Word List 37 Flashcards
Preponderance (n)
superiority of power, quantity etc
The rebels sought to overcome the preponderance strength of the government forces by engaging in guerrilla tactics
Presage (v)
foretell
Prescience (v)
ability to foretell the future
Preternatural (adj)
beyond that which is normal in nature
John’s mother total ability to tell when he was lying struck him as almost preternatural
Prevaricate (v)
lie
Some people believe that so prevaricate in a good cause is justifiable and regard the statement as a white lie
Primordial (adj)
existing at the beginning of time; rudimentary
The neanderthals man is one of our primordial ancestors
Privation (n)
hardship; want
In his youth, he knew hunger and privation
Probity (n)
uprightness; incorruptibility
Everyone too his probity for granted; his indictment for embezzlement, therefore shocked us all
Proclivity (n)
inclination; natural tendency
Watching the two year old voluntarily put away his toys, I was amazed by his proclivity for neatness
Prod (v)
poke; stir up; urge
If you prod him hard enough, he’ll eventually clean his room
Prodigal (adj)
wasteful; reckless
Profilgate (adj)
dissipated; wasteful; wildly immoral
Although surrounded by wild and profligate companions, she managed to retain some sense of decency
Profusion (n)
overabundance; lavish expenditure; excess
Freddy was so overwhelmed by the profusion of choices on the menu
Progenitor (v)
ancestor
Prognosticate (v)
predict
Although some economists prognosticated the imminent failure of the Social Security system, Senator Sanders maintained the system was nowhere near going broke
