let them
through). 2 intr. a leave one another's company (they parted
the best of friends). b (foll. by from) say goodbye to. 3 tr.
cause to separate (they fought hard and had to be parted). 4
intr. (foll. by with) give up possession of; hand over. 5 tr.
separate (the hair of the head on either side of the parting)
with a comb. --adv. to some extent; partly (is part iron and
part wood; a lie that is part truth). Ьfor the most part see
MOST. for one's part as far as one is concerned. in part (or
parts) to some extent; partly. look the part appear suitable
for a role. on the part of on the behalf or initiative of (no
objection on my part). part and parcel (usu. foll. by of) an
essential part. part company see COMPANY. part-exchange n. a
transaction in which goods are given as part of the payment for
other goods, with the balance in money. --v.tr. give (goods) in
such a transaction. part of speech n. each of the categories
to which words are assigned in accordance with their grammatical
and semantic functions (in English esp. noun, pronoun,
adjective, adverb, verb, preposition, conjunction, and
interjection). part-song a song with three or more voice-parts,
often without accompaniment, and harmonic rather than
contrapuntal in character. part time less than the full time
required by an activity. part-time adj. occupying or using
only part of one's working time. part-timer a person employed
in part-time work. part-work Brit. a publication appearing in
several parts over a period of time. play a part 1 be
significant or contributory. 2 act deceitfully. 3 perform a
theatrical role. take in good part see GOOD. take part (often
foll. by in) assist or have a share (in). take the part of
support; back up. three parts three quarters. [ME f. OF f. L
pars partis (n.), partire, partiri (v.)]
partake v.intr. (past partook; past part. partaken) 1 (foll. by of,
in) take a share or part. 2 (foll. by of) eat or drink some or
colloq. all (of a thing). 3 (foll. by of) have some (of a
quality etc.) (their manner partook of insolence). ЬЬpartakable
adj. partaker n. [16th c.: back-form. f. partaker, partaking
= part-taker etc.]
parterre n. 1 a level space in a garden occupied by flower-beds arranged
formally. 2 US the ground floor of a theatre auditorium, esp.
the pit overhung by balconies. [F, = par terre on the ground]
parthenogenesis
n. Biol. reproduction by a male gamete without fertilization,
esp. as a normal process in invertebrates and lower plants.
ЬЬparthenogenetic adj. parthenogenetically adv. [mod.L f. Gk
parthenos virgin + genesis as GENESIS]
Parthian shot
n. a remark or glance etc. reserved for the moment of
departure. [Parthia, an ancient kingdom in W. Asia: from the
custom of a retreating Parthian horseman firing a shot at the
enemy]
partial adj. & n. --adj. 1 not complete; forming only part (a partial
success). 2 biased, unfair. 3 (foll. by to) having a liking
for. --n. Mus. any of the constituents of a musical sound.
Ьpartial eclipse an eclipse in which only part of the luminary
is covered or darkened. partial verdict a verdict finding a
person guilty of part of a charge. ЬЬpartially adv.
partialness n. [ME f. OF parcial f. LL partialis (as PART)]
partiality
n. 1 bias, favouritism. 2 (foll. by for) fondness. [ME f. OF
parcialit‚ f. med.L partialitas (as PARTIAL)]
participant
n. a participator.
participate
v.intr. 1 (foll. by in) take a part or share (in). 2 literary
or formal (foll. by of) have a certain quality (the speech
participated of wit). ЬЬparticipation n. participator n.
participatory adj. [L participare f. particeps - cipis taking
part, formed as PART + -cip- = cap- stem of capere take]
participle
n. Gram. a word formed from a verb (e.g. going, gone, being,
been) and used in compound verb-forms (e.g. is going, has been)
or as an adjective (e.g. working woman, burnt toast).
ЬЬparticipial adj. participially adv. [ME f. OF, by-form of
participe f. L participium (as PARTICIPATE)]
particle n. 1 a minute portion of matter. 2 the least possible amount
(not a particle of sense). 3 Gram. a a minor part of speech,
esp. a short undeclinable one. b a common prefix or suffix such
as in-, -ness. [ME f. L particula (as PART)]
particoloured
adj. partly of one colour, partly of another or others.
[PARTY(2) + COLOURED]
particular
adj. & n. --adj. 1 relating to or considered as one thing or
person as distinct from others; individual (in this particular
instance). 2 more than is usual; special, noteworthy (took
particular trouble). 3 scrupulously exact; fastidious. 4
detailed (a full and particular account). 5 Logic (of a
proposition) in which something is asserted of some but not all
of a class (opp. UNIVERSAL). --n. 1 a detail; an item. 2 (in
pl.) points of information; a detailed account. Ьin particular
especially, specifically. [ME f. OF particuler f. L
particularis (as PARTICLE)]
particularism
n. 1 exclusive devotion to one party, sect, etc. 2 the
principle of leaving political independence to each State in an
empire or federation. 3 the theological doctrine of individual
election or redemption. ЬЬparticularist n. [F particularisme,
mod.L particularismus, and G Partikularismus (as PARTICULAR)]
particularity
n. 1 the quality of being individual or particular. 2 fullness
or minuteness of detail in a description.
particularize
v.tr. (also -ise) tr. (also absol.) 1 name specially or one by
one. 2 specify (items). ЬЬparticularization n. [F
particulariser (as PARTICULAR)]
particularly
adv. 1 especially, very. 2 specifically (they particularly
asked for you). 3 in a particular or fastidious manner.
particulate
adj. & n. --adj. in the form of separate particles. --n.
matter in this form. [L particula PARTICLE]
parting n. 1 a leave-taking or departure (often attrib.: parting
words). 2 Brit. the dividing line of combed hair. 3 a
division; an act of separating. Ьparting shot = PARTHIAN SHOT.
parti pris
n. & adj. --n. a preconceived view; a bias. --adj. prejudiced,
biased. [F, = side taken]
partisan n. & adj. (also partizan) --n. 1 a strong, esp. unreasoning,
supporter of a party, cause, etc. 2 Mil. a guerrilla in
wartime. --adj. 1 of or characteristic of partisans. 2 loyal
to a particular cause; biased. ЬЬpartisanship n. [F f. It.
dial. partigiano etc. f. parte PART]
partita n. (pl. partite) Mus. 1 a suite. 2 an air with variations.
[It., fem. past part. of partire divide, formed as PART]
partite adj. 1 divided (esp. in comb.: tripartite). 2 Bot. & Zool.
divided to or nearly to the base. [L partitus past part. of
partiri PART v.]
partition n. & v. --n. 1 division into parts, esp. Polit. of a country
with separate areas of government. 2 a structure dividing a
space into two parts, esp. a light interior wall. --v.tr. 1
divide into parts. 2 (foll. by off) separate (part of a room
etc.) with a partition. ЬЬpartitioned adj. partitioner n.
partitionist n. [ME f. OF f. L partitio -onis (as PARTITE)]
partitive adj. & n. Gram. --adj. (of a word, form, etc.) denoting part
of a collective group or quantity. --n. a partitive word (e.g.
some, any) or form. Ьpartitive genitive a genitive used to
indicate a whole divided into or regarded in parts, expressed in
English by of as in most of us. ЬЬpartitively adv. [F partitif
-ive or med.L partitivus (as PARTITE)]
partizan var. of PARTISAN.
partly adv. 1 with respect to a part or parts. 2 to some extent.
partner n. & v. --n. 1 a person who shares or takes part with another
or others, esp. in a business firm with shared risks and
profits. 2 a companion in dancing. 3 a player (esp. one of
two) on the same side in a game. 4 either member of a married
couple, or of an unmarried couple living together. --v.tr. 1
be the partner of. 2 associate as partners. ЬЬpartnerless adj.
[ME, alt. of parcener joint heir, after PART]
partnership
n. 1 the state of being a partner or partners. 2 a joint
business. 3 a pair or group of partners.
partook past of PARTAKE.
partridge n. (pl. same or partridges) 1 any game-bird of the genus
Perdix, esp. P. perdix of Europe and Asia. 2 any other of
various similar birds of the family Phasianidae, including the
snow partridge. [ME partrich etc. f. OF perdriz etc. f. L
perdix -dicis: for -dge cf. CABBAGE]
parturient
adj. about to give birth. [L parturire be in labour, incept.
f. parere part- bring forth]
parturition
n. formal the act of bringing forth young; childbirth. [LL
parturitio (as PARTURIENT)]
party(1) n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a social gathering, usu. of invited
guests. 2 a body of persons engaged in an activity or
travelling together (fishing party; search party). 3 a group of
people united in a cause, opinion, etc., esp. a political group
organized on a national basis. 4 a person or persons forming
one side in an agreement or dispute. 5 (foll. by to) Law an
accessory (to an action). 6 colloq. a person. --v.tr. & intr.
(-ies, -ied) entertain at or attend a party. Ьparty line 1 the
policy adopted by a political party. 2 a telephone line shared
by two or more subscribers. party-wall a wall common to two
adjoining buildings or rooms. [ME f. OF partie ult. f. L
partire: see PART]
party(2) adj. Heraldry divided into parts of different colours. [ME f.
OF parti f. L (as PARTY(1))]
parvenu n. & adj. --n. (fem. parvenue) 1 a person of obscure origin
who has gained wealth or position. 2 an upstart. --adj. 1
associated with or characteristic of such a person. 2 upstart.
[F, past part. of parvenir arrive f. L pervenire (as PER-,
venire come)]
parvis n. (also parvise) 1 an enclosed area in front of a cathedral,
church, etc. 2 a room over a church porch. [ME f. OF parvis
ult. f. LL paradisus PARADISE, a court in front of St Peter's,
Rome]
pas n. (pl. same) a step in dancing, esp. in classical ballet. Ь
pas de chat a leap in which each foot in turn is raised to the
opposite knee. pas de deux a dance for two persons. pas gliss‚
see GLISSђ. pas seul a solo dance. [F, = step]
pascal n. 1 the SI unit of pressure, equal to one newton per square
metre. 2 (Pascal) Computing a programming language esp. used in
education. [B. Pascal, Fr. scientist d. 1662: sense 2 so named
because he built a calculating machine]
paschal adj. 1 of or relating to the Jewish Passover. 2 of or relating
to Easter. Ьpaschal lamb 1 a lamb sacrificed at Passover. 2
Christ. [ME f. OF pascal f. eccl.L paschalis f. pascha f. Gk
paskha f. Aram. pasha, rel. to Heb. pesah PASSOVER]
pash n. sl. a brief infatuation. [abbr. of PASSION]
pasha n. (also pacha) hist. the title (placed after the name) of a
Turkish officer of high rank, e.g. a military commander, the
governor of a province, etc. [Turk. pasa, prob. = basa f. bas
head, chief]
pashm n. the under-fur of some Tibetan animals, esp. that of goats as
used for Cashmere shawls.
Pashto n. & adj. --n. the official language of Afghanistan, also
spoken in areas of Pakistan. --adj. of or in this language.
[Pashto]
paso doble
n. 1 a ballroom dance based on a Latin American style of
marching. 2 this style of marching. [Sp., = double step]
pasque-flower
n. a ranunculaceous plant, Pulsatilla vulgaris, with
bell-shaped purple flowers and fernlike foliage. Also called
ANEMONE. [earlier passe-flower f. F passe-fleur: assim. to
pasque = obs. pasch (as PASCHAL), Easter]
pasquinade
n. a lampoon or satire, orig. one displayed in a public place.
[It. pasquinata f. Pasquino, a statue in Rome on which abusive
Latin verses were annually posted]
pass(1) v. & n. --v. (past part. passed) (see also PAST). 1 intr.
(often foll. by along, by, down, on, etc.) move onward; proceed,
esp. past some point of reference (saw the procession passing).
2 tr. a go past; leave (a thing etc.) on one side or behind in
proceeding. b overtake, esp. in a vehicle. c go across (a
frontier, mountain range, etc.). 3 intr. & tr. be transferred
or cause to be transferred from one person or place to another
(pass the butter; the title passes to his son). 4 tr. surpass;
be too great for (it passes my comprehension). 5 intr. get
through; effect a passage. 6 intr. a be accepted as adequate;
go uncensored (let the matter pass). b (foll. by as, for) be
accepted or currently known as. c US (of a person with some
Black ancestry) be accepted as White. 7 tr. move; cause to go
(passed her hand over her face; passed a rope round it). 8 a
intr. (of a candidate in an examination) be successful. b tr.
be successful in (an examination). c tr. (of an examiner) judge
the performance of (a candidate) to be satisfactory. 9 a tr.
(of a bill) be examined and approved by (a parliamentary body or
process). b tr. cause or allow (a bill) to proceed to further
legislative processes. c intr. (of a bill or proposal) be
approved. 10 intr. a occur, elapse (the remark passed
unnoticed; time passes slowly). b happen; be done or said
(heard what passed between them). 11 a intr. circulate; be
current. b tr. put into circulation (was passing forged
cheques). 12 tr. spend or use up (a certain time or period)
(passed the afternoon reading). 13 tr. (also absol.) (in field
games) send (the ball) to another player of one's own side. 14
intr. forgo one's turn or chance in a game etc. 15 intr. (foll.
by to, into) change from one form (to another). 16 intr. come
to an end. 17 tr. discharge from the body as or with excreta.
18 tr. (foll. by on, upon) a utter (criticism) about. b
pronounce (a judicial sentence) on. 19 intr. (often foll. by
on, upon) adjudicate. 20 tr. not declare or pay (a dividend).
21 tr. cause (troops etc.) to go by esp. ceremonially. --n. 1
an act or instance of passing. 2 a success in an examination.
b Brit. the status of a university degree without honours. 3
written permission to pass into or out of a place, or to be
absent from quarters. 4 a a ticket or permit giving free entry
or access etc. b = free pass. 5 (in field games) a
transference of the ball to another player on the same side. 6
a thrust in fencing. 7 a juggling trick. 8 an act of passing
the hands over anything, as in conjuring or hypnotism. 9 a
critical position (has come to a fine pass). Ьin passing 1 by
the way. 2 in the course of speech, conversation, etc. make a
pass at colloq. make amorous or sexual advances to. pass away
1 euphem. die. 2 cease to exist; come to an end. pass by 1 go
past. 2 disregard, omit. passed pawn Chess a pawn that has
advanced beyond the pawns on the other side. pass one's eye
over read (a document etc.) cursorily. pass muster see MUSTER.
pass off 1 (of feelings etc.) disappear gradually. 2 (of
proceedings) be carried through (in a specified way). 3 (foll.
by as) misrepresent (a person or thing) as something else. 4
evade or lightly dismiss (an awkward remark etc.). pass on 1
proceed on one's way. 2 euphem. die. 3 transmit to the next
person in a series. pass out 1 become unconscious. 2 Brit.
Mil. complete one's training as a cadet. 3 distribute. pass
over 1 omit, ignore, or disregard. 2 ignore the claims of (a
person) to promotion or advancement. 3 euphem. die. pass round
1 distribute. 2 send or give to each of a number in turn. pass
through experience. pass the time of day see TIME. pass up
colloq. refuse or neglect (an opportunity etc.). pass water
urinate. ЬЬpasser n. [ME f. OF passer ult. f. L passus
PACE(1)]
pass(2) n. 1 a narrow passage through mountains. 2 a navigable
channel, esp. at the mouth of a river. Ьsell the pass betray a
cause. [ME, var. of PACE(1), infl. by F pas and by PASS(1)]
passable adj. 1 barely satisfactory; just adequate. 2 (of a road, pass,
etc.) that can be passed. ЬЬpassableness n. passably adv. [ME
f. OF (as PASS(1))]
passacaglia
n. Mus. an instrumental piece usu. with a ground bass. [It.
f. Sp. pasacalle f. pasar pass + calle street: orig. often
played in the streets]
passage(1)
n. 1 the process or means of passing; transit. 2 = PASSAGEWAY.
3 the liberty or right to pass through. 4 a the right of
conveyance as a passenger by sea or air. b a journey by sea or
air. 5 a transition from one state to another. 6 a a short
extract from a book etc. b a section of a piece of music. 7
the passing of a bill etc. into law. 8 (in pl.) an interchange
of words etc. 9 Anat. a duct etc. in the body. Ьpassage of (or
at) arms a fight or dispute. work one's passage earn a right
(orig. of passage) by working for it. [ME f. OF (as PASS(1))]
passage(2)
v. 1 intr. (of a horse or rider) move sideways, by the pressure
of the rein on the horse's neck and of the rider's leg on the
opposite side. 2 tr. make (a horse) do this. [F passager,
earlier pass‚ger f. It. passeggiare to walk, pace f. passeggio
walk f. L passus PACE(1)]
passageway
n. a narrow way for passing along, esp. with walls on either
side; a corridor.
passant adj. Heraldry (of an animal) walking and looking to the dexter
side, with three paws on the ground and the right forepaw
raised. [ME f. OF, part. of passer PASS(1)]
passband n. a frequency band within which signals are transmitted by a
filter without attenuation.
passbook n. a book issued by a bank or building society etc. to an
account-holder recording sums deposited and withdrawn.
pass‚ adj. (fem. pass‚e) 1 behind the times; out of date. 2 past
its prime. [F, past part. of passer PASS(1)]
passementerie
n. a trimming of gold or silver lace, braid, beads, etc. [F f.
passement gold lace etc. f. passer PASS(1)]
passenger n. 1 a traveller in or on a public or private conveyance (other
than the driver, pilot, crew, etc.). 2 colloq. a member of a
team, crew, etc., who does no effective work. 3 (attrib.) for
the use of passengers (passenger seat). Ьpassenger-mile one
mile travelled by one passenger, as a unit of traffic.
passenger-pigeon an extinct wild pigeon of N. America, capable
of long flight. [ME f. OF passager f. OF passager (adj.)
passing (as passage(1)): -n- as in messenger etc.]
passe-partout
n. 1 a master-key. 2 a picture-frame (esp. for mounted
photographs) consisting of two pieces of glass stuck together at
the edges with adhesive tape. 3 adhesive tape or paper used for
this. [F, = passes everywhere]
passer-by n. (pl. passers-by) a person who goes past, esp. by chance.
passerine n. & adj. --n. any perching bird of the order Passeriformes,
having feet with three toes pointing forward and one pointing
backwards, including sparrows and most land birds. --adj. 1 of
or relating to this order. 2 of the size of a sparrow. [L
passer sparrow]
passible adj. Theol. capable of feeling or suffering. ЬЬpassibility n.
[ME f. OF passible or LL passibilis f. L pati pass- suffer]
passim adv. (of allusions or references in a published work) to be
found at various places throughout the text. [L f. passus
scattered f. pandere spread]
passing adj. & n. --adj. 1 in senses of PASS v. 2 transient, fleeting
(a passing glance). 3 cursory, incidental (a passing
reference). --n. 1 in senses of PASS v. 2 euphem. the death
of a person (mourned his passing). Ьpassing note Mus. a note
not belonging to the harmony but interposed to secure a smooth
transition. passing shot Tennis a shot aiming the ball beyond
and out of reach of the other player. ЬЬpassingly adv.
passion n. 1 strong barely controllable emotion. 2 an outburst of
anger (flew into a passion). 3 intense sexual love. 4 a strong
enthusiasm (has a passion for football). b an object arousing
this. 5 (the Passion) a Relig. the suffering of Christ during
his last days. b a narrative of this from the Gospels. c a
musical setting of any of these narratives. Ьpassion-flower any
climbing plant of the genus Passiflora, with a flower that was
supposed to suggest the instruments of the Crucifixion.
passion-fruit the edible fruit of some species of
passion-flower, esp. Passiflora edulis: also called GRANADILLA.
passion-play a miracle play representing Christ's Passion.
Passion Sunday the fifth Sunday in Lent. Passion Week 1 the
week between Passion Sunday and Palm Sunday. 2 = Holy Week.
ЬЬpassionless adj. [ME f. OF f. LL passio -onis f. L pati pass-
suffer]
passional adj. & n. --adj. literary of or marked by passion. --n. a
book of the sufferings of saints and martyrs.
passionate
adj. 1 dominated by or easily moved to strong feeling, esp.
love or anger. 2 showing or caused by passion. ЬЬpassionately
adv. passionateness n. [ME f. med.L passionatus (as PASSION)]
Passiontide
n. the last two weeks of Lent.
passivate v.tr. make (esp. metal) passive (see PASSIVE). ЬЬpassivation
n.
passive adj. 1 suffering action; acted upon. 2 offering no opposition;
submissive. 3 a not active; inert. b (of a metal) abnormally
unreactive. 4 Gram. designating the voice in which the subject
undergoes the action of the verb (e.g. in they were killed). 5
(of a debt) incurring no interest payment. Ьpassive obedience 1
surrender to another's will without cooperation. 2 compliance
with commands irrespective of their nature. passive resistance
a non-violent refusal to cooperate. passive smoking the
involuntary inhaling, esp. by a non-smoker, of smoke from
others' cigarettes etc. ЬЬpassively adv. passiveness n.
passivity n. [ME f. OF passif -ive or L passivus (as PASSION)]
passkey n. 1 a private key to a gate etc. for special purposes. 2 a
master-key.
passmark n. the minimum mark needed to pass an examination.
Passover n. 1 the Jewish spring festival commemorating the liberation of
the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, held from the 14th to the
21st day of the seventh month of the Jewish year. 2 = paschal
lamb. [pass over = pass without touching, with ref. to the
exemption of the Israelites from the death of the first-born
(Exod. 12)]
passport n. 1 an official document issued by a government certifying the
holder's identity and citizenship, and entitling the holder to
travel under its protection to and from foreign countries. 2
(foll. by to) a thing that ensures admission or attainment (a
passport to success). [F passeport (as PASS(1), PORT(1))]
password n. a selected word or phrase securing recognition, admission,
etc., when used by those to whom it is disclosed.
past adj., n., prep., & adv. --adj. 1 gone by in time and no longer
existing (in past years; the time is past). 2 recently
completed or gone by (the past month; for some time past). 3
relating to a former time (past president). 4 Gram. expressing
a past action or state. --n. 1 (prec. by the) a past time. b
what has happened in past time (cannot undo the past). 2 a
person's past life or career, esp. if discreditable (a man with
a past). 3 a past tense or form. --prep. 1 beyond in time or
place (is past two o'clock; ran past the house). 2 beyond the
range, duration, or compass of (past belief; past endurance).
--adv. so as to pass by (hurried past). Ьnot put it past a
person believe it possible of a person. past it colloq.
incompetent or unusable through age. past master 1 a person who
is especially adept or expert in an activity, subject, etc. 2 a
person who has been a master in a guild, Freemason's lodge, etc.
past perfect = PLUPERFECT. [past part. of PASS(1) v.]
pasta n. 1 a dried flour paste used in various shapes in cooking
(e.g. lasagne, spaghetti). 2 a cooked dish made from this.
[It., = PASTE]
paste n. & v. --n. 1 any moist fairly stiff mixture, esp. of powder
and liquid. 2 a dough of flour with fat, water, etc., used in
baking. 3 an adhesive of flour, water, etc., esp. for sticking
paper and other light materials. 4 an easily spread preparation
of ground meat, fish, etc. (anchovy paste). 5 a hard vitreous
composition used in making imitation gems. 6 a mixture of clay,
water, etc., used in making ceramic ware, esp. a mixture of low
plasticity used in making porcelain. --v.tr. 1 fasten or coat
with paste. 2 sl. a beat or thrash. b bomb or bombard
heavily. Ьpaste-up a document prepared for copying etc. by
combining and pasting various sections on a backing. ЬЬpasting
n. (esp. in sense 2 of v.). [ME f. OF f. LL pasta small square
medicinal lozenge f. Gk paste f. pastos sprinkled]
pasteboard
n. 1 a sheet of stiff material made by pasting together sheets
of paper. 2 (attrib.) a flimsy, unsubstantial. b fake.
pastel n. 1 a crayon consisting of powdered pigments bound with a gum
solution. 2 a work of art in pastel. 3 a light and subdued
shade of a colour. ЬЬpastelist n. pastellist n. [F pastel or
It. pastello, dimin. of pasta PASTE]
pastern n. 1 the part of a horse's foot between the fetlock and the
hoof. 2 a corresponding part in other animals. [ME pastron f.
OF pasturon f. pasture hobble ult. f. L pastorius of a
shepherd: see PASTOR]
pasteurize
v.tr. (also -ise) subject (milk etc.) to the process of partial
sterilization by heating. ЬЬpasteurization n. pasteurizer n.
[L. Pasteur, Fr. chemist d. 1895]
pasticcio n. (pl. -os) = PASTICHE. [It.: see PASTICHE]
pastiche n. 1 a medley, esp. a picture or a musical composition, made up
from or imitating various sources. 2 a literary or other work
of art composed in the style of a well-known author. [F f. It.
pasticcio ult. f. LL pasta PASTE]
pastille n. 1 a small sweet or lozenge. 2 a small roll of aromatic
paste burnt as a fumigator etc. Ьpastille-burner an ornamental
ceramic container in which an aromatic pastille may be burnt.
[F f. L pastillus little loaf, lozenge f. panis loaf]
pastime n. 1 a pleasant recreation or hobby. 2 a sport or game.
[PASS(1) + TIME]
pastis n. an aniseed-flavoured aperitif. [F]
pastor n. 1 a minister in charge of a church or a congregation. 2 a
person exercising spiritual guidance. 3 a pink starling,
Sturnus roseus. ЬЬpastorship n. [ME f. AF & OF pastour f. L
pastor -oris shepherd f. pascere past- feed, graze]
pastoral adj. & n. --adj. 1 of, relating to, or associated with
shepherds or flocks and herds. 2 (of land) used for pasture. 3
(of a poem, picture, etc.) portraying country life, usu. in a
romantic or idealized form. 4 of or appropriate to a pastor.
--n. 1 a pastoral poem, play, picture, etc. 2 a letter from a
pastor (esp. a bishop) to the clergy or people. Ьpastoral staff
a bishop's crosier. pastoral theology that considering
religious truth in relation to spiritual needs. ЬЬpastoralism
n. pastorality n. pastorally adv. [ME f. L pastoralis (as
PASTOR)]
pastorale n. (pl. pastorales or pastorali) 1 a slow instrumental
composition in compound time, usu. with drone notes in the bass.
2 a simple musical play with a rural subject. [It. (as
PASTORAL)]
pastoralist
n. Austral. a farmer of sheep or cattle.
pastorate n. 1 the office or tenure of a pastor. 2 a body of pastors.
pastrami n. seasoned smoked beef. [Yiddish]
pastry n. (pl. -ies) 1 a dough of flour, fat, and water baked and
used as a base and covering for pies etc. 2 a food, esp. cake,
made wholly or partly of this. b a piece or item of this food.
Ьpastry-cook a cook who specializes in pastry, esp. for public
sale. [PASTE after OF pastaierie]
pasturage n. 1 land for pasture. 2 the process of pasturing cattle etc.
[OF (as PASTURE)]
pasture n. & v. --n. 1 land covered with grass etc. suitable for
grazing animals, esp. cattle or sheep. 2 herbage for animals.
--v. 1 tr. put (animals) to graze in a pasture. 2 intr. & tr.
(of animals) graze. [ME f. OF f. LL pastura (as PASTOR)]
pasty(1) n. (pl. -ies) a pastry case with a sweet or savoury filling,
baked without a dish to shape it. [ME f. OF past‚ ult. f. LL
pasta PASTE]
pasty(2) adj. (pastier, pastiest) 1 of or like or covered with paste. 2
unhealthily pale (esp. in complexion) (pasty-faced). ЬЬpastily
adv. pastiness n.
Pat n. a nickname for an Irishman. [abbr. of the name Patrick]
Pat. abbr. Patent.
pat(1) v. & n. --v. (patted, patting) 1 tr. strike gently with the
hand or a flat surface. 2 tr. flatten or mould by patting. 3
tr. strike gently with the inner surface of the hand, esp. as a
sign of affection, sympathy, or congratulation. 4 intr. (foll.
by on, upon) beat lightly. --n. 1 a light stroke or tap, esp.
with the hand in affection etc. 2 the sound made by this. 3 a
small mass (esp. of butter) formed by patting. Ьpat-a-cake a
child's game with the patting of hands (the first words of a
nursery rhyme). pat on the back a gesture of approval or
congratulation. pat a person on the back congratulate a person.
[ME, prob. imit.]
pat(2) adj. & adv. --adj. 1 known thoroughly and ready for any
occasion. 2 apposite or opportune, esp. unconvincingly so (gave
a pat answer). --adv. 1 in a pat manner. 2 appositely,
opportunely. Ьhave off pat know or have memorized perfectly.
stand pat esp. US 1 stick stubbornly to one's opinion or
decision. 2 Poker retain one's hand as dealt; not draw other
cards. ЬЬpatly adv. patness n. [16th c.: rel. to PAT(1)]
pat(3) n. Ьon one's pat Austral. sl. on one's own. [Pat Malone,
rhyming slang for own]
patagium n. (pl. patagia) Zool. 1 the wing-membrane of a bat or
similar animal. 2 a scale covering the wing-joint in moths and
butterflies. [med.L use of L patagium f. Gk patageion gold
edging]
patball n. 1 a simple game of ball played between two players. 2
derog. lawn tennis.
patch n. & v. --n. 1 a piece of material or metal etc. used to mend
a hole or as reinforcement. 2 a pad worn to protect an injured
eye. 3 a dressing etc. put over a wound. 4 a large or
irregular distinguishable area on a surface. 5 colloq. a period
of time in terms of its characteristic quality (went through a
bad patch). 6 a piece of ground. 7 colloq. an area assigned to
or patrolled by an authorized person, esp. a police officer. 8
a number of plants growing in one place (brier patch). 9 a
scrap or remnant. 10 a temporary electrical connection. 11
hist. a small disc etc. of black silk attached to the face, worn
esp. by women in the 17th-18th c. for adornment. 12 Mil. a
piece of cloth on a uniform as the badge of a unit. --v.tr. 1
(often foll. by up) repair with a patch or patches; put a patch
or patches on. 2 (of material) serve as a patch to. 3 (often
foll. by up) put together, esp. hastily or in a makeshift way.
4 (foll. by up) settle (a quarrel etc.) esp. hastily or
temporarily. Ьnot a patch on colloq. greatly inferior to.
patch cord an insulated lead with a plug at each end, for use
with a patchboard. patch panel = PATCHBOARD. patch pocket one
made of a piece of cloth sewn on a garment. patch test a test
for allergy by applying to the skin patches containing
allergenic substances. ЬЬpatcher n. [ME pacche, patche, perh.
var. of peche f. OF pieche dial. var. of piece PIECE]
patchboard
n. a board with electrical sockets linked to enable changeable
permutations of connection.
patchouli n. 1 a strongly scented E. Indian plant, Pogostemon cablin. 2
the perfume obtained from this. [a native name in Madras]
patchwork n. 1 needlework using small pieces of cloth with different
designs, forming a pattern. 2 a thing composed of various small
pieces or fragments.
patchy adj. (patchier, patchiest) 1 uneven in quality. 2 having or
existing in patches. ЬЬpatchily adv. patchiness n.
pate n. archaic or colloq. the head, esp. representing the seat of
intellect. [ME: orig. unkn.]
pѓte n. the paste of which porcelain is made. [F, = PASTE]
pѓt‚ n. a rich paste or spread of mashed and spiced meat or fish
etc. Ь pѓt‚ de foie gras a paste of fatted goose liver. [F f.
OF past‚ (as PASTY(1))]
patella n. (pl. patellae) the kneecap. ЬЬpatellar adj. patellate
adj. [L, dimin. of patina: see PATEN]
paten n. 1 a shallow dish used for the bread at the Eucharist. 2 a
thin circular plate of metal. [ME ult. f. OF patene or L
patena, patina shallow dish f. Gk patane a plate]
patent n., adj., & v. --n. 1 a government authority to an individual
or organization conferring a right or title, esp. the sole right
to make or use or sell some invention. 2 a document granting
this authority. 3 an invention or process protected by it.
--adj. 1 obvious, plain. 2 conferred or protected by patent.
3 a made and marketed under a patent; proprietary. b to which
one has a proprietary claim. 4 such as might be patented;
ingenious, well-contrived. 5 (of an opening etc.) allowing free
passage. --v.tr. obtain a patent for (an invention). Ьletters
patent an open document from a sovereign or government
conferring a patent or other right. patent leather leather with
a glossy varnished surface. patent medicine medicine made and
marketed under a patent and available without prescription.
patent office an office from which patents are issued. Patent
Roll (in the UK) a list of patents issued in a year. ЬЬpatency
n. patentable adj. patently adv. (in sense 1 of adj.). [ME f.
OF patent and L patere lie open]
patentee n. 1 a person who takes out or holds a patent. 2 a person for
the time being entitled to the benefit of a patent.
patentor n. a person or body that grants a patent.
pater n. Brit. colloq. father. °Now only in jocular or affected
use. [L]
paterfamilias
n. the male head of a family or household. [L, = father of the
family]
paternal adj. 1 of or like or appropriate to a father. 2 fatherly. 3
related through the father. 4 (of a government etc.) limiting
freedom and responsibility by well-meant regulations.
ЬЬpaternally adv. [LL paternalis f. L paternus f. pater
father]
paternalism
n. the policy of governing in a paternal way, or behaving
paternally to one's associates or subordinates. ЬЬpaternalist
n. paternalistic adj. paternalistically adv.
paternity n. 1 fatherhood. 2 one's paternal origin. 3 the source or
authorship of a thing. Ьpaternity test a blood test to
determine whether a man may be or cannot be the father of a
particular child. [ME f. OF paternit‚ or LL paternitas]
paternoster
n. 1 a the Lord's Prayer, esp. in Latin. b a rosary bead
indicating that this is to be said. 2 a lift consisting of a
series of linked doorless compartments moving continuously on a
circular belt. [OE f. L pater noster our father]
path n. (pl. paths) 1 a way or track laid down for walking or made
by continual treading. 2 the line along which a person or thing
moves (flight path). 3 a course of action or conduct. 4 a
sequence of movements or operations taken by a system.
ЬЬpathless adj. [OE p‘th f. WG]
-path comb. form forming nouns denoting: 1 a practitioner of curative
treatment (homoeopath; osteopath). 2 a person who suffers from
a disease (psychopath). [back-form. f. -PATHY, or f. Gk
-pathes -sufferer (as PATHOS)]
Pathan n. a member of a Pashto-speaking people inhabiting NW Pakistan
and SE Afghanistan. [Hindi]
pathetic adj. 1 arousing pity or sadness or contempt. 2 Brit. colloq.
miserably inadequate. 3 archaic of the emotions. Ьpathetic
fallacy the attribution of human feelings and responses to
inanimate things, esp. in art and literature. ЬЬpathetically
adv. [F path‚tique f. LL patheticus f. Gk pathetikos (as
PATHOS)]
pathfinder
n. 1 a person who explores new territory, investigates a new
subject, etc. 2 an aircraft or its pilot sent ahead to locate
and mark the target area for bombing.
patho- comb. form disease. [Gk pathos suffering: see PATHOS]
pathogen n. an agent causing disease. ЬЬpathogenic adj. pathogenous
adj. [PATHO- + -GEN]
pathogenesis
n. (also pathogeny) the manner of development of a disease.
ЬЬpathogenetic adj.
pathological
adj. 1 of pathology. 2 of or caused by a physical or mental
disorder (a pathological fear of spiders). ЬЬpathologically
adv.
pathology n. 1 the science of bodily diseases. 2 the symptoms of a
disease. ЬЬpathologist n. [F pathologie or mod.L pathologia
(as PATHO-, -LOGY)]
pathos n. a quality in speech, writing, events, etc., that excites
pity or sadness. [Gk pathos suffering, rel. to paskho suffer,
penthos grief]
pathway n. 1 a path or its course. 2 Biochem. etc. a sequence of
reactions undergone in a living organism.
patience n. 1 calm endurance of hardship, provocation, pain, delay, etc.
2 tolerant perseverance or forbearance. 3 the capacity for calm
self-possessed waiting. 4 esp. Brit. a game for one player in
which cards taken in random order have to be arranged in certain
groups or sequences. Ьhave no patience with 1 be unable to
tolerate. 2 be irritated by. [ME f. OF f. L patientia (as
PATIENT)]
patient adj. & n. --adj. having or showing patience. --n. a person
receiving or registered to receive medical treatment.
ЬЬpatiently adv. [ME f. OF f. L patiens -entis pres. part. of
pati suffer]
patina n. (pl. patinas) 1 a film, usu. green, formed on the surface
of old bronze. 2 a similar film on other surfaces. 3 a gloss
produced by age on woodwork. ЬЬpatinated adj. patination n.
[It. f. L patina dish]
patio n. (pl. -os) 1 a paved usu. roofless area adjoining and
belonging to a house. 2 an inner court open to the sky in a
Spanish or Spanish-American house. [Sp.]
patisserie
n. 1 a shop where pastries are made and sold. 2 pastries
collectively. [F pѓtisserie f. med.L pasticium pastry f. pasta
PASTE]
Patna rice
n. a variety of rice with long firm grains. [Patna in India,
where it was orig. grown]
patois n. (pl. same) the dialect of the common people in a region,
differing fundamentally from the literary language. [F, = rough
speech, perh. f. OF patoier treat roughly f. patte paw]
patrial adj. & n. Brit. hist. --adj. having the right to live in the
UK through the British birth of a parent or a grandparent. --n.
a person with this right. ЬЬpatriality n. [obs. F patrial or
med.L patrialis f. L patria fatherland f. pater father]
patriarch n. 1 the male head of a family or tribe. 2 (often in pl.)
Bibl. any of those regarded as fathers of the human race, esp.
the sons of Jacob, or Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their
forefathers. 3 Eccl. a the title of a chief bishop, esp. those
presiding over the Churches of Antioch, Alexandria,
Constantinople, and (formerly) Rome; now also the title of the
heads of certain autocephalous Orthodox Churches. b (in the
Roman Catholic Church) a bishop ranking next above primates and
metropolitans, and immediately below the pope. c the head of a
Uniate community. 4 a the founder of an order, science, etc. b
a venerable old man. c the oldest member of a group.
ЬЬpatriarchal adj. patriarchally adv. [ME f. OF patriarche f.
eccl.L patriarcha f. Gk patriarkhes f. patria family f. pater
father + -arkhes -ruler]
patriarchate
n. 1 the office, see, or residence of an ecclesiastical
patriarch. 2 the rank of a tribal patriarch. [med.L
patriarchatus (as PATRIARCH)]
patriarchy
n. (pl. -ies) a system of society, government, etc., ruled by
a man and with descent through the male line. ЬЬpatriarchism n.
[med.L patriarchia f. Gk patriarkhia (as PATRIARCH)]
patrician n. & adj. --n. 1 hist. a member of the ancient Roman nobility
(cf. PLEBEIAN). 2 hist. a nobleman in some Italian republics.
3 an aristocrat. --adj. 1 noble, aristocratic. 2 hist. of the
ancient Roman nobility. [ME f. OF patricien f. L patricius
having a noble father f. pater patris father]
patriciate
n. 1 a patrician order; an aristocracy. 2 the rank of
patrician. [L patriciatus (as PATRICIAN)]
patricide n. = PARRICIDE (esp. with reference to the killing of one's
father). ЬЬpatricidal adj. [LL patricida, patricidium, alt. of
L parricida, parricidium (see PARRICIDE) after pater father]
patrilineal
adj. of or relating to, or based on kinship with, the father or
descent through the male line. [L pater patris father + LINEAL]
patrimony n. (pl. -ies) 1 property inherited from one's father or
ancestor. 2 a heritage. 3 the endowment of a church etc.
ЬЬpatrimonial adj. [ME patrimoigne f. OF patrimoine f. L
patrimonium f. pater patris father]
patriot n. a person who is devoted to and ready to support or defend
his or her country. ЬЬpatriotic adj. patriotically adv.
patriotism n. [F patriote f. LL patriota f. Gk patriotes f.
patrios of one's fathers f. pater patros father]
patristic adj. of the early Christian writers or their work.
ЬЬpatristics n.pl. (usu. treated as sing.). [G patristisch f. L
pater patris father]
patrol n. & v. --n. 1 the act of walking or travelling around an
area, esp. at regular intervals, in order to protect or
supervise it. 2 one or more persons or vehicles assigned or
sent out on patrol, esp. a detachment of guards, police, etc. 3
a a detachment of troops sent out to reconnoitre. b such
reconnaissance. 4 a routine operational voyage of a ship or
aircraft. 5 a routine monitoring of astronomical or other
phenomena. 6 Brit. an official controlling traffic where
children cross the road. 7 a unit of six to eight Scouts or
Guides. --v. (patrolled, patrolling) 1 tr. carry out a patrol
of. 2 intr. act as a patrol. Ьpatrol car a police car used in
patrolling roads and streets. patrol wagon esp. US a police
van for transporting prisoners. ЬЬpatroller n. [F patrouiller
paddle in mud f. patte paw: (n.) f. G Patrolle f. F patrouille]
patrolman n. (pl. -men) US a policeman of the lowest rank.
patrology n. (pl. -ies) 1 the study of the writings of the Fathers of
the Church. 2 a collection of such writings. ЬЬpatrological
adj. patrologist n. [Gk pater patros father]
patron n. (fem. patroness) 1 a person who gives financial or other
support to a person, cause, work of art, etc., esp. one who buys
works of art. 2 a usu. regular customer of a shop etc. 3 Rom.
Antiq. a the former owner of a freed slave. b the protector of
a client. 4 Brit. a person who has the right of presenting a
member of the clergy to a benefice. Ьpatron saint the
protecting or guiding saint of a person, place, etc. [ME f. OF
f. L patronus protector of clients, defender f. pater patris
father]
patronage n. 1 the support, promotion, or encouragement given by a
patron. 2 a patronizing or condescending manner. 3 Rom. Antiq.
the rights and duties or position of a patron. 4 Brit. the
right of presenting a member of the clergy to a benefice etc. 5
a customer's support for a shop etc. [ME f. OF (as PATRON)]
patronal adj. of or relating to a patron saint (the patronal festival).
[F patronal or LL patronalis (as PATRON)]
patronize v.tr. (also -ise) 1 treat condescendingly. 2 act as a patron
towards (a person, cause, artist, etc.); support; encourage. 3
frequent (a shop etc.) as a customer. ЬЬpatronization n.
patronizer n. patronizing adj. patronizingly adv. [obs. F
patroniser or med.L patronizare (as PATRON)]
patronymic
n. & adj. --n. a name derived from the name of a father or
ancestor, e.g. Johnson, O'Brien, Ivanovich. --adj. (of a name)
so derived. [LL patronymicus f. Gk patronumikos f. patronumos
f. pater patros father + onuma, onoma name]
patroon n. US hist. a landowner with manorial privileges under the
Dutch governments of New York and New Jersey. [Du., = PATRON]
patsy n. (pl. -ies) esp. US sl. a person who is deceived,
ridiculed, tricked, etc. [20th c.: orig. unkn.]
patt‚e adj. (of a cross) having almost triangular arms becoming very
broad at the ends so as to form a square. [F f. patte paw]
patten n. hist. a shoe or clog with a raised sole or set on an iron
ring, for walking in mud etc. [ME f. OF patin f. patte paw]
patter(1) v. & n. --v. 1 intr. make a rapid succession of taps, as of
rain on a window-pane. 2 intr. run with quick short steps. 3
tr. cause (water etc.) to patter. --n. a rapid succession of
taps, short light steps, etc. [PAT(1)]
patter(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a the rapid speech used by a comedian or
introduced into a song. b the words of a comic song. 2 the
words used by a person selling or promoting a product; a sales
pitch. 3 the special language or jargon of a profession, class,
etc. --v. 1 tr. repeat (prayers etc.) in a rapid mechanical
way. 2 intr. talk glibly or mechanically. [ME f. pater =
PATERNOSTER]
pattern n. & v. --n. 1 a repeated decorative design on wallpaper,
cloth, a carpet, etc. 2 a regular or logical form, order, or
arrangement of parts (behaviour pattern; the pattern of one's
daily life). 3 a model or design, e.g. of a garment, from which
copies can be made. 4 an example of excellence; an ideal; a
model (a pattern of elegance). 5 a wooden or metal figure from
which a mould is made for a casting. 6 a sample (of cloth,
wallpaper, etc.). 7 the marks made by shots, bombs, etc. on a
target or target area. 8 a random combination of shapes or
colours. --v.tr. 1 (usu. foll. by after, on) model (a thing)
on a design etc. 2 decorate with a pattern. Ьpattern bombing
bombing over a large area, not on a single target. [ME patron
(see PATRON): differentiated in sense and spelling since the
16th-17th c.]
patty n. (pl. -ies) 1 a little pie or pastry. 2 US a small flat
cake of minced meat etc. [F pѓt‚ PASTY(1)]
pattypan n. a pan for baking a patty.
patulous adj. 1 (of branches etc.) spreading. 2 formal open; expanded.
ЬЬpatulously adj. patulousness n. [L patulus f. patere be
open]
paua n. 1 a large edible New Zealand shellfish of the genus
Haliotis. 2 its ornamental shell. 3 a fish-hook made from
this. [Maori]
paucity n. smallness of number or quantity. [ME f. OF paucit‚ or f. L
paucitas f. paucus few]
Pauli exclusion principle
n. Physics the assertion that no two fermions can have the same
quantum number. [W. Pauli, Austrian physicist d. 1958]
Pauline adj. of or relating to St Paul (the Pauline epistles). [ME f.
med.L Paulinus f. L Paulus Paul]
Paul Jones
n. a ballroom dance in which partners are exchanged according
to a pattern. [the name of an Amer. naval officer d. 1792]
paulownia n. any Chinese tree of the genus Paulownia, with fragrant
purple flowers. [Anna Paulovna, Russian princess d. 1865]
paunch n. & v. --n. 1 the belly or stomach, esp. when protruding. 2
a ruminant's first stomach; the rumen. 3 Naut. a thick strong
mat. --v.tr. disembowel (an animal). ЬЬpaunchy adj.
(paunchier, paunchiest). paunchiness n. [ME f. AF pa(u)nche,
ONF panche ult. f. L pantex panticis bowels]
pauper n. 1 a person without means; a beggar. 2 hist. a recipient of
poor-law relief. 3 Law a person who may sue in forma pauperis.
ЬЬpauperdom n. pauperism n. pauperize v.tr. (also -ise).
pauperization n. [L, = poor]
pause n. & v. --n. 1 an interval of inaction, esp. when due to
hesitation; a temporary stop. 2 a break in speaking or reading;
a silence. 3 Mus. a mark (3! 3!) over a note or rest that is to
be lengthened by an unspecified amount. --v.intr. 1 make a
pause; wait. 2 (usu. foll. by upon) linger over (a word etc.).
Ьgive pause to cause (a person) to hesitate. [ME f. OF pause or
L pausa f. Gk pausis f. pauo stop]
pavage n. 1 paving. 2 a tax or toll towards the paving of streets.
[ME f. OF f. paver PAVE]
pavane n. (also pavan) hist. 1 a stately dance in elaborate clothing.
2 the music for this. [F pavane f. Sp. pavana, perh. f. pavon
peacock]
pave v.tr. 1 a cover (a street, floor, etc.) with paving etc. b
cover or strew (a floor etc.) with anything (paved with
flowers). 2 prepare (paved the way for her arrival).
Ьpaving-stone a large flat usu. rectangular piece of stone etc.
for paving. ЬЬpaver n. paving n. pavior n. (also paviour).
[ME f. OF paver, back-form. (as PAVEMENT)]
pav‚ n. 1 a paved street, road, or path. 2 a setting of jewels
placed closely together. [F, past part. of paver: see PAVE]
pavement n. 1 Brit. a paved path for pedestrians at the side of and a
little higher than a road. 2 the covering of a street, floor,
etc., made of tiles, wooden blocks, asphalt, and esp. of
rectangular stones. 3 US a roadway. 4 Zool. a pavement-like
formation of close-set teeth, scales, etc. Ьpavement artist 1
Brit. an artist who draws on paving-stones with coloured chalks,
hoping to be given money by passers-by. 2 US an artist who
displays paintings for sale on a pavement. [ME f. OF f. L
pavimentum f. pavire beat, ram]
pavilion n. & v. --n. 1 Brit. a building at a cricket or other sports
ground used for changing, refreshments, etc. 2 a summerhouse or
other decorative building in a garden. 3 a tent, esp. a large
one with crenellated decorations at a show, fair, etc. 4 a
building used for entertainments. 5 a temporary stand at an
exhibition. 6 a detached building at a hospital. 7 a usu.
highly decorated subdivision of a building. 8 the part of a cut
gemstone below the girdle. --v.tr. enclose in or provide with a
pavilion. [ME f. OF pavillon f. L papilio -onis butterfly,
tent]
pavior, paviour
see PAVE.
pavlova n. a meringue cake with cream and fruit. [A. Pavlova, Russ.
ballerina d. 1931]
Pavlovian adj. of or relating to I. P. Pavlov, Russian physiologist d.
1936, or his work, esp. on conditioned reflexes.
pavonine adj. of or like a peacock. [L pavoninus f. pavo -onis
peacock]
paw n. & v. --n. 1 a foot of an animal having claws or nails. 2
colloq. a person's hand. --v. 1 tr. strike or scrape with a
paw or foot. 2 intr. scrape the ground with a paw or hoof. 3
tr. colloq. fondle awkwardly or indecently. [ME pawe, powe f.
OF poue etc. ult. f. Frank.]
pawl n. & v. --n. 1 a lever with a catch for the teeth of a wheel
or bar. 2 Naut. a short bar used to lock a capstan, windlass,
etc., to prevent it from recoiling. --v.tr. secure (a capstan
etc.) with a pawl. [perh. f. LG & Du. pal, rel. to pal fixed]
pawn(1) n. 1 Chess a piece of the smallest size and value. 2 a person
used by others for their own purposes. [ME f. AF poun, OF peon
f. med.L pedo -onis foot-soldier f. L pes pedis foot: cf. PEON]
pawn(2) v. & n. --v.tr. 1 deposit an object, esp. with a pawnbroker,
as security for money lent. 2 pledge or wager (one's life,
honour, word, etc.). --n. 1 an object left as security for
money etc. lent. 2 anything or any person left with another as
security etc. Ьin (or at) pawn (of an object etc.) held as
security. [ME f. OF pan, pand, pant, pledge, security f. WG]
pawnbroker
n. a person who lends money at interest on the security of
personal property pawned. ЬЬpawnbroking n.
pawnshop n. a shop where pawnbroking is conducted.
pawpaw n. (also papaw, papaya) 1 a an elongated melon-shaped fruit
with edible orange flesh and small black seeds. b a tropical
tree, Carica papaya, bearing this and producing a milky sap from
which papain is obtained. 2 US a N. American tree, Asimina
triloba, with purple flowers and edible fruit. [earlier
papay(a) f. Sp. & Port. papaya, of Carib orig.]
PAX abbr. private automatic (telephone) exchange.
pax n. 1 the kiss of peace. 2 (as int.) Brit. sl. a call for a
truce (used esp. by schoolchildren). [ME f. L, = peace]
pay(1) v. & n. --v.tr. (past and past part. paid) 1 (also absol.)
give (a person etc.) what is due for services done, goods
received, debts incurred, etc. (paid him in full; I assure you I
have paid). 2 a give (a usu. specified amount) for work done, a
debt, a ransom, etc. (they pay њ6 an hour). b (foll. by to)
hand over the amount of (a debt, wages, recompense, etc.) to
(paid the money to the assistant). 3 a give, bestow, or express
(attention, respect, a compliment, etc.) (paid them no heed). b
make (a visit, a call, etc.) (paid a visit to their uncle). 4
(also absol.) (of a business, undertaking, attitude, etc.) be
profitable or advantageous to (a person etc.). 5 reward or
punish (can never pay you for what you have done for us; I shall
pay you for that). 6 (usu. as paid adj.) recompense (work,
time, etc.) (paid holiday). 7 (usu. foll. by out, away) let out
(a rope) by slackening it. --n. wages; payment. Ьin the pay of
employed by. paid holidays an agreed holiday period for which
wages are paid as normal. paid-up member (esp. of a trade-union
member) a person who has paid the subscriptions in full.
pay-as-you-earn Brit. the deduction of income tax from wages at
source. pay-bed a hospital bed for private patients. pay-claim
a demand for an increase in pay, esp. by a trade union. pay-day
a day on which payment, esp. of wages, is made or expected to be
made. pay dearly (usu. foll. by for) 1 obtain at a high cost,
great effort, etc. 2 suffer for a wrongdoing etc. pay dirt (or
gravel) US 1 Mineral. ground worth working for ore. 2 a
financially promising situation. pay envelope US = pay-packet.
pay for 1 hand over the price of. 2 bear the cost of. 3 suffer
or be punished for (a fault etc.). pay in pay (money) into a
bank account. paying guest a boarder. pay its (or one's) way
cover costs; not be indebted. pay one's last respects show
respect towards a dead person by attending the funeral. pay off
1 dismiss (workers) with a final payment. 2 colloq. yield good
results; succeed. 3 pay (a debt) in full. 4 (of a ship) turn
to leeward through the movement of the helm. pay-off n. sl. 1
an act of payment. 2 a climax. 3 a final reckoning. pay out
(or back) punish or be revenged on. pay-packet Brit. a packet
or envelope containing an employee's wages. pay phone a
coin-box telephone. pay the piper and call the tune pay for,
and therefore have control over, a proceeding. pay one's
respects make a polite visit. pay station US = pay phone. pay
through the nose colloq. pay much more than a fair price. pay
up pay the full amount, or the full amount of. put paid to
colloq. 1 deal effectively with (a person). 2 terminate (hopes
etc.). ЬЬpayee n. payer n. [ME f. OF paie, payer f. L pacare
appease f. pax pacis peace]
pay(2) v.tr. (past and past part. payed) Naut. smear (a ship) with
pitch, tar, etc. as a defence against wet. [OF peier f. L
picare f. pix picis PITCH(2)]
payable adj. 1 that must be paid; due (payable in April). 2 that may
be paid. 3 (of a mine etc.) profitable.
payback n. 1 a financial return; a reward. 2 the profit from an
investment etc., esp. one equal to the initial outlay. Ьpayback
period the length of time required for an investment to pay for
itself in terms of profits or savings.
PAYE abbr. Brit. pay-as-you-earn.
payload n. 1 the part of an aircraft's load from which revenue is
derived. 2 a the explosive warhead carried by an aircraft or
rocket. b the instruments etc. carried by a spaceship.
paymaster n. 1 an official who pays troops, workmen, etc. 2 a person,
organization, etc., to whom another owes duty or loyalty because
of payment given. 3 (in full Paymaster General) Brit. the
minister at the head of the Treasury department responsible for
payments.
payment n. 1 the act or an instance of paying. 2 an amount paid. 3
reward, recompense. [ME f. OF paiement (as PAY(1))]
paynim n. archaic 1 a pagan. 2 a non-Christian, esp. a Muslim. [ME
f. OF pai(e)nime f. eccl.L paganismus heathenism (as PAGAN)]
payola n. esp. US 1 a bribe offered in return for unofficial
promotion of a product etc. in the media. 2 the practice of
such bribery. [PAY(1) + -ola as in Victrola, make of
gramophone]
payroll n. a list of employees receiving regular pay.
paysage n. 1 a rural scene; a landscape. 2 landscape painting. ЬЬ
paysagist n. [F f. pays country: see PEASANT]
PC abbr. 1 (in the UK) police constable. 2 (in the UK) Privy
Counsellor. 3 personal computer.
p.c. abbr. 1 per cent. 2 postcard.
PCB abbr. 1 Computing printed circuit board. 2 Chem.
polychlorinated biphenyl, any of several toxic aromatic
compounds containing two benzene molecules in which hydrogens
have been replaced by chlorine atoms, formed as waste in
industrial processes.
pea n. 1 a a hardy climbing plant, Pisum sativum, with seeds
growing in pods and used for food. b its seed. 2 any of
several similar plants (sweet pea; chick-pea). Ьpea-brain
colloq. a stupid or dim-witted person. pea-green bright green.
pea-souper Brit. colloq. a thick yellowish fog. [back-form.
f. PEASE (taken as pl.: cf. CHERRY)]
peace n. 1 a quiet; tranquillity (needs peace to work well). b
mental calm; serenity (peace of mind). 2 a (often attrib.)
freedom from or the cessation of war (peace talks). b (esp.
Peace) a treaty of peace between two States etc. at war. 3
freedom from civil disorder. 4 Eccl. a ritual liturgical
greeting. Ьat peace 1 in a state of friendliness. 2 serene. 3
euphem. dead. hold one's peace keep silence. keep the peace
prevent, or refrain from, strife. make one's peace (often foll.
by with) re-establish friendly relations. make peace bring
about peace; reconcile. the peace (or the queen's peace) peace
existing within a realm; civil order. Peace Corps US an
organization sending young people to work as volunteers in
developing countries. peace-offering 1 a propitiatory or
conciliatory gift. 2 Bibl. an offering presented as a
thanksgiving to God. peace-pipe a tobacco-pipe as a token of
peace among US Indians. [ME f. AF pes, OF pais f. L pax pacis]
peaceable adj. 1 disposed to peace; unwarlike. 2 free from disturbance;
peaceful. ЬЬpeaceableness n. peaceably adv. [ME f. OF
peisible, plaisible f. LL placibilis pleasing f. L placere
please]
peaceful adj. 1 characterized by peace; tranquil. 2 not violating or
infringing peace (peaceful coexistence). 3 belonging to a state
of peace. ЬЬpeacefully adv. peacefulness n.
peacemaker
n. a person who brings about peace. ЬЬpeacemaking n. & adj.
peacetime n. a period when a country is not at war.
peach(1) n. 1 a a round juicy stone-fruit with downy cream or yellow
skin flushed with red. b the tree, Prunus persica, bearing it.
2 the yellowish-pink colour of a peach. 3 colloq. a a person
or thing of superlative quality. b an attractive young woman.
Ьpeach-bloom an oriental porcelain-glaze of reddish pink, usu.
with green markings. peach-blow 1 a delicate purplish-pink
colour. 2 = peach-bloom. peaches and cream (of a complexion)
creamy skin with downy pink cheeks. peach Melba see MELBA.
ЬЬpeachy adj. (peachier, peachiest). peachiness n. [ME f. OF
peche, pesche, f. med.L persica f. L persicum (malum), lit.
Persian apple]
peach(2) v. 1 intr. (usu. foll. by against, on) colloq. turn informer;
inform. 2 tr. archaic inform against. [ME f. appeach f. AF
enpecher, OF empechier IMPEACH]
pea-chick n. a young peafowl. [formed as PEACOCK + CHICK(1)]
peacock n. 1 a male peafowl, having brilliant plumage and a tail (with
eyelike markings) that can be expanded erect in display like a
fan. 2 this type of ostentatious display. Ьpeacock blue the
lustrous greenish blue of a peacock's neck. peacock butterfly a
butterfly, Inachis io, with eyelike markings on its wings. [ME
pecock f. OE pea f. L pavo + COCK(1)]
peafowl n. 1 a peacock or peahen. 2 a pheasant of the genus Pavo.
peahen n. a female peafowl.
pea-jacket
n. a sailor's short double-breasted overcoat of coarse woollen
cloth. [prob. f. Du. pijjakker f. pij coat of coarse cloth +
jekker jacket: assim. to JACKET]
peak(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a projecting usu. pointed part, esp.: a the
pointed top of a mountain. b a mountain with a peak. c a stiff
brim at the front of a cap. d a pointed beard. e the narrow
part of a ship's hold at the bow or stern (forepeak;
after-peak). f Naut. the upper outer corner of a sail extended
by a gaff. 2 a the highest point in a curve (on the peak of the
wave). b the time of greatest success (in a career etc.). c
the highest point on a graph etc. --v.intr. reach the highest
value, quality, etc. (output peaked in September). Ьpeak hour
the time of the most intense traffic etc. peak-load the maximum
of electric power demand etc. ЬЬpeaked adj. peaky adj.
peakiness n. [prob. back-form. f. peaked var. of dial. picked
pointed (PICK(2))]
peal(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a the loud ringing of a bell or bells, esp. a
series of changes. b a set of bells. 2 a loud repeated sound,
esp. of thunder, laughter, etc. --v. 1 intr. sound forth in a
peal. 2 tr. utter sonorously. 3 tr. ring (bells) in peals.
[ME pele f. apele APPEAL]
peal(2) n. a salmon grilse. [16th c.: orig. unkn.]
pean(1) n. Heraldry fur represented as sable spotted with or. [16th
c.: orig. unkn.]
pean(2) US var. of PAEAN.
peanut n. 1 a leguminous plant, Arachis hypogaea, bearing pods that
ripen underground and contain seeds used as food and yielding
oil. 2 the seed of this plant. 3 (in pl.) colloq. a paltry or
trivial thing or amount, esp. of money. Ьpeanut butter a paste
of ground roasted peanuts.
pear n. 1 a yellowish or brownish-green fleshy fruit, tapering
towards the stalk. 2 any of various trees of the genus Pyrus
bearing it, esp. P. communis. Ьpear-drop a small sweet with
the shape of a pear. [OE pere, peru ult. f. L pirum]
pearl(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a (often attrib.) a usu. white or bluish-grey
hard mass formed within the shell of a pearl-oyster or other
bivalve mollusc, highly prized as a gem for its lustre (pearl
necklace). b an imitation of this. c (in pl.) a necklace of
pearls. d = mother-of-pearl (cf. seed-pearl). 2 a precious
thing; the finest example. 3 anything resembling a pearl, e.g.
a dewdrop, tear, etc. --v. 1 tr. poet. a sprinkle with
pearly drops. b make pearly in colour etc. 2 tr. reduce
(barley etc.) to small rounded grains. 3 intr. fish for
pearl-oysters. 4 intr. poet. form pearl-like drops. Ьcast
pearls before swine offer a treasure to a person unable to
appreciate it. pearl ash commercial potassium carbonate. pearl
barley barley reduced to small round grains by grinding. pearl
bulb a translucent electric light bulb. pearl button a button
made of mother-of-pearl or an imitation of it. pearl-diver a
person who dives for pearl-oysters. pearl millet a tall cereal,
Pennisetum typhoides. pearl onion a very small onion used in
pickles. pearl-oyster any of various marine bivalve molluscs of
the genus Pinctada, bearing pearls. ЬЬpearler n. [ME f. OF
perle prob. f. L perna leg (applied to leg-of-mutton-shaped
bivalve)]
pearl(2) n. Brit. = PICOT. [var. of PURL(1)]
pearled adj. 1 adorned with pearls. 2 formed into pearl-like drops or
grains. 3 pearl-coloured.
pearlescent
adj. having or producing the appearance of mother-of-pearl.
pearlite var. of PERLITE.
pearlized adj. treated so as to resemble mother-of-pearl.
pearlware n. a fine white glazed earthenware.
pearlwort n. Bot. any small herbaceous plant of the genus Sagina,
inhabiting rocky and sandy areas.
pearly adj. & n. --adj. (pearlier, pearliest) 1 resembling a pearl;
lustrous. 2 containing pearls or mother-of-pearl. 3 adorned
with pearls. --n. (pl. -ies) (in pl.) Brit. 1 pearly kings
and queens. 2 a pearly king's or queen's clothes or pearl
buttons. ЬPearly Gates colloq. the gates of Heaven. pearly
king (or queen) Brit. a London costermonger (or his wife)
wearing clothes covered with pearl buttons. pearly nautilus see
NAUTILUS. ЬЬpearliness n.
pearmain n. a variety of apple with firm white flesh. [ME, = warden
pear, f. OF parmain, permain, prob. ult. f. L parmensis of Parma
in Italy]
peart adj. US lively; cheerful. [var. of PERT]
peasant n. 1 esp. colloq. a countryman or countrywoman; a rustic. 2 a
a worker on the land, esp. a labourer or smallholder. b hist. a
member of an agricultural class dependent on subsistence
farming. 3 derog. a lout; a boorish person. ЬЬpeasantry n.
(pl. -ies). peasanty adj. [ME f. AF paisant, OF pa‹sent,
earlier pa‹sence f. pa‹s country ult. f. L pagus canton]
pease n.pl. archaic peas. Ьpease-pudding boiled split peas (served
esp. with boiled ham). [OE pise pea, pl. pisan, f. LL pisa f.
L pisum f. Gk pison: cf. PEA]
peashooter
n. a small tube for blowing dried peas through as a toy.
peat n. 1 vegetable matter decomposed in water and partly
carbonized, used for fuel, in horticulture, etc. 2 a cut piece
of this. ЬЬpeaty adj. [ME f. AL peta, perh. f. Celt.: cf.
PIECE]
peatbog n. a bog composed of peat.
peatmoss n. 1 a peatbog. 2 any of various mosses of the genus Sphagnum,
which grow in damp conditions and form peat as they decay.
peau-de-soie
n. a smooth finely-ribbed satiny fabric of silk or rayon. [F,
= skin of silk]
pebble n. 1 a small smooth stone worn by the action of water. 2 a a
type of colourless transparent rock-crystal used for spectacles.
b a lens of this. c (attrib.) colloq. (of a spectacle-lens)
very thick and convex. 3 an agate or other gem, esp. when found
as a pebble in a stream etc. Ьnot the only pebble on the beach
(esp. of a person) easily replaced. pebble-dash mortar with
pebbles in it used as a coating for external walls. ЬЬpebbly
adj. [OE papel-stan pebble-stone, pyppelripig pebble-stream, of
unkn. orig.]
p.e.c. abbr. photoelectric cell.
pecan n. 1 a pinkish-brown smooth nut with an edible kernel. 2 a
hickory, Carya illinoensis, of the southern US, producing this.
[earlier paccan, of Algonquian orig.]
peccable adj. formal liable to sin. ЬЬpeccability n. [F, f. med.L
peccabilis f. peccare sin]
peccadillo
n. (pl. -oes or -os) a trifling offence; a venial sin. [Sp.
pecadillo, dimin. of pecado sin f. L (as PECCANT)]
peccant adj. formal 1 sinning. 2 inducing disease; morbid. ЬЬpeccancy
n. [F peccant or L peccare sin]
peccary n. (pl. -ies) any American wild pig of the family Tayassuidae,
esp. Tayassu tajacu and T. pecari. [Carib pakira]
peccavi int. & n. --int. expressing guilt. --n. (pl. peccavis) a
confession of guilt. [L, = I have sinned]
p€che Melba
n. = peach Melba (see MELBA). [F]
peck(1) v. & n. --v.tr. 1 strike or bite (something) with a beak. 2
kiss (esp. a person's cheek) hastily or perfunctorily. 3 a make
(a hole) by pecking. b (foll. by out, off) remove or pluck out
by pecking. 4 colloq. (also absol.) eat (food) listlessly;
nibble at. 5 mark with short strokes. 6 (usu. foll. by up,
down) break with a pick etc. --n. 1 a a stroke or bite with a
beak. b a mark made by this. 2 a hasty or perfunctory kiss. 3
sl. food. Ьpeck at 1 eat (food) listlessly; nibble. 2 carp at;
nag. 3 strike (a thing) repeatedly with a beak. pecking (or
peck) order a social hierarchy, orig. as observed among hens.
[ME prob. f. MLG pekken, of unkn. orig.]
peck(2) n. 1 a measure of capacity for dry goods, equal to 2 gallons or
8 quarts. 2 a vessel used to contain this amount. Ьa peck of a
large number or amount of (troubles, dirt, etc.). [ME f. AF
pek, of unkn. orig.]
pecker n. 1 a bird that pecks (woodpecker). 2 US coarse sl. the
penis. Ьkeep your pecker up Brit. colloq. remain cheerful.
peckish adj. colloq. 1 hungry. 2 US irritable.
pecorino n. (pl. -os) an Italian cheese made from ewes' milk. [It. f.
pecorino (adj.) of ewes f. pecora sheep]
pecten n. (pl. pectens or pectines) Zool. 1 a comblike structure of
various kinds in animal bodies. 2 any bivalve mollusc of the
genus Pecten. Also called SCALLOP. ЬЬpectinate adj. pectinated
adj. pectination n. (all in sense 1). [L pecten pectinis comb]
pectin n. Biochem. any of various soluble gelatinous polysaccharides
found in ripe fruits etc. and used as a setting agent in jams
and jellies. ЬЬpectic adj. [Gk pektos congealed f. pegnumi
make solid]
pectoral adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or relating to the breast or chest;
thoracic (pectoral fin; pectoral muscle). 2 worn on the chest
(pectoral cross). --n. 1 (esp. in pl.) a pectoral muscle. 2 a
pectoral fin. 3 an ornamental breastplate esp. of a Jewish high
priest. [ME f. OF f. L pectorale (n.), pectoralis (adj.) f.
pectus pectoris breast, chest]
pectose n. Biochem. an insoluble polysaccharide derivative found in
unripe fruits and converted into pectin by ripening, heating,
etc. [pectic (see PECTIN) + -OSE(2)]
peculate v.tr. & intr. embezzle (money). ЬЬpeculation n. peculator n.
[L peculari rel. to peculium: see PECULIAR]
peculiar adj. & n. --adj. 1 strange; odd; unusual (a peculiar flavour;
is a little peculiar). 2 a (usu. foll. by to) belonging
exclusively (a fashion peculiar to the time). b belonging to
the individual (in their own peculiar way). 3 particular;
special (a point of peculiar interest). --n. 1 a peculiar
property, privilege, etc. 2 a parish or church exempt from the
jurisdiction of the diocese in which it lies. [ME f. L
peculiaris of private property f. peculium f. pecu cattle]
peculiarity
n. (pl. -ies) 1 a idiosyncrasy; unusualness; oddity. b an
instance of this. 2 a characteristic or habit (meanness is his
peculiarity). 3 the state of being peculiar.
peculiarly
adv. 1 more than usually; especially (peculiarly annoying). 2
oddly. 3 as regards oneself alone; individually (does not
affect him peculiarly).
pecuniary adj. 1 of, concerning, or consisting of, money (pecuniary aid;
pecuniary considerations). 2 (of an offence) entailing a money
penalty or fine. ЬЬpecuniarily adv. [L pecuniarius f. pecunia
money f. pecu cattle]
pedagogue n. archaic or derog. a schoolmaster; a teacher. ЬЬpedagogic
adj. pedagogical adj. pedagogically adv. pedagogism n. (also
pedagoguism). [ME f. L paedagogus f. Gk paidagogos f. pais
paidos boy + agogos guide]
pedagogy n. the science of teaching. ЬЬpedagogics n. [F p‚dagogie f.
Gk paidagogia (as PEDAGOGUE)]
pedal(1) n. & v. --n. 1 any of several types of foot-operated levers or
controls for mechanisms, esp.: a either of a pair of levers for
transmitting power to a bicycle or tricycle wheel etc. b any of
the foot-operated controls in a motor vehicle. c any of the
foot-operated keys of an organ used for playing notes, or for
drawing out several stops at once etc. d each of the
foot-levers on a piano etc. for making the tone fuller or
softer. e each of the foot-levers on a harp for altering the
pitch of the strings. 2 a note sustained in one part, usu. the
bass, through successive harmonies, some of which are
independent of it. --v. (pedalled, pedalling; US pedaled,
pedaling) 1 intr. operate a cycle, organ, etc. by using the
pedals. 2 tr. work (a bicycle etc.) with the pedals. Ьpedal
cycle a bicycle. [F p‚dale f. It. pedale f. L (as PEDAL(2))]
pedal(2) adj. Zool. of the foot or feet (esp. of a mollusc). [L
pedalis f. pes pedis foot]
pedalo n. (pl. -os) a pedal-operated pleasure-boat.
pedant n. 1 a person who insists on strict adherence to formal rules
or literal meaning at the expense of a wider view. 2 a person
who rates academic learning or technical knowledge above
everything. 3 a person who is obsessed by a theory; a
doctrinaire. ЬЬpedantic adj. pedantically adv. pedantize
v.intr. & tr. (also -ise). pedantry n. (pl. -ies). [F
p‚dant f. It. pedante: app. formed as PEDAGOGUE]
pedate adj. 1 Zool. having feet. 2 Bot. (of a leaf) having divisions
like toes or a bird's claws. [L pedatus f. pes pedis foot]
peddle v. 1 tr. a sell (goods), esp. in small quantities, as a
pedlar. b advocate or promote (ideas, a philosophy, a way of
life, etc.). 2 tr. sell (drugs) illegally. 3 intr. engage in
selling, esp. as a pedlar. [back-form. f. PEDLAR]
peddler n. 1 a person who sells drugs illegally. 2 US var. of PEDLAR.
pederast n. (also paederast) a man who performs pederasty.
pederasty n. (also paederasty) anal intercourse between a man and a boy.
[mod.L paederastia f. Gk paiderastia f. pais paidos boy +
erastes lover]
pedestal n. & v. --n. 1 a base supporting a column or pillar. 2 the
stone etc. base of a statue etc. 3 either of the two supports
of a knee-hole desk or table, usu. containing drawers. --v.tr.
(pedestalled, pedestalling; US pedestaled, pedestaling) set or
support on a pedestal. Ьpedestal table a table with a single
central support. put (or set) on a pedestal regard as highly
admirable, important, etc.; venerate. [F pi‚destal f. It.
piedestallo f. piЉ foot f. L pes pedis + di of + stallo
STALL(1)]
pedestrian
n. & adj. --n. 1 (often attrib.) a person who is walking, esp.
in a town (pedestrian crossing). 2 a person who walks
competitively. --adj. prosaic; dull; uninspired. Ьpedestrian
crossing Brit. a specified part of a road where pedestrians
have right of way to cross. pedestrian precinct an area of a
town restricted to pedestrians. ЬЬpedestrianism n.
pedestrianize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). pedestrianization n.
[F p‚destre or L pedester -tris]
pediatrics
US var. of PAEDIATRICS.
pedicab n. a pedal-operated rickshaw.
pedicel n. (also pedicle) 1 a small (esp. subordinate) stalklike
structure in a plant or animal (cf. PEDUNCLE). 2 Surgery part
of a graft left temporarily attached to its original site.
ЬЬpedicellate adj. pediculate adj. [mod.L pedicellus & L
pediculus dimin. of pes pedis foot]
pedicular adj. (also pediculous) infested with lice. ЬЬpediculosis n.
[L pedicularis, -losus f. pediculus louse]
pedicure n. & v. --n. 1 the care or treatment of the feet, esp. of the
toenails. 2 a person practising this, esp. professionally.
--v.tr. treat (the feet) by removing corns etc. [F p‚dicure f.
L pes pedis foot + curare: see CURE]
pedigree n. 1 (often attrib.) a recorded line of descent of a person or
esp. a pure-bred domestic or pet animal. 2 the derivation of a
word. 3 a genealogical table. 4 colloq. the 'life history' of
a person, thing, idea, etc. ЬЬpedigreed adj. [ME pedegru etc.
f. AF f. OF pie de grue (unrecorded) crane's foot, a mark
denoting succession in pedigrees]
pediment n. 1 a the triangular front part of a building in Grecian
style, surmounting esp. a portico of columns. b a similar part
of a building in Roman or Renaissance style. 2 Geol. a broad
flattish rock surface at the foot of a mountain slope.
ЬЬpedimental adj. pedimented adj. [earlier pedament, periment,
perh. corrupt. of PYRAMID]
pedlar n. (US peddler) 1 a travelling seller of small items esp.
carried in a pack etc. 2 (usu. foll. by of) a retailer of
gossip etc. ЬЬpedlary n. [ME pedlere alt. of pedder f. ped
pannier, of unkn. orig.]
pedo- comb. form US var. of PAEDO-.
pedology n. the scientific study of soil, esp. its formation, nature,
and classification. ЬЬpedological adj. pedologist n. [Russ.
pedologiya f. Gk pedon ground]
pedometer n. an instrument for estimating the distance travelled on foot
by recording the number of steps taken. [F p‚domЉtre f. L pes
pedis foot]
peduncle n. 1 Bot. the stalk of a flower, fruit, or cluster, esp. a main
stalk bearing a solitary flower or subordinate stalks (cf.
PEDICEL). 2 Zool. a stalklike projection in an animal body.
ЬЬpeduncular adj. pedunculate adj. [mod.L pedunculus f. L pes
pedis foot: see -UNCLE]
pee v. & n. colloq. --v. (pees, peed) 1 intr. urinate. 2 tr.
pass (urine, blood, etc.) from the bladder. --n. 1 urination.
2 urine. [initial letter of PISS]
peek v. & n. --v.intr. (usu. foll. by in, out, at) look quickly or
slyly; peep. --n. a quick or sly look. [ME pike, pyke, of
unkn. orig.]
peekaboo adj. & n. --adj. 1 (of a garment etc.) transparent or having a
pattern of small holes. 2 (of a hairstyle) concealing one eye
with a fringe or wave. --n. US = BO-PEEP. [PEEK + BOO]
peel(1) v. & n. --v. 1 tr. a strip the skin, rind, bark, wrapping,
etc. from (a fruit, vegetable, tree, etc.). b (usu. foll. by
off) strip (skin, peel, wrapping, etc.) from a fruit etc. 2
intr. a (of a tree, an animal's or person's body, a painted
surface, etc.) become bare of bark, skin, paint, etc. b (often
foll. by off) (of bark, a person's skin, paint, etc.) flake off.
3 intr. (often foll. by off) colloq. (of a person) strip for
exercise etc. 4 tr. Croquet send (another player's ball)
through the hoops. --n. the outer covering of a fruit,
vegetable, prawn, etc.; rind. Ьpeel off 1 veer away and detach
oneself from a group of marchers, a formation of aircraft, etc.
2 colloq. strip off one's clothes. ЬЬpeeler n. (in sense 1 of
v.). [earlier pill, pele (orig. = plunder) f. ME pilien etc. f.
OE pilian (unrecorded) f. L pilare f. pilus hair]
peel(2) n. a shovel, esp. a baker's shovel for bringing loaves etc.
into or out of an oven. [ME & OF pele f. L pala, rel. to
pangere fix]
peel(3) n. (also pele) hist. a small square tower built in the 16th c.
in the border counties of England and Scotland for defence
against raids. [ME pel stake, palisade, f. AF & OF pel f. L
palus stake: cf. PALE(2)]
peeler n. Brit. archaic sl. or dial. a policeman. [Sir Robert Peel,
Engl. statesman d. 1850]
peeling n. a strip of the outer skin of a vegetable, fruit, etc.
(potato peelings).
peen n. & v. --n. the wedge-shaped or thin or curved end of a
hammer-head (opp. FACE n. 5a). --v.tr. 1 hammer with a peen.
2 treat (sheet metal) with a stream of metal shot in order to
shape it. [17th c.: also pane, app. f. F panne f. Du. pen f. L
pinna point]
peep(1) v. & n. --v.intr. 1 (usu. foll. by at, in, out, into) look
through a narrow opening; look furtively. 2 (usu. foll. by out)
a (of daylight, a flower beginning to bloom, etc.) come slowly
into view; emerge. b (of a quality etc.) show itself
unconsciously. --n. 1 a furtive or peering glance. 2 the
first appearance (at peep of day). Ьpeep-bo = BO-PEEP.
peep-hole a small hole that may be looked through. peeping Tom
a furtive voyeur. peep-show a small exhibition of pictures etc.
viewed through a lens or hole set into a box etc. peep-sight
the aperture backsight of some rifles. peep-toe (or -toed) (of
a shoe) leaving the toes partly bare. [ME: cf. PEEK, PEER(1)]
peep(2) v. & n. --v.intr. make a shrill feeble sound as of young birds,
mice, etc.; squeak; chirp. --n. such a sound. [imit.: cf.
CHEEP]
peeper n. 1 a person who peeps. 2 colloq. an eye. 3 US sl. a private
detective.
peepul n. (also pipal) = BO-TREE. [Hindi pipal f. Skr. pippala]
peer(1) v.intr. 1 (usu. foll. by into, at, etc.) look keenly or with
difficulty (peered into the fog). 2 appear; peep out. 3
archaic come into view. [var. of pire, LG piren; perh. partly
f. APPEAR]
peer(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a (fem. peeress) a member of one of the
degrees of the nobility in Britain, i.e. a duke, marquis, earl,
viscount, or baron. b a noble of any country. 2 a person who
is equal in ability, standing, rank, or value; a contemporary
(tried by a jury of his peers). --v.intr. & tr. (usu. foll. by
with) rank or cause to rank equally. Ьpeer group a group of
people of the same age, status, interests, etc. peer of the
realm (or the United Kingdom) any of the class of peers whose
adult members may all sit in the House of Lords. ЬЬpeerless
adj. [ME f. AF & OF pe(e)r, perer f. LL pariare f. L par equal]
peerage n. 1 peers as a class; the nobility. 2 the rank of peer or
peeress (was given a life peerage). 3 a book containing a list
of peers with their genealogy etc.
peeve v. & n. colloq. --v.tr. (usu. as peeved adj.) annoy; vex;
irritate. --n. 1 a cause of annoyance. 2 vexation.
[back-form. f. PEEVISH]
peevish adj. querulous; irritable. ЬЬpeevishly adv. peevishness n.
[ME, = foolish, mad, spiteful, etc., of unkn. orig.]
peewit n. (also pewit) 1 a lapwing. 2 its cry. [imit.]
peg n. & v. --n. 1 a a usu. cylindrical pin or bolt of wood or
metal, often tapered at one end, and used for holding esp. two
things together. b such a peg attached to a wall etc. and used
for hanging garments etc. on. c a peg driven into the ground
and attached to a rope for holding up a tent. d a bung for
stoppering a cask etc. e each of several pegs used to tighten
or loosen the strings of a violin etc. f a small peg,
matchstick, etc. stuck into holes in a board for calculating the
scores at cribbage. 2 Brit. = clothes-peg. 3 Brit. a measure
of spirits or wine. --v.tr. (pegged, pegging) 1 (usu. foll. by
down, in, out, etc.) fix (a thing) with a peg. 2 Econ. a
stabilize (prices, wages, exchange rates, etc.). b prevent the
price of (stock etc.) from falling or rising by freely buying or
selling at a given price. 3 mark (the score) with pegs on a
cribbage-board. Ьoff the peg (of clothes) ready-made. peg away
(often foll. by at) work consistently and esp. for a long
period. peg down restrict (a person etc.) to rules, a
commitment, etc. peg-leg 1 an artificial leg. 2 a person with
an artificial leg. peg on = peg away. peg out 1 sl. die. 2
score the winning point at cribbage. 3 Croquet hit the peg with
the ball as the final stroke in a game. 4 mark the boundaries
of (land etc.). a peg to hang an idea etc. on a suitable
occasion or pretext etc. for it. a round (or square) peg in a
square (or round) hole a misfit. take a person down a peg or
two humble a person. [ME, prob. of LG or Du. orig.: cf. MDu.
pegge, Du. dial. peg, LG pigge]
pegboard n. a board having a regular pattern of small holes for pegs,
used for commercial displays, games, etc.
pegmatite n. a coarsely crystalline type of granite. [Gk pegma -atos
thing joined together f. pegnumi fasten]
pegtop n. a pear-shaped spinning-top with a metal pin or peg forming
the point, spun by the rapid uncoiling of a string wound round
it.
Pehlevi var. of PAHLAVI.
PEI abbr. Prince Edward Island.
peignoir n. a woman's loose dressing-gown. [F f. peigner to comb]
pejorative
adj. & n. --adj. (of a word, an expression, etc.) depreciatory.
--n. a depreciatory word. ЬЬpejoratively adv. [F p‚joratif
-ive f. LL pejorare make worse (pejor)]
pekan n. a N. American flesh-eating mammal, Martes pennanti, valued
for its fur. [Can.F f. Abnaki p‚kan‚]
peke n. colloq. a Pekingese dog. [abbr.]
Pekingese n. & adj. (also Pekinese) --n. (pl. same) 1 a a lap-dog of a
short-legged breed with long hair and a snub nose. b this
breed. 2 a citizen of Peking (Beijing) in China. 3 the form of
the Chinese language used in Beijing. --adj. of or concerning
Beijing or its language or citizens.
pekoe n. a superior kind of black tea. [Chin. dial. pek- ho f. pek
white + ho down, leaves being picked young with down on them]
pelage n. the fur, hair, wool, etc. of a mammal. [F f. poil hair]
Pelagian adj. & n. --adj. of or concerning the monk Pelagius (4th-5th
c.) or his theory denying the doctrine of original sin. --n. a
follower of Pelagius. ЬЬPelagianism n. [eccl.L Pelagianus f.
Pelagius]
pelagian adj. & n. --adj. inhabiting the open sea. --n. an inhabitant
of the open sea. [L pelagius f. Gk pelagios of the sea
(pelagos)]
pelagic adj. 1 of or performed on the open sea (pelagic whaling). 2
(of marine life) belonging to the upper layers of the open sea.
[L pelagicus f. Gk pelagikos (as PELAGIAN)]
pelargonium
n. any plant of the genus Pelargonium, with red, pink, or white
flowers and fragrant leaves. Also called GERANIUM. [mod.L f. Gk
pelargos stork: cf. GERANIUM]
pele var. of PEEL(3).
pelf n. derog. or joc. money; wealth. [ME f. ONF f. OF pelfre,
peufre spoils, of unkn. orig.: cf. PILFER]
pelham n. a horse's bit combining a curb and a snaffle. [the surname
Pelham]
pelican n. any large gregarious waterfowl of the family Pelecanidae
with a large bill and a pouch in the throat for storing fish.
Ьpelican crossing (in the UK) a pedestrian crossing with traffic
lights operated by pedestrians. [OE pellican & OF pelican f. LL
pelicanus f. Gk pelekan prob. f. pelekus axe, with ref. to its
bill]
pelisse n. hist. 1 a woman's cloak with armholes or sleeves, reaching
to the ankles. 2 a fur-lined cloak, esp. as part of a hussar's
uniform. [F f. med.L pellicia (vestis) (garment) of fur f.
pellis skin]
pelite n. a rock composed of claylike sediment. [Gk pelos clay, mud]
pellagra n. a disease caused by deficiency of nicotinic acid,
characterized by cracking of the skin and often resulting in
insanity. ЬЬpellagrous adj. [It. f. pelle skin, after
PODAGRA]
pellet n. & v. --n. 1 a small compressed ball of paper, bread, etc.
2 a pill. 3 a a small mass of bones, feathers, etc.
regurgitated by a bird of prey. b a small hard piece of animal,
usu. rodent, excreta. 4 a a piece of small shot. b an
imitation bullet for a toy gun. --v.tr. (pelleted, pelleting)
1 make into a pellet or pellets. 2 hit with (esp. paper)
pellets. ЬЬpelletize v.tr. (also -ise). [ME f. OF pelote f. L
pila ball]
pellicle n. a thin skin, membrane, or film. ЬЬpellicular adj. [F
pellicule f. L pellicula, dimin. of pellis skin]
pellitory n. any of several wild plants, esp.: 1 (in full pellitory of
Spain) a composite plant, Anacyclus pyrethrum, with a
pungent-flavoured root, used as a local irritant etc. 2 (in
full pellitory of the wall) a low bushy plant, Parietaria
judaica, with greenish flowers growing on or at the foot of
walls. [(sense 1) alt. f. ME f. OF peletre, peretre f. L
pyrethrum f. Gk purethron feverfew: (sense 2) ult. f. OF
paritaire f. LL parietaria f. L paries -etis wall]
pell-mell adv., adj., & n. --adv. 1 headlong, recklessly (rushed
pell-mell out of the room). 2 in disorder or confusion (stuffed
the papers together pell-mell). --adj. confused, tumultous.
--n. confusion; a mixture. [F p€le-m€le, OF pesle mesle, mesle
pesle, etc., redupl. of mesle f. mesler mix]
Pelmanism n. 1 a system of memory-training orig. devised by the Pelman
Institute. 2 a card-game based on this. ЬЬPelmanize v.tr.
(also -ise).
pelmet n. a narrow border of cloth, wood, etc. above esp. a window,
concealing the curtain rail. [prob. f. F PALMETTE]
pelorus n. a sighting device like a ship's compass for taking bearings.
[perh. f. Pelorus, reputed name of Hannibal's pilot]
pelota n. a Basque or Spanish game played in a walled court with a
ball and basket-like rackets attached to the hand. [Sp., =
ball, augment. of pella f. L pila]
pelt(1) v. & n. --v. 1 tr. (usu. foll. by with) a hurl many small
missiles at. b strike repeatedly with missiles. c assail (a
person etc.) with insults, abuse, etc. 2 intr. (usu. foll. by
down) (of rain etc.) fall quickly and torrentially. 3 intr. run
fast. 4 intr. (often foll. by at) fire repeatedly. --n. the
act or an instance of pelting. Ьat full pelt as fast as
possible. [16th c.: orig. unkn.]
pelt(2) n. 1 the undressed skin of a fur-bearing mammal. 2 the skin of
a sheep, goat, etc. with short wool, or stripped ready for
tanning. 3 joc. the human skin. ЬЬpeltry n. [ME f. obs.
pellet skin, dimin. of pel f. AF pell, OF pel, or back-form. f.
peltry, AF pelterie, OF peleterie f. peletier furrier, ult. f.
L pellis skin]
pelta n. (pl. peltae) 1 a small light shield used by the ancient
Greeks, Romans, etc. 2 Bot. a shieldlike structure. ЬЬpeltate
adj. [L f. Gk pelte]
pelvic adj. of or relating to the pelvis. Ьpelvic girdle the bony or
cartilaginous structure in vertebrates to which the posterior
limbs are attached.
pelvis n. (pl. pelvises or pelves) 1 a basin-shaped cavity at the
lower end of the torso of most vertebrates, formed from the
innominate bone with the sacrum and other vertebrae. 2 the
basin-like cavity of the kidney. [L, = basin]
Pembs. abbr. Pembrokeshire (a former county in Wales).
pemmican n. 1 a cake of dried pounded meat mixed with melted fat, orig.
made by N. American Indians. 2 beef so treated and flavoured
with currants etc. for use by Arctic travellers etc. [Cree
pimecan f. pime fat]
pemphigus n. Med. the formation of watery blisters or eruptions on the
skin. ЬЬpemphigoid adj. pemphigous adj. [mod.L f. Gk pemphix
-igos bubble]
PEN abbr. International Association of Poets, Playwrights, Editors,
Essayists, and Novelists.
Pen. abbr. Peninsula.
pen(1) n. & v. --n. 1 an instrument for writing or drawing with ink,
orig. consisting of a shaft with a sharpened quill or metal nib,
now more widely applied. 2 a (usu. prec. by the) the occupation
of writing. b a style of writing. 3 Zool. the internal
feather-shaped cartilaginous shell of certain cuttlefish, esp.
squid. --v.tr. (penned, penning) 1 write. 2 compose and
write. Ьpen and ink n. 1 the instruments of writing. 2
writing. pen-and-ink adj. drawn or written with ink.
pen-feather a quill-feather of a bird's wing. pen-friend a
friend communicated with by letter only. pen-light a small
electric torch shaped like a fountain-pen. pen-name a literary
pseudonym. pen-pal colloq. = pen-friend. pen-pusher colloq.
derog. a clerical worker. pen-pushing colloq. derog.
clerical work. put pen to paper begin writing. [ME f. OF penne
f. L penna feather]
pen(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a small enclosure for cows, sheep, poultry,
etc. 2 a place of confinement. 3 an enclosure for sheltering
submarines. 4 a Jamaican farm or plantation. --v.tr. (penned,
penning) (often foll. by in, up) enclose or shut in a pen. [OE
penn, of unkn. orig.]
pen(3) n. a female swan. [16th c.: orig. unkn.]
pen(4) n. US sl. = PENITENTIARY n. 1. [abbr.]
penal adj. 1 a of or concerning punishment or its infliction (penal
laws; a penal sentence; a penal colony). b (of an offence)
punishable, esp. by law. 2 extremely severe (penal taxation).
Ьpenal servitude hist. imprisonment with compulsory labour.
ЬЬpenally adv. [ME f. OF penal or L poenalis f. poena PAIN]
penalize v.tr. (also -ise) 1 subject (a person) to a penalty or
comparative disadvantage. 2 make or declare (an action) penal.
ЬЬpenalization n.
penalty n. (pl. -ies) 1 a a punishment, esp. a fine, for a breach of
law, contract, etc. b a fine paid. 2 a disadvantage, loss,
etc., esp. as a result of one's own actions (paid the penalty
for his carelessness). 3 a a disadvantage imposed on a
competitor or side in a game etc. for a breach of the rules etc.
b (attrib.) awarded against a side incurring a penalty (penalty
kick; penalty goal). 4 Bridge etc. points gained by opponents
when a contract is not fulfilled. Ьpenalty area Football the
ground in front of the goal in which a foul by defenders
involves the award of a penalty kick. penalty box Ice Hockey an
area reserved for penalized players and some officials. the
penalty of a disadvantage resulting from (a quality etc.).
penalty rate Austral. an increased rate of pay for overtime.
under (or on) penalty of under the threat of (dismissal etc.).
[AF penalte (unrecorded), F p‚nalit‚ f. med.L penalitas (as
PENAL)]
penance n. & v. --n. 1 an act of self-punishment as reparation for
guilt. 2 a (in the RC and Orthodox Church) a sacrament
including confession of and absolution for a sin. b a penalty
imposed esp. by a priest, or undertaken voluntarily, for a sin.
--v.tr. impose a penance on. Ьdo penance perform a penance.
[ME f. OF f. L paenitentia (as PENITENT)]
penannular
adj. almost ringlike. [L paene almost + ANNULAR]
penates n.pl. (in Roman mythology) the household gods, esp. of the
storeroom (see LARES). [L f. penus provision of food]
pence pl. of PENNY.
penchant n. an inclination or liking (has a penchant for old films).
[F, pres. part. of pencher incline]
pencil n. & v. --n. 1 (often attrib.) a an instrument for writing or
drawing, usu. consisting of a thin rod of graphite etc. enclosed
in a wooden cylinder (a pencil sketch). b a similar instrument
with a metal or plastic cover and retractable lead. c a
cosmetic in pencil form. 2 (attrib.) resembling a pencil in
shape (pencil skirt). 3 Optics a set of rays meeting at a
point. 4 Geom. a figure formed by a set of straight lines
meeting at a point. 5 a draughtsman's art or style. --v.tr.
(pencilled, pencilling; US penciled, penciling) 1 tint or mark
with or as if with a pencil. 2 (usu. foll. by in) a write, esp.
tentatively or provisionally (have pencilled in the 29th for our
meeting). b (esp. as pencilled adj.) fill (an area) with soft
pencil strokes (pencilled in her eyebrows). Ьpencil-case a
container for pencils etc. pencil-sharpener a device for
sharpening a pencil by rotating it against a cutting edge.
ЬЬpenciller n. [ME f. OF pincel ult. f. L penicillum
paintbrush, dimin. of peniculus brush, dimin. of penis tail]
pendant n. (also pendent) 1 a hanging jewel etc., esp. one attached to
a necklace, bracelet, etc. 2 a light fitting, ornament, etc.,
hanging from a ceiling. 3 Naut. a a short rope hanging from
the head of a mast etc., used for attaching tackles. b =
PENNANT 1. 4 the shank and ring of a pocket-watch by which it
is suspended. 5 (usu. foll. by to) a match, companion,
parallel, complement, etc. [ME f. OF f. pendre hang f. L
pendere]
pendent adj. (also pendant) 1 a hanging. b overhanging. 2 undecided;
pending. 3 Gram. (esp. of a sentence) incomplete; not having a
finite verb (pendent nominative). ЬЬpendency n. [ME (as
PENDANT)]
pendente lite
adv. Law during the progress of a suit. [L]
pendentive
n. Archit. a curved triangle of vaulting formed by the
intersection of a dome with its supporting arches. [F pendentif
-ive (adj.) (as PENDANT)]
pending adj. & prep. --predic.adj. 1 awaiting decision or settlement,
undecided (a settlement was pending). 2 about to come into
existence (patent pending). --prep. 1 during (pending these
negotiations). 2 until (pending his return). Ьpending-tray a
tray for documents, letters, etc., awaiting attention. [after F
pendant (see PENDENT)]
pendragon n. hist. an ancient British or Welsh prince (often as a
title). [Welsh, = chief war-leader, f. pen head + dragon
standard]
penduline adj. 1 (of a nest) suspended. 2 (of a bird) of a kind that
builds such a nest. [F (as PENDULOUS)]
pendulum n. a weight suspended so as to swing freely, esp. a rod with a
weighted end regulating the movement of a clock's works. Ьswing
of the pendulum the tendency of public opinion to oscillate
between extremes, esp. between political parties. [L neut. adj.
(as PENDULOUS)]
peneplain n. Geol. a fairly flat area of land produced by erosion. [L
paene almost + PLAIN(1)]
penetralia
n.pl. 1 innermost shrines or recesses. 2 secret or hidden
parts; mysteries. [L, neut. pl. of penetralis interior (as
PENETRATE)]
penetrate v. 1 tr. a find access into or through, esp. forcibly. b
(usu. foll. by with) imbue (a person or thing) with; permeate.
2 tr. see into, find out, or discern (a person's mind, the
truth, a meaning, etc.). 3 tr. see through (darkness, fog,
etc.) (could not penetrate the gloom). 4 intr. be absorbed by
the mind (my hint did not penetrate). 5 tr. (as penetrating
adj.) a having or suggesting sensitivity or insight (a
penetrating remark). b (of a voice etc.) easily heard through
or above other sounds; piercing. 6 tr. (of a man) put the penis
into the vagina of (a woman). 7 intr. (usu. foll. by into,
through, to) make a way. ЬЬpenetrable adj. penetrability n.
penetrant adj. & n. penetratingly adv. penetration n.
penetrative adj. penetrator n. [L penetrare place or enter
within f. penitus interior]
penguin n. any flightless sea bird of the family Spheniscidae of the
southern hemisphere, with black upper-parts and white
under-parts, and wings developed into scaly flippers for
swimming underwater. [16th c., orig. = great auk: orig. unkn.]
penholder n. the esp. wooden shaft of a pen with a metal nib.
penicillate
adj. Biol. 1 having or forming a small tuft or tufts. 2
marked with streaks as of a pencil or brush. [L penicillum: see
PENCIL]
penicillin
n. any of various antibiotics produced naturally by moulds of
the genus Penicillium, or synthetically, and able to prevent the
growth of certain disease-causing bacteria. [mod.L Penicillium
genus name f. L penicillum: see PENCIL]
penile adj. of or concerning the penis. [mod.L penilis]
penillion pl. of PENNILL.
peninsula n. a piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting far
into a sea or lake etc. ЬЬpeninsular adj. [L paeninsula f.
paene almost + insula island]
penis n. (pl. penises or penes) 1 the male organ of copulation and
(in mammals) urination. 2 the male copulatory organ in lower
vertebrates. [L, = tail, penis]
penitent adj. & n. --adj. regretting and wishing to atone for sins etc.;
repentant. --n. 1 a repentant sinner. 2 a person doing
penance under the direction of a confessor. 3 (in pl.) various
RC orders associated for mutual discipline etc. ЬЬpenitence n.
penitently adv. [ME f. OF f. L paenitens f. paenitere repent]
penitential
adj. of or concerning penitence or penance. Ьpenitential
psalms seven psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143) expressing
penitence. ЬЬpenitentially adv. [OF penitencial f. LL
paenitentialis f. paenitentia penitence (as PENITENT)]
penitentiary
n. & adj. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 US a reformatory prison. 2 an
office in the papal court deciding questions of penance,
dispensations, etc. --adj. 1 of or concerning penance. 2 of
or concerning reformatory treatment. 3 US (of an offence)
making a culprit liable to a prison sentence. ЬGrand
Penitentiary a cardinal presiding over the penitentiary. [ME f.
med.L paenitentiarius (adj. & n.) (as PENITENT)]
penknife n. a small folding knife, esp. for carrying in a pocket.
penman n. (pl. -men) 1 a person who writes by hand with a specified
skill (a good penman). 2 an author. ЬЬpenmanship n.
Penn. abbr. (also Penna.) Pennsylvania.
pennant n. 1 Naut. a tapering flag, esp. that flown at the masthead of
a vessel in commission. 2 = PENDANT 3a. 3 = PENNON. 4 US a
flag denoting a sports championship etc. [blend of PENDANT and
PENNON]
penniless adj. having no money; destitute. ЬЬpennilessly adv.
pennilessness n.
pennill n. (pl. penillion) (usu. in pl.) an improvised stanza sung to
a harp accompaniment at an eisteddfod etc. [Welsh f. penn
head]
pennon n. 1 a long narrow flag, triangular or swallow-tailed, esp. as
the military ensign of lancer regiments. 2 Naut. a long pointed
streamer on a ship. 3 a flag. ЬЬpennoned adj. [ME f. OF f. L
penna feather]
penn'orth var. of PENNYWORTH.
Pennsylvania Dutch
n. 1 a dialect of High German spoken by descendants of
17th-18th-c. German and Swiss immigrants to Pennsylvania etc.
2 (as pl.) these settlers or their descendants.
Pennsylvanian
n. & adj. --n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Pennsylvania, a
State of the US. 2 (prec. by the) esp. US Geol. the upper
Carboniferous period or system. --adj. 1 of or relating to
Pennsylvania. 2 esp. US Geol. of or relating to the upper
Carboniferous period or system.
penny n. (pl. for separate coins -ies, for a sum of money pence) 1 a
British coin and monetary unit equal to one-hundredth of a
pound. °Abbr.: p. 2 hist. a former British bronze coin and
monetary unit equal to one-two-hundred-and-fortieth of a pound.
°Abbr.: d. 3 US colloq. a one-cent coin. 4 Bibl. a denarius.
Ьin for a penny, in for a pound an exhortation to total
commitment to an undertaking. like a bad penny continually
returning when unwanted. pennies from heaven unexpected
benefits. penny black the first adhesive postage stamp (1840,
value one penny). penny cress Bot. a plant, Thlaspi arvense,
with flat round pods. penny dreadful Brit. a cheap sensational
comic or story-book. the penny drops colloq. one begins to
understand at last. penny farthing Brit. an early type of
bicycle with one large and one small wheel. a penny for your
thoughts a request to a thoughtful person to confide in the
speaker. penny-in-the-slot (of a machine) activated by a coin
pushed into a slot. penny-pincher a niggardly person.
penny-pinching n. meanness. --adj. mean. penny post Brit.
hist. the system of carrying letters etc. at a standard charge
of 1d. regardless of distance. penny whistle a tin pipe with
six holes giving different notes. penny wise too careful in
saving small amounts. penny wise and pound foolish mean in
small expenditures but wasteful of large amounts. a pretty
penny a large sum of money. two a penny almost worthless though
easily obtained. [OE penig, penning f. Gmc, perh. rel. to
PAWN(2)]
-penny comb. form Brit. forming attributive adjectives meaning
'costing ... pence' (esp. in pre-decimal currency) (fivepenny).
pennyroyal
n. 1 a creeping mint, Mentha pulegium, cultivated for its
supposed medicinal properties. 2 US an aromatic plant, Hedeoma
pulegioides. [app. f. earlier puliol(e) ryall f. AF puliol, OF
pouliol ult. f. L pulegium + real ROYAL]
pennyweight
n. a unit of weight, 24 grains or one-twentieth of an ounce
troy.
pennywort n. any of several wild plants with rounded leaves, esp.: 1
(wall pennywort) Umbilicus rupestris, growing in crevices. 2
(marsh or water pennywort) Hydrocotyle vulgaris, growing in
marshy places. [ME, f. PENNY + WORT]
pennyworth
n. (also penn'orth) 1 as much as can be bought for a penny. 2
a bargain of a specified kind (a bad pennyworth). Ьnot a
pennyworth not the least bit.
penology n. the study of the punishment of crime and of prison
management. ЬЬpenological adj. penologist n. [L poena penalty
+ -LOGY]
pens‚e n. a thought or reflection put into literary form; an aphorism.
[F]
pensile adj. 1 hanging down; pendulous. 2 (of a bird etc.) building a
pensile nest. [L pensilis f. pendere pens- hang]
pension(1)
n. & v. --n. 1 a a regular payment made by a government to
people above a specified age, to widows, or to the disabled. b
similar payments made by an employer etc. on the retirement of
an employee. 2 a a pension paid to a scientist, artist, etc.
for services to the state, or to fund work. b any pension paid
esp. by a government on charitable grounds. --v.tr. 1 grant a
pension to. 2 bribe with a pension. Ьpension off 1 dismiss
with a pension. 2 cease to employ or use. ЬЬpensionless adj.
[ME f. OF f. L pensio -onis payment f. pendere pens- pay]
pension(2)
n. a European, esp. French, boarding-house providing full or
half board at a fixed rate. Ь en pension as a boarder. [F: see
PENSION(1)]
pensionable
adj. 1 entitled to a pension. 2 (of a service, job, etc.)
entitling an employee to a pension. ЬЬpensionability n.
pensionary
adj. & n. --adj. of or concerning a pension. --n. (pl. -ies)
1 a pensioner. 2 a creature; a hireling. ЬGrand Pensionary
hist. the first minister of Holland and Zealand (1619-1794).
[med.L pensionarius (as PENSION(1))]
pensioner n. a recipient of a pension, esp. the retirement pension. [ME
f. AF pensionner, OF pensionnier (as PENSION(1))]
pensive adj. 1 deep in thought. 2 sorrowfully thoughtful. ЬЬpensively
adv. pensiveness n. [ME f. OF pensif, -ive f. penser think f.
L pensare frequent. of pendere pens- weigh]
penstemon var. of PENTSTEMON.
penstock n. 1 a sluice; a floodgate. 2 US a channel for conveying water
to a water-wheel. [PEN(2) in sense 'mill-dam' + STOCK]
pent adj. (often foll. by in, up) closely confined; shut in (pent up
feelings). [past part. of pend var. of PEN(2) v.]
penta- comb. form 1 five. 2 Chem. (forming the names of compounds)
containing five atoms or groups of a specified kind
(pentachloride; pentoxide). [Gk f. pente five]
pentachord
n. 1 a musical instrument with five strings. 2 a series of
five musical notes.
pentacle n. a figure used as a symbol, esp. in magic, e.g. a pentagram.
[med.L pentaculum (as PENTA-)]
pentad n. 1 the number five. 2 a group of five. [Gk pentas -ados f.
pente five]
pentadactyl
adj. Zool. having five toes or fingers.
pentagon n. 1 a plane figure with five sides and angles. 2 (the
Pentagon) a the pentagonal Washington headquarters of the US
defence forces. b the leaders of the US defence forces.
ЬЬpentagonal adj. [F pentagone or f. LL pentagonus f. Gk
pentagonon (as PENTA-, -GON)]
pentagram n. a five-pointed star formed by extending the sides of a
pentagon both ways until they intersect, formerly used as a
mystic symbol. [Gk pentagrammon (as PENTA-, -GRAM)]
pentagynous
adj. Bot. having five pistils.
pentahedron
n. a solid figure with five faces. ЬЬpentahedral adj.
pentamerous
adj. 1 Bot. having five parts in a flower-whorl. 2 Zool.
having five joints or parts.
pentameter
n. 1 a verse of five feet, e.g. English iambic verse of ten
syllables. 2 a form of Gk or Latin dactylic verse composed of
two halves each of two feet and a long syllable, used in elegiac
verse. [L f. Gk pentametros (as PENTA-, -METER)]
pentandrous
adj. Bot. having five stamens.
pentane n. Chem. a hydrocarbon of the alkane series. °Chem. formula:
C[5]H[12]. [Gk pente five + ALKANE]
pentangle n. = PENTAGRAM. [ME perh. f. med.L pentaculum PENTACLE, assim.
to L angulus ANGLE]
pentanoic acid
n. Chem. a colourless liquid carboxylic acid used in making
perfumes. [PENTANE]
pentaprism
n. a five-sided prism with two silvered surfaces used in a
viewfinder to obtain a constant deviation of all rays of light
through 90ш.
Pentateuch
n. the first five books of the Old Testament, traditionally
ascribed to Moses. ЬЬpentateuchal adj. [eccl.L pentateuchus f.
eccl.Gk pentateukhos (as PENTA-, teukhos implement, book)]
pentathlon
n. an athletic event comprising five different events for each
competitor. ЬЬpentathlete n. [Gk f. pente five + athlon
contest]
pentatonic
adj. Mus. 1 consisting of five notes. 2 relating to such a
scale.
pentavalent
adj. Chem. having a valency of five; quinquevalent.
Pentecost n. 1 a Whit Sunday. b a festival celebrating the descent of
the Holy Spirit on Whit Sunday. 2 a the Jewish harvest
festival, on the fiftieth day after the second day of Passover
(Lev. 23:15-16). b a synagogue ceremony on the anniversary of
the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. [OE pentecosten & OF
pentecoste, f. eccl.L pentecoste f. Gk pentekoste (hemera)
fiftieth (day)]
Pentecostal
adj. & n. --adj. (also pentecostal) 1 of or relating to
Pentecost. 2 of or designating Christian sects and individuals
who emphasize the gifts of the Holy Spirit, are often
fundamentalist in outlook, and express religious feelings by
clapping, shouting, dancing, etc. --n. a Pentecostalist.
ЬЬPentecostalism n. Pentecostalist adj. & n.
penthouse n. 1 a house or flat on the roof or the top floor of a tall
building. 2 a sloping roof, esp. of an outhouse built on to
another building. 3 an awning, a canopy. [ME pentis f. OF
apentis, -dis, f. med.L appendicium, in LL = appendage, f. L (as
APPEND): infl. by HOUSE]
pentimento
n. (pl. pentimenti) the phenomenon of earlier painting showing
through a layer or layers of paint on a canvas. [It., =
repentance]
pentobarbitone
n. (US pentobarbital) a narcotic and sedative barbiturate drug
formerly used to relieve insomnia. [PENTA-, BARBITONE,
BARBITAL]
pentode n. a thermionic valve having five electrodes. [Gk pente five +
hodos way]
pentose n. Biochem. any monosaccharide containing five carbon atoms,
including ribose. [PENTA- + -OSE(2)]
pent-roof n. a roof sloping in one direction only. [PENTHOUSE + ROOF]
pentstemon
n. (also penstemon) any American herbaceous plant of the genus
Penstemon, with showy flowers and five stamens, one of which is
sterile. [mod.L, irreg. f. PENTA- + Gk stemon warp, used for
'stamen']
pentyl n. = AMYL. [PENTANE + -YL]
penult n. & adj. --n. the last but one (esp. syllable). --adj. last
but one. [abbr. of L paenultimus (see PENULTIMATE) or of
PENULTIMATE]
penultimate
adj. & n. --adj. last but one. --n. 1 the last but one. 2
the last syllable but one. [L paenultimus f. paene almost +
ultimus last, after ultimate]
penumbra n. (pl. penumbrae or penumbras) 1 a the partly shaded region
around the shadow of an opaque body, esp. that around the total
shadow of the moon or earth in an eclipse. b the less dark
outer part of a sunspot. 2 a partial shadow. ЬЬpenumbral adj.
[mod.L f. L paene almost + UMBRA shadow]
penury n. (pl. -ies) 1 destitution; poverty. 2 a lack; scarcity.
[ME f. L penuria, perh. rel. to paene almost]
peon n. 1 a a Spanish American day labourer or farm-worker. b a
poor or destitute South American. 2 an Indian office messenger,
attendant, or orderly. 3 a bullfighter's assistant. 4 hist. a
worker held in servitude in the southern US. ЬЬpeonage n.
[Port. peao & Sp. peon f. med.L pedo -onis walker f. L pes
pedis foot: cf. PAWN(1)]
peony n. (also paeony) (pl. -ies) any herbaceous plant of the genus
Paeonia, with large globular red, pink, or white flowers, often
double in cultivated varieties. [OE peonie f. L peonia f. Gk
paionia f. Paion, physician of the gods]
people n. & v. --n. 1 (usu. as pl.) a persons composing a community,
tribe, race, nation, etc. (the English people; a warlike
people; the peoples of the Commonwealth). b a group of persons
of a usu. specified kind (the chosen people; these people here;
right-thinking people). 2 (prec. by the; treated as pl.) a the
mass of people in a country etc. not having special rank or
position. b these considered as an electorate (the people will
reject it). 3 parents or other relatives (my people are
French). 4 a subjects, armed followers, a retinue, etc. b a
congregation of a parish priest etc. 5 persons in general
(people do not like rudeness). --v.tr. (usu. foll. by with) 1
fill with people, animals, etc.; populate. 2 (esp. as peopled
adj.) inhabit; occupy; fill (thickly peopled). Ьpeople's
democracy a political system, esp. in E. Europe, with power
regarded as invested in the people. [ME f. AF poeple, people,
OF pople, peuple, f. L populus]
PEP abbr. Brit. 1 Political and Economic Planning. 2 Personal
Equity Plan.
pep n. & v. colloq. --n. vigour; go; spirit. --v.tr. (pepped,
pepping) (usu. foll. by up) fill with vigour. Ьpep pill a pill
containing a stimulant drug. pep talk a usu. short talk
intended to enthuse, encourage, etc. [abbr. of PEPPER]
peperino n. a light porous (esp. brown) volcanic rock formed of small
grains of sand, cinders, etc. [It. f. pepere pepper]
peperoni var. of PEPPERONI.
peplum n. 1 a short flounce etc. at waist level, esp. of a blouse or
jacket over a skirt. 2 Gk Antiq. a woman's outer garment. [L
f. Gk peplos]
pepo n. (pl. -os) any fleshy fruit of the melon or cucumber type,
with numerous seeds and surrounded by a hard skin. [L, =
pumpkin, f. Gk pepon abbr. of pepon sikuos ripe gourd]
pepper n. & v. --n. 1 a a hot aromatic condiment from the dried
berries of certain plants used whole or ground. b any climbing
vine of the genus Piper, esp. P. nigrum, yielding these
berries. 2 anything hot or pungent. 3 a any plant of the genus
Capsicum, esp. C. annuum. b the fruit of this used esp. as a
vegetable or salad ingredient. 4 = CAYENNE. --v.tr. 1
sprinkle or treat with or as if with pepper. 2 a pelt with
missiles. b hurl abuse etc. at. 3 punish severely. Ьblack
pepper the unripe ground or whole berries of Piper nigrum as a
condiment. green pepper the unripe fruit of Capsicum annuum.
pepper-mill a device for grinding pepper by hand. pepper-pot 1
a small container with a perforated lid for sprinkling pepper.
2 a W. Indian dish of meat etc. stewed with cayenne pepper. 3
colloq. a Jamaican. red (or yellow) pepper the ripe fruit of
Capsicum annuum. sweet pepper a pepper with a relatively mild
taste. white pepper the ripe or husked ground or whole berries
of Piper nigrum as a condiment. [OE piper, pipor f. L piper f.
Gk peperi f. Skr. pippali- berry, peppercorn]
pepperbox n. = pepper-pot.
peppercorn
n. 1 the dried berry of Piper nigrum as a condiment. 2 (in
full peppercorn rent) a nominal rent.
peppermint
n. 1 a a mint plant, Mentha piperita, grown for the
strong-flavoured oil obtained from its leaves. b the oil from
this. 2 a sweet flavoured with peppermint. 3 Austral. any of
various eucalyptuses yielding oil with a similar flavour.
ЬЬpepperminty adj.
pepperoni n. (also peperoni) beef and pork sausage seasoned with pepper.
[It. peperone chilli]
pepperwort
n. any cruciferous plant of the genus Lepidium, esp. garden
cress.
peppery adj. 1 of, like, or containing much, pepper. 2 hot-tempered.
3 pungent; stinging. ЬЬpepperiness n.
pepsin n. an enzyme contained in the gastric juice, which hydrolyses
proteins. [G f. Gk pepsis digestion]
peptic adj. concerning or promoting digestion. Ьpeptic glands glands
secreting gastric juice. peptic ulcer an ulcer in the stomach
or duodenum. [Gk peptikos able to digest (as PEPTONE)]
peptide n. Biochem. any of a group of organic compounds consisting of
two or more amino acids bonded in sequence. [G Peptid,
back-form. (as POLYPEPTIDE)]
peptone n. a protein fragment formed by hydrolysis in the process of
digestion. ЬЬpeptonize v.tr. (also -ise). [G Pepton f. Gk
peptos, neut. pepton cooked]
per prep. 1 for each; for every (two sweets per child; five miles
per hour). 2 by means of; by; through (per post; per rail). 3
(in full as per) in accordance with (as per instructions). 4
Heraldry in the direction of. Ьas per usual colloq. as usual.
[L]
per- prefix 1 forming verbs, nouns, and adjectives meaning: a
through; all over (perforate; perforation; pervade). b
completely; very (perfervid; perturb). c to destruction; to the
bad (pervert; perdition). 2 Chem. having the maximum of some
element in combination, esp.: a in the names of binary compounds
in -ide (peroxide). b in the names of oxides, acids, etc. in
-ic (perchloric; permanganic). c in the names of salts of these
acids (perchlorate; permanganate). [L per- (as PER)]
peradventure
adv. & n. archaic or joc. --adv. perhaps. --n. uncertainty;
chance; conjecture; doubt (esp. beyond or without
peradventure). [ME f. OF per or par auenture by chance (as PER,
ADVENTURE)]
perambulate
v. 1 tr. walk through, over, or about (streets, the country,
etc.). 2 intr. walk from place to place. 3 tr. a travel
through and inspect (territory). b formally establish the
boundaries of (a parish etc.) by walking round them.
ЬЬperambulation n. perambulatory adj. [L perambulare
perambulat- (as PER-, ambulare walk)]
perambulator
n. Brit. formal = PRAM. [PERAMBULATE]
per annum adv. for each year. [L]
percale n. a closely woven cotton fabric like calico. [F, of uncert.
orig.]
per capita
adv. & adj. (also per caput) for each person. [L, = by heads]
perceive v.tr. 1 apprehend, esp. through the sight; observe. 2 (usu.
foll. by that, how, etc. + clause) apprehend with the mind;
understand. 3 regard mentally in a specified manner (perceives
the universe as infinite). ЬЬperceivable adj. perceiver n.
[ME f. OF per‡oivre, f. L percipere (as PER-, capere take)]
per cent adv. & n. (US percent) --adv. in every hundred. --n. 1
percentage. 2 one part in every hundred (half a per cent). 3
(in pl.) Brit. public securities yielding interest of so much
per cent (three per cents).
percentage
n. 1 a rate or proportion per cent. 2 a proportion. 3 colloq.
personal benefit or advantage.
percentile
n. Statistics one of 99 values of a variable dividing a
population into 100 equal groups as regards the value of that
variable.
percept n. Philos. 1 an object of perception. 2 a mental concept
resulting from perceiving, esp. by sight. [L perceptum
perceived (thing), neut. past part. of percipere PERCEIVE, after
concept]
perceptible
adj. capable of being perceived by the senses or intellect.
ЬЬperceptibility n. perceptibly adv. [OF perceptible or LL
perceptibilis f. L (as PERCEIVE)]
perception
n. 1 a the faculty of perceiving. b an instance of this. 2
(often foll. by of) a the intuitive recognition of a truth,
aesthetic quality, etc. b an instance of this (a sudden
perception of the true position). 3 Philos. the ability of the
mind to refer sensory information to an external object as its
cause. ЬЬperceptional adj. perceptual adj. perceptually adv.
[ME f. L perceptio (as PERCEIVE)]
perceptive
adj. 1 capable of perceiving. 2 sensitive; discerning;
observant (a perceptive remark). ЬЬperceptively adv.
perceptiveness n. perceptivity n. [med.L perceptivus (as
PERCEIVE)]
perch(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a usu. horizontal bar, branch, etc. used by a
bird to rest on. 2 a usu. high or precarious place for a person
or thing to rest on. 3 a measure of length, esp. for land, of
5« yards (see also ROD, POLE). --v.intr. & tr. (usu. foll. by
on) settle or rest, or cause to settle or rest on or as if on a
perch etc. (the bird perched on a branch; a town perched on a
hill). Ьknock a person off his perch 1 vanquish, destroy. 2
make less confident or secure. square perch 30¬ sq. yards. [ME
f. OF perche, percher f. L pertica pole]
perch(2) n. (pl. same or perches) any spiny-finned freshwater edible
fish of the genus Perca, esp. P. fluviatilis of Europe. [ME f.
OF perche f. L perca f. Gk perke]
perchance adv. archaic or poet. 1 by chance. 2 possibly; maybe. [ME f.
AF par chance f. par by, CHANCE]
percher n. any bird with feet adapted for perching; a passerine.
percheron n. a powerful breed of cart-horse. [F, orig. bred in le
Perche, a district of N. France]
perchlorate
n. Chem. a salt or ester of perchloric acid.
perchloric acid
n. Chem. a strong liquid acid containing heptavalent chlorine.
[PER- + CHLORINE]
percipient
adj. & n. --adj. 1 able to perceive; conscious. 2 discerning;
observant. --n. a person who perceives, esp. something outside
the range of the senses. ЬЬpercipience n. percipiently adv.
[L (as PERCEIVE)]
percolate v. 1 intr. (often foll. by through) a (of liquid etc.) filter
or ooze gradually (esp. through a porous surface). b (of an
idea etc.) permeate gradually. 2 tr. prepare (coffee) by
repeatedly passing boiling water through ground beans. 3 tr.
ooze through; permeate. 4 tr. strain (a liquid, powder, etc.)
through a fine mesh etc. ЬЬpercolation n. [L percolare (as
PER-, colare strain f. colum strainer)]
percolator
n. a machine for making coffee by circulating boiling water
through ground beans.
per contra
adv. on the opposite side (of an account, assessment, etc.); on
the contrary. [It.]
percuss v.tr. Med. tap (a part of the body) gently with a finger or an
instrument as part of a diagnosis. [L percutere percuss- strike
(as PER-, cutere = quatere shake)]
percussion
n. 1 Mus. a (often attrib.) the playing of music by striking
instruments with sticks etc. (a percussion band). b the
section of such instruments in an orchestra (asked the
percussion to stay behind). 2 Med. the act or an instance of
percussing. 3 the forcible striking of one esp. solid body
against another. Ьpercussion cap a small amount of explosive
powder contained in metal or paper and exploded by striking,
used esp. in toy guns and formerly in some firearms.
ЬЬpercussionist n. percussive adj. percussively adv.
percussiveness n. [F percussion or L percussio (as PERCUSS)]
percutaneous
adj. esp. Med. made or done through the skin. [L per cutem
through the skin]
per diem adv., adj. & n. --adv. & adj. for each day. --n. an allowance
or payment for each day. [L]
perdition n. eternal death; damnation. [ME f. OF perdiciun or eccl.L
perditio f. L perdere destroy (as PER-, dere dit- = dare give)]
perdurable
adj. formal permanent; eternal; durable. ЬЬperdurability n.
perdurably adv. [ME f. OF f. LL perdurabilis (as PER-,
DURABLE)]
pЉre n. (added to a surname to distinguish a father from a son) the
father, senior (cf. FILS). [F, = father]
PЉre David's deer
n. a large slender-antlered deer, Elaphurus davidianus. [after
Father A. David, Fr. missionary d. 1900]
peregrinate
v.intr. archaic or joc. travel; journey, esp. extensively or
at leisure. ЬЬperegrination n. peregrinator n. [L peregrinari
(as PEREGRINE)]
peregrine n. & adj. --n. (in full peregrine falcon) a kind of falcon much
used for hawking. --adj. archaic imported from abroad;
foreign; outlandish. [L peregrinus f. peregre abroad f. per
through + ager field]
peremptory
adj. 1 (of a statement or command) admitting no denial or
refusal. 2 (of a person, a person's manner, etc.) dogmatic;
imperious; dictatorial. 3 Law not open to appeal or challenge;
final. 4 absolutely fixed; essential. Ьperemptory challenge
Law a defendant's objection to a proposed juror, made without
needing to give a reason. ЬЬperemptorily adv. peremptoriness
n. [AF peremptorie, OF peremptoire f. L peremptorius deadly,
decisive, f. perimere perempt- destroy, cut off (as PER-, emere
take, buy)]
perennial adj. & n. --adj. 1 lasting through a year or several years. 2
(of a plant) lasting several years (cf. ANNUAL). 3 lasting a
long time or for ever. 4 (of a stream) flowing through all
seasons of the year. --n. a perennial plant (a herbaceous
perennial). ЬЬperenniality n. perennially adv. [L perennis
(as PER-, annus year)]
perestroika
n. (in the Soviet Union) the policy or practice of
restructuring or reforming the economic and political system.
[Russ. perestroika = restructuring]
perfect adj., v., & n. --adj. 1 complete; not deficient. 2 faultless
(a perfect diamond). 3 very satisfactory (a perfect evening).
4 exact; precise (a perfect circle). 5 entire; unqualified (a
perfect stranger). 6 Math. (of a number) equal to the sum of
its divisors. 7 Gram. (of a tense) denoting a completed action
or event in the past, formed in English with have or has and the
past participle, as in they have eaten. 8 Mus. (of pitch)
absolute. 9 Bot. a (of a flower) having all four types of
whorl. b (of a fungus) in the stage where the sexual spores are
formed. 10 (often foll. by in) thoroughly trained or skilled
(is perfect in geometry). --v.tr. 1 make perfect; improve. 2
carry through; complete. 3 complete (a sheet) by printing the
other side. --n. Gram. the perfect tense. Ьperfect binding a
form of bookbinding in which the leaves are attached to the
spine by gluing rather than sewing. perfect interval Mus. a
fourth or fifth as it would occur in a major or minor scale
starting on the lower note of the interval, or octave. perfect
pitch = absolute pitch 1. ЬЬperfecter n. perfectible adj.
perfectibility n. perfectness n. [ME and OF parfit, perfet f.
L perfectus past part. of perficere complete (as PER-, facere
do)]
perfecta n. US a form of betting in which the first two places in a race
must be predicted in the correct order . [Amer. Sp. quiniela
perfecta perfect quinella]
perfection
n. 1 the act or process of making perfect. 2 the state of
being perfect; faultlessness, excellence. 3 a perfect person,
thing, or example. 4 an accomplishment. 5 full development;
completion. Ьto perfection exactly; completely. [ME f. OF f. L
perfectio -onis (as PERFECT)]
perfectionism
n. 1 the uncompromising pursuit of excellence. 2 Philos. the
belief that religious or moral perfection is attainable.
ЬЬperfectionist n. & adj. [PERFECT]
perfective
adj. & n. Gram. --adj. (of an aspect of a verb etc.)
expressing the completion of an action (opp. IMPERFECTIVE).
--n. the perfective aspect or form of a verb. [med.L
perfectivus (as PERFECT)]
perfectly adv. 1 completely; absolutely (I understand you perfectly). 2
quite, completely (is perfectly capable of doing it). 3 in a
perfect way.
perfecto n. (pl. -os) orig. US a large thick cigar pointed at each
end. [Sp., = perfect]
perfervid adj. literary very fervid. ЬЬperfervidly adv. perfervidness
n. [mod.L perfervidus (as PER-, FERVID)]
perfidy n. breach of faith; treachery. ЬЬperfidious adj. perfidiously
adv. [L perfidia f. perfidus treacherous (as PER-, fidus f.
fides faith)]
perfoliate
adj. (of a plant) having the stalk apparently passing through
the leaf. [mod.L perfoliatus (as PER-, FOLIATE)]
perforate v. & adj. --v. 1 tr. make a hole or holes through; pierce. 2
tr. make a row of small holes in (paper etc.) so that a part may
be torn off easily. 3 tr. make an opening into; pass into or
extend through. 4 intr. (usu. foll. by into, through, etc.)
penetrate. --adj. perforated. ЬЬperforation n. perforative
adj. perforator n. [L perforare (as PER-, forare pierce)]
perforce adv. archaic unavoidably; necessarily. [ME f. OF par force by
FORCE(1)]
perform v. 1 tr. (also absol.) carry into effect; be the agent of; do
(a command, promise, task, etc.). 2 tr. (also absol.) go
through, execute (a public function, play, piece of music,
etc.). 3 intr. act in a play; play music, sing, etc. (likes
performing). 4 intr. (of a trained animal) execute tricks etc.
at a public show. ЬЬperformable adj. performability n.
performatory adj. & n. (pl. -ies). performer n. performing
adj. [ME f. AF parfourmer f. OF parfournir (assim. to forme
FORM) f. par PER- + fournir FURNISH]
performance
n. 1 (usu. foll. by of) a the act or process of performing or
carrying out. b the execution or fulfilment (of a duty etc.).
2 a staging or production (of a drama, piece of music, etc.)
(the afternoon performance). 3 a person's achievement under
test conditions etc. (put up a good performance). 4 colloq. a
fuss; a scene; a public exhibition (made such a performance
about leaving). 5 a the capabilities of a machine, esp. a car
or aircraft. b (attrib.) of high capability (a performance
car).
performative
adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or relating to performance. 2 denoting
an utterance that effects an action by being spoken or written
(e.g. I bet, I apologize). --n. a performative utterance.
performing arts
n.pl. the arts, such as drama, music, and dance, that require
performance for their realization.
perfume n. & v. --n. 1 a sweet smell. 2 fluid containing the essence
of flowers etc.; scent. --v.tr. also (usu. as perfumed adj.)
impart a sweet scent to; impregnate with a sweet smell.
ЬЬperfumy adj. [F parfum, parfumer f. obs. It. parfumare,
perfumare (as PER-, fumare smoke, FUME): orig. of smoke from a
burning substance]
perfumer n. a maker or seller of perfumes. ЬЬperfumery n. (pl. -ies).
perfunctory
adj. 1 done merely for the sake of getting through a duty. 2
superficial; mechanical. ЬЬperfunctorily adv. perfunctoriness
n. [LL perfunctorius careless f. L perfungi perfunct- (as PER-,
fungi perform)]
perfuse v.tr. 1 (often foll. by with) a besprinkle (with water etc.).
b cover or suffuse (with radiance etc.). 2 pour or diffuse
(water etc.) through or over. 3 Med. cause a fluid to pass
through (an organ etc.). ЬЬperfusion n. perfusive adj. [L
perfundere perfus- (as PER-, fundere pour)]
pergana var. of PARGANA.
pergola n. an arbour or covered walk, formed of growing plants trained
over trellis-work. [It. f. L pergula projecting roof f.
pergere proceed]
pergunnah var. of PARGANA.
perhaps adv. 1 it may be; possibly (perhaps it is lost). 2 introducing
a polite request (perhaps you would open the window?). [PER +
HAP]
peri n. (pl. peris) 1 (in Persian mythology) a fairy; a good (orig.
evil) genius. 2 a beautiful or graceful being. [Pers. pari]
peri- prefix 1 round, about. 2 Astron. the point nearest to (perigee;
perihelion). [Gk peri around, about]
perianth n. the outer part of a flower. [F p‚rianthe f. mod.L
perianthium (as PERI- + Gk anthos flower)]
periapt n. a thing worn as a charm; an amulet. [F p‚riapte f. Gk
periapton f. hapto fasten]
pericardium
n. (pl. pericardia) the membranous sac enclosing the heart.
ЬЬpericardiac adj. pericardial adj. pericarditis n. [mod.L f.
Gk perikardion (as PERI- + kardia heart)]
pericarp n. the part of a fruit formed from the wall of the ripened
ovary. [F p‚ricarpe f. Gk perikarpion pod, shell (as PERI-,
karpos fruit)]
perichondrium
n. the membrane enveloping cartilage tissue (except at the
joints). [PERI- + Gk khondros cartilage]
periclase n. a pale mineral consisting of magnesia. [mod.L periclasia,
erron. f. Gk peri exceedingly + klasis breaking, from its
perfect cleavage]
periclinal
adj. Geol. (of a mound etc.) sloping down in all directions
from a central point. [Gk periklines sloping on all sides (as
PERI-, CLINE)]
pericope n. a short passage or paragraph, esp. a portion of Scripture
read in public worship. [LL f. Gk perikope (as PERI-, kope
cutting f. kopto cut)]
pericranium
n. the membrane enveloping the skull. [mod.L f. Gk (as PERI-,
kranion skull)]
peridot n. a green variety of olivine, used esp. as a semiprecious
stone. [ME f. OF peritot, of unkn. orig.]
perigee n. the point in a celestial body's orbit where it is nearest
the earth (opp. APOGEE). ЬЬperigean adj. [F p‚rig‚e f. mod.L
f. Gk perigeion round the earth (as PERI-, ge earth)]
periglacial
adj. of or relating to a region adjoining a glacier.
perigynous
adj. (of stamens) situated around the pistil or ovary. [mod.L
perigynus (as PERI-, -GYNOUS)]
perihelion
n. (pl. perihelia) the point of a planet's or comet's orbit
nearest to the sun's centre. [Graecized f. mod.L perihelium (as
PERI-, Gk helios sun)]
peril n. & v. --n. serious and immediate danger. --v.tr. (perilled,
perilling; US periled, periling) threaten; endanger. Ьat one's
peril at one's own risk. in peril of with great risk to (in
peril of your life). peril point US Econ. a critical threshold
or limit. [ME f. OF f. L peric(u)lum]
perilous adj. 1 full of risk; dangerous; hazardous. 2 exposed to
imminent risk of destruction etc. ЬЬperilously adv.
perilousness n. [ME f. OF perillous f. L periculosus f.
periculum: see PERIL]
perilune n. the point in a body's lunar orbit where it is closest to the
moon's centre (opp. APOLUNE). [PERI- + L luna moon, after
perigee]
perilymph n. the fluid in the labyrinth of the ear.
perimeter n. 1 a the circumference or outline of a closed figure. b the
length of this. 2 a the outer boundary of an enclosed area. b
a defended boundary. 3 an instrument for measuring a field of
vision. ЬЬperimetric adj. [F p‚rimЉtre or f. L perimetrus f.
Gk perimetros (as PERI-, metros f. metron measure)]
perinatal adj. of or relating to the time immediately before and after
birth.
perineum n. the region of the body between the anus and the scrotum or
vulva. ЬЬperineal adj. [LL f. Gk perinaion]
period n. & adj. --n. 1 a length or portion of time (showers and
bright periods). 2 a distinct portion of history, a person's
life, etc. (the Georgian period; Picasso's Blue Period). 3
Geol. a time forming part of a geological era (the Quaternary
period). 4 a an interval between recurrences of an astronomical
or other phenomenon. b the time taken by a planet to rotate
about its axis. 5 the time allowed for a lesson in school. 6
an occurrence of menstruation. 7 a a complete sentence, esp.
one consisting of several clauses. b (in pl.) rhetorical
language. 8 esp. US a = full stop (see FULL(1)). b used at
the end of a sentence etc. to indicate finality, absoluteness,
etc. (we want the best, period). 9 a a set of figures marked
off in a large number to assist in reading. b a set of figures
repeated in a recurring decimal. c the smallest interval over
which a function takes the same value. 10 Chem. a sequence of
elements between two noble gases forming a row in the periodic
table. --adj. belonging to or characteristic of some past
period (period furniture). Ьof the period of the era under
discussion (the custom of the period). period piece an object
or work whose main interest lies in its historical etc.
associations. [ME f. OF periode f. L periodus f. Gk periodos
(as PERI-, odos = hodos way)]
periodate n. Chem. a salt or ester of periodic acid.
periodic adj. 1 appearing or occurring at regular intervals. 2 of or
concerning the period of a celestial body (periodic motion). 3
(of diction etc.) expressed in periods (see PERIOD n. 7a).
Ьperiodic decimal Math. a set of figures repeated in a
recurring decimal. periodic function Math. a function
returning to the same value at regular intervals. periodic
table an arrangement of elements in order of increasing atomic
number and in which elements of similar chemical properties
appear at regular intervals. ЬЬperiodicity n. [F p‚riodique or
L periodicus f. Gk periodikos (as PERIOD)]
periodic acid
n. Chem. a hygroscopic solid acid containing heptavalent
iodine. [PER- + IODINE]
periodical
n. & adj. --n. a newspaper, magazine, etc. issued at regular
intervals, usu. monthly or weekly. --adj. 1 published at
regular intervals. 2 periodic, occasional. ЬЬperiodically adv.
periodization
n. the division of history into periods.
periodontics
n.pl. (treated as sing.) the branch of dentistry concerned with
the structures surrounding and supporting the teeth.
ЬЬperiodontal adj. periodontist n. [PERI- + Gk odous odont-
tooth]
periodontology
n. = PERIODONTICS.
periosteum
n. (pl. periostea) a membrane enveloping the bones where no
cartilage is present. ЬЬperiosteal adj. periostitis n. [mod.L
f. Gk periosteon (as PERI-, osteon bone)]
peripatetic
adj. & n. --adj. 1 (of a teacher) working in more than one
school or college etc. 2 going from place to place; itinerant.
3 (Peripatetic) Aristotelian (from Aristotle's habit of walking
in the Lyceum whilst teaching). --n. a peripatetic person, esp.
a teacher. ЬЬperipatetically adv. peripateticism n. [ME f. OF
peripatetique or L peripateticus f. Gk peripatetikos f.
peripateo (as PERI-, pateo walk)]
peripeteia
n. a sudden change of fortune in a drama or in life. [Gk (as
PERI-, pet- f. pipto fall)]
peripheral
adj. & n. --adj. 1 of minor importance; marginal. 2 of the
periphery; on the fringe. 3 Anat. near the surface of the body,
with special reference to the circulation and nervous system. 4
(of equipment) used with a computer etc. but not an integral
part of it. --n. a peripheral device or piece of equipment.
Ьperipheral nervous system Anat. the nervous system outside the
brain and spinal cord. ЬЬperipherally adv.
periphery n. (pl. -ies) 1 the boundary of an area or surface. 2 an
outer or surrounding region (built on the periphery of the old
town). [LL peripheria f. Gk periphereia circumference (as
PERI-, phereia f. phero bear)]
periphrasis
n. (pl. periphrases) 1 a roundabout way of speaking;
circumlocution. 2 a roundabout phrase. [L f. Gk f. periphrazo
(as PERI-, phrazo declare)]
periphrastic
adj. Gram. 1 of or involving periphrasis. 2 (of a case,
tense, etc.) formed by combination of words rather than by
inflection (e.g. did go, of the people rather than went, the
people' s). ЬЬperiphrastically adv. [Gk periphrastikos (as
PERIPHRASIS)]
peripteral
adj. (of a temple) surrounded by a single row of columns. [Gk
peripteron (as PERI-, Gk pteron wing)]
periscope n. an apparatus with a tube and mirrors or prisms, by which an
observer in a trench, submerged submarine, or at the rear of a
crowd etc., can see things otherwise out of sight.
periscopic
adj. of a periscope. Ьperiscopic lens a lens allowing distinct
vision over a wide angle. ЬЬperiscopically adv.
perish v. 1 intr. be destroyed; suffer death or ruin. 2 a intr. (esp.
of rubber, a rubber object, etc.) lose its normal qualities;
deteriorate, rot. b tr. cause to rot or deteriorate. 3 tr. (in
passive) suffer from cold or exposure (we were perished standing
outside). Ьperish the thought an exclamation of horror against
an unwelcome idea. ЬЬperishless adj. [ME f. OF perir f. L
perire pass away (as PER-, ire go)]
perishable
adj. & n. --adj. liable to perish; subject to decay. --n. a
thing, esp. a foodstuff, subject to speedy decay.
ЬЬperishability n. perishableness n.
perisperm n. a mass of nutritive material outside the embryo-sac in some
seeds. [PERI- + Gk sperma seed]
peristalsis
n. an involuntary muscular wavelike movement by which the
contents of the alimentary canal etc. are propelled along.
ЬЬperistaltic adj. peristaltically adv. [mod.L f. Gk
peristello wrap around (as PERI-, stello place)]
peristome n. 1 Bot. a fringe of small teeth around the mouth of a capsule
in mosses and certain fungi. 2 Zool. the parts surrounding the
mouth of various invertebrates. [mod.L peristoma f. PERI- + Gk
stoma mouth]
peristyle n. a row of columns surrounding a temple, court, cloister,
etc.; a space surrounded by columns. [F p‚ristyle f. L
peristylum f. Gk peristulon (as PERI-, stulos pillar)]
peritoneum
n. (pl. peritoneums or peritonea) the double serous membrane
lining the cavity of the abdomen. ЬЬperitoneal adj. [LL f. Gk
peritonaion (as PERI-, tonaion f. -tonos stretched)]
peritonitis
n. an inflammatory disease of the peritoneum.
periwig n. esp. hist. a wig. ЬЬperiwigged adj. [alt. of PERUKE,
with -wi- for F -u- sound]
periwinkle(1)
n. 1 any plant of the genus Vinca, esp. an evergreen trailing
plant with blue or white flowers. 2 a tropical shrub,
Catharanthus roseus, native to Madagascar. [ME f. AF pervenke,
OF pervenche f. LL pervinca, assim. to PERIWINKLE(2)]
periwinkle(2)
n. = WINKLE. [16th c.: orig. unkn.]
perjure v.refl. Law 1 wilfully tell an untruth when on oath. 2 (as
perjured adj.) guilty of or involving perjury. ЬЬperjurer n.
[ME f. OF parjurer f. L perjurare (as PER-, jurare swear)]
perjury n. (pl. -ies) Law 1 a breach of an oath, esp. the act of
wilfully telling an untruth when on oath. 2 the practice of
this. ЬЬperjurious adj. [ME f. AF perjurie f. OF parjurie f. L
perjurium (as PERJURE)]
perk(1) v. & adj. --v.tr. raise (one's head etc.) briskly. --adj.
perky; pert. Ьperk up 1 recover confidence, courage, life, or
zest. 2 restore confidence or courage or liveliness in (esp.
another person). 3 smarten up. [ME, perh. f. var. of PERCH(1)]
perk(2) n. Brit. colloq. a perquisite. [abbr.]
perk(3) v. colloq. 1 intr. (of coffee) percolate, make a bubbling
sound in the percolator. 2 tr. percolate (coffee). [abbr. of
PERCOLATE]
perlite n. (also pearlite) a glassy type of vermiculite, expandable to
a solid form by heating, used for insulation etc. [F f. perle
pearl]
perm(1) n. & v. --n. a permanent wave. --v.tr. give a permanent wave
to (a person or a person's hair). [abbr.]
perm(2) n. & v. colloq. --n. a permutation. --v.tr. make a
permutation of. [abbr.]
permafrost
n. subsoil which remains below freezing-point throughout the
year, as in polar regions. [PERMANENT + FROST]
permalloy n. an alloy of nickel and iron that is easily magnetized and
demagnetized. [PERMEABLE + ALLOY]
permanent adj. lasting, or intended to last or function, indefinitely
(opp. TEMPORARY). Ьpermanent magnet a magnet retaining its
magnetic properties without continued excitation. Permanent
Secretary (or Under-secretary etc.) Brit. a senior grade in the
Civil Service, often a permanent adviser to a minister.
permanent set 1 the irreversible deformation of a substance
after being subjected to stress. 2 the amount of this.
permanent tooth a tooth succeeding a milk tooth in a mammal, and
lasting most of the mammal's life. permanent wave an artificial
wave in the hair, intended to last for some time. permanent way
Brit. the finished roadbed of a railway. ЬЬpermanence n.
permanency n. permanentize v.tr. (also -ise). permanently
adv. [ME f. OF permanent or L permanere (as PER-, manere
remain)]
permanganate
n. Chem. any salt of permanganic acid, esp. potassium
permanganate.
permanganic acid
n. Chem. an acid containing heptavalent manganese. [PER- +
MANGANIC: see MANGANESE]
permeability
n. 1 the state or quality of being permeable. 2 a quantity
measuring the influence of a substance on the magnetic flux in
the region it occupies.
permeable adj. capable of being permeated. [L permeabilis (as PERMEATE)]
permeate v. 1 tr. penetrate throughout; pervade; saturate. 2 intr.
(usu. foll. by through, among, etc.) diffuse itself.
ЬЬpermeance n. permeant adj. permeation n. permeator n. [L
permeare permeat- (as PER-, meare pass, go)]
Permian adj. & n. Geol. --adj. of or relating to the last period of
the Palaeozoic era with evidence of the development of reptiles
and amphibians, and deposits of sandstone. °Cf. Appendix II.
--n. this period or system. [Perm in Russia]
per mille adv. (also per mil) in every thousand. [L]
permissible
adj. allowable. ЬЬpermissibility n. permissibly adv. [ME f.
F or f. med.L permissibilis (as PERMIT)]
permission
n. (often foll. by to + infin.) consent; authorization. [ME
f. OF or f. L permissio (as PERMIT)]
permissive
adj. 1 tolerant; liberal, esp. in sexual matters (the
permissive society). 2 giving permission. Ьpermissive
legislation legislation giving powers but not enjoining their
use. ЬЬpermissively adv. permissiveness n. [ME f. OF (-if
-ive) or med.L permissivus (as PERMIT)]
permit v. & n. --v. (permitted, permitting) 1 tr. give permission or
consent to; authorize (permit me to say). 2 a tr. allow; give
an opportunity to (permit the traffic to flow again). b intr.
give an opportunity (circumstances permitting). 3 intr. (foll.
by of) admit; allow for. --n. 1 a a document giving permission
to act in a specified way (was granted a work permit). b a
document etc. which allows entry into a specified zone. 2
formal permission. ЬЬpermittee n. permitter n. [L permittere
(as PER-, mittere miss- let go)]
permittivity
n. Electr. a quantity measuring the ability of a substance to
store electrical energy in an electric field.
permutate v.tr. change the order or arrangement of. [as PERMUTE, or
back-form. f. PERMUTATION]
permutation
n. 1 a an ordered arrangement or grouping of a set of numbers,
items, etc. b any one of the range of possible groupings. 2
any combination or selection of a specified number of things
from a larger group, esp. Brit. matches in a football pool.
ЬЬpermutational adj. [ME f. OF or f. L permutatio (as PERMUTE)]
permute v.tr. alter the sequence or arrangement of. [ME f. L permutare
(as PER-, mutare change)]
Permutit n. propr. an artificial zeolite used as an ion exchanger esp.
for the softening of water. [G f. L permutare to exchange]
pernicious
adj. destructive; ruinous; fatal. Ьpernicious anaemia see
ANAEMIA. ЬЬperniciously adv. perniciousness n. [L perniciosus
f. pernicies ruin f. nex necis death]
pernickety
adj. colloq. 1 fastidious. 2 precise or over-precise. 3
ticklish, requiring tact or careful handling. [19th-c. Sc.:
orig. unkn.]
pernoctate
v.intr. formal pass or spend the night. ЬЬpernoctation n. [LL
pernoctatio f. L pernoctare pernoctat- (as PER-, noctare f. nox
noctis night)]
peroneal adj. Anat. relating to or near the fibula. [mod.L peronaeus
peroneal muscle f. perone fibula f. Gk perone pin, fibula]
perorate v.intr. 1 sum up and conclude a speech. 2 speak at length. [L
perorare perorat- (as PER-, orare speak)]
peroration
n. the concluding part of a speech, forcefully summing up what
has been said.
peroxidase
n. Biochem. any of a class of enzymes found esp. in plants,
which catalyze the oxidation of a substrate by hydrogen
peroxide.
peroxide n. & v. --n. Chem. 1 a = hydrogen peroxide. b (often
attrib.) a solution of hydrogen peroxide used to bleach the hair
or as an antiseptic. 2 a compound of oxygen with another
element containing the greatest possible proportion of oxygen.
3 any salt or ester of hydrogen peroxide. --v.tr. bleach (the
hair) with peroxide. [PER- + OXIDE]
perpendicular
adj. & n. --adj. 1 a at right angles to the plane of the
horizon. b (usu. foll. by to) Geom. at right angles (to a given
line, plane, or surface). 2 upright, vertical. 3 (of a slope
etc.) very steep. 4 (Perpendicular) Archit. of the third stage
of English Gothic (15th-16th c.) with vertical tracery in large
windows. 5 joc. in a standing position. --n. 1 a
perpendicular line. 2 a plumb-rule or a similar instrument. 3
(prec. by the) a perpendicular line or direction (is out of the
perpendicular). ЬЬperpendicularity n. perpendicularly adv.
[ME f. L perpendicularis f. perpendiculum plumb-line f. PER- +
pendere hang]
perpetrate
v.tr. commit or perform (a crime, blunder, or anything
outrageous). ЬЬperpetration n. perpetrator n. [L perpetrare
perpetrat- (as PER-, patrare effect)]
perpetual adj. 1 eternal; lasting for ever or indefinitely. 2
continuous, uninterrupted. 3 colloq. frequent, much repeated
(perpetual interruptions). 4 permanent during life (perpetual
secretary). Ьperpetual calendar a calendar which can be
adjusted to show any combination of day, month, and year.
perpetual check Chess the position of play when a draw is
obtained by repeated checking of the king. perpetual motion the
motion of a hypothetical machine which once set in motion would
run for ever unless subject to an external force or to wear.
ЬЬperpetualism n. perpetually adv. [ME f. OF perpetuel f. L
perpetualis f. perpetuus f. perpes -etis continuous]
perpetuate
v.tr. 1 make perpetual. 2 preserve from oblivion.
ЬЬperpetuance n. perpetuation n. perpetuator n. [L perpetuare
(as PERPETUAL)]
perpetuity
n. (pl. -ies) 1 the state or quality of being perpetual. 2 a
perpetual annuity. 3 a perpetual possession or position. Ьin
(or to or for) perpetuity for ever. [ME f. OF perpetuit‚ f. L
perpetuitas -tatis (as PERPETUAL)]
perpetuum mobile
n. 1 = perpetual motion. 2 Mus. = MOTO PERPETUO. [L perpetuus
continuous + mobilis movable, after PRIMUM MOBILE]
perplex v.tr. 1 puzzle, bewilder, or disconcert (a person, a person's
mind, etc.). 2 complicate or confuse (a matter). 3 (as
perplexed adj.) archaic entangled, intertwined. ЬЬperplexedly
adv. perplexingly adv. [back-form. f. perplexed f. obs.
perplex (adj.) f. OF perplexe or L perplexus (as PER-, plexus
past part. of plectere plait)]
perplexity
n. (pl. -ies) 1 bewilderment; the state of being perplexed. 2
a thing which perplexes. 3 archaic an entangled state. [ME f.
OF perplexit‚ or LL perplexitas (as PERPLEX)]
per pro. abbr. through the agency of (used in signatures). °The correct
sequence is A per pro. B, where B is signing on behalf of A. [L
per procurationem]
perquisite
n. 1 an extra profit or allowance additional to a main income
etc. 2 a customary extra right or privilege. 3 an incidental
benefit attached to employment etc. 4 a thing which has served
its primary use and to which a subordinate or servant has a
customary right. [ME f. med.L perquisitum f. L perquirere
search diligently for (as PER-, quaerere seek)]
Perrier n. propr. an effervescent natural mineral water. [the name of
a spring at VergЉze, France, its source]
perron n. an exterior staircase leading up to a main entrance to a
church or other (usu. large) building. [ME f. OF ult. f. L
petra stone]
perry n. (pl. -ies) Brit. a drink like cider, made from the
fermented juice of pears. [ME pereye etc. f. OF per‚, ult. f. L
pirum pear]
per se adv. by or in itself; intrinsically. [L]
persecute v.tr. 1 subject (a person etc.) to hostility or ill-treatment,
esp. on the grounds of political or religious belief. 2
harass; worry. 3 (often foll. by with) bombard (a person) with
questions etc. ЬЬpersecutor n. persecutory adj. [ME f. OF
persecuter back-form. f. persecuteur persecutor f. LL
persecutor f. L persequi (as PER-, sequi secut- follow, pursue)]
persecution
n. the act or an instance of persecuting; the state of being
persecuted. Ьpersecution complex (or mania) an irrational
obsessive fear that others are scheming against one.
perseverance
n. 1 the steadfast pursuit of an objective. 2 (often foll. by
in) constant persistence (in a belief etc.). [ME f. OF f. L
perseverantia (as PERSEVERE)]
perseverate
v.intr. 1 continue action etc. for an unusually or excessively
long time. 2 Psychol. tend to prolong or repeat a response
after the original stimulus has ceased. ЬЬperseveration n. [L
perseverare (as PERSEVERE)]
persevere v.intr. (often foll. by in, at, with) continue steadfastly or
determinedly; persist. [ME f. OF perseverer f. L perseverare
persist f. perseverus very strict (as PER-, severus severe)]
Persian n. & adj. --n. 1 a a native or inhabitant of ancient or modern
Persia (now Iran). b a person of Persian descent. 2 the
language of ancient Persia or modern Iran. °With modern
reference the preferred terms are Iranian and Farsi. 3 (in full
Persian cat) a a cat of a breed with long silky hair and a thick
tail. b this breed. --adj. of or relating to Persia or its
people or language. ЬPersian carpet (or rug) a carpet or rug of
a traditional pattern made in Persia. Persian lamb the silky
tightly curled fur of a young karakul, used in clothing. [ME f.
OF persien f. med.L]
persiennes
n.pl. window shutters, or outside blinds, with louvres. [F,
fem. pl. of obs. persien Persian]
persiflage
n. light raillery, banter. [F persifler banter, formed as PER-
+ siffler whistle]
persimmon n. 1 any usu. tropical evergreen tree of the genus Diospyros
bearing edible tomato-like fruits. 2 the fruit of this.
[corrupt. of an Algonquian word]
persist v.intr. 1 (often foll. by in) continue firmly or obstinately
(in an opinion or a course of action) esp. despite obstacles,
remonstrance, etc. 2 (of an institution, custom, phenomenon,
etc.) continue in existence; survive. [L persistere (as PER-,
sistere stand)]
persistent
adj. 1 continuing obstinately; persisting. 2 enduring. 3
constantly repeated (persistent nagging). 4 Biol. (of horns,
leaves, etc.) remaining instead of falling off in the normal
manner. ЬЬpersistence n. persistency n. persistently adv.
person n. 1 an individual human being (a cheerful and forthright
person). 2 the living body of a human being (hidden about your
person). 3 Gram. any of three classes of personal pronouns,
verb-forms, etc.: the person speaking (first person); the person
spoken to (second person); the person spoken of (third person).
4 (in comb.) used to replace -man in offices open to either sex
(salesperson). 5 (in Christianity) God as Father, Son, or Holy
Ghost (three persons in one God). 6 euphem. the genitals
(expose one's person). 7 a character in a play or story. Ьin
one's own person oneself; as oneself. in person physically
present. person-to-person 1 between individuals. 2 (of a phone
call) booked through the operator to a specified person. [ME f.
OF persone f. L persona actor's mask, character in a play, human
being]
persona n. (pl. personae) 1 an aspect of the personality as shown to
or perceived by others (opp. ANIMA). 2 Literary criticism an
author's assumed character in his or her writing. Ь persona
grata a person, esp. a diplomat, acceptable to certain others.
persona non grata a person not acceptable. [L (as PERSON)]
personable
adj. pleasing in appearance and behaviour. ЬЬpersonableness n.
personably adv.
personage n. 1 a person, esp. of rank or importance. 2 a character in a
play etc. [ME f. PERSON + -AGE, infl. by med.L personagium
effigy & F personnage]
personal adj. 1 one's own; individual; private. 2 done or made in
person (made a personal appearance; my personal attention). 3
directed to or concerning an individual (a personal letter). 4
referring (esp. in a hostile way) to an individual's private
life or concerns (making personal remarks; no need to be
personal). 5 of the body and clothing (personal hygiene;
personal appearance). 6 existing as a person, not as an
abstraction or thing (a personal God). 7 Gram. of or denoting
one of the three persons (personal pronoun). Ьpersonal column
the part of a newspaper devoted to private advertisements or
messages. personal computer a computer designed for use by a
single individual, esp. in an office or business environment .
personal equation 1 the allowance for an individual person's
time of reaction in making observations, esp. in astronomy. 2 a
bias or prejudice. personal equity plan a scheme for limited
personal investment in shares, unit trusts, etc. personal
identification number a number allocated to an individual,
serving as a password esp. for a cash dispenser, computer, etc.
personal pronoun a pronoun replacing the subject, object, etc.,
of a clause etc., e.g. I, we, you, them, us. personal property
(or estate) Law all one's property except land and those
interests in land that pass to one's heirs (cf. REAL(1) adj.
3). personal service individual service given to a customer.
personal stereo a small portable audio cassette player, often
with radio, or compact disc player, used with lightweight
headphones. personal touch a way of treating a matter
characteristic of or designed for an individual. [ME f. OF f. L
personalis (as PERSON)]
personality
n. (pl. -ies) 1 the distinctive character or qualities of a
person, often as distinct from others (an attractive
personality). 2 a famous person; a celebrity (a TV
personality). 3 a person who stands out from others by virtue
of his or her character (is a real personality). 4 personal
existence or identity; the condition of being a person. 5 (usu.
in pl.) personal remarks. Ьhave personality have a lively
character or noteworthy qualities. personality cult the extreme
adulation of an individual. [ME f. OF personalit‚ f. LL
personalitas -tatis (as PERSONAL)]
personalize
v.tr. (also -ise) 1 make personal, esp. by marking with one's
name etc. 2 personify. ЬЬpersonalization n.
personally
adv. 1 in person (see to it personally). 2 for one's own part
(speaking personally). 3 as a person (a God existing
personally). 4 in a personal manner (took the criticism
personally).
personalty
n. (pl. -ies) Law one's personal property or estate (opp.
REALTY). [AF personalt‚ (as PERSONAL)]
personate v.tr. 1 play the part of (a character in a drama etc.; another
type of person). 2 pretend to be (another person), esp. for
fraudulent purposes; impersonate. ЬЬpersonation n. personator
n. [LL personare personat- (as PERSON)]
personhood
n. the quality or condition of being an individual person.
personification
n. 1 the act of personifying. 2 (foll. by of) a person or
thing viewed as a striking example of (a quality etc.) (the
personification of ugliness).
personify v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 attribute a personal nature to (an
abstraction or thing). 2 symbolize (a quality etc.) by a figure
in human form. 3 (usu. as personified adj.) embody (a quality)
in one's own person; exemplify typically (has always been
kindness personified). ЬЬpersonifier n. [F personnifier (as
PERSON)]
personnel n. a body of employees, persons involved in a public
undertaking, armed forces, etc. Ьpersonnel carrier an armoured
vehicle for transporting troops etc. personnel department etc.
the part of an organization concerned with the appointment,
training, and welfare of employees. [F, orig. adj. = personal]
perspective
n. & adj. --n. 1 a the art of drawing solid objects on a
two-dimensional surface so as to give the right impression of
relative positions, size, etc. b a picture drawn in this way.
2 the apparent relation between visible objects as to position,
distance, etc. 3 a mental view of the relative importance of
things (keep the right perspective). 4 a geographical or
imaginary prospect. --adj. of or in perspective. Ьin
perspective 1 drawn or viewed according to the rules of
perspective. 2 correctly regarded in terms of relative
importance. ЬЬperspectival adj. perspectively adv. [ME f.
med.L perspectiva (ars art) f. perspicere perspect- (as PER-,
specere spect- look)]
Perspex n. propr. a tough light transparent acrylic thermoplastic used
instead of glass. [L perspicere look through (as PER-, specere
look)]
perspicacious
adj. having mental penetration or discernment.
ЬЬperspicaciously adv. perspicaciousness n. perspicacity n.
[L perspicax -acis (as PERSPEX)]
perspicuous
adj. 1 easily understood; clearly expressed. 2 (of a person)
expressing things clearly. ЬЬperspicuity n. perspicuously adv.
perspicuousness n. [ME, = transparent f. L perspicuus (as
PERSPECTIVE)]
perspire v. 1 intr. sweat or exude perspiration, esp. as the result of
heat, exercise, anxiety, etc. 2 tr. sweat or exude (fluid
etc.). [F perspirer f. L perspirare (as PER-, spirare breathe)]
persuade v.tr. & refl. 1 (often foll. by of, or that + clause) cause
(another person or oneself) to believe; convince (persuaded them
that it would be helpful; tried to persuade me of its value). 2
a (often foll. by to + infin.) induce (another person or
oneself) (persuaded us to join them; managed to persuade them at
last). b (foll. by away from, down to, etc.) lure, attract,
entice, etc. (persuaded them away from the pub). ЬЬpersuadable
adj. persuadability n. persuasible adj. [L persuadere (as
PER-, suadere suas- advise)]
persuader n. 1 a person who persuades. 2 sl. a gun or other weapon.
persuasion
n. 1 persuading (yielded to persuasion). 2 persuasiveness (use
all your persuasion). 3 a belief or conviction (my private
persuasion). 4 a religious belief, or the group or sect holding
it (of a different persuasion). 5 colloq. any group or party
(the male persuasion). [ME f. L persuasio (as PERSUADE)]
persuasive
adj. able to persuade. ЬЬpersuasively adv. persuasiveness n.
[F persuasif -ive or med.L persuasivus, (as PERSUADE)]
PERT abbr. programme evaluation and review technique.
pert adj. 1 saucy or impudent, esp. in speech or conduct. 2 (of
clothes etc.) neat and suggestive of jauntiness. 3 = PEART.
ЬЬpertly adv. pertness n. [ME f. OF apert f. L apertus past
part. of aperire open & f. OF aspert f. L expertus EXPERT]
pertain v.intr. 1 (foll. by to) a relate or have reference to. b
belong to as a part or appendage or accessory. 2 (usu. foll. by
to) be appropriate to. [ME f. OF partenir f. L pertinere (as
PER-, tenere hold)]
pertinacious
adj. stubborn; persistent; obstinate (in a course of action
etc.). ЬЬpertinaciously adv. pertinaciousness n. pertinacity
n. [L pertinax (as PER-, tenax tenacious)]
pertinent adj. 1 (often foll. by to) relevant to the matter in hand;
apposite. 2 to the point. ЬЬpertinence n. pertinency n.
pertinently adv. [ME f. OF pertinent or L pertinere (as
PERTAIN)]
perturb v.tr. 1 throw into confusion or disorder. 2 disturb mentally;
agitate. 3 Physics & Math. subject (a physical system, or a set
of equations, or its solution) to a perturbation. ЬЬperturbable
adj. perturbative adj. perturbingly adv. [ME f. OF pertourber
f. L (as PER-, turbare disturb)]
perturbation
n. 1 the act or an instance of perturbing; the state of being
perturbed. 2 a cause of disturbance or agitation. 3 Physics a
slight alteration of a physical system, e.g. of the electrons in
an atom, caused by a secondary influence. 4 Astron. a minor
deviation in the course of a celestial body, caused by the
attraction of a neighbouring body.
pertussis n. whooping cough. [mod.L f. PER- + L tussis cough]
peruke n. hist. a wig. [F perruque f. It. perrucca parrucca, of
unkn. orig.]
peruse v.tr. 1 (also absol.) read or study, esp. thoroughly or
carefully. 2 examine (a person's face etc.) carefully.
ЬЬperusal n. peruser n. [ME, orig. = use up, prob. f. AL f.
Rmc (as PER-, USE)]
Peruvian n. & adj. --n. 1 a native or national of Peru. 2 a person of
Peruvian descent. --adj. of or relating to Peru. ЬPeruvian
bark the bark of the cinchona tree. [mod.L Peruvia Peru]
perv n. & v. (also perve) sl. --n. 1 a sexual pervert. 2 Austral.
an erotic gaze. --v.intr. 1 act like a sexual pervert. 2
(foll. by at, on) Austral. gaze with erotic interest. [abbr.]
pervade v.tr. 1 spread throughout, permeate. 2 (of influences etc.)
become widespread among or in. 3 be rife among or through.
ЬЬpervasion n. [L pervadere (as PER-, vadere vas- go)]
pervasive adj. 1 pervading. 2 able to pervade. ЬЬpervasively adv.
pervasiveness n.
perve var. of PERV.
perverse adj. 1 (of a person or action) deliberately or stubbornly
departing from what is reasonable or required. 2 persistent in
error. 3 wayward; intractable; peevish. 4 perverted; wicked.
5 (of a verdict etc.) against the weight of evidence or the
judge's direction. ЬЬperversely adv. perverseness n.
perversity n. (pl. -ies). [ME f. OF pervers perverse f. L
perversus (as PERVERT)]
perversion
n. 1 an act of perverting; the state of being perverted. 2 a
perverted form of an act or thing. 3 a preference for an
abnormal form of sexual activity. b such an activity. [ME f. L
perversio (as PERVERT)]
pervert v. & n. --v.tr. 1 turn (a person or thing) aside from its
proper use or nature. 2 misapply or misconstrue (words etc.).
3 lead astray (a person, a person's mind, etc.) from right
opinion or conduct, or esp. religious belief. 4 (as perverted
adj.) showing perversion. --n. 1 a perverted person. 2 a
person showing sexual perversion. ЬЬperversive adj.
pervertedly adv. perverter n. [ME f. OF pervertir or f. L
pervertere (as PER-, vertere vers- turn): cf. CONVERT]
pervious adj. 1 permeable. 2 (usu. foll. by to) a affording passage. b
accessible (to reason etc.). ЬЬperviousness n. [L pervius (as
PER-, vius f. via way)]
Pesach n. the Passover festival. [Heb. Pesah]
peseta n. the chief monetary unit of Spain, orig. a silver coin.
[Sp., dimin. of pesa weight f. L pensa pl. of pensum: see
POISE(1)]
pesky adj. (peskier, peskiest) esp. US colloq. troublesome;
confounded; annoying. ЬЬpeskily adv. peskiness n. [18th c.:
perh. f. PEST]
peso n. (pl. -os) 1 the chief monetary unit of several Latin
American countries and of the Philippines. 2 a note or coin
worth one peso. [Sp., = weight, f. L pensum: see POISE(1)]
pessary n. (pl. -ies) Med. 1 a device worn in the vagina to support
the uterus or as a contraceptive. 2 a vaginal suppository. [ME
f. LL pessarium, pessulum f. pessum, pessus f. Gk pessos oval
stone]
pessimism n. 1 a tendency to take the worst view or expect the worst
outcome. 2 Philos. a belief that this world is as bad as it
could be or that all things tend to evil (opp. OPTIMISM).
ЬЬpessimist n. pessimistic adj. pessimistically adv. [L
pessimus worst, after OPTIMISM]
pest n. 1 a troublesome or annoying person or thing; a nuisance. 2
a destructive animal, esp. an insect which attacks crops,
livestock, etc. 3 archaic a pestilence; a plague. Ьpest-house
hist. a hospital for sufferers from the plague etc. [F peste
or L pestis plague]
pester v.tr. trouble or annoy, esp. with frequent or persistent
requests. ЬЬpesterer n. [prob. f. impester f. F empestrer
encumber: infl. by PEST]
pesticide n. a substance used for destroying insects or other organisms
harmful to cultivated plants or to animals. ЬЬpesticidal adj.
pestilence
n. a fatal epidemic disease, esp. bubonic plague. [ME f. OF f.
L pestilentia (as PESTILENT)]
pestilent adj. 1 destructive to life, deadly. 2 harmful or morally
destructive. 3 colloq. troublesome; annoying. ЬЬpestilently
adv. [L pestilens, pestilentus f. pestis plague]
pestilential
adj. 1 of or relating to pestilence. 2 dangerous; troublesome;
pestilent. ЬЬpestilentially adv. [ME f. med.L pestilentialis
f. L pestilentia (as PESTILENT)]
pestle n. & v. --n. 1 a club-shaped instrument for pounding
substances in a mortar. 2 an appliance for pounding etc. --v.
1 tr. pound with a pestle or in a similar manner. 2 intr. use a
pestle. [ME f. OF pestel f. L pistillum f. pinsare pist- to
pound]
pestology n. the scientific study of pests (esp. harmful insects) and of
methods of dealing with them. ЬЬpestological adj. pestologist
n.
Pet. abbr. Peter (New Testament).
pet(1) n., adj., & v. --n. 1 a domestic or tamed animal kept for
pleasure or companionship. 2 a darling, a favourite (often as a
term of endearment). --attrib.adj. 1 kept as a pet (pet lamb).
2 of or for pet animals (pet food). 3 often joc. favourite or
particular (pet aversion). 4 expressing fondness or familiarity
(pet name). --v.tr. (petted, petting) 1 treat as a pet. 2
(also absol.) fondle, esp. erotically. ЬЬpetter n. [16th-c.
Sc. & N.Engl. dial.: orig. unkn.]
pet(2) n. a feeling of petty resentment or ill-humour (esp. be in a
pet). [16th c.: orig. unkn.]
peta- comb. form denoting a factor of 10(15). [perh. f. PENTA-]
petal n. each of the parts of the corolla of a flower. ЬЬpetaline
adj. petalled adj. (also in comb.). petal-like adj. petaloid
adj. [mod.L petalum, in LL metal plate f. Gk petalon leaf f.
petalos outspread]
petard n. hist. 1 a small bomb used to blast down a door etc. 2 a
kind of firework or cracker. Ьhoist with one's own petard
affected oneself by one's schemes against others. [F p‚tard f.
p‚ter break wind]
petasus n. 1 an ancient Greek hat with a low crown and broad brim, esp.
(in Greek mythology) as worn by Hermes. 2 the winged hat of
Hermes. [L f. Gk petasos]
petaurist n. any flying squirrel of the genus Petaurista, native to E.
Asia. [Gk petauristes performer on a springboard (petauron)]
Pete n. Ьfor Pete's sake see SAKE(1). [abbr. of the name Peter]
petechia n. (pl. petechiae) Med. a small red or purple spot as a
result of bleeding into the skin. ЬЬpetechial adj. [mod.L f.
It. petecchia a freckle or spot on one's face]
peter(1) v. & n. --v.intr. 1 (foll. by out) (orig. of a vein of ore
etc.) diminish, come to an end. 2 Bridge play an echo. --n.
Bridge an echo. [19th c.: orig. unkn.]
peter(2) n. sl. 1 a prison cell. 2 a safe. [perh. f. the name Peter]
peterman n. (pl. -men) sl. a safe-breaker.
Peter Pan n. a person who retains youthful features, or who is immature.
[hero of J. M. Barrie's play of the same name (1904)]
Peter Principle
n. joc. the principle that members of a hierarchy are promoted
until they reach the level at which they are no longer
competent. [L. J. Peter, its propounder, b. 1919]
petersham n. thick corded silk ribbon used for stiffening in dressmaking
etc. [Lord Petersham, Engl. army officer d. 1851]
Peter's pence
n.pl. RC Ch. 1 hist. an annual tax of one penny, formerly paid
to the papal see. 2 (since 1860) a voluntary payment to the
papal treasury. [St Peter, as first pope]
pethidine n. a synthetic soluble analgesic used esp. in childbirth.
[perh. f. PIPERIDINE (from which the drug is derived) + ETHYL]
petiole n. the slender stalk joining a leaf to a stem. ЬЬpetiolar adj.
petiolate adj. [F p‚tiole f. L petiolus little foot, stalk]
petit adj. esp. Law petty; small; of lesser importance. Ьpetit jury
= petty jury. [ME f. OF, = small, f. Rmc, perh. imit. of
child's speech]
petit bourgeois
n. (pl. petits bourgeois pronunc. same) a member of the lower
middle classes. [F]
petite adj. (of a woman) of small and dainty build. Ь petite
bourgeoisie the lower middle classes. [F, fem. of PETIT]
petit four
n. (pl. petits fours) a very small fancy cake, biscuit, or
sweet. [F, = little oven]
petition n. & v. --n. 1 a supplication or request. 2 a formal written
request, esp. one signed by many people, appealing to authority
in some cause. 3 Law an application to a court for a writ etc.
--v. 1 tr. make or address a petition to (petition your MP). 2
intr. (often foll. by for, to) appeal earnestly or humbly.
ЬPetition of Right 1 hist. a parliamentary declaration of rights
and liberties of the people assented to by Charles I in 1628. 2
Law a common-law remedy against the crown for the recovery of
property. ЬЬpetitionable adj. petitionary adj. petitioner n.
[ME f. OF f. L petitio -onis]
petitio principii
n. a logical fallacy in which a conclusion is taken for granted
in the premiss; begging the question. [L, = assuming a
principle: see PETITION]
petit-maЊtre
n. a dandy or coxcomb. [F, = little master]
petit mal n. a mild form of epilepsy with only momentary loss of
consciousness (cf. GRAND MAL). [F, = little sickness]
petit point
n. 1 embroidery on canvas using small stitches. 2 tent-stitch.
[F, = little point]
petits pois
n.pl. small green peas. [F]
Petrarchan
adj. denoting a sonnet of the kind used by the Italian poet
Petrarch (d. 1374), with an octave rhyming abbaabba, and a
sestet usu. rhyming cdcdcd or cdecde.
petrel n. any of various sea birds of the family Procellariidae or
Hydrobatidae, usu. flying far from land. [17th c. (also
pitteral), of uncert. orig.: later assoc. with St Peter (Matt.
14:30)]
Petri dish
n. a shallow covered dish used for the culture of bacteria etc.
[J. R. Petri, Ger. bacteriologist d. 1921]
petrifaction
n. 1 the process of fossilization whereby organic matter is
turned into a stony substance. 2 a petrified substance or mass.
3 a state of extreme fear or terror. [PETRIFY after
stupefaction]
petrify v. (-ies, -ied) 1 tr. paralyse with fear, astonishment, etc. 2
tr. change (organic matter) into a stony substance. 3 intr.
become like stone. 4 tr. deprive (the mind, a doctrine, etc.)
of vitality; deaden. [F p‚trifier f. med.L petrificare f. L
petra rock f. Gk]
petro- comb. form 1 rock. 2 petroleum (petrochemistry). [Gk petros
stone or petra rock]
petrochemical
n. & adj. --n. a substance industrially obtained from petroleum
or natural gas. --adj. of or relating to petrochemistry or
petrochemicals.
petrochemistry
n. 1 the chemistry of rocks. 2 the chemistry of petroleum.
petrodollar
n. a notional unit of currency earned by a petroleum-exporting
country.
petroglyph
n. a rock-carving, esp. a prehistoric one. [PETRO- + Gk glyphe
carving]
petrography
n. the scientific description of the composition and formation
of rocks. ЬЬpetrographer n. petrographic adj. petrographical
adj.
petrol n. Brit. 1 refined petroleum used as a fuel in motor vehicles,
aircraft, etc. 2 (attrib.) concerned with the supply of petrol
(petrol pump; petrol station). Ьpetrol bomb a simple bomb made
of a petrol-filled bottle and a wick. [F p‚trole f. med.L
petroleum: see PETROLEUM]
petrolatum
n. US petroleum jelly. [mod.L f. PETROL + -atum]
petroleum n. a hydrocarbon oil found in the upper strata of the earth,
refined for use as a fuel for heating and in internal-combustion
engines, for lighting, dry-cleaning, etc. Ьpetroleum ether a
volatile liquid distilled from petroleum, consisting of a
mixture of hydrocarbons. petroleum jelly a translucent solid
mixture of hydrocarbons used as a lubricant, ointment, etc.
[med.L f. L petra rock f. Gk + L oleum oil]
petrolic adj. of or relating to petrol or petroleum.
petrology n. the study of the origin, structure, composition, etc., of
rocks. ЬЬpetrologic adj. petrological adj. petrologist n.
petrous adj. 1 Anat. denoting the hard part of the temporal bone
protecting the inner ear. 2 Geol. of, like, or relating to
rock. [L petrosus f. L petra rock f. Gk]
petticoat n. 1 a woman's or girl's skirted undergarment hanging from the
waist or shoulders. 2 sl. a a woman or girl. b (in pl.) the
female sex. 3 (attrib.) often derog. feminine; associated with
women (petticoat pedantry). ЬЬpetticoated adj. petticoatless
adj. [ME f. petty coat]
pettifog v.intr. (pettifogged, pettifogging) 1 practise legal deception
or trickery. 2 quibble or wrangle about petty points.
[back-form. f. PETTIFOGGER]
pettifogger
n. 1 a rascally lawyer; an inferior legal practitioner. 2 a
petty practitioner in any activity. ЬЬpettifoggery n.
pettifogging adj. [PETTY + fogger underhand dealer, prob. f.
Fugger family of merchants in Augsburg in the 15th-16th c.]
pettish adj. peevish, petulant; easily put out. ЬЬpettishly adv.
pettishness n. [PET(2) + -ISH(1)]
petty adj. (pettier, pettiest) 1 unimportant; trivial. 2 mean,
small-minded; contemptible. 3 minor; inferior; on a small scale
(petty princes). 4 Law (of a crime) of lesser importance (petty
sessions) (cf. COMMON, GRAND). Ьpetty bourgeois = PETIT
BOURGEOIS. petty bourgeoisie = petite bourgeoisie. petty cash
money from or for small items of receipt or expenditure. petty
jury a jury of 12 persons who try the final issue of fact in
civil or criminal cases and pronounce a verdict. petty officer
a naval NCO. petty treason see TREASON. ЬЬpettily adv.
pettiness n. [ME pety, var. of PETIT]
petulant adj. peevishly impatient or irritable. ЬЬpetulance n.
petulantly adv. [F p‚tulant f. L petulans -antis f. petere
seek]
petunia n. 1 any plant of the genus Petunia with white, purple, red,
etc., funnel-shaped flowers. 2 a dark violet or purple colour.
[mod.L f. F petun f. Guarani pety tobacco]
petuntse n. a white variable feldspathic mineral used for making
porcelain. [Chin. baidunzi f. bai white + dun stone + suffix
-zi]
pew n. & v. --n. 1 (in a church) a long bench with a back; an
enclosed compartment. 2 Brit. colloq. a seat (esp. take a
pew). --v.tr. furnish with pews. ЬЬpewage n. pewless adj.
[ME pywe, puwe f. OF puye balcony f. L podia pl. of PODIUM]
pewit var. of PEEWIT.
pewter n. 1 a grey alloy of tin with lead, copper, or antimony or
various other metals. 2 utensils made of this. 3 sl. a tankard
etc. as a prize. ЬЬpewterer n. [ME f. OF peutre, peualtre f.
Rmc, of unkn. orig.]
peyote n. 1 any Mexican cactus of the genus Lophophora, esp. L.
williamsii having no spines and button-like tops when dried. 2
a hallucinogenic drug containing mescaline prepared from this.
[Amer. Sp. f. Nahuatl peyotl]
pH n. Chem. a logarithm of the reciprocal of the hydrogen-ion
concentration in moles per litre of a solution, giving a measure
of its acidity or alkalinity. [G, f. Potenz power + H (symbol
for hydrogen)]
phaeton n. 1 a light open four-wheeled carriage, usu. drawn by a pair
of horses. 2 US a touring-car. [F pha‚ton f. L Phaethon f. Gk
Phaethon, son of Helios the sun god who was allowed to drive the
sun-chariot for a day, with disastrous results]
phage n. = BACTERIOPHAGE. [abbr.]
phagocyte n. a type of cell capable of engulfing and absorbing foreign
matter, esp. a leucocyte ingesting bacteria in the body.
ЬЬphagocytic adj. [Gk phag- eat + -CYTE]
phagocytosis
n. the ingestion of bacteria etc. by phagocytes. ЬЬphagocytize
v.tr. (also -ise). phagocytose v.tr.
-phagous comb. form that eats (as specified) (ichthyophagous). [L
-phagus f. Gk -phagos f. phagein eat]
-phagy comb. form the eating of (specified food) (ichthyophagy). [Gk
-phagia (as -PHAGOUS)]
phalange n. 1 Anat. = PHALANX 4. 2 (Phalange) a right-wing activist
Maronite party in Lebanon (cf. FALANGE). [F f. L phalanx: see
PHALANX]
phalangeal
adj. Anat. of or relating to a phalanx.
phalanger n. any of various marsupials of the family Phalangeridae,
including cuscuses and possums. [F f. Gk phalaggion spider's
web, f. the webbed toes of its hind feet]
phalanx n. (pl. phalanxes or phalanges) 1 Gk Antiq. a line of battle,
esp. a body of Macedonian infantry drawn up in close order. 2 a
set of people etc. forming a compact mass, or banded for a
common purpose. 3 a bone of the finger or toe. 4 Bot. a bundle
of stamens united by filaments. [L f. Gk phalagx -ggos]
phalarope n. any small wading or swimming bird of the subfamily
Phalaropodidae, with a straight bill and lobed feet. [F f.
mod.L Phalaropus, irreg. f. Gk phalaris coot + pous podos foot]
phalli pl. of PHALLUS.
phallic adj. 1 of, relating to, or resembling a phallus. 2 Psychol.
denoting the stage of male sexual development characterized by
preoccupation with the genitals. ЬЬphallically adv. [F
phallique & Gk phallikos (as PHALLUS)]
phallocentric
adj. centred on the phallus or on male attitudes.
ЬЬphallocentricity n. phallocentrism n.
phallus n. (pl. phalli or phalluses) 1 the (esp. erect) penis. 2 an
image of this as a symbol of generative power in nature.
ЬЬphallicism n. phallism n. [LL f. Gk phallos]
phanariot n. hist. a member of a class of Greek officials in
Constantinople under the Ottoman Empire. [mod.Gk phanariotes f.
Phanar the part of the city where they lived f. Gk phanarion
lighthouse (on the Golden Horn)]
phanerogam
n. Bot. a plant that has stamens and pistils, a flowering
plant (cf. CRYPTOGAM). ЬЬphanerogamic adj. phanerogamous adj.
[F phan‚rogame f. Gk phaneros visible + gamos marriage]
phantasize
var. of FANTASIZE.
phantasm n. 1 an illusion, a phantom. 2 (usu. foll. by of) an illusory
likeness. 3 a supposed vision of an absent (living or dead)
person. ЬЬphantasmal adj. phantasmic adj. [ME f. OF fantasme
f. L f. Gk phantasma f. phantazo make visible f. phaino show]
phantasmagoria
n. 1 a shifting series of real or imaginary figures as seen in
a dream. 2 an optical device for rapidly varying the size of
images on a screen. ЬЬphantasmagoric adj. phantasmagorical
adj. [prob. f. F fantasmagorie (as PHANTASM + fanciful ending)]
phantast var. of FANTAST.
phantasy var. of FANTASY.
phantom n. & adj. --n. 1 a ghost; an apparition; a spectre. 2 a form
without substance or reality; a mental illusion. 3 Med. a model
of the whole or part of the body used to practise or demonstrate
operative or therapeutic methods. --adj. merely apparent;
illusory. Ьphantom circuit an arrangement of telegraph or other
electrical wires equivalent to an extra circuit. phantom limb a
continuing sensation of the presence of a limb which has been
amputated. phantom pregnancy Med. the symptoms of pregnancy in
a person not actually pregnant. [ME f. OF fantosme ult. f. Gk
phantasma (as PHANTASM)]
Pharaoh n. 1 the ruler of ancient Egypt. 2 the title of this ruler.
ЬPharaoh's serpent an indoor firework burning and uncoiling in
serpentine form. ЬЬPharaonic adj. [OE f. eccl.L Pharao f. Gk
Pharao f. Heb. par' oh f. Egypt. pr-' o great house]
Pharisee n. 1 a member of an ancient Jewish sect, distinguished by
strict observance of the traditional and written law, and
commonly held to have pretensions to superior sanctity. 2 a
self-righteous person; a hypocrite. ЬЬPharisaic adj.
Pharisaical adj. Pharisaism n. [OE fariseus & OF pharise f.
eccl.L pharisaeus f. Gk Pharisaios f. Aram. p' risayyѓ pl. f.
Heb. par–s separated]
pharmaceutical
adj. 1 of or engaged in pharmacy. 2 of the use or sale of
medicinal drugs. ЬЬpharmaceutically adv. pharmaceutics n. [LL
pharmaceuticus f. Gk pharmakeutikos f. pharmakeutes druggist f.
pharmakon drug]
pharmacist
n. a person qualified to prepare and dispense drugs.
pharmacognosy
n. the science of drugs, esp. relating to medicinal products in
their natural or unprepared state. [Gk pharmakon drug + gnosis
knowledge]
pharmacology
n. the science of the action of drugs on the body.
ЬЬpharmacological adj. pharmacologically adv. pharmacologist
n. [mod.L pharmacologia f. Gk pharmakon drug]
pharmacopoeia
n. 1 a book, esp. one officially published, containing a list
of drugs with directions for use. 2 a stock of drugs.
ЬЬpharmacopoeial adj. [mod.L f. Gk pharmakopoiia f.
pharmakopoios drug-maker (as PHARMACOLOGY + -poios making)]
pharmacy n. (pl. -ies) 1 the preparation and the (esp. medicinal)
dispensing of drugs. 2 a pharmacist's shop, a dispensary. [ME
f. OF farmacie f. med.L pharmacia f. Gk pharmakeia practice of
the druggist f. pharmakeus f. pharmakon drug]
pharos n. a lighthouse or a beacon to guide sailors. [L f. Gk Pharos
island off Alexandria where a famous lighthouse stood]
pharyngo- comb. form denoting the pharynx.
pharyngotomy
n. (pl. -ies) an incision into the pharynx.
pharynx n. (pl. pharynges) a cavity, with enclosing muscles and mucous
membrane, behind the nose and mouth, and connecting them to the
oesophagus. ЬЬpharyngal adj. pharyngeal adj. pharyngitis n.
[mod.L f. Gk pharugx -ggos]
phase n. & v. --n. 1 a distinct period or stage in a process of
change or development. 2 each of the aspects of the moon or a
planet, according to the amount of its illumination, esp. the
new moon, the first quarter, the last quarter, and the full
moon. 3 Physics a stage in a periodically recurring sequence,
esp. of alternating electric currents or light vibrations. 4 a
difficult or unhappy period, esp. in adolescence. 5 a genetic
or seasonal variety of an animal's coloration etc. 6 Chem. a
distinct and homogeneous form of matter separated by its surface
from other forms. --v.tr. carry out (a programme etc.) in
phases or stages. Ьin phase having the same phase at the same
time. out of phase not in phase. phase in (or out) bring
gradually into (or out of) use. phase rule Chem. a rule
relating numbers of phases, constituents, and degrees of
freedom. three-phase (of an electric generator, motor, etc.)
designed to supply or use simultaneously three separate
alternating currents of the same voltage, but with phases
differing by a third of a period. ЬЬphasic adj. [F phase & f.
earlier phasis f. Gk phasis appearance f. phaino phan- show]
phatic adj. (of speech etc.) used to convey general sociability rather
than to communicate a specific meaning, e.g. 'nice morning,
isn't it?'. [Gk phatos spoken f. phemi phan- speak]
Ph.D. abbr. Doctor of Philosophy. [L philosophiae doctor]
pheasant n. any of several long-tailed game-birds of the family
Phasianidae, orig. from Asia. ЬЬpheasantry n. (pl. -ies).
[ME f. AF fesaunt f. OF faisan f. L phasianus f. Gk phasianos
(bird) of the river Phasis in Asia Minor]
phenacetin
n. an acetyl derivative of phenol used to treat fever etc.
[PHENO- + ACETYL + -IN]
pheno- comb. form 1 Chem. derived from benzene (phenol; phenyl). 2
showing (phenocryst). [Gk phaino shine (with ref. to substances
used for illumination), show]
phenobarbitone
n. (US phenobarbital) a narcotic and sedative barbiturate drug
used esp. to treat epilepsy.
phenocryst
n. a large or conspicuous crystal in porphyritic rock. [F
ph‚nocryste (as PHENO-, CRYSTAL)]
phenol n. Chem. 1 the monohydroxyl derivative of benzene used in
dilute form as an antiseptic and disinfectant. Also called
CARBOLIC. °Chem. formula: C[6]H[5]OH. 2 any hydroxyl
derivative of an aromatic hydrocarbon. ЬЬphenolic adj. [F
ph‚nole f. phЉne benzene (formed as PHENO-)]
phenolphthalein
n. Chem. a white crystalline solid used in solution as an
acid-base indicator and medicinally as a laxative. [PHENOL +
phthal f. NAPHTHALENE + -IN]
phenomena pl. of PHENOMENON.
phenomenal
adj. 1 of the nature of a phenomenon. 2 extraordinary,
remarkable, prodigious. 3 perceptible by, or perceptible only
to, the senses. ЬЬphenomenalize v.tr. (also -ise).
phenomenally adv.
phenomenalism
n. Philos. 1 the doctrine that human knowledge is confined to
the appearances presented to the senses. 2 the doctrine that
appearances are the foundation of all our knowledge.
ЬЬphenomenalist n. phenomenalistic adj.
phenomenology
n. Philos. 1 the science of phenomena. 2 the description and
classification of phenomena. ЬЬphenomenological adj.
phenomenologically adv.
phenomenon
n. (pl. phenomena) 1 a fact or occurrence that appears or is
perceived, esp. one of which the cause is in question. 2 a
remarkable person or thing. 3 Philos. the object of a person's
perception; what the senses or the mind notice. [LL f. Gk
phainomenon neut. pres. part. of phainomai appear f. phaino
show]
phenotype n. Biol. a set of observable characteristics of an individual
or group as determined by its genotype and environment.
ЬЬphenotypic adj. phenotypical adj. phenotypically adv. [G
Phaenotypus (as PHENO-, TYPE)]
phenyl n. Chem. the univalent radical formed from benzene by the
removal of a hydrogen atom. [PHENO- + -YL]
phenylalanine
n. Biochem. an amino acid widely distributed in plant proteins
and essential in the human diet. [PHENYL + ALANINE]
phenylketonuria
n. an inherited inability to metabolize phenylalanine,
ultimately leading to mental deficiency if untreated. [PHENYL +
KETONE + -URIA]
pheromone n. a chemical substance secreted and released by an animal for
detection and response by another usu. of the same species.
ЬЬpheromonal adj. [Gk phero convey + HORMONE]
phew int. an expression of impatience, discomfort, relief,
astonishment, or disgust. [imit. of puffing]
phi n. the twenty-first letter of the Greek alphabet. ЬPhi Beta
Kappa 1 (in the US) an intercollegiate honorary society to which
distinguished scholars may be elected (from the initial letters
of a Greek motto, = philosophy is the guide to life). 2 a
member of this society. [Gk]
phial n. a small glass bottle, esp. for liquid medicine. [ME f. OF
fiole f. L phiola phiala f. Gk phiale, a broad flat vessel: cf.
VIAL]
philadelphus
n. any highly-scented deciduous flowering shrub of the genus
Philadelphus, esp. the mock orange. [mod.L f. Gk philadelphon]
philander v.intr. (often foll. by with) flirt or have casual affairs with
women; womanize. ЬЬphilanderer n. [philander (n.) used in Gk
literature as the proper name of a lover, f. Gk philandros fond
of men f. aner male person: see PHIL-]
philanthrope
n. = PHILANTHROPIST (see PHILANTHROPY). [Gk philanthropos (as
PHIL-, anthropos human being)]
philanthropy
n. 1 a love of mankind. 2 practical benevolence, esp. charity
on a large scale. ЬЬphilanthropism n. philanthropist n.
philanthropize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). [LL philanthropia f.
Gk philanthropia (as PHILANTHROPE)]
philately n. the collection and study of postage stamps. ЬЬphilatelic
adj. philatelically adv. philatelist n. [F philat‚lie f. Gk
ateleia exemption from payment f. a- not + telos toll, tax]
-phile comb. form (also -phil) forming nouns and adjectives denoting
fondness for what is specified (bibliophile; Francophile). [Gk
philos dear, loving]
Philem. abbr. Philemon (New Testament).
philharmonic
adj. 1 fond of music. 2 used characteristically in the names
of orchestras, choirs, etc. (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra). [F
philharmonique f. It. filarmonico (as PHIL-, HARMONIC)]
philhellene
n. (often attrib.) 1 a lover of Greece and Greek culture. 2
hist. a supporter of the cause of Greek independence.
ЬЬphilhellenic adj. philhellenism n. philhellenist n. [Gk
philellen (as PHIL-, HELLENE)]
-philia comb. form 1 denoting (esp. abnormal) fondness or love for what
is specified (necrophilia). 2 denoting undue inclination
(haemophilia). ЬЬ-philiac comb. form forming nouns and
adjectives. -philic comb. form forming adjectives. -philous
comb. form forming adjectives. [Gk f. philos loving]
philippic n. a bitter verbal attack or denunciation. [L philippicus f.
Gk philippikos the name of Demosthenes' speeches against Philip
II of Macedon and Cicero's against Mark Antony]
Philippine
adj. of or relating to the Philippine Islands or their people;
Filipino. [Philip II of Spain]
Philistine
n. & adj. --n. 1 a member of a people opposing the Israelites
in ancient Palestine. 2 (usu. philistine) a person who is
hostile or indifferent to culture, or one whose interests or
tastes are commonplace or material. --adj. hostile or
indifferent to culture, commonplace, prosaic. ЬЬphilistinism n.
[ME f. F Philistin or LL Philistinus f. Gk Philistinos =
Palaistinos f. Heb. pelistЊ]
Phillips n. (usu. attrib.) propr. denoting a screw with a cross-shaped
slot for turning, or a corresponding screwdriver. [name of the
original US manufacturer]
phillumenist
n. a collector of matchbox labels. ЬЬphillumeny n. [PHIL- + L
lumen light]
Philly n. US sl. Philadelphia. [abbr.]
philo- comb. form (also phil- before a vowel or h) denoting a liking
for what is specified.
philodendron
n. (pl. philodendrons or philodendra) any tropical American
climbing plant of the genus Philodendron, with bright foliage.
[PHILO- + Gk dendron tree]
philogynist
n. a person who likes or admires women. [PHILO- + Gk gune
woman]
philology n. 1 the science of language, esp. in its historical and
comparative aspects. 2 the love of learning and literature.
ЬЬphilologian n. philologist n. philological adj.
philologically adv. philologize v.intr. (also -ise). [F
philologie f. L philologia love of learning f. Gk (as PHILO-,
-LOGY)]
Philomel n. (also Philomela) poet. the nightingale. [earlier philomene
f. med.L philomena f. L philomela nightingale f. Gk philomela:
cap. with ref. to the myth of Philomela]
philosopher
n. 1 a person engaged or learned in philosophy or a branch of
it. 2 a person who lives by philosophy. 3 a person who shows
philosophic calmness in trying circumstances. Ьphilosophers'
(or philosopher's) stone the supreme object of alchemy, a
substance supposed to change other metals into gold or silver.
[ME f. AF philosofre var. of OF, philosophe f. L philosophus f.
Gk philosophos (as PHILO-, sophos wise)]
philosophical
adj. (also philosophic) 1 of or according to philosophy. 2
skilled in or devoted to philosophy or learning; learned
(philosophical society). 3 wise; serene; temperate. 4 calm in
adverse circumstances. ЬЬphilosophically adv. [LL
philosophicus f. L philosophia (as PHILOSOPHY)]
philosophize
v. (also -ise) 1 intr. reason like a philosopher. 2 intr.
moralize. 3 intr. speculate; theorize. 4 tr. render
philosophic. ЬЬphilosophizer n. [app. f. F philosopher]
philosophy
n. (pl. -ies) 1 the use of reason and argument in seeking
truth and knowledge of reality, esp. of the causes and nature of
things and of the principles governing existence, the material
universe, perception of physical phenomena, and human behaviour.
2 a a particular system or set of beliefs reached by this. b a
personal rule of life. 3 advanced learning in general (doctor
of philosophy). 4 serenity; calmness; conduct governed by a
particular philosophy. [ME f. OF filosofie f. L philosophia
wisdom f. Gk (as PHILO-, sophos wise)]
philtre n. (US philter) a drink supposed to excite sexual love in the
drinker. [F philtre f. L philtrum f. Gk philtron f. phileo to
love]
-phily comb. form = -PHILIA.
phimosis n. a constriction of the foreskin, making it difficult to
retract. ЬЬphimotic adj. [mod.L f. Gk, = muzzling]
phiz n. (also phizog) Brit. colloq. 1 the face. 2 the expression
on a face. [abbr. of phiznomy = PHYSIOGNOMY]
phlebitis n. inflammation of the walls of a vein. ЬЬphlebitic adj.
[mod.L f. Gk f. phleps phlebos vein]
phlebotomy
n. 1 the surgical opening or puncture of a vein. 2 esp. hist.
blood-letting as a medical treatment. ЬЬphlebotomist n.
phlebotomize v.tr. (also -ise). [ME f. OF flebothomi f. LL
phlebotomia f. Gk f. phleps phlebos vein + -TOMY]
phlegm n. 1 the thick viscous substance secreted by the mucous
membranes of the respiratory passages, discharged by coughing.
2 a coolness and calmness of disposition. b sluggishness or
apathy (supposed to result from too much phlegm in the
constitution). 3 archaic phlegm regarded as one of the four
bodily humours. ЬЬphlegmy adj. [ME & OF fleume f. LL phlegma
f. Gk phlegma -atos inflammation f. phlego burn]
phloem n. Bot. the tissue conducting food material in plants (cf.
XYLEM). [Gk phloos bark]
phlogiston
n. a substance formerly supposed to exist in all combustible
bodies, and to be released in combustion. [mod.L f. Gk phlogizo
set on fire f. phlox phlogos flame]
phlox n. any cultivated plant of the genus Phlox, with scented
clusters of esp. white, blue, and red flowers. [L f. Gk phlox,
the name of a plant (lit. flame)]
-phobe comb. form forming nouns and adjectives denoting fear or dislike
of what is specified (xenophobe). [F f. L -phobus f. Gk -phobos
f. phobos fear]
phobia n. an abnormal or morbid fear or aversion. ЬЬphobic adj. & n.
[-PHOBIA used as a separate word]
-phobia comb. form forming abstract nouns denoting fear or aversion of
what is specified (agoraphobia; xenophobia). ЬЬ-phobic comb.
form forming adjectives. [L f. Gk]
phoebe n. any American flycatcher of the genus Sayornis. [imit.:
infl. by the name]
Phoenician
n. & adj. --n. a member of a Semitic people of ancient
Phoenicia in S. Syria or of its colonies. --adj. of or relating
to Phoenicia. [ME f. OF phenicien f. L Phoenicia f. L Phoenice
f. Gk Phoinike Phoenicia]
phoenix n. 1 a mythical bird, the only one of its kind, that after
living for five or six centuries in the Arabian desert, burnt
itself on a funeral pyre and rose from the ashes with renewed
youth to live through another cycle. 2 a unique person or
thing. [OE & OF fenix f. L phoenix f. Gk phoinix Phoenician,
purple, phoenix]
pholas n. a piddock, esp. of the genus Pholas. [mod.L f. Gk pholas
that lurks in a hole (pholeos)]
phon n. a unit of the perceived loudness of sounds. [Gk phone
sound]
phonate v.intr. utter a vocal sound. ЬЬphonation n. phonatory adj.
[Gk phone voice]
phone(1) n. & v.tr. & intr. colloq. = TELEPHONE. Ьphone book =
telephone directory. phone-in n. a broadcast programme during
which the listeners or viewers telephone the studio etc. and
participate. [abbr.]
phone(2) n. a simple vowel or consonant sound. [formed as PHONEME]
-phone comb. form forming nouns and adjectives meaning: 1 an instrument
using or connected with sound (telephone; xylophone). 2 a
person who uses a specified language (anglophone). [Gk phone
voice, sound]
phonecard n. a card containing prepaid units for use with a Cardphone.
phoneme n. any of the units of sound in a specified language that
distinguish one word from another (e.g. p, b, d, t as in pad,
pat, bad, bat, in English). ЬЬphonemic adj. phonemics n. [F
phonЉme f. Gk phonema sound, speech f. phoneo speak]
phonetic adj. 1 representing vocal sounds. 2 (of a system of spelling
etc.) having a direct correspondence between symbols and sounds.
3 of or relating to phonetics. ЬЬphonetically adv. phoneticism
n. phoneticist n. phoneticize v.tr. (also -ise). [mod.L
phoneticus f. Gk phonetikos f. phoneo speak]
phonetics n.pl. (usu. treated as sing.) 1 vocal sounds and their
classification. 2 the study of these. ЬЬphonetician n.
phonetist n. 1 a person skilled in phonetics. 2 an advocate of phonetic
spelling.
phoney adj. & n. (also phony) colloq. --adj. (phonier, phoniest) 1
sham; counterfeit. 2 fictitious; fraudulent. --n. (pl. -eys
or -ies) a phoney person or thing. ЬЬphonily adv. phoniness n.
[20th c.: orig. unkn.]
phonic adj. & n. --adj. of sound; acoustic; of vocal sounds. --n. (in
pl.) a method of teaching reading based on sounds. ЬЬphonically
adv. [Gk phone voice]
phono- comb. form denoting sound. [Gk phone voice, sound]
phonogram n. a symbol representing a spoken sound.
phonograph
n. 1 Brit. an early form of gramophone using cylinders and able
to record as well as reproduce sound. 2 US a gramophone.
phonography
n. 1 writing in esp. shorthand symbols, corresponding to the
sounds of speech. 2 the recording of sounds by phonograph.
ЬЬphonographic adj.
phonology n. the study of sounds in a language. ЬЬphonological adj.
phonologically adv. phonologist n.
phonon n. Physics a quantum of sound or elastic vibrations. [Gk phone
sound, after PHOTON]
phony var. of PHONEY.
phooey int. an expression of disgust or disbelief. [imit.]
-phore comb. form forming nouns meaning 'bearer' (ctenophore;
semaphore). ЬЬ-phorous comb. form forming adjectives. [mod.L
f. Gk -phoros -phoron bearing, bearer f. phero bear]
phoresy n. Biol. an association in which one organism is carried by
another, without being a parasite. ЬЬphoretic adj. [F phor‚sie
f. Gk phoresis being carried]
phormium n. 1 a liliaceous plant, Phormium tenax, yielding a leaf-fibre
that is used commercially. 2 New Zealand flax. [mod.L f. Gk
phormion a species of plant]
phosgene n. a colourless poisonous gas (carbonyl chloride), formerly
used in warfare. °Chem. formula: COCl[2]. [Gk phos light +
-GEN, with ref. to its orig. production by the action of
sunlight on chlorine and carbon monoxide]
phosphatase
n. Biochem. any enzyme that catalyses the synthesis or
hydrolysis of an organic phosphate.
phosphate n. 1 any salt or ester of phosphoric acid, esp. used as a
fertilizer. 2 an effervescent drink containing a small amount
of phosphate. ЬЬphosphatic adj. [F f. phosphore PHOSPHORUS]
phosphene n. the sensation of rings of light produced by pressure on the
eyeball due to irritation of the retina. [irreg. f. Gk phos
light + phaino show]
phosphide n. Chem. a binary compound of phosphorus with another element
or group.
phosphine n. Chem. a colourless ill-smelling gas, phosphorus trihydride.
°Chem. formula: PH[3]. ЬЬphosphinic adj. [PHOSPHO- + -INE(4),
after amine]
phosphite n. Chem. any salt or ester of phosphorous acid. [F (as
PHOSPHO-)]
phospho- comb. form denoting phosphorus. [abbr.]
phospholipid
n. Biochem. any lipid consisting of a phosphate group and one
or more fatty acids.
phosphor n. 1 = PHOSPHORUS. 2 a synthetic fluorescent or phosphorescent
substance esp. used in cathode-ray tubes. Ьphosphor bronze a
tough hard bronze alloy containing a small amount of phosphorus,
used esp. for bearings. [G f. L phosphorus PHOSPHORUS]
phosphorate
v.tr. combine or impregnate with phosphorus.
phosphorescence
n. 1 radiation similar to fluorescence but detectable after
excitation ceases. 2 the emission of light without combustion
or perceptible heat. ЬЬphosphoresce v.intr. phosphorescent
adj.
phosphorite
n. a non-crystalline form of apatite.
phosphorus
n. Chem. a non-metallic element occurring naturally in various
phosphate rocks and existing in allotropic forms, esp. as a
poisonous whitish waxy substance burning slowly at ordinary
temperatures and so appearing luminous in the dark, and a
reddish form used in matches, fertilizers, etc. °Symb.: P.
ЬЬphosphoric adj. phosphorous adj. [L, = morning star, f. Gk
phosphoros f. phos light + -phoros -bringing]
phosphorylate
v.tr. Chem. introduce a phosphate group into (an organic
molecule etc.). ЬЬphosphorylation n.
phossy jaw
n. colloq. hist. gangrene of the jawbone caused by phosphorus
poisoning. [abbr.]
phot n. a unit of illumination equal to one lumen per square
centimetre. [Gk phos photos light]
photic adj. 1 of or relating to light. 2 (of ocean layers) reached by
sunlight.
photism n. a hallucinatory sensation or vision of light. [Gk photismos
f. photizo shine f. phos photos light]
photo n. & v. --n. (pl. -os) = PHOTOGRAPH n. --v.tr. (-oes, -oed)
= PHOTOGRAPH v. Ьphoto-call an occasion on which theatrical
performers, famous personalities, etc., pose for photographers
by arrangement. photo finish a close finish of a race or
contest, esp. one where the winner is only distinguishable on a
photograph. [abbr.]
photo- comb. form denoting: 1 light (photosensitive). 2 photography
(photocomposition). [Gk phos photos light, or as abbr. of
PHOTOGRAPH]
photobiology
n. the study of the effects of light on living organisms.
photocell n. = photoelectric cell.
photochemistry
n. the study of the chemical effects of light. ЬЬphotochemical
adj.
photocomposition
n. = FILMSETTING.
photoconductivity
n. conductivity due to the action of light. ЬЬphotoconductive
adj. photoconductor n.
photocopier
n. a machine for producing photocopies.
photocopy n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) a photographic copy of printed or
written material produced by a process involving the action of
light on a specially prepared surface. --v.tr. (-ies, -ied)
make a photocopy of. ЬЬphotocopiable adj.
photodiode
n. a semiconductor diode responding electrically to
illumination.
photoelectric
adj. marked by or using emissions of electrons from substances
exposed to light. Ьphotoelectric cell a device using this
effect to generate current. ЬЬphotoelectricity n.
photoelectron
n. an electron emitted from an atom by interaction with a
photon, esp. one emitted from a solid surface by the action of
light.
photoemission
n. the emission of electrons from a surface by the action of
light incident on it. ЬЬphotoemitter n.
photofit n. a reconstructed picture of a person (esp. one sought by the
police) made from composite photographs of facial features (cf.
IDENTIKIT).
photogenic
adj. 1 (esp. of a person) having an appearance that looks
pleasing in photographs. 2 Biol. producing or emitting light.
ЬЬphotogenically adv.
photogram n. 1 a picture produced with photographic materials but without
a camera. 2 archaic a photograph.
photogrammetry
n. the use of photography for surveying. ЬЬphotogrammetrist n.
photograph
n. & v. --n. a picture taken by means of the chemical action of
light or other radiation on sensitive film. --v.tr. (also
absol.) take a photograph of (a person etc.). ЬЬphotographable
adj. photographer n. photographic adj. photographically adv.
photography
n. the taking and processing of photographs.
photogravure
n. 1 an image produced from a photographic negative transferred
to a metal plate and etched in. 2 this process . [F (as
PHOTO-, gravure engraving)]
photojournalism
n. the art or practice of relating news by photographs, with or
without an accompanying text, esp. in magazines etc.
ЬЬphotojournalist n.
photolithography
n. (also photolitho) lithography using plates made
photographically. ЬЬphotolithographer n. photolithographic
adj. photolithographically adv.
photolysis
n. decomposition or dissociation of molecules by the action of
light. ЬЬphotolyse v.tr. & intr. photolytic adj.
photometer
n. an instrument for measuring light. ЬЬphotometric adj.
photometry n.
photomicrograph
n. a photograph of an image produced by a microscope.
ЬЬphotomicrography n.
photon n. a quantum of electromagnetic radiation energy, proportional
to the frequency of radiation. [Gk phos photos light, after
electron]
photo-offset
n. offset printing with plates made photographically.
photoperiod
n. the period of daily illumination which an organism receives.
ЬЬphotoperiodic adj.
photoperiodism
n. the response of an organism to changes in the lengths of the
daily periods of light.
photophobia
n. an abnormal fear of or aversion to light. ЬЬphotophobic
adj.
photoreceptor
n. any living structure that responds to incident light.
photosensitive
adj. reacting chemically, electrically, etc., to light.
ЬЬphotosensitivity n.
photosetting
n. = FILMSETTING. ЬЬphotoset v.tr. (past and past part.
-set). photosetter n.
photosphere
n. the luminous envelope of a star from which its light and
heat radiate. ЬЬphotospheric adj.
Photostat n. & v. --n. propr. 1 a type of machine for making
photocopies. 2 a copy made by this means. --v.tr. (photostat)
(-statted, -statting) make a Photostat of. ЬЬphotostatic adj.
photosynthesis
n. the process in which the energy of sunlight is used by
organisms, esp. green plants to synthesize carbohydrates from
carbon dioxide and water. ЬЬphotosynthesize v.tr. & intr.
(also -ise). photosynthetic adj. photosynthetically adv.
phototransistor
n. a transistor that responds to incident light by generating
and amplifying an electric current.
phototropism
n. the tendency of a plant etc. to bend or turn towards or away
from a source of light. ЬЬphototropic adj.
photovoltaic
adj. relating to the production of electric current at the
junction of two substances exposed to light.
phrasal adj. Gram. consisting of a phrase. Ьphrasal verb an idiomatic
phrase consisting of a verb and an adverb (e.g. break down) or
a verb and a preposition (e.g. see to).
phrase n. & v. --n. 1 a group of words forming a conceptual unit, but
not a sentence. 2 an idiomatic or short pithy expression. 3 a
manner or mode of expression (a nice turn of phrase). 4 Mus. a
group of notes forming a distinct unit within a larger piece.
--v.tr. 1 express in words (phrased the reply badly). 2 (esp.
when reading aloud or speaking) divide (sentences etc.) into
units so as to convey the meaning of the whole. 3 Mus. divide
(music) into phrases etc. in performance. Ьphrase book a book
for tourists etc. listing useful expressions with their
equivalent in a foreign language. ЬЬphrasing n. [earlier
phrasis f. L f. Gk f. phrazo declare, tell]
phraseogram
n. a written symbol representing a phrase, esp. in shorthand.
phraseology
n. (pl. -ies) 1 a choice or arrangement of words. 2 a mode of
expression. ЬЬphraseological adj. [mod.L phraseologia f. Gk
phraseon genit. pl. of phrasis PHRASE]
phreatic adj. Geol. 1 (of water) situated underground in the zone of
saturation; ground water. 2 (of a volcanic eruption or
explosion) caused by the heating and expansion of underground
water. [Gk phrear phreatos well]
phrenetic adj. 1 frantic. 2 fanatic. ЬЬphrenetically adv. [ME, var. of
FRENETIC]
phrenic adj. Anat. of or relating to the diaphragm. [F phr‚nique f.
Gk phren phrenos diaphragm, mind]
phrenology
n. hist. the study of the shape and size of the cranium as a
supposed indication of character and mental faculties.
ЬЬphrenological adj. phrenologist n.
Phrygian n. & adj. --n. 1 a native or inhabitant of ancient Phrygia in
central Asia Minor. 2 the language of this people. --adj. of
or relating to Phrygia or its people or language. ЬPhrygian
bonnet (or cap) an ancient conical cap with the top bent
forwards, now identified with the cap of liberty. Phrygian mode
Mus. the mode represented by the natural diatonic scale E-E.
phthalic acid
n. Chem. one of three isomeric dicarboxylic acids derived from
benzene. ЬЬphthalate n. [abbr. of NAPHTHALIC: see NAPHTHALENE]
phthisis n. any progressive wasting disease, esp. pulmonary
tuberculosis. ЬЬphthisic adj. phthisical adj. [L f. Gk f.
phthino to decay]
phut n. a dull abrupt sound as of an impact or explosion. Ьgo phut
colloq. (esp. of a scheme or plan) collapse, break down.
[perh. f. Hindi phatna to burst]
phycology n. the study of algae. ЬЬphycological adj. phycologist n.
[Gk phukos seaweed + -LOGY]
phycomycete
n. any of various fungi which typically form non-septate
mycelium. [Gk phukos seaweed + pl. of Gk mukes mushroom]
phyla pl. of PHYLUM.
phylactery
n. (pl. -ies) 1 a small leather box containing Hebrew texts on
vellum, worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to
keep the law. 2 an amulet; a charm. 3 a usu. ostentatious
religious observance. 4 a fringe; a border. [ME f. OF f. LL
phylacterium f. Gk phulakterion amulet f. phulasso guard]
phyletic adj. Biol. of or relating to the development of a species or
other group. [Gk phuletikos f. phuletes tribesman f. phule
tribe]
phyllo- comb. form leaf. [Gk phullo- f. phullon leaf]
phyllode n. a flattened leaf-stalk resembling a leaf. [mod.L phyllodium
f. Gk phullodes leaflike (as PHYLLO-)]
phyllophagous
adj. feeding on leaves.
phylloquinone
n. one of the K vitamins, found in cabbage, spinach, and other
leafy green vegetables, and essential for the blood clotting
process. Also called vitamin K[1].
phyllostome
n. any bat of the family Phyllostomatidae having a nose leaf.
[PHYLLO- + Gk stoma mouth]
phyllotaxis
n. (also phyllotaxy) the arrangement of leaves on an axis or
stem. ЬЬphyllotactic adj.
phylloxera
n. any plant-louse of the genus Phylloxera, esp. of a species
attacking vines. [mod.L f. Gk phullon leaf + xeros dry]
phylo- comb. form Biol. denoting a race or tribe. [Gk phulon, phule]
phylogenesis
n. (also phylogeny) 1 the evolutionary development of an
organism or groups of organisms. 2 a history of this.
ЬЬphylogenetic adj. phylogenic adj.
phylum n. (pl. phyla) Biol. a taxonomic rank below kingdom
comprising a class or classes and subordinate taxa. [mod.L f.
Gk phulon race]
physalis n. any plant of the genus Physalis, bearing fruit surrounded by
lantern-like calyxes (see Chinese lantern 2). [Gk physallis
bladder, with ref. to the inflated calyx]
physic n. & v. esp. archaic. --n. 1 a medicine (a dose of physic).
2 the art of healing. 3 the medical profession. --v.tr.
(physicked, physicking) dose with physic. Ьphysic garden a
garden for cultivating medicinal herbs etc. [ME f. OF fisique
medicine f. L physica f. Gk phusike (episteme) (knowledge) of
nature]
physical adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or concerning the body (physical
exercise; physical education). 2 of matter; material (both
mental and physical force). 3 a of, or according to, the laws
of nature (a physical impossibility). b belonging to physics
(physical science). --n. (in full physical examination) a
medical examination to determine physical fitness. Ьphysical
chemistry the application of physics to the study of chemical
behaviour. physical geography geography dealing with natural
features. physical jerks colloq. physical exercises. physical
science the sciences used in the study of inanimate natural
objects, e.g. physics, chemistry, astronomy, etc. physical
training exercises promoting bodily fitness and strength.
ЬЬphysicality n. physically adv. physicalness n. [ME f. med.L
physicalis f. L physica (as PHYSIC)]
physician n. 1 a a person legally qualified to practise medicine and
surgery. b a specialist in medical diagnosis and treatment. c
any medical practitioner. 2 a healer (work is the best
physician). [ME f. OF fisicien (as PHYSIC)]
physicist n. a person skilled or qualified in physics.
physico- comb. form 1 physical (and). 2 of physics (and). [Gk phusikos
(as PHYSIC)]
physico-chemical
adj. relating to physics and chemistry or to physical
chemistry.
physics n. the science dealing with the properties and interactions of
matter and energy. [pl. of physic physical (thing), after L
physica, Gk phusika natural things f. phusis nature]
physio n. (pl. -os) colloq. a physiotherapist. [abbr.]
physio- comb. form nature; what is natural. [Gk phusis nature]
physiocracy
n. (pl. -ies) hist. 1 government according to the natural
order, esp. as advocated by some 18th-c. economists. 2 a
society based on this. ЬЬphysiocrat n. physiocratic adj. [F
physiocratie (as PHYSIO-, -CRACY)]
physiognomy
n. (pl. -ies) 1 a the cast or form of a person's features,
expression, body, etc. b the art of supposedly judging
character from facial characteristics etc. 2 the external
features of a landscape etc. 3 a characteristic, esp. moral,
aspect. ЬЬphysiognomic adj. physiognomical adj.
physiognomically adv. physiognomist n. [ME fisnomie etc. f. OF
phisonomie f. med.L phisonomia f. Gk phusiognomonia judging of a
man's nature (by his features) (as PHYSIO-, gnomon judge)]
physiography
n. the description of nature, of natural phenomena, or of a
class of objects; physical geography. ЬЬphysiographer n.
physiographic adj. physiographical adj. physiographically adv.
[F physiographie (as PHYSIO-, -GRAPHY)]
physiological
adj. (also physiologic) of or concerning physiology.
Ьphysiological salt solution a saline solution having a
concentration about equal to that of body fluids.
ЬЬphysiologically adv.
physiology
n. 1 the science of the functions of living organisms and their
parts. 2 these functions. ЬЬphysiologist n. [F physiologie or
L physiologia f. Gk phusiologia (as PHYSIO-, -LOGY)]
physiotherapy
n. the treatment of disease, injury, deformity, etc., by
physical methods including manipulation, massage, infrared heat
treatment, remedial exercise, etc., not by drugs.
ЬЬphysiotherapist n.
physique n. the bodily structure, development, and organization of an
individual (an undernourished physique). [F, orig. adj. (as
PHYSIC)]
-phyte comb. form forming nouns denoting a vegetable or plantlike
organism (saprophyte; zoophyte). ЬЬ-phytic comb. form forming
adjectives. [Gk phuton plant f. phuo come into being]
phyto- comb. form denoting a plant.
phytochemistry
n. the chemistry of plant products. ЬЬphytochemical adj.
phytochemist n.
phytochrome
n. Biochem. a blue-green pigment found in many plants, and
regulating various developmental processes according to the
nature and timing of the light it absorbs. [PHYTO- + Gk khroma
colour]
phytogenesis
n. (also phytogeny) the science of the origin or evolution of
plants.
phytogeography
n. the geographical distribution of plants.
phytopathology
n. the study of plant diseases.
phytophagous
adj. feeding on plants.
phytoplankton
n. plankton consisting of plants.
phytotomy n. the dissection of plants.
phytotoxic
adj. poisonous to plants.
phytotoxin
n. 1 any toxin derived from a plant. 2 a substance poisonous
or injurious to plants, esp. one produced by a parasite.
pi(1) n. 1 the sixteenth letter of the Greek alphabet. 2 (as &pi.)
the symbol of the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its
diameter (approx. 3.14159). Ьpi-meson = PION. [Gk: sense 2 f.
Gk periphereia circumference]
pi(2) adj. Brit. sl. pious. Ьpi jaw a long moralizing lecture or
reprimand. [abbr.]
pi(3) US var. of PIE(3).
piacular adj. formal 1 expiatory. 2 needing expiation. [L piacularis
f. piaculum expiation f. piare appease]
piaffe v.intr. (of a horse etc.) move as in a trot, but slower. [F
piaffer to strut]
piaffer n. the action of piaffing.
pia mater n. Anat. the delicate innermost membrane enveloping the brain
and spinal cord (see MENINX). [med.L, = tender mother, transl.
of Arab. al-' umm al-rakika: cf. DURA MATER]
piani pl. of PIANO(2).
pianism n. 1 the art or technique of piano-playing. 2 the skill or
style of a composer of piano music. ЬЬpianistic adj.
pianistically adv.
pianissimo
adj., adv., & n. Mus. --adj. performed very softly. --adv.
very softly. --n. (pl. -os or pianissimi) a passage to be
performed very softly. [It., superl. of PIANO(2)]
pianist n. the player of a piano. [F pianiste (as PIANO(1))]
piano(1) n. (pl. -os) a large musical instrument played by pressing
down keys on a keyboard and causing hammers to strike metal
strings, the vibration from which is stopped by dampers when the
keys are released. Ьpiano-accordion an accordion with the
melody played on a small vertical keyboard like that of a piano.
piano organ a mechanical piano constructed like a barrel-organ.
piano-player 1 a pianist. 2 a contrivance for playing a piano
automatically. [It., abbr. of PIANOFORTE]
piano(2) adj., adv., & n. --adj. 1 Mus. performed softly. 2 subdued.
--adv. 1 Mus. softly. 2 in a subdued manner. --n. (pl. -os
or piani) Mus. a piano passage . [It. f. L planus flat, (of
sound) soft]
pianoforte
n. Mus. formal or archaic a piano. [It., earlier piano e
forte soft and loud, expressing its gradation of tone]
Pianola n. 1 propr. a kind of automatic piano; a player-piano. 2
(pianola) Bridge an easy hand needing no skill. 3 (pianola) an
easy task. [app. dimin. of PIANO(1)]
piano nobile
n. Archit. the main storey of a large house. [It., = noble
floor]
piassava n. 1 a stout fibre obtained from the leaf-stalks of various
American and African palm-trees. 2 any of these trees. [Port.
f. Tupi pia‡ ba]
piastre n. (US piaster) a small coin and monetary unit of several
Middle Eastern countries. [F piastre f. It. piastra
(d'argento) plate (of silver), formed as PLASTER]
piazza n. 1 a public square or market-place esp. in an Italian town.
2 US the veranda of a house. [It., formed as PLACE]
pibroch n. a series of esp. martial or funerary variations on a theme
for the bagpipes. [Gael. piobaireachd art of piping f.
piobair piper f. piob f. E PIPE]
pic n. colloq. a picture, esp. a cinema film. [abbr.]
pica(1) n. Printing 1 a unit of type-size (1/6 inch). 2 a size of
letters in typewriting (10 per inch). [AL pica 15th-c. book of
rules about church feasts, perh. formed as PIE(2)]
pica(2) n. Med. the eating of substances other than normal food.
[mod.L or med.L, = magpie]
picador n. a mounted man with a lance who goads the bull in a
bullfight. [Sp. f. picar prick]
picaresque
adj. (of a style of fiction) dealing with the episodic
adventures of rogues etc. [F f. Sp. picaresco f. pЎcaro
rogue]
picaroon n. 1 a a rogue. b a thief. 2 a a pirate. b a pirate ship.
[Sp. picarўn (as PICARESQUE)]
picayune n. & adj. US --n. 1 colloq. a small coin of little value, esp.
a 5-cent piece. 2 an insignificant person or thing. --adj.
mean; contemptible; petty. [F picaillon Piedmontese coin, cash,
f. Prov. picaioun, of unkn. orig.]
piccalilli
n. (pl. piccalillis) a pickle of chopped vegetables, mustard,
and hot spices. [18th c.: perh. f. PICKLE + CHILLI]
piccaninny
n. & adj. (US pickaninny) --n. (pl. -ies) often offens. a
small Black or Australian Aboriginal child. --adj. archaic
very small. [W.Ind. Negro f. Sp. peque¤o or Port. pequeno
little]
piccolo n. (pl. -os) 1 a small flute sounding an octave higher than
the ordinary one. 2 its player. [It., = small (flute)]
pichiciago
n. (pl. -os) a small S. American armadillo, Chlamyphorus
truncatus. [Sp. pichiciego perh. f. Guarani pichey armadillo +
Sp. ciego blind f. L caecus]
pick(1) v. & n. --v.tr. 1 (also absol.) choose carefully from a number
of alternatives (picked the pink one; picked a team; picked the
right moment to intervene). 2 detach or pluck (a flower, fruit,
etc.) from a stem, tree, etc. 3 a probe (the teeth, nose, ears,
a pimple, etc.) with the finger, an instrument, etc. to remove
unwanted matter. b clear (a bone, carcass, etc.) of scraps of
meat etc. 4 (also absol.) (of a person) eat (food, a meal,
etc.) in small bits; nibble without appetite. 5 (also absol.)
esp. US pluck the strings of (a banjo etc.). 6 remove stalks
etc. from (esp. soft fruit) before cooking. 7 a select (a route
or path) carefully over difficult terrain by foot. b place
(one's steps etc.) carefully. 8 pull apart (pick oakum). 9 (of
a bird) take up (grains etc.) in the beak. --n. 1 the act or
an instance of picking. 2 a a selection or choice. b the right
to select (had first pick of the prizes). 3 (usu. foll. by of)
the best (the pick of the bunch). Ьpick and choose select
carefully or fastidiously. pick at 1 eat (food) without
interest; nibble. 2 = pick on 1 (see PICK(1)). pick a person's
brains extract ideas, information, etc., from a person for one's
own use. pick holes (or a hole) in 1 make holes in (material
etc.) by plucking, poking, etc. 2 find fault with (an idea
etc.). pick a lock open a lock with an instrument other than
the proper key, esp. with intent to steal. pick-me-up 1 a
tonic for the nerves etc. 2 a good experience, good news, etc.
that cheers. pick off 1 pluck (leaves etc.) off. 2 shoot
(people etc.) one by one without haste. 3 eliminate (opposition
etc.) singly. pick on 1 find fault with; nag at. 2 select.
pick out 1 take from a larger number (picked him out from the
others). 2 distinguish from surrounding objects or at a
distance (can just pick out the church spire). 3 play (a tune)
by ear on the piano etc. 4 (often foll. by in, with) a
highlight (a painting etc.) with touches of another colour. b
accentuate (decoration, a painting, etc.) with a contrasting
colour (picked out the handles in red). 5 make out (the meaning
of a passage etc.). pick over select the best from. pick a
person's pockets steal the contents of a person's pockets. pick
a quarrel start an argument or a fight deliberately. pick to
pieces = take to pieces (see PIECE). pick up 1 grasp and raise
(from the ground etc.) (picked up his hat). 2 gain or acquire
by chance or without effort (picked up a cold). 3 a fetch (a
person, animal, or thing) left in another person's charge. b
stop for and take along with one, esp. in a vehicle (pick me up
on the corner). 4 make the acquaintance of (a person) casually,
esp. as a sexual overture. 5 (of one's health, the weather,
share prices, etc.) recover, prosper, improve. 6 (of a motor
engine etc.) recover speed; accelerate. 7 (of the police etc.)
take into charge; arrest. 8 detect by scrutiny or with a
telescope, searchlight, radio, etc. (picked up most of the
mistakes; picked up a distress signal). 9 (often foll. by with)
form or renew a friendship. 10 accept the responsibility of
paying (a bill etc.). 11 (refl.) raise (oneself etc.) after a
fall etc. 12 raise (the feet etc.) clear of the ground. 13
Golf pick up one's ball, esp. when conceding a hole. pick-up 1
sl. a person met casually, esp. for sexual purposes. 2 a small
open motor truck. 3 a the part of a record-player carrying the
stylus. b a detector of vibrations etc. 4 a the act of picking
up. b something picked up. pick-your-own (usu. attrib.) (of
commercially grown fruit and vegetables) dug or picked by the
customer at the place of production. take one's pick make a
choice. ЬЬpickable adj. [ME, earlier pike, of unkn. orig.]
pick(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a long-handled tool having a usu. curved iron
bar pointed at one or both ends, used for breaking up hard
ground, masonry, etc. 2 colloq. a plectrum. 3 any instrument
for picking, such as a toothpick. --v.tr. 1 break the surface
of (the ground etc.) with or as if with a pick. 2 make (holes
etc.) in this way. [ME, app. var. of PIKE(2)]
pickaback var. of PIGGYBACK.
pickaninny
US var. of PICCANINNY.
pickaxe n. & v. (US pickax) --n. = PICK(2) n. 1. --v. 1 tr. break
(the ground etc.) with a pickaxe. 2 intr. work with a pickaxe.
[ME pikois f. OF picois, rel. to PIKE(2): assim. to AXE]
pickelhaube
n. hist. a German soldier's spiked helmet. [G]
picker n. 1 a person or thing that picks. 2 (often in comb.) a person
who gathers or collects (hop-picker; rag-picker).
pickerel n. (pl. same or pickerels) a young pike. [ME, dimin. of
PIKE(1)]
picket n. & v. --n. 1 a person or group of people outside a place of
work, intending to persuade esp. workers not to enter during a
strike etc. 2 a pointed stake or peg driven into the ground to
form a fence or palisade, to tether a horse, etc. 3 (also
picquet, piquet) Mil. a a small body of troops sent out to
watch for the enemy, held in readiness, etc. b a party of
sentries. c an outpost. d a camp-guard on police duty in a
garrison town etc. --v. (picketed, picketing) 1 a tr. & intr.
station or act as a picket. b tr. beset or guard (a factory,
workers, etc.) with a picket or pickets. 2 tr. secure (a place)
with stakes. 3 tr. tether (an animal). Ьpicket line a boundary
established by workers on strike, esp. at the entrance to the
place of work, which others are asked not to cross. ЬЬpicketer
n. [F piquet pointed stake f. piquer prick, f. pic PICK(2)]
pickle n. & v. --n. 1 a (often in pl.) food, esp. vegetables,
preserved in brine, vinegar, mustard, etc. and used as a relish.
b the brine, vinegar, etc. in which food is preserved. 2
colloq. a plight (a fine pickle we are in!). 3 Brit. colloq. a
mischievous child. 4 an acid solution for cleaning metal etc.
--v.tr. 1 preserve in pickle. 2 treat with pickle. 3 (as
pickled adj.) sl. drunk. [ME pekille, pykyl, f. MDu., MLG
pekel, of unkn. orig.]
pickler n. 1 a person who pickles vegetables etc. 2 a vegetable
suitable for pickling.
picklock n. 1 a person who picks locks. 2 an instrument for this.
pickpocket
n. a person who steals from the pockets of others.
Pickwickian
adj. 1 of or like Mr Pickwick in Dickens's Pickwick Papers,
esp. in being jovial, plump, etc. 2 (of words or their sense)
misunderstood or misused, esp. to avoid offence.
picky adj. (pickier, pickiest) colloq. excessively fastidious;
choosy. ЬЬpickiness n.
picnic n. & v. --n. 1 an outing or excursion including a packed meal
eaten out of doors. 2 any meal eaten out of doors or without
preparation, tables, chairs, etc. 3 (usu. with neg.) colloq.
something agreeable or easily accomplished etc. (it was no
picnic organizing the meeting). --v.intr. (picnicked,
picnicking) take part in a picnic. ЬЬpicnicker n. picnicky
adj. colloq. [F pique-nique, of unkn. orig.]
pico- comb. form denoting a factor of 10(-12) (picometre). [Sp. pico
beak, peak, little bit]
picot n. a small loop of twisted thread in a lace edging etc. [F,
dimin. of pic peak, point]
picotee n. a type of carnation of which the flowers have a light ground
and dark-edged petals. [F picot‚ -‚e past part. of picoter
prick (as PICOT)]
picquet var. of PICKET 3.
picric acid
n. a very bitter yellow compound used in dyeing and surgery and
in explosives. ЬЬpicrate n. [Gk pikros bitter]
Pict n. a member of an ancient people of N. Britain. ЬЬPictish adj.
[ME f. LL Picti perh. f. pingere pict- paint, tattoo]
pictograph
n. (also pictogram) 1 a a pictorial symbol for a word or
phrase. b an ancient record consisting of these. 2 a pictorial
representation of statistics etc. on a chart, graph, etc.
ЬЬpictographic adj. pictography n. [L pingere pict- paint]
pictorial adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or expressed in a picture or pictures.
2 illustrated. 3 picturesque. --n. a journal, postage stamp,
etc., with a picture or pictures as the main feature.
ЬЬpictorially adv. [LL pictorius f. L pictor painter (as
PICTURE)]
picture n. & v. --n. 1 a (often attrib.) a painting, drawing,
photograph, etc., esp. as a work of art (picture frame). b a
portrait, esp. a photograph, of a person (does not like to have
her picture taken). c a beautiful object (her hat is a
picture). 2 a a total visual or mental impression produced; a
scene (the picture looks bleak). b a written or spoken
description (drew a vivid picture of moral decay). 3 a a film.
b (in pl.) Brit. a showing of films at a cinema (went to the
pictures). c (in pl.) films in general. 4 an image on a
television screen. 5 colloq. a esp. iron. a person or thing
exemplifying something (he was the picture of innocence). b a
person or thing resembling another closely (the picture of her
aunt). --v.tr. 1 represent in a picture. 2 (also refl.; often
foll. by to) imagine, esp. visually or vividly (pictured it to
herself). 3 describe graphically. Ьget the picture colloq.
grasp the tendency or drift of circumstances, information, etc.
in the picture fully informed or noticed. out of the picture
uninvolved, inactive; irrelevant. picture-book a book
containing many illustrations. picture-card a court-card.
picture-gallery a place containing an exhibition or collection
of pictures. picture-goer a person who frequents the cinema.
picture hat a woman's wide-brimmed highly decorated hat as in
pictures by Reynolds and Gainsborough. picture-moulding 1
woodwork etc. used for framing pictures. 2 a rail on a wall
used for hanging pictures from. picture-palace (or -theatre)
Brit. archaic a cinema. picture postcard a postcard with a
picture on one side. picture window a very large window
consisting of one pane of glass. picture-writing a mode of
recording events etc. by pictorial symbols as in early
hieroglyphics etc. [ME f. L pictura f. pingere pict- paint]
picturesque
adj. 1 (of landscape etc.) beautiful or striking, as in a
picture. 2 (of language etc.) strikingly graphic; vivid.
ЬЬpicturesquely adv. picturesqueness n. [F pittoresque f. It.
pittoresco f. pittore painter f. L (as PICTORIAL): assim. to
PICTURE]
piddle v. & n. --v.intr. 1 colloq. urinate (used esp. to or by
children). 2 work or act in a trifling way. 3 (as piddling
adj.) colloq. trivial; trifling. --n. colloq. 1 urination. 2
urine (used esp. to or by children). ЬЬpiddler n. [sense 1
prob. f. PISS + PUDDLE: sense 2 perh. f. PEDDLE]
piddock n. any rock-boring bivalve mollusc of the family Pholadidae,
used for bait. [18th c.: orig. unkn.]
pidgin n. a simplified language containing vocabulary from two or more
languages, used for communication between people not having a
common language. Ьpidgin English a pidgin in which the chief
language is English, used orig. between Chinese and Europeans.
[corrupt. of business]
pi-dog var. of PYE-DOG.
pie(1) n. 1 a baked dish of meat, fish, fruit, etc., usu. with a top
and base of pastry. 2 anything resembling a pie in form (a mud
pie). Ьeasy as pie very easy. pie chart a circle divided into
sectors to represent relative quantities. pie-eater Austral.
sl. a person of little account. pie-eyed sl. drunk. pie in
the sky an unrealistic prospect of future happiness after
present suffering; a misleading promise. [ME, perh. = PIE(2) f.
miscellaneous contents compared to objects collected by a
magpie]
pie(2) n. archaic 1 a magpie. 2 a pied animal. [ME f. OF f. L pica]
pie(3) n. & v. (US pi) --n. 1 a confused mass of printers' type. 2
chaos. --v.tr. (pieing) muddle up (type). [perh. transl. F
P&AC.T&EA. = PIE(1)]
pie(4) n. hist. a former monetary unit of India equal to one-twelfth
of an anna. [Hind. etc. pa' i f. Skr. pad, padi quarter]
piebald adj. & n. --adj. 1 (usu. of an animal, esp. a horse) having
irregular patches of two colours, esp. black and white. 2
motley; mongrel. --n. a piebald animal, esp. a horse.
piece n. & v. --n. 1 a (often foll. by of) one of the distinct
portions forming part of or broken off from a larger object; a
bit; a part (a piece of string). b each of the parts of which a
set or category is composed (a five-piece band; a piece of
furniture). 2 a coin of specified value (50p piece). 3 a a
usu. short literary or musical composition or a picture. b a
theatrical play. 4 an item, instance, or example (a piece of
impudence; a piece of news). 5 a any of the objects used to
make moves in board-games. b a chessman (strictly, other than a
pawn). 6 a definite quantity in which a thing is sold. 7
(often foll. by of) an enclosed portion (of land etc.). 8
derog. sl. a woman. 9 US (foll. by of) sl. a financial share
or investment in (has a piece of the new production). --v.tr.
1 (usu. foll. by together) form into a whole; put together; join
(finally pieced his story together). 2 (usu. foll. by out) a
eke out. b form (a theory etc.) by combining parts etc. 3
(usu. foll. by up) patch. 4 join (threads) in spinning. Ьbreak
to pieces break into fragments. by the piece (paid) according
to the quantity of work done. go to pieces collapse
emotionally; suffer a breakdown. in one piece 1 unbroken. 2
unharmed. in pieces broken. of a piece (often foll. by with)
uniform, consistent, in keeping. piece-goods fabrics, esp.
Lancashire cottons, woven in standard lengths. a piece of cake
see CAKE. piece of eight hist. a Spanish dollar, equivalent to
8 reals. piece of goods sl. derog. a woman. a piece of one's
mind a sharp rebuke or lecture. piece of water a small lake
etc. piece of work a thing made by working (cf. nasty piece of
work). piece-rates a rate paid according to the amount
produced. piece-work work paid for by the amount produced. say
one's piece give one's opinion or make a prepared statement.
take to pieces 1 break up or dismantle. 2 criticize harshly.
ЬЬpiecer n. (in sense 4 of v.). [ME f. AF pece, OF piece f.
Rmc, prob. of Gaulish orig.: cf. PEAT]
piЉce de r‚sistance
n. (pl. piЉces de r‚sistance pronunc. same) 1 the most
important or remarkable item. 2 the most substantial dish at a
meal. [F]
piecemeal adv. & adj. --adv. piece by piece; gradually. --adj. partial;
gradual; unsystematic. [ME f. PIECE + - meal f. OE m‘lum
(instr. dative pl. of m‘l MEAL(1))]
piecrust n. the baked pastry crust of a pie. Ьpiecrust table a table
with an indented edge like a piecrust.
pied adj. particoloured. ЬPied Piper a person enticing followers
esp. to their doom. [ME f. PIE(2), orig. of friars]
pied-…-terre
n. (pl. pieds-…-terre pronunc. same) a usu. small flat, house,
etc. kept for occasional use. [F, lit. 'foot to earth']
piedmont n. a gentle slope leading from the foot of mountains to a
region of flat land. [It. piemonte mountain foot, name of a
region at the foot of the Alps]
pie-dog var. of PYE-DOG.
pieman n. (pl. -men) a pie seller.
pier n. 1 a a structure of iron or wood raised on piles and leading
out to sea, a lake, etc., used as a promenade and landing-stage,
and often with entertainment arcades etc. b a breakwater; a
mole. 2 a a support of an arch or of the span of a bridge; a
pillar. b solid masonry between windows etc. Ьpier-glass a
large mirror, used orig. to fill wall-space between windows.
[ME per f. AL pera, of unkn. orig.]
pierce v. 1 tr. a (of a sharp instrument etc.) penetrate the surface
of. b (often foll. by with) prick with a sharp instrument, esp.
to make a hole in. c make (a hole etc.) (pierced a hole in the
belt). d (of cold, grief, etc.) affect keenly or sharply. e
(of a light, glance, sound, etc.) penetrate keenly or sharply.
2 (as piercing adj.) (of a glance, intuition, high noise, bright
light, etc.) keen, sharp, or unpleasantly penetrating. 3 tr.
force (a way etc.) through or into (something) (pierced their
way through the jungle). 4 intr. (usu. foll. by through, into)
penetrate. ЬЬpiercer n. piercingly adv. [ME f. OF percer f. L
pertundere bore through (as PER-, tundere tus- thrust)]
pierrot n. (fem. pierrette) Theatr. 1 a white-faced entertainer in
pier shows etc. with a loose white clown's costume. 2 a French
pantomime character so dressed. [F, dimin. of Pierre Peter]
piet… n. a picture or sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding the dead
body of Christ on her lap or in her arms. [It. f. L (as PIETY)]
pietas n. respect due to an ancestor, a forerunner, etc. [L: see
PIETY]
pietism n. 1 a pious sentiment. b an exaggerated or affected piety. 2
(esp. as Pietism) hist. a movement for the revival of piety in
the Lutheran Church in the 17th c. ЬЬpietist n. pietistic adj.
pietistical adj. [G Pietismus (as PIETY)]
piety n. (pl. -ies) 1 the quality of being pious. 2 a pious act.
[ME f. OF piet‚ f. L pietas -tatis dutifulness (as PIOUS)]
piezoelectricity
n. electric polarization in a substance resulting from the
application of mechanical stress, esp. in certain crystals.
ЬЬpiezoelectric adj. piezoelectrically adv. [Gk piezo press +
ELECTRIC]
piezometer
n. an instrument for measuring the magnitude or direction of
pressure.
piffle n. & v. colloq. --n. nonsense; empty speech. --v.intr. talk
or act feebly; trifle. ЬЬpiffler n. [imit.]
piffling adj. colloq. trivial; worthless.
pig n. & v. --n. 1 a any omnivorous hoofed bristly mammal of the
family Suidae, esp. a domesticated kind, Sus scrofa. b US a
young pig; a piglet. c (often in comb.) any similar animal
(guinea-pig). 2 the flesh of esp. a young or sucking pig as
food (roast pig). 3 colloq. a a greedy, dirty, obstinate,
sulky, or annoying person. b an unpleasant, awkward, or
difficult thing, task, etc. 4 an oblong mass of metal (esp.
iron or lead) from a smelting-furnace. 5 sl. derog. a
policeman. --v. (pigged, pigging) 1 tr. (also absol.) (of a
sow) bring forth (piglets). 2 tr. colloq. eat (food) greedily.
3 intr. herd together or behave like pigs. Ьbleed like a pig
(or stuck pig) bleed copiously. buy a pig in a poke buy,
accept, etc. something without knowing its value or esp. seeing
it. in pig (of a sow) pregnant. in a pig's eye colloq.
certainly not. make a pig of oneself overeat. make a pig's ear
of colloq. make a mess of; bungle. pig in the middle a person
who is placed in an awkward situation between two others (after
a ball game for three with one in the middle). pig-iron crude
iron from a smelting-furnace. Pig Island Austral. & NZ sl. New
Zealand. pig it live in a disorderly, untidy, or filthy
fashion. pig-jump Austral. sl. n. a jump made by a horse
from all four legs. --v.intr. (of a horse) jump in this manner.
pig Latin a made-up jargon. pig-meat Brit. pork, ham, or
bacon. pig out (often foll. by on) esp. US sl. eat
gluttonously. pigs might fly iron. an expression of disbelief.
pig-sticker a long sharp knife. pig's wash = PIGSWILL.
ЬЬpiggish adj. piggishly adv. piggishness n. piglet n.
piglike adj. pigling n. [ME pigge f. OE pigga (unrecorded)]
pigeon(1) n. 1 any of several large usu. grey and white birds of the
family Columbidae, esp. Columba livia, often domesticated and
bred and trained to carry messages etc.; a dove (cf.
rock-pigeon). 2 a person easily swindled; a simpleton.
Ьpigeon-breast (or -chest) a deformed human chest with a
projecting breastbone. pigeon-breasted (or -chested) having a
pigeon-breast. pigeon-fancier a person who keeps and breeds
fancy pigeons. pigeon-fancying this pursuit. pigeon-hawk =
MERLIN. pigeon-hearted cowardly. pigeon-hole n. 1 each of a
set of compartments in a cabinet or on a wall for papers,
letters, etc. 2 a small recess for a pigeon to nest in.
--v.tr. 1 deposit (a document) in a pigeon-hole. 2 put (a
matter) aside for future consideration or to forget it. 3
assign (a person or thing) to a preconceived category. pigeon
pair Brit. 1 boy and girl twins. 2 a boy and girl as sole
children. pigeon's milk 1 a secretion from the oesophagus with
which pigeons feed their young. 2 an imaginary article for
which children are sent on a fool's errand. pigeon-toed (of a
person) having the toes turned inwards. ЬЬpigeonry n. (pl.
-ies). [ME f. OF pijon f. LL pipio -onis (imit.)]
pigeon(2) n. 1 = PIDGIN. 2 colloq. a particular concern, job, or
business (that's not my pigeon).
piggery n. (pl. -ies) 1 a pig-breeding farm etc. 2 = PIGSTY. 3
piggishness.
piggy n. & adj. --n. (also piggie) colloq. 1 a little pig. 2 a a
child's word for a pig. b a child's word for a toe. 3 Brit.
the game of tipcat. --adj. (piggier, piggiest) 1 like a pig.
2 (of features etc.) like those of a pig (little piggy eyes).
Ьpiggy bank a pig-shaped money box. piggy in the middle = pig
in the middle.
piggyback n. & adv. (also pickaback) --n. a ride on the back and
shoulders of another person. --adv. 1 on the back and
shoulders of another person. 2 on the back or top of a larger
object. [16th c.: orig. unkn.]
pigheaded adj. obstinate. ЬЬpigheadedly adv. pigheadedness n.
pigment n. & v. --n. 1 colouring-matter used as paint or dye, usu. as
an insoluble suspension. 2 the natural colouring-matter of
animal or plant tissue, e.g. chlorophyll, haemoglobin. --v.tr.
colour with or as if with pigment. ЬЬpigmental adj. pigmentary
adj. [ME f. L pigmentum f. pingere paint]
pigmentation
n. 1 the natural colouring of plants, animals, etc. 2 the
excessive colouring of tissue by the deposition of pigment.
pigmy var. of PYGMY.
pignut n. = earth-nut.
pigpen n. US = PIGSTY.
pigskin n. 1 the hide of a pig. 2 leather made from this. 3 US a
football.
pigsticking
n. 1 the hunting of wild boar with a spear on horseback. 2 the
butchering of pigs.
pigsty n. (pl. -ies) 1 a pen or enclosure for a pig or pigs. 2 a
filthy house, room, etc.
pigswill n. kitchen refuse and scraps fed to pigs.
pigtail n. 1 a plait of hair hanging from the back of the head, or
either of a pair at the sides. 2 a thin twist of tobacco.
ЬЬpigtailed adj.
pigwash n. = PIGSWILL.
pigweed n. any herb of the genus Amaranthus, grown for grain or fodder.
pika n. any small rabbit-like mammal of the genus Ochotona, with
small ears and no tail. [Tungus piika]
pike(1) n. (pl. same) 1 a large voracious freshwater fish, Esox lucius,
with a long narrow snout and sharp teeth. 2 any other fish of
the family Esocidae. Ьpike-perch any of various pikelike
perches of the genus Lucioperca or Stizostedion. [ME, = PIKE(2)
(because of its pointed jaw)]
pike(2) n. & v. --n. 1 hist. an infantry weapon with a pointed steel
or iron head on a long wooden shaft. 2 N.Engl. the peaked top
of a hill, esp. in names of hills in the Lake District. --v.tr.
thrust through or kill with a pike. Ьpike on colloq. withdraw
timidly from. [OE pic point, prick: sense 2 perh. f. ON]
pike(3) n. 1 a toll-gate; a toll. 2 a turnpike road. [abbr. of
TURNPIKE]
pike(4) n. a jackknife position in diving or gymnastics. [20th c.:
orig. unkn.]
pikelet n. N.Engl. a thin kind of crumpet. [Welsh (bara) pyglyd
pitchy (bread)]
pikeman n. (pl. -men) the keeper of a turnpike.
piker n. a cautious, timid, or mean person.
pikestaff n. 1 the wooden shaft of a pike. 2 a walking-stick with a
metal point. Ьplain as a pikestaff quite plain or obvious
(orig. packstaff, a smooth staff used by a pedlar).
pilaster n. a rectangular column, esp. one projecting from a wall.
ЬЬpilastered adj. [F pilastre f. It. pilastro f. med.L
pilastrum f. L pila pillar]
pilau n. (also pilaff, pilaw) a Middle Eastern or Indian dish of
spiced rice or wheat with meat, fish, vegetables, etc. [Turk.
pilѓv]
pilch n. archaic a baby's usu. waterproof garment worn over a nappy.
[OE pyl(e)ce f. LL pellicia: see PELISSE]
pilchard n. a small marine fish, Sardinia pilchardus of the herring
family (see SARDINE). [16th-c. pilcher etc.: orig. unkn.]
pile(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a heap of things laid or gathered upon one
another (a pile of leaves). 2 a a large imposing building (a
stately pile). b a large group of tall buildings. 3 colloq. a
a large quantity. b a large amount of money; a fortune (made
his pile). 4 a a series of plates of dissimilar metals laid one
on another alternately to produce an electric current. b =
atomic pile. 5 a funeral pyre. --v. 1 tr. a (often foll. by
up, on) heap up (piled the plates on the table). b (foll. by
with) load (piled the bed with coats). 2 intr. (usu. foll. by
in, into, on, out of, etc.) crowd hurriedly or tightly (all
piled into the car; piled out of the restaurant). Ьpile arms
hist. place (usu. four) rifles with their butts on the ground
and the muzzles together. pile it on colloq. exaggerate. pile
on the agony colloq. exaggerate for effect or to gain sympathy
etc. pile up 1 accumulate; heap up. 2 colloq. run (a ship)
aground or cause (a vehicle etc.) to crash. pile-up n. colloq.
a multiple crash of road vehicles. [ME f. OF f. L pila pillar,
pier, mole]
pile(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a heavy beam driven vertically into the bed of
a river, soft ground, etc., to support the foundations of a
superstructure. 2 a pointed stake or post. 3 Heraldry a
wedge-shaped device. --v.tr. 1 provide with piles. 2 drive
(piles) into the ground etc. Ьpile-driver a machine for driving
piles into the ground. pile-dwelling a dwelling built on piles,
esp. in a lake. [OE pil f. L pilum javelin]
pile(3) n. 1 the soft projecting surface on velvet, plush, etc., or
esp. on a carpet; nap. 2 soft hair or down, or the wool of a
sheep. [ME prob. f. AF pyle, peile, OF poil f. L pilus hair]
piles n.pl. colloq. haemorrhoids. [ME prob. f. L pila ball, f. the
globular form of external piles]
pileus n. (pl. pilei) the caplike part of a mushroom or other fungus.
ЬЬpileate adj. pileated adj. [L, = felt cap]
pilewort n. the lesser celandine. [PILES, f. its reputed efficacy
against piles]
pilfer v.tr. (also absol.) steal (objects) esp. in small quantities.
ЬЬpilferage n. pilferer n. [ME f. AF & OF pelfrer pillage, of
unkn. orig.: assoc. with archaic pill plunder: PELF]
pilgrim n. & v. --n. 1 a person who journeys to a sacred place for
religious reasons. 2 a person regarded as journeying through
life etc. 3 a traveller. --v.intr. (pilgrimed, pilgriming)
wander like a pilgrim. ЬPilgrim Fathers English Puritans who
founded the colony of Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620.
ЬЬpilgrimize v.intr. (also -ise). [ME pilegrim f. Prov.
pelegrin f. L peregrinus stranger: see PEREGRINE]
pilgrimage
n. & v. --n. 1 a pilgrim's journey (go on a pilgrimage). 2
life viewed as a journey. 3 any journey taken for nostalgic or
sentimental reasons. --v.intr. go on a pilgrimage. [ME f.
Prov. pilgrinatge (as PILGRIM)]
Pilipino n. the national language of the Philippines. [Tagalog f. Sp.
Filipino]
pill n. 1 a solid medicine formed into a ball or a flat disc for
swallowing whole. b (usu. prec. by the) colloq. a contraceptive
pill. 2 an unpleasant or painful necessity; a humiliation (a
bitter pill; must swallow the pill). 3 colloq. or joc. a ball,
e.g. a football, a cannon-ball. Ьsugar (or sweeten) the pill
make an unpleasant necessity acceptable. [MDu., MLG pille prob.
f. L pilula dimin. of pila ball]
pillage v. & n. --v.tr. (also absol.) plunder; sack (a place or a
person). --n. the act or an instance of pillaging, esp. in war.
ЬЬpillager n. [ME f. OF f. piller plunder]
pillar n. 1 a a usu. slender vertical structure of wood, metal, or
esp. stone used as a support for a roof etc. b a similar
structure used for ornament. c a post supporting a structure.
2 a person regarded as a mainstay or support (a pillar of the
faith; a pillar of strength). 3 an upright mass of air, water,
rock, etc. (pillar of salt). 4 a solid mass of coal etc. left
to support the roof of a mine. Ьfrom pillar to post (driven
etc.) from one place to another; to and fro. pillar-box Brit.
a public postbox shaped like a pillar. pillar-box red a bright
red colour, as of pillar-boxes. Pillars of Hercules 1 two rocks
on either side of the Strait of Gibraltar. 2 the ultimate
limit. ЬЬpillared adj. pillaret n. [ME & AF piler, OF pilier
ult. f. L pila pillar]
pillbox n. 1 a small shallow cylindrical box for holding pills. 2 a
hat of a similar shape. 3 Mil. a small partly underground
enclosed concrete fort used as an outpost.
pillion n. 1 seating for a passenger behind a motor cyclist. 2 hist.
a a woman's light saddle. b a cushion attached to the back of a
saddle for a usu. female passenger. Ьride pillion travel seated
behind a motor cyclist etc. [Gael. pillean, pillin dimin. of
pell cushion f. L pellis skin]
pilliwinks
n. hist. an instrument of torture used for squeezing the
fingers. [ME pyrwykes, pyrewinkes, of unkn. orig.]
pillock n. Brit. sl. a stupid person; a fool. [16th c., = penis
(var. of pillicock): 20th c. in sense defined]
pillory n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) hist. a wooden framework with holes
for the head and hands, enabling the public to assault or
ridicule a person so imprisoned. --v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 expose
(a person) to ridicule or public contempt. 2 hist. put in the
pillory. [ME f. AL pillorium f. OF pilori etc.: prob. f. Prov.
espilori of uncert. orig.]
pillow n. & v. --n. 1 a a usu. oblong support for the head, esp. in
bed, with a cloth cover stuffed with feathers, flock, foam
rubber, etc. b any pillow-shaped block or support. 2 =
lace-pillow. --v.tr. 1 rest (the head etc.) on or as if on a
pillow (pillowed his head on his arms). 2 serve as a pillow for
(moss pillowed her head). Ьpillow-fight a mock fight with
pillows, esp. by children. pillow-lace lace made on a
lace-pillow. pillow lava lava forming rounded masses. pillow
talk romantic or intimate conversation in bed. ЬЬpillowy adj.
[OE pyle, pylu, ult. f. L pulvinus cushion]
pillowcase
n. a washable cotton etc. cover for a pillow.
pillowslip
n. = PILLOWCASE.
pillule var. of PILULE.
pillwort n. an aquatic fern, Pilularia globulifera, with small globular
spore-producing bracts.
pilose adj. (also pilous) covered with hair. ЬЬpilosity n. [L
pilosus f. pilus hair]
pilot n. & v. --n. 1 a person who operates the flying controls of an
aircraft. 2 a person qualified to take charge of a ship
entering or leaving harbour. 3 (usu. attrib.) an experimental
undertaking or test, esp. in advance of a larger one (a pilot
project). 4 a guide; a leader. 5 archaic a steersman. --v.tr.
(piloted, piloting) 1 act as a pilot on (a ship) or of (an
aircraft). 2 conduct, lead, or initiate as a pilot (piloted the
new scheme). Ьpilot balloon a small balloon used to track air
currents etc. pilot-bird a rare dark-brown Australian babbler,
Pycnoptilus floccosus, with a distinctive loud cry. pilot chute
a small parachute used to bring the main one into operation.
pilot-cloth thick blue woollen cloth for seamen's coats etc.
pilot-fish a small fish, Naucrates ductor, said to act as a
pilot leading a shark to food. pilot-house = wheel-house.
pilot-jacket = PEA-JACKET. pilot-light 1 a small gas burner
kept alight to light another. 2 an electric indicator light or
control light. pilot officer Brit. the lowest commissioned
rank in the RAF. ЬЬpilotage n. pilotless adj. [F pilote f.
med.L pilotus, pedot(t)a f. Gk pedon oar]
Pilsner n. (also Pilsener) a lager beer brewed or like that brewed at
Pilsen (Plzen) in Czechoslovakia.
pilule n. (also pillule) a small pill. ЬЬpilular adj. pilulous adj.
[F f. L pilula: see PILL]
pimento n. (pl. -os) 1 a small tropical tree, Pimenta dioica, native
to Jamaica. 2 the unripe dried berries of this, usu. crushed
for culinary use. Also called ALLSPICE. 3 = PIMIENTO. [Sp.
pimiento (as PIMIENTO)]
pimiento n. (pl. -os) = sweet pepper (see PEPPER). [Sp. f. L pigmentum
PIGMENT, in med.L = spice]
pimp n. & v. --n. a man who lives off the earnings of a prostitute
or a brothel; a pander; a ponce. --v.intr. act as a pimp.
[17th c.: orig. unkn.]
pimpernel n. any plant of the genus Anagallis, esp. = scarlet pimpernel.
[ME f. OF pimpernelle, piprenelle ult. f. L piper PEPPER]
pimping adj. 1 small or mean. 2 sickly. [17th c.: orig. unkn.]
pimple n. 1 a small hard inflamed spot on the skin. 2 anything
resembling a pimple, esp. in relative size. ЬЬpimpled adj.
pimply adj. [ME nasalized f. OE piplian break out in pustules]
PIN n. personal identification number (as issued by a bank etc. to
validate electronic transactions). [abbr.]
pin n. & v. --n. 1 a a small thin pointed piece of esp. steel wire
with a round or flattened head used (esp. in sewing) for holding
things in place, attaching one thing to another, etc. b any of
several types of pin (drawing-pin; safety pin; hairpin). c a
small brooch (diamond pin). d a badge fastened with a pin. 2 a
peg of wood or metal for various purposes, e.g. a wooden skittle
in bowling. 3 something of small value (don't care a pin; for
two pins I'd resign). 4 (in pl.) colloq. legs (quick on his
pins). 5 Med. a steel rod used to join the ends of fractured
bones while they heal. 6 Chess a position in which a piece is
pinned to another. 7 Golf a stick with a flag placed in a hole
to mark its position. 8 Mus. a peg round which one string of a
musical instrument is fastened. 9 a half-firkin cask for beer.
--v.tr. (pinned, pinning) 1 a (often foll. by to, up, together)
fasten with a pin or pins (pinned up the hem; pinned the papers
together). b transfix with a pin, lance, etc. 2 (usu. foll. by
on) fix (blame, responsibility, etc.) on a person etc. (pinned
the blame on his friend). 3 (often foll. by against, on, etc.)
seize and hold fast. 4 Chess prevent (an opposing piece) from
moving except by exposing a more valuable piece to capture. Ьon
pins and needles in an agitated state of suspense. pin down 1
(often foll. by to) bind (a person etc.) to a promise,
arrangement, etc. 2 force (a person) to declare his or her
intentions. 3 restrict the actions or movement of (an enemy
etc.). 4 specify (a thing) precisely (could not pin down his
unease to a particular cause). 5 hold (a person etc.) down by
force. pin one's faith (or hopes etc.) on rely implicitly on.
pin-feather Zool. an ungrown feather. pin-high Golf (of a
ball) at the same distance ahead as the pin. pin-money 1 hist.
an allowance to a woman for dress etc. from her husband. 2 a
very small sum of money, esp. for spending on inessentials (only
works for pin-money). pins and needles a tingling sensation in
a limb recovering from numbness. pin-table a table used in
playing pinball. pin-tuck a very narrow ornamental tuck.
pin-up 1 a photograph of a popular or sexually attractive
person, designed to be hung on the wall. 2 a person shown in
such a photograph. pin-wheel a small Catherine wheel. split
pin a metal cotter pin passed through a hole and held in place
by its gaping split end. [OE pinn f. L pinna point etc., assoc.
with penna PEN(1)]
pina colada
n. a drink made from pineapple juice, rum, and coconut. [Sp.,
lit. 'strained pineapple']
pinafore n. esp. Brit. 1 a an apron, esp. with a bib. b a woman's
sleeveless wraparound washable covering for the clothes, tied at
the back. 2 (in full pinafore dress) a collarless sleeveless
dress worn over a blouse or jumper. [PIN + AFORE (because orig.
pinned on the front of a dress)]
pinaster n. = cluster pine. [L, = wild pine f. pinus pine + -ASTER]
pinball n. a game in which small metal balls are shot across a board
and score points by striking pins with lights etc.
pince-nez n. (pl. same) a pair of eyeglasses with a nose-clip instead of
earpieces. [F, lit. = pinch-nose]
pincers n.pl. 1 (also pair of pincers) a gripping-tool resembling
scissors but with blunt usu. concave jaws to hold a nail etc.
for extraction. 2 the front claws of lobsters and some other
crustaceans. Ьpincer movement Mil. a movement by two wings of
an army converging on the enemy. [ME pinsers, pinsours f. AF f.
OF pincier PINCH]
pincette n. small pincers; tweezers. [F]
pinch v. & n. --v. 1 tr. a grip (esp. the skin of part of the body
or of another person) tightly, esp. between finger and thumb
(pinched my finger in the door; stop pinching me). b (often
absol.) (of a shoe, garment, etc.) constrict (the flesh)
painfully. 2 tr. (of cold, hunger, etc.) grip (a person)
painfully (she was pinched with cold). 3 tr. sl. a steal;
take without permission. b arrest (a person) (pinched him for
loitering). 4 (as pinched adj.) (of the features) drawn, as
with cold, hunger, worry, etc. 5 a tr. (usu. foll. by in, of,
for, etc.) stint (a person). b intr. be niggardly with money,
food, etc. 6 tr. (usu. foll. by out, back, down) Hort. remove
(leaves, buds, etc.) to encourage bushy growth. 7 intr. sail
very close to the wind. --n. 1 the act or an instance of
pinching etc. the flesh. 2 an amount that can be taken up with
fingers and thumb (a pinch of snuff). 3 the stress or pain
caused by poverty, cold, hunger, etc. 4 sl. a an arrest. b a
theft. Ьat (or in) a pinch in an emergency; if necessary. feel
the pinch experience the effects of poverty. pinch-hitter US 1
a baseball player who bats instead of another in an emergency.
2 a person acting as a substitute. [ME f. AF & ONF pinchier
(unrecorded), OF pincier, ult. f. L pungere punct- prick]
pinchbeck n. & adj. --n. an alloy of copper and zinc resembling gold and
used in cheap jewellery etc. --adj. 1 counterfeit; sham. 2
cheap; tawdry. [C. Pinchbeck, Engl. watchmaker d. 1732]
pinchpenny
n. (pl. -ies) (also attrib.) a miserly person.
pincushion
n. a small cushion for holding pins.
pine(1) n. 1 any evergreen tree of the genus Pinus native to northern
temperate regions, with needle-shaped leaves growing in
clusters. 2 the soft timber of this, often used to make
furniture. Also called DEAL(2). 3 (attrib.) made of pine. 4 =
PINEAPPLE. Ьpine cone the cone-shaped fruit of the pine tree.
pine marten a weasel-like mammal, Martes martes, native to
Europe and America, with a dark brown coat and white throat and
stomach. pine nut the edible seed of various pine trees.
ЬЬpinery n. (pl. -ies). [ME f. OE pin & OF pin f. L pinus]
pine(2) v.intr. 1 (often foll. by away) decline or waste away, esp.
from grief, disease, etc. 2 (usu. foll. by for, after, or to +
infin.) long eagerly; yearn. [OE pinian, rel. to obs. E pine
punishment, f. Gmc f. med.L pena, L poena]
pineal adj. shaped like a pine cone. Ьpineal body (or gland) a
pea-sized conical mass of tissue behind the third ventricle of
the brain, secreting a hormone-like substance in some mammals.
[F pin‚al f. L pinea pine cone: see PINE(1)]
pineapple n. 1 a tropical plant, Ananas comosus, with a spiral of
sword-shaped leaves and a thick stem bearing a large fruit
developed from many flowers. 2 the fruit of this, consisting of
yellow flesh surrounded by a tough segmented skin and topped
with a tuft of stiff leaves. [PINE(1), from the fruit's
resemblance to a pine cone]
pinetum n. (pl. pineta) a plantation of pine-trees or other conifers
for scientific or ornamental purposes. [L f. pinus pine]
pinfold n. & v. --n. a pound for stray cattle etc. --v.tr. confine
(cattle) in a pinfold. [OE pundfald (as POUND(3), FOLD(2))]
ping n. & v. --n. a single short high ringing sound. --v.intr. make
a ping. [imit.]
pinger n. 1 a device that transmits pings at short intervals for
purposes of detection or measurement etc. 2 a device to ring a
bell.
pingo n. (pl. -os) Geol. a dome-shaped mound found in permafrost
areas. [Eskimo]
ping-pong n. = table tennis. [imit. f. the sound of a bat striking a
ball]
pinguid adj. formal or joc. fat, oily, or greasy. [L pinguis fat]
pinhead n. 1 the flattened head of a pin. 2 a very small thing. 3
colloq. a stupid or foolish person.
pinheaded adj. colloq. stupid, foolish. ЬЬpinheadedness n.
pinhole n. 1 a hole made by a pin. 2 a hole into which a peg fits.
Ьpinhole camera a camera with a pinhole aperture and no lens.
pinion(1) n. & v. --n. 1 the outer part of a bird's wing, usu. including
the flight feathers. 2 poet. a wing; a flight-feather. --v.tr.
1 cut off the pinion of (a wing or bird) to prevent flight. 2 a
bind the arms of (a person). b (often foll. by to) bind (the
arms, a person, etc.) esp. to a thing. [ME f. OF pignon ult. f.
L pinna: see PIN]
pinion(2) n. 1 a small cog-wheel engaging with a larger one. 2 a cogged
spindle engaging with a wheel. [F pignon alt. f. obs. pignol
f. L pinea pine-cone (as PINE(1))]
pink(1) n. & adj. --n. 1 a pale red colour (decorated in pink). 2 a
any cultivated plant of the genus Dianthus, with sweet-smelling
white, pink, crimson, etc. flowers. b the flower of this plant.
3 (prec. by the) the most perfect condition etc. (the pink of
elegance). 4 (also hunting-pink) a a fox-hunter's red coat. b
the cloth for this. c a fox-hunter. --adj. 1 (often in comb.)
of a pale red colour of any of various shades (rose-pink;
salmon-pink). 2 esp. derog. tending to socialism. Ьin the
pink colloq. in very good health. pink-collar (usu. attrib.)
(of a profession etc.) traditionally associated with women (cf.
white-collar, blue-collar (see BLUE(1))). pink disease a
disease of young children with pink discoloration of the
extremities. pink elephants colloq. hallucinations caused by
alcoholism. pink-eye 1 a contagious fever in horses. 2
contagious ophthalmia in humans and some livestock. pink-gin
gin flavoured with angostura bitters. ЬЬpinkish adj. pinkly
adv. pinkness n. pinky adj. [perh. f. dial. pink-eyed having
small eyes]
pink(2) v.tr. 1 pierce slightly with a sword etc. 2 cut a scalloped or
zigzag edge on. 3 (often foll. by out) ornament (leather etc.)
with perforations. 4 adorn; deck. Ьpinking shears (or
scissors) a dressmaker's serrated shears for cutting a zigzag
edge. [ME, perh. f. LG or Du.: cf. LG pinken strike, peck]
pink(3) v.intr. (of a vehicle engine) emit a series of high-pitched
explosive sounds caused by faulty combustion. [imit.]
pink(4) n. hist. a sailing-ship, esp. with a narrow stern, orig. small
and flat-bottomed. [ME f. MDu. pin(c)ke, of unkn. orig.]
pink(5) n. a yellowish lake pigment made by combining vegetable
colouring matter with a white base (brown pink; French pink).
[17th c.: orig. unkn.]
pink (6) n. Brit. 1 a young salmon. 2 dial. a minnow. [15th c.
penk, of unkn. orig.]
pinkie n. esp. US & Sc. the little finger. [cf. dial. pink small,
half-shut (eye)]
Pinkster n. US Whitsuntide. Ьpinkster flower the pink azalea,
Rhododendron nudiflorum. [Du., = Pentecost]
pinna n. (pl. pinnae or pinnas) 1 the auricle; the external part of
the ear. 2 a primary division of a pinnate leaf. 3 a fin or
finlike structure, feather, wing, etc. [L, = penna feather,
wing, fin]
pinnace n. Naut. a warship's or other ship's small boat, usu.
motor-driven, orig. schooner-rigged or eight-oared. [F
pinnace, pinasse ult. f. L pinus PINE(1)]
pinnacle n. & v. --n. 1 the culmination or climax (of endeavour,
success, etc.). 2 a natural peak. 3 a small ornamental turret
usu. ending in a pyramid or cone, crowning a buttress, roof,
etc. --v.tr. 1 set on or as if on a pinnacle. 2 form the
pinnacle of. 3 provide with pinnacles. [ME pinacle f. OF
pin(n)acle f. LL pinnaculum f. pinna wing, point (as PIN,
-CULE)]
pinnae pl. of PINNA.
pinnate adj. 1 (of a compound leaf) having leaflets arranged on either
side of the stem, usu. in pairs opposite each other. 2 having
branches, tentacles, etc., on each side of an axis. ЬЬpinnated
adj. pinnately adv. pinnation n. [L pinnatus feathered (as
PINNA)]
pinni- comb. form wing, fin. [L pinna]
pinniped adj. & n. --adj. denoting any aquatic mammal with limbs ending
in fins. --n. a pinniped mammal. [L pinna fin + pes ped- foot]
pinnule n. 1 the secondary division of a pinnate leaf. 2 a part or
organ like a small wing or fin. ЬЬpinnular adj. [L pinnula
dimin. of pinna fin, wing]
pinny n. (pl. -ies) colloq. a pinafore. [abbr.]
pinochle n. US 1 a card-game with a double pack of 48 cards (nine to ace
only). 2 the combination of queen of spades and jack of
diamonds in this game. [19th c.: orig. unkn.]
pinole n. US flour made from parched cornflour, esp. mixed with sweet
flour made of mesquite beans, sugar, etc. [Amer. Sp. f. Aztec
pinolli]
pi¤on n. 1 a pine, Pinus cembra, bearing edible seeds. 2 the seed of
this, a type of pine nut. [Sp. f. L pinea pine cone]
pinpoint n. & v. --n. 1 the point of a pin. 2 something very small or
sharp. 3 (attrib.) a very small. b precise, accurate. --v.tr.
locate with precision (pinpointed the target).
pinprick n. 1 a prick caused by a pin. 2 a trifling irritation.
pinstripe n. 1 a very narrow stripe in (esp. worsted or serge) cloth. 2
a fabric or garment with this.
pint n. 1 a measure of capacity for liquids etc., one-eighth of a
gallon or 20 fluid oz. (0.568 litre). 2 Brit. a colloq. a pint
of beer. b a pint of a liquid, esp. milk. 3 Brit. a measure of
shellfish, being the amount containable in a pint mug (bought a
pint of whelks). Ьpint-pot a pot, esp. of pewter, holding one
pint, esp. of beer. pint-sized colloq. very small, esp. of a
person. [ME f. OF pinte, of unkn. orig.]
pinta n. Brit. colloq. a pint of milk. [corrupt. of pint of]
pintail n. a duck, esp. Anas acuta, or grouse with a pointed tail.
pintle n. a pin or bolt, esp. one on which some other part turns. [OE
pintel penis, of unkn. orig.: cf. OFris. etc. pint]
pinto adj. & n. US --adj. piebald. --n. (pl. -os) a piebald horse.
[Sp., = mottled, ult. f. L pictus past part. of pingere paint]
pinworm n. a small parasitic nematode worm, Enterobius vermicularis, of
which the female has a pointed tail.
piny adj. of, like, or full of pines.
Pinyin n. a system of romanized spelling for transliterating Chinese.
[Chin. pin-yin, lit. 'spell sound']
piolet n. a two-headed ice-axe for mountaineering. [F]
pion n. Physics a meson having a mass approximately 270 times that
of an electron. Also called pi meson (see PI(1)). ЬЬpionic
adj. [PI(1) (the letter used as a symbol for the particle) +
-ON]
pioneer n. & v. --n. 1 an initiator of a new enterprise, an inventor,
etc. 2 an explorer or settler; a colonist. 3 Mil. a member of
an infantry group preparing roads, terrain, etc. for the main
body of troops. --v. 1 a tr. initiate or originate (an
enterprise etc.). b intr. act or prepare the way as a pioneer.
2 tr. Mil. open up (a road etc.) as a pioneer. 3 tr. go
before, lead, or conduct (another person or persons). [F
pionnier foot-soldier, pioneer, OF paonier, peon(n)ier (as
PEON)]
pious adj. 1 devout; religious. 2 hypocritically virtuous;
sanctimonious. 3 dutiful. Ьpious fraud a deception intended to
benefit those deceived, esp. religiously. ЬЬpiously adv.
piousness n. [L pius dutiful, pious]
pip(1) n. & v. --n. the seed of an apple, pear, orange, grape, etc.
--v.tr. (pipped, pipping) remove the pips from (fruit etc.).
ЬЬpipless adj. [abbr. of PIPPIN]
pip(2) n. Brit. a short high-pitched sound, usu. mechanically
produced, esp. as a radio time signal. [imit.]
pip(3) n. 1 any of the spots on a playing-card, dice, or domino. 2
Brit. a star (1-3 according to rank) on the shoulder of an army
officer's uniform. 3 a single blossom of a clustered head of
flowers. 4 a diamond-shaped segment of the surface of a
pineapple. 5 an image of an object on a radar screen. [16th c.
peep, of unkn. orig.]
pip(4) n. 1 a disease of poultry etc. causing thick mucus in the
throat and white scale on the tongue. 2 colloq. a fit of
disgust or bad temper (esp. give one the pip). [ME f. MDu.
pippe, MLG pip prob. ult. f. corrupt. of L pituita slime]
pip(5) v.tr. (pipped, pipping) Brit. colloq. 1 hit with a shot. 2
defeat. 3 blackball. Ьpip at the post defeat at the last
moment. pip out die. [PIP(2) or PIP(1)]
pipa n. an aquatic toad, Pipa pipa, having a flat body with long
webbed feet, the female of which carries her eggs and tadpoles
in pockets on her back. Also called SURINAM TOAD. [Surinam
Negro pip l (masc.), pip (fem.)]
pipal var. of PEEPUL.
pipe n. & v. --n. 1 a tube of metal, plastic, wood, etc. used to
convey water, gas, etc. 2 (also tobacco-pipe) a a narrow wooden
or clay etc. tube with a bowl at one end containing burning
tobacco, the smoke from which is drawn into the mouth. b the
quantity of tobacco held by this (smoked a pipe). 3 Mus. a a
wind instrument consisting of a single tube. b any of the tubes
by which sound is produced in an organ. c (in pl.) = BAGPIPES.
d (in pl.) a set of pipes joined together, e.g. pan-pipes. 4 a
tubal organ, vessel, etc. in an animal's body. 5 a high note or
song, esp. of a bird. 6 a cylindrical vein of ore. 7 a cavity
in cast metal. 8 a a boatswain's whistle. b the sounding of
this. 9 a cask for wine, esp. as a measure of two hogsheads,
usu. equivalent to 105 gallons (about 477 litres). 10 archaic
the voice, esp. in singing. --v.tr. 1 (also absol.) play (a
tune etc.) on a pipe or pipes. 2 a convey (oil, water, gas,
etc.) by pipes. b provide with pipes. 3 transmit (music, a
radio programme, etc.) by wire or cable. 4 (usu. foll. by up,
on, to, etc.) Naut. a summon (a crew) to a meal, work, etc. b
signal the arrival of (an officer etc.) on board. 5 utter in a
shrill voice; whistle. 6 a arrange (icing, cream, etc.) in
decorative lines or twists on a cake etc. b ornament (a cake
etc.) with piping. 7 trim (a dress etc.) with piping. 8 lead
or bring (a person etc.) by the sound of a pipe. 9 propagate
(pinks etc.) by taking cuttings at the joint of a stem. Ьpipe
away give a signal for (a boat) to start. pipe-cleaner a piece
of flexible covered wire for cleaning a tobacco-pipe. pipe down
1 colloq. be quiet or less insistent. 2 Naut. dismiss from
duty. pipe-fish any of various long slender fish of the family
Syngnathidae, with an elongated snout. pipe-light a spill for
lighting a pipe. pipe major an NCO commanding regimental
pipers. pipe-organ Mus. an organ using pipes instead of or as
well as reeds. pipe-rack a rack for holding tobacco-pipes.
pipe-rolls hist. the annual records of the British Exchequer
from the 12th-19th c. prob. because subsidiary documents were
rolled in pipe form. pipe-stem the shaft of a tobacco-pipe.
pipe-stone a hard red clay used by US Indians for tobacco-pipes.
pipe up begin to play, sing, speak, etc. put that in your pipe
and smoke it colloq. a challenge to another to accept something
frank or unwelcome. ЬЬpipeful n. (pl. -fuls). pipeless adj.
pipy adj. [OE pipe, pipian & OF piper f. Gmc ult. f. L pipare
peep, chirp]
pipeclay n. & v. --n. a fine white clay used for tobacco-pipes,
whitening leather, etc. --v.tr. 1 whiten (leather etc.) with
this. 2 put in order.
pipedream n. an unattainable or fanciful hope or scheme. [orig. as
experienced when smoking an opium pipe]
pipeline n. 1 a long, usu. underground, pipe for conveying esp. oil. 2
a channel supplying goods, information, etc. Ьin the pipeline
awaiting completion or processing.
pip emma adv. & n. Brit. colloq. = P.M. [formerly signallers' names
for letters PM]
piper n. 1 a bagpipe-player. 2 a person who plays a pipe, esp. an
itinerant musician. [OE pipere (as PIPE)]
piperidine
n. Chem. a peppery-smelling liquid formed by the reduction of
pyridine. [L piper pepper + -IDE + -INE(4)]
pipette n. & v. --n. a slender tube for transferring or measuring small
quantities of liquids esp. in chemistry. --v.tr. transfer or
measure (a liquid) using a pipette. [F, dimin. of pipe PIPE]
piping n. & adj. --n. 1 the act or an instance of piping, esp.
whistling or singing. 2 a thin pipelike fold used to edge hems
or frills on clothing, seams on upholstery, etc. 3 ornamental
lines of icing, cream, potato, etc. on a cake or other dish. 4
lengths of pipe, or a system of pipes, esp. in domestic use.
--adj. (of a noise) high; whistling. Ьpiping hot very or
suitably hot (esp. as required of food, water, etc.).
pipistrelle
n. any bat of the genus Pipistrellus, native to temperate
regions and feeding on insects . [F f. It. pipistrello, vip-,
f. L vespertilio bat f. vesper evening]
pipit n. 1 any of various birds of the family Motacillidae, esp. of
the genus Anthus, found worldwide and having brown plumage often
heavily streaked with a lighter colour. 2 = meadow pipit.
[prob. imit.]
pipkin n. a small earthenware pot or pan. [16th c.: orig. unkn.]
pippin n. 1 a an apple grown from seed. b a red and yellow dessert
apple. 2 colloq. an excellent person or thing; a beauty. [ME
f. OF pepin, of unkn. orig.]
pipsqueak n. colloq. an insignificant or contemptible person or thing.
[imit.]
piquant adj. 1 agreeably pungent, sharp, or appetizing. 2 pleasantly
stimulating, or disquieting, to the mind. ЬЬpiquancy n.
piquantly adv. [F, pres. part. of piquer (as PIQUE(1))]
pique(1) v. & n. --v.tr. (piques, piqued, piquing) 1 wound the pride
of, irritate. 2 arouse (curiosity, interest, etc.). 3 (refl.;
usu. foll. by on) pride or congratulate oneself. --n.
ill-feeling; enmity; resentment (in a fit of pique). [F piquer
prick, irritate, f. Rmc]
pique(2) n. & v. --n. the winning of 30 points on cards and play in
piquet before one's opponent scores anything. --v. (piques,
piqued, piquing) 1 tr. score a pique against. 2 intr. score a
pique. [F pic, of unkn. orig.]
piqu‚ n. a stiff ribbed cotton or other fabric. [F, past part. of
piquer: see PIQUE(1)]
piquet(1) n. a game for two players with a pack of 32 cards (seven to ace
only). [F, of unkn. orig.]
piquet(2) var. of PICKET 3.
piracy n. (pl. -ies) 1 the practice or an act of robbery of ships at
sea. 2 a similar practice or act in other forms, esp.
hijacking. 3 the infringement of copyright. [med.L piratia f.
Gk pirateia (as PIRATE)]
piragua n. 1 a long narrow canoe made from a single tree-trunk. 2 a
two-masted sailing barge. [Sp. f. Carib, = dug-out]
piranha n. (also piraya) any of various freshwater predatory fish of
the genera Pygocentrus, Rooseveltiella, or Serrasalmus, native
to S. America and having sharp cutting teeth. [Port. f. Tupi,
var. of piraya scissors]
pirate n. & v. --n. 1 a a person who commits piracy. b a ship used
by pirates. 2 a person who infringes another's copyright or
other business rights; a plagiarist. 3 (often attrib.) a
person, organization, etc., that broadcasts without official
authorization (pirate radio station). --v.tr. 1 appropriate or
reproduce (the work or ideas etc. of another) without
permission, for one's own benefit. 2 plunder. ЬЬpiratic adj.
piratical adj. piratically adv. [ME f. L pirata f. Gk peirates
f. peirao attempt, assault]
piraya var. of PIRANHA.
piripiri n. (pl. piripiris) NZ a rosaceous plant, Acaena anserinifolia,
native to New Zealand and having prickly burs. [Maori]
pirogue n. = PIRAGUA. [F, prob. f. Galibi]
pirouette n. & v. --n. a dancer's spin on one foot or the point of the
toe. --v.intr. perform a pirouette. [F, = spinning-top]
pis aller n. a course of action followed as a last resort. [F f. pis
worse + aller go]
piscary n. Ьcommon of piscary the right of fishing in another's water
in common with the owner and others. [ME f. med.L piscaria
neut. pl. of L piscarius f. piscis fish]
piscatory adj. 1 of or concerning fishermen or fishing. 2 addicted to
fishing. [L piscatorius f. piscator fisherman f. piscis fish]
Pisces n. (pl. same) 1 a constellation, traditionally regarded as
contained in the figure of fishes . 2 a the twelfth sign of the
zodiac (the Fishes). b a person born when the sun is in this
sign. ЬЬPiscean n. & adj. [ME f. L, pl. of piscis fish]
pisciculture
n. the artificial rearing of fish. ЬЬpiscicultural adj.
pisciculturist n. [L piscis fish, after agriculture etc.]
piscina n. (pl. piscinae or piscinas) 1 a stone basin near the altar
in RC and pre-Reformation churches for draining water used in
the Mass. 2 a fish-pond. 3 hist. a Roman bathing-pond. [L f.
piscis fish]
piscine(1)
adj. of or concerning fish. [L piscis fish]
piscine(2)
n. a bathing-pool. [F (as PISCINA)]
piscivorous
adj. fish-eating. [L piscis fish + -VOROUS]
pish int. an expression of contempt, impatience, or disgust.
[imit.]
pisiform adj. pea-shaped. Ьpisiform bone a small bone in the wrist in
the upper row of the carpus. [mod.L pisiformis f. pisum pea]
pismire n. dial. an ant. [ME f. PISS (from smell of anthill) + obs.
mire ant]
piss v. & n. coarse sl. °Usually considered a taboo word. --v. 1
intr. urinate. 2 tr. a discharge (blood etc.) when urinating.
b wet with urine. 3 tr. (as pissed adj.) Brit. drunk. --n. 1
urine. 2 an act of urinating. Ьpiss about fool or mess about.
piss artist 1 a drunkard. 2 a person who fools about. 3 a glib
person. piss down rain heavily. piss off Brit. 1 go away. 2
(often as pissed off adj.) annoy; depress. piss-pot a
chamber-pot. piss-taker a person who mocks. piss-taking
mockery. piss-up a drinking spree. take the piss (often foll.
by out of) mock; deride. [ME f. OF pisser (imit.)]
pissoir n. a public urinal. [F]
pistachio n. (pl. -os) 1 an evergreen tree, Pistacia vera, bearing small
brownish-green flowers and ovoid reddish fruit. 2 (in full
pistachio nut) the edible pale-green seed of this. 3 a pale
green colour. [It. pistaccio and Sp. pistacho f. L pistacium
f. Gk pistakion f. Pers. pistah]
piste n. a ski-run of compacted snow. [F, = racetrack]
pistil n. the female organs of a flower, comprising the stigma, style,
and ovary. ЬЬpistillary adj. pistilliferous adj. pistilline
adj. [F pistile or L pistillum PESTLE]
pistillate
adj. 1 having pistils. 2 having pistils but no stamens.
pistol n. & v. --n. 1 a small hand-held firearm. 2 anything of a
similar shape. --v.tr. (pistolled, pistolling; US pistoled,
pistoling) shoot with a pistol. Ьhold a pistol to a person's
head coerce a person by threats. pistol-grip a handle shaped
like a pistol-butt. pistol-shot 1 the range of a pistol. 2 a
shot fired from a pistol. pistol-whip (-whipped, -whipping)
beat with a pistol. [obs. F f. G Pistole f. Czech pist' al]
pistole n. hist. a foreign (esp. Spanish) gold coin. [F pistole abbr.
of pistolet, of uncert. orig.]
pistoleer n. a soldier armed with a pistol.
piston n. 1 a disc or short cylinder fitting closely within a tube in
which it moves up and down against a liquid or gas, used in an
internal-combustion engine to impart motion, or in a pump to
receive motion. 2 a sliding valve in a trumpet etc.
Ьpiston-ring a ring on a piston sealing the gap between the
piston and the cylinder wall. piston-rod a rod or crankshaft
attached to a piston to drive a wheel or to impart motion. [F
f. It. pistone var. of pestone augment. of pestello PESTLE]
pit(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a usu. large deep hole in the ground. b a
hole made in digging for industrial purposes, esp. for coal
(chalk pit; gravel pit). c a covered hole as a trap for esp.
wild animals. 2 a an indentation left after smallpox, acne,
etc. b a hollow in a plant or animal body or on any surface. 3
Brit. Theatr. a = orchestra pit. b usu. hist. seating at the
back of the stalls. c the people in the pit. 4 a (the pit or
bottomless pit) hell. b (the pits) sl. a wretched or the worst
imaginable place, situation, person, etc. 5 a an area at the
side of a track where racing cars are serviced and refuelled. b
a sunken area in a workshop floor for access to a car's
underside. 6 US the part of the floor of an exchange allotted
to special trading (wheat-pit). 7 = COCKPIT. 8 Brit. sl. a
bed. --v. (pitted, pitting) 1 tr. (usu. foll. by against) a
set (one's wits, strength, etc.) in opposition or rivalry. b
set (a cock, dog, etc.) to fight, orig. in a pit, against
another. 2 tr. (usu. as pitted adj.) make pits, esp. scars, in.
3 intr. (of the flesh etc.) retain the impression of a finger
etc. when touched. 4 tr. Hort. put (esp. vegetables etc. for
storage) into a pit. Ьdig a pit for try to ensnare. pit-head 1
the top of a mineshaft. 2 the area surrounding this. pit of
the stomach 1 the floor of the stomach. 2 the depression below
the bottom of the breastbone. pit pony hist. a pony kept
underground for haulage in coal-mines. pit-prop a balk of wood
used to support the roof of a coal mine. pit-saw a large saw
for use in a saw-pit. pit viper any US snake of the family
Crotalidae with a pit between the eye and the nostril. [OE pytt
ult. f. L puteus well]
pit(2) n. & v. US --n. the stone of a fruit. --v.tr. (pitted,
pitting) remove pits from (fruit). [perh. Du., rel. to PITH]
pita var. of PITTA.
pit-a-pat adv. & n. (also pitter-patter) --adv. 1 with a sound like
quick light steps. 2 with a faltering sound (heart went
pit-a-pat). --n. such a sound. [imit.]
pitch(1) v. & n. --v. 1 tr. (also absol.) erect and fix (a tent, camp,
etc.). 2 tr. a throw; fling. b (in games) throw (a flat
object) towards a mark. 3 tr. fix or plant (a thing) in a
definite position. 4 tr. express in a particular style or at a
particular level (pitched his argument at the most basic level).
5 intr. (often foll. by against, into, etc.) fall heavily, esp.
headlong. 6 intr. (of a ship etc.) plunge in a longitudinal
direction (cf. ROLL v. 8a). 7 tr. Mus. set at a particular
pitch. 8 intr. (of a roof etc.) slope downwards. 9 intr.
(often foll. by about) move with a vigorous jogging motion, as
in a train, carriage, etc. 10 Cricket a tr. cause (a bowled
ball) to strike the ground at a specified point etc. b intr.
(of a bowled ball) strike the ground. 11 tr. colloq. tell (a
yarn or a tale). 12 tr. Golf play (a ball) with a pitch shot.
13 tr. pave (a road) with stones. --n. 1 a the area of play in
a field-game. b Cricket the area between the creases. 2
height, degree, intensity, etc. (the pitch of despair; nerves
were strung to a pitch). 3 a the steepness of a slope, esp. of
a roof, stratum, etc. b the degree of such a pitch. 4 Mus. a
that quality of a sound which is governed by the rate of
vibrations producing it; the degree of highness or lowness of a
tone. b = concert pitch. 5 the pitching motion of a ship etc.
6 Cricket the act or mode of delivery in bowling, or the spot
where the ball bounces. 7 colloq. a salesman's advertising or
selling approach. 8 Brit. a place where a street vendor sells
wares, has a stall, etc. 9 (also pitch shot) Golf a high
approach shot with a short run. 10 Mech. the distance between
successive corresponding points or lines, e.g. between the teeth
of a cog-wheel etc. 11 the height to which a falcon etc. soars
before swooping on its prey. 12 the delivery of a baseball by a
pitcher. Ьpitch-and-toss a gambling game in which coins are
pitched at a mark and then tossed. pitched battle 1 a vigorous
argument etc. 2 Mil. a battle planned beforehand and fought on
chosen ground. pitched roof a sloping roof. pitch in colloq.
set to work vigorously. pitch into colloq. 1 attack forcibly
with blows, words, etc. 2 assail (food, work, etc.) vigorously.
pitch on (or upon) happen to select. pitch-pipe Mus. a small
pipe blown to set the pitch for singing or tuning. pitch up
Cricket bowl (a ball) to bounce near the batsman. pitch wickets
Cricket fix the stumps in the ground and place the bails. [ME
pic(c)he, perh. f. OE picc(e)an (unrecorded: cf. picung
stigmata)]
pitch(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a sticky resinous black or dark-brown substance
obtained by distilling tar or turpentine, semi-liquid when hot,
hard when cold, and used for caulking the seams of ships etc. 2
any of various bituminous substances including asphalt. --v.tr.
cover, coat, or smear with pitch. Ьpitch-black (or -dark) very
or completely dark. pitch-pine any of various pine-trees, esp.
Pinus rigida or P. palustris, yielding much resin. [OE pic f.
Gmc f. L pix picis]
pitchblende
n. a mineral form of uranium oxide occurring in pitchlike
masses and yielding radium. [G Pechblende (as PITCH(2),
BLENDE)]
pitcher(1)
n. 1 a large usu. earthenware jug with a lip and a handle, for
holding liquids. 2 a modified leaf in pitcher form. 3 (in pl.)
broken pottery crushed and reused. Ьpitcher-plant any of
various plants, esp. of the family Nepenthaceae or
Sarraceniaceae, with pitcher leaves that can hold liquids, trap
insects, etc. ЬЬpitcherful n. (pl. -fuls). [ME f. OF
pichier, pechier, f. Frank.]
pitcher(2)
n. 1 a person or thing that pitches. 2 Baseball a player who
delivers the ball to the batter. 3 a stone used for paving.
pitchfork n. & v. --n. a long-handled two-pronged fork for pitching hay
etc. --v.tr. 1 throw with or as if with a pitchfork. 2 (usu.
foll. by into) thrust (a person) forcibly into a position,
office, etc. [in ME pickfork, prob. f. PICK(1) + FORK, assoc.
with PITCH(1)]
pitchstone
n. obsidian etc. resembling pitch.
pitchy adj. (pitchier, pitchiest) of, like, or dark as pitch.
piteous adj. deserving or causing pity; wretched. ЬЬpiteously adv.
piteousness n. [ME pito(u)s etc. f. AF pitous, OF pitos f. Rmc
(as PIETY)]
pitfall n. 1 an unsuspected snare, danger, or drawback. 2 a covered
pit for trapping animals etc.
pith n. & v. --n. 1 spongy white tissue lining the rind of an
orange, lemon, etc. 2 the essential part; the quintessence
(came to the pith of his argument). 3 Bot. the spongy cellular
tissue in the stems and branches of dicotyledonous plants. 4 a
physical strength; vigour. b force; energy. 5 archaic spinal
marrow. --v.tr. 1 remove the pith or marrow from. 2 slaughter
or immobilize (an animal) by severing the spinal cord. Ьpith
helmet a lightweight sun-helmet made from the dried pith of the
sola etc. ЬЬpithless adj. [OE pitha f. WG]
pithecanthrope
n. any prehistoric apelike human of the extinct genus
Pithecanthropus, now considered to be part of the genus Homo
(see also JAVA MAN). [Gk pithekos ape + anthropos man]
pithos n. (pl. pithoi) Archaeol. a large storage jar. [Gk]
pithy adj. (pithier, pithiest) 1 (of style, speech, etc.) condensed,
terse, and forcible. 2 of, like, or containing much pith.
ЬЬpithily adv. pithiness n.
pitiable adj. 1 deserving or causing pity. 2 contemptible.
ЬЬpitiableness n. pitiably adv. [ME f. OF piteable, pitoiable
(as PITY)]
pitiless adj. showing no pity (the pitiless heat of the desert).
ЬЬpitilessly adv. pitilessness n.
pitman n. 1 (pl. -men) a collier. 2 US (pl. -mans) a connecting rod
in machinery.
piton n. a peg or spike driven into a rock or crack to support a
climber or a rope. [F, = eye-bolt]
Pitot tube
n. a device consisting of an open-ended right-angled tube used
to measure the speed or flow of a fluid. [H. Pitot, Fr.
physicist d. 1771]
pitpan n. a Central American boat made from a tree-trunk. [Miskito]
pitta n. (also pita) a flat hollow unleavened bread which can be
split and filled with salad etc. [mod.Gk, = a cake]
pittance n. 1 a scanty or meagre allowance, remuneration, etc. (paid him
a mere pittance). 2 a small number or amount. 3 hist. a pious
bequest to a religious house for extra food etc. [ME f. OF
pitance f. med.L pi(e)tantia f. L pietas PITY]
pitter-patter
var. of PIT-A-PAT.
pittosporum
n. any evergreen shrub of the family Pittosporaceae, chiefly
native to Australasia with many species having fragrant foliage.
[Gk pitta PITCH(2) + sporos seed]
pituitary n. & adj. --n. (pl. -ies) (also pituitary gland or body) a
small ductless gland at the base of the brain secreting various
hormones essential for growth and other bodily functions.
--adj. of or relating to this gland. [L pituitarius secreting
phlegm f. pituita phlegm]
pity n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 sorrow and compassion aroused by
another's condition (felt pity for the child). 2 something to
be regretted; grounds for regret (what a pity!; the pity of it
is that he didn't mean it). --v.tr. (-ies, -ied) feel (often
contemptuous) pity for (they are to be pitied; I pity you if you
think that). Ьfor pity's sake an exclamation of urgent
supplication, anger, etc. more's the pity so much the worse.
take pity on feel or act compassionately towards. ЬЬpitying
adj. pityingly adv. [ME f. OF pit‚ f. L pietas (as PIETY)]
pityriasis
n. any of a group of skin diseases characterized by the
shedding of branlike scales. [mod.L f. Gk pituriasis f.
pituron bran]
pi— adv. Mus. more (pi— piano). [It.]
pivot n. & v. --n. 1 a short shaft or pin on which something turns
or oscillates. 2 a crucial or essential person, point, etc., in
a scheme or enterprise. 3 Mil. the man or men about whom a body
of troops wheels. --v. (pivoted, pivoting) 1 intr. turn on or
as if on a pivot. 2 intr. (foll. by on, upon) hinge on; depend
on. 3 tr. provide with or attach by a pivot. ЬЬpivotable adj.
pivotability n. pivotal adj. [F, of uncert. orig.]
pixel n. Electronics any of the minute areas of uniform illumination
of which an image on a display screen is composed. [abbr. of
picture element: cf. PIX(1)]
pixie n. (also pixy) (pl. -ies) a being like a fairy; an elf.
Ьpixie hat (or hood) a child's hat with a pointed crown. [17th
c.: orig. unkn.]
pizazz n. (also pizzazz, pzazz etc.) sl. verve, energy, liveliness,
sparkle.
pizza n. a flat round base of dough with a topping of tomatoes,
cheese, onions, etc. [It., = pie]
pizzeria n. a place where pizzas are made or sold. [It. (as PIZZA)]
pizzicato adv., adj., & n. Mus. --adv. plucking the strings of a violin
etc. with the finger. --adj. (of a note, passage, etc.)
performed pizzicato. --n. (pl. pizzicatos or pizzicati) a
note, passage, etc. played pizzicato. [It., past part. of
pizzicare twitch f. pizzare f. pizza edge]
pizzle n. esp. Austral. the penis of an animal, esp. a bull,
formerly used as a whip. [LG pesel, dimin. of MLG pese, MDu.
peze]
pl. abbr. 1 plural. 2 place. 3 plate. 4 esp. Mil. platoon.
PLA abbr. (in the UK) Port of London Authority.
placable adj. easily placated; mild; forgiving. ЬЬplacability n.
placably adv. [ME f. OF placable or L placabilis f. placare
appease]
placard n. & v. --n. a printed or handwritten poster esp. for
advertising. --v.tr. also 1 set up placards on (a wall etc.).
2 advertise by placards. 3 display (a poster etc.) as a
placard. [ME f. OF placquart f. plaquier to plaster f. MDu.
placken]
place n. & v. --n. 1 a a particular portion of space. b a portion
of space occupied by a person or thing (it has changed its
place). c a proper or natural position (he is out of his place;
take your places). 2 a city, town, village, etc. (was born in
this place). 3 a residence; a dwelling (has a place in the
country; come round to my place). 4 a a group of houses in a
town etc., esp. a square. b a country house with its
surroundings. 5 a person's rank or status (know their place; a
place in history). 6 a space, esp. a seat, for a person (two
places in the coach). 7 a building or area for a specific
purpose (place of worship; bathing-place). 8 a a point reached
in a book etc. (lost my place). b a passage in a book. 9 a
particular spot on a surface, esp. of the skin (a sore place on
his wrist). 10 a employment or office, esp. government
employment (lost his place at the Ministry). b the duties or
entitlements of office etc. (is his place to hire staff). 11 a
position as a member of a team, a student in a college, etc. 12
Brit. any of the first three or sometimes four positions in a
race, esp. other than the winner (backed it for a place). 13
the position of a figure in a series indicated in decimal or
similar notation (calculated to 50 decimal places). --v.tr. 1
put (a thing etc.) in a particular place or state; arrange. 2
identify, classify, or remember correctly (cannot place him). 3
assign to a particular place; locate. 4 a appoint (a person,
esp. a member of the clergy) to a post. b find a situation,
living, etc. for. c (usu. foll. by with) consign to a person's
care etc. (placed her with her aunt). 5 assign rank,
importance, or worth to (place him among the best teachers). 6
a dispose of (goods) to a customer. b make (an order for goods
etc.). 7 (often foll. by in, on, etc.) have (confidence etc.).
8 invest (money). 9 Brit. state the position of (any of the
first three or sometimes four runners) in a race. 10 tr. (as
placed adj.) a Brit. among the first three or sometimes four in
a race. b US second in a race. 11 Football get (a goal) by a
place-kick. Ьall over the place in disorder; chaotic. give
place to 1 make room for. 2 yield precedence to. 3 be
succeeded by. go places colloq. be successful. in place in
the right position; suitable. in place of in exchange for;
instead of. in places at some places or in some parts, but not
others. keep a person in his or her place suppress a person's
pretensions. out of place 1 in the wrong position. 2
unsuitable. place-bet 1 Brit. a bet on a horse to come first,
second, third, or sometimes fourth in a race. 2 US a bet on a
horse to come second. place-brick an imperfectly burnt brick
from the windward side of the kiln. place card a card marking a
person's place at a table etc. place in the sun a favourable
situation, position, etc. place-kick Football a kick made when
the ball is previously placed on the ground. place-mat a small
mat on a table underneath a person's plate. place-name the name
of a town, village, hill, field, lake, etc. place-setting a set
of plates, cutlery, etc. for one person at a meal. put oneself
in another's place imagine oneself in another's position. put a
person in his or her place deflate or humiliate a person. take
place occur. take one's place go to one's correct position, be
seated, etc. take the place of be substituted for; replace.
ЬЬplaceless adj. placement n. [ME f. OF f. L platea f. Gk
plateia (hodos) broad (way)]
placebo n. (pl. -os) 1 a a pill, medicine, etc. prescribed for
psychological reasons but having no physiological effect. b a
placebo used as a control in testing new drugs etc. c a blank
sample in a test. 2 RC Ch. the opening antiphon of the vespers
for the dead. [L, = I shall be acceptable or pleasing f.
placere please, first word of Ps. 114:9]
placenta n. (pl. placentae or placentas) 1 a flattened circular organ
in the uterus of pregnant mammals nourishing and maintaining the
foetus through the umbilical cord and expelled after birth. 2
(in flowers) part of the ovary wall carrying the ovules.
ЬЬplacental adj. [L f. Gk plakous -ountos flat cake f. the root
of plax plakos flat plate]
placer n. a deposit of sand, gravel, etc., in the bed of a stream
etc., containing valuable minerals in particles. [Amer. Sp.,
rel. to placel sandbank f. plaza PLACE]
placet n. an affirmative vote in a church or university assembly. [L,
= it pleases]
placid adj. 1 (of a person) not easily aroused or disturbed; peaceful.
2 mild; calm; serene. ЬЬplacidity n. placidly adv. placidness
n. [F placide or L placidus f. placere please]
placket n. 1 an opening or slit in a garment, for fastenings or access
to a pocket. 2 the flap of fabric under this. [var. of
PLACARD]
placoid adj. & n. --adj. 1 (of a fish-scale) consisting of a hard base
embedded in the skin and a spiny backward projection (cf.
CTENOID). 2 (of a fish) covered with these scales. --n. a
placoid fish, e.g. a shark. [Gk plax plakos flat plate]
plafond n. 1 a an ornately decorated ceiling. b such decoration. 2 an
early form of contract bridge. [F f. plat flat + fond bottom]
plagal adj. Mus. (of a church mode) having sounds between the
dominant and its octave (cf. AUTHENTIC). Ьplagal cadence (or
close) a cadence in which the chord of the subdominant
immediately precedes that of the tonic. [med.L plagalis f.
plaga plagal mode f. L plagius f. med. Gk plagios (in anc. Gk =
oblique) f. Gk plagos side]
plage n. 1 Astron. an unusually bright region on the sun. 2 a sea
beach, esp. at a fashionable resort. [F, = beach]
plagiarism
n. 1 the act or an instance of plagiarizing. 2 something
plagiarized. ЬЬplagiarist n. plagiaristic adj.
plagiarize
v.tr. (also -ise) (also absol.) 1 take and use (the thoughts,
writings, inventions, etc. of another person) as one's own. 2
pass off the thoughts etc. of (another person) as one's own.
ЬЬplagiarizer n. [L plagiarius kidnapper f. plagium a
kidnapping f. Gk plagion]
plagio- comb. form oblique. [Gk plagios oblique f. plagos side]
plagioclase
n. a series of feldspar minerals forming glassy crystals.
[PLAGIO- + Gk klasis cleavage]
plague n., v., & int. --n. 1 a deadly contagious disease spreading
rapidly over a wide area. 2 (foll. by of) an unusual
infestation of a pest etc. (a plague of frogs). 3 a great
trouble. b an affliction, esp. as regarded as divine
punishment. 4 colloq. a nuisance. --v.tr. (plagues, plagued,
plaguing) 1 affect with plague. 2 colloq. pester or harass
continually. --int. joc. or archaic a curse etc. (a plague on
it!). ЬЬplaguesome adj. [ME f. L plaga stroke, wound prob. f.
Gk plaga, plege]
plaice n. (pl. same) 1 a European flatfish, Pleuronectes platessa,
having a brown back with orange spots and a white underside,
much used for food. 2 (in full American plaice) a N. Atlantic
fish, Hippoglossoides platessoides. [ME f. OF pla‹z f. LL
platessa app. f. Gk platus broad]
plaid n. 1 (often attrib.) chequered or tartan, esp. woollen, twilled
cloth (a plaid skirt). 2 a long piece of plaid worn over the
shoulder as part of Highland Scottish costume. ЬЬplaided adj.
[Gael. plaide, of unkn. orig.]
plain(1) adj., adv., & n. --adj. 1 clear; evident (is plain to see). 2
readily understood; simple (in plain words). 3 a (of food,
sewing, decoration, etc.) uncomplicated; not elaborate;
unembellished; simple. b without a decorative pattern. 4 (esp.
of a woman or girl) ugly. 5 outspoken; straightforward. 6 (of
manners, dress, etc.) unsophisticated; homely (a plain man). 7
(of drawings etc.) not coloured (penny plain, twopence
coloured). 8 not in code. --adv. 1 clearly; unequivocally (to
speak plain, I don't approve). 2 simply (that is plain stupid).
--n. 1 a level tract of esp. treeless country. 2 a basic
knitting stitch made by putting the needle through the back of
the stitch and passing the wool round the front of the needle
(opp. PURL(1)). Ьbe plain with speak bluntly to. plain card
neither a trump nor a court-card. plain chocolate dark
chocolate without added milk. plain clothes ordinary clothes
worn esp. as a disguise by policemen etc. plain-clothes
(attrib.) wearing plain clothes. plain cook a person competent
in plain English cooking. plain dealing candour;
straightforwardness. plain sailing 1 sailing a straightforward
course. 2 an uncomplicated situation or course of action.
plain service Eccl. a church service without music.
plain-spoken outspoken; blunt. plain suit a suit that is not
trumps. plain text a text not in cipher or code. plain time
time not paid for at overtime rates. plain weaving weaving with
the weft alternately over and under the warp. ЬЬplainly adv.
plainness n. [ME f. OF plain (adj. & n.) f. L planus (adj.),
planum (n.)]
plain(2) v.intr. archaic or poet. 1 mourn. 2 complain. 3 make a
plaintive sound. [ME f. OF plaindre (stem plaign-) f. L
plangere planct- lament]
plainchant
n. = PLAINSONG.
plainsman n. (pl. -men) a person who lives on a plain, esp. in N.
America.
plainsong n. unaccompanied church music sung in unison in medieval modes
and in free rhythm corresponding to the accentuation of the
words (cf. GREGORIAN CHANT).
plaint n. 1 Brit. Law an accusation; a charge. 2 literary or archaic
a complaint; a lamentation. [ME f. OF plainte fem. past part.
of plaindre, and OF plaint f. L planctus (as PLAIN(2))]
plaintiff n. Law a person who brings a case against another into court
(opp. DEFENDANT). [ME f. OF plaintif (adj.) (as PLAINTIVE)]
plaintive adj. 1 expressing sorrow; mournful. 2 mournful-sounding.
ЬЬplaintively adv. plaintiveness n. [ME f. OF (-if, -ive) f.
plainte (as PLAINT)]
plait n. & v. --n. 1 a length of hair, straw, etc., in three or more
interlaced strands. 2 = PLEAT. --v.tr. form (hair etc.) into a
plait. [ME f. OF pleit fold ult. f. L plicare fold]
plan n. & v. --n. 1 a a formulated and esp. detailed method by
which a thing is to be done; a design or scheme. b an intention
or proposed proceeding (my plan was to distract them; plan of
campaign). 2 a drawing or diagram made by projection on a
horizontal plane, esp. showing a building or one floor of a
building (cf. ELEVATION). 3 a large-scale detailed map of a
town or district. 4 a a table etc. indicating times, places,
etc. of intended proceedings. b a scheme or arrangement
(prepared the seating plan). 5 an imaginary plane perpendicular
to the line of vision and containing the objects shown in a
picture. --v. (planned, planning) 1 tr. (often foll. by that +
clause or to + infin.) arrange (a procedure etc.) beforehand;
form a plan (planned to catch the evening ferry). 2 tr. a
design (a building, new town, etc.). b make a plan of (an
existing building, an area, etc.). 3 tr. (as planned adj.) in
accordance with a plan (his planned arrival; planned
parenthood). 4 intr. make plans. Ьplanning permission Brit.
formal permission for building development etc., esp. from a
local authority. plan on colloq. aim at doing; intend.
ЬЬplanning n. [F f. earlier plant, f. It. pianta plan of
building: cf. PLANT]
planar adj. Math. of, relating to, or in the form of a plane.
planarian n. any flatworm of the class Turbellaria, usu. living in fresh
water. [mod.L Planaria the genus-name, fem. of L planarius
lying flat]
planchet n. a plain metal disc from which a coin is made. [dimin. of
planch slab of metal f. OF planche: see PLANK]
planchette
n. a small usu. heart-shaped board on castors with a pencil
that is supposedly caused to write spirit messages when a
person's fingers rest lightly on it. [F, dimin. of planche
PLANK]
Planck's constant
n. (also Planck constant) a fundamental constant, equal to the
energy of quanta of electromagnetic radiation divided by its
frequency, with a value of 6.626 x 10(-34) joules. [M. Planck,
Ger. physicist d. 1947]
plane(1) n., adj., & v. --n. 1 a a flat surface on which a straight
line joining any two points on it would wholly lie. b an
imaginary flat surface through or joining etc. material objects.
2 a level surface. 3 colloq. = AEROPLANE. 4 a flat surface
producing lift by the action of air or water over and under it
(usu. in comb.: hydroplane). 5 (often foll. by of) a level of
attainment, thought, knowledge, etc. 6 a flat thin object such
as a tabletop. --adj. 1 (of a surface etc.) perfectly level.
2 (of an angle, figure, etc.) lying in a plane. --v.intr. 1
(often foll. by down) travel or glide in an aeroplane. 2 (of a
speedboat etc.) skim over water. 3 soar. Ьplane chart a chart
on which meridians and parallels of latitude are represented by
equidistant straight lines, used in plane sailing. plane
polarization a process restricting the vibrations of
electromagnetic radiation, esp. light, to one direction. plane
sailing 1 the practice of determining a ship's position on the
theory that she is moving on a plane. 2 = plain sailing (see
PLAIN(1)). plane-table a surveying instrument used for direct
plotting in the field, with a circular drawing-board and pivoted
alidade. [L planum flat surface, neut. of planus PLAIN(1)
(different. f. PLAIN(1) in 17th c.): adj. after F plan, plane]
plane(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a tool consisting of a wooden or metal block
with a projecting steel blade, used to smooth a wooden surface
by paring shavings from it. 2 a similar tool for smoothing
metal. --v.tr. 1 smooth (wood, metal, etc.) with a plane. 2
(often foll. by away, down) pare (irregularities) with a plane.
3 archaic level (plane the way). [ME f. OF var. of plaine f. LL
plana f. L planus PLAIN(1)]
plane(3) n. (in full plane-tree) any tree of the genus Platanus often
growing to great heights, with maple-like leaves and bark which
peels in uneven patches. [ME f. OF f. L platanus f. Gk platanos
f. platus broad]
planet n. 1 a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit round a
star; the earth. 2 esp. Astrol. hist. a celestial body
distinguished from the fixed stars by having an apparent motion
of its own (including the moon and sun), esp. with reference to
its supposed influence on people and events. ЬЬplanetology n.
[ME f. OF planete f. LL planeta, planetes f. Gk planetes
wanderer, planet f. planaomai wander]
planetarium
n. (pl. planetariums or planetaria) 1 a domed building in
which images of stars, planets, constellations, etc. are
projected for public entertainment or education. 2 the device
used for such projection. 3 = ORRERY. [mod.L (as PLANET)]
planetary adj. 1 of or like planets (planetary influence). 2
terrestrial; mundane. 3 wandering; erratic. Ьplanetary nebula
a ring-shaped nebula formed by an expanding shell of gas round a
star. [LL planetarius (as PLANET)]
planetesimal
n. any of a vast number of minute planets or planetary bodies.
Ьplanetesimal hypothesis the theory that planets were formed by
the accretion of planetesimals in a cold state. [PLANET, after
infinitesimal]
planetoid n. = ASTEROID.
plangent adj. 1 (of a sound) loud and reverberating. 2 (of a sound)
plaintive; sad. ЬЬplangency n. [L plangere plangent- lament]
planimeter
n. an instrument for mechanically measuring the area of a plane
figure. ЬЬplanimetric adj. planimetrical adj. planimetry n.
[F planimЉtre f. L planus level]
planish v.tr. flatten (sheet metal, coining-metal, etc.) with a
smooth-faced hammer or between rollers. ЬЬplanisher n. [ME f.
OF planir smooth f. plain PLANE(1) adj.]
planisphere
n. a map formed by the projection of a sphere or part of a
sphere on a plane, esp. to show the appearance of the heavens at
a specific time or place. ЬЬplanispheric adj. [ME f. med.L
planisphaerium (as PLANE(1), SPHERE): infl. by F planisphЉre]
plank n. & v. --n. 1 a long flat piece of timber used esp. in
building, flooring, etc. 2 an item of a political or other
programme (cf. PLATFORM). --v.tr. 1 provide, cover, or floor,
with planks. 2 (usu. foll. by down; also absol.) esp. US
colloq. a put (a thing, person, etc.) down roughly or
violently. b pay (money) on the spot or abruptly (planked down
њ5). Ьplank bed a bed of boards without a mattress, esp. in
prison. walk the plank hist. (of a pirate's captive etc.) be
made to walk blindfold along a plank over the side of a ship to
one's death in the sea. [ME f. ONF planke, OF planche f. LL
planca board f. plancus flat-footed]
planking n. planks as flooring etc.
plankton n. the chiefly microscopic organisms drifting or floating in
the sea or fresh water (see BENTHOS, NEKTON). ЬЬplanktonic adj.
[G f. Gk plagktos wandering f. plazomai wander]
planner n. 1 a person who controls or plans the development of new
towns, designs buildings, etc. 2 a person who makes plans. 3 a
list, table, etc., with information helpful in planning.
plano- comb. form level, flat. [L planus flat]
planoconcave
adj. (of a lens etc.) with one surface plane and the other
concave.
planoconvex
adj. (of a lens etc.) with one surface plane and the other
convex.
planographic
adj. relating to or produced by a process in which printing is
done from a plane surface. ЬЬplanography n.
planometer
n. a flat plate used as a gauge for plane surfaces in
metalwork.
plant n. & v. --n. 1 a any living organism of the kingdom Plantae,
usu. containing chlorophyll enabling it to live wholly on
inorganic substances and lacking specialized sense organs and
the power of voluntary movement. b a small organism of this
kind, as distinguished from a shrub or tree. 2 a machinery,
fixtures, etc., used in industrial processes. b a factory. 3
colloq. something, esp. incriminating or compromising,
positioned or concealed so as to be discovered later. --v.tr.
1 place (a seed, bulb, or growing thing) in the ground so that
it may take root and flourish. 2 (often foll. by in, on, etc.)
put or fix in position. 3 deposit (young fish, spawn, oysters,
etc.) in a river or lake. 4 station (a person etc.), esp. as a
spy or source of information. 5 refl. take up a position
(planted myself by the door). 6 cause (an idea etc.) to be
established esp. in another person's mind. 7 deliver (a blow,
kiss, etc.) with a deliberate aim. 8 sl. position or conceal
(something incriminating or compromising) for later discovery.
9 a settle or people (a colony etc.). b found or establish (a
city, community, etc.). 10 bury. Ьplant-louse a small insect
that infests plants, esp. an aphis. plant out transfer (a
plant) from a pot or frame to the open ground; set out
(seedlings) at intervals. ЬЬplantable adj. plantlet n.
plantlike adj. [OE plante & F plante f. L planta sprout, slip,
cutting]
Plantagenet
adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to the kings of England from
Henry II to Richard II. --n. any of these kings. [= sprig of
broom (L planta genista) worn as a distinctive mark, the origin
of their surname]
plantain(1)
n. any shrub of the genus Plantago, with broad flat leaves
spread out close to the ground and seeds used as food for birds
and as a mild laxative. Ьplantain lily = HOSTA. [ME f. OF f. L
plantago -ginis f. planta sole of the foot (from its broad
prostrate leaves)]
plantain(2)
n. 1 a banana plant, Musa paradisiaca, widely grown for its
fruit. 2 the starchy fruit of this containing less sugar than a
dessert banana and chiefly used in cooking. [earlier platan f.
Sp. pl (n)tano plane-tree, prob. assim. f. Galibi palatana
etc.]
plantar adj. of or relating to the sole of the foot. [L plantaris f.
planta sole]
plantation
n. 1 an estate on which cotton, tobacco, etc. is cultivated,
esp. in former colonies, formerly by slave labour. 2 an area
planted with trees etc. 3 hist. a colony; colonization.
Ьplantation song a song of the kind formerly sung by Blacks on
American plantations. [ME f. OF plantation or L plantatio (as
PLANT)]
planter n. 1 a person who cultivates the soil. 2 the manager or
occupier of a coffee, cotton, tobacco, etc. plantation. 3 a
large container for decorative plants. 4 a machine for planting
seeds etc. (potato-planter).
plantigrade
adj. & n. --adj. (of an animal) walking on the soles of its
feet. --n. a plantigrade animal, e.g. humans or bears (cf.
DIGITIGRADE). [F f. mod.L plantigradus f. L planta sole +
-gradus -walking]
plaque n. 1 an ornamental tablet of metal, porcelain, etc., esp.
affixed to a building in commemoration. 2 a deposit on teeth
where bacteria proliferate. 3 Med. a a patch or eruption of
skin etc. as a result of damage. b a fibrous lesion in
atherosclerosis. 4 a small badge of rank in an honorary order.
ЬЬplaquette n. [F f. Du. plak tablet f. plakken stick]
plash(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a splash; a plunge. 2 a a marshy pool. b a
puddle. --v. 1 tr. & intr. splash. 2 tr. strike the surface
of (water). ЬЬplashy adj. [OE pl‘sc, prob. imit.]
plash(2) v.tr. 1 bend down and interweave (branches, twigs, etc.) to
form a hedge. 2 make or renew (a hedge) in this way. [ME f. OF
pla(i)ssier ult. f. L plectere plait: cf. PLEACH]
plasma n. (also plasm) 1 the colourless fluid part of blood, lymph, or
milk, in which corpuscles or fat-globules are suspended. 2 =
PROTOPLASM. 3 a gas of positive ions and free electrons with an
approximately equal positive and negative charge. 4 a green
variety of quartz used in mosaic and for other decorative
purposes. ЬЬplasmatic adj. plasmic adj. [LL, = mould f. Gk
plasma -atos f. plasso to shape]
plasmodesma
n. (pl. plasmodesmata) a narrow thread of cytoplasm that
passes through cell walls and affords communication between
plant cells. [PLASMA + Gk desma bond, fetter]
plasmodium
n. (pl. plasmodia) 1 any parasitic protozoan of the genus
Plasmodium, including those causing malaria in man. 2 a form
within the life cycle of various micro-organisms including slime
moulds, usu. consisting of a mass of naked protoplasm containing
many nuclei. ЬЬplasmodial adj. [mod.L f. PLASMA(1) + - odium:
see -ODE(1)]
plasmolyse
v.intr. & tr. (US plasmolyze) undergo or subject to
plasmolysis.
plasmolysis
n. contraction of the protoplast of a plant cell as a result of
loss of water from the cell. [mod.L (as PLASMA, -LYSIS)]
plaster n. & v. --n. 1 a soft pliable mixture esp. of lime putty with
sand or Portland cement etc. for spreading on walls, ceilings,
etc., to form a smooth hard surface when dried. 2 Brit. =
sticking-plaster (see STICK(2)). 3 hist. a curative or
protective substance spread on a bandage etc. and applied to
the body (mustard plaster). --v.tr. 1 cover (a wall etc.) with
plaster or a similar substance. 2 (often foll. by with) coat
thickly or to excess; bedaub (plastered the bread with jam; the
wall was plastered with slogans). 3 stick or apply (a thing)
thickly like plaster (plastered glue all over it). 4 (often
foll. by down) make (esp. hair) smooth with water, cream, etc.;
fix flat. 5 (as plastered adj.) sl. drunk. 6 apply a medical
plaster or plaster cast to. 7 sl. bomb or shell heavily.
Ьplaster cast 1 a bandage stiffened with plaster of Paris and
applied to a broken limb etc. 2 a statue or mould made of
plaster. plaster of Paris fine white plaster made of gypsum and
used for making plaster casts etc. plaster saint iron. a
person regarded as being without moral faults or human frailty.
ЬЬplasterer n. plastery adj. [ME f. OE & OF plastre or F
plastrer f. med.L plastrum f. L emplastrum f. Gk emplastron]
plasterboard
n. two boards with a filling of plaster used to form or line
the inner walls of houses etc.
plastic n. & adj. --n. 1 any of a number of synthetic polymeric
substances that can be given any required shape. 2 (attrib.)
made of plastic (plastic bag). --adj. 1 capable of being
moulded; pliant; supple. 2 moulding or giving form to clay,
wax, etc. 3 Biol. exhibiting an adaptability to environmental
changes. 4 (esp. in philosophy) formative, creative. Ьplastic
arts art forms involving modelling or moulding, e.g. sculpture
and ceramics, or art involving the representation of solid
objects with three-dimensional effects. plastic bomb a bomb
containing plastic explosive. plastic explosive a putty-like
explosive capable of being moulded by hand. plastic surgeon a
qualified practitioner of plastic surgery. plastic surgery the
process of reconstructing or repairing parts of the body by the
transfer of tissue, either in the treatment of injury or for
cosmetic reasons. ЬЬplastically adv. plasticity n. plasticize
v.tr. (also -ise). plasticization n. plasticizer n.
plasticky adj. [F plastique or L plasticus f. Gk plastikos f.
plasso mould]
Plasticine
n. propr. a soft plastic material used, esp. by children, for
modelling. [PLASTIC + -INE(4)]
plastid n. any small organelle in the cytoplasm of a plant cell,
containing pigment or food. [G f. Gk plastos shaped]
plastron n. 1 a a fencer's leather-covered breastplate. b a lancer's
breast-covering of facings-cloth. 2 a an ornamental front on a
woman's bodice. b a man's starched shirt-front. 3 a the
ventral part of the shell of a tortoise or turtle. b the
corresponding part in other animals. 4 hist. a steel
breastplate. ЬЬplastral adj. [F f. It. piastrone augment. of
piastra breastplate, f. L emplastrum PLASTER]
plat(1) n. US 1 a plot of land. 2 a plan of an area of land. [16th
c.: collateral form of PLOT]
plat(2) n. & v. --n. = PLAIT n. 1. --v.tr. (platted, platting) =
PLAIT v.
platan n. = PLANE(3). [ME f. L platanus: see PLANE(3)]
plat du jour
n. a dish specially featured on a day's menu. [F, = dish of
the day]
plate n. & v. --n. 1 a a shallow vessel, usu. circular and of
earthenware or china, from which food is eaten or served. b the
contents of this (ate a plate of sandwiches). 2 a similar
vessel usu. of metal or wood, used esp. for making a collection
in a church etc. 3 US a main course of a meal, served on one
plate. 4 Austral. & NZ a contribution of cakes, sandwiches,
etc., to a social gathering. 5 (collect.) a utensils of silver,
gold, or other metal. b objects of plated metal. 6 a piece of
metal with a name or inscription for affixing to a door,
container, etc. 7 an illustration on special paper in a book.
8 a thin sheet of metal, glass, etc., coated with a sensitive
film for photography. 9 a flat thin usu. rigid sheet of metal
etc. with an even surface and uniform thickness, often as part
of a mechanism. 10 a a smooth piece of metal etc. for
engraving. b an impression made from this. 11 a a silver or
gold cup as a prize for a horse-race etc. b a race with this as
a prize. 12 a a thin piece of plastic material, moulded to the
shape of the mouth and gums, to which artificial teeth or
another orthodontic appliance are attached. b colloq. a
complete denture or orthodontic appliance. 13 Geol. each of
several rigid sheets of rock thought to form the earth's outer
crust. 14 Biol. a thin flat organic structure or formation. 15
a light shoe for a racehorse. 16 a stereotype, electrotype, or
plastic cast of a page of composed movable types, or a metal or
plastic copy of filmset matter, from which sheets are printed.
17 US Baseball a flat piece of whitened rubber marking the
station of a batter or pitcher. 18 US the anode of a thermionic
valve. 19 a horizontal timber laid along the top of a wall to
support the ends of joists or rafters (window-plate). --v.tr.
1 apply a thin coat esp. of silver, gold, or tin to (another
metal). 2 cover (esp. a ship) with plates of metal, esp. for
protection. 3 make a plate of (type etc.) for printing. Ьon a
plate colloq. available with little trouble to the recipient.
on one's plate for one to deal with or consider. plate armour
armour of metal plates, for a man, ship, etc. plate glass thick
fine-quality glass for shop windows etc., orig. cast in plates.
plate-rack Brit. a rack in which plates are placed to drain.
plate tectonics Geol. the study of the earth's surface based on
the concept of moving 'plates' (see sense 13 of n.) forming its
structure. plate tracery Archit. tracery with perforations in
otherwise continuous stone. ЬЬplateful n. (pl. -fuls).
plateless adj. plater n. [ME f. OF f. med.L plata plate armour
f. platus (adj.) ult. f. Gk platus flat]
plateau n. & v. --n. (pl. plateaux or plateaus) 1 an area of fairly
level high ground. 2 a state of little variation after an
increase. --v.intr. (plateaus, plateaued) (often foll. by out)
reach a level or stable state after an increase. [F f. OF
platel dimin. of plat flat surface]
platelayer
n. Brit. a person employed in fixing and repairing railway
rails.
platelet n. a small colourless disc of protoplasm found in blood and
involved in clotting.
platen n. 1 a plate in a printing-press which presses the paper
against the type. 2 a cylindrical roller in a typewriter
against which the paper is held. [OF platine a flat piece f.
plat flat]
plateresque
adj. richly ornamented in a style suggesting silverware. [Sp.
plateresco f. platero silversmith f. plata silver]
platform n. 1 a raised level surface; a natural or artificial terrace.
2 a raised surface from which a speaker addresses an audience.
3 Brit. a raised elongated structure along the side of a track
in a railway station. 4 the floor area at the entrance to a
bus. 5 a thick sole of a shoe. 6 the declared policy of a
political party. Ьplatform ticket a ticket allowing a
non-traveller access to a station platform. [F plateforme
ground-plan f. plate flat + forme FORM]
plating n. 1 a coating of gold, silver, etc. 2 racing for plates.
platinic adj. of or containing (esp. tetravalent) platinum.
platinize v.tr. (also -ise) coat with platinum. ЬЬplatinization n.
platinoid n. an alloy of copper, zinc, nickel, and tungsten.
platinum n. Chem. a ductile malleable silvery-white metallic element
occurring naturally in nickel and copper ores, unaffected by
simple acids and fusible only at a very high temperature, used
in making jewellery and laboratory apparatus. °Symb.: Pt.
Ьplatinum black platinum in powder form like lampblack.
platinum blonde (or blond) adj. silvery-blond. --n. a person
with silvery-blond hair. platinum metal any metallic element
found with and resembling platinum e.g. osmium, iridium, and
palladium. [mod.L f. earlier platina f. Sp., dimin. of plata
silver]
platitude n. 1 a trite or commonplace remark, esp. one solemnly
delivered. 2 the use of platitudes; dullness, insipidity.
ЬЬplatitudinize v.intr. (also -ise). platitudinous adj. [F f.
plat flat, after certitude, multitudinous, etc.]
Platonic adj. 1 of or associated with the Greek philosopher Plato (d.
347 BC) or his ideas. 2 (platonic) (of love or friendship)
purely spiritual, not sexual. 3 (platonic) confined to words or
theory; not leading to action; harmless. ЬPlatonic solid (or
body) any of the five regular solids (tetrahedron, cube,
octahedron, dodecahedron, icosahedron). ЬЬPlatonically adv. [L
Platonicus f. Gk Platonikos f. Platon Plato]
Platonism n. the philosophy of Plato or his followers. ЬЬPlatonist n.
platoon n. 1 Mil. a subdivision of a company, a tactical unit commanded
by a lieutenant and usu. divided into three sections. 2 a group
of persons acting together. [F peloton small ball, dimin. of
pelote: see PELLET, -OON]
platteland
n. S.Afr. remote country districts. ЬЬplattelander n.
[Afrik., = flat land]
platter n. 1 a large flat dish or plate, esp. for food. 2 colloq. a
gramophone record. Ьon a platter = on a plate (see PLATE). [ME
& AF plater f. AF plat PLATE]
platy- comb. form broad, flat. [Gk platu- f. platus broad, flat]
platyhelminth
n. any invertebrate of the phylum Platyhelminthes, including
flatworms, flukes, and tapeworms.
platypus n. an Australian aquatic egg-laying mammal, Ornithorhynchus
anatinus, having a pliable ducklike bill, webbed feet, and sleek
grey fur. Also called DUCKBILL.
platyrrhine
adj. & n. --adj. (of primates) having nostrils far apart and
directed forwards or sideways (cf. CATARRHINE). --n. such an
animal. [PLATY- + Gk rhis rhin- nose]
plaudit n. (usu. in pl.) 1 a round of applause. 2 an emphatic
expression of approval. [shortened f. L plaudite applaud,
imper. pl. of plaudere plaus- applaud, said by Roman actors at
the end of a play]
plausible adj. 1 (of an argument, statement, etc.) seeming reasonable or
probable. 2 (of a person) persuasive but deceptive.
ЬЬplausibility n. plausibly adv. [L plausibilis (as PLAUDIT)]
play v. & n. --v. 1 intr. (often foll. by with) occupy or amuse
oneself pleasantly with some recreation, game, exercise, etc. 2
intr. (foll. by with) act light-heartedly or flippantly (with
feelings etc.). 3 tr. a perform on or be able to perform on (a
musical instrument). b perform (a piece of music etc.). c
cause (a record, record-player, etc.) to produce sounds. 4 a
intr. (foll. by in) perform a role in (a drama etc.). b tr.
perform (a drama or role) on stage, or in a film or broadcast.
c tr. give a dramatic performance at (a particular theatre or
place). 5 tr. act in real life the part of (play truant; play
the fool). 6 tr. (foll. by on) perform (a trick or joke etc.)
on (a person). 7 tr. (foll. by for) regard (a person) as
(something specified) (played me for a fool). 8 intr. colloq.
participate, cooperate; do what is wanted (they won't play). 9
intr. gamble. 10 tr. gamble on. 11 tr. a take part in (a game
or recreation). b compete with (another player or team) in a
game. c occupy (a specified position) in a team for a game. d
(foll. by in, on, at, etc.) assign (a player) to a position. 12
tr. move (a piece) or display (a playing-card) in one's turn in
a game. 13 tr. (also absol.) strike (a ball etc.) or execute (a
stroke) in a game. 14 intr. move about in a lively or
unrestrained manner. 15 intr. (often foll. by on) a touch
gently. b emit light, water, etc. (fountains gently playing).
16 tr. allow (a fish) to exhaust itself pulling against a line.
17 intr. (often foll. by at) a engage in a half-hearted way (in
an activity). b pretend to be. 18 intr. (of a cricket ground
etc.) be conducive to play as specified (the pitch is playing
fast). 19 intr. colloq. act or behave (as specified) (play
fair). 20 tr. (foll. by in, out, etc.) accompany (a person)
with music (were played out with bagpipes). --n. 1 recreation,
amusement, esp. as the spontaneous activity of children and
young animals. 2 a the playing of a game. b the action or
manner of this. c the status of the ball etc. in a game as
being available to be played according to the rules (in play;
out of play). 3 a dramatic piece for the stage etc. 4 activity
or operation (are in full play; brought into play). 5 a freedom
of movement. b space or scope for this. 6 brisk, light, or
fitful movement. 7 gambling. 8 an action or manoeuvre, esp. in
or as in a game. Ьat play engaged in recreation. in play for
amusement; not seriously. make play act effectively. make a
play for colloq. make a conspicuous attempt to acquire. make
play with use ostentatiously. play about (or around) behave
irresponsibly. play along pretend to cooperate. play back play
(sounds recently recorded), esp. to monitor recording quality
etc. play-back n. a playing back of a sound or sounds. play
ball see BALL(1). play by ear 1 perform (music) without the aid
of a score. 2 (also play it by ear) proceed instinctively or
step by step according to results and circumstances. play one's
cards right (or well) make good use of opportunities; act
shrewdly. play down minimize the importance of. play ducks and
drakes with see DUCK(1). played out exhausted of energy or
usefulness. play false act, or treat a (person), deceitfully or
treacherously. play fast and loose act unreliably; ignore one's
obligations. play the field see FIELD. play for time seek to
gain time by delaying. play the game see GAME(1). play God see
GOD. play havoc with see HAVOC. play hell with see HELL. play
hookey see HOOKEY. play into a person's hands act so as
unwittingly to give a person an advantage. play it cool colloq.
1 affect indifference. 2 be relaxed or unemotional. play the
man = be a man (see MAN). play the market speculate in stocks
etc. play off (usu. foll. by against) 1 oppose (one person
against another), esp. for one's own advantage. 2 play an extra
match to decide a draw or tie. play-off n. a match played to
decide a draw or tie. play on 1 continue to play. 2 take
advantage of (a person's feelings etc.). play oneself in become
accustomed to the prevailing conditions in a game etc. play on
words a pun. play-pen a portable enclosure for young children
to play in. play possum see POSSUM. play safe (or for safety)
avoid risks. play-suit a garment for a young child. play to
the gallery see GALLERY. play up 1 behave mischievously. 2
cause trouble; be irritating (my rheumatism is playing up
again). 3 obstruct or annoy in this way (played the teacher
up). 4 put all one's energy into a game. play up to flatter,
esp. to win favour. play with fire take foolish risks.
ЬЬplayable adj. playability n. [OE plega (n.), pleg(i)an (v.),
orig. = (to) exercise]
playa n. a flat dried-up area, esp. a desert basin from which water
evaporates quickly. [Sp., = beach, f. LL plagia]
play-act v. 1 intr. act in a play. 2 intr. behave affectedly or
insincerely. 3 tr. act (a scene, part, etc.). ЬЬplay-acting n.
play-actor n.
playbill n. 1 a poster announcing a theatrical performance. 2 US a
theatre programme.
playboy n. an irresponsible pleasure-seeking man, esp. a wealthy one.
player n. 1 a person taking part in a sport or game. 2 a person
playing a musical instrument. 3 a person who plays a part on
the stage; an actor. 4 = record-player. Ьplayer-piano a piano
fitted with an apparatus enabling it to be played automatically.
[OE plegere (as PLAY)]
playfellow
n. a playmate.
playful adj. 1 fond of or inclined to play. 2 done in fun; humorous,
jocular. ЬЬplayfully adv. playfulness n.
playgoer n. a person who goes often to the theatre.
playground
n. an outdoor area for children to play on.
playgroup n. a group of preschool children who play regularly together at
a particular place under supervision.
playhouse n. 1 a theatre. 2 a toy house for children to play in.
playing-card
n. each of a set of usu. 52 oblong pieces of card or other
material with an identical pattern on one side and different
values represented by numbers and symbols on the other, used to
play various games.
playing-field
n. a field used for outdoor team games.
playlet n. a short play or dramatic piece.
playmate n. a child's companion in play.
plaything n. 1 a toy or other thing to play with. 2 a person treated as
a toy.
playtime n. time for play or recreation.
playwright
n. a person who writes plays.
plaza n. a market-place or open square (esp. in a Spanish town).
[Sp., = place]
plc abbr. (also PLC) Public Limited Company.
plea n. 1 an earnest appeal or entreaty. 2 Law a formal statement
by or on behalf of a defendant. 3 an argument or excuse. Ьplea
bargaining US an arrangement between prosecutor and defendant
whereby the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in the
expectations of leniency. [ME & AF ple, plai, OF plait, plaid
agreement, discussion f. L placitum a decree, neut. past part.
of placere to please]
pleach v.tr. entwine or interlace (esp. branches to form a hedge).
[ME pleche f. OF (as PLASH(2))]
plead v. (past and past part. pleaded or esp. US, Sc., & dial.
pled) 1 intr. (foll. by with) make an earnest appeal to. 2
intr. Law address a lawcourt as an advocate on behalf of a
party. 3 tr. maintain (a cause) esp. in a lawcourt. 4 tr. Law
declare to be one's state as regards guilt in or responsibility
for a crime (plead guilty; plead insanity). 5 tr. offer or
allege as an excuse (pleaded forgetfulness). 6 intr. make an
appeal or entreaty. ЬЬpleadable adj. pleader n. pleadingly
adv. [ME f. AF pleder, OF plaidier (as PLEA)]
pleading n. (usu. in pl.) a formal statement of the cause of an action
or defence.
pleasance n. a secluded enclosure or part of a garden, esp. one attached
to a large house. [ME f. OF plaisance (as PLEASANT)]
pleasant adj. (pleasanter, pleasantest) pleasing to the mind, feelings,
or senses. ЬЬpleasantly adv. pleasantness n. [ME f. OF
plaisant (as PLEASE)]
pleasantry
n. (pl. -ies) 1 a pleasant or amusing remark, esp. made in
casual conversation. 2 a humorous manner of speech. 3
jocularity. [F plaisanterie (as PLEASANT)]
please v. 1 tr. (also absol.) be agreeable to; make glad; give
pleasure to (the gift will please them; anxious to please). 2
tr. (in passive) a (foll. by to + infin.) be glad or willing to
(am pleased to help). b (often foll. by about, at, with) derive
pleasure or satisfaction (from). 3 tr. (with it as subject;
usu. foll. by to + infin.) be the inclination or wish of (it did
not please them to attend). 4 intr. think fit; have the will or
desire (take as many as you please). 5 tr. (short for may it
please you) used in polite requests (come in, please). Ьif you
please if you are willing, esp. iron. to indicate
unreasonableness (then, if you please, we had to pay). pleased
as Punch see PUNCH(4). please oneself do as one likes.
ЬЬpleased adj. pleasing adj. pleasingly adv. [ME plaise f. OF
plaisir f. L placere]
pleasurable
adj. causing pleasure; agreeable. ЬЬpleasurableness n.
pleasurably adv. [PLEASURE + -ABLE, after comfortable]
pleasure n. & v. --n. 1 a feeling of satisfaction or joy. 2 enjoyment.
3 a source of pleasure or gratification (painting was my chief
pleasure; it is a pleasure to talk to them). 4 formal a
person's will or desire (what is your pleasure?). 5 sensual
gratification or enjoyment (a life of pleasure). 6 (attrib.)
done or used for pleasure (pleasure-ground). --v. 1 tr. give
(esp. sexual) pleasure to. 2 intr. (often foll. by in) take
pleasure. Ьtake pleasure in like doing. with pleasure gladly.
[ME & OF plesir, plaisir PLEASE, used as a noun]
pleat n. & v. --n. a fold or crease, esp. a flattened fold in cloth
doubled upon itself. --v.tr. make a pleat or pleats in. [ME,
var. of PLAIT]
pleb n. colloq. usu. derog. an ordinary insignificant person.
ЬЬplebby adj. [abbr. of PLEBEIAN]
plebeian n. & adj. --n. a commoner, esp. in ancient Rome. --adj. 1 of
low birth; of the common people. 2 uncultured. 3 coarse,
ignoble. ЬЬplebeianism n. [L plebeius f. plebs plebis the
common people]
plebiscite
n. 1 the direct vote of all the electors of a State etc. on an
important public question, e.g. a change in the constitution. 2
the public expression of a community's opinion, with or without
binding force. 3 Rom.Hist. a law enacted by the plebeians'
assembly. ЬЬplebiscitary adj. [F pl‚biscite f. L plebiscitum
f. plebs plebis the common people + scitum decree f. sciscere
vote for]
plectrum n. (pl. plectrums or plectra) 1 a thin flat piece of plastic
or horn etc. held in the hand and used to pluck a string, esp.
of a guitar. 2 the corresponding mechanical part of a
harpsichord etc. [L f. Gk plektron f. plesso strike]
pled see PLEAD.
pledge n. & v. --n. 1 a solemn promise or undertaking. 2 a thing
given as security for the fulfilment of a contract, the payment
of a debt, etc., and liable to forfeiture in the event of
failure. 3 a thing put in pawn. 4 a thing given as a token of
love, favour, or something to come. 5 the drinking of a
person's health; a toast. 6 a solemn undertaking to abstain
from alcohol (sign the pledge). 7 the state of being pledged
(goods lying in pledge). --v.tr. 1 a deposit as security. b
pawn. 2 promise solemnly by the pledge of (one's honour, word,
etc.). 3 (often refl.) bind by a solemn promise. 4 drink to
the health of. Ьpledge one's troth see TROTH. ЬЬpledgeable
adj. pledger n. pledgor n. [ME plege f. OF plege f. LL
plebium f. plebire assure]
pledgee n. a person to whom a pledge is given.
pledget n. a small wad of lint etc. [16th c.: orig. unkn.]
pleiad n. a brilliant group of (usu. seven) persons or things. [named
after PLEIADES]
Pleiades n.pl. a cluster of stars in the constellation Taurus, usu.
known as 'the Seven Sisters'. [ME f. L Ple‹as f. Gk Pleias
-ados]
Pleistocene
adj. & n. Geol. --adj. of or relating to the first epoch of
the Quaternary period marked by great fluctuations in
temperature with glacial periods followed by interglacial
periods. --n. this epoch or system. Also called Ice age. °Cf.
Appendix II. [Gk pleistos most + kainos new]
plenary adj. 1 entire, unqualified, absolute (plenary indulgence). 2
(of an assembly) to be attended by all members. [LL plenarius
f. plenus full]
plenipotentiary
n. & adj. --n. (pl. -ies) a person (esp. a diplomat) invested
with the full power of independent action. --adj. 1 having
this power. 2 (of power) absolute. [med.L plenipotentiarius f.
plenus full + potentia power]
plenitude n. literary 1 fullness, completeness. 2 abundance. [ME f. OF
f. LL plenitudo f. plenus full]
plenteous adj. poet. plentiful. ЬЬplenteously adv. plenteousness n.
[ME f. OF plentivous f. plentif -ive f. plent‚ PLENTY: cf.
bounteous]
plentiful adj. abundant, copious. ЬЬplentifully adv. plentifulness n.
plenty n., adj., & adv. --n. (often foll. by of) a great or sufficient
quantity or number (we have plenty; plenty of time). --adj.
colloq. existing in an ample quantity. --adv. colloq. fully,
entirely (it is plenty large enough). [ME plenteth, plente f.
OF plentet f. L plenitas -tatis f. plenus full]
plenum n. 1 a full assembly of people or a committee etc. 2 Physics
space filled with matter. [L, neut. of plenus full]
pleochroic
adj. showing different colours when viewed in different
directions. ЬЬpleochroism n. [Gk pleion more + -khroos f.
khros colour]
pleomorphism
n. Biol., Chem., & Mineral. the occurrence of more than one
distinct form. ЬЬpleomorphic adj. [Gk pleion more + morphe
form]
pleonasm n. the use of more words than are needed to give the sense
(e.g. see with one's eyes). ЬЬpleonastic adj. pleonastically
adv. [LL pleonasmus f. Gk pleonasmos f. pleonazo be
superfluous]
plesiosaurus
n. (also plesiosaur) any of a group of extinct marine reptiles
with a broad flat body, short tail, long flexible neck, and
large paddle-like limbs. [mod.L f. Gk plesios near + sauros
lizard]
plessor var. of PLEXOR.
plethora n. 1 an oversupply, glut, or excess. 2 Med. a an abnormal
excess of red corpuscles in the blood. b an excess of any body
fluid. ЬЬplethoric also adj. plethorically adv. [LL f. Gk
plethore f. pletho be full]
pleura(1) n. (pl. pleurae) 1 each of a pair of serous membranes lining
the thorax and enveloping the lungs in mammals. 2 lateral
extensions of the body-wall in arthropods. ЬЬpleural adj.
[med.L f. Gk, = side of the body, rib]
pleura(2) pl. of PLEURON.
pleurisy n. inflammation of the pleura, marked by pain in the chest or
side, fever, etc. ЬЬpleuritic adj. [ME f. OF pleurisie f. LL
pleurisis alt. f. L pleuritis f. Gk (as PLEURA(1))]
pleuro- comb. form 1 denoting the pleura. 2 denoting the side.
pleuron n. (pl. pleura) = PLEURA(1) 2. [Gk, = side of the body, rib]
pleuropneumonia
n. pneumonia complicated with pleurisy.
Plexiglas n. propr. = PERSPEX. [formed as PLEXOR + GLASS]
plexor n. (also plessor) Med. a small hammer used to test reflexes
and in percussing. [irreg. f. Gk plexis percussion + -OR(1)]
plexus n. (pl. same or plexuses) 1 Anat. a network of nerves or
vessels in an animal body (gastric plexus). 2 any network or
weblike formation. ЬЬplexiform adj. [L f. plectere plex-
plait]
pliable adj. 1 bending easily; supple. 2 yielding, compliant.
ЬЬpliability n. pliableness n. pliably adv. [F f. plier
bend: see PLY(1)]
pliant adj. = PLIABLE 1. ЬЬpliancy n. pliantly adv. [ME f. OF (as
PLIABLE)]
plicate adj. Biol. & Geol. folded, crumpled, corrugated. ЬЬplicated
adj. [L plicatus past part. of plicare fold]
plication n. 1 the act of folding. 2 a fold; a folded condition. [ME f.
med.L plicatio or L plicare fold, after complication]
pli‚ n. Ballet a bending of the knees with the feet on the ground.
[F, past part. of plier bend: see PLY(1)]
pliers n.pl. pincers with parallel flat usu. serrated surfaces for
holding small objects, bending wire, etc. [(dial.) ply bend
(as PLIABLE)]
plight(1) n. a condition or state, esp. an unfortunate one. [ME & AF
plit = OF pleit fold: see PLAIT: -gh- by confusion with
PLIGHT(2)]
plight(2) v. & n. archaic --v.tr. 1 pledge or promise solemnly (one's
faith, loyalty, etc.). 2 (foll. by to) engage, esp. in
marriage. --n. an engagement or act of pledging. Ьplight one's
troth see TROTH. [orig. as noun, f. OE pliht danger f. Gmc]
plimsoll n. (also plimsole) Brit. a rubber-soled canvas sports shoe.
[prob. from the resemblance of the side of the sole to a
PLIMSOLL LINE]
Plimsoll line
n. (also Plimsoll mark) a marking on a ship's side showing the
limit of legal submersion under various conditions. [S.
Plimsoll, Engl. politician d. 1898, promoter of the Merchant
Shipping Act of 1876]
plinth n. 1 the lower square slab at the base of a column. 2 a base
supporting a vase or statue etc. [F plinthe or L plinthus f. Gk
plinthos tile, brick, squared stone]
Pliocene adj. & n. Geol. --adj. of or relating to the last epoch of the
Tertiary period with evidence of the extinction of many mammals,
and the development of hominids. --n. this epoch or system.
°Cf. Appendix II. [Gk pleion more + kainos new]
pliss‚ adj. & n. --adj. (of cloth etc.) treated so as to cause
permanent puckering. --n. material treated in this way. [F,
past part. of plisser pleat]
PLO abbr. Palestine Liberation Organization.
plod v. & n. --v. (plodded, plodding) 1 intr. (often foll. by
along, on, etc.) walk doggedly or laboriously; trudge. 2 intr.
(often foll. by at) work slowly and steadily. 3 tr. tread or
make (one's way) laboriously. --n. the act or a spell of
plodding. ЬЬplodder n. ploddingly adv. [16th c.: prob. imit.]
-ploid comb. form Biol. forming adjectives denoting the number of sets
of chromosomes in a cell (diploid; polyploid). [after HAPLOID]
ploidy n. the number of sets of chromosomes in a cell. [after
DIPLOIDY, POLYPLOIDY , etc.]
plonk(1) v. & n. --v.tr. 1 set down hurriedly or clumsily. 2 (usu.
foll. by down) set down firmly. --n. 1 an act of plonking. 2
a heavy thud. [imit.]
plonk(2) n. colloq. cheap or inferior wine. [orig. Austral.: prob.
corrupt. of blanc in F vin blanc white wine]
plop n., v., & adv. --n. 1 a sound as of a smooth object dropping
into water without a splash. 2 an act of falling with this
sound. --v. (plopped, plopping) intr. & tr. fall or drop with
a plop. --adv. with a plop. [19th c.: imit.]
plosion n. Phonet. the sudden release of breath in the pronunciation
of a stop consonant. [EXPLOSION]
plosive adj. & n. Phonet. --adj. pronounced with a sudden release of
breath. --n. a plosive sound. [EXPLOSIVE]
plot n. & v. --n. 1 a defined and usu. small piece of ground. 2
the interrelationship of the main events in a play, novel, film,
etc. 3 a conspiracy or secret plan, esp. to achieve an unlawful
end. 4 esp. US a graph or diagram. 5 a graph showing the
relation between two variables. --v. (plotted, plotting) tr.
1 make a plan or map of (an existing object, a place or thing to
be laid out, constructed, etc.). 2 (also absol.) plan or
contrive secretly (a crime, conspiracy, etc.). 3 mark (a point
or course etc.) on a chart or diagram. 4 a mark out or allocate
(points) on a graph. b make (a curve etc.) by marking out a
number of points. ЬЬplotless adj. plotlessness n. plotter n.
[OE and f. OF complot secret plan: both of unkn. orig.]
plough n. & v. (esp. US plow) --n. 1 an implement with a cutting
blade fixed in a frame drawn by a tractor or by horses, for
cutting furrows in the soil and turning it up. 2 an implement
resembling this and having a comparable function (snowplough).
3 ploughed land. 4 (the Plough) the constellation Ursa Major or
its seven bright stars. --v. 1 tr. (also absol.) turn up (the
earth) with a plough, esp. before sowing. 2 tr. (foll. by out,
up, down, etc.) turn or extract (roots, weeds, etc.) with a
plough. 3 tr. furrow or scratch (a surface) as if with a
plough. 4 tr. produce (a furrow or line) in this way. 5 intr.
(foll. by through) advance laboriously, esp. through work, a
book, etc. 6 intr. (foll. by through, into) move like a plough
violently. 7 intr. & tr. Brit. colloq. fail in an
examination. Ьplough back 1 plough (grass etc.) into the soil
to enrich it. 2 reinvest (profits) in the business producing
them. Plough Monday the first Monday after the Epiphany. put
one's hand to the plough undertake a task (Luke 9:62).
ЬЬploughable adj. plougher n. [OE ploh f. ON plўgr f. Gmc]
ploughman n. (pl. -men) a person who uses a plough. Ьploughman's lunch
a meal of bread and cheese with pickle or salad. ploughman's
spikenard a composite fragrant plant, Inula conyzae, with
purplish-yellow flowerheads.
ploughshare
n. the cutting blade of a plough.
plover n. any plump-breasted wading bird of the family Charadriidae,
including the lapwing, usu. having a pigeon-like bill. [ME & AF
f. OF plo(u)vier ult. f. L pluvia rain]
plow US var. of PLOUGH.
ploy n. colloq. a stratagem; a cunning manoeuvre to gain an
advantage. [orig. Sc., 18th c.: orig. unkn.]
PLP abbr. (in the UK) Parliamentary Labour Party.
PLR abbr. (in the UK) Public Lending Right.
pluck v. & n. --v. 1 tr. (often foll. by out, off, etc.) remove by
picking or pulling out or away. 2 tr. strip (a bird) of
feathers. 3 tr. pull at, twitch. 4 intr. (foll. by at) tug or
snatch at. 5 tr. sound (the string of a musical instrument)
with the finger or plectrum etc. 6 tr. plunder. 7 tr. swindle.
--n. 1 courage, spirit. 2 an act of plucking; a twitch. 3 the
heart, liver, and lungs of an animal as food. Ьpluck up summon
up (one's courage, spirits, etc.). ЬЬplucker n. pluckless adj.
[OE ploccian, pluccian, f. Gmc]
plucky adj. (pluckier, pluckiest) brave, spirited. ЬЬpluckily adv.
pluckiness n.
plug n. & v. --n. 1 a piece of solid material fitting tightly into
a hole, used to fill a gap or cavity or act as a wedge or
stopper. 2 a a device of metal pins in an insulated casing
fitting into holes in a socket for making an electrical
connection, esp. between an appliance and the mains. b colloq.
an electric socket. 3 = sparking-plug (see SPARK(1)). 4
colloq. a piece of (often free) publicity for an idea, product,
etc. 5 a mass of solidified lava filling the neck of a volcano.
6 a cake or stick of tobacco; a piece of this for chewing. 7 =
fire-plug. --v. (plugged, plugging) 1 tr. (often foll. by up)
stop (a hole etc.) with a plug. 2 tr. sl. shoot or hit (a
person etc.). 3 tr. colloq. seek to popularize (an idea,
product, etc.) by constant recommendation. 4 intr. colloq.
(often foll. by at) work steadily away (at). Ьplug in connect
electrically by inserting a plug in a socket. plug-in adj.
able to be connected by means of a plug. plug-ugly US sl. n.
(pl. -ies) a thug or ruffian. --adj. villainous-looking.
ЬЬplugger n. [MDu. & MLG plugge, of unkn. orig.]
plum n. 1 a an oval fleshy fruit, usu. purple or yellow when ripe,
with sweet pulp and a flattish pointed stone. b any deciduous
tree of the genus Prunus bearing this. 2 a reddish-purple
colour. 3 a dried grape or raisin used in cooking. 4 colloq.
the best of a collection; something especially prized (often
attrib.: a plum job). Ьplum cake a cake containing raisins,
currants, etc. plum duff a plain flour pudding with raisins or
currants. plum pudding a rich boiled suet pudding with raisins,
currants, spices, etc. [OE plume f. med.L pruna f. L prunum]
plumage n. a bird's feathers. ЬЬplumaged adj. (usu. in comb.). [ME f.
OF (as PLUME)]
plumassier
n. a person who trades or works in ornamental feathers. [F f.
plumasse augment. of plume PLUME]
plumb(1) n., adv., adj., & v. --n. a ball of lead or other heavy
material, esp. one attached to the end of a line for finding the
depth of water or determining the vertical on an upright
surface. --adv. 1 exactly (plumb in the centre). 2
vertically. 3 US sl. quite, utterly (plumb crazy). --adj. 1
vertical. 2 downright, sheer (plumb nonsense). 3 Cricket (of
the wicket) level, true. --v.tr. 1 a measure the depth of
(water) with a plumb. b determine (a depth). 2 test (an
upright surface) to determine the vertical. 3 reach or
experience in extremes (plumb the depths of fear). 4 learn in
detail the facts about (a matter). Ьout of plumb not vertical.
plumb-line a line with a plumb attached. plumb-rule a mason's
plumb-line attached to a board. [ME, prob. ult. f. L plumbum
lead, assim. to OF plomb lead]
plumb(2) v. 1 tr. provide (a building or room etc.) with plumbing. 2
tr. (often foll. by in) fit as part of a plumbing system. 3
intr. work as a plumber. [back-form. f. PLUMBER]
plumbago n. (pl. -os) 1 = GRAPHITE. 2 any plant of the genus Plumbago,
with grey or blue flowers. Also called LEADWORT. [L f. plumbum
LEAD(2)]
plumbeous adj. 1 of or like lead. 2 lead-glazed. [L plumbeus f.
plumbum LEAD(2)]
plumber n. a person who fits and repairs the apparatus of a
water-supply, heating, etc. [ME plummer etc. f. OF plommier f.
L plumbarius f. plumbum LEAD(2)]
plumbic adj. 1 Chem. containing lead esp. in its tetravalent form. 2
Med. due to the presence of lead. ЬЬplumbism n. (in sense 2).
[L plumbum lead]
plumbing n. 1 the system or apparatus of water-supply, heating, etc., in
a building. 2 the work of a plumber. 3 colloq. lavatory
installations.
plumbless adj. (of a depth of water etc.) that cannot be plumbed.
plumbous n. Chem. containing lead in its divalent form.
plume n. & v. --n. 1 a feather, esp. a large one used for ornament.
2 an ornament of feathers etc. attached to a helmet or hat or
worn in the hair. 3 something resembling this (a plume of
smoke). 4 Zool. a feather-like part or formation. --v. 1 tr.
decorate or provide with a plume or plumes. 2 refl. (foll. by
on, upon) pride (oneself on esp. something trivial). 3 tr. (of
a bird) preen (itself or its feathers). ЬЬplumeless adj.
plumelike adj. plumery n. [ME f. OF f. L pluma down]
plummet n. & v. --n. 1 a plumb or plumb-line. 2 a sounding-line. 3 a
weight attached to a fishing-line to keep the float upright.
--v.intr. (plummeted, plummeting) fall or plunge rapidly. [ME
f. OF plommet dimin. (as PLUMB(1))]
plummy adj. (plummier, plummiest) 1 abounding or rich in plums. 2
colloq. (of a voice) sounding affectedly rich or deep in tone.
3 colloq. good, desirable.
plump(1) adj. & v. --adj. (esp. of a person or animal or part of the
body) having a full rounded shape; fleshy; filled out. --v.tr.
& intr. (often foll. by up, out) make or become plump; fatten.
ЬЬplumpish adj. plumply adv. plumpness n. plumpy adj. [ME
plompe f. MDu. plomp blunt, MLG plump, plomp shapeless etc.]
plump(2) v., n., adv., & adj. --v. 1 intr. & tr. (often foll. by down)
drop or fall abruptly (plumped down on the chair; plumped it on
the floor). 2 intr. (foll. by for) decide definitely in favour
of (one of two or more possibilities). 3 tr. (often foll. by
out) utter abruptly; blurt out. --n. an abrupt plunge; a heavy
fall. --adv. colloq. 1 with a sudden or heavy fall. 2
directly, bluntly (I told him plump). --adj. colloq. direct,
unqualified (answered with a plump 'no'). [ME f. MLG plumpen,
MDu. plompen: orig. imit.]
plumule n. 1 the rudimentary shoot or stem of an embryo plant. 2 a
down feather on a young bird. ЬЬplumulaceous adj. (in sense 2).
plumular adj. (in sense 1). [F plumule or L plumula, dimin. (as
PLUME)]
plunder v. & n. --v.tr. 1 rob (a place or person) forcibly of goods,
e.g. as in war. 2 rob systematically. 3 (also absol.) steal or
embezzle (goods). --n. 1 the violent or dishonest acquisition
of property. 2 property acquired by plundering. 3 colloq.
profit, gain. ЬЬplunderer n. [LG plЃndern lit. 'rob of
household goods' f. MHG plunder clothing etc.]
plunge v. & n. --v. 1 (usu. foll. by in, into) a tr. thrust
forcefully or abruptly. b intr. dive; propel oneself forcibly.
c intr. & tr. enter or cause to enter a certain condition or
embark on a certain course abruptly or impetuously (they plunged
into a lively discussion; the room was plunged into darkness).
2 tr. immerse completely. 3 intr. a move suddenly and
dramatically downward. b (foll. by down, into, etc.) move with
a rush (plunged down the stairs). c diminish rapidly (share
prices have plunged). 4 intr. (of a horse) start violently
forward. 5 intr. (of a ship) pitch. 6 intr. colloq. gamble
heavily; run into debt. --n. a plunging action or movement; a
dive. Ьplunging (or plunge) neckline a low-cut neckline. take
the plunge colloq. commit oneself to a (usu. risky) course of
action. [ME f. OF plungier ult. f. L plumbum plummet]
plunger n. 1 a part of a mechanism that works with a plunging or
thrusting movement. 2 a rubber cup on a handle for clearing
blocked pipes by a plunging and sucking action. 3 colloq. a
reckless gamble.
plunk n. & v. --n. 1 the sound made by the sharply plucked string of
a stringed instrument. 2 US a heavy blow. 3 US = PLONK(1) n.
--v. 1 intr. & tr. sound or cause to sound with a plunk. 2 tr.
US hit abruptly. 3 tr. US = PLONK(1) v. [imit.]
pluperfect
adj. & n. Gram. --adj. (of a tense) denoting an action
completed prior to some past point of time specified or implied,
formed in English by had and the past participle, as: he had
gone by then. --n. the pluperfect tense. [mod.L plusperfectum
f. L plus quam perfectum more than perfect]
plural adj. & n. --adj. 1 more than one in number. 2 Gram. (of a
word or form) denoting more than one, or (in languages with dual
number) more than two. --n. Gram. 1 a plural word or form. 2
the plural number. ЬЬplurally adv. [ME f. OF plurel f. L
pluralis f. plus pluris more]
pluralism n. 1 holding more than one office, esp. an ecclesiastical
office or benefice, at a time. 2 a form of society in which the
members of minority groups maintain their independent cultural
traditions. 3 Philos. a system that recognizes more than one
ultimate principle (cf. MONISM 2). ЬЬpluralist n. pluralistic
adj. pluralistically adv.
plurality n. (pl. -ies) 1 the state of being plural. 2 = PLURALISM 1.
3 a large or the greater number. 4 US a majority that is not
absolute. [ME f. OF pluralit‚ f. LL pluralitas (as PLURAL)]
pluralize v. (also -ise) 1 tr. & intr. make or become plural. 2 tr.
express in the plural. 3 intr. hold more than one
ecclesiastical office or benefice.
pluri- comb. form several. [L plus pluris more, plures several]
plus prep., adj., n., & conj. --prep. 1 Math. with the addition of
(3 plus 4 equals 7). °Symbol: +. 2 (of temperature) above zero
(plus 2ш C). 3 colloq. with; having gained; newly possessing
(returned plus a new car). --adj. 1 (after a number) at least
(fifteen plus). 2 (after a grade etc.) rather better than (beta
plus). 3 Math. positive. 4 having a positive electrical
charge. 5 (attrib.) additional, extra (plus business). --n. 1
= plus sign. 2 Math. an additional or positive quantity. 3 an
advantage (experience is a definite plus). --conj. colloq.
disp. also; and furthermore (they arrived late, plus they were
hungry). Ьplus sign the symbol +, indicating addition or a
positive value. [L, = more]
plus-fours
n. long wide men's knickerbockers usu. worn for golf etc.
[20th c.: so named because the overhang at the knee requires an
extra four inches]
plush n. & adj. --n. cloth of silk or cotton etc., with a long soft
nap. --adj. 1 made of plush. 2 plushy. ЬЬplushly adv.
plushness n. [obs. F pluche contr. f. peluche f. OF peluchier
f. It. peluzzo dimin. of pelo f. L pilus hair]
plushy adj. (plushier, plushiest) colloq. stylish, luxurious.
ЬЬplushiness n.
plutarchy n. (pl. -ies) plutocracy. [Gk ploutos wealth + -arkhia -rule]
Pluto n. the outermost known planet of the solar system. [L f. Gk
Plouton god of the underworld]
plutocracy
n. (pl. -ies) 1 a government by the wealthy. b a State
governed in this way. 2 a wealthy ‚lite or ruling class.
ЬЬplutocratic adj. plutocratically adv. [Gk ploutokratia f.
ploutos wealth + -CRACY]
plutocrat n. derog. or joc. 1 a member of a plutocracy or wealthy ‚lite.
2 a wealthy and influential person.
pluton n. Geol. a body of plutonic rock. [back-form. f. PLUTONIC]
Plutonian adj. 1 infernal. 2 of the infernal regions. [L Plutonius f.
Gk Ploutonios (as PLUTO)]
plutonic adj. 1 Geol. (of rock) formed as igneous rock by solidification
below the surface of the earth. 2 (Plutonic) = PLUTONIAN.
[formed as PLUTONIAN]
plutonium n. Chem. a dense silvery radioactive metallic transuranic
element of the actinide series, used in some nuclear reactors
and weapons. °Symb.: Pu. [PLUTO (as the next planet beyond
Neptune) + -IUM]
pluvial adj. & n. --adj. 1 of rain; rainy. 2 Geol. caused by rain.
--n. a period of prolonged rainfall. ЬЬpluvious adj. (in sense
1). [L pluvialis f. pluvia rain]
pluviometer
n. a rain-gauge. ЬЬpluviometric adj. pluviometrical adj.
pluviometrically adv. [L pluvia rain + -METER]
ply(1) n. (pl. -ies) 1 a thickness or layer of certain materials,
esp. wood or cloth (three-ply). 2 a strand of yarn or rope etc.
[ME f. F pli f. plier, pleier f. L plicare fold]
ply(2) v. (-ies, -ied) 1 tr. use or wield vigorously (a tool, weapon,
etc.). 2 tr. work steadily at (one's business or trade). 3 tr.
(foll. by with) a supply (a person) continuously (with food,
drink, etc.). b approach repeatedly (with questions, demands,
etc.). 4 a intr. (often foll. by between) (of a vehicle etc.)
travel regularly (to and fro between two points). b tr. work (a
route) in this way. 5 intr. (of a taxi-driver, boatman, etc.)
attend regularly for custom (ply for trade). 6 intr. sail to
windward. [ME plye, f. APPLY]
Plymouth Brethren
n.pl. a strict Calvinistic religious body formed at Plymouth in
Devon c.1830, having no formal creed and no official order of
ministers.
plywood n. a strong thin board consisting of two or more layers glued
and pressed together with the direction of the grain
alternating.
pneumatic adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or relating to air or wind. 2
containing or operated by compressed air. 3 connected with or
containing air cavities esp. in the bones of birds or in fish.
Ьpneumatic drill a drill driven by compressed air, for breaking
up a hard surface. pneumatic trough a shallow container used in
laboratories to collect gases in jars over the surface of water
or mercury. ЬЬpneumatically adv. pneumaticity n. [F
pneumatique or L pneumaticus f. Gk pneumatikos f. pneuma wind
f. pneo breathe]
pneumatics
n.pl. (treated as sing.) the science of the mechanical
properties of gases.
pneumato- comb. form denoting: 1 air. 2 breath. 3 spirit. [Gk f.
pneuma (as PNEUMATIC)]
pneumatology
n. 1 the branch of theology concerned with the Holy Ghost and
other spiritual concepts. 2 archaic psychology.
ЬЬpneumatological adj.
pneumatophore
n. 1 the gaseous cavity of various hydrozoa, such as the
Portuguese man-of-war. 2 an aerial root specialized for gaseous
exchange found in various plants growing in swampy areas.
pneumo- comb. form denoting the lungs. [abbr. of pneumono- f. Gk
pneumon lung]
pneumoconiosis
n. a lung disease caused by inhalation of dust or small
particles. [PNEUMO- + Gk konis dust]
pneumogastric
adj. of or relating to the lungs and stomach.
pneumonectomy
n. (pl. -ies) Surgery the surgical removal of a lung or part
of a lung.
pneumonia n. a bacterial inflammation of one lung (single pneumonia) or
both lungs (double pneumonia) causing the air sacs to fill with
pus and become solid. ЬЬpneumonic adj. [L f. Gk f. pneumon
lung]
pneumonitis
n. inflammation of the lungs usu. caused by a virus.
pneumothorax
n. the presence of air or gas in the cavity between the lungs
and the chest wall.
PO abbr. 1 Post Office. 2 postal order. 3 Petty Officer. 4
Pilot Officer.
Po symb. Chem. the element polonium.
po n. (pl. pos) Brit. colloq. a chamber-pot.
POA abbr. (in the UK) Prison Officers' Association.
poach(1) v.tr. 1 cook (an egg) without its shell in or over boiling
water. 2 cook (fish etc.) by simmering in a small amount of
liquid. ЬЬpoacher n. [ME f. OF pochier f. poche POKE(2)]
poach(2) v. 1 tr. (also absol.) catch (game or fish) illegally. 2 intr.
(often foll. by on) trespass or encroach (on another's property,
ideas, etc.). 3 tr. appropriate illicitly or unfairly (a
person, thing, idea, etc.). 4 tr. Tennis etc. take (a shot) in
one's partner's portion of the court. 5 a tr. trample or cut up
(turf) with hoofs. b intr. (of land) become sodden by being
trampled. ЬЬpoacher n. [earlier poche, perh. f. F pocher put
in a pocket (as POACH(1))]
pochard n. any duck of the genus Aythya, esp. A. ferina, the male of
which has a bright reddish-brown head and neck and a grey
breast. [16th c.: orig. unkn.]
pochette n. a woman's envelope-shaped handbag. [F, dimin. of poche
pocket: see POKE(2)]
pock n. (also pock-mark) 1 a small pus-filled spot on the skin, esp.
caused by chickenpox or smallpox. 2 a mark resembling this.
Ьpock-marked bearing marks resembling or left by such spots.
ЬЬpocky adj. [OE poc f. Gmc]
pocket n. & v. --n. 1 a small bag sewn into or on clothing, for
carrying small articles. 2 a pouchlike compartment in a
suitcase, car door, etc. 3 one's financial resources (it is
beyond my pocket). 4 an isolated group or area (a few pockets
of resistance remain). 5 a a cavity in the earth containing
ore, esp. gold. b a cavity in rock, esp. filled with foreign
matter. 6 a pouch at the corner or on the side of a billiard-
or snooker-table into which balls are driven. 7 = air pocket.
8 (attrib.) a of a suitable size and shape for carrying in a
pocket. b smaller than the usual size. --v.tr. (pocketed,
pocketing) 1 put into one's pocket. 2 appropriate, esp.
dishonestly. 3 confine as in a pocket. 4 submit to (an injury
or affront). 5 conceal or suppress (one's feelings). 6
Billiards etc. drive (a ball) into a pocket. Ьin pocket 1
having gained in a transaction. 2 (of money) available. in a
person's pocket 1 under a person's control. 2 close to or
intimate with a person. out of pocket having lost in a
transaction. out-of-pocket expenses the actual outlay of cash
incurred. pocket battleship hist. a warship armoured and
equipped like, but smaller than, a battleship. pocket borough
Brit. hist. a borough in which the election of political
representatives was controlled by one person or family. pocket
gopher = GOPHER(1) 1. pocket knife a knife with a folding blade
or blades, for carrying in the pocket. pocket money 1 money for
minor expenses. 2 Brit. an allowance of money made to a child.
put one's hand in one's pocket spend or provide money.
ЬЬpocketable adj. pocketless adj. pockety adj. (in sense 5 of
n.). [ME f. AF poket(e) dimin. of poke POKE(2)]
pocketbook
n. 1 a notebook. 2 a booklike case for papers or money carried
in a pocket. 3 US a purse or handbag. 4 US a paperback or
other small book.
pocketful n. (pl. -fuls) as much as a pocket will hold.
poco adv. Mus. a little; rather (poco adagio). [It.]
pod n. & v. --n. 1 a long seed-vessel esp. of a leguminous plant,
e.g. a pea. 2 the cocoon of a silkworm. 3 the case surrounding
locust eggs. 4 a narrow-necked eel-net. 5 a compartment
suspended under an aircraft for equipment etc. --v. (podded,
podding) 1 intr. bear or form pods. 2 tr. remove (peas etc.)
from pods. Ьin pod colloq. pregnant. [back-form. f. dial.
podware, podder field crops, of unkn. orig.]
podagra n. Med. gout of the foot, esp. the big toe. ЬЬpodagral adj.
podagric adj. podagrous adj. [L f. Gk pous podos foot + agra
seizure]
podgy adj. (podgier, podgiest) 1 (of a person) short and fat. 2 (of
a face etc.) plump, fleshy. ЬЬpodginess n. [19th c.: f. podge
a short fat person]
podiatry n. US = CHIROPODY. ЬЬpodiatrist n. [Gk pous podos foot +
iatros physician]
podium n. (pl. podiums or podia) 1 a continuous projecting base or
pedestal round a room or house etc. 2 a raised platform round
the arena of an amphitheatre. 3 a platform or rostrum. [L f.
Gk podion dimin. of pous pod- foot]
podzol n. (also podsol) a soil with minerals leached from its surface
layers into a lower stratum. ЬЬpodzolize v.tr. & intr. (also
-ise). [Russ. f. pod under, zola ashes]
poem n. 1 a metrical composition, usu. concerned with feeling or
imaginative description. 2 an elevated composition in verse or
prose. 3 something with poetic qualities (a poem in stone). [F
poЉme or L poema f. Gk poema = poiema f. poieo make]
poesy n. archaic 1 poetry. 2 the art or composition of poetry. [ME
f. OF poesie ult. f. L poesis f. Gk poesis = poiesis making,
poetry (as POEM)]
poet n. (fem. poetess) 1 a writer of poems. 2 a person possessing
high powers of imagination or expression etc. ЬPoet Laureate
(in the UK) a poet appointed to write poems for State occasions.
Poets' Corner part of Westminster Abbey where several poets are
buried or commemorated. [ME f. OF poete f. L poeta f. Gk poetes
= poietes maker, poet (as POEM)]
poetaster n. a paltry or inferior poet. [mod.L (as POET): see -ASTER]
poetic adj. (also poetical) 1 a of or like poetry or poets. b written
in verse. 2 elevated or sublime in expression. Ьpoetic justice
well-deserved unforeseen retribution or reward. poetic licence
a writer's or artist's transgression of established rules for
effect. ЬЬpoetically adv. [F po‚tique f. L poeticus f. Gk
poetikos (as POET)]
poeticize v.tr. (also -ise) make (a theme) poetic.
poetics n. 1 the art of writing poetry. 2 the study of poetry and its
techniques.
poetize v. (also -ise) 1 intr. play the poet. 2 intr. compose poetry.
3 tr. treat poetically. 4 tr. celebrate in poetry. [F po‚tiser
(as POET)]
poetry n. 1 the art or work of a poet. 2 poems collectively. 3 a
poetic or tenderly pleasing quality. 4 anything compared to
poetry. [ME f. med.L poetria f. L poeta POET, prob. after
geometry]
po-faced adj. 1 solemn-faced, humourless. 2 smug. [20th c.: perh. f.
PO, infl. by poker-faced]
pogo n. (pl. -os) (also pogo stick) a toy consisting of a
spring-loaded stick with rests for the feet, for springing about
on. [20th c.: orig. uncert.]
pogrom n. an organized massacre (orig. of Jews in Russia). [Russ., =
devastation f. gromit' destroy]
poignant adj. 1 painfully sharp to the emotions or senses; deeply
moving. 2 arousing sympathy. 3 sharp or pungent in taste or
smell. 4 pleasantly piquant. ЬЬpoignance n. poignancy n.
poignantly adv. [ME f. OF, pres. part. of poindre prick f. L
pungere]
poikilotherm
n. an organism that regulates its body temperature by
behavioural means, such as basking or burrowing; a cold-blooded
organism (cf. HOMOEOTHERM). ЬЬpoikilothermal adj.
poikilothermia n. poikilothermic adj. poikilothermy n. [Gk
poikilos multicoloured, changeable + therme heat]
poilu n. hist. a French private soldier, esp. as a nickname. [F,
lit. hairy f. poil hair]
poinciana n. any tropical tree of the genus Poinciana, with bright showy
red flowers. [mod.L f. M. de Poinci, 17th-c. governor in the
West Indies + -ana fem. suffix]
poind v. & n. Sc. --v.tr. distrain upon; impound. --n. 1 an act of
poinding. 2 an animal or chattel poinded. [ME f. OE pyndan
impound]
poinsettia
n. a shrub, Euphorbia pulcherrima, with large showy scarlet or
pink bracts surrounding small yellow flowers. [mod.L f. J. R.
Poinsett, Amer. diplomat d. 1851]
point n. & v. --n. 1 the sharp or tapered end of a tool, weapon,
pencil, etc. 2 a tip or extreme end. 3 that which in geometry
has position but not magnitude, e.g. the intersection of two
lines. 4 a particular place or position (Bombay and points
east; point of contact). 5 a a precise or particular moment (at
the point of death). b the critical or decisive moment (when it
came to the point, he refused). 6 a very small mark on a
surface. 7 a a dot or other punctuation mark, esp. = full
point = FULL(1). b a dot or small stroke used in Semitic
languages to indicate vowels or distinguish consonants. 8 =
decimal point. 9 a stage or degree in progress or increase
(abrupt to the point of rudeness; at that point we gave up). 10
a level of temperature at which a change of state occurs
(freezing-point). 11 a single item; a detail or particular (we
differ on these points; it is a point of principle). 12 a a
unit of scoring in games or of measuring value etc. b an
advantage or success in less quantifiable contexts such as an
argument or discussion. c a unit of weight (2 mg) for diamonds.
d a unit (of varying value) in quoting the price of stocks etc.
13 a (usu. prec. by the) the significant or essential thing;
what is actually intended or under discussion (that was the
point of the question). b (usu. with neg. or interrog.; often
foll. by in) sense or purpose; advantage or value (saw no point
in staying). c (usu. prec. by the) a salient feature of a
story, joke, remark, etc. (don't see the point). 14 a
distinctive feature or characteristic (it has its points; tact
is not his good point). 15 pungency, effectiveness (their
comments lacked point). 16 a each of 32 directions marked at
equal distances round a compass. b the corresponding direction
towards the horizon. 17 (usu. in pl.) Brit. a junction of two
railway lines, with a pair of linked tapering rails that can be
moved laterally to allow a train to pass from one line to the
other. 18 Brit. = power point. 19 (usu. in pl.) each of a set
of electrical contacts in the distributor of a motor vehicle.
20 Cricket a a fielder on the off side near the batsman. b this
position. 21 the tip of the toe in ballet. 22 a promontory.
23 the prong of a deer's antler. 24 the extremities of a dog,
horse, etc. 25 Printing a unit of measurement for type bodies
(in the UK and US 0.0138 in., in Europe 0.0148 in.). 26 Hunting
a a spot to which a straight run is made. b such a run. 27
Heraldry any of nine particular positions on a shield used for
specifying the position of charges etc. 28 Boxing the tip of
the chin as a spot for a knockout blow. 29 Mil. a small leading
party of an advanced guard. 30 hist. a tagged lace for lacing a
bodice, attaching a hose to a doublet, etc. 31 Naut. a short
piece of cord at the lower edge of a sail for tying up a reef.
32 the act or position of a dog in pointing. --v. 1 (usu.
foll. by to, at) a tr. direct or aim (a finger, weapon, etc.).
b intr. direct attention in a certain direction (pointed to the
house across the road). 2 intr. (foll. by at, towards) a aim or
be directed to. b tend towards. 3 intr. (foll. by to)
indicate; be evidence of (it all points to murder). 4 tr. give
point or force to (words or actions). 5 tr. fill in or repair
the joints of (brickwork) with smoothly finished mortar or
cement. 6 tr. a punctuate. b insert points in (written Hebrew
etc.). c mark (Psalms etc.) with signs for chanting. 7 tr.
sharpen (a pencil, tool, etc.). 8 tr. (also absol.) (of a dog)
indicate the presence of (game) by acting as pointer. Ьat all
points in every part or respect. at the point of (often foll.
by verbal noun) on the verge of; about to do (the action
specified). beside the point irrelevant or irrelevantly. case
in point an instance that is relevant or (prec. by the) under
consideration. have a point be correct or effective in one's
contention. in point apposite, relevant. in point of fact see
FACT. make (or prove) a (or one's) point establish a
proposition; prove one's contention. make a point of (often
foll. by verbal noun) insist on; treat or regard as essential.
nine points nine tenths, i.e. nearly the whole (esp. possession
is nine points of the law). on (or upon) the point of (foll. by
verbal noun) about to do (the action specified). point-duty the
positioning of a police officer or traffic warden at a crossroad
or other point to control traffic. point lace thread lace made
wholly with a needle. point of honour an action or circumstance
that affects one's reputation. point of no return a point in a
journey or enterprise at which it becomes essential or more
practical to continue to the end. point of order a query in a
debate etc. as to whether correct procedure is being followed.
point-of-sale (usu. attrib.) denoting publicity etc. associated
with the place at which goods are retailed. point of view 1 a
position from which a thing is viewed. 2 a particular way of
considering a matter. point out (often foll. by that + clause)
indicate, show; draw attention to. point-to-point a
steeplechase over a marked course for horses used regularly in
hunting. point up emphasize; show as important. score points
off get the better of in an argument etc. take a person's point
concede that a person has made a valid contention. to the point
relevant or relevantly. up to a point to some extent but not
completely. win on points Boxing win by scoring more points,
not by a knockout. [ME f. OF point, pointer f. L punctum f.
pungere punct- prick]
point-blank
adj. & adv. --adj. 1 a (of a shot) aimed or fired horizontally
at a range very close to the target. b (of a distance or range)
very close. 2 (of a remark, question, etc.) blunt, direct.
--adv. 1 at very close range. 2 directly, bluntly. [prob. f.
POINT + BLANK = white spot in the centre of a target]
pointed adj. 1 sharpened or tapering to a point. 2 (of a remark etc.)
having point; penetrating, cutting. 3 emphasized; made evident.
ЬЬpointedly adv. pointedness n.
pointer n. 1 a thing that points, e.g. the index hand of a gauge etc.
2 a rod for pointing to features on a map, chart, etc. 3
colloq. a hint, clue, or indication. 4 a a dog of a breed that
on scenting game stands rigid looking towards it. b this breed.
5 (in pl.) two stars in the Great Bear in line with the pole
star.
pointillism
n. Art a technique of impressionist painting using tiny dots of
various pure colours, which become blended in the viewer's eye.
ЬЬpointillist n. & adj. pointillistic adj. [F pointillisme f.
pointiller mark with dots]
pointing n. 1 cement or mortar filling the joints of brickwork. 2
facing produced by this. 3 the process of producing this.
pointless adj. 1 without a point. 2 lacking force, purpose, or meaning.
3 (in games) without a point scored. ЬЬpointlessly adv.
pointlessness n.
pointsman n. (pl. -men) Brit. 1 a person in charge of railway points.
2 a policeman or traffic warden on point-duty.
pointy adj. (pointier, pointiest) having a noticeably sharp end;
pointed.
poise(1) n. & v. --n. 1 composure or self-possession of manner. 2
equilibrium; a stable state. 3 carriage (of the head etc.).
--v. 1 tr. balance; hold suspended or supported. 2 tr. carry
(one's head etc. in a specified way). 3 intr. be balanced;
hover in the air etc. [ME f. OF pois, peis, peser ult. f. L
pensum weight f. pendere pens- weigh]
poise(2) n. Physics a unit of dynamic viscosity, such that a tangential
force of one dyne per square centimetre causes a velocity change
one centimetre per second between two parallel planes in a
liquid separated by one centimetre. [J. L. M. Poiseuille, Fr.
physician d. 1869]
poised adj. 1 composed, self-assured. 2 (often foll. by for, or to +
infin.) ready for action.
poison n. & v. --n. 1 a substance that when introduced into or
absorbed by a living organism causes death or injury, esp. one
that kills by rapid action even in a small quantity. 2 colloq.
a harmful influence or principle etc. 3 Physics & Chem. a
substance that interferes with the normal progress of a nuclear
reaction, chain reaction, catalytic reaction, etc. --v.tr. 1
administer poison to (a person or animal). 2 kill or injure or
infect with poison. 3 infect (air, water, etc.) with poison. 4
(esp. as poisoned adj.) treat (a weapon) with poison. 5 corrupt
or pervert (a person or mind). 6 spoil or destroy (a person's
pleasure etc.). 7 render (land etc.) foul and unfit for its
purpose by a noxious application etc. Ьpoison gas = GAS n. 4.
poison ivy a N. American climbing plant, Rhus toxicodendron,
secreting an irritant oil from its leaves. poison-pen letter an
anonymous libellous or abusive letter. ЬЬpoisoner n. poisonous
adj. poisonously adv. [ME f. OF poison, poisonner (as POTION)]
Poisson distribution
n. Statistics a discrete frequency distribution which gives the
probability of events occurring in a fixed time. [S. D.
Poisson, French mathematician d. 1840]
poke(1) v. & n. --v. 1 (foll. by in, up, down, etc.) a tr. thrust or
push with the hand, point of a stick, etc. b intr. be thrust
forward. 2 intr. (foll. by at etc.) make thrusts with a stick
etc. 3 tr. thrust the end of a finger etc. against. 4 tr.
(foll. by in) produce (a hole etc. in a thing) by poking. 5 tr.
thrust forward, esp. obtrusively. 6 tr. stir (a fire) with a
poker. 7 intr. a (often foll. by about, around) move or act
desultorily; potter. b (foll. by about, into) pry; search
casually. 8 tr. coarse sl. have sexual intercourse with. 9
tr. (foll. by up) colloq. confine (esp. oneself) in a poky
place. --n. 1 the act or an instance of poking. 2 a thrust or
nudge. 3 a device fastened on cattle etc. to prevent them
breaking through fences. 4 a a projecting brim or front of a
woman's bonnet or hat. b (in full poke-bonnet) a bonnet having
this. Ьpoke fun at ridicule, tease. poke one's nose into
colloq. pry or intrude into (esp. a person's affairs). [ME f.
MDu. and MLG poken, of unkn. orig.]
poke(2) n. dial. a bag or sack. Ьbuy a pig in a poke see PIG. [ME f.
ONF poke, poque = OF poche: cf. POUCH]
poker(1) n. a stiff metal rod with a handle for stirring an open fire.
Ьpoker-work 1 the technique of burning designs on white wood
etc. with a heated metal rod. 2 a design made in this way.
poker(2) n. a card-game in which bluff is used as players bet on the
value of their hands. Ьpoker-dice dice with card designs from
ace to nine instead of spots. poker-face 1 the impassive
countenance appropriate to a poker-player. 2 a person with
this. poker-faced having a poker-face. [19th c.: orig. unkn.:
cf. G pochen to brag, Pochspiel bragging game]
pokeweed n. a tall hardy American plant, Phytolacca americana, with
spikes of cream flowers and purple berries that yield emetics
and purgatives. [poke, Amer. Ind. word + WEED]
pokey n. US sl. prison. [perh. f. POKY]
poky adj. (pokier, pokiest) (of a room etc.) small and cramped.
ЬЬpokily adv. pokiness n. [POKE(1) (in colloq. sense
'confine') + -Y(1)]
polack n. US sl. offens. a person of Polish origin. [F Polaque and
G Polack f. Pol. Polak]
polar 1 adj. a of or near a pole of the earth or a celestial body, or
of the celestial sphere. b (of a species or variety) living in
the north polar region. 2 having magnetic polarity. 3 a (of a
molecule) having a positive charge at one end and a negative
charge at the other. b (of a compound) having electric charges.
4 Geom. of or relating to a pole. 5 directly opposite in
character or tendency. Ьpolar bear a white bear, Ursus
maritimus, of the Arctic regions. polar body a small cell
produced from an oocyte during the formation of an ovum, which
does not develop further. polar circle each of the circles
parallel to the equator at a distance of 23ш 27° from either
pole. polar coordinates a system by which a point can be
located with reference to two angles. polar curve a curve
related in a particular way to a given curve and to a fixed
point called a pole. polar distance the angular distance of a
point on a sphere from the nearest pole. polar star = POLESTAR.
ЬЬpolarly adv. [F polaire or mod.L polaris (as POLE(2))]
polari- comb. form polar. [mod.L polaris (as POLAR)]
polarimeter
n. an instrument used to measure the polarization of light or
the effect of a substance on the rotation of the plane of
polarized light. ЬЬpolarimetric adj. polarimetry n.
polariscope
n. = POLARIMETER. ЬЬpolariscopic adj.
polarity n. (pl. -ies) 1 the tendency of a lodestone, magnetized bar,
etc., to point with its extremities to the magnetic poles of the
earth. 2 the condition of having two poles with contrary
qualities. 3 the state of having two opposite tendencies,
opinions, etc. 4 the electrical condition of a body (positive
or negative). 5 a magnetic attraction towards an object or
person.
polarize v. (also -ise) 1 tr. restrict the vibrations of (a transverse
wave, esp. light) to one direction. 2 tr. give magnetic or
electric polarity to (a substance or body). 3 tr. reduce the
voltage of (an electric cell) by the action of electrolysis
products. 4 tr. & intr. divide into two groups of opposing
opinion etc. ЬЬpolarizable adj. polarization n. polarizer n.
polarography
n. Chem. the analysis by measurement of current-voltage
relationships in electrolysis between mercury electrodes.
ЬЬpolarographic adj.
Polaroid n. propr. 1 material in thin plastic sheets that produces a
high degree of plane polarization in light passing through it.
2 a type of camera with internal processing that produces a
finished print rapidly after each exposure. 3 (in pl.)
sunglasses with lenses made from Polaroid. [POLARI- + -OID]
polder n. a piece of low-lying land reclaimed from the sea or a river,
esp. in the Netherlands. [MDu. polre, Du. polder]
Pole n. 1 a native or national of Poland. 2 a person of Polish
descent. [G f. Pol. Polanie, lit. field-dwellers f. pole
field]
pole(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a long slender rounded piece of wood or metal,
esp. with the end placed in the ground as a support etc. 2 a
wooden shaft fitted to the front of a vehicle and attached to
the yokes or collars of the draught animals. 3 = PERCH(1).
--v.tr. 1 provide with poles. 2 (usu. foll. by off) push off
(a punt etc.) with a pole. Ьpole position the most favourable
position at the start of a motor race (orig. next to the inside
boundary-fence). pole-vault (or -jump) n. the athletic sport
of vaulting over a high bar with the aid of a long flexible pole
held in the hands and giving extra spring. --v.intr. take part
in this sport. pole-vaulter a person who pole-vaults. under
bare poles Naut. with no sail set. up the pole sl. 1 crazy,
eccentric. 2 in difficulty. [OE pal ult. f. L palus stake]
pole(2) n. 1 (in full north pole, south pole) a each of the two points
in the celestial sphere about which the stars appear to revolve.
b each of the extremities of the axis of rotation of the earth
or another body. c see magnetic pole. °The spelling is North
Pole and South Pole when used as geographical designations. 2
each of the two opposite points on the surface of a magnet at
which magnetic forces are strongest. 3 each of two terminals
(positive and negative) of an electric cell or battery etc. 4
each of two opposed principles or ideas. 5 Geom. each of two
points in which the axis of a circle cuts the surface of a
sphere. 6 a fixed point to which others are referred. 7 Biol.
an extremity of the main axis of any spherical or oval organ.
Ьbe poles apart differ greatly, esp. in nature or opinion.
ЬЬpoleward adj. polewards adj. & adv. [ME f. L polus f. Gk
polos pivot, axis, sky]
poleaxe n. & v. --n. 1 a battleaxe. 2 a butcher's axe. --v.tr. hit
or kill with or as if with a poleaxe . [ME pol(l)ax, -ex f.
MDu. pol(l)aex, MLG pol(l)exe (as POLL(1), AXE)]
polecat n. 1 Brit. a small European brownish-black fetid flesh-eating
mammal, Mustela putorius, of the weasel family. 2 US a skunk.
[pole (unexplained) + CAT]
polemic n. & adj. --n. 1 a controversial discussion. 2 Polit. a
verbal or written attack, esp. on a political opponent. --adj.
(also polemical) involving dispute; controversial.
ЬЬpolemically adv. polemicist n. polemicize v.tr. (also
-ise). polemize v.tr. (also -ise). [med.L polemicus f. Gk
polemikos f. polemos war]
polemics n.pl. the art or practice of controversial discussion.
polenta n. porridge made of maize meal etc. [It. f. L, = pearl barley]
polestar n. 1 Astron. a star in Ursa Minor now about 1ш distant from the
celestial north pole. 2 a a thing or principle serving as a
guide. b a centre of attraction.
police n. & v. --n. 1 (usu. prec. by the) the civil force of a State,
responsible for maintaining public order. 2 (as pl.) the
members of a police force (several hundred police). 3 a force
with similar functions of enforcing regulations (military
police; railway police). --v.tr. 1 control (a country or area)
by means of police. 2 provide with police. 3 keep order in;
control. Ьpolice constable see CONSTABLE. police dog a dog,
esp. an Alsatian, used in police work. police officer a
policeman or policewoman. police State a totalitarian State
controlled by political police supervising the citizens'
activities. police station the office of a local police force.
[F f. med.L politia POLICY(1)]
policeman n. (pl. -men; fem. policewoman, pl. -women) a member of a
police force.
policy(1) n. (pl. -ies) 1 a course or principle of action adopted or
proposed by a government, party, business, or individual etc. 2
prudent conduct; sagacity. [ME f. OF policie f. L politia f. Gk
politeia citizenship f. polites citizen f. polis city]
policy(2) n. (pl. -ies) 1 a contract of insurance. 2 a document
containing this. [F police bill of lading, contract of
insurance, f. Prov. poliss(i)a prob. f. med.L apodissa,
apodixa, f. L apodixis f. Gk apodeixis evidence, proof (as APO-,
deiknumi show)]
policyholder
n. a person or body holding an insurance policy.
polio n. = POLIOMYELITIS. [abbr.]
poliomyelitis
n. Med. an infectious viral disease that affects the central
nervous system and which can cause temporary or permanent
paralysis. [mod.L f. Gk polios grey + muelos marrow]
Polish adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or relating to Poland. 2 of the Poles
or their language. --n. the language of Poland. ЬPolish
notation Math. a system of formula notation without brackets
and punctuation. [POLE + -ISH(1)]
polish v. & n. --v. 1 tr. & intr. make or become smooth or glossy by
rubbing. 2 (esp. as polished adj.) refine or improve; add
finishing touches to. --n. 1 a substance used for polishing.
2 smoothness or glossiness produced by friction. 3 the act or
an instance of polishing. 4 refinement or elegance of manner,
conduct, etc. Ьpolish off finish (esp. food) quickly. polish
up revise or improve (a skill etc.). ЬЬpolishable adj.
polisher n. [ME f. OF polir f. L polire polit-]
politburo n. (pl. -os) the principal policy-making committee of a
Communist party, esp. in the USSR. [Rus. politbyuro f.
politЎcheskoe byurў political bureau]
polite adj. (politer, politest) 1 having good manners; courteous. 2
cultivated, cultured. 3 refined, elegant (polite letters).
ЬЬpolitely adv. politeness n. [L politus (as POLISH)]
politesse n. formal politeness. [F f. It. politezza, pulitezza f.
pulito polite]
politic adj. & v. --adj. 1 (of an action) judicious, expedient. 2 (of
a person) prudent, sagacious. 3 political (now only in body
politic). --v.intr. (politicked, politicking) engage in
politics. ЬЬpoliticly adv. [ME f. OF politique f. L politicus
f. Gk politikos f. polites citizen f. polis city]
political adj. 1 a of or concerning the State or its government, or
public affairs generally. b of, relating to, or engaged in
politics. c belonging to or forming part of a civil
administration. 2 having an organized form of society or
government. 3 taking or belonging to a side in politics. 4
relating to or affecting interests of status or authority in an
organization rather than matters of principle (a political
decision). Ьpolitical asylum see ASYLUM. political economist a
student of or expert in political economy. political economy
the study of the economic aspects of government. political
geography that dealing with boundaries and the possessions of
States. political prisoner a person imprisoned for political
beliefs or actions. political science the study of the State
and systems of government. political scientist a specialist in
political science. ЬЬpolitically adv. [L politicus (as
POLITIC)]
politician
n. 1 a person engaged in or concerned with politics, esp. as a
practitioner. 2 a person skilled in politics. 3 US derog. a
person with self-interested political concerns.
politicize
v. (also -ise) 1 tr. a give a political character to. b make
politically aware. 2 intr. engage in or talk politics.
ЬЬpoliticization n.
politico n. (pl. -os) colloq. a politician or political enthusiast.
[Sp. or It. (as POLITIC)]
politico- comb. form 1 politically. 2 political and (politico-social).
[Gk politikos: see POLITIC]
politics n.pl. 1 (treated as sing. or pl.) a the art and science of
government. b public life and affairs as involving authority
and government. 2 (usu. treated as pl.) a a particular set of
ideas, principles, or commitments in politics (what are their
politics?). b activities concerned with the acquisition or
exercise of authority or government. c an organizational
process or principle affecting authority, status, etc. (the
politics of the decision).
polity n. (pl. -ies) 1 a form or process of civil government or
constitution. 2 an organized society; a State as a political
entity. [L politia f. Gk politeia f. polites citizen f. polis
city]
polka n. & v. --n. 1 a lively dance of Bohemian origin in duple
time. 2 the music for this. --v.intr. (polkas, polkaed or
polka'd, polkaing) dance the polka. Ьpolka dot a round dot as
one of many forming a regular pattern on a textile fabric etc.
[F and G f. Czech pulka half-step f. pul half]
poll(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a the process of voting at an election. b the
counting of votes at an election. c the result of voting. d
the number of votes recorded (a heavy poll). 2 = GALLUP POLL,
opinion poll. 3 a a human head. b the part of this on which
hair grows (flaxen poll). 4 a hornless animal, esp. one of a
breed of hornless cattle. --v. 1 tr. a take the vote or votes
of. b (in passive) have one's vote taken. c (of a candidate)
receive (so many votes). d give (a vote). 2 tr. record the
opinion of (a person or group) in an opinion poll. 3 intr. give
one's vote. 4 tr. cut off the top of (a tree or plant), esp.
make a pollard of. 5 tr. (esp. as polled adj.) cut the horns
off (cattle). 6 tr. Computing check the status of (a computer
system) at intervals. Ьpoll tax 1 hist. a tax levied on every
adult. 2 = community charge. ЬЬpollee n. (in sense 2 of n.).
pollster n. [ME, perh. f. LG or Du.]
poll(2) n. a tame parrot (Pretty poll!). Ьpoll parrot a user of
conventional or clich‚d phrases and arguments. [Poll, a
conventional name for a parrot, alt. f. Moll, a familiar form
of Mary]
pollack n. (also pollock) a European marine fish, Pollachius
pollachius, with a characteristic protruding lower jaw, used for
food. [earlier (Sc.) podlock: orig. unkn.]
pollan n. a freshwater fish, Coregonus pollan, found in Irish lakes.
[perh. f. Ir. poll deep water]
pollard n. & v. --n. 1 an animal that has lost or cast its horns; an
ox, sheep, or goat of a hornless breed. 2 a tree whose branches
have been cut off to encourage the growth of new young branches,
esp. a riverside willow. 3 a the bran sifted from flour. b a
fine bran containing some flour. --v.tr. make (a tree) a
pollard. [POLL(1) + -ARD]
pollen n. the fine dustlike grains discharged from the male part of a
flower containing the gamete that fertilizes the female ovule.
Ьpollen analysis = PALYNOLOGY. pollen count an index of the
amount of pollen in the air, published esp. for the benefit of
those allergic to it. ЬЬpollenless adj. pollinic adj. [L
pollen pollinis fine flour, dust]
pollex n. (pl. pollices) the innermost digit of a forelimb, usu. the
thumb in primates. [L, = thumb or big toe]
pollie var. of POLLY(2).
pollinate v.tr. (also absol.) sprinkle (a stigma) with pollen.
ЬЬpollination n. pollinator n.
polling n. the registering or casting of votes. Ьpolling-booth a
compartment in which a voter stands to mark the ballot-paper.
polling-day the day of a local or general election.
polling-station a building, often a school, where voting takes
place during an election.
pollinic see POLLEN.
polliniferous
adj. bearing or producing pollen.
polliwog n. (also pollywog) US dial. a tadpole. [earlier polwigge,
polwygle f. POLL(1) + WIGGLE]
pollock var. of POLLACK.
pollute v.tr. 1 contaminate or defile (the environment). 2 make foul
or filthy. 3 destroy the purity or sanctity of. ЬЬpollutant
adj. & n. polluter n. pollution n. [ME f. L polluere pollut-]
polly(1) n. (pl. -ies) colloq. a bottle or glass of Apollinaris water.
[abbr.]
polly(2) n. (also pollie) (pl. -ies) Austral. & US a politician.
[abbr.]
Pollyanna n. a cheerful optimist; an excessively cheerful person.
ЬЬPollyannaish adj. Pollyannaism n. [character in a novel
(1913) by E. Porter]
pollywog var. of POLLIWOG.
polo n. a game of Eastern origin like hockey played on horseback
with a long-handled mallet. Ьpolo-neck a high round turned-over
collar. polo-stick a mallet for playing polo. [Balti, = ball]
polonaise n. & adj. --n. 1 a dance of Polish origin in triple time. 2
the music for this. 3 hist. a woman's dress consisting of a
bodice and a skirt open from the waist downwards to show an
underskirt. --adj. cooked in a Polish style. [F, fem. of
polonais Polish f. med.L Polonia Poland]
polonium n. Chem. a rare radioactive metallic element, occurring
naturally in uranium ores. °Symb.: Po. [F & mod.L f. med.L
Polonia Poland (the discoverer's native country) + -IUM]
polony n. (pl. -ies) Brit. = BOLOGNA SAUSAGE. [app. corrupt.]
poltergeist
n. a noisy mischievous ghost, esp. one manifesting itself by
physical damage. [G f. poltern create a disturbance + Geist
GHOST]
poltroon n. a spiritless coward. ЬЬpoltroonery n. [F poltron f. It.
poltrone perh. f. poltro sluggard]
poly n. (pl. polys) colloq. polytechnic. [abbr.]
poly-(1) comb. form denoting many or much. [Gk polu- f. polus much,
polloi many]
poly-(2) comb. form Chem. polymerized (polyunsaturated). [POLYMER]
polyadelphous
adj. Bot. having numerous stamens grouped into three or more
bundles.
polyamide n. Chem. any of a class of condensation polymers produced from
the interaction of an amino group of one molecule and a
carboxylic acid group of another, and which includes many
synthetic fibres such as nylon.
polyandry n. 1 polygamy in which a woman has more than one husband. 2
Bot. the state of having numerous stamens. ЬЬpolyandrous adj.
[POLY-(1) + andry f. Gk aner andros male]
polyanthus
n. (pl. polyanthuses) a flower cultivated from hybridized
primulas. [mod.L, formed as POLY-(1) + Gk anthos flower]
polycarbonate
n. any of a class of polymers in which the units are linked
through a carbonate group, mainly used as moulding materials.
polychaete
n. any aquatic annelid worm of the class Polychaeta, including
lugworms and ragworms, having numerous bristles on the fleshy
lobes of each body segment. ЬЬpolychaetan adj. polychaetous
adj.
polychromatic
adj. 1 many coloured. 2 (of radiation) containing more than
one wavelength. ЬЬpolychromatism n.
polychrome
adj. & n. --adj. painted, printed, or decorated in many
colours. --n. 1 a work of art in several colours, esp. a
coloured statue. 2 varied colouring. ЬЬpolychromic adj.
polychromous adj. [F f. Gk polukhromos as POLY-(1), khroma
colour]
polychromy
n. the art of painting in several colours, esp. as applied to
ancient pottery, architecture, etc. [F polychromie (as
POLYCHROME)]
polyclinic
n. a clinic devoted to various diseases; a general hospital.
polycrystalline
adj. (of a solid substance) consisting of many crystalline
parts at various orientations, e.g. a metal casting.
polycyclic
adj. Chem. having more than one ring of atoms in the molecule.
polydactyl
adj. & n. --adj. (of an animal) having more than five fingers
or toes. --n. a polydactyl animal.
polyester n. any of a group of condensation polymers used to form
synthetic fibres such as Terylene or to make resins.
polyethene
n. Chem. = POLYTHENE.
polyethylene
n. = POLYTHENE.
polygamous
adj. 1 having more than one wife or husband at the same time.
2 having more than one mate. 3 bearing some flowers with
stamens only, some with pistils only, some with both, on the
same or different plants. ЬЬpolygamic adj. polygamist n.
polygamously adv. polygamy n. [Gk polugamos (as POLY-(1),
-gamos marrying)]
polygene n. Biol. each of a group of independent genes that
collectively affect a characteristic.
polygenesis
n. the (usu. postulated) origination of a race or species from
several independent stocks. ЬЬpolygenetic adj.
polygeny n. the theory that mankind originated from several independent
pairs of ancestors. ЬЬpolygenism n. polygenist n.
polyglot adj. & n. --adj. 1 of many languages. 2 (of a person)
speaking or writing several languages. 3 (of a book, esp. the
Bible) with the text translated into several languages. --n. 1
a polyglot person. 2 a polyglot book, esp. a Bible.
ЬЬpolyglottal adj. polyglottic adj. polyglottism n. [F
polyglotte f. Gk poluglottos (as POLY-(1), glotta tongue)]
polygon n. a plane figure with many (usu. a minimum of three) sides and
angles. Ьpolygon of forces a polygon that represents by the
length and direction of its sides all the forces acting on a
body or point. ЬЬpolygonal adj. [LL polygonum f. Gk polugonon
(neut. adj.) (as POLY-(1) + - gonos angled)]
polygonum n. any plant of the genus Polygonum, with small bell-shaped
flowers. Also called KNOTGRASS, KNOTWEED. [mod.L f. Gk
polugonon]
polygraph n. a machine designed to detect and record changes in
physiological characteristics (e.g. rates of pulse and
breathing), used esp. as a lie-detector.
polygyny n. polygamy in which a man has more than one wife.
ЬЬpolygynous adj. [POLY-(1) + gyny f. Gk gune woman]
polyhedron
n. (pl. polyhedra) a solid figure with many (usu. more than
six) faces. ЬЬpolyhedral adj. polyhedric adj. [Gk poluedron
neut. of poluedros (as POLY-(1), hedra base)]
polyhistor
n. = POLYMATH.
polymath n. 1 a person of much or varied learning. 2 a great scholar.
ЬЬpolymathic adj. polymathy n. [Gk polumathes (as POLY-(1),
math- stem manthano learn)]
polymer n. a compound composed of one or more large molecules that are
formed from repeated units of smaller molecules. ЬЬpolymeric
adj. polymerism n. polymerize v.intr. & tr. (also -ise).
polymerization n. [G f. Gk polumeros having many parts (as
POLY-(1), meros share)]
polymerous
adj. Biol. having many parts.
polymorphism
n. 1 a Biol. the existence of various different forms in the
successive stages of the development of an organism. b =
PLEOMORPHISM. 2 Chem. = ALLOTROPY. ЬЬpolymorphic adj.
polymorphous adj.
Polynesian
adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to Polynesia, a group of
Pacific islands including New Zealand, Hawaii, Samoa, etc. --n.
1 a a native of Polynesia. b a person of Polynesian descent. 2
the family of languages including Maori, Hawaiian, and Samoan.
[as POLY-(1) + Gk nesos island]
polyneuritis
n. any disorder that affects many of the peripheral nerves.
ЬЬpolyneuritic adj.
polynomial
n. & adj. Math. --n. an expression of more than two algebraic
terms, esp. the sum of several terms that contain different
powers of the same variable(s). --adj. of or being a
polynomial. [POLY-(1) after multinomial]
polynya n. a stretch of open water surrounded by ice, esp. in the
Arctic seas. [Russ. f. pole field]
polyp n. 1 Zool. an individual coelenterate. 2 Med. a small usu.
benign growth protruding from a mucous membrane. [F polype (as
POLYPUS)]
polypary n. (pl. -ies) the common stem or support of a colony of
polyps. [mod.L polyparium (as POLYPUS)]
polypeptide
n. Biochem. a peptide formed by the combination of about ten
or more amino acids. [G Polypeptid (as POLY-(2), PEPTONE)]
polyphagous
adj. Zool. able to feed on various kinds of food.
polyphase adj. Electr. (of a device or circuit) designed to supply or
use simultaneously several alternating currents of the same
voltage but with different phases.
polyphone n. Phonet. a symbol or letter that represents several
different sounds.
polyphonic
adj. 1 Mus. (of vocal music etc.) in two or more relatively
independent parts; contrapuntal. 2 Phonet. (of a letter etc.)
representing more than one sound. ЬЬpolyphonically adv. [Gk
poluphonos (as POLY-(1), phone voice, sound)]
polyphony n. (pl. -ies) 1 Mus. a polyphonic style in musical
composition; counterpoint. b a composition written in this
style. 2 Philol. the symbolization of different vocal sounds by
the same letter or character. ЬЬpolyphonous adj.
polypi pl. of POLYPUS.
polyploid n. & adj. Biol. --n. a nucleus or organism that contains more
than two sets of chromosomes. --adj. of or being a polyploid.
ЬЬpolyploidy n. [G (as POLY-(1), -PLOID)]
polypod adj. & n. Zool. --adj. having many feet. --n. a polypod
animal. [F polypode (adj.) f. Gk (as POLYPUS)]
polypody n. (pl. -ies) any fern of the genus Polypodium, usu. found in
woods growing on trees, walls, and stones. [ME f. L polypodium
f. Gk polupodion (as POLYPUS)]
polypoid adj. of or like a polyp. ЬЬpolypous adj.
polypropene
n. = POLYPROPYLENE.
polypropylene
n. Chem. any of various polymers of propylene including
thermoplastic materials used for films, fibres, or moulding
materials. Also called POLYPROPENE.
polypus n. (pl. polypi or polypuses) Med. = POLYP 2. [ME f. L
polypus f. Gk polupos, polupous cuttlefish, polyp (as POLY-(1),
pous podos foot)]
polysaccharide
n. any of a group of carbohydrates whose molecules consist of
long chains of monosaccharides.
polysemy n. Philol. the existence of many meanings (of a word etc.).
ЬЬpolysemic adj. polysemous adj. [POLY-(1) + Gk sema sign]
polystyrene
n. a thermoplastic polymer of styrene, usu. hard and colourless
or expanded with a gas to produce a lightweight rigid white
substance, used for insulation and in packaging.
polysyllabic
adj. 1 (of a word) having many syllables. 2 characterized by
the use of words of many syllables. ЬЬpolysyllabically adv.
polysyllable
n. a polysyllabic word.
polytechnic
n. & adj. --n. an institution of higher education offering
courses in many (esp. vocational) subjects at degree level or
below. --adj. dealing with or devoted to various vocational or
technical subjects. [F polytechnique f. Gk polutekhnos (as
POLY-(1) tekhne art)]
polytetrafluoroethylene
n. Chem. a tough translucent polymer resistant to chemicals
and used to coat cooking utensils etc. °Abbr.: PTFE. [POLY-(2)
+ TETRA- + FLUORO- + ETHYLENE]
polytheism
n. the belief in or worship of more than one god. ЬЬpolytheist
n. polytheistic adj. [F polyth‚isme f. Gk polutheos of many
gods (as POLY-(1), theos god)]
polythene n. Chem. a tough light thermoplastic polymer of ethylene, usu.
translucent and flexible or opaque and rigid, used for packaging
and insulating materials. Also called POLYETHYLENE, POLYETHENE.
polytonality
n. Mus. the simultaneous use of two or more keys in a
composition. ЬЬpolytonal adj.
polyunsaturated
adj. Chem. (of a compound, esp. a fat or oil molecule)
containing several double or triple bonds and therefore capable
of further reaction.
polyurethane
n. any polymer containing the urethane group, used in
adhesives, paints, plastics, rubbers, foams, etc.
polyvalent
adj. Chem. having a valency of more than two, or several
valencies. ЬЬpolyvalence n.
polyvinyl acetate
n. Chem. a soft plastic polymer used in paints and adhesives.
°Abbr.: PVA.
polyvinyl chloride
n. a tough transparent solid polymer of vinyl chloride, easily
coloured and used for a wide variety of products including
pipes, flooring, etc. °Abbr.: PVC.
polyzoan n. = BRYOZOAN.
pom n. 1 a Pomeranian dog. 2 Austral. & NZ sl. offens. = POMMY.
[abbr.]
pomace n. 1 the mass of crushed apples in cider-making before or after
the juice is pressed out. 2 the refuse of fish etc. after the
oil has been extracted, generally used as a fertilizer. [ME f.
med.L pomacium cider f. L pomum apple]
pomade n. & v. --n. scented dressing for the hair and the skin of the
head. --v.tr. anoint with pomade. [F pommade f. It. pomata f.
med.L f. L pomum apple (from which it was orig. made)]
pomander n. 1 a ball of mixed aromatic substances placed in a cupboard
etc. or hist. carried in a box, bag, etc. as a protection
against infection. 2 a (usu. spherical) container for this. 3
a spiced orange etc. similarly used. [earlier pom(e)amber f. AF
f. OF pome d'embre f. med.L pomum de ambra apple of ambergris]
pomatum n. & v.tr. = POMADE. [mod.L f. L pomum apple]
pome n. a firm-fleshed fruit in which the carpels from the central
core enclose the seeds, e.g. the apple, pear, and quince.
ЬЬpomiferous adj. [ME f. OF ult. f. poma pl. of L pomum fruit,
apple]
pomegranate
n. 1 a an orange-sized fruit with a tough golden-orange outer
skin containing many seeds in a red pulp. b the tree bearing
this fruit, Punica granatum, native to N. Africa and W. Asia. 2
an ornamental representation of a pomegranate. [ME f. OF pome
grenate (as POME, L granatum having many seeds f. granum seed)]
pomelo n. (pl. -os) 1 = SHADDOCK. 2 US = GRAPEFRUIT. [19th c.:
orig. unkn.]
Pomeranian
n. 1 a small dog with long silky hair, a pointed muzzle, and
pricked ears. 2 this breed. [Pomerania in Germany and Poland]
pomfret n. 1 any of various fish of the family Stromateidae of the
Indian and Pacific Oceans. 2 a dark-coloured deep-bodied marine
fish, Brama brama, used as food. [app. f. Port. pampo]
pomfret-cake
n. (also Pontefract-cake) Brit. a small round flat liquorice
sweetmeat orig. made at Pontefract (earlier Pomfret) in
Yorkshire.
pomiculture
n. fruit-growing. [L pomum fruit + CULTURE]
pommel n. & v. --n. 1 a knob, esp. at the end of a sword-hilt. 2 the
upward projecting front part of a saddle. --v.tr. (pommelled,
pommelling; US pommeled, pommeling) = PUMMEL. Ьpommel horse a
vaulting horse fitted with a pair of curved handgrips . [ME f.
OF pomel f. Rmc pomellum (unrecorded), dimin. of L pomum fruit,
apple]
pommy n. (also pommie) (pl. -ies) Austral. & NZ sl. offens. a
British person, esp. a recent immigrant. [20th c.: orig.
uncert.]
pomology n. the science of fruit-growing. ЬЬpomological adj.
pomologist n. [L pomum fruit + -LOGY]
pomp n. 1 a splendid display; splendour. 2 (often in pl.) vainglory
(the pomps and vanities of this wicked world). [ME f. OF pompe
f. L pompa f. Gk pompe procession, pomp f. pempo send]
pompadour n. a woman's hairstyle with the hair in a high turned-back roll
round the face. [f. Marquise de Pompadour, the mistress of
Louis XV of France d. 1764]
pompano n. (pl. -os) any of various fish of the family Carangidae or
Stromateidae of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, used as food.
[Sp. p mpano]
pom-pom n. an automatic quick-firing gun esp. on a ship. [imit.]
pompon n. (also pompom) 1 an ornamental ball or bobble made of wool,
silk, or ribbons, usu. worn on women's or children's hats or
clothing. 2 the round tuft on a soldier's cap, the front of a
shako, etc. 3 (often attrib.) a dahlia or chrysanthemum with
small tightly-clustered petals. [F, of unkn. orig.]
pompous n. 1 self-important, affectedly grand or solemn. 2 (of
language) pretentious; unduly grand in style. 3 archaic
magnificent; splendid. ЬЬpomposity n. (pl. -ies). pompously
adv. pompousness n. [ME f. OF pompeux f. LL pomposus (as
POMP)]
'pon prep. archaic = UPON. [abbr.]
ponce n. & v. Brit. sl. --n. 1 a man who lives off a prostitute's
earnings; a pimp. 2 offens. a homosexual; an effeminate man.
--v.intr. act as a ponce. Ьponce about move about effeminately
or ineffectually. ЬЬponcey adj. (also poncy) (in sense 2 of
n.). [perh. f. POUNCE(1)]
poncho n. (pl. -os) 1 a S. American cloak made of a blanket-like
piece of cloth with a slit in the middle for the head. 2 a
garment in this style. [S.Amer. Sp., f. Araucanian]
pond n. & v. --n. 1 a fairly small body of still water formed
naturally or by hollowing or embanking. 2 joc. the sea. --v.
1 tr. hold back, dam up (a stream etc.). 2 intr. form a pond.
Ьpond-life animals (esp. invertebrates) that live in ponds. [ME
var. of POUND(3)]
ponder v. 1 tr. weigh mentally; think over; consider. 2 intr. (usu.
foll. by on, over) think; muse. [ME f. OF ponderer f. L
ponderare f. pondus -eris weight]
ponderable
adj. literary having appreciable weight or significance.
ЬЬponderability n. [LL ponderabilis (as PONDER)]
ponderation
n. literary the act or an instance of weighing, balancing, or
considering. [L ponderatio (as PONDER)]
ponderosa n. US 1 a N. American pine-tree, Pinus ponderosa. 2 the red
timber of this tree. [mod.L, fem. of L ponderosus: see
PONDEROUS]
ponderous adj. 1 heavy; unwieldy. 2 laborious. 3 (of style etc.) dull;
tedious. ЬЬponderosity n. ponderously adv. ponderousness n.
[ME f. L ponderosus f. pondus -eris weight]
pondweed n. any of various aquatic plants, esp. of the genus
Potamogeton, growing in still or running water.
pone(1) n. US 1 unleavened maize bread, esp. as made by N. American
Indians. 2 a fine light bread made with milk, eggs, etc. 3 a
cake or loaf of this. [Algonquian, = bread]
pone(2) n. the dealer's opponent in two-handed card games. [L, 2nd
sing. imper. of ponere place]
pong n. & v. Brit. colloq. --n. an unpleasant smell. --v.intr.
stink. ЬЬpongy adj. (pongier, pongiest). [20th c.: orig.
unkn.]
pongal n. 1 the Tamil New Year festival at which new rice is cooked.
2 a dish of cooked rice. [Tamil ponkal boiling]
pongee n. 1 a soft usu. unbleached type of Chinese silk fabric. 2 an
imitation of this in cotton etc. [perh. f. Chin. dial. pun-chi
own loom, i.e. home-made]
pongid n. & adj. --n. any ape of the family Pongidae, including
gorillas, chimpanzees, and orang-utans. --adj. of or relating
to this family. [mod.L Pongidae f. Pongo the genus-name: see
PONGO(1)]
pongo(1) n. (pl. -os) 1 an orang-utan. 2 Naut. sl. a soldier.
[Congolese mpongo, orig. of African apes]
pongo(2) n. (pl. -os) Austral. & NZ sl. offens. an Englishman. [20th
c.: orig. unkn.]
poniard n. literary a small slim dagger. [F poignard f. OF poignal f.
med.L pugnale f. L pugnus fist]
pons n. (pl. pontes) Anat. (in full pons Varolii) the part of the
brain stem that links the medulla oblongata and the thalamus.
Ьpons asinorum any difficult proposition, orig. a rule of
geometry from Euclid ('bridge of asses'). [L, = bridge: Varolii
f. C. Varoli, It. anatomist d. 1575]
pont n. S.Afr. a flat-bottomed ferry-boat. [Du.]
Pontefract-cake
var. of POMFRET-CAKE.
pontes pl. of PONS.
pontifex n. (pl. pontifices) 1 = PONTIFF. 2 Rom. Antiq. a member of
the principal college of priests in Rome. ЬPontifex Maximus the
head of this. [L pontifex -ficis f. pons pontis bridge + -fex
f. facere make]
pontiff n. RC Ch. (in full sovereign or supreme pontiff) the Pope. [F
pontife (as PONTIFEX)]
pontifical
adj. & n. --adj. 1 RC Ch. of or befitting a pontiff; papal. 2
pompously dogmatic; with an attitude of infallibility. --n. 1
an office-book of the Western Church containing rites to be
performed by the Pope or bishops. 2 (in pl.) the vestments and
insignia of a bishop, cardinal, or abbot. Ьpontifical mass a
high mass, usu. celebrated by a cardinal, bishop, etc.
ЬЬpontifically adv. [ME f. F pontifical or L pontificalis (as
PONTIFEX)]
pontificate
v. & n. --v.intr. 1 a play the pontiff; pretend to be
infallible. b be pompously dogmatic. 2 RC Ch. officiate as
bishop, esp. at mass. --n. 1 the office of pontifex, bishop,
or pope. 2 the period of this. [L pontificatus (as PONTIFEX)]
pontifices
pl. of PONTIFEX.
pontoon(1)
n. Brit. 1 a card-game in which players try to acquire cards
with a face value totalling 21 and no more. 2 = NATURAL n. 4a.
[prob. corrupt.]
pontoon(2)
n. & v. --n. 1 a flat-bottomed boat. 2 each of several boats,
hollow metal cylinders, etc., used to support a temporary
bridge. 3 = CAISSON 1, 2. --v.tr. cross (a river) by means of
pontoons. [F ponton f. L ponto -onis f. pons pontis bridge]
pony n. (pl. -ies) 1 a horse of any small breed. 2 a small
drinking-glass. 3 (in pl.) sl. racehorses. 4 Brit. sl. њ25.
Ьpony-tail a person's hair drawn back, tied, and hanging down
like a pony's tail. pony-trekker a person who travels across
country on a pony for pleasure. pony-trekking this as a hobby
or activity. [perh. f. poulney (unrecorded) f. F poulenet
dimin. of poulain foal]
pooch n. esp. US sl. a dog. [20th c.: orig. unkn.]
poodle n. 1 a a dog of a breed with a curly coat that is usually
clipped. b this breed. 2 a lackey or servile follower. [G
Pudel(hund) f. LG pud(d)eln splash in water: cf. PUDDLE]
poof n. (also pouf, poove) Brit. sl. derog. 1 an effeminate man.
2 a male homosexual. ЬЬpoofy adj. [19th c.: cf. PUFF in sense
'braggart']
poofter n. sl. derog. = POOF.
pooh int. & n. --int. expressing impatience or contempt. --n. sl.
excrement. [imit.]
Pooh-Bah n. (also pooh-bah) a holder of many offices at once. [a
character in W. S. Gilbert's The Mikado (1885)]
pooh-pooh v.tr. express contempt for; ridicule; dismiss (an idea etc.)
scornfully. [redupl. of POOH]
pooja var. of PUJA.
pooka n. Ir. a hobgoblin. [Ir. pЈca]
pool(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a small body of still water, usu. of natural
formation. 2 a small shallow body of any liquid. 3 =
swimming-pool (see SWIM). 4 a deep place in a river. --v. 1
tr. form into a pool. 2 intr. (of blood) become static. [OE
pol, MLG, MDu. pol, OHG pfuol f. WG]
pool(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a (often attrib.) a common supply of persons,
vehicles, commodities, etc. for sharing by a group of people (a
typing pool; a pool car). b a group of persons sharing duties
etc. 2 a the collective amount of players' stakes in gambling
etc. b a receptacle for this. 3 a a joint commercial venture,
esp. an arrangement between competing parties to fix prices and
share business to eliminate competition. b the common funding
for this. 4 a US a game on a billiard-table with usu. 16 balls.
b Brit. a game on a billiard-table in which each player has a
ball of a different colour with which he tries to pocket the
others in fixed order, the winner taking all of the stakes. 5 a
group of contestants who compete against each other in a
tournament for the right to advance to the next round. --v.tr.
1 put (resources etc.) into a common fund. 2 share (things) in
common. 3 (of transport or organizations etc.) share (traffic,
receipts). 4 Austral. sl. a involve (a person) in a scheme
etc., often by deception. b implicate, inform on. Ьthe pools
Brit. = football pool. [F poule (= hen) in same sense: assoc.
with POOL(1)]
poolroom n. US 1 a betting shop. 2 a place for playing pool.
poon n. any E. Indian tree of the genus Calophyllum. Ьpoon oil an
oil from the seeds of this tree, used in medicine and for lamps.
[Sinh. puna]
poop(1) n. & v. --n. the stern of a ship; the aftermost and highest
deck. --v.tr. 1 (of a wave) break over the stern of (a ship).
2 (of a ship) receive (a wave) over the stern. [ME f. OF pupe,
pope ult. f. L puppis]
poop(2) v.tr. (esp. as pooped adj.) US colloq. exhaust; tire out.
[20th c.: orig. unkn.]
poor adj. 1 lacking adequate money or means to live comfortably. 2
(foll. by in) deficient in (a possession or quality) (the poor
in spirit). 3 a scanty, inadequate (a poor crop). b less good
than is usual or expected (poor visibility; is a poor driver; in
poor health). c paltry; inferior (poor condition; came a poor
third). 4 a deserving pity or sympathy; unfortunate (you poor
thing). b with reference to a dead person (as my poor father
used to say). 5 spiritless; despicable (is a poor creature). 6
often iron. or joc. humble; insignificant (in my poor opinion).
Ьpoor-box a collection-box, esp. in church, for the relief of
the poor. poor law hist. a law relating to the support of
paupers. poor man's an inferior or cheaper substitute for.
poor man's weather-glass the pimpernel. poor-rate hist. a rate
or assessment for relief or support of the poor. poor relation
an inferior or subordinate member of a family or any other
group. poor-spirited timid; cowardly. poor White offens.
(esp. used by Blacks) a member of a socially inferior group of
White people. take a poor view of regard with disfavour or
pessimism. [ME & OF pov(e)re, poure f. L pauper]
poorhouse n. hist. = WORKHOUSE 1.
poorly adv. & adj. --adv. 1 scantily; defectively. 2 with no great
success. 3 meanly; contemptibly. --predic.adj. unwell.
poorness n. 1 defectiveness. 2 the lack of some good quality or
constituent.
poove var. of POOF.
POP abbr. Post Office Preferred (size of envelopes etc.).
pop(1) n., v., & adv. --n. 1 a sudden sharp explosive sound as of a
cork when drawn. 2 colloq. an effervescent sweet drink. --v.
(popped, popping) 1 intr. & tr. make or cause to make a pop. 2
intr. & tr. (foll. by in, out, up, down, etc.) go, move, come,
or put unexpectedly or in a quick or hasty manner (pop out to
the shops; pop in for a visit; pop it on your head). 3 a intr.
& tr. burst, making a popping sound. b tr. heat (popcorn etc.)
until it pops. 4 intr. (often foll. by at) colloq. fire a gun
(at birds etc.). 5 tr. sl. pawn. 6 tr. sl. inject (a drug
etc.). 7 intr. (often foll. by up) (of a cricket-ball) rise
sharply off the pitch. --adv. with the sound of a pop (heard it
go pop). Ьin pop Brit. sl. in pawn. pop off colloq. 1 die.
2 quietly slip away (cf. sense 2 of v.). pop the question
colloq. propose marriage. pop-shop Brit. sl. a pawnbroker's
shop. pop-up 1 (of a toaster etc.) operating so as to move the
object (toast when ready etc.) quickly upwards. 2 (of a book,
greetings card, etc.) containing three-dimensional figures,
illustrations, etc., that rise up when the page is turned. 3
Computing (of a menu) able to be superimposed on the screen
being worked on and suppressed rapidly. [ME: imit.]
pop(2) adj. & n. colloq. --adj. 1 in a popular or modern style. 2
performing popular music etc. (pop group; pop star). --n. 1
pop music. 2 a pop record or song (top of the pops). Ьpop art
art based on modern popular culture and the mass media, esp. as
a critical comment on traditional fine art values. pop festival
a festival at which popular music etc. is performed. [abbr.]
pop(3) n. esp. US colloq. father. [abbr. of POPPA]
pop. abbr. population.
popadam var. of POPPADAM.
popcorn n. 1 Indian corn which bursts open when heated. 2 these
kernels when popped.
pope(1) n. 1 (as title usu. Pope) the head of the Roman Catholic
Church (also called the Bishop of Rome). 2 the head of the
Coptic Church. 3 = RUFF(2). Ьpope's eye 1 a lymphatic gland
surrounded with fat in the middle of a sheep's leg. 2 Sc. a cut
of steak. ЬЬpopedom n. popeless adj. [OE f. eccl.L papa
bishop, pope f. eccl.Gk papas = Gk pappas father: cf. PAPA]
pope(2) n. a parish priest of the Orthodox Church in Russia etc.
[Russ. pop f. OSlav. popu f. WG f. eccl.Gk (as POPE(1))]
popery n. derog. the papal system; the Roman Catholic Church.
popgun n. 1 a child's toy gun which shoots a pellet etc. by the
compression of air with a piston. 2 derog. an inefficient
firearm.
popinjay n. 1 a fop, a conceited person, a coxcomb. 2 a archaic a
parrot. b hist. a figure of a parrot on a pole as a mark to
shoot at. [ME f. AF papeiaye, OF papingay etc. f. Sp. papagayo
f. Arab. babaga: assim. to JAY]
popish adj. derog. Roman Catholic. ЬЬpopishly adv.
poplar n. 1 any tree of the genus Populus, with a usu. rapidly growing
trunk and tremulous leaves. 2 US = tulip-tree. [ME f. AF
popler, OF poplier f. pople f. L populus]
poplin n. a plain-woven fabric usu. of cotton, with a corded surface.
[obs. F papeline perh. f. It. papalina (fem.) PAPAL, f. the
papal town Avignon where it was made]
popliteal adj. of the hollow at the back of the knee. [mod.L popliteus
f. L poples -itis this hollow]
poppa n. US colloq. father (esp. as a child's word). [var. of PAPA]
poppadam n. (also poppadom, popadam) Ind. a thin, crisp, spiced bread
eaten with curry etc. [Tamil pappadam]
popper n. 1 Brit. colloq. a press-stud. 2 a person or thing that
pops. 3 colloq. a small vial of amyl nitrite used for
inhalation.
poppet n. 1 Brit. colloq. (esp. as a term of endearment) a small or
dainty person. 2 (in full poppet-head) the head of a lathe. 3
a small square piece of wood fitted inside the gunwale or
washstrake of a boat. Ьpoppet-head Brit. the frame at the top
of a mine-shaft supporting pulleys for the ropes used in
hoisting. poppet-valve Engin. a mushroom-shaped valve, lifted
bodily from its seat rather than hinged. [ME popet(te), ult. f.
L pup(p)a: cf. PUPPET]
popping-crease
n. Cricket a line four feet in front of and parallel to the
wicket, within which the batsman must keep the bat or one foot
grounded to avoid the risk of being stumped. [POP(1), perh. in
obs. sense 'strike']
popple v. & n. --v.intr. (of water) tumble about, toss to and fro.
--n. the act or an instance of rolling, tossing, or rippling of
water. ЬЬpopply adj. [ME prob. f. MDu. popelen murmur,
quiver, of imit. orig.]
poppy n. (pl. -ies) any plant of the genus Papaver, with showy often
red flowers and a milky sap with narcotic properties. ЬPoppy
Day = Remembrance Sunday. poppy-head 1 the seed capsule of the
poppy. 2 an ornamental top on the end of a church pew.
ЬЬpoppied adj. [OE popig, pap‘g, etc. f. med.L papauum f. L
papaver]
poppycock n. sl. nonsense. [Du. dial. pappekak]
popsy n. (also popsie) (pl. -ies) colloq. (usu. as a term of
endearment) a young woman. [shortening of POPPET]
populace n. 1 the common people. 2 derog. the rabble. [F f. It.
popolaccio f. popolo people + -accio pejorative suffix]
popular adj. 1 liked or admired by many people or by a specified group
(popular teachers; a popular hero). 2 a of or carried on by the
general public (popular meetings). b prevalent among the
general public (popular discontent). 3 adapted to the
understanding, taste, or means of the people (popular science;
popular medicine). Ьpopular front a party or coalition
representing left-wing elements. popular music songs, folk
tunes, etc., appealing to popular tastes. ЬЬpopularism n.
popularity n. popularly adv. [ME f. AF populer, OF populeir or
L popularis f. populus people]
popularize
v.tr. (also -ise) 1 make popular. 2 cause (a person,
principle, etc.) to be generally known or liked. 3 present (a
technical subject, specialized vocabulary, etc.) in a popular
or readily understandable form. ЬЬpopularization n.
popularizer n.
populate v.tr. 1 inhabit; form the population of (a town, country,
etc.). 2 supply with inhabitants; people (a densely populated
district). [med.L populare populat- (as PEOPLE)]
population
n. 1 a the inhabitants of a place, country, etc. referred to
collectively. b any specified group within this (the Irish
population of Liverpool). 2 the total number of any of these (a
population of eight million; the seal population). 3 the act or
process of supplying with inhabitants (the population of forest
areas). 4 Statistics any finite or infinite collection of items
under consideration. Ьpopulation explosion a sudden large
increase of population. [LL populatio (as PEOPLE)]
populist n. & adj. --n. a member or adherent of a political party
seeking support mainly from the ordinary people. --adj. of or
relating to such a political party. ЬЬpopulism n. populistic
adj. [L populus people]
populous adj. thickly inhabited. ЬЬpopulously adv. populousness n.
[ME f. LL populosus (as PEOPLE)]
porbeagle n. a large shark, Lamna nasus, having a pointed snout.
[18th-c. Corn. dial., of unkn. orig.]
porcelain n. 1 a hard vitrified translucent ceramic. 2 objects made of
this. Ьporcelain clay kaolin. porcelain-shell cowrie.
ЬЬporcellaneous adj. porcellanous adj. [F porcelaine cowrie,
porcelain f. It. porcellana f. porcella dimin. of porca sow (a
cowrie being perh. likened to a sow's vulva) f. L porca fem. of
porcus pig]
porch n. 1 a covered shelter for the entrance of a building. 2 US a
veranda. 3 (the Porch) = the Stoa (see STOA 2). ЬЬporched adj.
porchless adj. [ME f. OF porche f. L porticus (transl. Gk stoa)
f. porta passage]
porcine adj. of or like pigs. [F porcin or f. L porcinus f. porcus
pig]
porcupine n. 1 any rodent of the family Hystricidae native to Africa,
Asia, and SE Europe, or the family Erethizontidae native to
America, having defensive spines or quills. 2 (attrib.)
denoting any of various animals or other organisms with spines.
Ьporcupine fish a marine fish, Diodon hystrix, covered with
sharp spines and often distending itself into a spherical shape.
ЬЬporcupinish adj. porcupiny adj. [ME f. OF porc espin f.
Prov. porc espi(n) ult. f. L porcus pig + spina thorn]
pore(1) n. esp. Biol. a minute opening in a surface through which
gases, liquids, or fine solids may pass. [ME f. OF f. L porus
f. Gk poros passage, pore]
pore(2) v.intr. (foll. by over) 1 be absorbed in studying (a book
etc.). 2 meditate on, think intently about (a subject). [ME
pure etc. perh. f. OE purian (unrecorded): cf. PEER(1)]
porgy n. (pl. -ies) US any usu. marine fish of the family Sparidae,
used as food. Also called sea bream. [18th c.: orig. uncert.:
cf. Sp. & Port. pargo]
porifer n. any aquatic invertebrate of the phylum Porifera, including
sponges. [mod.L Porifera f. L porus PORE(1) + - fer bearing]
pork n. the (esp. unsalted) flesh of a pig, used as food.
Ьpork-barrel US colloq. government funds as a source of
political benefit. pork-butcher a person who slaughters pigs
for sale, or who sells pork rather than other meats. pork pie a
pie of minced pork etc. eaten cold. pork pie hat a hat with a
flat crown and a brim turned up all round. [ME porc f. OF porc
f. L porcus pig]
porker n. 1 a pig raised for food. 2 a young fattened pig.
porkling n. a young or small pig.
porky(1) adj. (porkier, porkiest) 1 colloq. fleshy, fat. 2 of or like
pork.
porky(2) n. (pl. -ies) US colloq. a porcupine. [abbr.]
porn n. colloq. pornography. [abbr.]
porno n. & adj. colloq. --n. pornography. --adj. pornographic.
[abbr.]
pornography
n. 1 the explicit description or exhibition of sexual activity
in literature, films, etc., intended to stimulate erotic rather
than aesthetic or emotional feelings. 2 literature etc.
characterized by this. ЬЬpornographer n. pornographic adj.
pornographically adv. [Gk pornographos writing of harlots f.
porne prostitute + grapho write]
porous adj. 1 full of pores. 2 letting through air, water, etc. 3
(of an argument, security system, etc.) leaky, admitting
infiltration. ЬЬporosity n. porously adv. porousness n. [ME
f. OF poreux f. med.L porosus f. L porus PORE(1)]
porphyria n. any of a group of genetic disorders associated with abnormal
metabolism of various pigments. [mod.L f. porphyrin purple
substance excreted by porphyria patients f. Gk porphura purple]
porphyry n. (pl. -ies) 1 a hard rock quarried in ancient Egypt,
composed of crystals of white or red feldspar in a red matrix.
2 Geol. an igneous rock with large crystals scattered in a
matrix of much smaller crystals. ЬЬporphyritic adj. [ME ult.
f. med.L porphyreum f. Gk porphurites f. porphura purple]
porpoise n. any of various small toothed whales of the family
Phocaenidae, esp. of the genus Phocaena, with a low triangular
dorsal fin and a blunt rounded snout. [ME porpays etc. f. OF
po(u)rpois etc. ult. f. L porcus pig + piscis fish]
porridge n. 1 a dish consisting of oatmeal or another meal or cereal
boiled in water or milk. 2 sl. imprisonment. ЬЬporridgy adj.
[16th c.: alt. of POTTAGE]
porringer n. a small bowl, often with a handle, for soup, stew, etc.
[earlier pottinger f. OF potager f. potage (see POTTAGE): -n-
as in messenger etc.]
port(1) n. 1 a harbour. 2 a place of refuge. 3 a town or place
possessing a harbour, esp. one where customs officers are
stationed. Ьport of call a place where a ship or a person stops
on a journey. Port of London Authority the corporate body
controlling the London harbour and docks. [OE f. L portus & ME
prob. f. OF f. L portus]
port(2) n. (in full port wine) a strong, sweet, dark-red (occas. brown
or white) fortified wine of Portugal. [shortened form of
Oporto, city in Portugal from which port is shipped]
port(3) n. & v. --n. the left-hand side (looking forward) of a ship,
boat, or aircraft (cf. STARBOARD). --v.tr. (also absol.) turn
(the helm) to port. Ьport tack see TACK(1) 4. port watch see
WATCH n. 3b. [prob. orig. the side turned towards PORT(1)]
port(4) n. 1 a an opening in the side of a ship for entrance, loading,
etc. b a porthole. 2 an aperture for the passage of steam,
water, etc. 3 Electr. a socket or aperture in an electronic
circuit, esp. in a computer network, where connections can be
made with peripheral equipment. 4 an aperture in a wall etc.
for a gun to be fired through. 5 esp. Sc. a gate or gateway,
esp. of a walled town. [ME & OF porte f. L porta]
port(5) v. & n. --v.tr. Mil. carry (a rifle, or other weapon)
diagonally across and close to the body with the barrel etc.
near the left shoulder (esp. port arms!). --n. 1 Mil. this
position. 2 external deportment; carriage; bearing. [ME f. OF
port ult. f. L portare carry]
port (6) n. Austral. 1 a suitcase or travelling bag. 2 a shopping
bag, sugar bag, etc. [abbr. of PORTMANTEAU]
portable adj. & n. --adj. 1 easily movable, convenient for carrying
(portable TV; portable computer). 2 (of a right, privilege,
etc.) capable of being transferred or adapted in altered
circumstances (portable pension). --n. a portable object, e.g.
a radio, typewriter, etc. (decided to buy a portable).
ЬЬportability n. portableness n. portably adv. [ME f. OF
portable or LL portabilis f. L portare carry]
portage n. & v. --n. 1 the carrying of boats or goods between two
navigable waters. 2 a place at which this is necessary. 3 a
the act or an instance of carrying or transporting. b the cost
of this. --v.tr. convey (a boat or goods) between navigable
waters. [ME f. OF f. porter: see PORT(5)]
Portakabin
n. propr. a portable room or building designed for quick
assembly. [PORTABLE + CABIN]
portal(1) n. a doorway or gate etc., esp. a large and elaborate one. [ME
f. OF f. med.L portale (neut. adj.): see PORTAL(2)]
portal(2) adj. 1 of or relating to an aperture in an organ through which
its associated vessels pass. 2 of or relating to the portal
vein. Ьportal vein a vein conveying blood to the liver from the
spleen, stomach, pancreas, and intestines. [mod.L portalis f. L
porta gate]
portamento
n. (pl. portamenti) Mus. 1 the act or an instance of gliding
from one note to another in singing, playing the violin, etc. 2
piano-playing in a manner intermediate between legato and
staccato. [It., = carrying]
portative adj. 1 serving to carry or support. 2 Mus. hist. (esp. of a
small pipe-organ) portable. [ME f. OF portatif, app. alt. of
portatil f. med.L portatilis f. L portare carry]
portcullis
n. 1 a strong heavy grating sliding up and down in vertical
grooves, lowered to block a gateway in a fortress etc. 2
(Portcullis) Heraldry one of the four pursuivants of the English
College of Arms, with this as a badge. ЬЬportcullised adj. [ME
f. OF porte cole‹ce sliding door f. porte door f. L porta +
col(e)‹ce fem. of coule‹s sliding ult. f. L colare filter]
Porte n. (in full the Sublime or Ottoman Porte) hist. the Ottoman
court at Constantinople. [F (la Sublime Porte = the exalted
gate), transl. of Turk. title of the central office of the
Ottoman government]
porte-cochЉre
n. 1 a porch large enough for vehicles to pass through, usu.
into a courtyard. 2 US a roofed structure extending from the
entrance of a building over a place where vehicles stop to
discharge passengers. [F f. porte PORT(4) + cochЉre (fem.
adj.) f. coche COACH]
portend v.tr. 1 foreshadow as an omen. 2 give warning of. [ME f. L
portendere portent- f. por- PRO-(1) + tendere stretch]
portent n. 1 an omen, a significant sign of something to come. 2 a
prodigy; a marvellous thing. [L portentum (as PORTEND)]
portentous
adj. 1 like or serving as a portent. 2 pompously solemn.
ЬЬportentously adv.
porter(1) n. 1 a a person employed to carry luggage etc., esp. a railway,
airport, or hotel employee. b a hospital employee who moves
equipment, trolleys, etc. 2 a dark-brown bitter beer brewed
from charred or browned malt (app. orig. made esp. for porters).
3 US a sleeping-car attendant. ЬЬporterage n. [ME f. OF
port(e)our f. med.L portator -oris f. portare carry]
porter(2) n. Brit. a gatekeeper or doorkeeper, esp. of a large building.
[ME & AF, OF portier f. LL portarius f. porta door]
porterhouse
n. esp. US 1 hist. a house at which porter and other drinks
were retailed. 2 a house where steaks, chops, etc. were served.
Ьporterhouse steak a thick steak cut from the thick end of a
sirloin.
portfire n. a device for firing rockets, igniting explosives in mining,
etc. [after F porte-feu f. porter carry + feu fire]
portfolio n. (pl. -os) 1 a case for keeping loose sheets of paper,
drawings, etc. 2 a range of investments held by a person, a
company, etc. 3 the office of a minister of State (cf.
minister without portfolio). 4 samples of an artist's work.
[It. portafogli f. portare carry + foglio leaf f. L folium]
porthole n. 1 an (esp. glazed) aperture in a ship's or aircraft's side
for the admission of light. 2 hist. an aperture for pointing a
cannon through.
portico n. (pl. -oes or -os) a colonnade; a roof supported by columns
at regular intervals usu. attached as a porch to a building.
[It. f. L porticus PORCH]
portiЉre n. a curtain hung over a door or doorway. [F f. porte door f.
L porta]
portion n. & v. --n. 1 a part or share. 2 the amount of food allotted
to one person. 3 a specified or limited quantity. 4 one's
destiny or lot. 5 a dowry. --v.tr. 1 divide (a thing) into
portions. 2 (foll. by out) distribute. 3 give a dowry to. 4
(foll. by to) assign (a thing) to (a person). ЬЬportionless
adj. (in sense 5 of n.). [ME f. OF porcion portion f. L portio
-onis]
Portland cement
n. a cement manufactured from chalk and clay which when hard
resembles Portland stone in colour.
Portland stone
n. a limestone from the Isle of Portland in Dorset, used in
building.
portly adj. (portlier, portliest) 1 corpulent; stout. 2 archaic of a
stately appearance. ЬЬportliness n. [PORT(5) (in the sense
'bearing') + -LY(1)]
portmanteau
n. (pl. portmanteaus or portmanteaux) a leather trunk for
clothes etc., opening into two equal parts. Ьportmanteau word a
word blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two
others, e.g. motel, Oxbridge. [F portmanteau f. porter carry
f. L portare + manteau MANTLE]
portolan n. (also portolano) (pl. portolans or portolanos) hist. a
book of sailing directions with charts, descriptions of
harbours, etc. [It. portolano f. porto PORT(1)]
portrait n. 1 a representation of a person or animal, esp. of the face,
made by drawing, painting, photography, etc. 2 a verbal
picture; a graphic description. 3 a person etc. resembling or
typifying another (is the portrait of his father). 4 (in
graphic design etc.) a format in which the height of an
illustration etc. is greater than the width (cf. LANDSCAPE).
[F, past part. of OF portraire PORTRAY]
portraitist
n. a person who takes or paints portraits.
portraiture
n. 1 the art of painting or taking portraits. 2 graphic
description. 3 a portrait. [ME f. OF (as PORTRAIT)]
portray v.tr. 1 make a likeness of. 2 describe graphically.
ЬЬportrayable adj. portrayal n. portrayer n. [ME f. OF
portraire f. por- = PRO-(1) + traire draw f. L trahere]
Port Salut
n. a pale mild type of cheese. [after the Trappist monastery
in France where it was first produced]
Portuguese
n. & adj. --n. (pl. same) 1 a a native or national of
Portugal. b a person of Portuguese descent. 2 the language of
Portugal. --adj. of or relating to Portugal or its people or
language. ЬPortuguese man-of-war a dangerous tropical or
sub-tropical marine hydrozoan of the genus Physalia with a large
crest and a poisonous sting. [Port. portuguez f. med.L
portugalensis]
POS abbr. point-of-sale.
pose(1) v. & n. --v. 1 intr. assume a certain attitude of body, esp.
when being photographed or being painted for a portrait. 2
intr. (foll. by as) set oneself up as or pretend to be (another
person etc.) (posing as a celebrity). 3 intr. behave affectedly
in order to impress others. 4 tr. put forward or present (a
question etc.). 5 tr. place (an artist's model etc.) in a
certain attitude or position. --n. 1 an attitude of body or
mind. 2 an attitude or pretence, esp. one assumed for effect
(his generosity is a mere pose). [F poser (v.), pose (n.) f. LL
pausare PAUSE: some senses by confusion with L ponere place (cf.
COMPOSE)]
pose(2) v.tr. puzzle (a person) with a question or problem. [obs.
appose f. OF aposer var. of oposer OPPOSE]
poser n. 1 a person who poses (see POSE(1) v. 3). 2 a puzzling
question or problem.
poseur n. (fem. poseuse) a person who poses for effect or behaves
affectedly. [F f. poser POSE(1)]
posh adj. & adv. colloq. --adj. 1 smart; stylish. 2 of or
associated with the upper classes (spoke with a posh accent).
--adv. in a stylish or upper-class way (talk posh; act posh).
Ьposh up smarten up. ЬЬposhly adv. poshness n. [20th c.:
perh. f. sl. posh a dandy: port out starboard home (referring
to the more comfortable accommodation on ships to and from the
East) is a later association and not the true origin]
posit v. & n. --v.tr. (posited, positing) 1 assume as a fact,
postulate. 2 put in place or position. --n. Philos. a
statement which is made on the assumption that it will prove
valid. [L ponere posit- place]
position n. & v. --n. 1 a place occupied by a person or thing. 2 the
way in which a thing or its parts are placed or arranged
(sitting in an uncomfortable position). 3 the proper place (in
position). 4 the state of being advantageously placed
(jockeying for position). 5 a person's mental attitude; a way
of looking at a question (changed their position on nuclear
disarmament). 6 a person's situation in relation to others
(puts one in an awkward position). 7 rank or status; high
social standing. 8 paid employment. 9 a place where troops
etc. are posted for strategical purposes (the position was
stormed). 10 the configuration of chessmen etc. during a game.
11 a specific pose in ballet etc. (hold first position). 12
Logic a a proposition. b a statement of proposition. --v.tr.
place in position. Ьin a position to enabled by circumstances,
resources, information, etc. to (do, state, etc.). position
paper orig. US (in business etc.) a written report of attitude
or intentions. position vector Math. a vector which determines
the position of a point. ЬЬpositional adj. positionally adv.
positioner n. [ME f. OF position or L positio -onis (as POSIT)]
positive adj. & n. --adj. 1 formally or explicitly stated; definite,
unquestionable (positive proof). 2 (of a person) convinced,
confident, or overconfident in his or her opinion (positive that
I was not there). 3 a absolute; not relative. b Gram. (of an
adjective or adverb) expressing a simple quality without
comparison (cf. COMPARATIVE, SUPERLATIVE). 4 colloq.
downright; complete (it would be a positive miracle). 5
constructive; directional (positive criticism; positive
thinking). 6 marked by the presence rather than absence of
qualities or Med. symptoms (a positive reaction to the plan; the
test was positive). 7 esp. Philos. dealing only with matters of
fact; practical (cf. POSITIVISM 1). 8 tending in a direction
naturally or arbitrarily taken as that of increase or progress
(clockwise rotation is positive). 9 greater than zero (positive
and negative integers) (opp. NEGATIVE). 10 Electr. of,
containing, or producing the kind of electrical charge produced
by rubbing glass with silk; an absence of electrons. 11 (of a
photographic image) showing lights and shades or colours true to
the original (opp. NEGATIVE). --n. a positive adjective,
photograph, quantity, etc. Ьpositive discrimination the
practice of making distinctions in favour of groups considered
to be underprivileged. positive feedback 1 a constructive
response to an experiment, questionnaire, etc. 2 Electronics
the return of part of an output signal to the input, tending to
increase the amplification etc. positive geotropism see
GEOTROPISM. positive pole the north-seeking pole. positive ray
Physics a canal ray. positive sign = plus sign. positive
vetting Brit. an exhaustive inquiry into the background and
character of a candidate for a post in the Civil Service that
involves access to secret material. ЬЬpositively adv.
positiveness n. positivity n. [ME f. OF positif -ive or L
positivus (as POSIT)]
positivism
n. 1 Philos. the philosophical system of Auguste Comte,
recognizing only non-metaphysical facts and observable
phenomena, and rejecting metaphysics and theism. 2 a religious
system founded on this. 3 = logical positivism. ЬЬpositivist
n. positivistic adj. positivistically adv. [F positivisme (as
POSITIVE)]
positron n. Physics an elementary particle with a positive charge equal
to the negative charge of an electron and having the same mass
as an electron. [POSITIVE + -TRON]
posology n. the study of the dosage of medicines. ЬЬposological adj.
[F posologie f. Gk posos how much]
posse n. 1 a strong force or company or assemblage. 2 (in full posse
comitatus) a a body of constables, law-enforcers, etc. b esp.
US a body of men summoned by a sheriff etc. to enforce the law.
[med.L, = power f. L posse be able: comitatus = of the county]
possess v.tr. 1 hold as property; own. 2 have a faculty, quality, etc.
(they possess a special value for us). 3 (also refl.; foll. by
in) maintain (oneself, one's soul, etc.) in a specified state
(possess oneself in patience). 4 a (of a demon etc.) occupy;
have power over (a person etc.) (possessed by the devil). b
(of an emotion, infatuation, etc.) dominate, be an obsession of
(possessed by fear). 5 have sexual intercourse with (esp. a
woman). Ьbe possessed of own, have. possess oneself of take or
get for one's own. what possessed you? an expression of
incredulity. ЬЬpossessor n. possessory adj. [OF possesser f.
L possidere possess- f. potis able + sedere sit]
possession
n. 1 the act or state of possessing or being possessed. 2 the
thing possessed. 3 the act or state of actual holding or
occupancy. 4 Law power or control similar to lawful ownership
but which may exist separately from it (prosecuted for
possession of narcotic drugs). 5 (in pl.) property, wealth,
subject territory, etc. 6 Football etc. temporary control of
the ball by a particular player. Ьin possession 1 (of a person)
possessing. 2 (of a thing) possessed. in possession of 1
having in one's possession. 2 maintaining control over (in
possession of one's wits). in the possession of held or owned
by. possession order an order made by a court directing that
possession of a property be given to the owner. take possession
(often foll. by of) become the owner or possessor (of a thing).
ЬЬpossessionless adj. [ME f. OF possession or L possessio -onis
(as POSSESS)]
possessive
adj. & n. --adj. 1 showing a desire to possess or retain what
one already owns. 2 showing jealous and domineering tendencies
towards another person. 3 Gram. indicating possession. --n.
(in full possessive case) Gram. the case of nouns and pronouns
expressing possession. Ьpossessive pronoun each of the pronouns
indicating possession (my, your, his, their, etc.) or the
corresponding absolute forms (mine, yours, his, theirs, etc.).
ЬЬpossessively adv. possessiveness n. [L possessivus (as
POSSESS), transl. Gk ktetike (ptosis case)]
posset n. hist. a drink made of hot milk curdled with ale, wine,
etc., often flavoured with spices, formerly much used as a
remedy for colds etc. [ME poshote: orig. unkn.]
possibility
n. (pl. -ies) 1 the state or fact of being possible, or an
occurrence of this (outside the range of possibility; saw no
possibility of going away). 2 a thing that may exist or happen
(there are three possibilities). 3 (usu. in pl.) the capability
of being used, improved, etc.; the potential of an object or
situation (esp. have possibilities). [ME f. OF possibilit‚ or
LL possibilitas -tatis (as POSSIBLE)]
possible adj. & n. --adj. 1 capable of existing or happening; that may
be managed, achieved, etc. (came as early as possible; did as
much as possible). 2 that is likely to happen etc. (few thought
their victory possible). 3 acceptable; potential (a possible
way of doing it). --n. 1 a possible candidate, member of a
team, etc. 2 (prec. by the) whatever is likely, manageable,
etc. 3 the highest possible score, esp. in shooting etc. [ME
f. OF possible or L possibilis f. posse be able]
possibly adv. 1 perhaps. 2 in accordance with possibility (cannot
possibly refuse).
possum n. 1 colloq. = OPOSSUM 1. 2 Austral. & NZ colloq. a phalanger
resembling an American opossum. Ьplay possum 1 pretend to be
asleep or unconscious when threatened. 2 feign ignorance.
[abbr.]
post(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a long stout piece of timber or metal set
upright in the ground etc.: a to support something, esp. in
building. b to mark a position, boundary, etc. c to carry
notices. 2 a pole etc. marking the start or finish of a race.
--v.tr. 1 (often foll. by up) a attach (a paper etc.) in a
prominent place; stick up (post no bills). b announce or
advertise by placard or in a published text. 2 publish the name
of (a ship etc.) as overdue or missing. 3 placard (a wall etc.)
with bills etc. 4 US achieve (a score in a game etc.).
Ьpost-mill a windmill pivoted on a post and turning to catch the
wind. [OE f. L postis: in ME also f. OF etc.]
post(2) n., v., & adv. --n. 1 Brit. the official conveyance of
parcels, letters, etc. (send it by post). 2 Brit. a single
collection, dispatch, or delivery of these; the letters etc.
dispatched (has the post arrived yet?). 3 Brit. a place where
letters etc. are dealt with; a post office or postbox (take it
to the post). 4 hist. a one of a series of couriers who
carried mail on horseback between fixed stages. b a
letter-carrier; a mail cart. --v. 1 tr. put (a letter etc.) in
the post. 2 tr. (esp. as posted adj.) (often foll. by up)
supply a person with information (keep me posted). 3 tr. a
enter (an item) in a ledger. b (often foll. by up) complete (a
ledger) in this way. c carry (an entry) from an auxiliary book
to a more formal one, or from one account to another. 4 intr.
a travel with haste, hurry. b hist. travel with relays of
horses. --adv. express; with haste. Ьpost-chaise hist. a
travelling carriage hired from stage to stage or drawn by horses
hired in this manner. post exchange US Mil. a shop at a
military camp etc. post-free Brit. carried by post free of
charge or with the postage prepaid. post-haste with great
speed. post-horn a valveless horn formerly used to announce the
arrival of the post. Post Office 1 the public department or
corporation responsible for postal services and (in some
countries) telecommunication. 2 (post office) a a room or
building where postal business is carried on. b US = postman's
knock. post-office box a numbered place in a post office where
letters are kept until called for. post-paid on which postage
has been paid. post room the department of a company that deals
with incoming and outgoing mail. post-town a town with a post
office, esp. one that is not a sub-office of another. [F poste
(fem.) f. It. posta ult. f. L ponere posit- place]
post(3) n. & v. --n. 1 a place where a soldier is stationed or which
he patrols. 2 a place of duty. 3 a a position taken up by a
body of soldiers. b a force occupying this. c a fort. 4 a
situation, paid employment. 5 = trading post. 6 Naut. hist. a
commission as an officer in command of a vessel of 20 guns or
more. --v.tr. 1 place or station (soldiers, an employee,
etc.). 2 appoint to a post or command. Ьfirst (or last) post
Brit. a bugle-call giving notice of the hour of retiring at
night. last post Brit. a bugle-call blown at military funerals
etc. [F poste (masc.) f. It. posto f. Rmc postum (unrecorded)
f. L ponere posit- place]
post- prefix after in time or order. [from or after L post (adv. &
prep.)]
postage n. the amount charged for sending a letter etc. by post, usu.
prepaid in the form of a stamp (њ25 including postage &
packing). Ьpostage meter US a franking-machine. postage stamp
an official stamp affixed to or imprinted on a letter etc.
indicating the amount of postage paid.
postal adj. & n. --adj. 1 of the post. 2 by post (postal vote).
--n. US a postcard. Ьpostal card US = POSTCARD. postal code =
POSTCODE. postal meter a franking-machine. postal note
Austral. & NZ = postal order. postal order a money order issued
by the Post Office, payable to a specified person. Postal Union
a union of the governments of various countries for the
regulation of international postage. ЬЬpostally adv. [F (poste
POST(2))]
postbag n. Brit. = MAILBAG.
postbox n. Brit. a letter-box.
postcard n. a card, often with a photograph on one side, for sending a
short message by post without an envelope.
post-classical
adj. (esp. of Greek and Roman literature) later than the
classical period.
postcode n. a group of letters or letters and figures which are added to
a postal address to assist sorting.
post-coital
adj. occurring or existing after sexual intercourse.
ЬЬpost-coitally adv.
postdate v. & n. --v.tr. affix or assign a date later than the actual
one to (a document, event, etc.). --n. such a date.
post-doctoral
adj. of or relating to research undertaken after the completion
of doctoral research.
post-entry
n. (pl. -ies) a late or subsequent entry, esp. in a race or in
bookkeeping.
poster n. 1 a placard in a public place. 2 a large printed picture.
3 a billposter. Ьposter paint a gummy opaque paint.
poste restante
n. 1 a direction on a letter to indicate that it should be kept
at a specified post office until collected by the addressee. 2
the department in a post office where such letters are kept.
[F, = letter(s) remaining]
posterior adj. & n. --adj. 1 later; coming after in series, order, or
time. 2 situated at the back. --n. (in sing. or pl.) the
buttocks. ЬЬposteriority n. posteriorly adv. [L, compar. of
posterus following f. post after]
posterity n. 1 all succeeding generations. 2 the descendants of a
person. [ME f. OF posterit‚ f. L posteritas -tatis f.
posterus: see POSTERIOR]
postern n. 1 a back door. 2 a side way or entrance. [ME f. OF
posterne, posterle, f. LL posterula dimin. of posterus: see
POSTERIOR]
postfix n. & v. --n. a suffix. --v.tr. append (letters) at the end
of a word.
postglacial
adj. & n. --adj. formed or occurring after a glacial period.
--n. a postglacial period or deposit.
postgraduate
adj. & n. --adj. 1 (of a course of study) carried on after
taking a first degree. 2 of or relating to students following
this course of study (postgraduate accommodation). --n. a
postgraduate student.
posthumous
adj. 1 occurring after death. 2 (of a child) born after the
death of its father. 3 (of a book etc.) published after the
author's death. ЬЬposthumously adv. [L postumus last (superl.
f. post after): in LL posth- by assoc. with humus ground]
postiche n. a coil of false hair, worn as an adornment. [F, = false, f.
It. posticcio]
postie n. colloq. a postman or postwoman. [abbr.]
postil n. hist. 1 a marginal note or comment, esp. on a text of
Scripture. 2 a commentary. [ME f. OF postille f. med.L
postilla, of uncert. orig.]
postilion n. (also postillion) the rider on the near (left-hand side)
horse drawing a coach etc. when there is no coachman. [F
postillon f. It. postiglione post-boy f. posta POST(2)]
post-impressionism
n. artistic aims and methods developed as a reaction against
impressionism and intending to express the individual artist's
conception of the objects represented rather than the ordinary
observer's view. ЬЬpost-impressionist n. & adj.
post-impressionistic adj.
postindustrial
adj. relating to or characteristic of a society or economy
which no longer relies on heavy industry.
postliminy
n. 1 (in international law) the restoration to their former
status of persons and things taken in war. 2 (in Roman law) the
right of a banished person or captive to resume civic privileges
on return from exile. [L postliminium (as POST-, limen liminis
threshold)]
postlude n. Mus. a concluding voluntary. [POST-, after PRELUDE]
postman n. (pl. -men; fem. postwoman, pl. -women) a person who is
employed to deliver and collect letters etc. Ьpostman's knock
Brit. a parlour game in which imaginary letters are delivered
in exchange for kisses.
postmark n. & v. --n. an official mark stamped on a letter, esp. one
giving the place, date, etc. of dispatch or arrival, and serving
to cancel the stamp. --v.tr. mark (an envelope etc.) with this.
postmaster
n. a man in charge of a post office. Ьpostmaster general the
head of a country's postal service. °The office was abolished
in the UK in 1969.
post-millennial
adj. following the millennium.
post-millennialism
n. the doctrine that a second Advent will follow the
millennium. ЬЬpost-millennialist n.
postmistress
n. a woman in charge of a post office.
post-modern
adj. (in literature, architecture, the arts, etc.) denoting a
movement reacting against modern tendencies, esp. by drawing
attention to former conventions. ЬЬpost-modernism n.
post-modernist n. & adj.
post-mortem
n., adv., & adj. --n. 1 (in full post-mortem examination) an
examination made after death, esp. to determine its cause. 2
colloq. a discussion analysing the course and result of a game,
election, etc. adv. & adj. after death. [L]
postnatal adj. characteristic of or relating to the period after
childbirth.
post-nuptial
adj. after marriage.
post-obit n. & adj. --n. a bond given to a lender by a borrower securing
a sum for payment on the death of another person from whom the
borrower expects to inherit. --adj. taking effect after death.
[L post obitum f. post after + obitus decease f. obire die]
post-partum
adj. following parturition.
postpone v.tr. cause or arrange (an event etc.) to take place at a later
time. ЬЬpostponable adj. postponement n. postponer n. [L
postponere (as POST-, ponere posit- place)]
postposition
n. 1 a word or particle, esp. an enclitic, placed after the
word it modifies, e.g. -ward in homeward and at in the books we
looked at. 2 the use of a postposition. ЬЬpostpositional adj.
& n. postpositive adj. & n. postpositively adv. [LL
postpositio (as POSTPONE)]
postprandial
adj. formal or joc. after dinner or lunch. [POST- + L
prandium a meal]
postscript
n. 1 an additional paragraph or remark, usu. at the end of a
letter after the signature and introduced by 'PS'. 2 any
additional information, action, etc. [L postscriptum neut. past
part. of postscribere (as POST-, scribere write)]
post-tax adj. (of income) after the deduction of taxes.
postulant n. a candidate, esp. for admission into a religious order. [F
postulant or L postulans -antis (as POSTULATE)]
postulate v. & n. --v.tr. 1 (often foll. by that + clause) assume as a
necessary condition, esp. as a basis for reasoning; take for
granted. 2 claim. 3 (in ecclesiastical law) nominate or elect
to a higher rank. --n. 1 a thing postulated. 2 a fundamental
prerequisite or condition. 3 Math. an assumption used as a
basis for mathematical reasoning. ЬЬpostulation n. [L
postulare postulat- demand]
postulator
n. 1 a person who postulates. 2 RC Ch. a person who presents a
case for canonization or beatification.
posture n. & v. --n. 1 the relative position of parts, esp. of the
body (in a reclining posture). 2 carriage or bearing (improved
by good posture and balance). 3 a mental or spiritual attitude
or condition. 4 the condition or state (of affairs etc.) (in
more diplomatic postures). --v. 1 intr. assume a mental or
physical attitude, esp. for effect (inclined to strut and
posture). 2 tr. pose (a person). ЬЬpostural adj. posturer n.
[F f. It. postura f. L positura f. ponere posit- place]
postwar adj. occurring or existing after a war (esp. the most recent
major war).
posy n. (pl. -ies) 1 a small bunch of flowers. 2 archaic a short
motto, line of verse, etc., inscribed within a ring. Ьposy-ring
a ring with this inscription. [alt. f. POESY]
pot(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a vessel, usu. rounded, of ceramic ware or
metal or glass for holding liquids or solids or for cooking in.
2 a a coffee-pot, flowerpot, glue-pot, jam-pot, teapot, etc. b
= chimney-pot. c = lobster-pot. 3 a drinking vessel of pewter
etc. 4 the contents of a pot (ate a whole pot of jam). 5 the
total amount of the bet in a game etc. 6 colloq. a large sum
(pots of money). 7 sl. a vessel given as a prize in an athletic
contest, esp. a silver cup. 8 = pot-belly. --v.tr. (potted,
potting) 1 place in a pot. 2 (usu. as potted adj.) preserve in
a sealed pot (potted shrimps). 3 sit (a young child) on a
chamber pot. 4 pocket (a ball) in billiards etc. 5 shoot at,
hit, or kill (an animal) with a pot shot. 6 seize or secure. 7
abridge or epitomize (in a potted version; potted wisdom). Ьgo
to pot colloq. deteriorate; be ruined. pot-bellied having a
pot-belly. pot-belly (pl. -ies) 1 a protruding stomach. 2 a
person with this. 3 a small bulbous stove. pot-boiler 1 a work
of literature or art done merely to make the writer or artist a
living. 2 a writer or artist who does this. pot-bound (of a
plant) having roots which fill the flowerpot, leaving no room to
expand. pot cheese US cottage cheese. pot-herb any herb grown
in a kitchen garden. pot-hook 1 a hook over a hearth for
hanging a pot etc. on, or for lifting a hot pot. 2 a curved
stroke in handwriting, esp. as made in learning to write.
pot-hunter 1 a person who hunts for game at random. 2 a person
who takes part in a contest merely for the sake of the prize.
pot luck whatever (hospitality etc.) is available. pot of gold
an imaginary reward; an ideal; a jackpot. pot pie a pie of meat
etc. or fruit with a crust baked in a pot. pot plant a plant
grown in a flowerpot. pot roast a piece of meat cooked slowly
in a covered dish. pot-roast v.tr. cook (a piece of meat) in
this way. pot-shot 1 a random shot. 2 a shot aimed at an
animal etc. within easy reach. 3 a shot at a game-bird etc.
merely to provide a meal. pot-valiant courageous because of
drunkenness. pot-valour this type of courage. ЬЬpotful n.
(pl. -fuls). [OE pott, corresp. to OFris., MDu., MLG pot, f.
pop.L]
pot(2) n. sl. marijuana. Ьpot-head one who smokes this. [prob. f.
Mex. Sp. potiguaya]
pot(3) n. & v. Austral. & NZ --n. a dropped goal in rugby football.
--v.tr. (potted, potting) score (a dropped goal). [perh. f.
pot-shot]
potable adj. drinkable. ЬЬpotability n. [F potable or LL potabilis f.
L potare drink]
potage n. thick soup. [F (as POTTAGE)]
potamic adj. of rivers. ЬЬpotamology n. [Gk potamos river]
potash n. an alkaline potassium compound, usu. potassium carbonate or
hydroxide. [17th-c. pot-ashes f. Du. pot-asschen (as POT(1),
ASH(1)): orig. obtained by leaching vegetable ashes and
evaporating the solution in iron pots]
potassium n. Chem. a soft silver-white metallic element occurring
naturally in seawater and various minerals, an essential element
for living organisms, and forming many useful compounds used
industrially. °Symb.: K. Ьpotassium chloride a white
crystalline solid used as a fertilizer and in photographic
processing. potassium cyanide a highly toxic solid that can be
hydrolysed to give poisonous hydrogen cyanide gas: also called
CYANIDE. potassium iodide a white crystalline solid used as an
additive to table salt to prevent iodine deficiency. potassium
permanganate a purple crystalline solid that is used in solution
as an oxidizing agent and disinfectant. ЬЬpotassic adj.
[POTASH + -IUM]
potation n. 1 a drink. 2 the act or an instance of drinking. 3 (usu.
in pl.) the act or an instance of tippling. ЬЬpotatory adj.
[ME f. OF potation or L potatio f. potare drink]
potato n. (pl. -oes) 1 a starchy plant tuber that is cooked and used
for food. 2 the plant, Solanum tuberosum, bearing this. 3
colloq. a hole in (esp. the heel of) a sock or stocking.
Ьpotato chip = CHIP n. 3. potato crisp Brit. = CRISP n. 1.
[Sp. patata var. of Taino batata]
pot-au-feu
n. 1 a large cooking pot of the kind common in France. 2 the
soup or broth cooked in it. 3 the traditional French recipe
associated with this. [F, = pot on the fire]
potch n. an opal of inferior quality. [19th c.: orig. unkn.]
poteen n. (also potheen) Ir. alcohol made illicitly, usu. from
potatoes. [Ir. poitЎn dimin. of pota POT(1)]
potent(1) adj. 1 powerful; strong. 2 (of a reason) cogent; forceful. 3
(of a male) capable of sexual erection or orgasm. 4 literary
mighty. ЬЬpotence n. potency n. potently adv. [L potens
-entis pres. part. of posse be able]
potent(2) adj. & n. Heraldry --adj. 1 with a crutch-head shape. 2 (of a
fur) formed by a series of such shapes. --n. this fur. [ME f.
OF potence crutch f. L potentia power (as POTENT(1))]
potentate n. a monarch or ruler. [ME f. OF potentat or L potentatus
dominion (as POTENT(2))]
potential adj. & n. --adj. capable of coming into being or action;
latent. --n. 1 the capacity for use or development;
possibility (achieved its highest potential). 2 usable
resources. 3 Physics the quantity determining the energy of
mass in a gravitational field or of charge in an electric field.
Ьpotential barrier a region of high potential impeding the
movement of particles etc. potential difference the difference
of electric potential between two points. potential energy a
body's ability to do work by virtue of its position relative to
others, stresses within itself, electric charge, etc.
ЬЬpotentiality n. potentialize v.tr. (also -ise). potentially
adv. [ME f. OF potencial or LL potentialis f. potentia (as
POTENT(1))]
potentiate
v.tr. 1 make more powerful, esp. increase the effectiveness of
(a drug). 2 make possible. [as POTENT(1) after SUBSTANTIATE]
potentilla
n. any plant or shrub of the genus Potentilla; a cinquefoil.
[med.L, dimin. of L potens POTENT(1)]
potentiometer
n. an instrument for measuring or adjusting small electrical
potentials. ЬЬpotentiometric adj. potentiometry n.
potheen var. of POTEEN.
pother n. & v. literary --n. a noise; commotion; fuss. --v. 1 tr.
fluster, worry. 2 intr. make a fuss. [16th c.: orig. unkn.]
pothole n. & v. --n. 1 Geol. a deep hole or system of caves and
underground river-beds formed by the erosion of rock esp. by the
action of water. 2 a deep hole in the ground or a river-bed. 3
a hole in a road surface caused by wear or subsidence.
--v.intr. Brit. explore potholes. ЬЬpotholer n. potholing n.
potion n. a dose or quantity of medicine, a drug, poison, etc. [ME f.
OF f. L potio -onis f. potus having drunk]
potlatch n. (among N. American Indians) a ceremonial giving away or
destruction of property to enhance status. [Chinook f. Nootka
patlatsh gift]
potoroo n. Austral. any small marsupial of the genus Potorus, native
to Australia and Tasmania; a rat kangaroo. [Aboriginal]
pot-pourri
n. 1 a mixture of dried petals and spices used to perfume a
room etc. 2 a musical or literary medley. [F, = rotten pot]
potrero n. (pl. -os) 1 (in the SW US and S. America) a paddock or
pasture for horses or cattle. 2 (in the SW US) a narrow
steep-sided plateau. [Sp. f. potro colt, pony]
potsherd n. a broken piece of ceramic material, esp. one found on an
archaeological site.
pottage n. archaic soup, stew. [ME f. OF potage (as POT(1))]
potter(1) v. (US putter) 1 intr. a (often foll. by about, around) work
or occupy oneself in a desultory but pleasant manner (likes
pottering about in the garden). b (often foll. by at, in)
dabble in a subject or occupation. 2 intr. go slowly, dawdle,
loiter (pottered up to the pub). 3 tr. (foll. by away) fritter
away (one's time etc.). ЬЬpotterer n. [frequent. of dial.
pote push f. OE potian]
potter(2) n. a maker of ceramic vessels. Ьpotter's field a burial place
for paupers, strangers, etc. (after Matt. 27:7). potter's
wheel a horizontal revolving disc to carry clay for making pots.
[OE pottere (as POT(1))]
pottery n. (pl. -ies) 1 vessels etc. made of fired clay. 2 a potter's
work. 3 a potter's workshop. Ьthe Potteries a district in N.
Staffordshire, where the English pottery industry is centred.
[ME f. OF poterie f. potier POTTER(2)]
potting shed
n. a building in which plants are potted and tools etc. are
stored.
pottle n. 1 a small punnet or carton for strawberries etc. 2 archaic
a a measure for liquids; a half gallon. b a pot etc. containing
this. [ME f. OF potel (as POT(1))]
potto n. (pl. -os) 1 a W. African lemur-like mammal, Perodicticus
potto. 2 a kinkajou. [perh. f. Guinea dial.]
Pott's fracture
n. a fracture of the lower end of the fibula, usu. with
dislocation of the ankle. [P. Pott, Engl. surgeon d. 1788]
potty(1) adj. (pottier, pottiest) Brit. sl. 1 foolish or crazy. 2
insignificant, trivial (esp. potty little). ЬЬpottiness n.
[19th c.: orig. unkn.]
potty(2) n. (pl. -ies) colloq. a chamber-pot, esp. for a child.
pouch n. & v. --n. 1 a small bag or detachable outside pocket. 2 a
baggy area of skin underneath the eyes etc. 3 a a pocket-like
receptacle in which marsupials carry their young during
lactation. b any of several similar structures in various
animals, e.g. in the cheeks of rodents. 4 a soldier's leather
ammunition bag. 5 a lockable bag for mail or dispatches. 6
Bot. a baglike cavity, esp. the seed-vessel, in a plant.
--v.tr. 1 put or make into a pouch. 2 take possession of;
pocket. 3 make (part of a dress etc.) hang like a pouch.
ЬЬpouched adj. pouchy adj. [ME f. ONF pouche: cf. POKE(2)]
pouf var. of POOF.
pouffe n. (also pouf) a large firm cushion used as a low seat or
footstool. [F pouf; ult. imit.]
poulard n. a domestic hen that has been spayed and fattened for eating.
[F poularde f. poule hen]
poult(1) n. a young domestic fowl, turkey, pheasant, etc. [ME, contr.
f. PULLET]
poult(2) n. (in full poult-de-soie) a fine corded silk or taffeta, usu.
coloured. [F, of unkn. orig.]
poulterer n. a dealer in poultry and usu. game. [ME poulter f. OF
pouletier (as PULLET)]
poultice n. & v. --n. a soft medicated and usu. heated mass applied to
the body and kept in place with muslin etc., for relieving
soreness and inflammation. --v.tr. apply a poultice to. [orig.
pultes (pl.) f. L puls pultis pottage, pap, etc.]
poultry n. domestic fowls (ducks, geese, turkeys, chickens, etc.), esp.
as a source of food. [ME f. OF pouletrie (as POULTERER)]
pounce(1) v. & n. --v.intr. 1 spring or swoop, esp. as in capturing
prey. 2 (often foll. by on, upon) a make a sudden attack. b
seize eagerly upon an object, remark, etc. (pounced on what we
said). --n. 1 the act or an instance of pouncing. 2 the claw
or talon of a bird of prey. ЬЬpouncer n. [perh. f.
PUNCHEON(1)]
pounce(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a fine powder formerly used to prevent ink from
spreading on unglazed paper. 2 powdered charcoal etc. dusted
over a perforated pattern to transfer the design to the object
beneath. --v.tr. 1 dust with pounce. 2 transfer (a design
etc.) by use of pounce. 3 smooth (paper etc.) with pounce or
pumice. ЬЬpouncer n. [F ponce, poncer f. L pumex PUMICE]
pouncet-box
n. archaic a small box with a perforated lid for perfumes etc.
[16th c.: perh. orig. erron. f. pounced (= perforated) box]
pound(1) n. 1 a unit of weight equal to 16 oz. avoirdupois (0.4536 kg),
or 12 oz. troy (0.3732 kg). 2 (in full pound sterling) (pl.
same or pounds) the chief monetary unit of the UK and several
other countries. Ьpound cake a rich cake containing a pound (or
equal weights) of each chief ingredient. pound coin (or note) a
coin or note worth one pound sterling. pound of flesh any
legitimate but crippling demand. pound Scots hist. 1s. 8d.
pound sign the sign њ, representing a pound. [OE pund ult. f. L
pondo Roman pound weight of 12 ounces]
pound(2) v. 1 tr. a crush or beat with repeated heavy blows. b thump
or pummel, esp. with the fists. c grind to a powder or pulp. 2
intr. (foll. by at, on) deliver heavy blows or gunfire. 3 intr.
(foll. by along etc.) make one's way heavily or clumsily. 4
intr. (of the heart) beat heavily. Ьpound out produce with or
as if with heavy blows. ЬЬpounder n. [OE punian, rel. to Du.
puin, LG pЃn rubbish]
pound(3) n. & v. --n. 1 an enclosure where stray animals or officially
removed vehicles are kept until redeemed. 2 a place of
confinement. --v.tr. enclose (cattle etc.) in a pound. Ьpound
lock a lock with two gates to confine water and often a side
reservoir to maintain the water level. [ME f. OE pund- in
pundfald: see PINFOLD]
poundage n. 1 a commission or fee of so much per pound sterling or
weight. 2 a percentage of the total earnings of a business,
paid as wages. 3 a person's weight, esp. that which is regarded
as excess.
poundal n. Physics a unit of force equal to the force required to give
a mass of one pound an acceleration of one foot per second per
second. [POUND(1) + - al perh. after quintal]
pounder n. (usu. in comb.) 1 a thing or person weighing a specified
number of pounds (a five-pounder). 2 a gun carrying a shell of
a specified number of pounds. 3 a thing worth, or a person
possessing, so many pounds sterling.
pour v. 1 intr. & tr. (usu. foll. by down, out, over, etc.) flow or
cause to flow esp. downwards in a stream or shower. 2 tr.
dispense (a drink, e.g. tea) by pouring. 3 intr. (of rain, or
with it as subject) fall heavily. 4 intr. (usu. foll. by in,
out, etc.) come or go in profusion or rapid succession (the
crowd poured out; letters poured in; poems poured from her
fertile mind). 5 tr. discharge or send freely (poured forth
arrows). 6 tr. (often foll. by out) utter at length or in a
rush (poured out their story; poured scorn on my attempts). Ьit
never rains but it pours misfortunes rarely come singly. pour
cold water on see COLD. pour oil on the waters (or on troubled
waters) calm a disagreement or disturbance, esp. with
conciliatory words. ЬЬpourable adj. pourer n. [ME: orig.
unkn.]
pourboire n. a gratuity or tip. [F, = pour boire (money) for drinking]
poussin n. a young chicken bred for eating. [F]
pout(1) v. & n. --v. 1 intr. a push the lips forward as an expression
of displeasure or sulking. b (of the lips) be pushed forward.
2 tr. push (the lips) forward in pouting. --n. 1 such an
action or expression. 2 (the pouts) a fit of sulking. ЬЬpouter
n. poutingly adv. pouty adj. [ME, perh. f. OE putian
(unrecorded) be inflated: cf. POUT(2)]
pout(2) n. 1 = BIB(1) 3. 2 = EELPOUT. [OE -puta in ‘leputa eelpout,
f. WG]
pouter n. 1 a person who pouts. 2 a kind of pigeon able to inflate
its crop considerably.
poverty n. 1 the state of being poor; want of the necessities of life.
2 (often foll. by of, in) scarcity or lack. 3 inferiority,
poorness, meanness. 4 Eccl. renunciation of the right to
individual ownership of property. Ьpoverty line the minimum
income level needed to secure the necessities of life.
poverty-stricken extremely poor. poverty trap a situation in
which an increase of income incurs a loss of State benefits,
making real improvement impossible. [ME f. OF poverte, povert‚
f. L paupertas -tatis f. pauper poor]
POW abbr. prisoner of war.
pow int. expressing the sound of a blow or explosion. [imit.]
powder n. & v. --n. 1 a substance in the form of fine dry particles.
2 a medicine or cosmetic in this form. 3 = GUNPOWDER. --v.tr.
1 a apply powder to (powder one's nose). b sprinkle or decorate
with or as with powder. 2 (esp. as powdered adj.) reduce to a
fine powder (powdered milk). Ьkeep one's powder dry be cautious
and alert. powder blue pale blue. powder-flask hist. a small
case for carrying gunpowder. powder-keg 1 a barrel of
gunpowder. 2 a dangerous or volatile situation. powder
metallurgy the production of metal as fine powders to make
objects. powder-monkey hist. a boy employed on board ship to
carry powder to the guns. powder-puff a soft pad for applying
powder to the skin, esp. the face. powder-room a women's
cloakroom or lavatory in a public building. powder snow loose
dry snow on a ski-run etc. take a powder sl. depart quickly.
ЬЬpowdery adj. [ME f. OF poudre f. L pulvis pulveris dust]
power n. & v. --n. 1 the ability to do or act (will do all in my
power; has the power to change colour). 2 a particular faculty
of body or mind (lost the power of speech; powers of
persuasion). 3 a government, influence, or authority. b
political or social ascendancy or control (the party in power;
Black Power). 4 authorization; delegated authority (power of
attorney; police powers). 5 (often foll. by over) personal
ascendancy. 6 an influential person, group, or organization
(the press is a power in the land). 7 a military strength. b a
state having international influence, esp. based on military
strength (the leading powers). 8 vigour, energy. 9 an active
property or function (has a high heating power). 10 colloq. a
large number or amount (has done me a power of good). 11 the
capacity for exerting mechanical force or doing work
(horsepower). 12 mechanical or electrical energy as distinct
from hand-labour (often attrib.: power tools; power steering).
13 a a public supply of (esp. electrical) energy. b a
particular source or form of energy (hydroelectric power). 14 a
mechanical force applied e.g. by means of a lever. 15 Physics
the rate of energy output. 16 the product obtained when a
number is multiplied by itself a certain number of times (2 to
the power of 3 = 8). 17 the magnifying capacity of a lens. 18
a a deity. b (in pl.) the sixth order of the ninefold celestial
hierarchy. --v.tr. 1 supply with mechanical or electrical
energy. 2 (foll. by up, down) increase or decrease the power
supplied to (a device); switch on or off. Ьin the power of
under the control of. more power to your elbow! an expression
of encouragement or approval. power behind the throne a person
who asserts authority or influence without having formal status.
power block a group of nations constituting an international
political force. power cut a temporary withdrawal or failure of
an electric power supply. power-dive n. a steep dive of an
aircraft with the engines providing thrust. --v.intr. perform a
power-dive. power line a conductor supplying electrical power,
esp. one supported by pylons or poles. power of attorney see
ATTORNEY. power pack 1 a unit for supplying power. 2 the
equipment for converting an alternating current (from the mains)
to a direct current at a different (usu. lower) voltage. power
play 1 tactics involving the concentration of players at a
particular point. 2 similar tactics in business, politics,
etc., involving a concentration of resources, effort, etc.
power point Brit. a socket in a wall etc. for connecting an
electrical device to the mains. power politics political action
based on power or influence. power-sharing a policy agreed
between parties or within a coalition to share responsibility
for decision-making and political action. power station a
building where electrical power is generated for distribution.
the powers that be those in authority (Rom. 13:1). power stroke
the stroke of an internal-combustion engine, in which the piston
is moved downward by the expansion of gases. ЬЬpowered adj.
(also in comb.). [ME & AF poer etc., OF poeir ult. f. L posse
be able]
powerboat n. a powerful motor boat.
powerful adj. 1 having much power or strength. 2 politically or
socially influential. ЬЬpowerfully adv. powerfulness n.
powerhouse
n. 1 = power station. 2 a person or thing of great energy.
powerless adj. 1 without power or strength. 2 (often foll. by to +
infin.) wholly unable (powerless to help). ЬЬpowerlessly adv.
powerlessness n.
powerplant
n. an apparatus or an installation which provides power for
industry, a machine, etc.
powwow n. & v. --n. a conference or meeting for discussion (orig.
among N. American Indians). --v.tr. hold a powwow. [Algonquian
powah, powwaw magician (lit. 'he dreams')]
pox n. 1 any virus disease producing a rash of pimples that become
pus-filled and leave pock-marks on healing. 2 colloq. =
SYPHILIS. 3 a plant disease that causes pocklike spots. Ьa pox
on archaic an exclamation of anger or impatience with (a
person). [alt. spelling of pocks pl. of POCK]
poxy adj. (poxier, poxiest) 1 infected by pox. 2 sl. of poor
quality; worthless.
pozzolana n. (also puzzolana) a volcanic ash used for mortar or hydraulic
cement. [It., f. pozz(u)olano (adj.) of Pozzuoli near Naples]
PR abbr. 1 public relations. 2 proportional representation. 3 US
Puerto Rico.
Pr symb. Chem. the element praseodymium.
pr. abbr. pair.
PRA abbr. (in the UK) President of the Royal Academy.
praam var. of PRAM(2).
practicable
adj. 1 that can be done or used. 2 possible in practice.
ЬЬpracticability n. practicableness n. practicably adv. [F
praticable f. pratiquer put into practice (as PRACTICAL)]
practical adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or concerned with practice or use rather
than theory. 2 suited to use or action; designed mainly to
fulfil a function (practical shoes). 3 (of a person) inclined
to action rather than speculation; able to make things function
well. 4 a that is such in effect though not nominally (for all
practical purposes). b virtual (in practical control). 5
feasible; concerned with what is actually possible (practical
politics). --n. a practical examination or lesson. Ьpractical
joke a humorous trick played on a person. practical joker a
person who plays practical jokes. ЬЬpracticality n. (pl.
-ies). practicalness n. [earlier practic f. obs. F practique
or LL practicus f. Gk praktikos f. prasso do, act]
practically
adv. 1 virtually, almost (practically nothing). 2 in a
practical way.
practice n. & v. --n. 1 habitual action or performance (the practice of
teaching; makes a practice of saving). 2 a habit or custom (has
been my regular practice). 3 a repeated exercise in an activity
requiring the development of skill (to sing well needs much
practice). b a session of this (time for target practice). 4
action or execution as opposed to theory. 5 the professional
work or business of a doctor, lawyer, etc. (has a practice in
town). 6 an established method of legal procedure. 7 procedure
generally, esp. of a specified kind (bad practice). --v.tr. &
intr. US var. of PRACTISE. Ьin practice 1 when actually
applied; in reality. 2 skilful because of recent exercise in a
particular pursuit. out of practice lacking a former skill from
lack of recent practice. put into practice actually apply (an
idea, method, etc.). [ME f. PRACTISE, after advice, device]
practician
n. a worker; a practitioner. [obs. F practicien f. practique
f. med.L practica f. Gk praktike fem. of praktikos: see
PRACTICAL]
practise v. (US practice) 1 tr. perform habitually; carry out in action
(practise the same method; practise what you preach). 2 tr. &
(foll. by in, on) intr. do repeatedly as an exercise to improve
a skill; exercise oneself in or on (an activity requiring skill)
(had to practise in the art of speaking; practise your reading).
3 tr. (as practised adj.) experienced, expert (a practised liar;
with a practised hand). 4 tr. a pursue or be engaged in (a
profession, religion, etc.). b (as practising adj.) currently
active or engaged in (a profession or activity) (a practising
Christian; a practising lawyer). 5 intr. (foll. by on, upon)
take advantage of; impose upon. 6 intr. archaic scheme,
contrive (when first we practise to deceive). ЬЬpractiser n.
[ME f. OF pra(c)tiser or med.L practizare alt. f. practicare
(as PRACTICAL)]
practitioner
n. a person practising a profession, esp. medicine (general
practitioner). [obs. practitian = PRACTICIAN]
prae- prefix = PRE- (esp. in words regarded as Latin or relating to
Roman antiquity). [L: see PRE-]
praecipe n. 1 a writ demanding action or an explanation of non-action.
2 an order requesting a writ. [L (the first word of the writ),
imper. of praecipere enjoin: see PRECEPT]
praecocial
adj. & n. (US precocial) --adj. (of a bird) having young that
can feed themselves as soon as they are hatched. --n. a
praecocial bird (cf. ALTRICIAL). [L praecox -cocis (as
PRECOCIOUS)]
praemunire
n. hist. a writ charging a sheriff to summon a person accused
of asserting or maintaining papal jurisdiction in England.
[med.L, = forewarn, for L praemonere (as PRAE-, monere warn):
the words praemunire facias that you warn (a person to appear)
occur in the writ]
praenomen n. an ancient Roman's first or personal name (e.g. Marcus
Tullius Cicero). [L f. prae before + nomen name]
praepostor
n. (also prepostor) Brit. (at some public schools) a prefect
or monitor. [praepositor alt. f. L praepositus past part. of
praeponere set over (as PRAE-, ponere posit- place)]
praesidium
var. of PRESIDIUM.
praetor n. (US pretor) Rom.Hist. each of two ancient Roman magistrates
ranking below consul. ЬЬpraetorial adj. praetorship n. [ME f.
F pr‚teur or L praetor (perh. as PRAE-, ire it- go)]
praetorian
adj. & n. (US pretorian) Rom.Hist. --adj. of or having the
powers of a praetor. --n. a man of praetorian rank.
Ьpraetorian guard the bodyguard of the Roman emperor. [ME f. L
praetorianus (as PRAETOR)]
pragmatic adj. 1 dealing with matters with regard to their practical
requirements or consequences. 2 treating the facts of history
with reference to their practical lessons. 3 hist. of or
relating to the affairs of a State. 4 (also pragmatical) a
concerning pragmatism. b meddlesome. c dogmatic. Ьpragmatic
sanction hist. an imperial or royal ordinance issued as a
fundamental law, esp. regarding a question of royal succession.
ЬЬpragmaticality n. pragmatically adv. [LL pragmaticus f. Gk
pragmatikos f. pragma -matos deed]
pragmatics
n.pl. (usu. treated as sing.) the branch of linguistics dealing
with language in use.
pragmatism
n. 1 a pragmatic attitude or procedure. 2 a philosophy that
evaluates assertions solely by their practical consequences and
bearing on human interests. ЬЬpragmatist n. pragmatistic adj.
[Gk pragma: see PRAGMATIC]
pragmatize
v.tr. (also -ise) 1 represent as real. 2 rationalize (a myth).
prahu var. of PROA.
prairie n. a large area of usu. treeless grassland esp. in N. America.
Ьprairie chicken (or hen) a N. American grouse, Tympanuchus
cupido. prairie dog any N. American rodent of the genus
Cynomys, living in burrows and making a barking sound. prairie
oyster a seasoned raw egg, swallowed without breaking the yolk.
prairie schooner US a covered wagon used by the 19th-c. pioneers
in crossing the N. American prairies. prairie wolf = COYOTE.
[F f. OF praerie ult. f. L pratum meadow]
praise v. & n. --v.tr. 1 express warm approval or admiration of. 2
glorify (God) in words. --n. the act or an instance of
praising; commendation (won high praise; were loud in their
praises). Ьpraise be! an exclamation of pious gratitude. sing
the praises of commend (a person) highly. ЬЬpraiseful adj.
praiser n. [ME f. OF preisier price, prize, praise, f. LL
pretiare f. L pretium price: cf. PRIZE(1)]
praiseworthy
adj. worthy of praise; commendable. ЬЬpraiseworthily adv.
praiseworthiness n.
Prakrit n. any of the (esp. ancient or medieval) vernacular dialects of
North and Central India existing alongside or derived from
Sanskrit. [Skr. prakrta unrefined: cf. SANSKRIT]
praline n. a sweet made by browning nuts in boiling sugar. [F f.
Marshal de Plessis- Praslin, Fr. soldier d. 1675, whose cook
invented it]
pralltriller
n. a musical ornament consisting of one rapid alternation of
the written note with the note immediately above it. [G f.
prallen rebound + Triller TRILL]
pram(1) n. Brit. a four-wheeled carriage for a baby, pushed by a
person on foot. [abbr. of PERAMBULATOR]
pram(2) n. (also praam) 1 a flat-bottomed gunboat or Baltic cargo-boat.
2 a Scandinavian ship's dinghy. [MDu. prame, praem, MLG
pram(e), f. OSlav. pramu]
prana n. 1 (in Hinduism) breath as a life-giving force. 2 the
breath; breathing. [Skr.]
prance v. & n. --v.intr. 1 (of a horse) raise the forelegs and spring
from the hind legs. 2 (often foll. by about) walk or behave in
an elated or arrogant manner. --n. 1 the act of prancing. 2 a
prancing movement. ЬЬprancer n. [ME: orig. unkn.]
prandial adj. formal or joc. of dinner or lunch. [L prandium meal]
prang v. & n. Brit. sl. --v.tr. 1 crash or damage (an aircraft or
vehicle). 2 bomb (a target) successfully. --n. the act or an
instance of pranging. [imit.]
prank n. a practical joke; a piece of mischief. ЬЬprankful adj.
prankish adj. pranksome adj. [16th c.: orig. unkn.]
prankster n. a person fond of playing pranks.
prase n. a translucent leek-green type of quartz. [F f. L prasius f.
Gk prasios (adj.) leek-green f. prason leek]
praseodymium
n. Chem. a soft silvery metallic element of the lanthanide
series, occurring naturally in various minerals and used in
catalyst mixtures. °Symb.: Pr. [G Praseodym f. Gk prasios (see
PRASE) from its green salts, + G Didym DIDYMIUM]
prat n. sl. 1 Brit. a silly or foolish person. 2 the buttocks.
[16th-c. cant (in sense 2): orig. unkn.]
prate v. & n. --v. 1 intr. chatter; talk too much. 2 intr. talk
foolishly or irrelevantly. 3 tr. tell or say in a prating
manner. --n. prating; idle talk. ЬЬprater n. prating adj.
[ME f. MDu., MLG praten, prob. imit.]
pratfall n. US sl. 1 a fall on the buttocks. 2 a humiliating failure.
pratie n. esp. Ir. a potato. [corrupt.]
pratincole
n. any of various birds of the subfamily Glareolinae,
inhabiting sandy and stony areas and feeding on insects. [mod.L
pratincola f. L pratum meadow + incola inhabitant]
pratique n. a licence to have dealings with a port, granted to a ship
after quarantine or on showing a clean bill of health. [F, =
practice, intercourse, f. It. pratica f. med.L practica: see
PRACTICIAN]
prattle v. & n. --v.intr. & tr. chatter or say in a childish way. --n.
1 childish chatter. 2 inconsequential talk. ЬЬprattler n.
prattling adj. [MLG pratelen (as PRATE)]
prau var. of PROA.
prawn n. & v. --n. any of various marine crustaceans, resembling a
shrimp but usu. larger. --v.intr. fish for prawns. Ьcome the
raw prawn see RAW. [ME pra(y)ne, of unkn. orig.]
praxis n. 1 accepted practice or custom. 2 the practising of an art
or skill. [med.L f. Gk, = doing, f. prasso do]
pray v. (often foll. by for or to + infin. or that + clause) 1 intr.
(often foll. by to) say prayers (to God etc.); make devout
supplication. 2 a tr. entreat, beseech. b tr. & intr. ask
earnestly (prayed to be released). 3 tr. (as imper.) archaic &
formal please (pray tell me). Ьpraying mantis see MANTIS. [ME
f. OF preier f. LL precare f. L precari entreat]
prayer(1) n. 1 a a solemn request or thanksgiving to God or an object of
worship (say a prayer). b a formula or form of words used in
praying (the Lord's prayer). c the act of praying (be at
prayer). d a religious service consisting largely of prayers
(morning prayers). 2 a an entreaty to a person. b a thing
entreated or prayed for. Ьnot have a prayer US colloq. have no
chance (of success etc.). prayer-book a book containing the
forms of prayer in regular use, esp. the Book of Common Prayer.
prayer-mat a small carpet used by Muslims when praying.
prayer-wheel a revolving cylindrical box inscribed with or
containing prayers, used esp. by Tibetan Buddhists.
ЬЬprayerless adj. [ME f. OF preiere ult. f. L precarius
obtained by entreaty f. prex precis prayer]
prayer(2) n. a person who prays.
prayerful adj. 1 (of a person) given to praying; devout. 2 (of speech,
actions, etc.) characterized by or expressive of prayer.
ЬЬprayerfully adv. prayerfulness n.
pre- prefix before (in time, place, order, degree, or importance).
[from or after L prae- f. prae (adv. & prep.)]
preach v. 1 a intr. deliver a sermon or religious address. b tr.
deliver (a sermon); proclaim or expound (the Gospel etc.). 2
intr. give moral advice in an obtrusive way. 3 tr. advocate or
inculcate (a quality or practice etc.). ЬЬpreachable adj. [ME
f. OF prechier f. L praedicare proclaim, in eccl.L preach (as
PRAE-, dicare declare)]
preacher n. a person who preaches, esp. a minister of religion. [ME f.
AF prech(o)ur, OF prech(e)or f. eccl.L praedicator (as PREACH)]
preachify v.intr. (-ies, -ied) colloq. preach or moralize tediously.
preachment
n. usu. derog. preaching, sermonizing.
preachy adj. (preachier, preachiest) colloq. inclined to preach or
moralize. ЬЬpreachiness n.
preadolescent
adj. & n. --adj. 1 (of a child) having nearly reached
adolescence. 2 of or relating to the two or three years
preceding adolescence. --n. a preadolescent child.
ЬЬpreadolescence n.
preamble n. 1 a preliminary statement or introduction. 2 the
introductory part of a statute or deed etc. ЬЬpreambular adj.
[ME f. OF preambule f. med.L praeambulum f. LL praeambulus
(adj.) going before (as PRE-, AMBLE)]
pre-amp n. = PREAMPLIFIER. [abbr.]
preamplifier
n. an electronic device that amplifies a very weak signal (e.g.
from a microphone or pickup) and transmits it to a main
amplifier. ЬЬpreamplified adj.
prearrange
v.tr. arrange beforehand. ЬЬprearrangement n.
preatomic adj. existing or occurring before the use of atomic energy.
Preb. abbr. Prebendary.
prebend n. 1 the stipend of a canon or member of chapter. 2 a portion
of land or tithe from which this is drawn. ЬЬprebendal adj.
[ME f. OF prebende f. LL praebenda pension, neut.pl. gerundive
of L praebere grant f. prae forth + habere hold]
prebendary
n. (pl. -ies) 1 the holder of a prebend. 2 an honorary canon.
ЬЬprebendaryship n. [ME f. med.L praebendarius (as PREBEND)]
Precambrian
adj. & n. Geol. --adj. of or relating to the earliest era of
geological time from the formation of the earth to the first
forms of life. °Cf. Appendix II. --n. this era.
precarious
adj. 1 uncertain; dependent on chance (makes a precarious
living). 2 insecure, perilous (precarious health).
ЬЬprecariously adv. precariousness n. [L precarius: see
PRAYER(1)]
precast adj. (of concrete) cast in its final shape before positioning.
precative adj. (of a word or form) expressing a wish or request. [LL
precativus f. precari pray]
precaution
n. 1 an action taken beforehand to avoid risk or ensure a good
result. 2 (in pl.) colloq. the use of contraceptives.
ЬЬprecautionary adj. [F pr‚caution f. LL praecautio -onis f. L
praecavere (as PRAE-, cavere caut- beware of)]
precede v.tr. 1 a come or go before in time, order, importance, etc.
(preceding generations; the preceding paragraph; sons of barons
precede baronets). b walk etc. in front of (preceded by our
guide). 2 (foll. by by) cause to be preceded (must precede this
measure by milder ones). [OF preceder f. L praecedere (as
PRAE-, cedere cess- go)]
precedence
n. (also precedency) 1 priority in time, order, or importance,
etc. 2 the right of preceding others on formal occasions.
Ьtake precedence (often foll. by over, of) have priority (over).
precedent n. & adj. --n. a previous case or legal decision etc. taken as
a guide for subsequent cases or as a justification. --adj.
preceding in time, order, importance, etc. ЬЬprecedently adv.
[ME f. OF (n. & adj.) (as PRECEDE)]
precedented
adj. having or supported by a precedent.
precent v. 1 intr. act as a precentor. 2 tr. lead the singing of (a
psalm etc.). [back-form. f. PRECENTOR]
precentor n. 1 a person who leads the singing or (in a synagogue) the
prayers of a congregation. 2 a minor canon who administers the
musical life of a cathedral. ЬЬprecentorship n. [F pr‚centeur
or L praecentor f. praecinere (as PRAE-, canere sing)]
precept n. 1 a command; a rule of conduct. 2 moral instruction
(example is better than precept). 3 a a writ or warrant. b
Brit. an order for collection or payment of money under a local
rate. ЬЬpreceptive adj. [ME f. L praeceptum neut. past part.
of praecipere praecept- warn, instruct (as PRAE-, capere take)]
preceptor n. a teacher or instructor. ЬЬpreceptorial adj. preceptorship
n. preceptress n. [L praeceptor (as PRECEPT)]
precession
n. the slow movement of the axis of a spinning body around
another axis. Ьprecession of the equinoxes 1 the slow
retrograde motion of equinoctial points along the ecliptic. 2
the resulting earlier occurrence of equinoxes in each successive
sidereal year. ЬЬprecessional adj. [LL praecessio (as
PRECEDE)]
pre-Christian
adj. before Christ or the advent of Christianity.
precinct n. 1 an enclosed or clearly defined area, e.g. around a
cathedral, college, etc. 2 a specially designated area in a
town, esp. with the exclusion of traffic (shopping precinct). 3
(in pl.) a the surrounding area or environs. b the boundaries.
4 US a a subdivision of a county, city, etc., for police or
electoral purposes. b (in pl.) a neighbourhood. [ME f. med.L
praecinctum neut. past part. of praecingere encircle (as PRAE-,
cingere gird)]
preciosity
n. overrefinement in art or language, esp. in the choice of
words. [OF pr‚ciosit‚ f. L pretiositas f. pretiosus (as
PRECIOUS)]
precious adj. & adv. --adj. 1 of great value or worth. 2 beloved; much
prized (precious memories). 3 affectedly refined, esp. in
language or manner. 4 colloq. often iron. a considerable (a
precious lot you know about it). b expressing contempt or
disdain (you can keep your precious flowers). --adv. colloq.
extremely, very (tried precious hard; had precious little left).
Ьprecious metals gold, silver, and platinum. precious stone a
piece of mineral having great value esp. as used in jewellery.
ЬЬpreciously adv. preciousness n. [ME f. OF precios f. L
pretiosus f. pretium price]
precipice n. 1 a vertical or steep face of a rock, cliff, mountain, etc.
2 a dangerous situation. [F pr‚cipice or L praecipitium falling
headlong, precipice (as PRECIPITOUS)]
precipitant
adj. & n. --adj. = PRECIPITATE adj. --n. Chem. a substance
that causes another substance to precipitate. ЬЬprecipitance n.
precipitancy n. [obs. F pr‚cipitant pres. part. of pr‚cipiter
(as PRECIPITATE)]
precipitate
v., adj., & n. --v.tr. 1 hasten the occurrence of; cause to
occur prematurely. 2 (foll. by into) send rapidly into a
certain state or condition (were precipitated into war). 3
throw down headlong. 4 Chem. cause (a substance) to be
deposited in solid form from a solution. 5 Physics a cause
(dust etc.) to be deposited from the air on a surface. b
condense (vapour) into drops and so deposit it. --adj. 1
headlong; violently hurried (precipitate departure). 2 (of a
person or act) hasty, rash, inconsiderate. --n. 1 Chem. a
substance precipitated from a solution. 2 Physics moisture
condensed from vapour by cooling and depositing, e.g. rain or
dew. ЬЬprecipitable adj. precipitability n. precipitately
adv. precipitateness n. precipitator n. [L praecipitare
praecipitat- f. praeceps praecipitis headlong (as PRAE-, caput
head)]
precipitation
n. 1 the act of precipitating or the process of being
precipitated. 2 rash haste. 3 a rain or snow etc. falling to
the ground. b a quantity of this. [F pr‚cipitation or L
praecipitatio (as PRECIPITATE)]
precipitous
adj. 1 a of or like a precipice. b dangerously steep. 2 =
PRECIPITATE adj. ЬЬprecipitously adv. precipitousness n.
[obs. F pr‚cipiteux f. L praeceps (as PRECIPITATE)]
pr‚cis n. & v. --n. (pl. same) a summary or abstract, esp. of a text
or speech. --v.tr. (pr‚cises; pr‚cised; pr‚cising) make a
pr‚cis of. [F, = PRECISE (as n.)]
precise adj. 1 a accurately expressed. b definite, exact. 2
punctilious; scrupulous in being exact, observing rules, etc. 3
identical, exact (at that precise moment). ЬЬpreciseness n. [F
pr‚cis -ise f. L praecidere praecis- cut short (as PRAE-,
caedere cut)]
precisely adv. 1 in a precise manner; exactly. 2 (as a reply) quite so;
as you say.
precisian n. a person who is rigidly precise or punctilious, esp. in
religious observance. ЬЬprecisianism n.
precision n. 1 the condition of being precise; accuracy. 2 the degree of
refinement in measurement etc. 3 (attrib.) marked by or adapted
for precision (precision instruments; precision timing).
ЬЬprecisionism n. precisionist n. [F pr‚cision or L praecisio
(as PRECISE)]
preclassical
adj. before a period regarded as classical, esp. in music and
literature.
preclinical
adj. 1 of or relating to the first, chiefly theoretical, stage
of a medical education. 2 (of a stage in a disease) before
symptoms can be identified.
preclude v.tr. 1 (foll. by from) prevent, exclude (precluded from taking
part). 2 make impossible; remove (so as to preclude all doubt).
ЬЬpreclusion n. preclusive adj. [L praecludere praeclus- (as
PRAE-, claudere shut)]
precocial US var. of PRAECOCIAL.
precocious
adj. 1 often derog. (of a person, esp. a child) prematurely
developed in some faculty or characteristic. 2 (of an action
etc.) indicating such development. 3 (of a plant) flowering or
fruiting early. ЬЬprecociously adv. precociousness n.
precocity n. [L praecox -cocis f. praecoquere ripen fully (as
PRAE-, coquere cook)]
precognition
n. 1 (supposed) foreknowledge, esp. of a supernatural kind. 2
Sc. the preliminary examination of witnesses etc., esp. to
decide whether there is ground for a trial. ЬЬprecognitive adj.
[LL praecognitio (as PRE-, COGNITION)]
precoital adj. preceding sexual intercourse. ЬЬprecoitally adv.
pre-Columbian
adj. before the discovery of America by Columbus.
preconceive
v.tr. form (an idea or opinion etc.) beforehand; anticipate in
thought.
preconception
n. 1 a preconceived idea. 2 a prejudice.
preconcert
v.tr. arrange or organize beforehand.
precondition
n. & v. --n. a prior condition, that must be fulfilled before
other things can be done. --v.tr. bring into a required
condition beforehand.
preconize v.tr. (also -ise) 1 proclaim or commend publicly. 2 summon by
name. 3 RC Ch. (of the Pope) approve publicly the appointment
of (a bishop). ЬЬpreconization n. [ME f. med.L praeconizare f.
L praeco -onis herald]
preconscious
adj. & n. Psychol. --adj. 1 preceding consciousness. 2 of or
associated with a part of the mind below the level of immediate
conscious awareness, from which memories and emotions can be
recalled. --n. this part of the mind. ЬЬpreconsciousness n.
precook v.tr. cook in advance.
precool v.tr. cool in advance.
precordial
adj. in front of or about the heart.
precostal adj. in front of the ribs.
precursor n. 1 a a forerunner. b a person who precedes in office etc. 2
a harbinger. 3 a substance from which another is formed by
decay or chemical reaction etc. [L praecursor f. praecurrere
praecurs- (as PRAE-, currere run)]
precursory
adj. (also precursive) 1 preliminary, introductory. 2 (foll.
by of) serving as a harbinger of. [L praecursorius (as
PRECURSOR)]
precut v.tr. (past and past part. -cut) cut in advance.
predacious
adj. (also predaceous) 1 (of an animal) predatory. 2 relating
to such animals (predacious instincts). ЬЬpredaciousness n.
predacity n. [L praeda booty: cf. audacious]
predate v.tr. exist or occur at a date earlier than.
predation n. 1 (usu. in pl.) = DEPREDATION. 2 Zool. the natural preying
of one animal on others. [L praedatio -onis taking of booty f.
L praeda booty]
predator n. 1 an animal naturally preying on others. 2 a person, State,
etc., compared to this. [L praedator plunderer f. praedari
seize as plunder f. praeda booty (as PREDACIOUS)]
predatory adj. 1 (of an animal) preying naturally upon others. 2 (of a
nation, State, or individual) plundering or exploiting others.
ЬЬpredatorily adv. predatoriness n. [L praedatorius (as
PREDATOR)]
predecease
v. & n. --v.tr. die earlier than (another person). --n. a
death preceding that of another.
predecessor
n. 1 a former holder of an office or position with respect to a
later holder (my immediate predecessor). 2 an ancestor. 3 a
thing to which another has succeeded (the new plan will share
the fate of its predecessor). [ME f. OF predecesseur f. LL
praedecessor (as PRAE-, decessor retiring officer, as DECEASE)]
pre-decimal
adj. of or relating to a time before the introduction of a
decimal system, esp. of coinage.
predella n. 1 an altar-step, or raised shelf at the back of an altar. 2
a painting or sculpture on this, or any picture forming an
appendage to a larger one esp. beneath an altarpiece. [It., =
stool]
predestinarian
n. & adj. --n. a person who believes in predestination. --adj.
of or relating to predestination.
predestinate
v. & adj. --v.tr. = PREDESTINE. --adj. predestined. [ME f.
eccl.L praedestinare praedestinat- (as PRAE-, destinare
establish)]
predestination
n. Theol. (as a belief or doctrine) the divine foreordaining
of all that will happen, esp. with regard to the salvation of
some and not others. [ME f. eccl.L praedestinatio (as
PREDESTINATE)]
predestine
v.tr. 1 determine beforehand. 2 ordain in advance by divine
will or as if by fate. [ME f. OF predestiner or eccl.L
praedestinare PREDESTINATE v.]
predetermine
v.tr. 1 determine or decree beforehand. 2 predestine.
ЬЬpredeterminable adj. predeterminate adj. predetermination n.
[LL praedeterminare (as PRAE-, DETERMINE)]
predial adj. & n. hist. --adj. 1 a of land or farms. b rural,
agrarian. c (of a slave, tenant, etc.) attached to farms or the
land. 2 (of a tithe) consisting of agricultural produce. --n.
a predial slave. [med.L praedialis f. L praedium farm]
predicable
adj. & n. --adj. that may be predicated or affirmed. --n. 1 a
predicable thing. 2 (in pl.) Logic the five classes to which
predicates belong: genus, species, difference, property, and
accident. ЬЬpredicability n. [med.L praedicabilis that may be
affirmed (as PREDICATE)]
predicament
n. 1 a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation. 2
Philos. a category in (esp. Aristotelian) logic. [ME (in sense
2) f. LL praedicamentum thing predicated: see PREDICATE]
predicant adj. & n. --adj. hist. (of a religious order, esp. the
Dominicans) engaged in preaching. --n. 1 hist. a predicant
person, esp. a Dominican friar. 2 S.Afr. = PREDIKANT. [L
praedicans part. of praedicare (as PREDICATE)]
predicate v. & n. --v.tr. 1 assert or affirm as true or existent. 2
(foll. by on) found or base (a statement etc.) on. --n. 1
Gram. what is said about the subject of a sentence etc. (e.g.
went home in John went home). 2 Logic a what is predicated. b
what is affirmed or denied of the subject by means of the copula
(e.g. mortal in all men are mortal). ЬЬpredication n. [L
praedicare praedicat- proclaim (as PRAE-, dicare declare)]
predicative
adj. 1 Gram. (of an adjective or noun) forming or contained in
the predicate, as old in the dog is old (but not in the old dog)
and house in there is a large house (opp. ATTRIBUTIVE). 2 that
predicates. ЬЬpredicatively adv. [L praedicativus (as
PREDICATE)]
predict v.tr. (often foll. by that + clause) make a statement about the
future; foretell, prophesy. ЬЬpredictive adj. predictively
adv. predictor n. [L praedicere praedict- (as PRAE-, dicere
say)]
predictable
adj. that can be predicted or is to be expected.
ЬЬpredictability n. predictably adv.
prediction
n. 1 the art of predicting or the process of being predicted.
2 a thing predicted; a forecast. [L praedictio -onis (as
PREDICT)]
predigest v.tr. 1 render (food) easily digestible before being eaten. 2
make (reading matter) easier to read or understand.
ЬЬpredigestion n.
predikant n. S.Afr. a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church. [Du. (as
PREDICANT)]
predilection
n. (often foll. by for) a preference or special liking. [F
pr‚dilection ult. f. L praediligere praedilect- prefer (as
PRAE-, diligere select): see DILIGENT]
predispose
v.tr. 1 influence favourably in advance. 2 (foll. by to, or to
+ infin.) render liable or inclined beforehand.
ЬЬpredisposition n.
prednisone
n. a synthetic drug similar to cortisone, used to relieve
rheumatic and allergic conditions and to treat leukaemia.
[perh. f. pregnant + die ne + cort isone]
predominant
adj. 1 predominating. 2 being the strongest or main element.
ЬЬpredominance n. predominantly adv.
predominate
v.intr. 1 (foll. by over) have or exert control. 2 be
superior. 3 be the strongest or main element; preponderate (a
garden in which dahlias predominate). [med.L praedominari (as
PRAE-, DOMINATE)]
predynastic
adj. of or relating to a period before the normally recognized
dynasties (esp. of ancient Egypt).
pre-echo n. (pl. -oes) 1 a faint copy heard just before an actual sound
in a recording, caused by the accidental transfer of signals. 2
a foreshadowing.
pre-eclampsia
n. a condition of pregnancy characterized by high blood
pressure and other symptoms associated with eclampsia.
ЬЬpre-eclamptic adj. & n.
pre-elect v.tr. elect beforehand.
pre-election
n. 1 an election held beforehand. 2 (attrib.) (esp. of an act
or undertaking) done or given before an election.
pre-embryo
n. Med. a human embryo in the first fourteen days after
fertilization. ЬЬpre-embryonic adj.
pre-eminent
adj. 1 excelling others. 2 outstanding; distinguished in some
quality. ЬЬpre-eminence n. pre-eminently adv. [ME f. L
praeeminens (as PRAE-, EMINENT)]
pre-empt v. 1 tr. a forestall. b acquire or appropriate in advance. 2
tr. prevent (an attack) by disabling the enemy. 3 tr. obtain by
pre-emption. 4 tr. US take for oneself (esp. public land) so
as to have the right of pre-emption. 5 intr. Bridge make a
pre-emptive bid. ЬЬpreemptor n. preemptory adj. [back-form.
f. PRE-EMPTION]
pre-emption
n. 1 a the purchase or appropriation by one person or party
before the opportunity is offered to others. b the right to
purchase (esp. public land) in this way. 2 prior appropriation
or acquisition. [med.L praeemptio (as PRAE-, emere empt- buy)]
pre-emptive
adj. 1 pre-empting; serving to pre-empt. 2 (of military
action) intended to prevent attack by disabling the enemy (a
pre-emptive strike). 3 Bridge (of a bid) intended to be high
enough to discourage further bidding.
preen v.tr. & refl. 1 (of a bird) tidy (the feathers or itself) with
its beak. 2 (of a person) smarten or admire (oneself, one's
hair, clothes, etc.). 3 (often foll. by on) congratulate or
pride (oneself). Ьpreen gland a gland situated at the base of a
bird's tail and producing oil used in preening. ЬЬpreener n.
[ME, app. var. of earlier prune (perh. rel. to PRUNE(2)): assoc.
with Sc. & dial. preen pierce, pin]
pre-engage
v.tr. engage beforehand. ЬЬpre-engagement n.
pre-establish
v.tr. establish beforehand.
pre-exist v.intr. exist at an earlier time. ЬЬpre-existence n.
pre-existent adj.
pref. abbr. 1 prefix. 2 preface. 3 a preference. b preferred.
prefab n. Brit. colloq. a prefabricated building, esp. a small
house. [abbr.]
prefabricate
v.tr. 1 manufacture sections of (a building etc.) prior to
their assembly on a site. 2 produce in an artificially
standardized way. ЬЬprefabrication n.
preface n. & v. --n. 1 an introduction to a book stating its subject,
scope, etc. 2 the preliminary part of a speech. 3 Eccl. the
introduction to the central part of the Eucharistic service.
--v.tr. 1 (foll. by with) introduce or begin (a speech or
event) (prefaced my remarks with a warning). 2 provide (a book
etc.) with a preface. 3 (of an event etc.) lead up to
(another). ЬЬprefatorial adj. prefatory adj. [ME f. OF f.
med.L praefatia for L praefatio f. praefari (as PRAE-, fari
speak)]
prefect n. 1 the chief administrative officer of certain departments,
esp. in France. 2 esp. Brit. a senior pupil in a school etc.
authorized to enforce discipline. 3 Rom. Antiq. a senior
magistrate or military commander. ЬЬprefectoral adj.
prefectorial adj. [ME f. OF f. L praefectus past part. of
praeficere set in authority over (as PRAE-, facere make)]
prefecture
n. 1 a district under the government of a prefect. 2 a a
prefect's office or tenure. b his official residence.
ЬЬprefectural adj. [F pr‚fecture or L praefectura (as PREFECT)]
prefer v.tr. (preferred, preferring) 1 (often foll. by to, or to +
infin.) choose rather; like better (would prefer to stay;
prefers coffee to tea). 2 submit (information, an accusation,
etc.) for consideration. 3 promote or advance (a person).
Ьpreferred shares (or stock) = preference shares or stock. [ME
f. OF preferer f. L praeferre (as PRAE-, ferre lat- bear)]
preferable
adj. 1 to be preferred. 2 more desirable. ЬЬpreferably adv.
preference
n. 1 the act or an instance of preferring or being preferred.
2 a thing preferred. 3 a the favouring of one person etc.
before others. b Commerce the favouring of one country by
admitting its products at a lower import duty. 4 Law a prior
right, esp. to the payment of debts. Ьin preference to as a
thing preferred over (another). preference shares (or stock)
Brit. shares or stock whose entitlement to dividend takes
priority over that of ordinary shares. [F pr‚f‚rence f. med.L
praeferentia (as PREFER)]
preferential
adj. 1 of or involving preference (preferential treatment). 2
giving or receiving a favour. 3 Commerce (of a tariff etc.)
favouring particular countries. 4 (of voting) in which the
voter puts candidates in order of preference. ЬЬpreferentially
adv. [as PREFERENCE, after differential]
preferment
n. promotion to office.
prefigure v.tr. 1 represent beforehand by a figure or type. 2 imagine
beforehand. ЬЬprefiguration n. prefigurative adj.
prefigurement n. [ME f. eccl.L praefigurare (as PRAE-, FIGURE)]
prefix n. & v. --n. 1 a verbal element placed at the beginning of a
word to adjust or qualify its meaning (e.g. ex-, non-, re-) or
(in some languages) as an inflectional formative. 2 a title
placed before a name (e.g. Mr). --v.tr. (often foll. by to) 1
add as an introduction. 2 join (a word or element) as a prefix.
ЬЬprefixation n. prefixion n. [earlier as verb: ME f. OF
prefixer (as PRE-, FIX): (n.) f. L praefixum]
preflight attrib.adj. occurring or provided before an aircraft flight.
preform v.tr. form beforehand. ЬЬpreformation n.
preformative
adj. & n. --adj. 1 forming beforehand. 2 prefixed as the
formative element of a word. --n. a preformative syllable or
letter.
prefrontal
adj. 1 in front of the frontal bone of the skull. 2 in the
forepart of the frontal lobe of the brain.
preglacial
adj. before a glacial period.
pregnable adj. able to be captured etc.; not impregnable. [ME f. OF
prenable takable: see IMPREGNABLE(1)]
pregnancy n. (pl. -ies) the condition or an instance of being pregnant.
pregnant adj. 1 (of a woman or female animal) having a child or young
developing in the uterus. 2 full of meaning; significant or
suggestive (a pregnant pause). 3 (esp. of a person's mind)
imaginative, inventive. 4 (foll. by with) plentifully provided
(pregnant with danger). Ьpregnant construction Gram. one in
which more is implied than the words express (e.g. not have a
chance implying of success etc.). ЬЬpregnantly adv. (in sense
2). [ME f. F pr‚gnant or L praegnans -antis, earlier praegnas
(prob. as PRAE-, (g)nasci be born)]
preheat v.tr. heat beforehand.
prehensile
adj. Zool. (of a tail or limb) capable of grasping.
ЬЬprehensility n. [F pr‚hensile f. L prehendere prehens- (as
PRE-, hendere grasp)]
prehistoric
adj. 1 of or relating to the period before written records. 2
colloq. utterly out of date. ЬЬprehistorian n. prehistorically
adv. prehistory n. [F pr‚historique (as PRE-, HISTORIC)]
prehuman adj. existing before the time of man.
pre-ignition
n. the premature firing of the explosive mixture in an
internal-combustion engine.
prejudge v.tr. 1 form a premature judgement on (a person, issue, etc.).
2 pass judgement on (a person) before a trial or proper enquiry.
ЬЬprejudgement n. prejudication n.
prejudice n. & v. --n. 1 a a preconceived opinion. b (foll. by against,
in favour of) bias or partiality. 2 harm or injury that results
or may result from some action or judgement (to the prejudice
of). --v.tr. 1 impair the validity or force of (a right,
claim, statement, etc.). 2 (esp. as prejudiced adj.) cause (a
person) to have a prejudice. Ьwithout prejudice (often foll. by
to) without detriment (to any existing right or claim). [ME f.
OF prejudice f. L praejudicium (as PRAE-, judicium judgement)]
prejudicial
adj. causing prejudice; detrimental. ЬЬprejudicially adv. [ME
f. OF prejudiciel (as PREJUDICE)]
prelacy n. (pl. -ies) 1 church government by prelates. 2 (prec. by
the) prelates collectively. 3 the office or rank of prelate.
[ME f. AF prelacie f. med.L prelatia (as PRELATE)]
prelapsarian
adj. before the Fall of man.
prelate n. 1 a high ecclesiastical dignitary, e.g. a bishop. 2 hist.
an abbot or prior. ЬЬprelatic adj. prelatical adj. [ME f. OF
prelat f. med.L praelatus past part.: see PREFER]
prelature n. 1 the office of prelate. 2 (prec. by the) prelates
collectively. [F pr‚lature f. med.L praelatura (as PRELATE)]
prelim n. colloq. 1 a preliminary examination, esp. at a university.
2 (in pl.) the pages preceding the text of a book. [abbr.]
preliminary
adj., n., & adv. --adj. introductory, preparatory. --n. (pl.
-ies) (usu. in pl.) 1 a preliminary action or arrangement
(dispense with the preliminaries). 2 a preliminary trial or
contest. --adv. (foll. by to) preparatory to; in advance of
(was completed preliminary to the main event). ЬЬpreliminarily
adv. [mod.L praeliminaris or F pr‚liminaire (as PRE-, L limen
liminis threshold)]
preliterate
adj. of or relating to a society or culture that has not
developed the use of writing.
prelude n. & v. --n. (often foll. by to) 1 an action, event, or
situation serving as an introduction. 2 the introductory part
of a poem etc. 3 a an introductory piece of music, often
preceding a fugue or forming the first piece of a suite or
beginning an act of an opera. b a short piece of music of a
similar type, esp. for the piano. --v.tr. 1 serve as a prelude
to. 2 introduce with a prelude. ЬЬpreludial adj. [F pr‚lude
or med.L praeludium f. L praeludere praelus- (as PRAE-, ludere
play)]
premarital
adj. existing or (esp. of sexual relations) occurring before
marriage. ЬЬpremaritally adv.
premature adj. 1 a occurring or done before the usual or proper time; too
early (a premature decision). b too hasty (must not be
premature). 2 (of a baby, esp. a viable one) born (esp. three
or more weeks) before the end of the full term of gestation.
ЬЬprematurely adv. prematureness n. prematurity n. [L
praematurus very early (as PRAE-, MATURE)]
premaxillary
adj. in front of the upper jaw.
premed n. colloq. 1 = PREMEDICATION. 2 a premedical course or
student. [abbr.]
premedical
adj. of or relating to study in preparation for a course in
medicine.
premedication
n. medication to prepare for an operation or other treatment.
premeditate
v.tr. think out or plan (an action) beforehand (premeditated
murder). ЬЬpremeditation n. [L praemeditari (as PRAE-,
MEDITATE)]
premenstrual
adj. of, occurring, or experienced before menstruation
(premenstrual tension). ЬЬpremenstrually adv.
premier n. & adj. --n. a prime minister or other head of government.
--adj. 1 first in importance, order, or time. 2 of earliest
creation (premier earl). ЬЬpremiership n. [ME f. OF = first,
f. L (as PRIMARY)]
premiЉre n. & v. --n. the first performance or showing of a play or
film. --v.tr. give a premiЉre of. [F, fem. of premier (adj.)
(as PREMIER)]
premillennial
adj. existing or occurring before the millennium, esp. with
reference to the supposed second coming of Christ.
ЬЬpremillennialism n. premillennialist n.
premise n. & v. --n. 1 Logic = PREMISS. 2 (in pl.) a a house or
building with its grounds and appurtenances. b Law houses,
lands, or tenements previously specified in a document etc.
--v.tr. say or write by way of introduction. Ьon the premises
in the building etc. concerned. [ME f. OF premisse f. med.L
praemissa (propositio) (proposition) set in front f. L
praemittere praemiss- (as PRAE-, mittere send)]
premiss n. Logic a previous statement from which another is inferred.
[var. of PREMISE]
premium n. 1 an amount to be paid for a contract of insurance. 2 a a
sum added to interest, wages, etc.; a bonus. b a sum added to
ordinary charges. 3 a reward or prize. 4 (attrib.) (of a
commodity) of best quality and therefore more expensive. Ьat a
premium 1 highly valued; above the usual or nominal price. 2
scarce and in demand. Premium Bond (or Savings Bond) Brit. a
government security without interest but with a draw for cash
prizes. put a premium on 1 provide or act as an incentive to.
2 attach special value to. [L praemium booty, reward (as PRAE-,
emere buy, take)]
premolar adj. & n. --adj. in front of a molar tooth. --n. (in an adult
human) each of eight teeth situated in pairs between each of the
four canine teeth and each first molar.
premonition
n. a forewarning; a presentiment. ЬЬpremonitor n. premonitory
adj. [F pr‚monition or LL praemonitio f. L praemonere
praemonit- (as PRAE-, monere warn)]
Premonstratensian
adj. & n. hist. --adj. of or relating to an order of regular
canons founded at Pr‚montr‚ in France in 1120, or of the
corresponding order of nuns. --n. a member of either of these
orders. [med.L Praemonstratensis f. Praemonstratus the abbey
of Pr‚montr‚ (lit. = foreshown)]
premorse adj. Bot. & Zool. with the end abruptly terminated. [L
praemordere praemors- bite off (as PRAE-, mordere bite)]
prenatal adj. of or concerning the period before childbirth.
ЬЬprenatally adv.
prentice n. & v. archaic --n. = APPRENTICE. --v.tr. (as prenticed adj.)
apprenticed. Ьprentice hand an inexperienced hand.
ЬЬprenticeship n. [ME f. APPRENTICE]
preoccupation
n. 1 the state of being preoccupied. 2 a thing that engrosses
the mind. [F pr‚occupation or L praeoccupatio (as PREOCCUPY)]
preoccupy v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 (of a thought etc.) dominate or engross
the mind of (a person) to the exclusion of other thoughts. 2
(as preoccupied adj.) otherwise engrossed; mentally distracted.
3 occupy beforehand. [PRE- + OCCUPY, after L praeoccupare seize
beforehand]
preocular adj. in front of the eye.
preordain v.tr. ordain or determine beforehand.
prep n. colloq. 1 Brit. a the preparation of school work by a
pupil. b the period when this is done. 2 US a student in a
preparatory school. [abbr. of PREPARATION]
prep. abbr. preposition.
prepack v.tr. (also pre-package) pack (goods) on the site of production
or before retail.
prepaid past and past part. of PREPAY.
preparation
n. 1 the act or an instance of preparing; the process of being
prepared. 2 (often in pl.) something done to make ready. 3 a
specially prepared substance, esp. a food or medicine. 4 work
done by school pupils to prepare for a lesson. 5 Mus. the
sounding of the discordant note in a chord in the preceding
chord where it is not discordant, lessening the effect of the
discord. [ME f. OF f. L praeparatio -onis (as PREPARE)]
preparative
adj. & n. --adj. preparatory. --n. 1 Mil. & Naut. a signal on
a drum, bugle, etc., as an order to make ready. 2 a preparatory
act. ЬЬpreparatively adv. [ME f. OF preparatif -ive f. med.L
praeparativus (as PREPARE)]
preparatory
adj. & adv. --adj. (often foll. by to) serving to prepare;
introductory. --adv. (often foll. by to) in a preparatory
manner (was packing preparatory to departure). Ьpreparatory
school a usu. private school preparing pupils for a higher
school or US for college or university. ЬЬpreparatorily adv.
[ME f. LL praeparatorius (as PREPARE)]
prepare v. 1 tr. make or get ready for use, consideration, etc. 2 tr.
make ready or assemble (food, a meal, etc.) for eating. 3 a tr.
make (a person or oneself) ready or disposed in some way
(prepares students for university; prepared them for a shock).
b intr. put oneself or things in readiness, get ready (prepare
to jump). 4 tr. make (a chemical product etc.) by a regular
process. 5 tr. Mus. lead up to (a discord). Ьbe prepared
(often foll. by for, or to + infin.) be disposed or willing to.
ЬЬpreparer n. [ME f. F pr‚parer or L praeparare (as PRAE-,
parare make ready)]
preparedness
n. a state of readiness, esp. for war.
prepay v.tr. (past and past part. prepaid) 1 pay (a charge) in
advance. 2 pay postage on (a letter or parcel etc.) before
posting. ЬЬprepayable adj. prepayment n.
prepense adj. (usu. placed after noun) esp. Law deliberate, intentional
(malice prepense). ЬЬprepensely adv. [earlier prepensed past
part. of obs. prepense (v.) alt. f. earlier purpense f. AF & OF
purpenser (as PUR-, penser): see PENSIVE]
preplan v.tr. (preplanned, preplanning) plan in advance.
preponderant
adj. surpassing in influence, power, number, or importance;
predominant, preponderating. ЬЬpreponderance n. preponderantly
adv.
preponderate
v.intr. (often foll. by over) 1 a be greater in influence,
quantity, or number. b predominate. 2 a be of greater
importance. b weigh more. [L praeponderare (as PRAE-, PONDER)]
preposition
n. Gram. a word governing (and usu. preceding) a noun or
pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element, as
in: 'the man on the platform', 'came after dinner', 'what did
you do it for?'. ЬЬprepositional adj. prepositionally adv.
[ME f. L praepositio f. praeponere praeposit- (as PRAE-, ponere
place)]
prepositive
adj. Gram. (of a word, particle, etc.) that should be placed
before or prefixed. [LL praepositivus (as PREPOSITION)]
prepossess
v.tr. 1 (usu. in passive) (of an idea, feeling, etc.) take
possession of (a person); imbue. 2 a prejudice (usu. favourably
and spontaneously). b (as prepossessing adj.) attractive,
appealing. ЬЬprepossession n.
preposterous
adj. 1 utterly absurd; outrageous. 2 contrary to nature,
reason, or common sense. ЬЬpreposterously adv.
preposterousness n. [L praeposterus reversed, absurd (as PRAE-,
posterus coming after)]
prepostor var. of PRAEPOSTOR.
prepotent adj. 1 greater than others in power, influence, etc. 2 a
having a stronger fertilizing influence. b dominant in
transmitting hereditary qualities. ЬЬprepotence n. prepotency
n. [ME f. L praepotens -entis, part. of praeposse (as PRAE-,
posse be able)]
preppy n. & adj. US colloq. --n. (pl. -ies) a person attending an
expensive private school or who looks like such a person (with
short hair, blazer, etc.). --adj. (preppier, preppiest) 1 like
a preppy. 2 neat and fashionable. [PREP (SCHOOL) + -Y(2)]
preprandial
adj. formal or joc. before dinner or lunch. [PRE- + L
prandium a meal]
pre-preference
adj. Brit. (of shares, claims, etc.) ranking before preference
shares etc.
preprint n. a printed document issued in advance of general publication.
preprocessor
n. a computer program that modifies data to conform with the
input requirements of another program.
prep school
n. = PREPARATORY SCHOOL. [abbr. of PREPARATORY]
prepublication
adj. & n. --attrib.adj. produced or occurring before
publication. --n. publication in advance or beforehand.
prepuce n. 1 = FORESKIN. 2 the fold of skin surrounding the clitoris.
ЬЬpreputial adj. [ME f. L praeputium]
prequel n. a story, film, etc., whose events or concerns precede those
of an existing work. [PRE- + SEQUEL]
Pre-Raphaelite
n. & adj. --n. a member of a group of English 19th-c. artists,
including Holman Hunt, Millais, and D. G. Rossetti, emulating
the work of Italian artists before the time of Raphael. --adj.
1 of or relating to the Pre-Raphaelites. 2 (pre-Raphaelite)
(esp. of a woman) like a type painted by a Pre-Raphaelite (e.g.
with long thick curly auburn hair). ЬPre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
the chosen name of the Pre-Raphaelites. ЬЬpre-Raphaelitism n.
pre-record
v.tr. record (esp. material for broadcasting) in advance.
prerequisite
adj. & n. --adj. required as a precondition. --n. a
prerequisite thing.
prerogative
n. 1 a right or privilege exclusive to an individual or class.
2 (in full royal prerogative) Brit. the right of the sovereign,
theoretically subject to no restriction. [ME f. OF prerogative
or L praerogativa privilege (orig. to vote first) f.
praerogativus asked first (as PRAE-, rogare ask)]
Pres. abbr. President.
presage n. & v. --n. 1 an omen or portent. 2 a presentiment or
foreboding. --v.tr. 1 portend, foreshadow. 2 give warning of
(an event etc.) by natural means. 3 (of a person) predict or
have a presentiment of. ЬЬpresageful adj. presager n. [ME f.
F pr‚sage, pr‚sager f. L praesagium f. praesagire forebode (as
PRAE-, sagire perceive keenly)]
presbyopia
n. long-sightedness caused by loss of elasticity of the eye
lens, occurring esp. in middle and old age. ЬЬpresbyopic adj.
[mod.L f. Gk presbus old man + ops opos eye]
presbyter n. 1 an elder in the early Christian Church. 2 (in the
Episcopal Church) a minister of the second order; a priest. 3
(in the Presbyterian Church) an elder. ЬЬpresbyteral adj.
presbyterate n. presbyterial adj. presbytership n. [eccl.L f.
Gk presbuteros elder, compar. of presbus old]
Presbyterian
adj. & n. --adj. (of a church) governed by elders all of equal
rank, esp. with reference to the national Church of Scotland.
--n. 1 a member of a Presbyterian Church. 2 an adherent of the
Presbyterian system. ЬЬPresbyterianism n. [eccl.L presbyterium
(as PRESBYTERY)]
presbytery
n. (pl. -ies) 1 the eastern part of a chancel beyond the
choir; the sanctuary. 2 a a body of presbyters, esp. a court
next above a Kirk-session. b a district represented by this. 3
the house of a Roman Catholic priest. [ME f. OF presbiterie f.
eccl.L f. Gk presbuterion (as PRESBYTER)]
preschool adj. of or relating to the time before a child is old enough to
go to school. ЬЬpreschooler n.
prescient adj. having foreknowledge or foresight. ЬЬprescience n.
presciently adv. [L praescire praescient- know beforehand (as
PRAE-, scire know)]
prescind v. 1 tr. (foll. by from) cut off (a part from a whole), esp.
prematurely or abruptly. 2 intr. (foll. by from) leave out of
consideration. [L praescindere (as PRAE-, scindere cut)]
prescribe v. 1 tr. a advise the use of (a medicine etc.), esp. by an
authorized prescription. b recommend, esp. as a benefit
(prescribed a change of scenery). 2 tr. lay down or impose
authoritatively. 3 intr. (foll. by to, for) assert a
prescriptive right or claim. ЬЬprescriber n. [L praescribere
praescript- direct in writing (as PRAE-, scribere write)]
prescript n. an ordinance, law, or command. [L praescriptum neut. past
part.: see PRESCRIBE]
prescription
n. 1 the act or an instance of prescribing. 2 a a doctor's
(usu. written) instruction for the composition and use of a
medicine. b a medicine prescribed. 3 (in full positive
prescription) uninterrupted use or possession from time
immemorial or for the period fixed by law as giving a title or
right. 4 a an ancient custom viewed as authoritative. b a
claim founded on long use. Ьnegative prescription the time
limit within which an action or claim can be raised. [ME f. OF
f. L praescriptio -onis (as PRESCRIBE)]
prescriptive
adj. 1 prescribing. 2 Linguistics concerned with or laying
down rules of usage. 3 based on prescription (prescriptive
right). 4 prescribed by custom. ЬЬprescriptively adv.
prescriptiveness n. prescriptivism n. prescriptivist n. & adj.
[LL praescriptivus (as PRESCRIBE)]
preselect v.tr. select in advance. ЬЬpreselection n.
preselective
adj. that can be selected or set in advance.
preselector
n. any of various devices for selecting a mechanical or
electrical operation in advance of its execution, e.g. of a
gear-change in a motor vehicle.
presence n. 1 the state or condition of being present (your presence is
requested). 2 a place where a person is (was admitted to their
presence). 3 a a person's appearance or bearing, esp. when
imposing (an august presence). b a person's force of
personality (esp. have presence). 4 a person or thing that is
present (the royal presence; there was a presence in the room).
5 representation for reasons of political influence (maintained
a presence). Ьin the presence of in front of; observed by.
presence chamber a room in which a monarch or other
distinguished person receives visitors. presence of mind
calmness and self-command in sudden difficulty etc. [ME f. OF
f. L praesentia (as PRESENT(1))]
present(1)
adj. & n. --adj. 1 (usu. predic.) being in the place in
question (was present at the trial). 2 a now existing,
occurring, or being such (the present Duke; during the present
season). b now being considered or discussed etc. (in the
present case). 3 Gram. expressing an action etc. now going on
or habitually performed (present participle; present tense).
--n. (prec. by the) 1 the time now passing (no time like the
present). 2 Gram. the present tense. Ьat present now. by
these presents Law by this document (know all men by these
presents). for the present 1 just now. 2 as far as the present
is concerned. present company excepted excluding those who are
here now. present-day adj. of this time; modern. [ME f. OF f.
L praesens -entis part. of praeesse be at hand (as PRAE-, esse
be)]
present(2)
v. & n. --v.tr. 1 introduce, offer, or exhibit, esp. for
public attention or consideration. 2 a (with a thing as object,
foll. by to) offer or give as a gift (to a person), esp.
formally or ceremonially. b (with a person as object, foll. by
with) make available to; cause to have (presented them with a
new car; that presents us with a problem). 3 a (of a company,
producer, etc.) put (a form of entertainment) before the public.
b (of a performer, compЉre, etc.) introduce or put before an
audience . 4 introduce (a person) formally (may I present my
fianc‚?; was presented at court). 5 offer, give (compliments
etc.) (may I present my card; present my regards to your
family). 6 a (of a circumstance) reveal (some quality etc.)
(this presents some difficulty). b exhibit (an appearance etc.)
(presented a rough exterior). 7 (of an idea etc.) offer or
suggest itself. 8 deliver (a cheque, bill, etc.) for acceptance
or payment. 9 a (usu. foll. by at) aim (a weapon). b hold out
(a weapon) in a position for aiming. 10 (refl. or absol.) Med.
(of a patient or illness etc.) come forward for or undergo
initial medical examination. 11 (absol.) Med. (of a part of a
foetus) be directed toward the cervix at the time of delivery.
12 (foll. by to) Law bring formally under notice, submit (an
offence, complaint, etc.). 13 (foll. by to) Eccl. recommend (a
clergyman) to a bishop for institution to a benefice. --n. the
position of presenting arms in salute. Ьpresent arms hold a
rifle etc. vertically in front of the body as a salute. present
oneself 1 appear. 2 come forward for examination etc.
ЬЬpresenter n. (in sense 3 of v.). [ME f. OF presenter f. L
praesentare (as PRESENT(1))]
present(3)
n. a gift; a thing given or presented. Ьmake a present of give
as a gift. [ME f. OF (as PRESENT(1)), orig. in phr. mettre une
chose en present … quelqu'un put a thing into the presence of a
person]
presentable
adj. 1 of good appearance; fit to be presented to other people.
2 fit for presentation. ЬЬpresentability n. presentableness n.
presentably adv.
presentation
n. 1 a the act or an instance of presenting; the process of
being presented. b a thing presented. 2 the manner or quality
of presenting. 3 a demonstration or display of materials,
information, etc.; a lecture. 4 an exhibition or theatrical
performance. 5 a formal introduction. 6 the position of the
foetus in relation to the cervix at the time of delivery.
ЬЬpresentational adj. presentationally adv. [ME f. OF f. LL
praesentatio -onis (as PRESENT(2))]
presentationism
n. Philos. the doctrine that in perception the mind has
immediate cognition of the object. ЬЬpresentationist n.
presentative
adj. 1 Philos. subject to direct cognition. 2 hist. (of a
benefice) to which a patron has the right of presentation.
[prob. f. med.L (as PRESENTATION)]
presentee n. 1 the recipient of a present. 2 a person presented. [ME f.
AF (as PRESENT(2))]
presentient
adj. (often foll. by of) having a presentiment. [L
praesentiens (as PRAE-, SENTIENT)]
presentiment
n. a vague expectation; a foreboding (esp. of misfortune).
[obs. F pr‚sentiment (as PRE-, SENTIMENT)]
presently adv. 1 soon; after a short time. 2 esp. US & Sc. at the
present time; now.
presentment
n. the act of presenting information, esp. a statement on oath
by a jury of a fact known to them. [ME f. OF presentement (as
PRESENT(2))]
preservation
n. 1 the act of preserving or process of being preserved. 2 a
state of being well or badly preserved (in an excellent state of
preservation). [ME f. OF f. med.L praeservatio -onis (as
PRESERVE)]
preservationist
n. a supporter or advocate of preservation, esp. of antiquities
and historic buildings.
preservative
n. & adj. --n. a substance for preserving perishable
foodstuffs, wood, etc. --adj. tending to preserve. [ME f. OF
preservatif -ive f. med.L praeservativus -um (as PRESERVE)]
preserve v. & n. --v.tr. 1 a keep safe or free from harm, decay, etc.
b keep alive (a name, memory, etc.). 2 maintain (a thing) in
its existing state. 3 retain (a quality or condition). 4 a
treat or refrigerate (food) to prevent decomposition or
fermentation. b prepare (fruit) by boiling it with sugar, for
long-term storage. 5 keep (game, a river, etc.) undisturbed for
private use. --n. (in sing. or pl.) 1 preserved fruit; jam. 2
a place where game or fish etc. is preserved. 3 a sphere or
area of activity regarded as a person's own. Ьwell-preserved
(of an elderly person) showing little sign of ageing.
ЬЬpreservable adj. preserver n. [ME f. OF preserver f. LL
praeservare (as PRAE-, servare keep)]
pre-set v.tr. (-setting; past and past part. -set) 1 set or fix (a
device) in advance of its operation. 2 settle or decide
beforehand.
preshrunk adj. (of a fabric or garment) treated so that it shrinks during
manufacture and not in use.
preside v.intr. 1 (often foll. by at, over) be in a position of
authority, esp. as the chairperson or president of a meeting. 2
a exercise control or authority. b (foll. by at) colloq. play
an instrument in company (presided at the piano). [F pr‚sider
f. L praesidere (as PRAE-, sedere sit)]
presidency
n. (pl. -ies) 1 the office of president. 2 the period of
this. [Sp. & Port. presidencia, It. presidenza f. med.L
praesidentia (as PRESIDE)]
president n. 1 the elected head of a republican State. 2 the head of a
society or council etc. 3 the head of certain colleges. 4 US a
the head of a university. b the head of a company, etc. 5 a
person in charge of a meeting, council, etc. ЬЬpresidential
adj. presidentially adv. presidentship n. [ME f. OF f. L (as
PRESIDE)]
presidium n. (also praesidium) a standing executive committee in a
Communist country, esp. in the USSR. [Russ. prezidium f. L
praesidium protection etc. (as PRESIDE)]
presocratic
adj. (of philosophy) of the time before Socrates.
press(1) v. & n. --v. 1 tr. apply steady force to (a thing in contact)
(press a switch; pressed the two surfaces together). 2 tr. a
compress or apply pressure to a thing to flatten, shape, or
smooth it, as by ironing (got the curtains pressed). b squeeze
(a fruit etc.) to extract its juice. c manufacture (a
gramophone record etc.) by moulding under pressure. 3 tr.
(foll. by out of, from, etc.) squeeze (juice etc.). 4 tr.
embrace or caress by squeezing (pressed my hand). 5 intr.
(foll. by on, against, etc.) exert pressure. 6 intr. be urgent;
demand immediate action (time was pressing). 7 intr. (foll. by
for) make an insistent demand. 8 intr. (foll. by up, round,
etc.) form a crowd. 9 intr. (foll. by on, forward, etc.) hasten
insistently. 10 tr. (often in passive) (of an enemy etc.) bear
heavily on. 11 tr. (often foll. by for, or to + infin.) urge or
entreat (pressed me to stay; pressed me for an answer). 12 tr.
(foll. by on, upon) a put forward or urge (an opinion, claim, or
course of action). b insist on the acceptance of (an offer, a
gift, etc.). 13 tr. insist on (did not press the point). 14
intr. (foll. by on) produce a strong mental or moral impression;
oppress; weigh heavily. 15 intr. Golf try too hard for a long
shot etc. and so strike the ball imperfectly. --n. 1 the act
or an instance of pressing (give it a slight press). 2 a a
device for compressing, flattening, shaping, extracting juice,
etc. (trouser press; flower press; wine press). b a machine
that applies pressure to a workpiece by means of a tool, in
order to punch shapes, bend it, etc. 3 = printing-press. 4
(prec. by the) a the art or practice of printing. b newspapers,
journalists, etc., generally or collectively (read it in the
press; pursued by the press). 5 a notice or piece of publicity
in newspapers etc. (got a good press). 6 (Press) a a printing
house or establishment. b a publishing company (Athlone Press).
7 a crowding. b a crowd (of people etc.). 8 the pressure of
affairs. 9 esp. Ir. & Sc. a large usu. shelved cupboard for
clothes, books, etc., esp. in a recess. Ьat (or in) press (or
the press) being printed. be pressed for have barely enough
(time etc.). go (or send) to press go or send to be printed.
press agent a person employed to attend to advertising and press
publicity. press-box a reporters' enclosure esp. at a sports
event. press the button 1 set machinery in motion. 2 colloq.
take a decisive initial step. press-button adj. = push-button.
press conference an interview given to journalists to make an
announcement or answer questions. press gallery a gallery for
reporters esp. in a legislative assembly. press-on (of a
material) that can be pressed or ironed on. press release an
official statement issued to newspapers for information.
press-stud a small fastening device engaged by pressing its two
halves together. press-up an exercise in which the prone
downward-facing body is raised from the legs or trunk upwards by
pressing down on the hands to straighten the arms. [ME f. OF
presser, presse f. L pressare frequent. of premere press-]
press(2) v. & n. --v.tr. 1 hist. force to serve in the army or navy. 2
bring into use as a makeshift (was pressed into service). --n.
hist. compulsory enlistment esp. in the navy. [alt. f. obs.
prest (v. & n.) f. OF prest loan, advance pay f. prester f. L
praestare furnish (as PRAE-, stare stand)]
press-gang
n. & v. --n. 1 hist. a body of men employed to press men into
service in the army or navy. 2 any group using similar coercive
methods. --v.tr. force into service.
pressie n. (also prezzie) colloq. a present or gift. [abbr.]
pressing adj. & n. --adj. 1 urgent (pressing business). 2 a urging
strongly (a pressing invitation). b persistent, importunate
(since you are so pressing). --n. 1 a thing made by pressing,
esp. a gramophone record. 2 a series of these made at one time.
3 the act or an instance of pressing a thing, esp. a gramophone
record or grapes etc. (all at one pressing). ЬЬpressingly adv.
pressman n. (pl. -men) 1 a journalist. 2 an operator of a
printing-press.
pressmark n. a library shelf-mark showing the location of a book etc.
pressure n. & v. --n. 1 a the exertion of continuous force on or
against a body by another in contact with it. b the force
exerted. c the amount of this (expressed by the force on a unit
area) (atmospheric pressure). 2 urgency; the need to meet a
deadline etc. (work under pressure). 3 affliction or difficulty
(under financial pressure). 4 constraining influence (if
pressure is brought to bear). --v.tr. 1 apply (esp. moral)
pressure to. 2 a coerce. b (often foll. by into) persuade (was
pressured into attending). Ьpressure-cook cook in a
pressure-cooker. pressure-cooker an airtight pan for cooking
quickly under steam pressure. pressure gauge a gauge showing
the pressure of steam etc. pressure group a group or
association formed to promote a particular interest or cause by
influencing public policy. pressure point 1 a point where an
artery can be pressed against a bone to inhibit bleeding. 2 a
point on the skin sensitive to pressure. 3 a target for
political pressure or influence. pressure suit an inflatable
suit for flying at a high altitude. [ME f. L pressura (as
PRESS(1))]
pressurize
v.tr. (also -ise) 1 (esp. as pressurized adj.) maintain normal
atmospheric pressure in (an aircraft cabin etc.) at a high
altitude. 2 raise to a high pressure. 3 pressure (a person).
Ьpressurized-water reactor a nuclear reactor in which the
coolant is water at high pressure. ЬЬpressurization n.
Prestel n. propr. (in the UK) the computerized visual information
system operated by British Telecom. [PRESS(1) +
TELECOMMUNICATION]
prestidigitator
n. formal a conjuror. ЬЬprestidigitation n. [F
prestidigitateur f. preste nimble (as PRESTO) + L digitus
finger]
prestige n. 1 respect, reputation, or influence derived from
achievements, power, associations, etc. 2 (attrib.) having or
conferring prestige. ЬЬprestigeful adj. [F, = illusion,
glamour, f. LL praestigium (as PRESTIGIOUS)]
prestigious
adj. having or showing prestige. ЬЬprestigiously adv.
prestigiousness n. [orig. = deceptive, f. L praestigiosus f.
praestigiae juggler's tricks]
prestissimo
adv. & n. Mus. --adv. in a very quick tempo. --n. (pl. -os)
a movement or passage played in this way. [It., superl. (as
PRESTO 1)]
presto adv. & n. --adv. 1 Mus. in quick tempo. 2 (in a conjuror's
formula in performing a trick) quickly (hey presto!). --n.
(pl. -os) Mus. a movement to be played in a quick tempo. [It.
f. LL praestus f. L praesto ready]
prestressed
adj. strengthened by stressing in advance, esp. of concrete by
means of stretched rods or wires put in during manufacture.
presumably
adv. as may reasonably be presumed.
presume v. 1 tr. (often foll. by that + clause) suppose to be true;
take for granted. 2 tr. (often foll. by to + infin.) a take
the liberty; be impudent enough (presumed to question their
authority). b dare, venture (may I presume to ask?). 3 intr.
be presumptuous; take liberties. 4 intr. (foll. by on, upon)
take advantage of or make unscrupulous use of (a person's good
nature etc.). ЬЬpresumable adj. presumedly adv. [ME f. OF
presumer f. L praesumere praesumpt- anticipate, venture (as
PRAE-, sumere take)]
presuming adj. presumptuous. ЬЬpresumingly adv. presumingness n.
presumption
n. 1 arrogance; presumptuous behaviour. 2 a the act of
presuming a thing to be true. b a thing that is or may be
presumed to be true. 3 a ground for presuming (a strong
presumption against their being guilty). 4 Law an inference
from known facts. [ME f. OF presumpcion f. L praesumptio -onis
(as PRESUME)]
presumptive
adj. giving grounds for presumption (presumptive evidence).
ЬЬpresumptively adv. [F pr‚somptif -ive f. LL praesumptivus (as
PRESUME)]
presumptuous
adj. unduly or overbearingly confident and presuming.
ЬЬpresumptuously adv. presumptuousness n. [ME f. OF
presumptueux f. LL praesumptuosus, -tiosus (as PRESUME)]
presuppose
v.tr. (often foll. by that + clause) 1 assume beforehand. 2
imply. [ME f. OF presupposer, after med.L praesupponere (as
PRE-, SUPPOSE)]
presupposition
n. 1 the act or an instance of presupposing. 2 a thing assumed
beforehand as the basis of argument etc. [med.L praesuppositio
(as PRAE-, supponere as SUPPOSE)]
pre-tax adj. (of income or profits) before the deduction of taxes.
pre-teen adj. of or relating to a child before the age of thirteen.
pretence n. (US pretense) 1 pretending, make-believe. 2 a a pretext or
excuse (on the slightest pretence). b a false show of
intentions or motives (under the pretence of friendship; under
false pretences). 3 (foll. by to) a claim, esp. a false or
ambitious one (has no pretence to any great talent). 4 a
affectation, display. b pretentiousness, ostentation (stripped
of all pretence). [ME f. AF pretense ult. f. med.L pretensus
pretended (as PRETEND)]
pretend v. & adj. --v. 1 tr. claim or assert falsely so as to deceive
(pretend knowledge; pretended that they were foreigners). 2 tr.
imagine to oneself in play (pretended to be monsters; pretended
it was night). 3 tr. a profess, esp. falsely or extravagantly
(does not pretend to be a scholar). b (as pretended adj.)
falsely claim to be such (a pretended friend). 4 intr. (foll.
by to) a lay claim to (a right or title etc.). b profess to
have (a quality etc.). --adj. colloq. pretended; in pretence
(pretend money). [ME f. F pr‚tendre or f. L (as PRAE-, tendere
tent-, later tens- stretch)]
pretender n. 1 a person who claims a throne or title etc. 2 a person who
pretends.
pretense US var. of PRETENCE.
pretension
n. 1 (often foll. by to) a an assertion of a claim. b a
justifiable claim (has no pretensions to the name; has some
pretensions to be included). 2 pretentiousness. [med.L
praetensio, -tio (as PRETEND)]
pretentious
adj. 1 making an excessive claim to great merit or importance.
2 ostentatious. ЬЬpretentiously adv. pretentiousness n. [F
pr‚tentieux (as PRETENSION)]
preter- comb. form more than. [L praeter (adv. & prep.), = past,
beyond]
preterite adj. & n. (US preterit) Gram. --adj. expressing a past action
or state. --n. a preterite tense or form. [ME f. OF preterite
or L praeteritus past part. of praeterire pass (as PRETER-, ire
it- go)]
preterm adj. & adv. born or occurring prematurely.
pretermit v.tr. (pretermitted, pretermitting) formal 1 omit to mention (a
fact etc.). 2 omit to do or perform; neglect. 3 leave off (a
custom or continuous action) for a time. ЬЬpretermission n. [L
praetermittere (as PRETER-, mittere miss- let go)]
preternatural
adj. outside the ordinary course of nature; supernatural.
ЬЬpreternaturalism n. preternaturally adv.
pretext n. 1 an ostensible or alleged reason or intention. 2 an excuse
offered. Ьon (or under) the pretext (foll. by of, or that +
clause) professing as one's object or intention. [L praetextus
outward display f. praetexere praetext- (as PRAE-, texere
weave)]
pretor US var. of PRAETOR.
pretorian US var. of PRAETORIAN.
prettify v.tr. (-ies, -ied) make (a thing or person) pretty esp. in an
affected way. ЬЬprettification n. prettifier n.
pretty adj., n., v., & adv. --adj. (prettier, prettiest) 1 attractive
in a delicate way without being truly beautiful or handsome (a
pretty child; a pretty dress; a pretty tune). 2 fine or good of
its kind (a pretty wit). 3 iron. considerable, fine (a pretty
penny; a pretty mess you have made). --adv. colloq. fairly,
moderately (am pretty well; find it pretty difficult). --n.
(pl. -ies) a pretty person (esp. as a form of address to a
child). --v.tr. (-ies, -ied) (often foll. by up) make pretty
or attractive. Ьpretty much (or nearly or well) colloq.
almost; very nearly. pretty-pretty too pretty. sitting pretty
colloq. in a favourable or advantageous position. ЬЬprettily
adv. prettiness n. prettyish adj. prettyism n. [OE pr‘ttig
f. WG]
pretzel n. (also bretzel) a crisp knot-shaped or stick-shaped salted
biscuit. [G]
prevail v.intr. 1 (often foll. by against, over) be victorious or gain
mastery. 2 be the more usual or predominant. 3 exist or occur
in general use or experience; be current. 4 (foll. by on, upon)
persuade. Ьprevailing wind the wind that most frequently occurs
at a place. ЬЬprevailingly adv. [ME f. L praevalere (as PRAE-,
valere have power), infl. by AVAIL]
prevalent adj. 1 generally existing or occurring. 2 predominant.
ЬЬprevalence n. prevalently adv. [as PREVAIL]
prevaricate
v.intr. 1 speak or act evasively or misleadingly. 2 quibble,
equivocate. °Often confused with procrastinate.
ЬЬprevarication n. prevaricator n. [L praevaricari walk
crookedly, practise collusion, in eccl.L transgress (as PRAE-,
varicari straddle f. varus bent, knock-kneed)]
prevenient
adj. formal preceding something else. [L praeveniens pres.
part of praevenire (as PREVENT)]
prevent v.tr. 1 (often foll. by from + verbal noun) stop from happening
or doing something; hinder; make impossible (the weather
prevented me from going). 2 archaic go or arrive before,
precede. ЬЬpreventable adj. (also preventible).
preventability n. (also preventibility). preventer n.
prevention n. [ME = anticipate, f. L praevenire praevent- come
before, hinder (as PRAE-, venire come)]
preventative
adj. & n. = PREVENTIVE. ЬЬpreventatively adv.
preventive
adj. & n. --adj. serving to prevent, esp. preventing disease,
breakdown, etc. (preventive medicine; preventive maintenance).
--n. a preventive agent, measure, drug, etc. Ьpreventive
detention the imprisonment of a criminal for corrective training
etc. ЬЬpreventively adv.
preview n. & v. --n. 1 the act of seeing in advance. 2 a the showing
of a film, play, exhibition, etc., before it is seen by the
general public. b (US prevue) a film trailer. --v.tr. see or
show in advance.
previous adj. & adv. --adj. 1 (often foll. by to) coming before in time
or order. 2 done or acting hastily. --adv. (foll. by to)
before (had called previous to writing). Ьprevious question
Parl. a motion concerning the vote on a main question.
ЬЬpreviously adv. previousness n. [L praevius (as PRAE-, via
way)]
previse v.tr. literary foresee or forecast (an event etc.).
ЬЬprevision n. previsional adj. [L praevidere praevis- (as
PRAE-, videre see)]
prevue US var. of PREVIEW n. 2b.
pre-war adj. existing or occurring before a war (esp. the most recent
major war).
prey n. & v. --n. 1 an animal that is hunted or killed by another
for food. 2 (often foll. by to) a person or thing that is
influenced by or vulnerable to (something undesirable) (became a
prey to morbid fears). 3 Bibl. or archaic plunder, booty, etc.
--v.intr. (foll. by on, upon) 1 seek or take as prey. 2 make a
victim of. 3 (of a disease, emotion, etc.) exert a harmful
influence (fear preyed on his mind). Ьbeast (or bird) of prey
an animal (or bird) which hunts animals for food. ЬЬpreyer n.
[ME f. OF preie f. L praeda booty]
priapism n. 1 lewdness, licentiousness. 2 Med. persistent erection of
the penis. [F priapisme f. LL priapismus f. Gk priapismos f.
priapizo be lewd f. Priapos god of procreation]
price n. & v. --n. 1 a the amount of money or goods for which a
thing is bought or sold. b value or worth (a pearl of great
price; beyond price). 2 what is or must be given, done,
sacrificed, etc., to obtain or achieve something. 3 the odds in
betting (starting price). --v.tr. 1 fix or find the price of
(a thing for sale). 2 estimate the value of. Ьabove (or beyond
or without) price so valuable that no price can be stated. at
any price no matter what the cost, sacrifice, etc. (peace at any
price). at a price at a high cost. price-fixing the
maintaining of prices at a certain level by agreement between
competing sellers. price-list a list of current prices of items
on sale. price on a person's head a reward for a person's
capture or death. price oneself out of the market lose to one's
competitors by charging more than customers are willing to pay.
price-ring a group of traders acting illegally to control
certain prices. price tag 1 the label on an item showing its
price. 2 the cost of an enterprise or undertaking. price war
fierce competition among traders cutting prices. set a price on
declare the price of. what price ...? (often foll. by verbal
noun) colloq. 1 what is the chance of ...? (what price your
finishing the course?). 2 iron. the expected or much boasted
... proves disappointing (what price your friendship now?).
ЬЬpriced adj. (also in comb.). pricer n. [(n.) ME f. OF pris
f. L pretium: (v.) var. of prise = PRIZE(1)]
priceless adj. 1 invaluable; beyond price. 2 colloq. very amusing or
absurd. ЬЬpricelessly adv. pricelessness n.
pricey adj. (also pricy) (pricier, priciest) colloq. expensive.
ЬЬpriciness n.
prick v. & n. --v. 1 tr. pierce slightly; make a small hole in. 2
tr. (foll. by off, out) mark (esp. a pattern) with small holes
or dots. 3 tr. trouble mentally (my conscience is pricking me).
4 intr. feel a pricking sensation. 5 intr. (foll. by at, into,
etc.) make a thrust as if to prick. 6 tr. (foll. by in, off,
out) plant (seedlings etc.) in small holes pricked in the earth.
7 tr. Brit. archaic mark off (a name in a list, esp. to select
a sheriff) by pricking. 8 tr. archaic spur or urge on (a horse
etc.). --n. 1 the act or an instance of pricking. 2 a small
hole or mark made by pricking. 3 a pain caused as by pricking.
4 a mental pain (felt the pricks of conscience). 5 coarse sl.
a the penis. b derog. (as a term of contempt) a person.
°Usually considered a taboo use. 6 archaic a goad for oxen.
Ьkick against the pricks persist in futile resistance. prick up
one's ears 1 (of a dog etc.) make the ears erect when on the
alert. 2 (of a person) become suddenly attentive. ЬЬpricker n.
[OE prician (v.), pricca (n.)]
pricket n. 1 Brit. a male fallow deer in its second year, having
straight unbranched horns. 2 a spike for holding a candle. [ME
f. AL prikettus -um, dimin. of PRICK]
prickle n. & v. --n. 1 a a small thorn. b Bot. a thornlike process
developed from the epidermis of a plant. 2 a hard-pointed spine
of a hedgehog etc. 3 a prickling sensation. --v.tr. & intr.
affect or be affected with a sensation as of pricking. [OE
pricel PRICK: (v.) also dimin. of PRICK]
prickly adj. (pricklier, prickliest) 1 (esp. in the names of plants and
animals) having prickles. 2 (of a person) ready to take
offence. 3 tingling. Ьprickly heat an itchy inflammation of
the skin, causing a tingling sensation and common in hot
countries. prickly pear 1 any cactus of the genus Opuntia,
native to arid regions of America, bearing barbed bristles and
large pear-shaped prickly fruits. 2 its fruit. prickly poppy a
tropical poppy-like plant, Argemone mexicana, with prickly
leaves and yellow flowers. ЬЬprickliness n.
pricy var. of PRICEY.
pride n. & v. --n. 1 a a feeling of elation or satisfaction at
achievements or qualities or possessions etc. that do one
credit. b an object of this feeling. 2 a high or overbearing
opinion of one's worth or importance. 3 (in full proper pride)
a proper sense of what befits one's position; self-respect. 4 a
group or company (of animals, esp. lions). 5 the best
condition; the prime. --v.refl. (foll. by on, upon) be proud
of. Ьmy, his , etc. pride and joy a thing of which one is very
proud. pride of the morning a mist or shower at sunrise,
supposedly indicating a fine day to come. pride of place the
most important or prominent position. take pride (or a pride)
in 1 be proud of. 2 maintain in good condition or appearance.
ЬЬprideful adj. pridefully adv. prideless adj. [OE prytu,
pryte, pryde f. prud PROUD]
prie-dieu n. (pl. prie-dieux pronunc. same) a kneeling-desk for prayer.
[F, = pray God]
priest n. 1 an ordained minister of the Roman Catholic or Orthodox
Church, or of the Anglican Church (above a deacon and below a
bishop), authorized to perform certain rites and administer
certain sacraments. 2 an official minister of a non-Christian
religion. Ьpriest's hole hist. a hiding-place for a Roman
Catholic priest during times of religious persecution.
ЬЬpriestless adj. priestlike adj. priestling n. [OE preost,
ult. f. eccl.L presbyter: see PRESBYTER]
priestcraft
n. usu. derog. the work and influence of priests.
priestess n. a female priest of a non-Christian religion.
priesthood
n. (usu. prec. by the) 1 the office or position of priest. 2
priests in general.
priestly adj. of or associated with priests. ЬЬpriestliness n. [OE
preostlic (as PRIEST)]
prig n. a self-righteously correct or moralistic person. ЬЬpriggery
n. priggish adj. priggishly adv. priggishness n. [16th-c.
cant, = tinker: orig. unkn.]
prim adj. & v. --adj. (primmer, primmest) 1 (of a person or manner)
stiffly formal and precise. 2 (of a woman or girl) demure. 3
prudish. --v.tr. (primmed, primming) 1 form (the face, lips,
etc.) into a prim expression. 2 make prim. ЬЬprimly adv.
primness n. [17th c.: prob. orig. cant f. OF prin prime
excellent f. L primus first]
prima ballerina
n. the chief female dancer in a ballet or ballet company.
[It.]
primacy n. (pl. -ies) 1 pre-eminence. 2 the office of a primate. [ME
f. OF primatie or med.L primatia (as PRIMATE)]
prima donna
n. (pl. prima donnas) 1 the chief female singer in an opera or
opera company. 2 a temperamentally self-important person.
ЬЬprima donna-ish adj. [It.]
primaeval var. of PRIMEVAL.
prima facie
adv. & adj. --adv. at first sight; from a first impression
(seems prima facie to be guilty). --adj. (of evidence) based on
the first impression (can see a prima facie reason for it). [ME
f. L, fem. ablat. of primus first, facies FACE]
primal adj. 1 primitive, primeval. 2 chief, fundamental. ЬЬprimally
adv. [med.L primalis f. L primus first]
primary adj. & n. --adj. 1 a of the first importance; chief (that is
our primary concern). b fundamental, basic. 2 earliest,
original; first in a series. 3 of the first rank in a series;
not derived (the primary meaning of a word). 4 designating any
of the colours red, green, and blue, or for pigments red, blue,
and yellow, from which all other colours can be obtained by
mixing. 5 (of a battery or cell) generating electricity by
irreversible chemical reaction. 6 (of education) for young
children, esp. below the age of 11. 7 (Primary) Geol. of the
lowest series of strata. 8 Biol. belonging to the first stage
of development. 9 (of an industry or source of production)
concerned with obtaining or using raw materials. 10 Gram. (of a
tense in Latin and Greek) present, future, perfect, or future
perfect (cf. HISTORIC). --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a thing that is
primary. 2 (in full primary election) (in the US) a preliminary
election to appoint delegates to a party conference or to select
the candidates for a principal (esp. presidential) election. 3
= primary planet. 4 (Primary) Geol. the Primary period. 5 =
primary feather. 6 = primary coil. Ьprimary coil a coil to
which current is supplied in a transformer. primary feather a
large flight-feather of a bird's wing. primary planet a planet
that directly orbits the sun (cf. secondary planet). primary
school a school where young children are taught, esp. below the
age of 11. ЬЬprimarily adv. [ME f. L primarius f. primus
first]
primate n. 1 any animal of the order Primates, the highest order of
mammals, including tarsiers, lemurs, apes, monkeys, and man. 2
an archbishop. ЬPrimate of All England the Archbishop of
Canterbury. Primate of England the Archbishop of York.
ЬЬprimatial adj. primatology n. (in sense 1). [ME f. OF primat
f. L primas -atis (adj.) of the first rank f. primus first, in
med.L = primate]
primavera n. 1 a Central American tree, Cybistax donnellsmithii, bearing
yellow blooms. 2 the hard light-coloured timber from this.
[Sp., = spring (the season) f. L primus first + ver SPRING]
prime(1) adj. & n. --adj. 1 chief, most important (the prime agent; the
prime motive). 2 (esp. of cattle and provisions) first-rate,
excellent. 3 primary, fundamental. 4 Math. a (of a number)
divisible only by itself and unity (e.g. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11). b (of
numbers) having no common factor but unity. --n. 1 the state
of the highest perfection of something (in the prime of life).
2 (prec. by the; foll. by of) the best part. 3 the beginning or
first age of anything. 4 Eccl. a the second canonical hour of
prayer, appointed for the first hour of the day (i.e. 6 a.m.).
b the office of this. c archaic this time. 5 a prime number.
6 Printing a symbol (') added to a letter etc. as a
distinguishing mark, or to a figure as a symbol for minutes or
feet. 7 the first of eight parrying positions in fencing.
Ьprime cost the direct cost of a commodity in terms of
materials, labour, etc. prime meridian 1 the meridian from
which longitude is reckoned, esp. that passing through
Greenwich. 2 the corresponding line on a map. prime minister
the head of an elected government; the principal minister of a
sovereign or State. prime mover 1 an initial natural or
mechanical source of motive power. 2 the author of a fruitful
idea. prime rate the lowest rate at which money can be borrowed
commercially. prime time the time at which a radio or
television audience is expected to be at its highest. prime
vertical the great circle of the heavens passing through the
zenith and the E. and W. points of the horizon. ЬЬprimeness n.
[(n.) OE prim f. L prima (hora) first (hour), & MF f. OF prime:
(adj.) ME f. OF f. L primus first]
prime(2) v.tr. 1 prepare (a thing) for use or action. 2 prepare (a gun)
for firing or (an explosive) for detonation. 3 a pour (a
liquid) into a pump to prepare it for working. b inject petrol
into (the cylinder or carburettor of an internal-combustion
engine). 4 prepare (wood etc.) for painting by applying a
substance that prevents paint from being absorbed. 5 equip (a
person) with information etc. 6 ply (a person) with food or
drink in preparation for something. [16th c.: orig. unkn.]
primer(1) n. 1 a substance used to prime wood etc. 2 a cap, cylinder,
etc., used to ignite the powder of a cartridge etc.
primer(2) n. 1 an elementary textbook for teaching children to read. 2
an introductory book. [ME f. AF f. med.L primarius -arium f. L
primus first]
primeval adj. (also primaeval) 1 of or relating to the first age of the
world. 2 ancient, primitive. ЬЬprimevally adv. [L primaevus
f. primus first + aevum age]
primigravida
n. (pl. primigravidae) a woman who is pregnant for the first
time. [mod.L fem. f. L primus first + gravidus pregnant: see
GRAVID]
priming(1)
n. 1 a mixture used by painters for a preparatory coat. 2 a
preparation of sugar added to beer. 3 a gunpowder placed in the
pan of a firearm. b a train of powder connecting the fuse with
the charge in blasting etc.
priming(2)
n. an acceleration of the tides taking place from the neap to
the spring tides. [prime (v.) f. PRIME(1) + -ING(1)]
primipara n. (pl. primiparae) a woman who is bearing a child for the
first time. ЬЬprimiparous adj. [mod.L fem. f. primus first +
-parus f. parere bring forth]
primitive adj. & n. --adj. 1 early, ancient; at an early stage of
civilization (primitive man). 2 undeveloped, crude, simple
(primitive methods). 3 original, primary. 4 Gram. & Philol.
(of words or language) radical; not derivative. 5 Math. (of a
line, figure, etc.) from which another is derived, from which
some construction begins, etc. 6 (of a colour) primary. 7
Geol. of the earliest period. 8 Biol. appearing in the earliest
or a very early stage of growth or evolution. --n. 1 a a
painter of the period before the Renaissance. b a modern
imitator of such. c an untutored painter with a direct na‹ve
style. d a picture by such a painter. 2 a primitive word,
line, etc. Ьthe Primitive Church the Christian Church in its
earliest times. ЬЬprimitively adv. primitiveness n. [ME f. OF
primitif -ive or L primitivus first of its kind f. primitus in
the first place f. primus first]
primitivism
n. 1 primitive behaviour. 2 belief in the superiority of what
is primitive. 3 the practice of primitive art. ЬЬprimitivist
n. & adj.
primo n. (pl. -os) Mus. the leading or upper part in a duet etc.
primogenitor
n. 1 the earliest ancestor of a people etc. 2 an ancestor.
[var. of progenitor, after PRIMOGENITURE]
primogeniture
n. 1 the fact or condition of being the first-born child. 2
(in full right of primogeniture) the right of succession
belonging to the first-born, esp. the feudal rule by which the
whole real estate of an intestate passes to the eldest son.
ЬЬprimogenital adj. primogenitary adj. [med.L primogenitura f.
L primo first + genitura f. gignere genit- beget]
primordial
adj. 1 existing at or from the beginning, primeval. 2
original, fundamental. ЬЬprimordiality n. primordially adv.
[ME f. LL primordialis (as PRIMORDIUM)]
primordium
n. (pl. primordia) Biol. an organ or tissue in the early
stages of development. [L, neut. of primordius original f.
primus first + ordiri begin]
primp v.tr. 1 make (the hair, one's clothes, etc.) tidy. 2 refl.
make (oneself) smart. [dial. var. of PRIM]
primrose n. 1 a any plant of the genus Primula, esp. P. vulgaris,
bearing pale yellow flowers. b the flower of this. 2 a pale
yellow colour. Ьprimrose path the pursuit of pleasure, esp.
with disastrous consequences (with ref. to Shakesp. Hamlet I.
iii. 50). [ME primerose, corresp. to OF primerose and med.L
prima rosa, lit. first rose: reason for the name unkn.]
primula n. any plant of the genus Primula, bearing primrose-like
flowers in a wide variety of colours during the spring,
including primroses, cowslips, and polyanthuses. [med.L, fem.
of primulus dimin. of primus first]
primum mobile
n. 1 the central or most important source of motion or action.
2 Astron. in the medieval version of the Ptolemaic system, an
outer sphere supposed to move round the earth in 24 hours
carrying the inner spheres with it. [med.L, = first moving
thing]
Primus n. propr. a brand of portable stove burning vaporized oil for
cooking etc. [L (as PRIMUS)]
primus n. the presiding bishop of the Scottish Episcopal Church. [L,
= first]
primus inter pares
n. a first among equals; the senior or representative member of
a group. [L]
prince n. (as a title usu. Prince) 1 a male member of a royal family
other than a reigning king. 2 (in full prince of the blood) a
son or grandson of a British monarch. 3 a ruler of a small
State, actually or nominally subject to a king or emperor. 4
(as an English rendering of foreign titles) a noble usu.
ranking next below a duke. 5 (as a courtesy title in some
connections) a duke, marquis, or earl. 6 (often foll. by of)
the chief or greatest (the prince of novelists). ЬPrince
Charming an idealized young hero or lover. prince consort 1 the
husband of a reigning female sovereign who is himself a prince.
2 the title conferred on him. Prince of Darkness Satan. Prince
of Peace Christ. Prince of Wales the heir apparent to the
British throne, as a title conferred by the monarch. Prince
Regent a prince who acts as regent, esp. George (afterwards IV)
as regent 1811-20. prince royal the eldest son of the reigning
monarch. prince's feather a tall plant, Amaranthus
hypochondriacus, with feathery spikes of small red flowers.
prince's metal a brasslike alloy of copper and zinc.
ЬЬprincedom n. princelet n. princelike adj. princeship n.
[ME f. OF f. L princeps principis first, chief, sovereign f.
primus first + capere take]
princeling
n. a young or petty prince.
princely adj. (princelier, princeliest) 1 a of or worthy of a prince. b
held by a prince. 2 sumptuous, generous, splendid.
ЬЬprinceliness n.
princess n. (as a title usu. Princess) 1 the wife of a prince. 2 a
female member of a royal family other than a reigning queen. 3
(in full princess of the blood) a daughter or granddaughter of a
British monarch. 4 a pre-eminent woman or thing personified as
a woman. ЬPrincess Regent 1 a princess who acts as regent. 2
the wife of a Prince Regent. Princess Royal a monarch's eldest
daughter, as a title conferred by the monarch. [ME f. OF
princesse (as PRINCE)]
principal adj. & n. --adj. 1 (usu. attrib.) first in rank or
importance; chief (the principal town of the district). 2 main,
leading (a principal cause of my success). 3 (of money)
constituting the original sum invested or lent. --n. 1 a head,
ruler, or superior. 2 the head of some schools, colleges, and
universities. 3 the leading performer in a concert, play, etc.
4 a capital sum as distinguished from interest or income. 5 a
person for whom another acts as agent etc. 6 (in the UK) a
civil servant of the grade below Secretary. 7 the person
actually responsible for a crime. 8 a person for whom another
is surety. 9 each of the combatants in a duel. 10 a a main
rafter supporting purlins. b a main girder. 11 an organ stop
sounding an octave above the diapason. 12 Mus. the leading
player in each section of an orchestra. Ьprincipal boy (or
girl) an actress who takes the leading male (or female) part in
a pantomime. principal clause Gram. a clause to which another
clause is subordinate. principal in the first degree a person
directly responsible for a crime as its actual perpetrator.
principal in the second degree a person directly responsible for
a crime as aiding in its perpetration. principal parts Gram.
the parts of a verb from which all other parts can be deduced.
ЬЬprincipalship n. [ME f. OF f. L principalis first, original
(as PRINCE)]
principality
n. (pl. -ies) 1 a State ruled by a prince. 2 the government
of a prince. 3 (in pl.) the fifth order of the ninefold
celestial hierarchy. 4 (the Principality) Brit. Wales. [ME f.
OF principalit‚ f. LL principalitas -tatis (as PRINCIPAL)]
principally
adv. for the most part; chiefly.
principate
n. 1 a State ruled by a prince. 2 Rom.Hist. the rule of the
early emperors during which some republican forms were retained.
[ME f. OF principat or L principatus first place]
principle n. 1 a fundamental truth or law as the basis of reasoning or
action (arguing from first principles; moral principles). 2 a a
personal code of conduct (a person of high principle). b (in
pl.) such rules of conduct (has no principles). 3 a general law
in physics etc. (the uncertainty principle). 4 a law of nature
forming the basis for the construction or working of a machine
etc. 5 a fundamental source; a primary element (held water to
be the first principle of all things). 6 Chem. a constituent of
a substance, esp. one giving rise to some quality, etc. Ьin
principle as regards fundamentals but not necessarily in detail.
on principle on the basis of a moral attitude (I refuse on
principle). [ME f. OF principe f. L principium source, (in pl.)
foundations (as PRINCE)]
principled
adj. based on or having (esp. praiseworthy) principles of
behaviour.
prink v. 1 tr. (usu. refl.) a make (oneself etc.) smart. b (foll.
by up) smarten (oneself) up. c (of a bird) preen. 2 intr.
dress oneself up. [16th c.: prob. f. prank dress, adorn, rel.
to MLG prank pomp, Du. pronk finery]
print n. & v. --n. 1 an indentation or mark on a surface left by the
pressure of a thing in contact with it (fingerprint; footprint).
2 a printed lettering or writing (large print). b words in
printed form. c a printed publication, esp. a newspaper. d the
quantity of a book etc. printed at one time. e the state of
being printed. 3 a picture or design printed from a block or
plate. 4 Photog. a picture produced on paper from a negative.
5 a printed cotton fabric. --v.tr. 1 a produce or reproduce (a
book, picture, etc.) by applying inked types, blocks, or plates,
to paper, vellum, etc. b (of an author, publisher, or editor)
cause (a book or manuscript etc.) to be produced or reproduced
in this way. 2 express or publish in print. 3 a (often foll.
by on, in) impress or stamp (a mark or figure on a surface). b
(often foll. by with) impress or stamp (a soft surface, e.g. of
butter or wax, with a seal, die, etc.). 4 (often absol.) write
(words or letters) without joining, in imitation of typography.
5 (often foll. by off, out) Photog. produce (a picture) by the
transmission of light through a negative. 6 (usu. foll. by out)
(of a computer etc.) produce output in printed form. 7 mark (a
textile fabric) with a decorative design in colours. 8 (foll.
by on) impress (an idea, scene, etc. on the mind or memory). 9
transfer (a coloured or plain design) from paper etc. to the
unglazed or glazed surface of ceramic ware. Ьappear in print
have one's work published. in print 1 (of a book etc.)
available from the publisher. 2 in printed form. out of print
no longer available from the publisher. printed circuit an
electric circuit with thin strips of conductor on a flat
insulating sheet, usu. made by a process like printing.
ЬЬprintable adj. printability n. printless adj. (in sense 1 of
n.). [ME f. OF priente, preinte, fem. past part. of preindre
press f. L premere]
printer n. 1 a person who prints books, magazines, advertising matter,
etc. 2 the owner of a printing business. 3 a device that
prints, esp. as part of a computer system. Ьprinter's devil an
errand-boy in a printer's office. printer's mark a device used
as a printer's trade mark. printer's pie = PIE(3) n.
printery n. (pl. -ies) US a printer's office or works.
printhead n. the component in a printer (see PRINTER 3) that assembles
and prints the characters on the paper.
printing n. 1 the production of printed books etc. 2 a single
impression of a book. 3 printed letters or writing imitating
them. Ьprinting-press a machine for printing from types or
plates etc.
printmaker
n. a person who makes print. ЬЬprintmaking n.
printout n. computer output in printed form.
printworks
n. a factory where fabrics are printed.
prior adj., adv., & n. --adj. 1 earlier. 2 (often foll. by to)
coming before in time, order, or importance. --adv. (foll. by
to) before (decided prior to their arrival). --n. 1 the
superior officer of a religious house or order. 2 (in an abbey)
the officer next under the abbot. ЬЬpriorate n. prioress n.
priorship n. [L, = former, elder, compar. of OL pri = L prae
before]
priority n. (pl. -ies) 1 the fact or condition of being earlier or
antecedent. 2 precedence in rank etc. 3 an interest having
prior claim to consideration. ЬЬprioritize v.tr. (also -ise).
prioritization n. [ME f. OF priorit‚ f. med.L prioritas -tatis
f. L prior (as PRIOR)]
priory n. (pl. -ies) a monastery governed by a prior or a nunnery
governed by a prioress. [ME f. AF priorie, med.L prioria (as
PRIOR)]
prise v. & n. (also prize) --v.tr. force open or out by leverage
(prised up the lid; prised the box open). --n. leverage,
purchase. [ME & OF prise levering instrument (as PRIZE(1))]
prism n. 1 a solid geometric figure whose two ends are similar,
equal, and parallel rectilinear figures, and whose sides are
parallelograms. 2 a transparent body in this form, usu.
triangular with refracting surfaces at an acute angle with each
other, which separates white light into a spectrum of colours.
ЬЬprismal adj. [LL prisma f. Gk prisma prismatos thing sawn f.
prizo to saw]
prismatic adj. 1 of, like, or using a prism. 2 a (of colours)
distributed by or as if by a transparent prism. b (of light)
displayed in the form of a spectrum. ЬЬprismatically adv. [F
prismatique f. Gk prisma (as PRISM)]
prismoid n. a body like a prism, with similar but unequal parallel
polygonal ends. ЬЬprismoidal adj.
prison n. & v. --n. 1 a place in which a person is kept in captivity,
esp. a building to which persons are legally committed while
awaiting trial or for punishment; a jail. 2 custody,
confinement (in prison). --v.tr. poet. (prisoned, prisoning)
put in prison. Ьprison-breaking escape from prison. prison
camp a camp for prisoners of war or of State. [ME f. OF prisun,
-on f. L prensio -onis f. prehensio f. prehendere prehens- lay
hold of]
prisoner n. 1 a person kept in prison. 2 (in full prisoner at the bar)
a person in custody on a criminal charge and on trial. 3 a
person or thing confined by illness, another's grasp, etc. 4
(in full prisoner of war) a person who has been captured in war.
Ьprisoner of conscience see CONSCIENCE. prisoner of State (or
State prisoner) a person confined for political reasons.
prisoner's base a game played by two parties of boys etc., each
occupying a distinct base or home. take prisoner seize and hold
as a prisoner. [ME f. AF prisoner, OF prisonier (as PRISON)]
prissy adj. (prissier, prissiest) prim, prudish. ЬЬprissily adv.
prissiness n. [perh. f. PRIM + SISSY]
pristine adj. 1 in its original condition; unspoilt. 2 disp. spotless;
fresh as if new. 3 ancient, primitive. [L pristinus former]
prithee int. archaic pray, please. [= I pray thee]
privacy n. 1 a the state of being private and undisturbed. b a
person's right to this. 2 freedom from intrusion or public
attention. 3 avoidance of publicity.
private adj. & n. --adj. 1 belonging to an individual; one's own;
personal (private property). 2 confidential; not to be
disclosed to others (private talks). 3 kept or removed from
public knowledge or observation. 4 a not open to the public. b
for an individual's exclusive use (private room). 5 (of a
place) secluded; affording privacy. 6 (of a person) not holding
public office or an official position. 7 (of education or
medical treatment) conducted outside the State system, at the
individual's expense. --n. 1 a private soldier. 2 (in pl.)
colloq. the genitals. Ьin private privately; in private company
or life. private bill a parliamentary bill affecting an
individual or corporation only. private company Brit. a
company with restricted membership and no issue of shares.
private detective a detective engaged privately, outside an
official police force. private enterprise 1 a business or
businesses not under State control. 2 individual initiative.
private eye colloq. a private detective. private first class
US a soldier ranking above an ordinary private but below
officers. private hotel a hotel not obliged to take all comers.
private house the dwelling-house of a private person, as
distinct from a shop, office, or public building. private law a
law relating to individual persons and private property.
private life life as a private person, not as an official,
public performer, etc. private means income from investments
etc., apart from earned income. private member a member of a
legislative body not holding a government office. private
member's bill a bill introduced by a private member, not part of
government legislation. private parts the genitals. private
patient Brit. a patient treated by a doctor other than under
the National Health Service. private practice Brit. medical
practice that is not part of the National Health Service.
private press a printing establishment operated by a private
person or group not primarily for profit and usu. on a small
scale. private school 1 Brit. a school supported wholly by the
payment of fees. 2 US a school not supported mainly by the
State. private secretary a secretary dealing with the personal
and confidential concerns of a businessman or businesswoman.
private sector the part of the economy free of direct State
control. private soldier an ordinary soldier other than the
officers (and US other than recruits). private view the viewing
of an exhibition (esp. of paintings) before it is open to the
public. private war 1 a feud between persons or families
disregarding the law of murder etc. 2 hostilities against
members of another State without the sanction of one's own
government. private wrong an offence against an individual but
not against society as a whole. ЬЬprivately adv. [ME f. L
privatus, orig. past part. of privare deprive]
privateer n. 1 an armed vessel owned and officered by private individuals
holding a government commission and authorized for war service.
2 a a commander of such a vessel. b (in pl.) its crew.
ЬЬprivateering n. [PRIVATE, after volunteer]
privateersman
n. (pl. -men) = PRIVATEER 2.
privation n. 1 lack of the comforts or necessities of life (suffered many
privations). 2 (often foll. by of) loss or absence (of a
quality). [ME f. L privatio (as PRIVATE)]
privative adj. 1 consisting in or marked by the loss or removal or
absence of some quality or attribute. 2 (of a term) denoting
the privation or absence of a quality etc. 3 Gram. (of a
particle etc.) expressing privation, as Gk a- = 'not'.
ЬЬprivatively adv. [F privatif -ive or L privativus (as
PRIVATION)]
privatize v.tr. (also -ise) make private, esp. assign (a business etc.)
to private as distinct from State control or ownership;
denationalize. ЬЬprivatization n.
privet n. any evergreen shrub of the genus Ligustrum, esp. L. vulgare
bearing small white flowers and black berries, and much used for
hedges. [16th c.: orig. unkn.]
privilege n. & v. --n. 1 a a right, advantage, or immunity, belonging to
a person, class, or office. b the freedom of members of a
legislative assembly when speaking at its meetings. 2 a special
benefit or honour (it is a privilege to meet you). 3 a monopoly
or patent granted to an individual, corporation, etc. 4 US
Stock Exch. an option. --v.tr. 1 invest with a privilege. 2
(foll. by to + infin.) allow (a person) as a privilege (to do
something). 3 (often foll. by from) exempt (a person from a
liability etc.). ЬЬprivileged adj. [ME f. OF privilege f. L
privilegium bill or law affecting an individual, f. privus
private + lex legis law]
privity n. (pl. -ies) 1 Law a relation between two parties that is
recognized by law, e.g. that of blood, lease, or service. 2
(often foll. by to) the state of being privy (to plans etc.).
[ME f. OF privet‚ f. med.L privitas -tatis f. L privus private]
privy adj. & n. --adj. 1 (foll. by to) sharing in the secret of (a
person's plans etc.). 2 archaic hidden, secret. --n. (pl.
-ies) 1 US or archaic a lavatory. 2 Law a person having a part
or interest in any action, matter, or thing. ЬPrivy Council 1
(in the UK) a body of advisers appointed by the sovereign (now
chiefly on an honorary basis and including present and former
government ministers etc.). 2 usu. hist. a sovereign's or
governor-general's private counsellors. privy counsellor (or
councillor) a private adviser, esp. a member of a Privy Council.
privy purse Brit. 1 an allowance from the public revenue for
the monarch's private expenses. 2 the keeper of this. privy
seal (in the UK) a seal formerly affixed to documents that are
afterwards to pass the Great Seal or that do not require it.
ЬЬprivily adv. [ME f. OF priv‚ f. L privatus PRIVATE]
prize(1) n. & v. --n. 1 something that can be won in a competition or
lottery etc. 2 a reward given as a symbol of victory or
superiority. 3 something striven for or worth striving for
(missed all the great prizes of life). 4 (attrib.) a to which a
prize is awarded (a prize bull; a prize poem). b supremely
excellent or outstanding of its kind. --v.tr. value highly (a
much prized possession). Ьprize-giving an award of prizes, esp.
formally at a school etc. prize-money money offered as a prize.
prize-ring 1 an enclosed area (now usu. a square) for
prizefighting. 2 the practice of prizefighting. [(n.) ME, var.
of PRICE: (v.) ME f. OF pris- stem of preisier PRAISE]
prize(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a ship or property captured in naval warfare.
2 a find or windfall. --v.tr. make a prize of. Ьprize-court a
department of an admiralty court concerned with prizes. [ME f.
OF prise taking, booty, fem. past part. of prendre f. L
prehendere prehens- seize: later identified with PRIZE(1)]
prize(3) var. of PRISE.
prizefight
n. a boxing-match fought for prize-money. ЬЬprizefighter n.
prizeman n. (pl. -men) a winner of a prize, esp. a specified academic
one.
prizewinner
n. a winner of a prize. ЬЬprizewinning adj.
PRO abbr. 1 Public Record Office. 2 public relations officer.
pro(1) n. & adj. colloq. --n. (pl. -os) a professional. --adj.
professional. Ьpro-am involving professionals and amateurs.
[abbr.]
pro(2) adj., n., & prep. --adj. (of an argument or reason) for; in
favour. --n. (pl. -os) a reason or argument for or in favour.
--prep. in favour of. Ьpros and cons reasons or considerations
for and against a proposition etc. [L, = for, on behalf of]
pro-(1) prefix 1 favouring or supporting (pro-government). 2 acting as
a substitute or deputy for (proconsul). 3 forwards (produce).
4 forwards and downwards (prostrate). 5 onwards (proceed;
progress). 6 in front of (protect). [L pro in front (of), for,
on behalf of, instead of, on account of]
pro-(2) prefix before in time, place, order, etc. (problem; proboscis;
prophet). [Gk pro before]
proa n. (also prau, prahu) a Malay boat, esp. with a large
triangular sail and a canoe-like outrigger. [Malay prau, prahu]
proactive adj. 1 (of a person, policy, etc.) creating or controlling a
situation by taking the initiative. 2 of or relating to mental
conditioning or a habit etc. which has been learned.
ЬЬproaction n. proactively adv. proactivity n. [PRO-(2),
after REACTIVE]
probability
n. (pl. -ies) 1 the state or condition of being probable. 2
the likelihood of something happening. 3 a probable or most
probable event (the probability is that they will come). 4
Math. the extent to which an event is likely to occur, measured
by the ratio of the favourable cases to the whole number of
cases possible. Ьin all probability most probably. [F
probabilit‚ or L probabilitas (as PROBABLE)]
probable adj. & n. --adj. (often foll. by that + clause) that may be
expected to happen or prove true; likely (the probable
explanation; it is probable that they forgot). --n. a probable
candidate, member of a team, etc. ЬЬprobably adv. [ME f. OF f.
L probabilis f. probare prove]
proband n. a person forming the starting-point for the genetic study of
a family etc. [L probandus, gerundive of probare test]
probang n. Surgery a strip of flexible material with a sponge or button
etc. at the end for introducing into the throat. [17th c.
(named provang by its inventor): orig. unkn., perh. alt. after
probe]
probate n. & v. --n. 1 the official proving of a will. 2 a verified
copy of a will with a certificate as handed to the executors.
--v.tr. US establish the validity of (a will). [ME f. L
probatum neut. past part. of probare PROVE]
probation n. 1 Law a system of suspending the sentence on an offender
subject to a period of good behaviour under supervision. 2 a
process or period of testing the character or abilities of a
person in a certain role, esp. of a new employee. 3 a moral
trial or discipline. Ьon probation undergoing probation, esp.
legal supervision. probation officer an official supervising
offenders on probation. ЬЬprobational adj. probationary adj.
[ME f. OF probation or L probatio (as PROVE)]
probationer
n. 1 a person on probation, e.g. a newly appointed nurse,
teacher, etc. 2 an offender on probation. ЬЬprobationership n.
probe n. & v. --n. 1 a penetrating investigation. 2 any small
device, esp. an electrode, for measuring, testing, etc. 3 a
blunt-ended surgical instrument usu. of metal for exploring a
wound etc. 4 (in full space probe) an unmanned exploratory
spacecraft transmitting information about its environment.
--v.tr. 1 examine or enquire into closely. 2 explore (a wound
or part of the body) with a probe. 3 penetrate with a sharp
instrument. ЬЬprobeable adj. prober n. probingly adv. [LL
proba proof, in med.L = examination, f. L probare test]
probit n. Statistics a unit of probability based on deviation from the
mean of a standard distribution. [probability un it]
probity n. uprightness, honesty. [F probit‚ or L probitas f. probus
good]
problem n. 1 a doubtful or difficult matter requiring a solution (how
to prevent it is a problem; the problem of ventilation). 2
something hard to understand or accomplish or deal with. 3
(attrib.) a causing problems; difficult to deal with (problem
child). b (of a play, novel, etc.) in which a social or other
problem is treated. 4 a Physics & Math. an inquiry starting
from given conditions to investigate or demonstrate a fact,
result, or law. b Geom. a proposition in which something has to
be constructed (cf. THEOREM). 5 a (in various games, esp.
chess) an arrangement of men, cards, etc., in which the solver
has to achieve a specified result. b a puzzle or question for
solution. [ME f. OF probleme or L problema f. Gk problema
-matos f. proballo (as PRO-(2), ballo throw)]
problematic
adj. (also problematical) 1 attended by difficulty. 2 doubtful
or questionable. 3 Logic enunciating or supporting what is
possible but not necessarily true. ЬЬproblematically adv. [F
probl‚matique or LL problematicus f. Gk problematikos (as
PROBLEM)]
proboscidean
adj. & n. (also proboscidian) --adj. 1 having a proboscis. 2
of or like a proboscis. 3 of the mammalian order Proboscidea,
including elephants and their extinct allies. --n. a mammal of
this order. [mod.L Proboscidea (as PROBOSCIS)]
proboscis n. 1 the long flexible trunk or snout of some mammals, e.g. an
elephant or tapir. 2 the elongated mouth parts of some insects.
3 the sucking organ in some worms. 4 joc. the human nose.
Ьproboscis monkey a monkey, Nasalis larvatus, native to Borneo,
the male of which has a large pendulous nose.
ЬЬproboscidiferous adj. proboscidiform adj. [L proboscis
-cidis f. Gk proboskis f. probosko (as PRO-(2), bosko feed)]
procaine n. (also procain) a synthetic compound used as a local
anaesthetic. [PRO-(1) + COCAINE]
procaryote
var. of PROKARYOTE.
procedure n. 1 a way of proceeding, esp. a mode of conducting business or
a legal action. 2 a mode of performing a task. 3 a series of
actions conducted in a certain order or manner. 4 a proceeding.
5 Computing = SUBROUTINE. ЬЬprocedural adj. procedurally adv.
[F proc‚dure (as PROCEED)]
proceed v.intr. 1 (often foll. by to) go forward or on further; make
one's way. 2 (often foll. by with, or to + infin.) continue; go
on with an activity (proceeded with their work; proceeded to
tell the whole story). 3 (of an action) be carried on or
continued (the case will now proceed). 4 adopt a course of
action (how shall we proceed?). 5 go on to say. 6 (foll. by
against) start a lawsuit (against a person). 7 (often foll. by
from) come forth or originate (shouts proceeded from the
bedroom). 8 (foll. by to) Brit. take the degree of (MA etc.).
[ME f. OF proceder f. L procedere process- (as PRO-(1), cedere
go)]
proceeding
n. 1 an action or piece of conduct (a high-handed proceeding).
2 (in pl.) (in full legal proceedings) an action at law; a
lawsuit. 3 (in pl.) a published report of discussions or a
conference.
proceeds n.pl. money produced by a transaction or other undertaking.
[pl. of obs. proceed (n.) f. PROCEED]
process(1)
n. & v. --n. 1 a course of action or proceeding, esp. a series
of stages in manufacture or some other operation. 2 the
progress or course of something (in process of construction). 3
a natural or involuntary operation or series of changes (the
process of growing old). 4 an action at law; a summons or writ.
5 Anat., Zool., & Bot. a natural appendage or outgrowth on an
organism. --v.tr. 1 handle or deal with by a particular
process. 2 treat (food, esp. to prevent decay) (processed
cheese). 3 Computing operate on (data) by means of a program.
Ьin process of time as time goes on. process server a sheriff's
officer who serves writs. ЬЬprocessable adj. [ME f. OF proces
f. L processus (as PROCEED)]
process(2)
v.intr. walk in procession. [back-form. f. PROCESSION]
procession
n. 1 a number of people or vehicles etc. moving forward in
orderly succession, esp. at a ceremony, demonstration, or
festivity. 2 the movement of such a group (go in procession).
3 a race in which no competitor is able to overtake another. 4
Theol. the emanation of the Holy Spirit. ЬЬprocessionist n.
[ME f. OF f. L processio -onis (as PROCEED)]
processional
adj. & n. --adj. 1 of processions. 2 used, carried, or sung
in processions. --n. Eccl. an office-book of processional
hymns etc. [med.L processionalis (adj.), -ale (n.) (as
PROCESSION)]
processor n. a machine that processes things, esp.: 1 = central
processor. 2 = food processor.
procЉs-verbal
n. (pl. procЉs-verbaux) a written report of proceedings;
minutes. [F]
prochronism
n. the action of referring an event etc. to an earlier date
than the true one. [PRO-(2) + Gk khronos time]
proclaim v.tr. 1 (often foll. by that + clause) announce or declare
publicly or officially. 2 declare (a person) to be (a king,
traitor, etc.). 3 reveal as being (an accent that proclaims you
a Scot). ЬЬproclaimer n. proclamation n. proclamatory adj.
[ME proclame f. L proclamare cry out (as PRO-(1), CLAIM)]
proclitic adj. & n. Gram. --adj. (of a monosyllable) closely attached in
pronunciation to a following word and having itself no accent.
--n. such a word, e.g. at in at home. ЬЬproclitically adv.
[mod.L procliticus f. Gk proklino lean forward, after LL
encliticus: see ENCLITIC]
proclivity
n. (pl. -ies) a tendency or inclination. [L proclivitas f.
proclivis inclined (as PRO-(1), clivus slope)]
proconsul n. 1 Rom.Hist. a governor of a province, in the later republic
usu. an ex-consul. 2 a governor of a modern colony etc. 3 a
deputy consul. ЬЬproconsular adj. proconsulate n.
proconsulship n. [ME f. L, earlier pro consule (one acting) for
the consul]
procrastinate
v.intr. defer action; be dilatory. °Often confused with
prevaricate. ЬЬprocrastination n. procrastinative adj.
procrastinator n. procrastinatory adj. [L procrastinare
procrastinat- (as PRO-(1), crastinus of tomorrow f. cras
tomorrow)]
procreate v.tr. (often absol.) bring (offspring) into existence by the
natural process of reproduction. ЬЬprocreant adj. procreative
adj. procreation n. procreator n. [L procreare procreat- (as
PRO-(1), creare create)]
Procrustean
adj. seeking to enforce uniformity by forceful or ruthless
methods. [Gk Prokroustes, lit. stretcher, f. prokrouo beat
out: the name of a legendary robber who fitted victims to a bed
by stretching them or cutting off parts of them]
proctology
n. the branch of medicine concerned with the anus and rectum.
ЬЬproctological adj. proctologist n. [Gk proktos anus + -LOGY]
proctor n. 1 Brit. an officer (usu. one of two) at certain
universities, appointed annually and having mainly disciplinary
functions. 2 US a supervisor of students in an examination etc.
3 Law a person managing causes in a court (now chiefly
ecclesiastical) that administers civil or canon law. 4 a
representative of the clergy in the Church of England
convocation. ЬQueen's (or King's) Proctor (in the UK) an
official who has the right to intervene in probate, divorce, and
nullity cases when collusion or the suppression of facts is
alleged. ЬЬproctorial adj. proctorship n. [ME, syncopation of
PROCURATOR]
proctoscope
n. a medical instrument for inspecting the rectum. [Gk proktos
anus + -SCOPE]
procumbent
adj. 1 lying on the face; prostrate. 2 Bot. growing along the
ground. [L procumbere fall forwards (as PRO-(1), cumbere lay
oneself)]
procuration
n. 1 formal the action of procuring, obtaining, or bringing
about. 2 the function or an authorized action of an attorney.
[ME f. OF procuration or L procuratio (as PROCURE)]
procurator
n. 1 an agent or proxy, esp. one who has power of attorney. 2
Rom.Hist. a treasury officer in an imperial province.
Ьprocurator fiscal (in Scotland) a local coroner and public
prosecutor. ЬЬprocuratorial adj. procuratorship n. [ME f. OF
procurateur or L procurator administrator, finance-agent (as
PROCURE)]
procure v.tr. 1 obtain, esp. by care or effort; acquire (managed to
procure a copy). 2 bring about (procured their dismissal). 3
(also absol.) obtain (women) for prostitution. ЬЬprocurable
adj. procural n. procurement n. [ME f. OF procurer f. L
procurare take care of, manage (as PRO-(1), curare see to)]
procurer n. (fem. procuress) a person who obtains women for
prostitution. [ME f. AF procurour, OF procureur f. L
procurator: see PROCURATOR]
prod v. & n. --v. (prodded, prodding) 1 tr. poke with the finger or
a pointed object. 2 tr. stimulate to action. 3 intr. (foll. by
at) make a prodding motion. --n. 1 a poke or thrust. 2 a
stimulus to action. 3 a pointed instrument. ЬЬprodder n.
[16th c.: perh. imit.]
prodigal adj. & n. --adj. 1 recklessly wasteful. 2 (foll. by of)
lavish. --n. 1 a prodigal person. 2 (in full prodigal son) a
repentant wastrel, returned wanderer, etc. (Luke 15:11-32).
ЬЬprodigality n. prodigally adv. [med.L prodigalis f. L
prodigus lavish]
prodigious
adj. 1 marvellous or amazing. 2 enormous. 3 abnormal.
ЬЬprodigiously adv. prodigiousness n. [L prodigiosus (as
PRODIGY)]
prodigy n. (pl. -ies) 1 a person endowed with exceptional qualities or
abilities, esp. a precocious child. 2 a marvellous thing, esp.
one out of the ordinary course of nature. 3 (foll. by of) a
wonderful example (of a quality). [L prodigium portent]
prodrome n. 1 a preliminary book or treatise. 2 Med. a premonitory
symptom. ЬЬprodromal adj. prodromic adj. [F f. mod.L f. Gk
prodromos precursor (as PRO-(2), dromos running)]
produce v. & n. --v.tr. 1 bring forward for consideration, inspection,
or use (will produce evidence). 2 manufacture (goods) from raw
materials etc. 3 bear or yield (offspring, fruit, a harvest,
etc.). 4 bring into existence. 5 cause or bring about (a
reaction, sensation, etc.). 6 Geom. extend or continue (a
line). 7 a bring (a play, performer, book, etc.) before the
public. b supervise the production of (a film, broadcast,
etc.). --n. 1 a what is produced, esp. agricultural and
natural products collectively (dairy produce). b an amount of
this. 2 (often foll. by of) a result (of labour, efforts,
etc.). 3 a yield, esp. in the assay of ore. ЬЬproducible adj.
producibility n. [ME f. L producere (as PRO-(1), ducere duct-
lead)]
producer n. 1 Econ. a person who produces goods or commodities. 2 a a
person generally responsible for the production of a film or
play (apart from the direction of the acting). b Brit. the
director of a play or broadcast programme. Ьproducer gas a
combustible gas formed by passing air, or air and steam, through
red-hot carbon.
product n. 1 a thing or substance produced by natural process or
manufacture. 2 a result (the product of their labours). 3
Math. a quantity obtained by multiplying quantities together.
[ME f. L productum, neut. past part. of producere PRODUCE]
production
n. 1 the act or an instance of producing; the process of being
produced. 2 the process of being manufactured, esp. in large
quantities (go into production). 3 a total yield. 4 a thing
produced, esp. a literary or artistic work, a film, play, etc.
Ьproduction line a systematized sequence of mechanical or manual
operations involved in producing a commodity. ЬЬproductional n.
[ME f. OF f. L productio -onis (as PRODUCT)]
productive
adj. 1 of or engaged in the production of goods. 2 producing
much (productive soil; a productive writer). 3 Econ. producing
commodities of exchangeable value (productive labour). 4 (foll.
by of) producing or giving rise to (productive of great
annoyance). ЬЬproductively adv. productiveness n. [F
productif -ive or LL productivus (as PRODUCT)]
productivity
n. 1 the capacity to produce. 2 the quality or state of being
productive. 3 the effectiveness of productive effort, esp. in
industry. 4 production per unit of effort.
proem n. 1 a preface or preamble to a book or speech. 2 a beginning
or prelude. ЬЬproemial adj. [ME f. OF proeme or L prooemium f.
Gk prooimion prelude (as PRO-(2), oime song)]
Prof. abbr. Professor.
prof n. colloq. a professor. [abbr.]
profane adj. & v. --adj. 1 not belonging to what is sacred or
biblical; secular. 2 irreverent, blasphemous. 3 (of a rite
etc.) heathen. 4 not initiated into religious rites or any
esoteric knowledge. --v.tr. 1 treat (a sacred thing) with
irreverence or disregard. 2 violate or pollute (what is
entitled to respect). ЬЬprofanation n. profanely adv.
profaneness n. profaner n. [ME prophane f. OF prophane or
med.L prophanus f. L profanus before (i.e. outside) the temple,
not sacred (as PRO-(1), fanum temple)]
profanity n. (pl. -ies) 1 a profane act. 2 profane language; blasphemy.
[LL profanitas (as PROFANE)]
profess v. 1 tr. claim openly to have (a quality or feeling). 2 tr.
(foll. by to + infin.) pretend. 3 tr. declare (profess
ignorance). 4 tr. affirm one's faith in or allegiance to. 5
tr. receive into a religious order under vows. 6 tr. have as
one's profession or business. 7 a tr. teach (a subject) as a
professor. b intr. perform the duties of a professor. [ME f. L
profiteri profess- declare publicly (as PRO-(1), fateri
confess)]
professed adj. 1 self-acknowledged (a professed Christian). 2 alleged,
ostensible. 3 claiming to be duly qualified. 4 (of a monk or
nun) having taken the vows of a religious order. ЬЬprofessedly
adv. (in senses 1, 2).
profession
n. 1 a vocation or calling, esp. one that involves some branch
of advanced learning or science (the medical profession). 2 a
body of people engaged in a profession. 3 a declaration or
avowal. 4 a declaration of belief in a religion. 5 a the
declaration or vows made on entering a religious order. b the
ceremony or fact of being professed in a religious order. Ьthe
oldest profession colloq. or joc. prostitution.
ЬЬprofessionless adj. [ME f. OF f. L professio -onis (as
PROFESS)]
professional
adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or belonging to or connected with a
profession. 2 a having or showing the skill of a professional,
competent. b worthy of a professional (professional conduct).
3 engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation
(cf. AMATEUR) (a professional boxer). 4 derog. engaged in a
specified activity regarded with disfavour (a professional
agitator). --n. a professional person. Ьprofessional foul a
deliberate foul in football etc., esp. to prevent an opponent
from scoring. ЬЬprofessionally adv.
professionalism
n. the qualities or typical features of a profession or of
professionals, esp. competence, skill, etc. ЬЬprofessionalize
v.tr. (also -ise).
professor n. 1 a (often as a title) a university academic of the highest
rank; the holder of a university chair. b US a university
teacher. 2 a person who professes a religion. ЬЬprofessorate
n. professorial adj. professorially adv. professoriate n.
professorship n. [ME f. OF professeur or L professor (as
PROFESS)]
proffer v. & n. --v.tr. (esp. as proffered adj.) offer (a gift,
services, a hand, etc.). --n. literary an offer or proposal.
[ME f. AF & OF proffrir (as PRO-(1), offrir OFFER)]
proficient
adj. & n. --adj. (often foll. by in, at) adept, expert. --n. a
person who is proficient. ЬЬproficiency n. proficiently adv.
[L proficiens proficient- (as PROFIT)]
profile n. & v. --n. 1 a an outline (esp. of a human face) as seen
from one side. b a representation of this. 2 a short
biographical or character sketch. 3 Statistics a representation
by a graph or chart of information (esp. on certain
characteristics) recorded in a quantified form. 4 a
characteristic personal manner or attitude. 5 a vertical
cross-section of a structure. 6 a flat outline piece of scenery
on stage. --v.tr. 1 represent in profile. 2 give a profile
to. Ьin profile as seen from one side. keep a low profile
remain inconspicuous. ЬЬprofiler n. profilist n. [obs. It.
profilo, profilare (as PRO-(1), filare spin f. L filare f.
filum thread)]
profit n. & v. --n. 1 an advantage or benefit. 2 financial gain;
excess of returns over outlay. --v. (profited, profiting) 1
tr. (also absol.) be beneficial to. 2 intr. obtain an advantage
or benefit (profited by the experience). Ьat a profit with
financial gain. profit and loss account an account in which
gains are credited and losses debited so as to show the net
profit or loss at any time. profit margin the profit remaining
in a business after costs have been deducted. profit-sharing
the sharing of profits esp. between employer and employees.
profit-taking the sale of shares etc. at a time when profit will
accrue. ЬЬprofitless adj. [ME f. OF f. L profectus progress,
profit f. proficere profect- advance (as PRO-(1), facere do)]
profitable
adj. 1 yielding profit; lucrative. 2 beneficial; useful.
ЬЬprofitability n. profitableness n. profitably adv. [ME f.
OF (as PROFIT)]
profiteer v. & n. --v.intr. make or seek to make excessive profits, esp.
illegally or in black market conditions. --n. a person who
profiteers.
profiterole
n. a small hollow case of choux pastry usu. filled with cream
and covered with chocolate sauce. [F, dimin. of profit PROFIT]
profligate
adj. & n. --adj. 1 licentious; dissolute. 2 recklessly
extravagant. --n. a profligate person. ЬЬprofligacy n.
profligately adv. [L profligatus dissolute, past part. of
profligare overthrow, ruin (as PRO-(1), fligere strike down)]
pro forma adv., adj., & n. --adv. & adj. as or being a matter of form.
--n. (in full pro-forma invoice) an invoice sent in advance of
goods supplied. [L]
profound adj. & n. --adj. (profounder, profoundest) 1 a having or
showing great knowledge or insight (a profound treatise). b
demanding deep study or thought (profound doctrines). 2 (of a
state or quality) deep, intense, unqualified (a profound sleep;
profound indifference). 3 at or extending to a great depth
(profound crevasses). 4 (of a sigh) deep-drawn. 5 (of a
disease) deep-seated. --n. (prec. by the) poet. the vast depth
(of the ocean, soul, etc.). ЬЬprofoundly adv. profoundness n.
profundity n. (pl. -ies). [ME f. AF & OF profund, profond f.
L profundus deep (as PRO-(1), fundus bottom)]
profuse adj. 1 (often foll. by in, of) lavish; extravagant (was profuse
in her generosity). 2 (of a thing) exuberantly plentiful;
abundant (profuse bleeding; a profuse variety). ЬЬprofusely
adv. profuseness n. profusion n. [ME f. L profusus past part.
of profundere profus- (as PRO-(1), fundere fus- pour)]
progenitive
adj. capable of or connected with the production of offspring.
progenitor
n. 1 the ancestor of a person, animal, or plant. 2 a political
or intellectual predecessor. 3 the origin of a copy.
ЬЬprogenitorial adj. progenitorship n. [ME f. OF progeniteur
f. L progenitor -oris f. progignere progenit- (as PRO-(1),
gignere beget)]
progeniture
n. 1 the act or an instance of procreation. 2 young,
offspring.
progeny n. 1 the offspring of a person or other organism. 2 a
descendant or descendants. 3 an outcome or issue. [ME f. OF
progenie f. L progenies f. progignere (as PROGENITOR)]
progesterone
n. a steroid hormone released by the corpus luteum which
stimulates the preparation of the uterus for pregnancy (see also
PROGESTOGEN). [progestin (as PRO-(2), GESTATION) + luteost
erone f. CORPUS LUTEUM + STEROL]
progestogen
n. 1 any of a group of steroid hormones (including
progesterone) that maintain pregnancy and prevent further
ovulation during it. 2 a similar hormone produced
synthetically.
proglottis
n. (pl. proglottides) each segment in the strobile of a
tapeworm that contains a complete reproductive system. [mod.L
f. Gk proglossis (as PRO-(2), glossis f. glossa, glotta
tongue), from its shape]
prognathous
adj. 1 having a projecting jaw. 2 (of a jaw) projecting.
ЬЬprognathic adj. prognathism n. [PRO-(2) + Gk gnathos jaw]
prognosis n. (pl. prognoses) 1 a forecast; a prognostication. 2 a
forecast of the course of a disease. [LL f. Gk prognosis (as
PRO-(2), gignosko know)]
prognostic
n. & adj. --n. 1 (often foll. by of) an advance indication or
omen, esp. of the course of a disease etc. 2 a prediction; a
forecast. --adj. foretelling; predictive (prognostic of a good
result). ЬЬprognostically adv. [ME f. OF pronostique f. L
prognosticum f. Gk prognostikon neut. of prognostikos (as
PROGNOSIS)]
prognosticate
v.tr. 1 (often foll. by that + clause) foretell; foresee;
prophesy. 2 (of a thing) betoken; indicate (future events
etc.). ЬЬprognosticable adj. prognostication n.
prognosticative adj. prognosticator n. prognosticatory adj.
[med.L prognosticare (as PROGNOSTIC)]
programme n. & v. (US program) --n. 1 a usu. printed list of a series of
events, performers, etc. at a public function etc. 2 a radio
or television broadcast. 3 a plan of future events (the
programme is dinner and an early night). 4 a course or series
of studies, lectures, etc.; a syllabus. 5 (usu. program) a
series of coded instructions to control the operation of a
computer or other machine. --v.tr. (programmed, programming;
US programed, programing) 1 make a programme or definite plan
of. 2 (usu. program) express (a problem) or instruct (a
computer) by means of a program. Ьprogramme music a piece of
music intended to tell a story, evoke images, etc.
ЬЬprogrammable adj. programmability n. programmatic adj.
programmatically adv. programmer n. [LL programma f. Gk
programma -atos f. prographo write publicly (as PRO-(2), grapho
write): spelling after F programme]
progress n. & v. --n. 1 forward or onward movement towards a
destination. 2 advance or development towards completion,
betterment, etc.; improvement (has made little progress this
term; the progress of civilization). 3 Brit. archaic a State
journey or official tour, esp. by royalty. --v. 1 intr. move
or be moved forward or onward; continue (the argument is
progressing). 2 intr. advance or develop towards completion,
improvement, etc. (science progresses). 3 tr. cause (work etc.)
to make regular progress. Ьin progress in the course of
developing; going on. progress-chaser a person employed to
check the regular progress of manufacturing work. progress
report an account of progress made. [ME f. L progressus f.
progredi (as PRO-(1), gradi walk: (v.) readopted f. US after
becoming obs. in Brit. use in the 17th c.]
progression
n. 1 the act or an instance of progressing (a mode of
progression). 2 a succession; a series. 3 Math. a =
arithmetic progression. b = geometric progression. c =
harmonic progression. 4 Mus. passing from one note or chord to
another. ЬЬprogressional adj. [ME f. OF progression or L
progressio (as PROGRESS)]
progressionist
n. 1 an advocate of or believer in esp. political or social
progress. 2 a person who believes in the theory of gradual
progression to higher forms of life.
progressive
adj. & n. --adj. 1 moving forward (progressive motion). 2
proceeding step by step; cumulative (progressive drug use). 3 a
(of a political party, government, etc.) favouring or
implementing rapid progress or social reform. b modern;
efficient (this is a progressive company). 4 (of disease,
violence, etc.) increasing in severity or extent. 5 (of
taxation) at rates increasing with the sum taxed. 6 (of a
card-game, dance, etc.) with periodic changes of partners. 7
Gram. (of an aspect) expressing an action in progress, e.g. am
writing, was writing. 8 (of education) informal and without
strict discipline, stressing individual needs. --n. (also
Progressive) an advocate of progressive political policies.
ЬЬprogressively adv. progressiveness n. progressivism n.
progressivist n. & adj. [F progressif -ive or med.L
progressivus (as PROGRESS)]
pro hac vice
adv. for this occasion (only). [L]
prohibit v.tr. (prohibited, prohibiting) (often foll. by from + verbal
noun) 1 formally forbid, esp. by authority. 2 prevent; make
impossible (his accident prohibits him from playing football).
Ьprohibited degrees degrees of blood relationship within which
marriage is forbidden. ЬЬprohibiter n. prohibitor n. [ME f. L
prohibere (as PRO-(1), habere hold)]
prohibition
n. 1 the act or an instance of forbidding; a state of being
forbidden. 2 Law a an edict or order that forbids. b a writ
from a superior court forbidding an inferior court from
proceeding in a suit deemed to be beyond its cognizance. 3
(usu. Prohibition) the prevention by law of the manufacture and
sale of alcohol, esp. in the US (1920-33). ЬЬprohibitionary
adj. prohibitionist n. [ME f. OF prohibition or L prohibitio
(as PROHIBIT)]
prohibitive
adj. 1 prohibiting. 2 (of prices, taxes, etc.) so high as to
prevent purchase, use, abuse, etc. (published at a prohibitive
price). ЬЬprohibitively adv. prohibitiveness n. prohibitory
adj. [F prohibitif -ive or L prohibitivus (as PROHIBIT)]
project n. & v. --n. 1 a plan; a scheme. 2 a planned undertaking. 3
a usu. long-term task undertaken by a student to be submitted
for assessment. --v. 1 tr. plan or contrive (a course of
action, scheme, etc.). 2 intr. protrude; jut out. 3 tr. throw;
cast; impel (projected the stone into the water). 4 tr.
extrapolate (results etc.) to a future time; forecast (I project
that we shall produce two million next year). 5 tr. cause
(light, shadow, images, etc.) to fall on a surface, screen, etc.
6 tr. cause (a sound, esp. the voice) to be heard at a distance.
7 tr. (often refl. or absol.) express or promote (oneself or a
positive image) forcefully or effectively. 8 tr. Geom. a draw
straight lines from a centre or parallel lines through every
point of (a given figure) to produce a corresponding figure on a
surface or a line by intersecting it. b draw (such lines). c
produce (such a corresponding figure). 9 tr. make a projection
of (the earth, sky, etc.). 10 tr. Psychol. a (also absol.)
attribute (an emotion etc.) to an external object or person,
esp. unconsciously. b (refl.) project (oneself) into another's
feelings, the future, etc. [ME f. L projectum neut. past part.
of projicere (as PRO-(1), jacere throw)]
projectile
n. & adj. --n. 1 a missile, esp. fired by a rocket. 2 a
bullet, shell, etc. fired from a gun. 3 any object thrown as a
weapon. --adj. 1 capable of being projected by force, esp.
from a gun. 2 projecting or impelling. [mod.L projectilis
(adj.), -ile (n.) (as PROJECT)]
projection
n. 1 the act or an instance of projecting; the process of being
projected. 2 a thing that projects or obtrudes. 3 the
presentation of an image etc. on a surface or screen. 4 a a
forecast or estimate based on present trends (a projection of
next year's profits). b this process. 5 a a mental image or
preoccupation viewed as an objective reality. b the unconscious
transfer of one's own impressions or feelings to external
objects or persons. 6 Geom. the act or an instance of
projecting a figure. 7 the representation on a plane surface of
any part of the surface of the earth or a celestial sphere
(Mercator projection). ЬЬprojectionist n. (in sense 3). [L
projectio (as PROJECT)]
projective
adj. 1 Geom. a relating to or derived by projection. b (of a
property of a figure) unchanged by projection. 2 Psychol.
mentally projecting or projected (a projective imagination).
Ьprojective geometry the study of the projective properties of
geometric figures. ЬЬprojectively adv.
projector n. 1 a an apparatus containing a source of light and a system
of lenses for projecting slides or film on to a screen. b an
apparatus for projecting rays of light. 2 a person who forms or
promotes a project. 3 archaic a promoter of speculative
companies.
prokaryote
n. (also procaryote) an organism in which the chromosomes are
not separated from the cytoplasm by a membrane; a bacterium (cf.
EUKARYOTE). ЬЬprokaryotic adj. [PRO-(2) + KARYO- + - ote as in
ZYGOTE]
prolactin n. a hormone released from the anterior pituitary gland that
stimulates milk production after childbirth. [PRO-(1) +
LACTATION]
prolapse n. & v. --n. (also prolapsus) 1 the forward or downward
displacement of a part or organ. 2 the prolapsed part or organ,
esp. the womb or rectum. --v.intr. undergo prolapse. [L
prolabi prolaps- (as PRO-(1), labi slip)]
prolate adj. 1 Geom. (of a spheroid) lengthened in the direction of a
polar diameter (cf. OBLATE(2)). 2 growing or extending in
width. 3 widely spread. 4 Gram. = PROLATIVE. ЬЬprolately adv.
[L prolatus past part. of proferre prolong (as PRO-(1), ferre
carry)]
prolative adj. Gram. serving to continue or complete a predication, e.g.
go (prolative infinitive) in you may go.
prole adj. & n. derog. colloq. --adj. proletarian. --n. a
proletarian. [abbr.]
proleg n. a fleshy abdominal limb of a caterpillar or other larva.
[PRO-(1) + LEG]
prolegomenon
n. (pl. prolegomena) (usu. in pl.) an introduction or preface
to a book etc., esp. when critical or discursive.
ЬЬprolegomenary adj. prolegomenous adj. [L f. Gk, neut.
passive pres. part. of prolego (as PRO-(2), lego say)]
prolepsis n. (pl. prolepses) 1 the anticipation and answering of
possible objections in rhetorical speech. 2 anticipation. 3
the representation of a thing as existing before it actually
does or did so, as in he was a dead man when he entered. 4
Gram. the anticipatory use of adjectives, as in paint the town
red. ЬЬproleptic adj. [LL f. Gk prolepsis f. prolambano
anticipate (as PRO-(2), lambano take)]
proletarian
adj. & n. --adj. of or concerning the proletariat. --n. a
member of the proletariat. ЬЬproletarianism n. proletarianize
v.tr. (also -ise). [L proletarius one who served the State not
with property but with offspring (proles)]
proletariat
n. (also proletariate) 1 a Econ. wage-earners collectively,
esp. those without capital and dependent on selling their
labour. b esp. derog. the lowest class of the community, esp.
when considered as uncultured. 2 Rom.Hist. the lowest class of
citizens. [F prol‚tariat (as PROLETARIAN)]
pro-life adj. in favour of preserving life, esp. in opposing abortion.
proliferate
v. 1 intr. reproduce; increase rapidly in numbers; grow by
multiplication. 2 tr. produce (cells etc.) rapidly.
ЬЬproliferation n. proliferative adj. [back-form. f.
proliferation f. F prolif‚ration f. prolifЉre (as PROLIFEROUS)]
proliferous
adj. 1 (of a plant) producing many leaf or flower buds; growing
luxuriantly. 2 growing or multiplying by budding. 3 spreading
by proliferation. [L proles offspring + -FEROUS]
prolific adj. 1 producing many offspring or much output. 2 (often foll.
by of) abundantly productive. 3 (often foll. by in) abounding,
copious. ЬЬprolificacy n. prolifically adv. prolificness n.
[med.L prolificus (as PROLIFEROUS)]
prolix adj. (of speech, writing, etc.) lengthy; tedious. ЬЬprolixity
n. prolixly adv. [ME f. OF prolixe or L prolixus poured forth,
extended (as PRO-(1), liquere be liquid)]
prolocutor
n. 1 Eccl. the chairperson esp. of the lower house of
convocation of either province of the Church of England. 2 a
spokesman. ЬЬprolocutorship n. [ME f. L f. proloqui prolocut-
(as PRO-(1), loqui speak)]
prologize v.intr. (also prologuize, -ise) write or speak a prologue.
[med.L prologizare f. Gk prologizo speak prologue (as PROLOGUE)]
prologue n. & v. --n. 1 a a preliminary speech, poem, etc., esp.
introducing a play (cf. EPILOGUE). b the actor speaking the
prologue. 2 (usu. foll. by to) any act or event serving as an
introduction. --v.tr. (prologues, prologued, prologuing)
introduce with or provide with a prologue. [ME prolog f. OF
prologue f. L prologus f. Gk prologos (as PRO-(2), logos
speech)]
prolong v.tr. 1 extend (an action, condition, etc.) in time or space.
2 lengthen the pronunciation of (a syllable etc.). 3 (as
prolonged adj.) lengthy, esp. tediously so. ЬЬprolongation n.
prolongedly adv. prolonger n. [ME f. OF prolonger & f. LL
prolongare (as PRO-(1), longus long)]
prolusion n. formal 1 a preliminary essay or article. 2 a first attempt.
ЬЬprolusory adj. [L prolusio f. proludere prolus- practise
beforehand (as PRO-(1), ludere lus- play)]
prom n. colloq. 1 Brit. = PROMENADE n. 1a. 2 Brit. = promenade
concert. 3 US = PROMENADE n. 3. [abbr.]
promenade n. & v. --n. 1 a Brit. a paved public walk along the sea front
at a resort. b any paved public walk. 2 a walk, or sometimes a
ride or drive, taken esp. for display, social intercourse, etc.
3 US a school or university ball or dance. 4 a march of dancers
in country dancing etc. --v. 1 intr. make a promenade. 2 tr.
lead (a person etc.) about a place esp. for display. 3 tr. make
a promenade through (a place). Ьpromenade concert a concert at
which the audience, or part of it, can stand, sit on the floor,
or move about. promenade deck an upper deck on a passenger ship
where passengers may promenade. [F f. se promener walk, refl.
of promener take for a walk]
promenader
n. 1 a person who promenades. 2 Brit. a person who attends a
promenade concert, esp. regularly.
promethazine
n. an antihistamine drug used to treat allergies, motion
sickness, etc. [PROPYL + di methylamine + phenothi azine]
Promethean
adj. daring or inventive like Prometheus, who in Greek myth was
punished for stealing fire from the gods and giving it to the
human race along with other skills.
promethium
n. Chem. a radioactive metallic element of the lanthanide
series occurring in nuclear-waste material. °Symb.: Pm.
[Prometheus: see PROMETHEAN]
prominence
n. 1 the state of being prominent. 2 a prominent thing, esp. a
jutting outcrop, mountain, etc. 3 Astron. a stream of
incandescent gas projecting above the sun's chromosphere.
[obs.F f. L prominentia jutting out (as PROMINENT)]
promiscuous
adj. 1 a (of a person) having frequent and diverse sexual
relationships, esp. transient ones. b (of sexual relationships)
of this kind. 2 of mixed and indiscriminate composition or
kinds; indiscriminate (promiscuous hospitality). 3 colloq.
carelessly irregular; casual. ЬЬpromiscuity n. promiscuously
adv. promiscuousness n. [L promiscuus (as PRO-(1), miscere
mix)]
promise n. & v. --n. 1 an assurance that one will or will not
undertake a certain action, behaviour, etc. (a promise of help;
gave a promise to be generous). 2 a sign or signs of future
achievements, good results, etc. (a writer of great promise).
--v.tr. 1 (usu. foll. by to + infin., or that + clause; also
absol.) make (a person) a promise, esp. to do, give, or procure
(a thing) (I promise you a fair hearing; they promise not to be
late; promised that he would be there; cannot positively
promise). 2 a afford expectations of (the discussions promise
future problems; promises to be a good cook). b (foll. by to +
infin.) seem likely to (is promising to rain). 3 colloq.
assure, confirm (I promise you, it will not be easy). 4 (usu.
in passive) archaic betroth (she is promised to another). Ьthe
promised land 1 Bibl. Canaan (Gen. 12:7 etc.). 2 any desired
place, esp. heaven. promise oneself look forward to (a pleasant
time etc.). promise well (or ill etc.) hold out good (or bad
etc.) prospects. ЬЬpromisee n. esp. Law. promiser n.
promisor n. esp. Law. [ME f. L promissum neut. past part. of
promittere put forth, promise (as PRO-(1), mittere send)]
promising adj. likely to turn out well; hopeful; full of promise (a
promising start). ЬЬpromisingly adv.
promissory
adj. 1 conveying or implying a promise. 2 (often foll. by of)
full of promise. Ьpromissory note a signed document containing
a written promise to pay a stated sum to a specified person or
the bearer at a specified date or on demand. [med.L
promissorius f. L promissor (as PROMISE)]
promo n. & adj. colloq. --n. (pl. -os) 1 publicity, advertising.
2 a trailer for a television programme. --adj. promotional.
[abbr.]
promontory
n. (pl. -ies) 1 a point of high land jutting out into the sea
etc.; a headland. 2 Anat. a prominence or protuberance in the
body. [med.L promontorium alt. (after mons montis mountain) f.
L promunturium (perh. f. PRO-(1), mons)]
promote v.tr. 1 (often foll. by to) advance or raise (a person) to a
higher office, rank, etc. (was promoted to captain). 2 help
forward; encourage; support actively (a cause, process, desired
result, etc.) (promoted women's suffrage). 3 publicize and sell
(a product). 4 attempt to ensure the passing of (a private act
of parliament). 5 Chess raise (a pawn) to the rank of queen
etc. when it reaches the opponent's end of the board.
ЬЬpromotable adj. promotability n. promotion n. promotional
adj. promotive adj. [ME f. L promovere promot- (as PRO-(1),
movere move)]
promoter n. 1 a person who promotes. 2 a person who finances,
organizes, etc. a sporting event, theatrical production, etc. 3
(in full company promoter) a person who promotes the formation
of a joint-stock company. 4 Chem. an additive that increases
the activity of a catalyst. [earlier promotour f. AF f. med.L
promotor (as PROMOTE)]
prompt adj., adv., v., & n. --adj. 1 a acting with alacrity; ready.
b made, done, etc. readily or at once (a prompt reply). 2 a (of
a payment) made forthwith. b (of goods) for immediate delivery
and payment. --adv. punctually (at six o'clock prompt).
--v.tr. 1 (usu. foll. by to, or to + infin.) incite; urge
(prompted them to action). 2 a (also absol.) supply a forgotten
word, sentence, etc., to (an actor, reciter, etc.). b assist (a
hesitating speaker) with a suggestion. 3 give rise to; inspire
(a feeling, thought, action, etc.). --n. 1 a an act of
prompting. b a thing said to help the memory of an actor etc.
c = PROMPTER 2. d Computing an indication or sign on a VDU
screen to show that the system is waiting for input. 2 the time
limit for the payment of an account, stated on a prompt note.
Ьprompt-book a copy of a play for a prompter's use. prompt-box
a box in front of the footlights beneath the stage where the
prompter sits. prompt-note a note sent to a customer as a
reminder of payment due. prompt side the side of the stage
where the prompter sits, usu. to the actor's left. ЬЬprompting
n. promptitude n. promptly adv. promptness n. [ME f. OF
prompt or L promptus past part. of promere prompt- produce (as
PRO-(1), emere take)]
prompter n. 1 a person who prompts. 2 Theatr. a person seated out of
sight of the audience who prompts the actors.
promulgate
v.tr. 1 make known to the public; disseminate; promote (a cause
etc.). 2 proclaim (a decree, news, etc.). ЬЬpromulgation n.
promulgator n. [L promulgare (as PRO-(1), mulgere milk, cause
to come forth)]
promulge v.tr. archaic = PROMULGATE. [PROMULGATE]
pronaos n. (pl. pronaoi) Gk Antiq. the space in front of the body of
a temple, enclosed by a portico and projecting side walls. [L
f. Gk pronaos hall of a temple (as PRO-(2), NAOS)]
pronate v.tr. put (the hand, forearm, etc.) into a prone position (with
the palm etc. downwards) (cf. SUPINATE). ЬЬpronation n.
[back-form. f. pronation (as PRONE)]
pronator n. Anat. any muscle producing or assisting in pronation.
prone adj. 1 a lying face downwards (cf. SUPINE). b lying flat;
prostrate. c having the front part downwards, esp. the palm of
the hand. 2 (usu. foll. by to, or to + infin.) disposed or
liable, esp. to a bad action, condition, etc. (is prone to bite
his nails). 3 (usu. in comb.) more than usually likely to
suffer (accident-prone). 4 archaic with a downward slope or
direction. ЬЬpronely adv. proneness n. [ME f. L pronus f.
pro forwards]
proneur n. a person who extols; a flatterer. [F pr“neur f. pr“ner
eulogize f. pr“ne place in church where addresses were
delivered]
prong n. & v. --n. each of two or more projecting pointed parts at
the end of a fork etc. --v.tr. 1 pierce or stab with a fork.
2 turn up (soil) with a fork. Ьprong-buck (or -horn or -horned
antelope) a N. American deerlike ruminant, Antilocapra
americana, the male of which has horns with forward-pointing
prongs. three-pronged attack an attack on three separate points
at once. ЬЬpronged adj. (also in comb.). [ME (also prang),
perh. rel. to MLG prange pinching instrument]
pronominal
adj. of, concerning, or being, a pronoun. ЬЬpronominalize
v.tr. (also -ise). pronominally adv. [LL pronominalis f. L
pronomen (as PRO-(1), nomen, nominis noun)]
pronoun n. a word used instead of and to indicate a noun already
mentioned or known, esp. to avoid repetition (e.g. we, their,
this, ourselves). [PRO-(1), + NOUN, after F pronom, L pronomen
(as PRO-(1), nomen name)]
pronounce v. 1 tr. (also absol.) utter or speak (words, sounds, etc.) in
a certain way. 2 tr. a utter or deliver (a judgement,
sentence, curse, etc.) formally or solemnly. b proclaim or
announce officially (I pronounce you man and wife). 3 tr. state
or declare, as being one's opinion (the apples were pronounced
excellent). 4 intr. (usu. foll. by on, for, against, in favour
of) pass judgement; give one's opinion (pronounced for the
defendant). ЬЬpronounceable adj. pronouncement n. pronouncer
n. [ME f. OF pronuncier f. L pronuntiare (as PRO-(1), nuntiare
announce f. nuntius messenger)]
pronounced
adj. 1 (of a word, sound, etc.) uttered. 2 strongly marked;
decided (a pronounced flavour; a pronounced limp).
ЬЬpronouncedly adv.
pronto adv. colloq. promptly, quickly. [Sp. f. L (as PROMPT)]
pronunciation
n. 1 the way in which a word is pronounced, esp. with reference
to a standard. 2 the act or an instance of pronouncing. 3 a
person's way of pronouncing words etc. [ME f. OF prononciation
or L pronuntiatio (as PRONOUNCE)]
proof n., adj., & v. --n. 1 facts, evidence, argument, etc.
establishing or helping to establish a fact (proof of their
honesty; no proof that he was there). 2 Law the spoken or
written evidence in a trial. 3 a demonstration or act of
proving (not capable of proof; in proof of my assertion). 4 a
test or trial (put them to the proof; the proof of the pudding
is in the eating). 5 the standard of strength of distilled
alcoholic liquors. 6 Printing a trial impression taken from
type or film, used for making corrections before final printing.
7 the stages in the resolution of a mathematical or
philosophical problem. 8 each of a limited number of
impressions from an engraved plate before the ordinary issue is
printed and usu. (in full proof before letters) before an
inscription or signature is added. 9 a photographic print made
for selection etc. 10 Sc. Law a trial before a judge instead of
by a jury. --adj. 1 impervious to penetration, ill effects,
etc. (proof against the severest weather; his soul is proof
against corruption). 2 (in comb.) able to withstand damage or
destruction by a specified agent (soundproof; childproof). 3
being of proof alcoholic strength. 4 (of armour) of tried
strength. --v.tr. 1 make (something) proof, esp. make (fabric)
waterproof. 2 make a proof of (a printed work, engraving,
etc.). Ьabove proof (of alcohol) having a stronger than
standard strength. proof-plane a small flat conductor on an
insulating handle for measuring the electrification of a body.
proof positive absolutely certain proof. proof-sheet a sheet of
printer's proof. proof spirit a mixture of alcohol and water
having proof strength. ЬЬproofless adj. [ME prof prove,
earlier pref etc. f. OF proeve, prueve f. LL proba f. L probare
(see PROVE; adj. and sometimes v. formed app. by ellipsis f.
phr. of proof = proved to be impenetrable]
proofread v.tr. (past and past part. -read) read (printer's proofs) and
mark any errors. ЬЬproofreader n. proofreading n.
prop(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a rigid support, esp. one not an integral part
of the thing supported. 2 a person who supplies support,
assistance, comfort, etc. 3 Rugby Football a forward at either
end of the front row of a scrum. 4 esp. Austral. a horse's
action of propping. --v. (propped, propping) 1 tr. (often
foll. by against, up, etc.) support with or as if with a prop
(propped him against the wall; propped it up with a brick). 2
intr. esp. Austral. (of a horse etc.) come to a dead stop with
the forelegs rigid. [ME prob. f. MDu. proppe: cf. MLG, MDu.
proppen (v.)]
prop(2) n. Theatr. colloq. 1 = PROPERTY 3. 2 (in pl.) a property man
or mistress. [abbr.]
prop(3) n. colloq. an aircraft propeller. Ьprop-jet a turboprop.
[abbr.]
prop. abbr. 1 proprietor. 2 proposition.
propaedeutic
adj. & n. --adj. serving as an introduction to higher study;
introductory. --n. (esp. in pl.) preliminary learning; a
propaedeutic subject, study, etc. ЬЬpropaedeutical adj.
[PRO-(2) + Gk paideutikos of teaching, after Gk propaideuo teach
beforehand]
propaganda
n. 1 a an organized programme of publicity, selected
information, etc., used to propagate a doctrine, practice, etc.
b usu. derog. the information, doctrines, etc., propagated in
this way. 2 (Propaganda) RC Ch. a committee of cardinals
responsible for foreign missions. [It. f. mod.L congregatio de
propaganda fide congregation for propagation of the faith]
propagandist
n. a member or agent of a propaganda organization; a person who
spreads propaganda. ЬЬpropagandism n. propagandistic adj.
propagandistically adv. propagandize v.intr. & tr. (also
-ise).
propagate v.tr. 1 a breed specimens of (a plant, animal, etc.) by natural
processes from the parent stock. b (refl. or absol.) (of a
plant, animal, etc.) reproduce itself. 2 disseminate; spread (a
statement, belief, theory, etc.). 3 hand down (a quality etc.)
from one generation to another. 4 extend the operation of;
transmit (a vibration, earthquake, etc.). ЬЬpropagation n.
propagative adj. [L propagare propagat- multiply plants from
layers, f. propago (as PRO-(1), pangere fix, layer)]
propagator
n. 1 a person or thing that propagates. 2 a small box that can
be heated, used for germinating seeds or raising seedlings.
propane n. a gaseous hydrocarbon of the alkane series used as bottled
fuel. °Chem. formula: C[3]H[8]. [PROPIONIC (ACID) + -ANE]
propanoic acid
n. Chem. = PROPIONIC ACID. [PROPANE + -IC]
propanone n. Chem. = ACETONE. [PROPANE + -ONE]
propel v.tr. (propelled, propelling) 1 drive or push forward. 2 urge
on; encourage. Ьpropelling pencil a pencil with a replaceable
lead moved upward by twisting the outer case. [ME, = expel, f.
L propellere (as PRO-(1), pellere puls- drive)]
propellant
n. 1 a thing that propels. 2 an explosive that fires bullets
etc. from a firearm. 3 a substance used as a reagent in a
rocket engine etc. to provide thrust.
propellent
adj. propelling; capable of driving or pushing forward.
propeller n. 1 a person or thing that propels. 2 a revolving shaft with
blades, esp. for propelling a ship or aircraft (cf.
screw-propeller). Ьpropeller shaft a shaft transmitting power
from an engine to a propeller or to the driven wheels of a motor
vehicle. propeller turbine a turbo-propeller.
propene n. Chem. = PROPYLENE. [PROPANE + ALKENE]
propensity
n. (pl. -ies) an inclination or tendency (has a propensity for
wandering). [propense f. L propensus inclined, past part. of
propendere (as PRO-(1), pendere hang)]
proper adj., adv., & n. --adj. 1 a accurate, correct (in the proper
sense of the word; gave him the proper amount). b fit,
suitable, right (at the proper time; do it the proper way). 2
decent; respectable, esp. excessively so (not quite proper). 3
(usu. foll. by to) belonging or relating exclusively or
distinctively (with the respect proper to them). 4 (usu. placed
after noun) strictly so called; real; genuine (this is the
crypt, not the cathedral proper). 5 colloq. thorough; complete
(had a proper row about it). 6 (usu. placed after noun)
Heraldry in the natural, not conventional, colours (a peacock
proper). 7 archaic (of a person) handsome; comely. 8 (usu.
with possessive pronoun) archaic own (with my proper eyes).
--adv. Brit. dial. or colloq. 1 completely; very (felt proper
daft). 2 (with reference to speech) in a genteel manner (learn
to talk proper). --n. Eccl. the part of a service that varies
with the season or feast. Ьproper fraction a fraction that is
less than unity, with the numerator less than the denominator.
proper motion Astron. the part of the apparent motion of a
fixed star etc. that is due to its actual movement in space
relative to the sun. proper noun (or name) Gram. a name used
for an individual person, place, animal, country, title, etc.,
and spelt with a capital letter, e.g. Jane, London, Everest.
proper psalms (or lessons etc.) psalms or lessons etc. appointed
for a particular day. ЬЬproperness n. [ME f. OF propre f. L
proprius one's own, special]
properly adv. 1 fittingly; suitably (do it properly). 2 accurately;
correctly (properly speaking). 3 rightly (he very properly
refused). 4 with decency; respectably (behave properly). 5
colloq. thoroughly (they were properly ashamed).
propertied
adj. having property, esp. land.
property n. (pl. -ies) 1 a something owned; a possession, esp. a house,
land, etc. b Law the right to possession, use, etc. c
possessions collectively, esp. real estate (has money in
property). 2 an attribute, quality, or characteristic (has the
property of dissolving grease). 3 a moveable object used on a
theatre stage, in a film, etc. 4 Logic a quality common to a
whole class but not necessary to distinguish it from others.
Ьcommon property a thing known by most people. property man (or
mistress) a man (or woman) in charge of theatrical properties.
property qualification a qualification for office, or for the
exercise of a right, based on the possession of property.
property tax a tax levied directly on property. [ME through AF
f. OF propri‚t‚ f. L proprietas -tatis (as PROPER)]
prophase n. Biol. the phase in cell division in which chromosomes
contract and each becomes visible as two chromatids. [PRO-(2) +
PHASE]
prophecy n. (pl. -ies) 1 a a prophetic utterance, esp. Biblical. b a
prediction of future events (a prophecy of massive inflation).
2 the faculty, function, or practice of prophesying (the gift of
prophecy). [ME f. OF profecie f. LL prophetia f. Gk propheteia
(as PROPHET)]
prophesy v. (-ies, -ied) 1 tr. (usu. foll. by that, who, etc.) foretell
(an event etc.). 2 intr. speak as a prophet; foretell future
events. 3 intr. archaic expound the Scriptures. ЬЬprophesier
n. [ME f. OF profecier (as PROPHECY)]
prophet n. (fem. prophetess) 1 a teacher or interpreter of the
supposed will of God, esp. any of the Old Testament or Hebrew
prophets. 2 a a person who foretells events. b a person who
advocates and speaks innovatively for a cause (a prophet of the
new order). 3 (the Prophet) a Muhammad. b Joseph Smith,
founder of the Mormons, or one of his successors. c (in pl.)
the prophetic writings of the Old Testament. 4 colloq. a
tipster. ЬЬprophethood n. prophetism n. prophetship n. [ME
f. OF prophete f. L propheta, prophetes f. Gk prophetes
spokesman (as PRO-(2), phetes speaker f. phemi speak)]
prophetic adj. 1 (often foll. by of) containing a prediction; predicting.
2 of or concerning a prophet. ЬЬprophetical adj. prophetically
adv. propheticism n. [F proph‚tique or LL propheticus f. Gk
prophetikos (as PROPHET)]
prophylactic
adj. & n. --adj. tending to prevent disease. --n. 1 a
preventive medicine or course of action. 2 esp. US a condom.
[F prophylactique f. Gk prophulaktikos f. prophulasso (as
PRO-(2), phulasso guard)]
prophylaxis
n. (pl. prophylaxes) preventive treatment against disease.
[mod.L f. PRO-(2) + Gk phulaxis act of guarding]
propinquity
n. 1 nearness in space; proximity. 2 close kinship. 3
similarity. [ME f. OF propinquit‚ or L propinquitas f.
propinquus near f. prope near to]
propionic acid
n. a colourless sharp-smelling liquid carboxylic acid used for
inhibiting the growth of mould in bread. °Chem. formula:
C[2]H[5]COOH. Also called PROPANOIC ACID. ЬЬpropionate n. [F
propionique, formed as PRO-(2) + Gk pion fat, as being the first
in the series of 'true' fatty acids]
propitiate
v.tr. appease (an offended person etc.). ЬЬpropitiator n. [L
propitiare (as PROPITIOUS)]
propitiation
n. 1 appeasement. 2 Bibl. atonement, esp. Christ's. 3 archaic
a gift etc. meant to propitiate. [ME f. LL propitiatio (as
PROPITIATE)]
propitiatory
adj. serving or intended to propitiate (a propitiatory smile).
ЬЬpropitiatorily adv. [ME f. LL propitiatorius (as PROPITIATE)]
propitious
adj. 1 (of an omen etc.) favourable. 2 (often foll. by for,
to) (of the weather, an occasion, etc.) suitable. 3
well-disposed (the fates were propitious). ЬЬpropitiously adv.
propitiousness n. [ME f. OF propicieus or L propitius]
propolis n. a red or brown resinous substance collected by bees from
buds for use in constructing hives. [L f. Gk propolis suburb,
bee-glue, f. PRO-(2) + polis city]
proponent n. & adj. --n. a person advocating a motion, theory, or
proposal. --adj. proposing or advocating a theory etc. [L
proponere (as PROPOUND)]
proportion
n. & v. --n. 1 a a comparative part or share (a large
proportion of the profits). b a comparative ratio (the
proportion of births to deaths). 2 the correct or pleasing
relation of things or parts of a thing (the house has fine
proportions; exaggerated out of all proportion). 3 (in pl.)
dimensions; size (large proportions). 4 Math. a an equality of
ratios between two pairs of quantities, e.g. 3:5 and 9:15. b a
set of such quantities. c Math. = rule of three; see also
direct proportion, inverse proportion. --v.tr. (usu. foll. by
to) make (a thing etc.) proportionate (must proportion the
punishment to the crime). Ьin proportion 1 by the same factor.
2 without exaggerating (importance etc.) (must get the facts in
proportion). ЬЬproportioned adj. (also in comb.).
proportionless adj. proportionment n. [ME f. OF proportion or
L proportio (as PRO-(1), PORTION)]
proportional
adj. & n. --adj. in due proportion; comparable (a proportional
increase in the expense; resentment proportional to his
injuries). --n. Math. each of the terms of a proportion.
Ьproportional representation an electoral system in which all
parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for
them. ЬЬproportionality n. proportionally adv.
proportionalist
n. an advocate of proportional representation.
proposal n. 1 a the act or an instance of proposing something. b a
course of action etc. so proposed (the proposal was never
carried out). 2 an offer of marriage.
propose v. 1 tr. (also absol.) put forward for consideration or as a
plan. 2 tr. (usu. foll. by to + infin., or verbal noun) intend;
purpose (propose to open a restaurant). 3 intr. (usu. foll. by
to) offer oneself in marriage. 4 tr. nominate (a person) as a
member of a society, for an office, etc. 5 tr. offer (a
person's health, a person, etc.) as a subject for a toast.
ЬЬproposer n. [ME f. OF proposer f. L proponere (as PROPOUND)]
proposition
n. & v. --n. 1 a statement or assertion. 2 a scheme proposed;
a proposal. 3 Logic a statement consisting of subject and
predicate that is subject to proof or disproof. 4 colloq. a
problem, opponent, prospect, etc. that is to be dealt with (a
difficult proposition). 5 Math. a formal statement of a theorem
or problem, often including the demonstration. 6 a an
enterprise etc. with regard to its likelihood of commercial etc.
success. b a person regarded similarly. 7 colloq. a sexual
proposal. --v.tr. colloq. make a proposal (esp. of sexual
intercourse) to (he propositioned her). Ьnot a proposition
unlikely to succeed. ЬЬpropositional adj. [ME f. OF
proposition or L propositio (as PROPOUND)]
propound v.tr. 1 offer for consideration; propose. 2 Law produce (a
will etc.) before the proper authority so as to establish its
legality. ЬЬpropounder n. [earlier propoune, propone f. L
proponere (as PRO-(1), ponere posit- place): cf. compound,
expound]
proprietary
adj. 1 a of, holding, or concerning property (the proprietary
classes). b of or relating to a proprietor (proprietary
rights). 2 held in private ownership. Ьproprietary medicine
any of several drugs, medicines, etc. produced by private
companies under brand names. proprietary name (or term) a name
of a product etc. registered by its owner as a trade mark and
not usable by another without permission. [LL proprietarius (as
PROPERTY)]
proprietor
n. (fem. proprietress) 1 a holder of property. 2 the owner of
a business etc., esp. of a hotel. ЬЬproprietorial adj.
proprietorially adv. proprietorship n.
propriety n. (pl. -ies) 1 fitness; rightness (doubt the propriety of
refusing him). 2 correctness of behaviour or morals (highest
standards of propriety). 3 (in pl.) the details or rules of
correct conduct (must observe the proprieties). [ME, =
ownership, peculiarity f. OF propriet‚ PROPERTY]
proprioceptive
adj. relating to stimuli produced and perceived within an
organism, esp. relating to the position and movement of the
body. [L proprius own + RECEPTIVE]
proptosis n. Med. protrusion or displacement, esp. of an eye. [LL f. Gk
proptosis (as PRO-(2), pipto fall)]
propulsion
n. 1 the act or an instance of driving or pushing forward. 2
an impelling influence. ЬЬpropulsive adj. [med.L propulsio f.
L propellere (as PROPEL)]
propyl n. Chem. the univalent radical of propane. °Chem. formula:
C[3]H[7](-). [PROPIONIC (ACID) + -YL]
propyla pl. of PROPYLON.
propylaeum
n. (pl. propylaea) 1 the entrance to a temple. 2 (the
Propylaeum) the entrance to the Acropolis at Athens. [L f. Gk
propulaion (as PRO-(2), pule gate)]
propylene n. Chem. a gaseous hydrocarbon of the alkene series used in
the manufacture of chemicals. °Chem. formula: C[3]H[6].
propylon n. (pl. propylons or propyla) = PROPYLAEUM. [L f. Gk propulon
(as PRO-(2), pule gate)]
pro rata adj. & adv. --adj. proportional. --adv. proportionally. [L, =
according to the rate]
prorate v.tr. allocate or distribute pro rata. ЬЬproration n.
prorogue v. (prorogues, prorogued, proroguing) 1 tr. discontinue the
meetings of (a parliament etc.) without dissolving it. 2 intr.
(of a parliament etc.) be prorogued. ЬЬprorogation n. [ME
proroge f. OF proroger, -guer f. L prorogare prolong (as
PRO-(1), rogare ask)]
pros- prefix 1 to, towards. 2 in addition. [Gk f. pros (prep.)]
prosaic adj. 1 like prose, lacking poetic beauty. 2 unromantic; dull;
commonplace (took a prosaic view of life). ЬЬprosaically adv.
prosaicness n. [F prosa‹que or LL prosaicus (as PROSE)]
prosaist n. 1 a prose-writer. 2 a prosaic person. ЬЬprosaism n. [F
prosa‹ste f. L prosa PROSE]
proscenium
n. (pl. prosceniums or proscenia) 1 the part of the stage in
front of the drop or curtain, usu. with the enclosing arch. 2
the stage of an ancient theatre. [L f. Gk proskenion (as
PRO-(2), skene stage)]
prosciutto
n. (pl. -os) Italian ham, esp. cured and eaten as an
hors-d'oeuvre. [It.]
proscribe v.tr. 1 banish, exile (proscribed from the club). 2 put (a
person) outside the protection of the law. 3 reject or denounce
(a practice etc.) as dangerous etc. ЬЬproscription n.
proscriptive adj. [L proscribere (as PRO-(1), scribere script-
write)]
prose n. & v. --n. 1 the ordinary form of the written or spoken
language (opp. POETRY, VERSE) (Milton's prose works). 2 a
passage of prose, esp. for translation into a foreign language.
3 a tedious speech or conversation. 4 a plain matter-of-fact
quality (the prose of existence). 5 Eccl. = SEQUENCE 8. --v.
1 intr. (usu. foll. by about, away, etc.) talk tediously (was
prosing away about his dog). 2 tr. turn (a poem etc.) into
prose. Ьprose idyll a short description in prose of a
picturesque, esp. rustic, incident, character, etc. prose poem
(or poetry) a piece of imaginative poetic writing in prose.
ЬЬproser n. [ME f. OF f. L prosa (oratio) straightforward
(discourse), fem. of prosus, earlier prorsus direct]
prosector n. a person who dissects dead bodies in preparation for an
anatomical lecture etc. [LL = anatomist, f. prosecare prosect-
(as PRO-(1), secare cut), perh. after F prosecteur]
prosecute v.tr. 1 (also absol.) a institute legal proceedings against (a
person). b institute a prosecution with reference to (a claim,
crime, etc.) (decided not to prosecute). 2 follow up, pursue
(an inquiry, studies, etc.). 3 carry on (a trade, pursuit,
etc.). ЬЬprosecutable adj. [ME f. L prosequi prosecut- (as
PRO-(1), sequi follow)]
prosecution
n. 1 a the institution and carrying on of a criminal charge in
a court. b the carrying on of legal proceedings against a
person. c the prosecuting party in a court case (the
prosecution denied this). 2 the act or an instance of
prosecuting (met her in the prosecution of his hobby). [OF
prosecution or LL prosecutio (as PROSECUTE)]
prosecutor
n. (fem. prosecutrix) a person who prosecutes, esp. in a
criminal court. ЬЬprosecutorial adj.
proselyte n. & v. --n. 1 a person converted, esp. recently, from one
opinion, creed, party, etc., to another. 2 a Gentile convert to
Judaism. --v.tr. US = PROSELYTIZE. ЬЬproselytism n. [ME f.
LL proselytus f. Gk proseluthos stranger, convert (as PROS-,
stem eluth- of erkhomai come)]
proselytize
v.tr. (also -ise) (also absol.) convert (a person or people)
from one belief etc. to another, esp. habitually.
ЬЬproselytizer n.
prosenchyma
n. a plant tissue of elongated cells with interpenetrating
tapering ends, occurring esp. in vascular tissue.
ЬЬprosenchymal adj. prosenchymatous adj. [Gk pros toward +
egkhuma infusion, after parenchyma]
prosify v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 tr. turn into prose. 2 tr. make prosaic.
3 intr. write prose.
prosit int. an expression used in drinking a person's health etc. [G
f. L, = may it benefit]
prosody n. 1 the theory and practice of versification; the laws of
metre. 2 the study of speech-rhythms. ЬЬprosodic adj.
prosodist n. [ME f. L prosodia accent f. Gk prosoidia (as
PROS-, ODE)]
prosopography
n. (pl. -ies) 1 a description of a person's appearance,
personality, social and family connections, career, etc. 2 the
study of such descriptions, esp. in Roman history.
ЬЬprosopographer n. prosopographic adj. prosopographical adj.
[mod.L prosopographia f. Gk prosopon face, person]
prosopopoeia
n. the rhetorical introduction of a pretended speaker or the
personification of an abstract thing. [L f. Gk prosopopoiia f.
prosopon person + poieo make]
prospect n. & v. --n. 1 a (often in pl.) an expectation, esp. of
success in a career etc. (his prospects were brilliant; offers a
gloomy prospect; no prospect of success). b something one has
to look forward to (don't relish the prospect of meeting him).
2 an extensive view of landscape etc. (a striking prospect). 3
a mental picture (a new prospect in his mind). 4 a a place
likely to yield mineral deposits. b a sample of ore for
testing. c the resulting yield. 5 a possible or probable
customer, subscriber, etc. --v. 1 intr. (usu. foll. by for) a
explore a region for gold etc. b look out for or search for
something. 2 tr. a explore (a region) for gold etc. b work (a
mine) experimentally. c (of a mine) promise (a specified
yield). Ьprospect well (or ill etc.) (of a mine) promise well
(or ill etc.). ЬЬprospectless adj. prospector n. [ME f. L
prospectus: see PROSPECTUS]
prospective
adj. 1 concerned with or applying to the future (implies a
prospective obligation) (cf. RETROSPECTIVE). 2 some day to be;
expected; future (prospective bridegroom). ЬЬprospectively adv.
prospectiveness n. [obs. F prospectif -ive or LL prospectivus
(as PROSPECTUS)]
prospectus
n. a printed document advertising or describing a school,
commercial enterprise, forthcoming book, etc. [L, = prospect f.
prospicere (as PRO-(1), specere look)]
prosper v. 1 intr. succeed; thrive (nothing he touches prospers). 2
tr. make successful (Heaven prosper him). [ME f. OF prosperer
or L prosperare (as PROSPEROUS)]
prosperity
n. a state of being prosperous; wealth or success.
prosperous
adj. 1 successful; rich (a prosperous merchant). 2
flourishing; thriving (a prosperous enterprise). 3 auspicious
(a prosperous wind). ЬЬprosperously adv. prosperousness n.
[ME f. obs. F prospereus f. L prosper(us)]
prostaglandin
n. any of a group of hormone-like substances causing
contraction of the muscles in mammalian (esp. uterine) tissues
etc. [G f. PROSTATE + GLAND(1) + -IN]
prostate n. (in full prostate gland) a gland surrounding the neck of the
bladder in male mammals and releasing a fluid forming part of
the semen. ЬЬprostatic adj. [F f. mod.L prostata f. Gk
prostates one that stands before (as PRO-(2), statos standing)]
prosthesis
n. (pl. prostheses) 1 a an artificial part supplied to remedy
a deficiency, e.g. a false breast, leg, tooth, etc. b the
branch of surgery supplying and fitting prostheses. 2 Gram. the
addition of a letter or syllable at the beginning of a word,
e.g. be- in beloved. ЬЬprosthetic adj. prosthetically adv.
[LL f. Gk prosthesis f. prostithemi (as PROS-, tithemi place)]
prosthetics
n.pl. (usu. treated as sing.) = PROSTHESIS 1b.
prostitute
n. & v. --n. 1 a a woman who engages in sexual activity for
payment. b (usu. male prostitute) a man or boy who engages in
sexual activity, esp. with homosexual men, for payment. 2 a
person who debases himself or herself for personal gain.
--v.tr. 1 (esp. refl.) make a prostitute of (esp. oneself). 2
a misuse (one's talents, skills, etc.) for money. b offer
(oneself, one's honour, etc.) for unworthy ends, esp. for
money. ЬЬprostitution n. prostitutor n. [L prostituere
prostitut- offer for sale (as PRO-(1), statuere set up, place)]
prostrate adj. & v. --adj. 1 a lying face downwards, esp. in submission.
b lying horizontally. 2 overcome, esp. by grief, exhaustion,
etc. (prostrate with self-pity). 3 Bot. growing along the
ground. --v.tr. 1 lay (a person etc.) flat on the ground. 2
(refl.) throw (oneself) down in submission etc. 3 (of fatigue,
illness, etc.) overcome; reduce to extreme physical weakness.
ЬЬprostration n. [ME f. L prostratus past part. of prosternere
(as PRO-(1), sternere strat- lay flat)]
prostyle n. & adj. --n. a portico with not more than four columns.
--adj. (of a building) having such a portico. [L prostylos
having pillars in front (as PRO-(2), STYLE)]
protactinium
n. Chem. a radioactive metallic element whose chief isotope
yields actinium by decay. °Symb.: Pa. [G (as PROTO-,
ACTINIUM)]
protagonist
n. 1 the chief person in a drama, story, etc. 2 the leading
person in a contest etc.; a principal performer. 3 (usu. foll.
by of, for) disp. an advocate or champion of a cause, course of
action, etc. (a protagonist of women's rights). [Gk
protagonistes (as PROTO-, agonistes actor)]
protamine n. any of a group of proteins found in association with
chromosomal DNA in the sperm of birds and fish. [PROTO- +
AMINE]
protasis n. (pl. protases) the clause expressing the condition in a
conditional sentence. ЬЬprotatic adj. [L, f. Gk protasis
proposition (as PRO-(2), teino stretch)]
protea n. any shrub of the genus Protea native to S. Africa, with
conelike flower-heads. [mod.L f. PROTEUS, with ref. to the
many species]
protean adj. 1 variable, taking many forms. 2 (of an artist, writer,
etc.) versatile. [after Proteus: see PROTEUS]
protease n. any enzyme able to hydrolyse proteins and peptides by
proteolysis. [PROTEIN + -ASE]
protect v.tr. 1 (often foll. by from, against) keep (a person, thing,
etc.) safe; defend; guard (goggles protected her eyes from dust;
guards protected the queen). 2 Econ. shield (home industry)
from competition by imposing import duties on foreign goods. 3
Brit. provide funds to meet (a bill, draft, etc.). 4 provide
(machinery etc.) with appliances to prevent injury from it. [L
protegere protect- (as PRO-(1), tegere cover)]
protection
n. 1 a the act or an instance of protecting. b the state of
being protected; defence (affords protection against the
weather). c a thing, person, or animal that provides protection
(bought a dog as protection). 2 (also protectionism) Econ. the
theory or practice of protecting home industries. 3 colloq. a
immunity from molestation obtained by payment to gangsters etc.
under threat of violence. b (in full protection money) the
money so paid, esp. on a regular basis. 4 = safe conduct. 5
archaic the keeping of a woman as a mistress. ЬЬprotectionist
n. [ME f. OF protection or LL protectio (as PROTECT)]
protective
adj. & n. topdash.adj. 1 protecting; intended or intending to
protect. 2 (of food) protecting against deficiency diseases.
--n. something that protects, esp. a condom. Ьprotective
clothing clothing worn to shield the body from dangerous
substances or a hostile environment. protective colouring
colouring disguising or camouflaging a plant or animal.
protective custody the detention of a person for his or her own
protection. ЬЬprotectively adv. protectiveness n.
protector n. (fem. protectress) 1 a a person who protects. b a guardian
or patron. 2 hist. a regent in charge of a kingdom during the
minority, absence, etc. of the sovereign. 3 (often in comb.) a
thing or device that protects (chest-protector). 4 (Protector)
(in full Lord Protector of the Commonwealth) hist. the title of
Oliver Cromwell 1653-58 and his son Richard Cromwell 1658-59.
ЬЬprotectoral adj. protectorship n. [ME f. OF protecteur f. LL
protector (as PROTECT)]
protectorate
n. 1 a a State that is controlled and protected by another. b
such a relation of one State to another. 2 hist. a the office
of the protector of a kingdom or State. b the period of this,
esp. in England under the Cromwells 1653-59.
prot‚g‚ n. (fem. prot‚g‚e pronunc. same) a person under the
protection, patronage, tutelage, etc. of another. [F, past
part. of prot‚ger f. L protegere PROTECT]
protein n. any of a group of organic compounds composed of one or more
chains of amino acids and forming an essential part of all
living organisms. ЬЬproteinaceous adj. proteinic adj.
proteinous adj. [F prot‚ine, G Protein f. Gk proteios primary]
pro tem adj. & adv. colloq. = PRO TEMPORE. [abbr.]
pro tempore
adj. & adv. for the time being. [L]
proteolysis
n. the splitting of proteins or peptides by the action of
enzymes esp. during the process of digestion. ЬЬproteolytic
adj. [mod.L f. PROTEIN + -LYSIS]
Proterozoic
adj. & n. Geol. --adj. of or relating to the later part of the
Precambrian era, characterized by the oldest forms of life.
--n. this time. [Gk proteros former + zoe life, zoos living]
protest n. & v. --n. 1 a statement of dissent or disapproval; a
remonstrance (made a protest). 2 (often attrib.) a usu. public
demonstration of objection to government etc. policy (marched
in protest; protest demonstration). 3 a solemn declaration. 4
Law a written declaration, usu. by a notary public, that a bill
has been presented and payment or acceptance refused. --v. 1
intr. (usu. foll. by against, at, about, etc.) make a protest
against an action, proposal, etc. 2 tr. (often foll. by that +
clause; also absol.) affirm (one's innocence etc.) solemnly,
esp. in reply to an accusation etc. 3 tr. Law write or obtain
a protest in regard to (a bill). 4 tr. US object to (a
decision etc.). Ьunder protest unwillingly. ЬЬprotester n.
protestingly adv. protestor n. [ME f. OF protest (n.),
protester (v.), f. L protestari (as PRO-(1), testari assert f.
testis witness)]
Protestant
n. & adj. --n. 1 a member or follower of any of the western
Christian Churches that are separate from the Roman Catholic
Church in accordance with the principles of the Reformation. 2
(protestant) a protesting person. --adj. 1 of or relating to
any of the Protestant Churches or their members etc. 2
(protestant) also protesting. ЬЬProtestantism n. Protestantize
v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). [mod.L protestans, part. of L
protestari (see PROTEST)]
protestation
n. 1 a strong affirmation. 2 a protest. [ME f. OF
protestation or LL protestatio (as PROTESTANT)]
Proteus n. 1 a changing or inconstant person or thing. 2 (proteus) a
any bacterium of the genus Proteus, usu. found in the intestines
and faeces of animals. b = OLM. [L f. Gk Proteus a sea-god
able to take various forms at will]
prothalamium
n. (also prothalamion) (pl. prothalamia) a song or poem to
celebrate a forthcoming wedding. [title of a poem by Spenser,
after epithalamium]
prothallium
n. (pl. prothallia) = PROTHALLUS. [mod.L f. PRO-(2) + Gk
thallion dimin. of thallos: see PROTHALLUS]
prothallus
n. (pl. prothalli) Bot. the gametophyte of certain plants,
esp. a fern. [mod.L f. PRO-(2) + Gk thallos green shoot]
prothesis n. (pl. protheses) 1 Eccl. a the placing of the Eucharistic
elements on the credence table. b a credence table. c the part
of a church where this stands. 2 Gram. = PROSTHESIS 2.
ЬЬprothetic adj. [Gk f. protithemi (as PRO-(2), tithemi
place)]
prothonotary
var. of PROTONOTARY.
protist n. any usu. unicellular organism of the kingdom Protista, with
both plant and animal characteristics, including bacteria,
fungi, algae, and protozoa. ЬЬprotistology n. [mod.L Protista
f. Gk protista neut. pl. superl. f. protos first]
protium n. the ordinary isotope of hydrogen as distinct from heavy
hydrogen (cf. DEUTERIUM, TRITIUM). [mod.L f. PROTO- + -IUM]
proto- comb. form 1 original, primitive (proto-Germanic; proto-Slavic).
2 first, original (protomartyr; protophyte). [Gk proto- f.
protos first]
protocol n. & v. --n. 1 a official, esp. diplomatic, formality and
etiquette observed on State occasions etc. b the rules,
formalities, etc. of any procedure, group, etc. 2 the original
draft of a diplomatic document, esp. of the terms of a treaty
agreed to in conference and signed by the parties. 3 a formal
statement of a transaction. 4 the official formulae at the
beginning and end of a charter, papal bull, etc. 5 US a record
of experimental observations etc. --v. (protocolled,
protocolling) 1 intr. draw up a protocol or protocols. 2 tr.
record in a protocol. [orig. Sc. prothocoll f. OF prothocole
f. med.L protocollum f. Gk protokollon flyleaf (as PROTO-, kolla
glue)]
protomartyr
n. the first martyr in any cause, esp. the first Christian
martyr St Stephen.
proton n. Physics a stable elementary particle with a positive
electric charge, equal in magnitude to that of an electron, and
occurring in all atomic nuclei. ЬЬprotonic adj. [Gk, neut. of
protos first]
protonotary
n. (pl. -ies) (also prothonotary) a chief clerk in some law
courts, orig. in the Byzantine court. ЬProtonotary Apostolic
(or Apostolical) a member of the college of prelates who
register papal acts, direct the canonization of saints, etc.
[med.L protonotarius f. late Gk protonotarios (as PROTO-,
NOTARY)]
protopectin
n. = PECTOSE.
protophyte
n. a unicellular plant bearing gametes.
protoplasm
n. the material comprising the living part of a cell,
consisting of a nucleus embedded in membrane-enclosed cytoplasm.
ЬЬprotoplasmal adj. protoplasmatic adj. protoplasmic adj. [Gk
protoplasma (as PROTO-, PLASMA)]
protoplast
n. the protoplasm of one cell. ЬЬprotoplastic adj. [F
protoplaste or LL protoplastus f. Gk protoplastos (as PROTO-,
plasso mould)]
prototherian
n. & adj. --n. any mammal of the subclass Prototheria,
including monotremes. --adj. of or relating to this subclass.
[PROTO- + Gk ther wild beast]
prototype n. 1 an original thing or person of which or whom copies,
imitations, improved forms, representations, etc. are made. 2 a
trial model or preliminary version of a vehicle, machine, etc.
ЬЬprototypal adj. prototypic adj. prototypical adj.
prototypically adv. [F prototype or LL prototypus f. Gk
prototupos (as PROTO-, TYPE)]
protozoan n. & adj. --n. (also protozoon) (pl. protozoa or protozoans)
any usu. unicellular and microscopic organism of the subkingdom
Protozoa, including amoebae and ciliates. --adj. (also
protozoic) of or relating to this phylum. ЬЬprotozoal adj.
[mod.L (as PROTO-, Gk zoion animal)]
protract v.tr. 1 prolong or lengthen in space or esp. time (protracted
their stay for some weeks). 2 draw (a plan of ground etc.) to
scale. ЬЬprotractedly adv. protractedness n. [L protrahere
protract- (as PRO-(1), trahere draw)]
protractile
adj. (of a part of the body etc.) capable of being protruded or
extended.
protraction
n. 1 the act or an instance of protracting; the state of being
protracted. 2 a drawing to scale. 3 the action of a protractor
muscle. [F protraction or LL protractio (as PROTRACT)]
protractor
n. 1 an instrument for measuring angles, usu. in the form of a
graduated semicircle. 2 a muscle serving to extend a limb etc.
protrude v. 1 intr. extend beyond or above a surface; project. 2 tr.
thrust or cause to thrust forth. ЬЬprotrudent adj. protrusible
adj. protrusion n. protrusive adj. [L protrudere (as PRO-(1),
trudere trus- thrust)]
protrusile
adj. (of a limb etc.) capable of being thrust forward.
[PRO-(1) + EXTRUSILE: see EXTRUDE]
protuberant
adj. bulging out; prominent (protuberant eyes; a protuberant
fact). ЬЬprotuberance n. [LL protuberare (as PRO-(1), tuber
bump)]
proud adj. 1 feeling greatly honoured or pleased (am proud to know
him; proud of his friendship). 2 a (often foll. by of) valuing
oneself, one's possessions, etc. highly, or esp. too highly;
haughty; arrogant (proud of his ancient name). b (often in
comb.) having a proper pride; satisfied (house-proud; proud of a
job well done). 3 a (of an occasion etc.) justly arousing pride
(a proud day for us; a proud sight). b (of an action etc.)
showing pride (a proud wave of the hand). 4 (of a thing)
imposing; splendid. 5 slightly projecting from a surface etc.
(the nail stood proud of the plank). 6 (of flesh) overgrown
round a healing wound. 7 (of water) swollen in flood. Ьdo
proud colloq. 1 treat (a person) with lavish generosity or
honour (they did us proud on our anniversary). 2 (refl.) act
honourably or worthily. proud-hearted haughty; arrogant.
ЬЬproudly adv. proudness n. [OE prut, prud f. OF prud, prod
oblique case of pruz etc. valiant, ult. f. LL prode f. L
prodesse be of value (as PRO-(1), esse be)]
prove v. (past part. proved or proven) 1 tr. (often foll. by that +
clause) demonstrate the truth of by evidence or argument. 2
intr. a (usu. foll. by to + infin.) be found (it proved to be
untrue). b emerge incontrovertibly as (will prove the winner).
3 tr. Math. test the accuracy of (a calculation). 4 tr.
establish the genuineness and validity of (a will). 5 intr. (of
dough) rise in bread-making. 6 tr. = PROOF 6. 7 tr. subject (a
gun etc.) to a testing process. 8 tr. archaic test the
qualities of; try. Ьnot proven (in Scottish Law) a verdict that
there is insufficient evidence to establish guilt or innocence.
prove oneself show one's abilities, courage, etc. ЬЬprovable
adj. provability n. provably adv. [ME f. OF prover f. L
probare test, approve, demonstrate f. probus good]
provenance
n. 1 the place of origin or history, esp. of a work of art etc.
2 origin. [F f. provenir f. L provenire (as PRO-(1), venire
come)]
Proven‡al adj. & n. --adj. of or concerning the language, inhabitants,
landscape, etc. of Provence, a former province of SE France.
--n. 1 a native of Provence. 2 the language of Provence. [F
(as PROVINCIAL f. provincia as L colloq. name for southern Gaul
under Roman rule)]
provender n. 1 animal fodder. 2 joc. food for human beings. [ME f. OF
provendre, provende ult. f. L praebenda (see PREBEND)]
provenience
n. US = PROVENANCE. [L provenire f. venire come]
proverb n. 1 a short pithy saying in general use, held to embody a
general truth. 2 a person or thing that is notorious (he is a
proverb for inaccuracy). 3 (Proverbs or Book of Proverbs) a
didactic poetic Old Testament book of maxims attributed to
Solomon and others. [ME f. OF proverbe or L proverbium (as
PRO-(1), verbum word)]
proverbial
adj. 1 (esp. of a specific characteristic etc.) as well-known
as a proverb; notorious (his proverbial honesty). 2 of or
referred to in a proverb (the proverbial ill wind).
ЬЬproverbiality n. proverbially adv. [ME f. L proverbialis (as
PROVERB)]
provide v. 1 tr. supply; furnish (provided them with food; provided
food for them; provided a chance for escape). 2 intr. a (usu.
foll. by for, against) make due preparation (provided for any
eventuality; provided against invasion). b (usu. foll. by for)
prepare for the maintenance of a person etc. 3 tr. (also refl.)
equip with necessities (they had to provide themselves). 4 tr.
(usu. foll. by that) stipulate in a will, statute, etc. 5 tr.
(usu. foll. by to) Eccl. hist. a appoint (an incumbent) to a
benefice. b (of the Pope) appoint (a successor) to a benefice
not yet vacant. [ME f. L providere (as PRO-(1), videre vis-
see)]
provided adj. & conj. --adj. supplied, furnished. --conj. (often foll.
by that) on the condition or understanding (that).
providence
n. 1 the protective care of God or nature. 2 (Providence) God
in this aspect. 3 timely care or preparation; foresight;
thrift. Ьspecial providence a particular instance of God's
providence. [ME f. OF providence or L providentia (as PROVIDE)]
provident adj. having or showing foresight; thrifty. ЬProvident Society
Brit. = Friendly Society. ЬЬprovidently adv. [ME f. L (as
PROVIDE)]
providential
adj. 1 of or by divine foresight or interposition. 2
opportune, lucky. ЬЬprovidentially adv. [PROVIDENCE + -IAL,
after evidential etc.]
provider n. 1 a person or thing that provides. 2 the breadwinner of a
family etc.
providing conj. = PROVIDED conj.
province n. 1 a principal administrative division of a country etc. 2
(the provinces) the whole of a country outside the capital, esp.
regarded as uncultured, unsophisticated, etc. 3 a sphere of
action; business (outside my province as a teacher). 4 a branch
of learning etc. (in the province of aesthetics). 5 Eccl. a
district under an archbishop or a metropolitan. 6 Rom.Hist. a
territory outside Italy under a Roman governor. [ME f. OF f. L
provincia charge, province]
provincial
adj. & n. --adj. 1 a of or concerning a province. b of or
concerning the provinces. 2 unsophisticated or uncultured in
manner, speech, opinion, etc. --n. 1 an inhabitant of a
province or the provinces. 2 an unsophisticated or uncultured
person. 3 Eccl. the head or chief of a province or of a
religious order in a province. ЬЬprovinciality n.
provincialize v.tr. (also -ise). provincially adv. [ME f. OF
f. L provincialis (as PROVINCE)]
provincialism
n. 1 provincial manners, fashion, mode of thought, etc., esp.
regarded as restricting or narrow. 2 a word or phrase peculiar
to a provincial region. 3 concern for one's local area rather
than one's country. ЬЬprovincialist n.
provision n. & v. --n. 1 a the act or an instance of providing (made no
provision for his future). b something provided (a provision of
bread). 2 (in pl.) food, drink, etc., esp. for an expedition.
3 a a legal or formal statement providing for something. b a
clause of this. 4 Eccl. hist. an appointment to a benefice not
yet vacant (cf. PROVIDE 5). --v.tr. supply (an expedition
etc.) with provisions. ЬЬprovisioner n. provisionless adj.
provisionment n. [ME f. OF f. L provisio -onis (as PROVIDE)]
provisional
adj. & n. --adj. 1 providing for immediate needs only;
temporary. 2 (Provisional) designating the unofficial wing of
the IRA established in 1970, advocating terrorism. --n.
(Provisional) a member of the Provisional wing of the IRA.
ЬЬprovisionality n. provisionally adv. provisionalness n.
proviso n. (pl. -os) 1 a stipulation. 2 a clause of stipulation or
limitation in a document. [L, neut. ablat. past part. of
providere PROVIDE, in med.L phr. proviso quod it being provided
that]
provisor n. Eccl. 1 a deputy of a bishop or archbishop. 2 hist. the
holder of a provision (see PROVISION n. 4). [ME f. AF
provisour f. L provisor -oris (as PROVIDE)]
provisory adj. 1 conditional; having a proviso. 2 making provision
(provisory care). ЬЬprovisorily adv. [F provisoire or med.L
provisorius (as PROVISOR)]
Provo n. (pl. -os) colloq. a member of the Provisional IRA.
[abbr.]
provocation
n. 1 the act or an instance of provoking; a state of being
provoked (did it under severe provocation). 2 a cause of
annoyance. 3 Law an action, insult, etc. held to be likely to
provoke physical retaliation. [ME f. OF provocation or L
provocatio (as PROVOKE)]
provocative
adj. & n. --adj. 1 (usu. foll. by of) tending to provoke, esp.
anger or sexual desire. 2 intentionally annoying. --n. a
provocative thing. ЬЬprovocatively adv. provocativeness n.
[ME f. obs. F provocatif -ive f. LL provocativus (as PROVOKE)]
provoke v.tr. 1 a (often foll. by to, or to + infin.) rouse or incite
(provoked him to fury). b (as provoking adj.) exasperating;
irritating. 2 call forth; instigate (indignation, an inquiry, a
storm, etc.). 3 (usu. foll. by into + verbal noun) irritate or
stimulate (a person) (the itch provoked him into scratching). 4
tempt; allure. 5 cause, give rise to (will provoke
fermentation). ЬЬprovokable adj. provokingly adv. [ME f. OF
provoquer f. L provocare (as PRO-(1), vocare call)]
provost n. 1 Brit. the head of some colleges esp. at Oxford or
Cambridge. 2 Eccl. a the head of a chapter in a cathedral. b
hist. the head of a religious community. 3 Sc. the head of a
municipal corporation or burgh. 4 the Protestant minister of
the principal church of a town etc. in Germany etc. 5 US a high
administrative officer in a university. 6 = provost marshal.
Ьprovost guard US a body of soldiers under a provost marshal.
provost marshal 1 the head of military police in camp or on
active service. 2 the master-at-arms of a ship in which a
court-martial is to be held. ЬЬprovostship n. [ME f. OE
profost & AF provost, prevost f. med.L propositus for
praepositus: see PRAEPOSTOR]
prow n. 1 the fore-part or bow of a ship adjoining the stern. 2 a
pointed or projecting front part. [F proue f. Prov. proa or
It. dial. prua f. L prora f. Gk proira]
prowess n. 1 skill; expertise. 2 valour; gallantry. [ME f. OF proesce
f. prou valiant]
prowl v. & n. --v. 1 tr. roam (a place) in search or as if in search
of prey, plunder, etc. 2 intr. (often foll. by about, around)
move about like a hunter. --n. the act or an instance of
prowling. Ьon the prowl moving about secretively or
rapaciously, esp. in search of sexual contact etc. prowl car US
a police squad car. ЬЬprowler n. [ME prolle, of unkn. orig.]
prox. abbr. proximo.
prox. acc.
abbr. proxime accessit.
proxemics n. Sociol. the study of socially conditioned spatial factors
in ordinary human relations. [PROXIMITY + -emics: cf.
phonemics]
proximal adj. situated towards the centre of the body or point of
attachment. ЬЬproximally adv. [L proximus nearest]
proximate adj. 1 nearest or next before or after (in place, order, time,
causation, thought process, etc.). 2 approximate.
ЬЬproximately adv. [L proximatus past part. of proximare draw
near (as PROXIMAL)]
proxime accessit
n. 1 second place in an examination etc. 2 a person gaining
this. [L, = came very near]
proximity n. nearness in space, time, etc. (sat in close proximity to
them). Ьproximity fuse an electronic device causing a
projectile to explode when near its target. proximity of blood
kinship. [ME f. F proximit‚ or L proximitas (as PROXIMAL)]
proximo adj. Commerce of next month (the third proximo). [L proximo
mense in the next month]
proxy n. (pl. -ies) (also attrib.) 1 the authorization given to a
substitute or deputy (a proxy vote; was married by proxy). 2 a
person authorized to act as a substitute etc. 3 a a document
giving the power to act as a proxy, esp. in voting. b a vote
given by this. [ME f. obs. procuracy f. med.L procuratia (as
PROCURATION)]
PRS abbr. 1 (in the UK) President of the Royal Society. 2
Performing Rights Society.
prude n. a person having or affecting an attitude of extreme
propriety or modesty esp. in sexual matters. ЬЬprudery n. (pl.
-ies). prudish adj. prudishly adv. prudishness n. [F, back
form. f. prudefemme fem. of prud'homme good man and true f.
prou worthy]
prudent adj. 1 (of a person or conduct) careful to avoid undesired
consequences; circumspect. 2 discreet. ЬЬprudence n.
prudently adv. [ME f. OF prudent or L prudens = providens
PROVIDENT]
prudential
adj. & n. --adj. of, involving, or marked by prudence
(prudential motives). --n. (in pl.) 1 prudential considerations
or matters. 2 US minor administrative or financial matters.
ЬЬprudentialism n. prudentialist n. prudentially adv.
[PRUDENT + -IAL, after evidential etc.]
pruinose adj. esp. Bot. covered with white powdery granules; frosted in
appearance. [L pruinosus f. pruina hoar-frost]
prune(1) n. 1 a dried plum. 2 colloq. a silly or disliked person. [ME
f. OF ult. f. L prunum f. Gk prou(m)non plum]
prune(2) v.tr. 1 a (often foll. by down) trim (a tree etc.) by cutting
away dead or overgrown branches etc. b (usu. foll. by off,
away) lop (branches etc.) from a tree. 2 reduce (costs etc.)
(must try to prune expenses). 3 a (often foll. by of) clear (a
book etc.) of superfluities. b remove (superfluities).
Ьpruning-hook a long-handled hooked cutting tool used for
pruning. ЬЬpruner n. [ME prouyne f. OF pro(o)ignier ult. f. L
rotundus ROUND]
prunella(1)
n. any plant of the genus Prunella, esp. P. vulgaris, bearing
pink, purple, or white flower spikes, and formerly thought to
cure quinsy. Also called SELF HEAL. [mod.L, = quinsy: earlier
brunella dimin. of med.L brunus brown]
prunella(2)
n. a strong silk or worsted fabric used formerly for
barristers' gowns, the uppers of women's shoes, etc. [perh. f.
F prunelle, of uncert. orig.]
prurient adj. 1 having an unhealthy obsession with sexual matters. 2
encouraging such an obsession. ЬЬprurience n. pruriency n.
pruriently adv. [L prurire itch, be wanton]
prurigo n. a skin disease marked by severe itching. ЬЬpruriginous adj.
[L prurigo -ginis f. prurire to itch]
pruritus n. severe itching of the skin. ЬЬpruritic adj. [L, = itching
(as PRURIGO)]
Prussian adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to Prussia, a former German
State, or relating to its rigidly militaristic tradition. --n.
a native of Prussia. ЬOld Prussian the language spoken in
Prussia until the 17th c. Prussian blue a deep blue pigment,
ferric ferrocyanide, used in painting and dyeing.
prussic adj. of or obtained from Prussian blue. Ьprussic acid
hydrocyanic acid. [F prussique f. Prusse Prussia]
pry(1) v.intr. (pries, pried) 1 (usu. foll. by into) inquire
impertinently (into a person's private affairs etc.). 2 (usu.
foll. by into, about, etc.) look or peer inquisitively.
ЬЬprying adj. pryingly adv. [ME prie, of unkn. orig.]
pry(2) v.tr. (pries, pried) US (often foll. by out of, open, etc.) =
PRISE. [PRISE taken as pries 3rd sing. pres.]
Ps. abbr. (pl. Pss.) Psalm, Psalms (Old Testament).
psalm n. 1 a (also Psalm) any of the sacred songs contained in the
Book of Psalms, esp. when set for metrical chanting in a
service. b (the Psalms or the Book of Psalms) the book of the
Old Testament containing the Psalms. 2 a sacred song or hymn.
Ьpsalm-book a book containing the Psalms, esp. with metrical
settings for worship. ЬЬpsalmic adj. [OE (p)sealm f. LL
psalmus f. Gk psalmos song sung to a harp f. psallo pluck]
psalmist n. 1 the author or composer of a psalm. 2 (the Psalmist) David
or the author of any of the Psalms. [LL psalmista (as PSALM)]
psalmody n. 1 the practice or art of singing psalms, hymns, etc., esp.
in public worship. 2 a the arrangement of psalms for singing.
b the psalms so arranged. ЬЬpsalmodic adj. psalmodist n.
psalmodize v.intr. (also -ise). [ME f. LL psalmodia f. Gk
psalmoidia singing to a harp (as PSALM, oide song)]
psalter n. 1 a the Book of Psalms. b a version of this (the English
Psalter; Prayer-Book Psalter). 2 a copy of the Psalms, esp. for
liturgical use. [ME f. AF sauter, OF sautier, & OE (p)saltere
f. LL psalterium f. Gk psalterion stringed instrument (psallo
pluck), in eccl.L Book of Psalms]
psalterium
n. the third stomach of a ruminant, the omasum. [L (see
PSALTER): named from its booklike form]
psaltery n. (pl. -ies) an ancient and medieval instrument like a
dulcimer but played by plucking the strings with the fingers or
a plectrum. [ME f. OF sauterie etc. f. L (as PSALTER)]
PSBR abbr. Brit. public sector borrowing requirement.
psephology
n. the statistical study of elections, voting, etc.
ЬЬpsephological adj. psephologically adv. psephologist n. [Gk
psephos pebble, vote + -LOGY]
pseud adj. & n. colloq. --adj. intellectually or socially
pretentious; not genuine. --n. such a person; a poseur. [abbr.
of PSEUDO]
pseud- var. of PSEUDO-.
pseudepigrapha
n.pl. 1 Jewish writings ascribed to various Old Testament
prophets etc. but written during or just before the early
Christian period. 2 spurious writings. ЬЬpseudepigraphal adj.
pseudepigraphic adj. pseudepigraphical adj. [neut. pl. of Gk
pseudepigraphos with false title (as PSEUDO-, EPIGRAPH)]
pseudo adj. & n. --adj. 1 sham; spurious. 2 insincere. --n. (pl.
-os) a pretentious or insincere person. [see PSEUDO-]
pseudo- comb. form (also pseud- before a vowel) 1 supposed or purporting
to be but not really so; false; not genuine
(pseudo-intellectual; pseudepigrapha). 2 resembling or
imitating (often in technical applications) (pseudo-language;
pseudo-acid). [Gk f. pseudes false, pseudos falsehood]
pseudocarp
n. a fruit formed from parts other than the ovary, e.g. the
strawberry or fig. [PSEUDO- + Gk karpos fruit]
pseudomorph
n. 1 a crystal etc. consisting of one mineral with the form
proper to another. 2 a false form. ЬЬpseudomorphic adj.
pseudomorphism n. pseudomorphous adj. [PSEUDO- + Gk morphe
form]
pseudonym n. a fictitious name, esp. one assumed by an author. [F
pseudonyme f. Gk pseudonymos (as PSEUDO-, -onumos f. onoma
name)]
pseudonymous
adj. writing or written under a false name. ЬЬpseudonymity n.
pseudonymously adv.
pseudopod n. = PSEUDOPODIUM. [mod.L (as PSEUDOPODIUM)]
pseudopodium
n. (pl. pseudopodia) (in amoeboid cells) a temporary
protrusion of protoplasm for movement, feeding, etc. [mod.L (as
PSEUDO-, PODIUM)]
pseudo-science
n. a pretended or spurious science. ЬЬpseudo-scientific adj.
pshaw int. archaic an expression of contempt or impatience. [imit.]
psi n. 1 the twenty-third letter of the Greek alphabet. 2 supposed
parapsychological faculties, phenomena, etc. regarded
collectively. [Gk]
p.s.i. abbr. pounds per square inch.
psilocybin
n. a hallucinogenic alkaloid found in Mexican mushrooms of the
genus Psilocybe. [Psilocybe f. Gk psilos bald + kube head]
psilosis n. = SPRUE(2). [Gk psilosis f. psilos bare]
psittacine
adj. of or relating to parrots; parrot-like. [L psittacinus f.
psittacus f. Gk psittakos parrot]
psittacosis
n. a contagious viral disease of birds transmissible (esp. from
parrots) to human beings as a form of pneumonia. [mod.L f. L
psittacus (as PSITTACINE) + -OSIS]
psoas n. either of two muscles used in flexing the hip joint. [Gk,
accus. pl. of psoa, taken as sing.]
psoriasis n. a skin disease marked by red scaly patches. ЬЬpsoriatic
adj. [mod.L f. Gk psoriasis f. psoriao have an itch f. psora
itch]
psst int. (also pst) a whispered exclamation seeking to attract a
person's attention surreptitiously. [imit.]
PST abbr. US Pacific Standard Time.
PSV abbr. Brit. public service vehicle.
psych v.tr. colloq. 1 (usu. foll. by up; often refl.) prepare
(oneself or another person) mentally for an ordeal etc. 2 a
(usu. foll. by out) analyse (a person's motivation etc.) for
one's own advantage (can't psych him out). b subject to
psychoanalysis. 3 (often foll. by out) influence a person
psychologically, esp. negatively; intimidate, frighten. Ьpsych
out break down mentally; become confused or deranged. [abbr.]
psyche n. 1 the soul; the spirit. 2 the mind. [L f. Gk psukhe
breath, life, soul]
psychedelic
adj. & n. --adj. 1 a expanding the mind's awareness etc., esp.
through the use of hallucinogenic drugs. b (of an experience)
hallucinatory; bizarre. c (of a drug) producing hallucinations.
2 colloq. a producing an effect resembling that of a
psychedelic drug; having vivid colours or designs etc. b (of
colours, patterns, etc.) bright, bold and often abstract. --n.
a hallucinogenic drug. ЬЬpsychedelically adv. [irreg. f. Gk
(as PSYCHE, delos clear, manifest)]
psychiatry
n. the study and treatment of mental disease. ЬЬpsychiatric
adj. psychiatrical adj. psychiatrically adv. psychiatrist n.
[as PSYCHE + iatreia healing f. iatros healer]
psychic adj. & n. --adj. 1 a (of a person) considered to have occult
powers, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, etc. b (of a faculty,
phenomenon, etc.) inexplicable by natural laws. 2 of the soul
or mind. 3 Bridge (of a bid) made on the basis of a hand not
usually considered strong enough to support it. --n. 1 a
person considered to have psychic powers; a medium. 2 Bridge a
psychic bid. 3 (in pl.) the study of psychic phenomena. [Gk
psukhikos (as PSYCHE)]
psychical adj. 1 concerning psychic phenomena or faculties (psychical
research). 2 of the soul or mind. ЬЬpsychically adv.
psychicism n. psychicist n.
psycho n. & adj. colloq. --n. (pl. -os) a psychopath. --adj.
psychopathic. [abbr.]
psycho- comb. form relating to the mind or psychology. [Gk psukho- (as
PSYCHE)]
psychoactive
adj. affecting the mind.
psychoanalysis
n. a therapeutic method of treating mental disorders by
investigating the interaction of conscious and unconscious
elements in the mind and bringing repressed fears and conflicts
into the conscious mind. ЬЬpsychoanalyse v.tr. psychoanalyst
n. psychoanalytic adj. psychoanalytical adj.
psychoanalytically adv.
psychobabble
n. US colloq. derog. jargon used in popular psychology.
psychodrama
n. 1 a form of psychotherapy in which patients act out events
from their past. 2 a play or film etc. in which psychological
elements are the main interest.
psychodynamics
n.pl. (treated as sing.) the study of the activity of and the
interrelation between the various parts of an individual's
personality or psyche. ЬЬpsychodynamic adj. psychodynamically
adv.
psychogenesis
n. the study of the origin of the mind's development.
psychokinesis
n. the movement of objects supposedly by mental effort without
the action of natural forces.
psycholinguistics
n.pl. (treated as sing.) the study of the psychological aspects
of language and language-learning. ЬЬpsycholinguist n.
psycholinguistic adj.
psychological
adj. 1 of, relating to, or arising in the mind. 2 of or
relating to psychology. 3 colloq. (of an ailment etc.) having a
basis in the mind; imaginary (her cold is psychological).
Ьpsychological block a mental inability or inhibition caused by
emotional factors. psychological moment the most appropriate
time for achieving a particular effect or purpose.
psychological warfare a campaign directed at reducing an
opponent's morale. ЬЬpsychologically adv.
psychology
n. (pl. -ies) 1 the scientific study of the human mind and its
functions, esp. those affecting behaviour in a given context. 2
a treatise on or theory of this. 3 a the mental characteristics
or attitude of a person or group. b the mental factors
governing a situation or activity (the psychology of crime).
ЬЬpsychologist n. psychologize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise).
[mod.L psychologia (as PSYCHO-, -LOGY)]
psychometrics
n.pl. (treated as sing.) the science of measuring mental
capacities and processes.
psychometry
n. 1 the supposed divination of facts about events, people,
etc., from inanimate objects associated with them. 2 the
measurement of mental abilities. ЬЬpsychometric adj.
psychometrically adv. psychometrist n.
psychomotor
adj. concerning the study of movement resulting from mental
activity.
psychoneurosis
n. neurosis, esp. with the indirect expression of emotions.
psychopath
n. 1 a person suffering from chronic mental disorder esp. with
abnormal or violent social behaviour. 2 a mentally or
emotionally unstable person. ЬЬpsychopathic adj.
psychopathically adv.
psychopathology
n. 1 the scientific study of mental disorders. 2 a mentally or
behaviourally disordered state. ЬЬpsychopathological adj.
psychopathy
n. psychopathic or psychologically abnormal behaviour.
psychophysics
n. the science of the relation between the mind and the body.
ЬЬpsychophysical adj.
psychophysiology
n. the branch of physiology dealing with mental phenomena.
ЬЬpsychophysiological adj.
psychosexual
adj. of or involving the psychological aspects of the sexual
impulse. ЬЬpsychosexually adv.
psychosis n. (pl. psychoses) a severe mental derangement, esp. when
resulting in delusions and loss of contact with external
reality. [Gk psukhosis f. psukhoo give life to (as PSYCHE)]
psychosocial
adj. of or involving the influence of social factors or human
interactive behaviour. ЬЬpsychosocially adv.
psychosomatic
adj. 1 (of an illness etc.) caused or aggravated by mental
conflict, stress, etc. 2 of the mind and body together.
ЬЬpsychosomatically adv.
psychosurgery
n. brain surgery as a means of treating mental disorder.
ЬЬpsychosurgical adj.
psychotherapy
n. the treatment of mental disorder by psychological means.
ЬЬpsychotherapeutic adj. psychotherapist n.
psychotic adj. & n. --adj. of or characterized by a psychosis. --n. a
person suffering from a psychosis. ЬЬpsychotically adv.
psychotropic
n. (of a drug) acting on the mind. [PSYCHO- + Gk trope
turning: see TROPIC]
psychrometer
n. a thermometer consisting of a dry bulb and a wet bulb for
measuring atmospheric humidity. [Gk psukhros cold + -METER]
PTA abbr. 1 parent-teacher association. 2 Passenger Transport
Authority.
ptarmigan n. any of various game-birds of the genus Lagopus, esp. L.
mutus, with grouselike appearance and black or grey plumage in
the summer and white in the winter. [Gael. t…rmachan: p- after
Gk words in pt-]
PT boat n. US a motor torpedo-boat. [Patrol Torpedo]
Pte. abbr. Private (soldier).
pteridology
n. the study of ferns. ЬЬpteridological adj. pteridologist n.
[Gk pteris -idos fern + -LOGY]
pteridophyte
n. any flowerless plant of the division Pteridophyta, including
ferns, club-mosses, and horsetails. [Gk pteris -idos fern +
phuton plant]
ptero- comb. form wing. [Gk pteron wing]
pterodactyl
n. a large extinct flying birdlike reptile with a long slender
head and neck.
pteropod n. a marine gastropod with the middle part of its foot expanded
into a pair of winglike lobes. [PTERO- + Gk pous podos foot]
pterosaur n. any of a group of extinct flying reptiles with large
bat-like wings, including pterodactyls. [PTERO- + Gk saura
lizard]
pterygoid process
adj. each of a pair of processes from the sphenoid bone in the
skull. [Gk pterux -ugos wing]
PTFE abbr. polytetrafluoroethylene.
ptisan n. a nourishing drink, esp. barley water. [ME & OF tizanne
etc. f. L ptisana f. Gk ptisane peeled barley]
PTO abbr. please turn over.
Ptolemaic adj. hist. 1 of or relating to Ptolemy, a 2nd-c. Alexandrian
astronomer, or his theories. 2 of or relating to the Ptolemies,
Macedonian rulers of Egypt from the death of Alexander the Great
(323 BC) to the death of Cleopatra (30 BC). ЬPtolemaic system
the theory that the earth is the stationary centre of the
Universe (cf. COPERNICAN SYSTEM). [L Ptolemaeus f. Gk
Ptolemaios]
ptomaine n. any of various amine compounds, some toxic, in putrefying
animal and vegetable matter. Ьptomaine poisoning archaic food
poisoning. [F ptoma‹ne f. It. ptomaina irreg. f. Gk ptoma
corpse]
ptosis n. a drooping of the upper eyelid due to paralysis etc.
ЬЬptotic adj. [Gk ptosis f. pipto fall]
Pty. abbr. Austral., NZ, & S.Afr. proprietary.
ptyalin n. an enzyme which hydrolyses certain carbohydrates and is
found in the saliva of humans and some other animals. [Gk
ptualon spittle]
pub n. colloq. 1 Brit. a public house. 2 Austral. a hotel.
Ьpub-crawl Brit. colloq. a drinking tour of several pubs.
[abbr.]
puberty n. the period during which adolescents reach sexual maturity
and become capable of reproduction. Ьage of puberty the age at
which puberty begins, in law usu. 14 in boys and 12 in girls.
ЬЬpubertal adj. [ME f. F pubert‚ or L pubertas f. puber adult]
pubes(1) n. (pl. same) the lower part of the abdomen at the front of the
pelvis, covered with hair from puberty. [L]
pubes(2) pl. of PUBIS.
pubescence
n. 1 the time when puberty begins. 2 Bot. soft down on the
leaves and stems of plants. 3 Zool. soft down on various parts
of animals, esp. insects. ЬЬpubescent adj. [F pubescence or
med.L pubescentia f. L pubescere reach puberty]
pubic adj. of or relating to the pubes or pubis.
pubis n. (pl. pubes) either of a pair of bones forming the two sides
of the pelvis. [L os pubis bone of the PUBES]
public adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or concerning the people as a whole (a
public holiday; the public interest). 2 open to or shared by
all the people (public baths; public library; public meeting).
3 done or existing openly (made his views public; a public
protest). 4 a (of a service, funds, etc.) provided by or
concerning local or central government (public money; public
records; public expenditure). b (of a person) in government
(had a distinguished public career). 5 well-known; famous (a
public institution). 6 Brit. of, for, or acting for, a
university (public examination). --n. 1 (as sing. or pl.) the
community in general, or members of the community. 2 a section
of the community having a particular interest or in some special
connection (the reading public; my public demands my loyalty).
3 Brit. colloq. a = public bar. b = public house. Ьgo public
become a public company. in public openly, publicly. in the
public domain belonging to the public as a whole, esp. not
subject to copyright. in the public eye famous or notorious.
public act an act of legislation affecting the public as a
whole. public-address system loudspeakers, microphones,
amplifiers, etc., used in addressing large audiences. public
bar Brit. the least expensive bar in a public house. public
bill a bill of legislation affecting the public as a whole.
public company Brit. a company that sells shares to all buyers
on the open market. public enemy a notorious wanted criminal.
public figure a famous person. public health the provision of
adequate sanitation, drainage, etc. by government. public house
1 Brit. an inn providing alcoholic drinks for consumption on the
premises. 2 an inn. public law 1 the law of relations between
individuals and the State. 2 = public act. public lending
right the right of authors to payment when their books etc. are
lent by public libraries. public libel a published libel.
public nuisance 1 an illegal act against the public generally.
2 colloq. an obnoxious person. public opinion views, esp.
moral, prevalent among the general public. public ownership the
State ownership of the means of production, distribution, and
exchange. public prosecutor a law officer conducting criminal
proceedings on behalf of the State or in the public interest.
Public Record Office an institution keeping official archives,
esp. birth, marriage, and death certificates, for public
inspection. public relations the professional maintenance of a
favourable public image, esp. by a company, famous person, etc.
public relations officer a person employed by a company etc. to
promote a favourable public image. public school 1 Brit. a
private fee-paying secondary school, esp. for boarders. 2 US,
Austral., & Sc. etc. any non-fee-paying school. public sector
that part of an economy, industry, etc., that is controlled by
the State. public servant a State official. public spirit a
willingness to engage in community action. public-spirited
having a public spirit. public-spiritedly in a public-spirited
manner. public-spiritedness the quality of being
public-spirited. public transport buses, trains, etc., charging
set fares and running on fixed routes, esp. when State-owned.
public utility an organization supplying water, gas, etc. to the
community. public works building operations etc. done by or for
the State on behalf of the community. public wrong an offence
against society as a whole. ЬЬpublicly adv. [ME f. OF public
or L publicus f. pubes adult]
publican n. 1 a Brit. the keeper of a public house. b Austral. the
keeper of a hotel. 2 Rom.Hist. & Bibl. a tax-collector or
tax-farmer. [ME f. OF publicain f. L publicanus f. publicum
public revenue (as PUBLIC)]
publication
n. 1 a the preparation and issuing of a book, newspaper,
engraving, music, etc. to the public. b a book etc. so issued.
2 the act or an instance of making something publicly known.
[ME f. OF f. L publicatio -onis (as PUBLISH)]
publicist n. 1 a publicity agent or public relations officer. 2 a
journalist, esp. concerned with current affairs. 3 archaic a
writer or other person skilled in international law.
ЬЬpublicism n. publicistic adj. [F publiciste f. L (jus)
publicum public law]
publicity n. 1 a the professional exploitation of a product, company,
person, etc., by advertising or popularizing. b material or
information used for this. 2 public exposure; notoriety.
Ьpublicity agent a person employed to produce or heighten public
exposure. [F publicit‚ (as PUBLIC)]
publicize v.tr. (also -ise) advertise; make publicly known.
publish v.tr. 1 (also absol.) (of an author, publisher, etc.) prepare
and issue (a book, newspaper, engraving, etc.) for public sale.
2 make generally known. 3 announce (an edict etc.) formally;
read (marriage banns). 4 Law communicate (a libel etc.) to a
third party. ЬЬpublishable adj. [ME puplise etc. f. OF
puplier, publier f. L publicare (as PUBLIC)]
publisher n. 1 a person or esp. a company that produces and distributes
copies of a book, newspaper, etc. for sale. 2 US a newspaper
proprietor. 3 a person or thing that publishes.
puce adj. & n. dark red or purple-brown. [F, = flea(-colour) f. L
pulex -icis]
puck(1) n. a rubber disc used as a ball in ice hockey. [19th c.: orig.
unkn.]
puck(2) n. 1 a mischievous or evil sprite. 2 a mischievous child.
ЬЬpuckish adj. puckishly adv. puckishness n. pucklike adj.
[OE puca: cf. Welsh pwca, Ir. pЈca]
pucka var. of PUKKA.
pucker v. & n. --v.tr. & intr. (often foll. by up) gather or cause to
gather into wrinkles, folds, or bulges (puckered her eyebrows;
this seam is puckered up). --n. such a wrinkle, bulge, fold,
etc. ЬЬpuckery adj. [prob. frequent., formed as POKE(2),
POCKET (cf. PURSE)]
pud n. colloq. = PUDDING. [abbr.]
pudding n. 1 a any of various sweet cooked dishes (plum pudding; rice
pudding). b a savoury dish containing flour, suet, etc.
(Yorkshire pudding; steak and kidney pudding). c the sweet
course of a meal. d the intestines of a pig etc. stuffed with
oatmeal, spices, blood, etc. (black pudding). 2 colloq. a
person or thing resembling a pudding. 3 (Naut. puddening) a
pad or tow binding to prevent chafing etc. Ьin the pudding club
sl. pregnant. pudding-cloth a cloth used for tying up some
puddings for boiling. pudding face colloq. a large fat face.
pudding-head colloq. a stupid person. pudding-stone a
conglomerate rock consisting of rounded pebbles in a siliceous
matrix. ЬЬpuddingy adj. [ME poding f. OF boudin black pudding
ult. f. L botellus sausage: see BOWEL]
puddle n. & v. --n. 1 a small pool, esp. of rainwater on a road etc.
2 clay and sand mixed with water and used as a watertight
covering for embankments etc. 3 a circular patch of disturbed
water made by the blade of an oar at each stroke. --v. 1 tr.
a knead (clay and sand) into puddle. b line (a canal etc.) with
puddle. 2 intr. make puddle from clay etc. 3 tr. stir (molten
iron) to produce wrought iron by expelling carbon. 4 intr. a
dabble or wallow in mud or shallow water. b busy oneself in an
untidy way. 5 tr. make (water etc.) muddy. 6 tr. work (mixed
water and clay) to separate gold or opal. ЬЬpuddler n. puddly
adj. [ME podel, puddel, dimin. of OE pudd ditch]
pudency n. literary modesty; shame. [LL pudentia (as PUDENDUM)]
pudendum n. (pl. pudenda) (usu. in pl.) the genitals, esp. of a woman.
ЬЬpudendal adj. pudic adj. [L pudenda (membra parts), neut.
pl. of gerundive of pudere be ashamed]
pudgy adj. (pudgier, pudgiest) colloq. (esp. of a person) plump,
thickset. ЬЬpudge n. pudgily adv. pudginess n. [cf. PODGY]
pueblo n. (pl. -os) a town or village in Latin America, esp. an
Indian settlement. [Sp., = people, f. L populus]
puerile adj. 1 trivial, childish, immature. 2 of or like a child.
Ьpuerile breathing breathing characterized by a loud pulmonary
murmur as in children, a sign of disease in an adult.
ЬЬpuerilely adv. puerility n. (pl. -ies). [F pu‚ril or L
puerilis f. puer boy]
puerperal adj. of or caused by childbirth. Ьpuerperal fever fever
following childbirth and caused by uterine infection. [L
puerperus f. puer child + -parus bearing]
Puerto Rican
n. & adj. --n. 1 a native of Puerto Rico, an island of the
Greater Antilles. 2 a person of Puerto Rican descent. --adj.
of or relating to Puerto Rico or its inhabitants.
puff n. & v. --n. 1 a a short quick blast of breath or wind. b the
sound of this; a similar sound. c a small quantity of vapour,
smoke, etc., emitted in one blast (went up in a puff of smoke).
2 a cake etc. containing jam, cream, etc., and made of light
esp. puff pastry. 3 a gathered mass of material in a dress etc.
(puff sleeve). 4 a rolled protuberant mass of hair. 5 a an
extravagantly enthusiastic review of a book etc., esp. in a
newspaper. b an advertisement for goods etc., esp. in a
newspaper. 6 = powder-puff. 7 US an eiderdown. 8 colloq.
one's life (in all my puff). --v. 1 intr. emit a puff of air
or breath; blow with short blasts. 2 intr. (usu. foll. by away,
out, etc.) (of a person smoking, a steam engine, etc.) emit or
move with puffs (puffing away at his cigar; a train puffed out
of the station). 3 tr. (usu. in passive; often foll. by out)
put out of breath (arrived somewhat puffed; completely puffed
him out). 4 intr. breathe hard; pant. 5 tr. utter pantingly
('No more,' he puffed). 6 intr. & tr. (usu. foll. by up, out)
become or cause to become inflated; swell (his eye was inflamed
and puffed up; puffed up the balloon). 7 tr. (usu. foll. by
out, up, away) blow or emit (dust, smoke, a light object, etc.)
with a puff. 8 tr. smoke (a pipe etc.) in puffs. 9 tr. (usu.
as puffed up adj.) elate; make proud or boastful. 10 tr.
advertise or promote (goods, a book, etc.) with exaggerated or
false praise. Ьpuff-adder a large venomous African viper, Bitis
arietans, which inflates the upper part of its body and hisses
when excited. puff and blow = sense 4 of v. puff-ball any of
various fungi having a ball-shaped spore case. puff pastry
light flaky pastry. puff-puff Brit. a childish word for a
steam-engine or train. puff up = sense 9 of v. [ME puf, puffe,
perh. f. OE, imit. of the sound of breath]
puffer n. 1 a person or thing that puffs. 2 = puff-puff.
Ьpuffer-fish = globe-fish.
puffin n. any of various sea birds of the family Alcidae native to the
N. Atlantic and N. Pacific, esp. Fratercula arctica, having a
large head with a brightly coloured triangular bill, and black
and white plumage. [ME poffin, pophyn, of unkn. orig.]
puffy adj. (puffier, puffiest) 1 swollen, esp. of the face etc. 2
fat. 3 gusty. 4 short-winded; puffed out. ЬЬpuffily adv.
puffiness n.
pug(1) n. 1 (in full pug-dog) a a dwarf breed of dog like a bulldog
with a broad flat nose and deeply wrinkled face. b a dog of
this breed. 2 a fox. 3 Brit. a small locomotive for shunting
etc. Ьpug-nose a short squat or snub nose. pug-nosed having
such a nose. ЬЬpuggish adj. puggy adj. [16th c.: perh. f. LG
or Du.]
pug(2) n. & v. --n. loam or clay mixed and prepared for making bricks,
pottery, etc. --v.tr. (pugged, pugging) 1 prepare (clay) thus.
2 pack (esp. the space under the floor to deaden sound) with
pug, sawdust, etc. Ьpug-mill a mill for preparing pug.
ЬЬpugging n. [19th c.: orig. unkn.]
pug(3) n. sl. a boxer. [abbr. of PUGILIST]
pug(4) n. & v. --n. the footprint of an animal. --v.tr. (pugged,
pugging) track by pugs . [Hindi pag footprint]
puggaree n. 1 an Indian turban. 2 a thin muslin scarf tied round a
sun-helmet etc. and shielding the neck. [Hindi pagri turban]
pugilist n. a boxer, esp. a professional. ЬЬpugilism n. pugilistic
adj. [L pugil boxer]
pugnacious
adj. quarrelsome; disposed to fight. ЬЬpugnaciously adv.
pugnaciousness n. pugnacity n. [L pugnax -acis f. pugnare
fight f. pugnus fist]
puisne adj. Law denoting a judge of a superior court inferior in rank
to chief justices. [OF f. puis f. L postea afterwards + n‚
born f. L natus: cf. PUNY]
puissance n. 1 also a test of a horse's ability to jump large obstacles
in showjumping. 2 archaic great power, might, or influence.
[ME (in sense 2) f. OF (as PUISSANT)]
puissant adj. literary or archaic having great power or influence;
mighty. ЬЬpuissantly adv. [ME f. OF f. L posse be able: cf.
POTENT(1)]
puja n. (also pooja) a Hindu rite of worship; a prayer. [Skr.]
puke v. & n. sl. --v.tr. & intr. vomit. --n. vomit. ЬЬpukey adj.
[16th c.: prob. imit.]
pukeko n. (pl. -os) Austral. & NZ a rail, Porphyrio porphyrio, with
blue, black, and white plumage. [Maori]
pukka adj. (also pukkah, pucka) Anglo-Ind. 1 genuine. 2 of good
quality; reliable (did a pukka job). 3 of full weight. [Hindi
pakka cooked, ripe, substantial]
pulchritude
n. literary beauty. ЬЬpulchritudinous adj. [ME f. L
pulchritudo -dinis f. pulcher -chri beautiful]
pule v.intr. literary cry querulously or weakly; whine, whimper.
[16th c.: prob. imit.: cf. F piauler]
Pulitzer prize
n. each of 13 annual awards for achievements in American
journalism, literature, and music. [J. Pulitzer, Amer.
newspaper-publisher d. 1911]
pull v. & n. --v. 1 tr. exert force upon (a thing) tending to move
it to oneself or the origin of the force (stop pulling my hair).
2 tr. cause to move in this way (pulled it nearer; pulled me
into the room). 3 intr. exert a pulling force (the horse pulls
well; the engine will not pull). 4 tr. extract (a cork or
tooth) by pulling. 5 tr. damage (a muscle etc.) by abnormal
strain. 6 a tr. move (a boat) by pulling on the oars. b intr.
(of a boat etc.) be caused to move, esp. in a specified
direction. 7 intr. (often foll. by up) proceed with effort (up
a hill etc.). 8 tr. (foll. by on) bring out (a weapon) for use
against (a person). 9 a tr. check the speed of (a horse), esp.
so as to make it lose the race. b intr. (of a horse) strain
against the bit. 10 tr. attract or secure (custom or support).
11 tr. draw (liquor) from a barrel etc. 12 intr. (foll. by at)
tear or pluck at. 13 intr. (often foll. by on, at) inhale
deeply; draw or suck (on a pipe etc.). 14 tr. (often foll. by
up) remove (a plant) by the root. 15 tr. a Cricket strike (the
ball) to the leg side. b Golf strike (the ball) widely to the
left. 16 tr. print (a proof etc.). 17 tr. colloq. achieve or
accomplish (esp. something illicit). --n. 1 the act of
pulling. 2 the force exerted by this. 3 a means of exerting
influence; an advantage. 4 something that attracts or draws
attention. 5 a deep draught of liquor. 6 a prolonged effort,
e.g. in going up a hill. 7 a handle etc. for applying a pull.
8 a spell of rowing. 9 a printer's rough proof. 10 Cricket &
Golf a pulling stroke. 11 a suck at a cigarette. Ьpull about 1
treat roughly. 2 pull from side to side. pull apart (or to
pieces) = take to pieces (see PIECE). pull back retreat or
cause to retreat. pull-back n. 1 a retarding influence. 2 a
withdrawal of troops. pull down 1 demolish (esp. a building).
2 humiliate. 3 colloq. earn (a sum of money) as wages etc.
pull a face assume a distinctive or specified (e.g. sad or
angry) expression. pull a fast one see FAST(1). pull in 1 (of
a bus, train, etc.) arrive to take passengers. 2 (of a vehicle)
move to the side of or off the road. 3 earn or acquire. 4
colloq. arrest. pull-in n. Brit. a roadside caf‚ or other
stopping-place. pull a person's leg deceive a person playfully.
pull off 1 remove by pulling. 2 succeed in achieving or
winning. pull oneself together recover control of oneself.
pull the other one colloq. expressing disbelief (with ref. to
pull a person's leg). pull out 1 take out by pulling. 2
depart. 3 withdraw from an undertaking. 4 (of a bus, train,
etc.) leave with its passengers. 5 (of a vehicle) move out from
the side of the road, or from its normal position to overtake.
pull-out n. something that can be pulled out, esp. a section of
a magazine. pull over (of a vehicle) pull in. pull the plug on
colloq. defeat, discomfit. pull one's punches avoid using
one's full force. pull rank take unfair advantage of one's
seniority. pull round (or through) recover or cause to recover
from an illness. pull strings exert (esp. clandestine)
influence. pull the strings be the real actuator of what
another does. pull together work in harmony. pull up 1 stop or
cause to stop moving. 2 pull out of the ground. 3 reprimand.
4 check oneself. pull one's weight do one's fair share of work.
pull wires esp. US = pull strings. ЬЬpuller n. [OE
(a)pullian, perh. rel. to LG pulen, MDu. polen to shell]
pullet n. a young hen, esp. one less than one year old. [ME f. OF
poulet dimin. of poule ult. fem. of L pullus chicken]
pulley n. & v. --n. (pl. -eys) 1 a grooved wheel or set of wheels
for a cord etc. to pass over, set in a block and used for
changing the direction of a force. 2 a wheel or drum fixed on a
shaft and turned by a belt, used esp. to increase speed or
power. --v.tr. (-eys, -eyed) 1 hoist or work with a pulley. 2
provide with a pulley. [ME f. OF polie prob. ult. f. med. Gk
polidion (unrecorded) pivot, dimin. of polos POLE(2)]
Pullman n. 1 a railway carriage or motor coach affording special
comfort. 2 a sleeping-car. [G. M. Pullman, Amer. designer d.
1897]
pullover n. a knitted garment put on over the head and covering the top
half of the body.
pullulate v.intr. 1 (of a seed, shoot, etc.) bud, sprout, germinate. 2
(esp. of an animal) swarm, throng; breed prolifically. 3
develop; spring up; come to life. 4 (foll. by with) abound.
ЬЬpullulant adj. pullulation n. [L pullulare sprout f.
pullulus dimin. of pullus young of an animal]
pulmonary adj. 1 of or relating to the lungs. 2 having lungs or lunglike
organs. 3 affected with or susceptible to lung disease.
Ьpulmonary artery the artery conveying blood from the heart to
the lungs. pulmonary tuberculosis a form of tuberculosis caused
by inhaling the tubercle bacillus into the lungs. pulmonary
vein the vein carrying oxygenated blood from the lungs to the
heart. ЬЬpulmonate adj. [L pulmonarius f. pulmo -onis lung]
pulmonic adj. = PULMONARY 1. [F pulmonique or f. mod.L pulmonicus f. L
pulmo (as PULMONARY)]
pulp n. & v. --n. 1 the soft fleshy part of fruit etc. 2 any soft
thick wet mass. 3 a soft shapeless mass derived from rags,
wood, etc., used in paper-making. 4 (often attrib.) poor
quality (often sensational) writing orig. printed on rough paper
(pulp fiction). 5 vascular tissue filling the interior cavity
and root canals of a tooth. 6 Mining pulverized ore mixed with
water. --v. 1 tr. reduce to pulp. 2 tr. withdraw (a
publication) from the market, usu. recycling the paper. 3 tr.
remove pulp from. 4 intr. become pulp. ЬЬpulper n. pulpless
adj. pulpy adj. pulpiness n. [L pulpa]
pulpit n. 1 a raised enclosed platform in a church etc. from which the
preacher delivers a sermon. 2 (prec. by the) preachers or
preaching collectively. [ME f. L pulpitum scaffold, platform]
pulpwood n. timber suitable for making pulp.
pulque n. a Mexican fermented drink made from the sap of the maguey.
Ьpulque brandy a strong intoxicant made from pulque. [17th c.:
Amer. Sp., of unkn. orig.]
pulsar n. Astron. a cosmic source of regular and rapid pulses of
radiation usu. at radio frequencies, e.g. a rotating neutron
star. [pulsating st ar, after quasar]
pulsate v.intr. 1 expand and contract rhythmically; throb. 2 vibrate,
quiver, thrill. ЬЬpulsation n. pulsator n. pulsatory adj. [L
pulsare frequent. of pellere puls- drive, beat]
pulsatile adj. 1 of or having the property of pulsation. 2 (of a musical
instrument) played by percussion. [med.L pulsatilis (as
PULSATE)]
pulsatilla
n. any plant of the genus Pulsatilla, esp. the pasque-flower.
[mod.L dimin. of pulsata fem. past part. (as PULSATE), because
it quivers in the wind]
pulse(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a rhythmical throbbing of the arteries as
blood is propelled through them, esp. as felt in the wrists,
temples, etc. b each successive beat of the arteries or heart.
2 a throb or thrill of life or emotion. 3 a latent feeling. 4
a single vibration of sound, electric current, light, etc., esp.
as a signal. 5 a musical beat. 6 any regular or recurrent
rhythm, e.g. of the stroke of oars. --v.intr. 1 pulsate. 2
(foll. by out, in, etc.) transmit etc. by rhythmical beats.
Ьpulse code coding information in pulses. pulse code modulation
a pulse modulation technique of representing a signal by a
sequence of binary codes. pulse modulation a type of modulation
in which pulses are varied to represent a signal. ЬЬpulseless
adj. [ME f. OF pous f. L pulsus f. pellere puls- drive, beat]
pulse(2) n. (as sing. or pl.) 1 the edible seeds of various leguminous
plants, e.g. chick-peas, lentils, beans, etc. 2 the plant or
plants producing this. [ME f. OF pols f. L puls pultis porridge
of meal etc.]
pulsimeter
n. an instrument for measuring the rate or force of a pulse.
pulverize v. (also -ise) 1 tr. reduce to fine particles. 2 tr. & intr.
crumble to dust. 3 colloq. tr. a demolish. b defeat utterly.
ЬЬpulverizable adj. pulverization n. pulverizator n.
pulverizer n. [ME f. LL pulverizare f. pulvis pulveris dust]
pulverulent
adj. 1 consisting of fine particles; powdery. 2 likely to
crumble. [L pulverulentus (as PULVERIZE)]
puma n. a wild American cat, Felis concolor, usu. with a plain
greyish-black coat. Also called COUGAR, PANTHER, mountain lion.
[Sp. f. Quechua]
pumice n. & v. --n. (in full pumice-stone) 1 a light porous volcanic
rock often used as an abrasive in cleaning or polishing
substances. 2 a piece of this used for removing hard skin etc.
--v.tr. rub or clean with a pumice. ЬЬpumiceous adj. [ME f. OF
pomis f. L pumex pumicis (dial. pom-): cf. POUNCE(2)]
pummel v.tr. (pummelled, pummelling; US pummeled, pummeling) strike
repeatedly esp. with the fist. [alt. f. POMMEL]
pump(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a machine, usu. with rotary action or the
reciprocal action of a piston, for raising or moving liquids,
compressing gases, inflating tyres, etc. 2 an instance of
pumping; a stroke of a pump. --v. 1 tr. (often foll. by in,
out, into, up, etc.) raise or remove (liquid, gas, etc.) with a
pump. 2 tr. (often foll. by up) fill (a tyre etc.) with air. 3
tr. remove (water etc.) with a pump. 4 intr. work a pump. 5
tr. (often foll. by out) cause to move, pour forth, etc., as if
by pumping. 6 tr. elicit information from (a person) by
persistent questioning. 7 tr. a move vigorously up and down.
b shake (a person's hand) effusively. Ьpump-brake a handle of a
pump, esp. with a transverse bar for several people to work at.
pump-handle colloq. shake (a person's hand) effusively. pump
iron colloq. exercise with weights. pump-priming 1 introduce
fluid etc. into a pump to prepare it for working. 2 esp. US
the stimulation of commerce etc. by investment. pump room 1 a
room where fuel pumps etc. are stored or controlled. 2 a room
at a spa etc. where medicinal water is dispensed. [ME pumpe,
pompe (orig. Naut.): prob. imit.]
pump(2) n. 1 a plimsoll. 2 a light shoe for dancing etc. 3 US a court
shoe. [16th c.: orig. unkn.]
pumpernickel
n. German wholemeal rye bread. [G, earlier = lout, bumpkin, of
uncert. orig.]
pumpkin n. 1 any of various plants of the genus Cucurbita, esp. C.
maxima, with large lobed leaves and tendrils. 2 the large
rounded yellow fruit of this with a thick rind and edible flesh.
[alt. f. earlier pompon, pumpion f. obs. F po(m)pon f. L pepo
-onis f. Gk pepon large melon: see PEPO]
pun(1) n. & v. --n. the humorous use of a word to suggest different
meanings, or of words of the same sound and different meanings.
--v.intr. (punned, punning) (foll. by on) make a pun or puns
with (words). ЬЬpunningly adv. [17th c.: perh. f. obs.
pundigrion, a fanciful formation]
pun(2) v.tr. (punned, punning) Brit. consolidate (earth or rubble) by
pounding or ramming. ЬЬpunner n. [dial. var. of POUND(2)]
puna n. 1 a high plateau in the Peruvian Andes. 2 = mountain
sickness. [Quechua, in sense 1]
punch(1) v. & n. --v. & tr. 1 strike bluntly, esp. with a closed fist.
2 prod or poke with a blunt object. 3 a pierce a hole in
(metal, paper, a ticket, etc.) as or with a punch. b pierce (a
hole) by punching. 4 US drive (cattle) by prodding with a stick
etc. --n. 1 a blow with a fist. 2 the ability to deliver
this. 3 colloq. vigour, momentum; effective force. Ьpunch (or
punched) card (or tape) a card or paper tape perforated
according to a code, for conveying instructions or data to a
data processor etc. punch-drunk stupefied from or as though
from a series of heavy blows. punching-bag US a suspended
stuffed bag used as a punchball. punch-line words giving the
point of a joke or story. punch-up Brit. colloq. a
fist-fight; a brawl. ЬЬpuncher n. [ME, var. of POUNCE(1)]
punch(2) n. 1 any of various devices or machines for punching holes in
materials (e.g. paper, leather, metal, plaster). 2 a tool or
machine for impressing a design or stamping a die on a material.
[perh. an abbr. of PUNCHEON(1), or f. PUNCH(1)]
punch(3) n. a drink of wine or spirits mixed with water, fruit juices,
spices, etc., and usu. served hot. Ьpunch-bowl 1 a bowl in
which punch is mixed. 2 a deep round hollow in a hill. [17th
c.: orig. unkn.]
punch(4) n. 1 (Punch) a grotesque humpbacked figure in a puppet-show
called Punch and Judy. 2 (in full Suffolk punch) a short-legged
thickset draught horse. Ьas pleased as Punch showing great
pleasure. [abbr. of PUNCHINELLO]
punchball n. 1 a stuffed or inflated ball suspended or mounted on a
stand, for punching as a form of exercise. 2 US a ball game in
which a rubber ball is punched with the fist or head.
puncheon(1)
n. 1 a short post, esp. one supporting a roof in a coal-mine.
2 = PUNCH(2). [ME f. OF poinson, po(i)nchon, ult. f. L pungere
punct- prick]
puncheon(2)
n. hist. a large cask for liquids etc. holding from 72 to 120
gallons. [ME f. OF poinson, po(i)nchon, of unkn. orig. (prob.
not the same as in PUNCHEON(1))]
Punchinello
n. (pl. -os) 1 the chief character in a traditional Italian
puppet show. 2 a short stout person of comical appearance.
[Neapolitan dial. Polecenella, It. Pulcinella, perh. dimin. of
pollecena, young turkey-cock with a hooked beak f. pulcino
chicken ult. f. L pullus]
punchy adj. (punchier, punchiest) having punch or vigour; forceful.
ЬЬpunchily adv. punchiness n.
puncta pl. of PUNCTUM.
punctate adj. Biol. marked or studded with points, dots, spots, etc.
ЬЬpunctation n. [L punctum (as POINT)]
punctilio n. (pl. -os) 1 a delicate point of ceremony or honour. 2 the
etiquette of such points. 3 petty formality. [It. puntiglio &
Sp. puntillo dimin. of punto POINT]
punctilious
adj. 1 attentive to formality or etiquette. 2 precise in
behaviour. ЬЬpunctiliously adv. punctiliousness n. [F
pointilleux f. pointille f. It. (as PUNCTILIO)]
punctual adj. 1 observant of the appointed time. 2 neither early nor
late. 3 Geom. of a point. ЬЬpunctuality n. punctually adv.
[ME f. med.L punctualis f. L punctum POINT]
punctuate v.tr. 1 insert punctuation marks in. 2 interrupt at intervals
(punctuated his tale with heavy sighs). [med.L punctuare
punctuat- (as PUNCTUAL)]
punctuation
n. 1 the system or arrangement of marks used to punctuate a
written passage. 2 the practice or skill of punctuating.
Ьpunctuation mark any of the marks (e.g. full stop and comma)
used in writing to separate sentences and phrases etc. and to
clarify meaning. [med.L punctuatio (as PUNCTUATE)]
punctum n. (pl. puncta) Biol. a speck, dot, spot of colour, etc., or
an elevation or depression on a surface. [L, = POINT]
puncture n. & v. --n. 1 a prick or pricking, esp. the accidental
piercing of a pneumatic tyre. 2 a hole made in this way. --v.
1 tr. make a puncture in. 2 intr. undergo puncture. 3 tr.
prick or pierce. [ME f. L punctura f. pungere punct- prick]
pundit n. 1 (also pandit) a Hindu learned in Sanskrit and in the
philosophy, religion, and jurisprudence of India. 2 often iron.
a learned expert or teacher. ЬЬpunditry n. [Hind. pandit f.
Skr. pandita learned]
pungent adj. 1 having a sharp or strong taste or smell, esp. so as to
produce a pricking sensation. 2 (of remarks) penetrating,
biting, caustic. 3 mentally stimulating. 4 Biol. having a
sharp point. ЬЬpungency n. pungently adv. [L pungent- pres.
part. of pungere prick]
Punic adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to ancient Carthage in N.
Africa. --n. the language of Carthage, related to Phoenician.
ЬPunic faith treachery. [L Punicus, Poenicus f. Poenus f. Gk
Phoinix Phoenician]
punish v.tr. 1 cause (an offender) to suffer for an offence. 2
inflict a penalty for (an offence). 3 colloq. inflict severe
blows on (an opponent). 4 a tax severely; subject to severe
treatment. b abuse or treat improperly. ЬЬpunishable adj.
punisher n. punishing adj. (in sense 4a). punishingly adv.
[ME f. OF punir f. L punire = poenire f. poena penalty]
punishment
n. 1 the act or an instance of punishing; the condition of
being punished. 2 the loss or suffering inflicted in this. 3
colloq. severe treatment or suffering. [ME f. AF & OF
punissement f. punir]
punitive adj. (also punitory) 1 inflicting or intended to inflict
punishment. 2 (of taxation etc.) extremely severe. 3 Law (of
damages etc.) = VINDICTIVE. ЬЬpunitively adv. [F punitif -ive
or med.L punitivus (as PUNISHMENT)]
Punjabi n. & adj. --n. (pl. Punjabis) 1 a native of the Punjab in
India. 2 the language of this people. --adj. of or relating to
the Punjab. [Hindi pa¤jabi]
punk n. & adj. --n. 1 a a worthless person or thing (often as a
general term of abuse). b nonsense. 2 a (in full punk rock) a
loud fast-moving form of rock music with crude and aggressive
effects. b (in full punk rocker) a devotee of this. 3 US a
hoodlum or ruffian. 4 US a passive male homosexual. 5 US an
inexperienced person; a novice. 6 soft crumbly wood that has
been attacked by fungus, used as tinder. --adj. 1 worthless,
rotten. 2 denoting punk rock and its associations. ЬЬpunky
adj. [18th c.: orig. unkn.: cf. SPUNK]
punkah n. 1 (in India) a fan usu. made from the leaf of the palmyra.
2 a large swinging cloth fan on a frame worked by a cord or
electrically. Ьpunkah-wallah a person who works a punkah.
[Hindi pankha fan f. Skr. paksaka f. paksa wing]
punnet n. Brit. a small light basket or container for fruit or
vegetables. [19th c.: perh. dimin. of dial. pun POUND(1)]
punster n. a person who makes puns, esp. habitually.
punt(1) n. & v. --n. a long narrow flat-bottomed boat, square at both
ends, used mainly for pleasure on rivers and propelled by a long
pole. --v. 1 tr. propel (a punt) with a pole. 2 intr. & tr.
travel or convey in a punt. ЬЬpunter n. [ME f. MLG punte,
punto & MDu. ponte ferry-boat f. L ponto Gaulish transport
vessel]
punt(2) v. & n. --v.tr. kick (a ball, esp. in rugby) after it has
dropped from the hands and before it reaches the ground. --n.
such a kick. ЬЬpunter n. [prob. f. dial. punt push forcibly:
cf. BUNT(3)]
punt(3) v. & n. --v.intr. 1 (in some card-games) lay a stake against
the bank. 2 Brit. colloq. a bet on a horse etc. b speculate
in shares etc. --n. 1 a bet. 2 a point in faro. [F ponter f.
ponte player against the bank f. Sp. punto POINT]
punt(4) n. the chief monetary unit of the Republic of Ireland. [Ir., =
pound]
punter n. 1 a person who gambles or lays a bet. 2 a colloq. a
customer or client; a member of an audience. b sl. a
prostitute's client. 3 a point in faro.
puny adj. (punier, puniest) 1 undersized. 2 weak, feeble. 3 petty.
ЬЬpunily adv. puniness n. [phonetic spelling of PUISNE]
pup n. & v. --n. 1 a young dog. 2 a young wolf, rat, seal, etc.
3 Brit. an unpleasant or arrogant young man. --v.tr. (pupped,
pupping) (also absol.) (of a bitch etc.) bring forth (young).
Ьin pup (of a bitch) pregnant. sell a person a pup swindle a
person, esp. by selling something worthless. [back-form. f.
PUPPY as if a dimin. in -Y(2)]
pupa n. (pl. pupae) an insect in the stage of development between
larva and imago. ЬЬpupal adj. [mod.L f. L pupa girl, doll]
pupate v.intr. become a pupa. ЬЬpupation n.
pupil(1) n. 1 a person who is taught by another, esp. a schoolchild or
student in relation to a teacher. 2 Sc. Law a boy less than 14
or a girl less than 12 years in age. ЬЬpupillage n. (also
pupilage). pupillary adj. (also pupilary). [ME, orig. =
orphan, ward f. OF pupille or L pupillus, -illa, dimin. of pupus
boy, pupa girl]
pupil(2) n. the dark circular opening in the centre of the iris of the
eye, varying in size to regulate the passage of light to the
retina. ЬЬpupillar adj. (also pupilar). pupillary adj. (also
pupilary). [OF pupille or L pupilla, dimin. of pupa doll (as
PUPIL(1)): so called from the tiny images visible in the eye]
pupiparous
adj. Entomol. bringing forth young which are already in a
pupal state. [mod.L pupipara neut. pl. of pupiparus (as PUPA,
parere bring forth)]
puppet n. 1 a small figure representing a human being or animal and
moved by various means as entertainment. 2 a person whose
actions are controlled by another. Ьpuppet State a country that
is nominally independent but actually under the control of
another power. ЬЬpuppetry n. [later form of POPPET]
puppeteer n. a person who works puppets.
puppy n. (pl. -ies) 1 a young dog. 2 a conceited or arrogant young
man. Ьpuppy-fat temporary fatness of a child or adolescent.
puppy love = calf-love (see CALF(1)). ЬЬpuppyhood n. puppyish
adj. [ME perh. f. OF po(u)pee doll, plaything, toy f. Rmc (as
POPPET)]
pur- prefix = PRO-(1) (purchase; pursue). [AF f. OF por-, pur-,
pour- f. L por-, pro-]
Purana n. any of a class of Sanskrit sacred writings on Hindu
mythology, folklore, etc. ЬЬPuranic adj. [Skr. purana ancient
legend, ancient, f. pura formerly]
Purbeck marble
n. (also Purbeck stone) Archit. a hard usu. polished limestone
from Purbeck in Dorset, used in pillars, effigies, etc.
purblind adj. 1 partly blind; dim-sighted. 2 obtuse, dim-witted.
ЬЬpurblindness n. [ME pur(e) blind f. PURE orig. in sense
'utterly', with assim. to PUR-]
purchase v. & n. --v.tr. 1 acquire by payment; buy. 2 obtain or
achieve at some cost. 3 Naut. haul up (an anchor etc.) by means
of a pulley, lever, etc. --n. 1 the act or an instance of
buying. 2 something bought. 3 Law the acquisition of property
by one's personal action and not by inheritance. 4 a a firm
hold on a thing to move it or to prevent it from slipping;
leverage. b a device or tackle for moving heavy objects. 5 the
annual rent or return from land. Ьpurchase tax Brit. hist. a
tax on goods bought, levied at higher rates for non-essential or
luxury goods. ЬЬpurchasable adj. purchaser n. [ME f. AF
purchacer, OF pourchacier seek to obtain (as PUR-, CHASE(1))]
purdah n. Ind. 1 a system in certain Muslim and Hindu societies of
screening women from strangers by means of a veil or curtain. 2
a curtain in a house, used for this purpose. [Urdu & Pers.
pardah veil, curtain]
pure adj. 1 unmixed, unadulterated (pure white; pure alcohol). 2 of
unmixed origin or descent (pure-blooded). 3 chaste. 4 morally
or sexually undefiled; not corrupt. 5 guiltless. 6 sincere. 7
mere, simple, nothing but, sheer (it was pure malice). 8 (of a
sound) not discordant, perfectly in tune. 9 (of a subject of
study) dealing with abstract concepts and not practical
application. 10 a (of a vowel) not joined with another in a
diphthong. b (of a consonant) not accompanied by another.
Ьpure science a science depending on deductions from
demonstrated truths (e.g. mathematics or logic), or one studied
without practical applications. ЬЬpureness n. [ME f. OF pur
pure f. L purus]
pur‚e n. & v. --n. a pulp of vegetables or fruit etc. reduced to a
smooth cream. --v.tr. (pur‚es, pur‚ed) make a pur‚e of. [F]
purely adv. 1 in a pure manner. 2 merely, solely, exclusively.
purfle n. & v. --n. 1 an ornamental border, esp. on a violin etc. 2
archaic the ornamental or embroidered edge of a garment.
--v.tr. 1 decorate with a purfle. 2 (often foll. by with)
ornament (the edge of a building). 3 beautify. ЬЬpurfling n.
[ME f. OF porfil, porfiler ult. f. L filum thread]
purgation n. 1 purification. 2 purging of the bowels. 3 spiritual
cleansing, esp. (RC Ch.) of a soul in purgatory. 4 hist. the
cleansing of oneself from accusation or suspicion by an oath or
ordeal. [ME f. OF purgation or L purgatio (as PURGE)]
purgative adj. & n. --adj. 1 serving to purify. 2 strongly laxative.
--n. 1 a purgative thing. 2 a laxative. [ME f. OF purgatif
-ive or LL purgativus (as PURGE)]
purgatory n. & adj. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 the condition or supposed place
of spiritual cleansing, esp. (RC Ch.) of those dying in the
grace of God but having to expiate venial sins etc. 2 a place
or state of temporary suffering or expiation. --adj. purifying.
ЬЬpurgatorial adj. [ME f. AF purgatorie, OF -oire f. med.L
purgatorium, neut. of LL purgatorius (as PURGE)]
purge v. & n. --v.tr. 1 (often foll. by of, from) make physically or
spiritually clean. 2 remove by a cleansing process. 3 rid (an
organization, party, etc.) of persons regarded as undesirable.
4 a empty (the bowels). b empty the bowels of. 5 Law atone for
or wipe out (an offence, esp. contempt of court). --n. 1 the
act or an instance of purging. 2 a purgative. ЬЬpurger n. [ME
f. OF purg(i)er f. L purgare purify f. purus pure]
purify v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 (often foll. by of, from) cleanse or make
pure. 2 make ceremonially clean. 3 clear of extraneous
elements. ЬЬpurification n. purificatory adj. purifier n.
[ME f. OF purifier f. L purificare (as PURE)]
Purim n. a Jewish spring festival commemorating the defeat of Haman's
plot to massacre the Jews (Esth. 9). [Heb., pl. of pur, perh. =
LOT n. 2]
purine n. 1 Chem. an organic nitrogenous base forming uric acid on
oxidation. 2 any of a group of derivatives with purine-like
structure, including the nucleotide constituents adenine and
guanine. [G Purin L purus pure + uricum uric acid + -in
-INE(4)]
purist n. a stickler for or advocate of scrupulous purity, esp. in
language or art. ЬЬpurism n. puristic adj. [F puriste f. pur
PURE]
puritan n. & adj. --n. 1 (Puritan) hist. a member of a group of
English Protestants who regarded the Reformation of the Church
under Elizabeth as incomplete and sought to simplify and
regulate forms of worship. 2 a purist member of any party. 3 a
person practising or affecting extreme strictness in religion or
morals. --adj. 1 hist. of or relating to the Puritans. 2
scrupulous and austere in religion or morals. ЬЬpuritanism n.
[LL puritas (as PURITY) after earlier Catharan (as CATHAR)]
puritanical
adj. often derog. practising or affecting strict religious or
moral behaviour. ЬЬpuritanically adv.
purity n. 1 pureness, cleanness. 2 freedom from physical or moral
pollution. [ME f. OF puret‚, with assim. to LL puritas -tatis
f. L purus pure]
purl(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a knitting stitch made by putting the needle
through the front of the previous stitch and passing the yarn
round the back of the needle. 2 a cord of twisted gold or
silver wire for bordering. 3 a chain of minute loops; a picot.
4 the ornamental edges of lace, ribbon, etc. --v.tr. (also
absol.) knit with a purl stitch. [orig. pyrle, pirle f. Sc.
pirl twist: the knitting sense may be f. a different word]
purl(2) v. & n. --v.intr. (of a brook etc.) flow with a swirling motion
and babbling sound. --n. this motion or sound. [16th c.: prob.
imit.: cf. Norw. purla bubble up]
purler n. Brit. colloq. a headlong fall. [purl upset, rel. to
PURL(1)]
purlieu n. (pl. purlieus) 1 a person's bounds or limits. 2 a person's
usual haunts. 3 Brit. hist. a tract on the border of a forest,
esp. one earlier included in it and still partly subject to
forest laws. 4 (in pl.) the outskirts; an outlying region. [ME
purlew, prob. alt. after F lieu place f. AF purale(e), OF
pourallee a going round to settle the boundaries f. po(u)raler
traverse]
purlin n. a horizontal beam along the length of a roof, resting on
principals and supporting the common rafters or boards. [ME:
orig. uncert.]
purloin v.tr. formal or joc. steal, pilfer. ЬЬpurloiner n. [ME f. AF
purloigner put away, do away with (as PUR-, loign far f. L
longe)]
purple n., adj., & v. --n. 1 a colour intermediate between red and
blue. 2 (in full Tyrian purple) a crimson dye obtained from
some molluscs. 3 a purple robe, esp. as the dress of an emperor
or senior magistrate. 4 the scarlet official dress of a
cardinal. 5 (prec. by the) a position of rank, authority, or
privilege. --adj. of a purple colour. --v.tr. & intr. make or
become purple. Ьborn in the purple 1 born into a reigning
family. 2 belonging to the most privileged class. purple
emperor a large butterfly, Apatura iris, with purple wings.
purple heart Brit. colloq. a heart-shaped stimulant tablet,
esp. of amphetamine. Purple Heart (in the US) a decoration for
those wounded in action. purple passage (or patch) 1 an ornate
or elaborate passage in a literary composition. 2 Austral.
colloq. a piece of luck or success. ЬЬpurpleness n. purplish
adj. purply adj. [OE alt. f. purpure purpuran f. L purpura
(as PURPURA)]
purport v. & n. --v.tr. 1 profess; be intended to seem (purports to be
the royal seal). 2 (often foll. by that + clause) (of a
document or speech) have as its meaning; state. --n. 1 the
ostensible meaning of something. 2 the sense or tenor (of a
document or statement). ЬЬpurportedly adv. [ME f. AF & OF
purport, porport f. purporter f. med.L proportare (as PRO-(1),
portare carry)]
purpose n. & v. --n. 1 an object to be attained; a thing intended. 2
the intention to act. 3 resolution, determination. --v.tr.
have as one's purpose; design, intend. Ьon purpose
intentionally. purpose-built (or -made) built or made for a
specific purpose. to no purpose with no result or effect. to
the purpose 1 relevant. 2 useful. [ME f. OF porpos, purpos f.
L proponere (as PROPOUND)]
purposeful
adj. 1 having or indicating purpose. 2 intentional. 3
resolute. ЬЬpurposefully adv. purposefulness n.
purposeless
adj. having no aim or plan. ЬЬpurposelessly adv.
purposelessness n.
purposely adv. on purpose; intentionally.
purposive adj. 1 having or serving a purpose. 2 done with a purpose. 3
(of a person or conduct) having purpose or resolution;
purposeful. ЬЬpurposively adv. purposiveness n.
purpura n. 1 a disease characterized by purple or livid spots on the
skin, due to internal bleeding from small blood vessels. 2 any
mollusc of the genus Purpura, some of which yield a purple dye.
ЬЬpurpuric adj. [L f. Gk porphura purple]
purpure n. & adj. Heraldry purple. [OE purpure & OF purpre f. L
purpura (as PURPURA)]
purpurin n. a red colouring-matter occurring naturally in madder roots,
or manufactured synthetically.
purr v. & n. --v. 1 intr. (of a cat) make a low vibratory sound
expressing contentment. 2 intr. (of machinery etc.) make a
similar sound. 3 intr. (of a person) express pleasure. 4 tr.
utter or express (words or contentment) in this way. --n. a
purring sound. [imit.]
purse n. & v. --n. 1 a small pouch of leather etc. for carrying
money on the person. 2 US a handbag. 3 a receptacle resembling
a purse in form or purpose. 4 money, funds. 5 a sum collected
as a present or given as a prize in a contest. --v. 1 tr.
(often foll. by up) pucker or contract (the lips). 2 intr.
become contracted and wrinkled. Ьhold the purse-strings have
control of expenditure. the public purse the national treasury.
[OE purs f. med.L bursa, byrsa purse f. Gk bursa hide, leather]
purser n. an officer on a ship who keeps the accounts, esp. the head
steward in a passenger vessel. ЬЬpursership n.
purslane n. any of various plants of the genus Portulaca, esp. P.
oleracea, with green or golden leaves, used as a herb and salad
vegetable. [ME f. OF porcelaine (cf. PORCELAIN) alt. f. L
porcil(l)aca, portulaca]
pursuance n. (foll. by of) the carrying out or observance (of a plan,
idea, etc.).
pursuant adj. & adv. --adj. pursuing. --adv. (foll. by to) conforming
to or in accordance with. ЬЬpursuantly adv. [ME, =
prosecuting, f. OF po(u)rsuiant part. of po(u)rsu(iv)ir (as
PURSUE): assim. to AF pursuer and PURSUE]
pursue v. (pursues, pursued, pursuing) 1 tr. follow with intent to
overtake or capture or do harm to. 2 tr. continue or proceed
along (a route or course of action). 3 tr. follow or engage in
(study or other activity). 4 tr. proceed in compliance with (a
plan etc.). 5 tr. seek after, aim at. 6 tr. continue to
investigate or discuss (a topic). 7 tr. seek the attention or
acquaintance of (a person) persistently. 8 tr. (of misfortune
etc.) persistently assail. 9 tr. persistently attend, stick to.
10 intr. go in pursuit. ЬЬpursuable adj. pursuer n. [ME f. AF
pursiwer, -suer = OF porsivre etc. ult. f. L prosequi follow
after]
pursuit n. 1 the act or an instance of pursuing. 2 an occupation or
activity pursued. Ьin pursuit of pursuing. [ME f. OF poursuite
(as PUR-, SUIT)]
pursuivant
n. 1 Brit. an officer of the College of Arms ranking below a
herald. 2 archaic a follower or attendant. [ME f. OF pursivant
pres. part. of pursivre (as PURSUE)]
pursy adj. 1 short-winded; puffy. 2 corpulent. ЬЬpursiness n. [ME,
earlier pursive f. AF porsif f. OF polsif f. polser breathe
with difficulty f. L pulsare (as PULSATE)]
purulent adj. 1 consisting of or containing pus. 2 discharging pus.
ЬЬpurulence n. purulency n. purulently adv. [F purulent or L
purulentus (as PUS)]
purvey v. 1 tr. provide or supply (articles of food) as one's
business. 2 intr. (often foll. by for) a make provision. b act
as supplier. ЬЬpurveyor n. [ME f. AF purveier, OF porveiir f.
L providere PROVIDE]
purveyance
n. 1 the act of purveying. 2 Brit. hist. the right of the
sovereign to provisions etc. at a fixed price. [ME f. OF
porveance f. L providentia PROVIDENCE]
purview n. 1 the scope or range of a document, scheme, etc. 2 the
range of physical or mental vision. [ME f. AF purveЃ, OF porveЃ
past part. of porveiir (as PURVEY)]
pus n. a thick yellowish or greenish liquid produced from infected
tissue. [L pus puris]
push v. & n. --v. 1 tr. exert a force on (a thing) to move it away
from oneself or from the origin of the force. 2 tr. cause to
move in this direction. 3 intr. exert such a force (do not push
against the door). 4 intr. & tr. a thrust forward or upward.
b project or cause to project (pushes out new roots; the cape
pushes out into the sea). 5 intr. move forward by force or
persistence. 6 tr. make (one's way) by pushing. 7 intr. exert
oneself, esp. to surpass others. 8 tr. (often foll. by to,
into, or to + infin.) urge or impel. 9 tr. tax the abilities or
tolerance of; press (a person) hard. 10 tr. pursue (a claim
etc.). 11 tr. promote the use or sale or adoption of, e.g. by
advertising. 12 intr. (foll. by for) demand persistently
(pushed hard for reform). 13 tr. colloq. sell (a drug)
illegally. --n. 1 the act or an instance of pushing; a shove
or thrust. 2 the force exerted in this. 3 a vigorous effort.
4 a military attack in force. 5 enterprise, determination to
succeed. 6 the use of influence to advance a person. 7 the
pressure of affairs. 8 a crisis. Ьbe pushed for colloq. have
very little of (esp. time). get the push colloq. be dismissed
or sent away. give a person the push colloq. dismiss or send
away a person. push along (often in imper.) colloq. depart,
leave. push around colloq. bully. push-bike Brit. colloq. a
bicycle worked by pedals. push-button 1 a button to be pushed
esp. to operate an electrical device. 2 (attrib.) operated in
this way. push one's luck 1 take undue risks. 2 act
presumptuously. push off 1 push with an oar etc. to get a boat
out into a river etc. 2 (often in imper.) colloq. go away.
push-pull 1 operated by pushing and pulling. 2 Electr.
consisting of two valves etc. operated alternately. push-start
n. the starting of a motor vehicle by pushing it to turn the
engine. --v.tr. start (a vehicle) in this way. push through
get (a scheme, proposal, etc.) completed or accepted quickly.
push-up = press-up. [ME f. OF pousser, pou(l)ser f. L pulsare
(as PULSATE)]
pushcart n. a handcart or barrow.
pushchair n. Brit. a folding chair on wheels, for pushing a child in.
pusher n. 1 colloq. an illegal seller of drugs. 2 colloq. a pushing
or pushy person. 3 a child's utensil for pushing food onto a
spoon etc.
pushing adj. 1 pushy; aggressively ambitious. 2 colloq. having nearly
reached (a specified age). ЬЬpushingly adv.
pushover n. colloq. 1 something that is easily done. 2 a person who
can easily be overcome, persuaded, etc.
pushrod n. a rod operated by cams, that opens and closes the valves in
an internal-combustion engine.
Pushtu n. & adj. = PASHTO. [Pers. pustu]
pushy adj. (pushier, pushiest) colloq. 1 excessively or unpleasantly
self-assertive. 2 selfishly determined to succeed. ЬЬpushily
adv. pushiness n.
pusillanimous
adj. lacking courage; timid. ЬЬpusillanimity n.
pusillanimously adv. [eccl.L pusillanimis f. pusillus very
small + animus mind]
puss n. colloq. 1 a cat (esp. as a form of address). 2 a playful
or coquettish girl. 3 a hare. Ьpuss moth a large European
moth, Cerura vinula. [prob. f. MLG pus, Du. poes, of unkn.
orig.]
pussy n. (pl. -ies) 1 (also pussy-cat) colloq. a cat. 2 coarse sl.
the vulva. °Usually considered a taboo use. Ьpussy willow any
of various willows, esp. Salix discolor, with furry catkins.
pussyfoot v.intr. 1 move stealthily or warily. 2 act cautiously or
noncommittally. ЬЬpussyfooter n.
pustulate v. & adj. --v.tr. & intr. form into pustules. --adj. of or
relating to a pustule or pustules. ЬЬpustulation n. [LL
pustulare f. pustula: see PUSTULE]
pustule n. a pimple containing pus. ЬЬpustular adj. pustulous adj.
[ME f. OF pustule or L pustula]
put(1) v. & n. --v. (putting; past and past part. put) 1 tr. move to
or cause to be in a specified place or position (put it in your
pocket; put the children to bed; put your signature here). 2
tr. bring into a specified condition, relation, or state (puts
me in great difficulty; an accident put the car out of action).
3 tr. a (often foll. by on) impose or assign (put a tax on
beer; where do you put the blame?). b (foll. by on, to) impose
or enforce the existence of (put a veto on it; put a stop to
it). 4 tr. a cause (a person) to go or be, habitually or
temporarily (put them at their ease; put them on the right
track). b refl. imagine (oneself) in a specified situation (put
yourself in my shoes). 5 tr. (foll. by for) substitute (one
thing for another). 6 intr. express (a thought or idea) in a
specified way (to put it mildly). 7 tr. (foll. by at) estimate
(an amount etc. at a specified amount) (put the cost at њ50). 8
tr. (foll. by into) express or translate in (words, or another
language). 9 tr. (foll. by into) invest (money in an asset,
e.g. land). 10 tr. (foll. by on) stake (money) on (a horse
etc.). 11 tr. (foll. by to) apply or devote to a use or purpose
(put it to good use). 12 tr. (foll. by to) submit for
consideration or attention (let me put it to you another way;
shall now put it to a vote). 13 tr. (foll. by to) subject (a
person) to (death, suffering, etc.). 14 tr. throw (esp. a shot
or weight) as an athletic sport or exercise. 15 tr. (foll. by
to) couple (an animal) with (another of the opposite sex) for
breeding. 16 intr. (foll. by back, off, out, etc.) (of a ship
etc.) proceed or follow a course in a specified direction. 17
intr. US (foll. by in, out of) (of a river) flow in a specified
direction. --n. 1 a throw of the shot or weight. 2 Stock
Exch. the option of selling stock at a fixed price at a given
date. Ьnot know where to put oneself feel deeply embarrassed.
put about 1 spread (information, rumour, etc.). 2 Naut. turn
round; put (a ship) on the opposite tack. 3 trouble, distress.
put across 1 make acceptable or effective. 2 express in an
understandable way. 3 (often in put it (or one) across) achieve
by deceit. put away 1 put (a thing) back in the place where it
is normally kept. 2 lay (money etc.) aside for future use. 3 a
confine or imprison. b commit to a home or mental institution.
4 consume (food and drink), esp. in large quantities. 5 put (an
old or sick animal) to death. put back 1 restore to its proper
or former place. 2 change (a planned event) to a later date or
time. 3 move back the hands of (a clock or watch). 4 check the
advance of. put a bold etc. face on it see FACE. put the boot
in see BOOT. put by lay (money etc.) aside for future use. put
down 1 suppress by force or authority. 2 colloq. snub or
humiliate. 3 record or enter in writing. 4 enter the name of
(a person) on a list, esp. as a member or subscriber. 5 (foll.
by as, for) account or reckon. 6 (foll. by to) attribute (put
it down to bad planning). 7 put (an old or sick animal) to
death. 8 preserve or store (eggs etc.) for future use. 9 pay
(a specified sum) as a deposit. 10 put (a baby) to bed. 11
land (an aircraft). 12 stop to let (passengers) get off.
put-down n. colloq. a snub or humiliating criticism. put an
end to see END. put one's foot down see FOOT. put one's foot
in it see FOOT. put forth 1 (of a plant) send out (buds or
leaves). 2 formal submit or put into circulation. put forward
1 suggest or propose. 2 advance the hands of (a clock or
watch). 3 (often refl.) put into a prominent position; draw
attention to. put in 1 a enter or submit (a claim etc.). b
(foll. by for) submit a claim for (a specified thing). 2 (foll.
by for) be a candidate for (an appointment, election, etc.). 3
spend (time). 4 perform (a spell of work) as part of a whole.
5 interpose (a remark, blow, etc.). put a person in mind of see
MIND. put it to a person (often foll. by that + clause)
challenge a person to deny. put one's mind to see MIND. put
off 1 a postpone. b postpone an engagement with (a person). 2
(often foll. by with) evade (a person) with an excuse etc. 3
hinder or dissuade. 4 offend, disconcert; cause (a person) to
lose interest in something. put on 1 clothe oneself with. 2
cause (an electrical device, light, etc.) to function. 3 cause
(transport) to be available. 4 stage (a play, show, etc.). 5
advance the hands of (a clock or watch). 6 a pretend to be
affected by (an emotion). b assume, take on (a character or
appearance). c (put it on) exaggerate one's feelings etc. 7
increase one's weight by (a specified amount). 8 send (a
cricketer) on to bowl. 9 (foll. by to) make aware of or put in
touch with (put us on to their new accountant). put-on n.
colloq. a deception or hoax. put out 1 a (often as put out
adj.) disconcert or annoy. b (often refl.) inconvenience (don't
put yourself out). 2 extinguish (a fire or light). 3 cause (a
batsman or side) to be out. 4 dislocate (a joint). 5 exert
(strength etc.). 6 lend (money) at interest. 7 allocate (work)
to be done off the premises. 8 blind (a person's eyes). put
over 1 make acceptable or effective. 2 express in an
understandable way. 3 US postpone. 4 US achieve by deceit.
put a sock in it see SOCK(1). put store by see STORE. put
through 1 carry out or complete (a task or transaction). 2
(often foll. by to) connect (a person) by telephone to another
subscriber. put to flight see FLIGHT(2). put together 1
assemble (a whole) from parts. 2 combine (parts) to form a
whole. put under render unconscious by anaesthetic etc. put up
1 build or erect. 2 raise (a price etc.). 3 take or provide
accommodation (friends put me up for the night). 4 engage in (a
fight, struggle, etc.) as a form of resistance. 5 present (a
proposal). 6 a present oneself for election. b propose for
election. 7 provide (money) as a backer in an enterprise. 8
display (a notice). 9 publish (banns). 10 offer for sale or
competition. 11 cause (game) to rise from cover. 12 put (a
sword) back in its sheath. put-up adj. fraudulently presented
or devised. put upon colloq. make unfair or excessive demands
on; take advantage of (a person). put a person up to 1 inform
or instruct a person about. 2 (usu. foll. by verbal noun)
instigate a person in (put them up to stealing the money). put
up with endure, tolerate; submit to. put the wind up see
WIND(1). put a person wise see WISE. put words into a person's
mouth see MOUTH. ЬЬputter n. [ME f. an unrecorded OE form
putian, of unkn. orig.]
put(2) var. of PUTT.
putative adj. reputed, supposed (his putative father). ЬЬputatively
adv. [ME f. OF putatif -ive or LL putativus f. L putare think]
putlog n. (also putlock) a short horizontal timber projecting from a
wall, on which scaffold floorboards rest. [17th c.: orig.
uncert.]
put-put n. & v. --n. the rapid intermittent sound of a small petrol
engine. --v.intr. (put-putted, put-putting) make this sound.
[imit.]
putrefy v. (-ies, -ied) 1 intr. & tr. become or make putrid; go bad. 2
intr. fester, suppurate. 3 intr. become morally corrupt.
ЬЬputrefacient adj. putrefaction n. putrefactive adj. [ME f.
L putrefacere f. puter putris rotten]
putrescent
adj. 1 in the process of rotting. 2 of or accompanying this
process. ЬЬputrescence n. [L putrescere incept. of putrere (as
PUTRID)]
putrid adj. 1 decomposed, rotten. 2 foul, noxious. 3 corrupt. 4 sl.
of poor quality; contemptible; very unpleasant. ЬЬputridity n.
putridly adv. putridness n. [L putridus f. putrere to rot f.
puter putris rotten]
putsch n. an attempt at political revolution; a violent uprising.
[Swiss G, = thrust, blow]
putt v. & n. (also put) --v.tr. (putted, putting) strike (a golf
ball) gently to get it into or nearer to a hole on a
putting-green. --n. a putting stroke. Ьputting-green (in golf)
the smooth area of grass round a hole. [differentiated f.
PUT(1)]
puttee n. 1 a long strip of cloth wound spirally round the leg from
ankle to knee for protection and support. 2 US a leather
legging. [Hindi patti band, bandage]
putter(1) n. 1 a golf club used in putting. 2 a golfer who putts.
putter(2) n. & v. = PUT-PUT. [imit.]
putter(3) US var. of POTTER(1).
putto n. (pl. putti) a representation of a naked child (esp. a
cherub or a cupid) in (esp. Renaissance) art. [It., = boy, f. L
putus]
putty n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a cement made from whiting and raw
linseed oil, used for fixing panes of glass, filling holes in
woodwork, etc. 2 a fine white mortar of lime and water, used in
pointing brickwork, etc. 3 a polishing powder usu. made from
tin oxide, used in jewellery work. --v.tr. (-ies, -ied) cover,
fix, join, or fill up with putty. Ьputty in a person's hands
someone who is overcompliant, or easily influenced. [F pot‚e,
lit. potful]
puy n. a small extinct volcanic cone, esp. in the Auvergne, France.
[F, = hill, f. L podium: see PODIUM]
puzzle n. & v. --n. 1 a difficult or confusing problem; an enigma. 2
a problem or toy designed to test knowledge or ingenuity. --v.
1 tr. confound or disconcert mentally. 2 intr. (usu. foll. by
over etc.) be perplexed (about). 3 tr. (usu. as puzzling adj.)
require much thought to comprehend (a puzzling situation). 4
tr. (foll. by out) solve or understand by hard thought.
ЬЬpuzzlement n. puzzlingly adv. [16th c.: orig. unkn.]
pyaemia n. (US pyemia) blood-poisoning caused by the spread of
pus-forming bacteria in the bloodstream from a source of
infection. ЬЬpyaemic adj. [mod.L f. Gk puon pus + haima blood]
pycnic var. of PYKNIC.
pye-dog n. (also pie-dog, pi-dog) a vagrant mongrel, esp. in Asia.
[Anglo-Ind. pye, pa‰, Hindi pahi outsider + DOG]
pyelitis n. inflammation of the renal pelvis. [Gk puelos trough, basin
+ -ITIS]
pyemia US var. of PYAEMIA.
pygmy n. (also pigmy) (pl. -ies) 1 a member of a dwarf people of
equatorial Africa and parts of SE Asia. 2 a very small person,
animal, or thing. 3 an insignificant person. 4 (attrib.) a of
or relating to pygmies. b (of a person, animal, etc.) dwarf.
ЬЬpygmaean adj. pygmean adj. [ME f. L pygmaeus f. Gk pugmaios
dwarf f. pugme the length from elbow to knuckles, fist]
pyjamas n.pl. (US pajamas) 1 a suit of loose trousers and jacket for
sleeping in. 2 loose trousers tied round the waist, worn by
both sexes in some Asian countries. 3 (pyjama) (attrib.)
designating parts of a suit of pyjamas (pyjama jacket; pyjama
trousers). [Urdu pa(e)jama f. Pers. pae, pay leg + Hindi jama
clothing]
pyknic adj. & n. (also pycnic) Anthropol. --adj. characterized by a
thick neck, large abdomen, and relatively short limbs. --n. a
person of this bodily type. [Gk puknos thick]
pylon n. 1 a tall structure erected as a support (esp. for
electric-power cables) or boundary or decoration. 2 a gateway,
esp. of an ancient Egyptian temple. 3 a structure marking a
path for aircraft. 4 a structure supporting an aircraft engine.
[Gk pulon f. pule gate]
pylorus n. (pl. pylori) Anat. the opening from the stomach into the
duodenum. ЬЬpyloric adj. [LL f. Gk puloros, pulouros
gatekeeper f. pule gate + ouros warder]
pyorrhoea n. (US pyorrhea) 1 a disease of periodontal tissue causing
shrinkage of the gums and loosening of the teeth. 2 any
discharge of pus. [Gk puo- f. puon pus + rhoia flux f. rheo
flow]
pyracantha
n. any evergreen thorny shrub of the genus Pyracantha, having
white flowers and bright red or yellow berries. [L f. Gk
purakantha]
pyramid n. 1 a monumental structure, usu. of stone, with a square base
and sloping sides meeting centrally at an apex, esp. an ancient
Egyptian royal tomb. 2 a solid of this type with a base of
three or more sides. 3 a pyramid-shaped thing or pile of
things. 4 (in pl.) a game played on a billiard-table with (usu.
15) coloured balls and a cue-ball. Ьpyramid selling a system of
selling goods in which agency rights are sold to an increasing
number of distributors at successively lower levels.
ЬЬpyramidal adj. pyramidally adv. pyramidic adj. (also
pyramidical). pyramidically adv. pyramidwise adj. [ME f. L
pyramis f. Gk puramis -idos]
pyre n. a heap of combustible material esp. a funeral pile for
burning a corpse. [L pyra f. Gk pura f. pur fire]
pyrethrin n. any of several active constituents of pyrethrum flowers used
in the manufacture of insecticides.
pyrethrum n. 1 any of several aromatic chrysanthemums of the genus
Tanacetum, esp. T. coccineum. 2 an insecticide made from the
dried flowers of these plants, esp. Tanacetum cinerariifolium.
[L f. Gk purethron feverfew]
pyretic adj. of, for, or producing fever. [mod.L pyreticus f. Gk
puretos fever]
Pyrex n. propr. a hard heat-resistant type of glass, often used for
cookware. [invented word]
pyrexia n. Med. = FEVER. ЬЬpyrexial adj. pyrexic adj. pyrexical
adj. [mod.L f. Gk purexis f. puresso be feverish f. pur fire]
pyridine n. Chem. a colourless volatile odorous liquid, formerly
obtained from coal tar, used as a solvent and in chemical
manufacture. °Chem. formula: C[5]H[5]N. [Gk pur fire + -ID(4)
+ -INE(4)]
pyridoxine
n. a vitamin of the B complex found in yeast, and important in
the body's use of unsaturated fatty acids. Also called vitamin
B[6]. [PYRIDINE + OX- + -INE(4)]
pyrimidine
n. 1 Chem. an organic nitrogenous base. 2 any of a group of
derivatives with similar structure, including the nucleotide
constituents uracil, thymine, and cytosine. [G Pyrimidin f.
Pyridin (as PYRIDINE, IMIDE)]
pyrite n. = PYRITES. [F pyrite or L (as PYRITES)]
pyrites n. (in full iron pyrites) a yellow lustrous form of iron
disulphide. ЬЬpyritic adj. pyritiferous adj. pyritize v.tr.
(also -ise). pyritous adj. [L f. Gk purites of fire (pur)]
pyro n. colloq. = PYROGALLIC ACID.
pyro- comb. form 1 denoting fire. 2 Chem. denoting a new substance
formed from another by elimination of water (pyrophosphate). 3
Mineral. denoting a mineral etc. showing some property or change
under the action of heat, or having a fiery red or yellow
colour. [Gk puro- f. pur fire]
pyroclastic
adj. (of rocks etc.) formed as the result of a volcanic
eruption. ЬЬpyroclast n.
pyroelectric
adj. having the property of becoming electrically charged when
heated. ЬЬpyroelectricity n.
pyrogallic acid
n. a weak acid used as a developer in photography, etc.
pyrogallol
n. = PYROGALLIC ACID.
pyrogenic adj. (also pyrogenous) 1 a producing heat, esp. in the body. b
producing fever. 2 produced by combustion or volcanic
processes.
pyrography
n. = poker-work (see POKER(1)).
pyroligneous
adj. produced by the action of fire or heat on wood.
pyrolyse v.tr. (US pyrolyze) decompose by pyrolysis. [PYROLYSIS after
analyse]
pyrolysis n. chemical decomposition brought about by heat. ЬЬpyrolytic
adj.
pyromania n. an obsessive desire to set fire to things. ЬЬpyromaniac n.
pyrometer n. an instrument for measuring high temperatures, esp. in
furnaces and kilns. ЬЬpyrometric adj. pyrometrically adv.
pyrometry n.
pyrope n. a deep red variety of garnet. [ME f. OF pirope f. L pyropus
f. Gk puropos gold-bronze, lit. fiery-eyed, f. pur fire + ops
eye]
pyrophoric
adj. (of a substance) liable to ignite spontaneously on
exposure to air. [mod.L pyrophorus f. Gk purophoros
fire-bearing f. pur fire + phero bear]
pyrosis n. Med. a burning sensation in the lower part of the chest,
combined with the return of gastric acid to the mouth. [mod.L
f. Gk purosis f. puroo set on fire f. pur fire]
pyrotechnic
adj. 1 of or relating to fireworks. 2 (of wit etc.) brilliant
or sensational. ЬЬpyrotechnical adj. pyrotechnist n.
pyrotechny n. [PYRO- + Gk tekhne art]
pyrotechnics
n.pl. 1 the art of making fireworks. 2 a display of fireworks.
3 any brilliant display.
pyroxene n. any of a group of minerals commonly found as components of
igneous rocks, composed of silicates of calcium, magnesium, and
iron. [PYRO- + Gk xenos stranger (because supposed to be alien
to igneous rocks)]
pyroxylin n. a form of nitrocellulose, soluble in ether and alcohol, used
as a basis for lacquers, artificial leather, etc. [F pyroxyline
(as PYRO-, Gk xulon wood)]
pyrrhic(1)
adj. (of a victory) won at too great a cost to be of use to the
victor. [Pyrrhus of Epirus, who defeated the Romans at Asculum
in 279 BC, but sustained heavy losses]
pyrrhic(2)
n. & adj. --n. a metrical foot of two short or unaccented
syllables. --adj. written in or based on pyrrhics. [L
pyrrhichius f. Gk purrhikhios (pous) pyrrhic (foot)]
Pyrrhonism
n. 1 the philosophy of Pyrrho of Elis (c.300 BC), maintaining
that certainty of knowledge is unattainable. 2 scepticism;
philosophic doubt. ЬЬPyrrhonist n. [Gk Purrhon Pyrrho]
pyruvate n. Biochem. any salt or ester of pyruvic acid.
pyruvic acid
n. an organic acid occurring as an intermediate in many stages
of metabolism. [as PYRO- + L uva grape]
Pythagoras' theorem
n. the theorem attributed to Pythagoras (see PYTHAGOREAN) that
the square on the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle is equal
to the sum of the squares on the other two sides.
Pythagorean
adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to the Greek philosopher
Pythagoras (6th c. BC) or his philosophy, esp. regarding the
transmigration of souls. --n. a follower of Pythagoras.
Pythian adj. of or relating to Delphi (in central Greece) or its
ancient oracle of Apollo. [L Pythius f. Gk Puthios f. Putho,
an older name of Delphi]
python n. any constricting snake of the family Pythonidae, esp. of the
genus Python, found throughout the tropics in the Old World.
ЬЬpythonic adj. [L f. Gk Puthon a huge serpent or monster
killed by Apollo]
pythoness n. 1 the Pythian priestess. 2 a witch. [ME f. OF phitonise f.
med.L phitonissa f. LL pythonissa fem. of pytho f. Gk puthon
soothsaying demon: cf. PYTHON]
pyuria n. Med. the presence of pus in urine. [Gk puon pus + -URIA]
pyx n. (also pix) 1 Eccl. the vessel in which the consecrated bread
of the Eucharist is kept. 2 (in the UK) a box at the Royal Mint
in which specimen gold and silver coins are deposited to be
tested annually. [ME f. L (as PYXIS)]
pyxidium n. (pl. pyxidia) Bot. a seed-capsule with a top that comes
off like the lid of a box. [mod.L f. Gk puxidion, dimin. of
puxis: see PYXIS]
pyxis n. (pl. pyxides) 1 a small box or casket. 2 = PYXIDIUM. [ME
f. L f. Gk puxis f. puxos BOX(3)]