Word List 27

Question 1

pedestrian

Answer 1

commonplace, unimaginative
going or performed on foot
of, relating to, or designed for walking

e.g. pedestrian concerns like paying the bills and getting the kids to school on time
a pedestrian mall

Question 2

peeve

Answer 2

to make peevish or resentful; annoy
also

e.g She is constantly peeved by his habit of humming show tunes while she is trying to focus on her work.
My main peeve with the animal welfare organization is the endless stream of unsolicited trinkets in my mailbox.

Question 3

peevish

Answer 3

querulous in temperament or mood; fretful
perversely obstinate
marked by ill temper

e.g. I would rather figure things out myself than ask that peevish librarian for help.

Question 4

pejorative

Answer 4

a word or phrase that has negative connotations or that is intended to disparage or belittle
having negative connotations; especially, tending to disparage or belittle; depreciatory

e.g. The reviewer used the pejorative word “versifier” to refer to the writer, whose poems had struck a responsive chord with the general public.

Question 5

pelf

Answer 5

money, riches

e.g. a politician who seems more interested in pelf than in policy

Question 6

pell-mell

Answer 6

in mingled confusion or disorder
in confused state

e.g. papers strewn pell-mell on the desk
ran pell-mell for the door

Question 7

pellucid

Answer 7

admitting maximum passage of light without diffusion or distortion
reflecting light evenly from all surfaces
easy to understand

e.g. the pellucid waters that lap upon that island’s beaches
a pellucid simplicity

Question 8

pen

Answer 8

to shut in or as if in a pen
a small enclosure for animals; the animals in such enclosure
a small place of confinement or storage
a female swan

e.g. a pen of sheep

Question 9

penance

Answer 9

an act of self-abasement, mortification, or devotion performed to show sorrow or repentance for sin
something (as a hardship or penalty) resembling an act of penance (as in compensating for an offense)

e.g. He did charitable work as a penance.

Question 10

penchant

Answer 10

a strong and continued inclination; broadly, liking

e.g. a penchant for sitting by the window and staring moodily off into space

Question 11

peninsula

Answer 11

a portion of land nearly surrounded by water and connected with a larger body by an isthmus; also, a piece of land jutting out into the water whether with or without a well-defined isthmus

Question 12

penitent

Answer 12

feeling or expressing humble or regretful pain or sorrow for sins or offense; repentant

e.g. a penitent gossip who had come to ask for forgiveness

Question 13

pennant

Answer 13

any of various nautical flags tapering usually to a point or swallowtail and used for identification or signalling
a flag emblematic of championship (as in a professional baseball league); also, the championship itself

e.g. pennants waving atop the tower
The Red Sox won the American League pennant in 2004.

Question 14

penultimate

Answer 14

next to last
of or relating to the next to the last syllable of a word

e.g. the penultimate syllable of the word
a penultimate accent

Question 15

penury

Answer 15

a cramping and oppressive lack of resources; especially, severe poverty
extreme and often niggardly frugality

e.g. lived in a time when single women like herself faced a lifetime of genteel penury

Question 16

perambulate

Answer 16

to travel over or through especially on foot; traverse
to make an official inspection of (a boundary) on food
stroll

e.g. We decided to lazily perambulate the entire length of the esplanade and enjoy the fresh air.
long summer evenings spent perambulating up and down the tree-lined streets of the quaint village

Question 17

peregrinate

Answer 17

to travel especially on foot; walk
to walk or travel over; traverse

e.g. a celebrated novel about penniless free spirits peregrinating the United States
a couple of backpacking college students who decided to spend the summer peregrinating around Ireland

Question 18

peremptory

Answer 18

putting an end to or precluding a right of action, debate, or delay; admitting of no contradiction
expressive of urgency or command
characterized by often imperious or arrogant self-assurance

e.g. a peremptory mandamus
a peremptory call
peremptory disregard of an objection
The governor’s peremptory personal assistant began telling the crowd of reporters and photographers exactly where they had to stand.

Question 19

preempt

Answer 19

to acquire by preemption
to seize upon to the exclusion of others; take for oneself
to replace with something considered to be of greater value or priority; take precedence over
to gain a commanding or preeminent place in
to prevent from happening; forestall, preclude

e.g. The movement was then preempted by a lunatic fringe.
The program did not appear, having been preempted by a baseball game.
The state law was preempted by a federal law.

Question 20

perennial

Answer 20

present at all seasons of the year
persistent, enduring
continuing without interruption; constant, perpetual
regularly repeated or renewed; recurrent

e.g. This variety of oregano is perennial.
the perennial quest for certainty
Flooding is a perennial problem for people living by the river.

Question 21

perfervid

Answer 21

marked by overwrought or exaggerated emotion; excessively fervent

e.g. the perfervid prose of a romance novel

Question 22

perfidious

Answer 22

not able to be trusted; showing that someone cannot be trusted

e.g. A perfidious campaign worker revealed the senator’s strategy to his leading rival for the nomination.

Question 23

perfidy

Answer 23

the quality or state of being faithless or disloyal; treachery
an act or an instance of disloyalty

Question 24

perforate

Answer 24

to make a hole through
to pass through or into by or as if by making a hole

e.g. He perforated the sheet with his pencil and put it in his binder.

Question 25

perfunctory

Answer 25

characterized by routine or superficiality; mechanical
lacking in interest or enthusiasm

e.g. The violinist delivered a perfunctory performance that displayed none of the passion and warmth he was once known for.

Question 26

peripatetic

Answer 26

pedestrian, itinerant
(pl.) movement or journeys hither and thither
of, relating to, or given to walking
moving or traveling from place to place; itinerant

e.g. She worked as a peripatetic journalist for most of her life.
a peripatetic career

Question 27

peripheral

Answer 27

auxiliary, supplementary

e.g If we focus too much on peripheral issues, we will lose sight of the goal.

Question 28

periscope

Answer 28

a tubular optical instrument containing lenses and mirrors by which an observer obtains an otherwise obstructed field of view

Question 29

perjury

Answer 29

the voluntary violation of an oath or vow either by swearing to what is untrue or by omission to do what has been promised under oath; false swearing

Question 30

depose

Answer 30

to remove from a throne or other high position
to put down; deposit
to testify to under oath or by affidavit; affirm, assert
to take a deposition of

e.g. A military junta deposed the dictator after he had bankrupted the country.
depose a witness
She was nervous when the time to depose before the jury finally arrived.

Question 31

perky

Answer 31

briskly self-assured; cocky
jaunty

e.g. He hasn’t been his perky self lately.
She drove around in a perky little.

Question 32

permissive

Answer 32

granting or tending to grant permission; tolerant
deficient in firmness or control; indulgent, lax
allowing discretion; optional

e.g. Some states have more permissive laws than others.
reduced the permissive retirement age from 65 to 62

Question 33

pernicious

Answer 33

highly injurious or destructive; deadly

e.g. the pernicious effects of jealousy

Question 34

perpetual

Answer 34

continuing forever; everlasting
valid for all time
occurring continually; indefinitely long-continued

e.g. The region is in a state of perpetual war.

Question 35

perpetuate

Answer 35

to make perpetual or cause to last indefinitely

e.g. Fears about an epidemic are being perpetuated by the media.

Question 36

perquisite

Answer 36

a privilege, gain, or profit incidental to regular salary or wages
gratuity, tip

e.g. Use of the company’s jet is a perquisite of the job.

Question 37

persecute

Answer 37

to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict
to annoy with persistent or urgent approaches (as attacks, pleas, or importunities); pester

e.g. The country’s leaders relentlessly persecuted those who fought against the regime.

Question 38

persiflage

Answer 38

frivolous bantering talk; light raillery/ridicule

e.g. Their tongue-in-cheek persiflage is sometimes mistaken for an exchange of insults by people who don’t know them.

Question 39

personable

Answer 39

pleasant or amiable in person; attractive

e.g. a personable hostess

Question 40

perspicacious

Answer 40

of acute mental vision or discernment; keen

e.g. No matter how perspicacious one may be, one will never be able to decide on anything to his disadvantage.

Question 41

perspicuous

Answer 41

plain to understanding especially because of clarity and precision of presentation

e.g. Believing that poetry need not be as perspicuous as prose, he writes poems that are intentionally ambiguous.

Question 42

perspire

Answer 42

to emit matter through the skin; specifically, to secret and emit perspiration

e.g. I was nervous and could feel myself start to perspire.

Question 43

pertain

Answer 43

to belong as a part
to be appropriate to something
to have reference

e.g. books pertaining to the country’s history
the destruction pertaining to war
the belief that quality medical care is a right that pertains to everyone

Question 44

pertinacious

Answer 44

adhering resolutely to an opinion, purpose, or design
perversely persistent
stubbornly tenacious

e.g. a pertinacious little boy who was determined to catch and collect reptiles
a pertinacious salesman who would simply not take “no” for an answer

Question 45

pertinent

Answer 45

having a clear decisive relevance to the matter in hand

e.g. He impressed the jury with his concise, pertinent answers to the attorney’s questions.

Question 46

immaterial

Answer 46

not consisting of matter; incorporeal
of no substantial consequence; unimportant

e.g. The fact that she is a woman is immaterial and irrelevant.

Question 47

peruse

Answer 47

to examine or consider with attention and in detail; study
to look over or through in a casual or cursory manner

e.g. He perused the newspaper over breakfast.
perused the manuscript, checking for grammatical errors

Question 48

pervade

Answer 48

to become diffused throughout every part of

e.g. A feeling of great sadness pervades the film.
Art and music pervade every aspect of their lives.

Question 49

pervious

Answer 49

accessible
permeable

e.g. pervious to reason
The new road has a pervious surface that will cut down on the amount of water that collects on it during heavy rains.

Question 50

pester

Answer 50

to harass with petty irritations; annoy

e.g. One resident pestered the condo board about every little thing.

Question 51

pestilent

Answer 51

destructive of life; deadly
injuring or endangering society; pernicious
causing displeasure or annoyance
infectious, contagious

e.g. Proper hand washing will help prevent the spread of most pestilent diseases.
pestilent reporters hounding him night and day

Question 52

pestle

Answer 52

a usually club-shaped implement for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar

Question 53

petrify

Answer 53

to make rigid or inert like stone
to make lifeless or inactive; deaden
to confound with fear, amazement, or awe

e.g. slogans apt to petrify a man’s thinking
a novel about an airline pilot that will petrify

Question 54

petrology

Answer 54

a science that deals with the origin, history, occurrence, structure, chemical composition, and classification of rocks

Question 55

petroglyph

Answer 55

a carving or inscription on a rock

Question 56

petulant

Answer 56

insolent or rude in speech or behavior
characterized by temporary or capricious ill humor; peevish

e.g. a petulant and fussy man who is always blaming everyone else for his problems

Question 57

philanthropic

Answer 57

of, relating to, or characterized by philanthropy; humanitarian
dispensing or receiving aid from funds set aside for humanitarian purposes

e.g. a philanthropic society that has been doing good for over a century

Question 58

philately

Answer 58

the collection and study of postage and imprinted stamps; stamp collecting

Question 59

phlegmatic

Answer 59

having or showing a slow and stolid temperament

e.g. a strangely phlegmatic response response to what should have been happy news

Question 60

piano

Answer 60

at a soft volume; soft

Question 61

pictorial

Answer 61

of or relating to a painter, a painting, or the painting or drawing of pictures
illustrated by pictures
suggesting or conveying visual images

e.g. a pictorial record of the trip
pictorial perspective
pictorial poetry

Question 62

piddling

Answer 62

trivial, paltry

e.g. a piddling amount of money
He raised one final, piddling objection to the plan.

Question 63

pied

Answer 63

of two or more colors in blotches; also, wearing or having in parti-colored coat

e.g. a pied horse

Question 64

pilgrim

Answer 64

one who journeys in foreign lands; wayfarer
one who travels to a shrine or holy place as a devotee

e.g. Thousands of Muslim pilgrims traveled to Mecca.

Question 65

pillar

Answer 65

a firm upright support for a superstructure; post
a supporting, integral, or upstanding member or part
a fundamental precept

e.g. The ancient Greek temple boasted graceful marble pillars with richly ornamented tops.
My father has been my pillar throughout this crisis.
the five pillars of Islam

Question 66

pillory

Answer 66

a device formerly used for publicly punishing offender consisting of a wooden frame with holes in which the head and hands can be locked
a means for exposing one to public scorn
to set in a pillory as a punishment
to expose to public contempt, ridicule, or scorn

e.g. The press pilloried the judge for her decision.

Question 67

pine

Answer 67

to lose vigor, health, or flesh (as through grief); languish
to yearn intensely and persistently especially for something unattainable

e.g. Steve pines for Bucky and Bucky pines for Steve.

Question 68

pinnacle

Answer 68

a high mountain top; the tower on the roof or building that comes to a narrow point at the top
the highest point of development

e.g. a singer who has reached the pinnacle of success

Question 69

pious

Answer 69

marked by or showing reverence for deity and devotion to divine worship
showing loyal reverence for a person or thing; dutiful

Question 70

piquant

Answer 70

engagingly provocative; also, having a lively arch charm
agreeably stimulating to the palate; especially, spicy

e.g. piquant vegetables seasoned with pepper
a piquant bit of gossip

Question 71

pique

Answer 71

a transient feeling of wounded vanity; resentment
to arouse anger of resentment in; irritate
to excite or arouse
pride

e.g. He slammed the door in a fit of pique.
Her seat companion piqued her by repeatedly poking her in the ribs.
Brightly colored objects pique a baby’s interest.
He piques himself on his skill as a cook.

Question 72

pirouette

Answer 72

a rapid whirling about of the body; also, a full turn on the toe or ball of one foot in ballet
also

Question 73

pitfall

Answer 73

trap, snare; specifically, a pit flimsily covered or camouflaged and used to capture and hold animals or men
a hidden or not easily recognized danger or difficulty

e.g. He had dug a pitfall for unwary feet, and the great opportunist fell therein.

Question 74

pith

Answer 74

the soft or spongy tissue in the stems of plants
the essential part; core
substantial quality (as of meaning)
importance

e.g. the pith of the discussion

Question 75

pithy

Answer 75

consisting of or abounding in pith
having substance and point; tersely cogent

e.g. He captured the whole speech in one pithy sentence.
a pithy little Mother’s Day card

Question 76

prolix

Answer 76

unduly prolonged or drawn out; too long
marked by or using an excess of words

e.g. a person known for habitually transforming brief anecdotes into prolix sagas that exhaust their listeners

Question 77

pitiful

Answer 77

deserving or around pity or commiseration
exciting pitying contempt (as by meanness or inadequacy)

e.g. She made a pitiful attempt to complete her work.
pitiful wages

Question 78

pittance

Answer 78

a small portion, amount, or allowance; also, a meager wage or remuneration

e.g. The internship offers only a pittance for a salary, but it is great opportunity to gain experience.

Question 79

placate

Answer 79

to soothe or mollify especially by concessions; appease

e.g. The administration placated protesters by agreeing to consider their demands.

Question 80

placid

Answer 80

serenely free of interruption or disturbance
complacent

e.g. placid skies
a person with a sunny, placid disposition

Question 81

plage

Answer 81

the beach of a seaside resort
a bright region on the sun cause by the light emitted by clouds of calcium or hydrogen and often associated with a sunspot

Question 82

plagiotropic

Answer 82

having the longer axis inclined away from the vertical

Question 83

plague

Answer 83

a disastrous evil or affliction; calamity
an epidemic disease causing a high rate of mortality; pestilence
a cause of irritation; nuisance
a sudden unwelcome outbreak
also

e.g. The country was hit by a plague of natural disasters that year.
Computer viruses plague internet users.
Crime plagues inner city.

Question 84

plaintiff

Answer 84

a person who brings a legal action

e.g. The judge ruled that the plaintiff’s lawsuit was groundless and dismissed it.

Question 85

plaint

Answer 85

lamentation, wail
protest, complaint

e.g. The after the massacre, the plaints of bereaved mothers and wives could be heard throughout the village.
That taxes are too high is perhaps the most perennial of plaints.

Question 86

plaintive

Answer 86

expressive of suffering a woe; melancholy

e.g. We could hear the plaintive cry of a wounded animal in the woods.
The puppy’s plaintive expression after we put the toy away was rather amusing.

Question 87

plait

Answer 87

a fold in cloth; pleat
a braid of material (as hair or straw); especially, pigtail
also

e.g. She wore a plait down her back that reached her waist.
how to plait my own hair
plait a basket

Question 88

plane

Answer 88

to make smooth or oven; level
to remove by or as if by planing (oft. used with away or off)
a tool for smoothing or shaping a wood surface

Question 89

plangent

Answer 89

having a loud reverberating sound
having an expressive and especially plaintive quality

e.g. a plangent roar
a plangent, haunting song about a long-ago love

Question 90

plankton

Answer 90

the passively floating or weakly swimming usually minute animal and plant life of a body of water

Question 91

plaster

Answer 91

a medicated or protective dressing that consists of a film (as of cloth or plastic) spread with a usually medicated substance; broadly, something applied to heal and soothe
a pasty composition that hardens on drying and is used for coating walls, ceilings, and partitions
also
to smooth down with a sticky or shiny substance
to affix to especially conspicuously or in quantity

e.g. Put a plaster on the burn and don’t touch it.
We plastered and sanded the walls before painting them.
They plastered the walls with posters.

Question 92

plateau

Answer 92

a usually extensive land area having a relatively level surface; tableland
a relatively stable level, period, or condition

e.g. a plateau covering hundreds of miles
The price of gas seems to have reached a plateau.

Question 93

platitude

Answer 93

the quality or state of being dull and insipid
a banal, trite, or stale remark

e.g. His speech was filled with familiar platitudes about the value of hard work and dedication.

Question 94

platonic

Answer 94

relating to or based on platonic love; also, experiencing or professing platonic love
of, relating to, or being a relationship marked by the absence of romance or sex
confined to words, theories, or ideals, and not leading to practical action

e.g. They had a platonic friendship, not a romantic one.
He wants his audience to wake up from their sleep, emerge from their platonic cave, and see the world as it truly is.

Question 95

plaudit

Answer 95

an act or round of applause 
enthusiastic approval (oft. pl.)

e.g. received many plaudits for her academic achievements

Question 96

plead

Answer 96

to argue a case or cause in a court of law 
to make an allegation in an action
to make a plea of a specified nature 
to argue for or against a claim
to entreat or appeal earnestly 

e.g. He begged and pleaded, but she would not change her mind.
She couldn’t afford a lawyer to plead her case.

Question 97

pleat

Answer 97

fold; especially, to arrange in pleats
a fold in cloth made by doubling material over on itself; also, something resembling such a fold

e.g. pleat a skirt
Her skirts has pleats at the waist.

Question 98

pledge

Answer 98

a serious promise or agreement
a promise to give money
something left with another person as security for the performance of an act
 to make a pledge of; especially, pawn
to drink to the health of
to bind by a pledge

e.g. He has promised to fulfill a campaign pledge to cut taxes.
Her family pledged $100000 toward the construction of a new school.

Question 99

plenitude

Answer 99

the quality or state of being full; completeness
a great sufficiency; abundance

e.g. a plenitude of information on the topic
a plenitude of natural beauty

Question 100

plenteous

Answer 100

fruitful, productive
constituting or existing in plenty

e.g. a plenteous harvest
The seasons had been plenteous in corn.
a plenteous supply of napkins

Question 101

pliable

Answer 101

supple enough to bend freely or repeatedly without breaking
yielding readily to others; complaisant
adjustable to varying conditions

e.g. The leather is pliant, so it’s easy to work with.
She sometimes takes advantage of her pliable parents.

Question 102

pliant

Answer 102

yielding readily to others; pliable, complaisant
easily influenced; yielding
suitable for varied uses

e.g a pliant Congress that will do whatever the President wants
A pliant branch bent low with the weight of ripe fruit.