Arete Words Set 7 Flashcards
(500 cards)
1
Q
ploy
A
strategem to gain an advantage; tactic; Ex. management ploy
2
Q
protocol
A
diplomatic etiquette; ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats; first copy of a treaty before its ratification; Ex. Protocol demands that the queen meet him at the airport.
3
Q
prolixity
A
tedious wordiness; verbosity; ADJ. prolix: wordy; verbose; diffuse
4
Q
psyche
A
soul; mind
5
Q
perfunctory
A
done routinely and with little care; superficial; not thorough; lacking interest
6
Q
platitude
A
trite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ. platitudinous
7
Q
preamble
A
introductory statement
8
Q
precipitant
A
something that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form; OP. solvent
9
Q
projectile
A
missile; fired or thrown object (such as stone or bullet)
10
Q
pinion
A
restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs; N: bird’s wing
11
Q
pretension
A
pretentiousness; claim (without foundation); Ex. I make no pretensions to skill as an artist.
12
Q
pronounced
A
distinct; very noticeable; Ex. pronounced limp
13
Q
pediatrician
A
physician specializing in children’s diseases; N. pediatrics
14
Q
psychiatrist
A
doctor who treats mental diseases
15
Q
pedigree
A
ancestry; lineage
16
Q
paean
A
song of praise or joy; Ex. paeans celebrating the victory
17
Q
phoenix
A
symbol of immortality or rebirth; Ex. phoenix rising from its ashes
18
Q
plaintive
A
expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song
19
Q
orthodox
A
traditional; (of someone) conservative in belief; adhering to an established doctrine
20
Q
prize
A
pry; move with a lever; value highly; esteem; Ex. his most prized possession; N: something captured during war-time (esp. an enemy ship)
21
Q
penetrate
A
enter into; pierce; permeate; see through; grasp the inner significance of; understand
22
Q
quarantine
A
isolation of a person
23
Q
prodigal
A
wasteful; reckless with money; profuse; Ex. a mind prodigal of ideas; N. prodigality
24
Q
proxy
A
authorized agent; authority to act for another
25
phenomena
observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation; SG. phenomenon: observable fact; very unusual person
26
paradigm
model; example that serves as a model; pattern; list of all the inflectional forms of a word
27
portend
foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N. portent: sign; omen; forewarning
28
plausible
conceivably true; having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious
29
orifice
mouthlike opening; small opening (esp. to a cavern or passage of the body); CF. mouth
30
prototype
original work used as a model by others
31
protract
prolong; lengthen in time; draw out
32
personify
represent (an inanimate object) as a person; be the embodiment or perfect example of; Ex. She is evil/patience personified; N. personification
33
proverb
adage; someone or something well known for notoriety; ADJ. proverbial: of a proverb; widely known; ADV. proverbially
34
paltry
insignificant; petty; trifling; contemptible; Ex. paltry sum; CF. trash
35
prude
excessively modest or proper person (who is easily shocked by improper things
36
prey
target of a hunt; victim; V: hunt and eat as prey; victimize; Ex. Cats prey on mice.
37
petty
trivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded; petty-minded
38
primordial
existing at the beginning (of time); rudimentary
39
overbearing
bossy; domineering and arrogant; decisively important; Ex. overbearing manner/importance; V. overbear: dominate
40
prod
poke (with a pointed object); stir up; urge; goad to action; N: pointed object used to prod; prodding
41
propitiate
appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory
42
pummel
pommel; beat or pound with fists
43
pluck
courage; V: pull off or out; pull out the hair or feathers of; ADJ. plucky: courageous; brave
44
postmortem
autopsy; ADJ: occurring after death; of a postmortem
45
preclude
make impossible; prevent; exclude; eliminate
46
penology
study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation
47
quarry
dig into (to get stone); N: mine
48
poise
good judgment with composure; balance; V: place in a carefully balanced position
49
primate
group of mammals including humans
50
pseudonym
pen name; fictitious name assumed by an author; ADJ. pseudonymous
51
provincial
pertaining to a province; limited in outlook; narrow; unsophisticated
52
paroxysm
fit or attack of pain
53
poultice
soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body
54
potentate
monarch; sovereign
55
pyromaniac
person with an insane desire to set things on fire
56
pastry
paste of flour and water (eaten when baked)
57
presume
take for granted; assume; act overconfidently; take liberties; presume on/upon: take unfair advantage of (someone's kindness or connection); N. presumption
58
pinnace
small boat
59
puny
tiny; weak; insignificant
60
quail
cower; shrink back in fear; lose heart
61
prurient
having or causing lustful desires and thoughts; arousing immoderate sexual desire
62
predilection
preference; partiality
63
posterity
descendants; future generations; Ex. go down to posterity; CF. posterior
64
paste
smooth viscous mixture as of flour(powder made by crushing grain) and water (used as an adhesive); V: cause to adhere by applying paste
65
parody
humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty; V.
66
prank
mischievous trick
67
potential
expressing possibility; latent; N: capacity for growth
68
pandemonium
wild tumult(commotion); wild noisy disorder; CF. Paradise Lost
69
propinquity
nearness (in space or relationship); proximity; kinship
70
purport
intention; purpose; meaning; V: claim; profess; Ex. order which purports to be signed by the general
71
palette
board on which painter mixes pigments(coloring matters)
72
pendulous
hanging; suspended
73
pudding
hot sweet dish
74
probe
explore with a probe or tools; investigate; N: slender instrument used to explore a wound or body cavity; device designed to investigate an unknown region; thorough investigation; Ex. space probe
75
orientation
act of finding oneself in society; orienting
76
prim
proper to the point of affectation; very precise and formal; exceedingly proper
77
precept
practical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mother's precept
78
patrimony
property inherited from a father
79
palpitate
throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble; Ex. Her heart began to palpitate.
80
probity
uprightness; honesty; incorruptibility
81
perforate
pierce; put a hole through
82
privation
lack of the basic necessities or comforts of life; hardship; want; CF. deprive
83
prognosticate
predict (according to present indications)
84
prowess
extraordinary ability; military bravery; Ex. prowess in battle
85
potable
suitable for drinking; drinkable
86
panache
flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on a helmet); Ex. with great panache
87
pandemic
widespread; affecting the majority of people; N: pandemic disease; CF. all people
88
profound
deep; not superficial; complete; Ex. profound thinker/remark/silence/deafness; N. profundity
89
preponderance
superiority of power
90
outlaw
fugitive from the law (excluded from legal protection); V: declare (someone) to be an outlaw; deprive of the protection of the law; declare illegal; Ex. Drinking has been outlawed.
91
proximity
nearness; ADJ. proximate
92
persevere
continue steadily in spite of difficulties
93
panegyric
formal praise; encomium; Ex. I don't deserve such panegyrics.
94
prong
pointed projecting part
95
portly
stout; corpulent
96
pacifist
one opposed to force; antimilitarist; ADJ. N. pacifism: opposition to war as a means of resolving disputes
97
prop
support placed under or against something; V.
98
precedent
something preceding in time which may be used as an authority or guide for future action; V. precede; CF. unprecedented
99
paramour
illicit lover
100
purgatory
place of spiritual expiation; temporary state or place in which the souls must expiate their sins
101
pen
fenced enclosure for animals; confining space; Ex. sheep pen; V: confine in a pen; enclose
102
psychopathic
pertaining to mental dearrangement; N. psychopath: person with an antisocial personality disorder
103
parsimony
stinginess; excessive frugality; ADJ. parsimonious
104
quaint
odd in an old-fashioned way; odd; old-fashioned; picturesque
105
polity
(particular form of) political organization; form of government of nation or state; Ex. student polity
106
predetermine
determine in advance; predestine; settle or decide beforehand; influence markedly
107
profusion
great amount; plenty; overabundance; excess; lavish expenditure; Ex. profusion of choices; ADJ. profuse: plentiful; copious; giving or given abundantly; extravagant
108
purse
pucker; contract (lips) into wrinkles; N: wallet
109
prestige
respect or admiration; impression produced by achievements or reputation; ADJ: causing admiration; ADJ. prestigious: having prestige
110
pervert
corrupt; turn from right to wrong; misuse; Ex. perverted sexual desire/scientific knowledge; N: person whose sexual behavior is not natural
111
pertinent
suitable; to the point; relevant
112
penance
self-imposed punishment for sin; Ex. do penance for one's sins; CF. penitent
113
pharisee
Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic law (considering themselves very holy); hypocritical self-righteous person
114
periphery
outside edge especially of a round surface; perimeter; Ex. periphery of the town
115
prosaic
lacking in imagination; dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact(concerned with facts
116
paragon
model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue
117
perdition
damnation; complete ruin; hell
118
patronize
support; act superior toward; treat in a condescending manner; be a customer of; N. patron: one that supports; regular customer; N. patronage; CF. boycott
119
pert
(esp. of a girl or young woman) impertinent; forward; trim; jaunty; Ex. pert young miss/hat
120
pejorative
(of a word or phrase) suggesting that someone is of little value; negative in connotation; having a belittling effect; Ex. Many women now considers ``housewife'' a pejorative expression
121
pinnacle
peak; highest point; acme; Ex. pinnacle of fame
122
potpourri
heterogeneous mixture; medley; mixture of dried flower petals a pot (to give a pleasant smell to a room)
123
poignancy
quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion; ADJ. poignant: touching; deeply moving; (of sorrow
124
protean
able to take on many forms; versatile; CF. Proteus: sea god to change his shape at will
125
progeny
children; offspring; descendants
126
problematic
causing a problem; open to doubt; doubtful; unsettled; questionable; Ex. Whether the arena will ever be completed is problematic.
127
premonition
forewarning; presentiment; foreboding
128
peripatetic
walking about from place to place (to work); moving; Ex. peripatetic school of philosophy
129
precedent
preceding (in time
130
precarious
unsafe; lacking in stability; uncertain; risky; Ex. precarious living
131
proclivity
inclination; natural tendency (esp. towards something bad)
132
physiological
pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms; N. physiology
133
puzzle
baffle or confuse by a difficult problem; ponder over a problem in an effort to solve; clarify or solve by reasoning; Ex. puzzle out the answer; N.
134
pilfer
steal things of small value; filch; snitch
135
preposterous
absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous
136
plump
pleasantly fat; nicely rounded
137
piety
devoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious
138
psychosis
mental disorder; ADJ. N. psychotic
139
peddle
travel about selling (wares); CF. foot
140
outrage
act of extreme violence or viciousness; resentful anger; V: commit an outrage on; produce anger in; ADJ. outrageous: offensive
141
pertinacious
holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent
142
putrescent
becoming putrid; putrefying
143
propagate
increase in number by producing young; multiply; spread; Ex. Most plants propagate by seed; Ex. newspaper propagating their ideas
144
prune
cut away; trim
145
prime
period of ideal or peak condition; earliest or beginning stage; Ex. in the prime of life; Ex. prime of the year(spring); ADJ: first in importance or rank; first; V: make ready; prepare
146
perigee
point of moon's orbit when it is nearest the earth; CF. apogee
147
pedestal
support or base as for a pillar or statue
148
phylum
major classification
149
pernicious
very harmful; deadly; very destructive; Ex. pernicious effect/anemia
150
precursor
forerunner; predecessor
151
paleontology
study of prehistoric life or fossils; CF. paleo-: ancient or prehistoric; Ex. paleography: study of ancient written documents
152
polarize
split into opposite extremes or camps
153
ostracize
banish from a group; exclude from public favor; ban; Ex. His friends ostracized him. N. ostracism
154
pushy
disagreeably aggressive
155
putrid
decayed and foul-smelling; foul; rotten; decayed; N. putridity
156
perspicuous
(of something) plainly expressed; easy to understand; Ex. perspicuous comments
157
pantomime
acting without dialogue; V.
158
progenitor
ancestor
159
quash
crush; suppress; squash; subdue; annul; Ex. quash a rebellion/the decision of the low court
160
qualified
limited; restricted; V. qualify: limit the meaning of; modify
161
prosperity
good fortune and financial success; physical well-being
162
philanderer
faithless lover; flirt
163
pitfall
hidden danger; concealed trap
164
pedagogy
teaching; art of education
165
qualms
uneasy feelings; misgivings; uneasy fears especially about matters of conscience; Ex. I have no qualms about giving this assignment to Helen.
166
outstrip
outrun; surpass; outdo
167
putative
supposed; reputed; generally regarded as such; Ex. putative father of the child
168
preeminent
outstanding; superior
169
potion
dose (of liquids); liquid dose
170
overblown
inflated; exaggerated
171
promulgate
announce; proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by official publication
172
outcast
one that has been excluded from a society; ADJ.
173
overture
musical introduction to a long musical piece; first offer or proposal (to begin talks in the hope of reaching an agreement); Ex. overtures for peace
174
piebald
of different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors (esp. in black and white); Ex. piebald horse; CF. pie+bald
175
petulant
touchy; peevish; ill-tempered
176
pedigree
line of ancestors; ancestry; lineage; ADJ. (of an animal) descended from of a chosen family; Ex. pedigree dog; CF. crane's foot
177
precise
exact
178
pachyderm
thick-skinned animal
179
plight
difficult condition; condition or state (esp. a bad state or condition); predicament
180
perverse
purposely continuing to do something wrong; stubbornly wrongheaded; perverted; directed away from what is right; wicked and unacceptable; Ex. perverse satisfaction; Ex. Hannibal Lecter in a perverse mood; N. perversity
181
pauper
very poor person
182
perturb
disturb greatly
183
plaudit
praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or series) of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud
184
oscillate
vibrate pendulumlike; waver
185
proviso
stipulation; condition in an agreement; provision
186
propulsive
driving forward; N. propulsion
187
papyrus
ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant
188
paucity
scarcity; dearth
189
pterodactyl
extinct flying reptile; CF. wing+finger
190
presage
foretell; be a warning or sign of; N: presentiment; foreboding; omen
191
palatial
of or suitable for a palace; magnificent
192
pedant
scholar who overemphasizes book learning
193
palimpsest
parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased
194
posthumous
after death (as of child born after father's death or book published after author's death); coming or occurring after one's death; Ex. posthumous fame/novel
195
orient
get one's bearings; adjust; make familiar with a situation; orientate
196
partisan
one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike of any others); N: strong supporter of a party; guerrilla
197
ovoid
egg-shaped; CF. ovum; CF. ovulate
198
overturn
turn over; capsize; topple
199
perfidious
treacherous; disloyal; N. perfidy: treachery
200
plebiscite
direct vote by the entire electorate (on an important issue)
201
patrician
noble; aristocratic; N: person of high rank; aristocrat; CF. member of the governing classes in ancient Rome; CF. plebian
202
provenance
place of origin; origin or source of something; Ex. Gunpowder is of Chinese provenance; CF. come
203
pulsate
throb; beat regularly; vibrate regularly
204
pugilist
boxer; CF. pugilism: boxing
205
purported
alleged; claimed; reputed or rumored; Ex. purported Satanists
206
pedagogue
teacher; CF. child leader
207
pique
irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss in a contest); V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to feel resentment; Ex. pique her curiosity
208
parlance
language; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in legal/common parlance
209
perpetrate
commit an offense; do (something wrong)
210
ossify
change or harden into bone; become hard and unchanging in one's ideas
211
pinch
squeeze between the thumb and a finger
212
promote
advance in rank; advance; help to flourish; advocate; help actively in forming; publicize or popularize; Ex. Milk promotes health; Ex. promote a match/bill; Ex. promote a new product
213
propound
put forth for consideration or analysis; set forth; Ex. propound a problem/theory
214
parable
short simple story teaching a moral
215
predispose
give an inclination toward (in advance); make susceptible to; Ex. predispose people to certain cancer; N. predisposition
216
parasite
animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant; CF. para-: beside
217
perennial
something long-lasting; perennial plant; ADJ: lasting through the year or many years; lasting for a long time; enduring
218
podiatrist
doctor who treats ailments of the feet; chiropodist; N. podiatrics
219
protuberance
protrusion; swelling; bulge
220
plummet
fall sharply; fall straight down; Ex. Stock prices plummeted.
221
pragmatic
practical (as opposed to idealistic); concerned with practical worth or impact of something; Ex. pragmatic test of the skill
222
paraphernalia
equipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; personal belongings; Ex. photographic paraphernalia; CF. married woman's property exclusive of her dowry
223
prosper
become successful (esp. financially); thrive; grow well; Ex. children prospering under his care
224
penumbra
partial shadow (in an eclipse); CF. almost shadow
225
preen
make oneself tidy in appearance; feel self-satisfaction or pride; (of a bird) smooth or clean (feathers) with the beak; Ex. preen oneself on; CF. prune
226
pan
criticize harshly
227
pedestrian
ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); going on foot; Ex. pedestrian prose; N.
228
precinct
division of a city for election or police purposes; precincts: space that surrounds a building; Ex. precincts of the college
229
prolong
lengthen; extend; draw out
230
osseous
made of bone; bony
231
precipice
cliff; dangerous position; Ex. on the edge of the precipice
232
privy
secret; hidden; not public; made a participant in something secret; Ex. privy chamber government; Ex. be privy to a discussion; CF. private
233
punitive
punishing; Ex. punitive measures
234
primal
first in rank or importance; being first in time; original; Ex. man's primal innocence
235
pine
long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline
236
prodigious
enormous; marvelous; extraordinary; Ex. prodigious amount/memory
237
propriety
fitness; quality of being proper; correct conduct; conformity to prevailing customs and usages; CF. proprietor
238
polygamist
one who has more than one spouse at a time; CF. bigamy; CF. polyandry
239
pulchritude
beauty; comeliness; ADJ. pulchritudinous
240
pathetic
causing sadness
241
placate
pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease
242
paradox
something apparently contradictory in nature (that may nonetheless be true); statement that looks false but is actually correct
243
premise
assumption; postulate; proposition upon which an argument is based
244
peerless
having no equal; incomparable
245
pristine
unspoiled; remaining in a pure state; characteristic of earlier times; primitive; Ex. an old book in pristine condition
246
ovation
enthusiastic applause
247
presumptuous
going beyond what is right; excessively forward; arrogant; taking liberties
248
preternatural
beyond what is normal in nature; supernatural; Ex. preternatural strength/forces
249
perimeter
outer boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference
250
pretext
excuse
251
pulpit
raised platform used in preaching (in a church)
252
peregrination
journey; V. peregrinate
253
parallelism
state of being parallel; similarity; analogy
254
prone
inclined to; likely to (suffer); prostrate; lying with the front downward; Ex. prone to disease/make mistakes; Ex. accident-prone
255
proliferate
grow rapidly (in numbers); spread; multiply; N. proliferation
256
provision
act of providing; something provided; preparatory measure; provisions: necessary supplies (esp. food); stipulation; condition in an agreement; Ex. According to the provisions of the agreement
257
psychosomatic
of the influence of the mind on the body (esp. with respect to disease)
258
prefigure
be a sign of; foreshadow
259
orgy
wild drunken revelry; unrestrained indulgence in an activity; Ex. orgy of shopping
260
oversee
watch over and direct; supervise; N. oversight: unintentional failure to notice or do something; supervision
261
prosperous
successful; rich; affluent; well-to-do; well-off
262
prognosis
forecasted course of a disease; prediction; CF. prognostic
263
pastiche
imitation of another's style in musical composition or in writing; work of art openly imitating the works of other artists
264
parchment
writing material made from the skin of a sheep or goat
265
peruse
read through with care; N. perusal
266
proponent
supporter; backer; opposite of opponent
267
passive
not active; acted upon; receiving an action without acting in return; accepting without resistance
268
procurement
obtaining; V. procure: obtain by effort; obtain (a prostitute) for another
269
personable
attractive (in personality or appearance)
270
pharisaical
pertaining to the Pharisees
271
promontory
headland
272
ornithologist
scientific student of birds; N. ornithology: scientific study of birds
273
pretentious
ostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; overambitious; Ex. pretentious films that claim to be art
274
porous
full of pores; like a sieve
275
pose
assume a particular posture; put forward; present; affect a particular attitude (to impress others); Ex. pose a threat; N.
276
practical
based on experience; of or acquired through practice (rather than theory); useful; Ex. practical man
277
pacify
soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to
278
panacea
cure-all; remedy for all diseases
279
propensity
natural inclination
280
penchant
strong inclination; strong liking (esp. for something that is disapproved of by other people); Ex. penchant for fast cars
281
providence
quality of being provident; divine care; god's care; Providence: god; Ex. It seemed like providence that the doctor happened to be there; ADJ. providential: of divine providence; fortunate
282
pied
piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored
283
pending
not yet decided or settled; impending; Ex. pending decision; PREP. while awaiting; until; Ex. delay the decision pending his return
284
philatelist
stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting
285
phobia
morbid fear
286
painstaking
taking pains; showing hard work; taking great care; very careful and through
287
perpetual
everlasting
288
plenary
(of power) complete; full; fully attended by all qualified members; Ex. plenary power
289
orthography
correct spelling; CF. ortho-: straight; correct; Ex. orthodontics
290
pessimism
belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess; tendency to take the gloomiest possible view of a situation; ADJ. pessimistic
291
proselytize
(induce someone to) convert to a religion or belief; N. proselyte: new convert to a doctrine or religion
292
pretend
feign; pretend to: claim to possess; make pretensions to; Ex. I don't pretend to much expertise; N. pretense
293
pillage
plunder
294
perversion
corruption; turning from right to wrong
295
pore
study industriously; ponder; scrutinize; Ex. pore over the book; N.
296
prostrate
stretch out full on ground; make prostrate; enervate; Ex. prostrating illness; ADJ: lying face down; having lost all strength
297
quaff
drink with zest; drink with relish(zest; hearty enjoyment)
298
pontifical
pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious; CF. pontiff: pope; bishop
299
patriarch
father and ruler of a family or tribe
300
pestle
tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl or mortar
301
perspicuity
clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity
302
prodigy
highly gifted child; person with exceptional talents; marvel; wonder
303
paraphrase
restate a passage in one's own words while retaining thought of author; N: restatement of a text in other words
304
prelude
introduction; introductory performance or event; forerunner
305
propitious
favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate; Ex. propitious day/sign
306
prattle
talk idly; babble; N. CF. prate
307
pittance
small amount (of money); small allowance or wage
308
peroration
conclusion of an oration; perorating; V. perorate: conclude a speech; speak at great length
309
ponderous
having great weight; weighty; unwieldy; lacking lightness; dull; Ex. ponderous body/style of writing
310
physiognomy
face (as showing the character and the mind); art of judging human character from facial features
311
perspicacious
(of someone) having insight; penetrating; astute
312
partiality
state of being partial; inclination; favorable bias; special fondness; preference
313
parvenu
upstart; newly rich person
314
polemic
attack or defense of an opinion; controversy or refutation; argument in support of point of view; N. polemics: art of debate or controversy
315
pathological
pertaining to disease; N. pathology: study of disease
316
pallet
small poor bed; Ex. straw pallet
317
placid
peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake
318
porridge
soft food made by boiling oatmeal
319
pith
core or marrow; spongelike substance in the center of stems; essence; substance
320
poseur
person who pretends to be sophisticated
321
mell
in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell
322
plenitude
abundance; plenty; great amount; completeness; fullness; CF. plenary
323
plasticity
ability to be molded; ADJ. plastic: capable of being shaped or molded; Ex. plastic material such as clay
324
provisional
tentative; temporary
325
ostensible
apparent; appearing as such; professed(pretended); pretended; Ex. ostensible purpose of the expedition
326
plumber
one who installs and repairs pipes and plumbing(pipes)
327
peripheral
of a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor importance; not central; Ex. peripheral nerve/interest
328
outgoing
sociable; eager to mix socially with others
329
precipitous
steep; overhasty; precipitate
330
pugnacity
combativeness; disposition to fight; ADJ. pugnacious: (of people) belligerent; combative in nature
331
peon
landless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial worker; N. peonage
332
parquet
floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece
333
parochial
narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes
334
phalanx
formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack or defense)
335
pragmatist
practical person; N. pragmatism: pragmatic way of dealing with things
336
permeable
that can be permeated; penetrable; porous; allowing liquids or gas to pass through; V. permeate: spread or flow throughout; charge
337
punctilious
minutely attentive (perhaps too much so) to fine points; stressing niceties of conduct or form; N. punctilio
338
prelate
church dignitary; priest of high position in the church (esp. bishop)
339
peer
one who has equal standing with another; nobleman; V: look intently; N. peerage; CF. peeress
340
platonic
purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire
341
plane
carpenter's tool for smoothing and leveling wood; V. CF. flat
342
provocative
arousing anger or sexual interest; annoying; Ex. provocative in tight jeans; V. provoke: incite to anger; cause (an unpleasant action or feeling); N. provocation
343
purchase
secure grasp or hold; firm grasp or footing
344
prehensile
capable of grasping or holding (esp. by wrapping around); Ex. prehensile tails
345
outfit
clothing or equipment for a special purpose; Ex. cowboy outfit
346
permissive
allowing much freedom; lenient; Ex. permissive society
347
pastoral
rural; of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor
348
pusillanimous
cowardly; lacking courage; fainthearted
349
paranoia
psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or persecution; N: ADJ: paranoid
350
pecuniary
pertaining to money
351
outlook
point of view; view from a particular place; expectation for the future; prospect; Ex. outlook on life; Ex. pleasing outlook; Ex. weather outlook
352
parallel
similar; analogous; corresponding; N: parallel line; person or thing that is parallel (to another); similarity; Ex. know of no parallel to the case; Ex. without parallel; V: be similar to; make parallel; Ex. Your experience parallels mine; CF. unparalleled
353
pedantic
bookish; showing off learning; marked by an excessive ostentatious concern for book learning; N. pedantry
354
outwit
outsmart; defeat by behaving more cleverly
355
prophylactic
used to prevent disease; N: something prophylactic; condom; N. prophylaxis: prevention of disease
356
plumb
exactly vertical; N: weight on the end of a line; V: examine very carefully or critically in order to understand; measure depth (by sounding); Ex. plumb the depth of
357
parish
area in the care of a single priest and served by one main church
358
outskirts
fringes; outer borders (as of a city); Ex. outskirts of Boston
359
putrefy
make or become putrid; N. putrefaction
360
prohibitive
so high as to prohibit purchase or use; tending to prevent the purchase or use of something; prohibiting; inclined to prevent or forbid; Ex. prohibitive tax
361
prompt
cause; urge; provoke; provide a cue (for an actor); ADJ: done without delay; done at the right time; punctual; on time; N: reminder or cue
362
polyglot
speaking several languages; multilingual; Ex. polyglot person/society; N.
363
quagmire
bog; marsh; soft
364
prevail
be widespread; triumph over; gain victory; prevail on: persuade; induce; Ex. Justice has prevailed; Ex. prevail on someone to do something
365
plethora
excess; overabundance; Ex. a plethora of excuses
366
precocious
advanced in development; N. precocity
367
pulmonary
pertaining to the lungs
368
prosody
art of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse
369
qualify
reach a necessary standard; limit the meaning of something stated
370
placebo
harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill
371
primary
first in rank or importance; principal; earliest in time; Ex. primary stages; N. CF. first
372
partial
incomplete; favoring one side over another; having a liking for something
373
padre
chaplain (in the armed forces)
374
prophetic
of a prophet or prophecy; having to do with predicting the future; N. prophecy; V. prophesy; N. prophet
375
proscribe
prohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw
376
plaster
paste that hardens to a smooth solid and is used for coating walls; V.
377
practicable
feasible
378
patent
obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; of or protected by a patent; Ex. patent to everyone; N.
379
psychic
of psyche; mental; of or possessing extraordinary mental powers
380
pall
become boring; grow tiresome
381
philistine
narrow-minded person
382
panoramic
denoting an unobstructed and comprehensive view; N. panorama: unbroken view of a wide area
383
parameter
limit; independent variable; Ex. parameters of the problem; Ex. within the parameters of the budget
384
predator
predatory animal or bird; predatory person; creature that seizes and devours another animal; person who robs or exploits others; ADJ. predatory: living by preying on other organisms; plundering; N. predation
385
polarity
state of having two opposite qualities
386
outspoken
candid; blunt
387
plebeian
common; vulgar; pertaining to the common people; N: common people in ancient Rome; CF. patrician
388
predecessor
former occupant of a post
389
proletarian
member of the working class; blue collar guy; N. proletariat: working class (who have to work for wages)
390
petrify
turn to stone; cause to become stonelike; stun or paralyze
391
patois
local or provincial dialect
392
profane
violate; desecrate (something holy); treat unworthily; be profane for; ADJ: secular; nonreligious; irreverent for holy things
393
pervasive
spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells
394
peremptory
demanding and leaving no choice; imperative; Ex. peremptory decree/knock
395
penitent
repentant; N.
396
pliant
flexible; easily influenced
397
provender
dry food for livestock; fodder
398
pigment
coloring matter (usually powder to be mixed with water or oil)
399
pungent
stinging; acrid; sharp in taste or smell; (of speech or writing) caustic; N. pungency
400
pang
sudden sharp feeling of pain
401
palliate
ease pain (without curing); make less severe or offensive (a crime or illness)
402
predicament
difficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma
403
phlegmatic
calm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed; CF. phlegm: sticky mucus produced in the respiratory tract
404
penury
extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy
405
pass_off
present falsely; represent falsely to be
406
oust
expel; drive out; force out; N. ouster: ousting
407
pensive
dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative; CF. think over
408
postulate
self-evident truth; something assumed without proof; V: assume the truth of (as a basis of an argument)
409
quandary
dilemma; state of uncertainty; Ex. She is in a quandary about whether to go.
410
overweening
arrogant; presumptuous
411
pulse
rhythmical throbbing of arteries; brief sudden change in a normally constant quantity; V: pulsate
412
perceptive
insightful; showing a good ability at perceiving and understanding; aware; wise; of perception
413
parched
extremely dry; very thirsty; V. parch: make or become extremely dry (by exposure to heat)
414
overwhelm
(of water) cover completely; defeat completely by much greater force; Ex. overwhelmed by grief
415
plait
braid; interwine; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; Ex. plaited hair; N: braided length as of hair o fabric; CF. pigtail
416
prolific
producing offspring or fruit in abundance; fertile; fecund; abundantly fruitful; producing abundant works; Ex. prolific writer
417
overt
open to view; public; not secret; CF. covert
418
provident
providing for future needs; displaying foresight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies; OP. improvident
419
prescience
ability to foretell the future; knowledge of actions before they occur; ADJ. prescient
420
pious
devout; religious; N. piety
421
purveyor
furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer; V. purvey: supply (eg. food); furnish; CF. provide
422
pivotal
of a pivot; central; critical; crucial
423
parley
conference (between opponents); CF. speak
424
potent
powerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influential
425
prologue
introduction (to a poem or play)
426
outmoded
no longer in fashion or use; no longer stylish; old-fashioned
427
puissant
powerful; strong; potent; N. puissance: power
428
ordination
ceremony conferring holy orders; ceremony of ordaining a priest
429
quadruped
four-footed animal; ADJ. CF. biped
430
patina
green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly taken by varnished painting
431
plutocracy
society ruled by the wealthy
432
podium
pedestal; raised platform
433
plumage
feathers of a bird;
434
ostentatious
showy; trying to attract attention; pretentious; N. ostentation: showy display
435
purge
remove or get rid of something or someone unwanted; eliminate; free from blame or guilt; cleanse or purify (esp. of sin
436
quarry
person or animal of pursuit; victim; object of a hunt; prey
437
pillory
punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N.
438
procrastinate
postpone; delay or put off
439
piecemeal
one part at a time; gradually; in stages; Ex. read a novel piecemeal
440
prevaricate
lie; hide the truth (by equivocating)
441
pallid
pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion
442
quack
charlatan; impostor
443
partition
divide into parts
444
plagiarize
steal another's ideas or writings and pass them off as one's own; Ex. ideas plagiarized from my article; N. plagiarism; CF. kidnap
445
palate
roof of the mouth; sense of the taste
446
perjury
false testimony while under oath; V. perjure oneself: testify falsely under oath
447
primp
groom oneself with care; adorn oneself
448
pomposity
self-important behavior; acting like a stuffed shirt(pompous person); ADJ. pompous: self-important
449
pulverize
crush or grind into very small particles
450
palm
conceal in the palm of the hand; palm off: pass off; Ex. palm off some bad oranges onto the lady/the painting as a real Renoir
451
prerogative
privilege; unquestionable right; CF. ask before
452
pucker
gather into wrinkles or folds; N: wrinkle or fold
453
promiscuous
mixed indiscriminately; indiscriminate; not choosing carefully; indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners; irregular
454
primogeniture
seniority by birth; state of being the first-born child; right of the eldest child (to inherit the entire property of one or both parents)
455
paramount
foremost in importance; supreme; CF. para-: beyond; above; Ex. paranormal
456
pathos
tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs through the novel
457
parity
equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate
458
prate
talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly
459
politic
prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well devised
460
prominent
protruding(sticking out); conspicuous; notable; eminent
461
palpable
tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious; Ex. palpable blunder
462
premeditate
plan in advance; Ex. premeditated murder
463
pander
cater to (the low desires of others)
464
ornate
excessively or elaborately decorated
465
piscatorial
pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces
466
pariah
social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah
467
prepossessing
attractive; CF. preoccupying ?
468
prudent
cautious; careful; prudential
469
proscenium
part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage
470
percussion
striking one object against another sharply; Ex. percussion instrument; N: striking together of two bodies; sound caused by percussion
471
perpetuate
make perpetual; make something last for a long time; preserve from extinction; N. perpetuity
472
posture
assume an affected pose; act artificially; N: pose; attitude
473
pithy
concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty
474
persist
continue in existence; last; continue in a course of action in spite of opposition; Ex. persist in/with something; ADJ. persistent
475
peevish
bad-tempered; irritable; V. peeve: make angry
476
parry
ward off a blow; deflect; Ex. He parried the unwelcome question very skillfully; N.
477
polar
of a pole; characterized by opposite extremes; Ex. polar opposites
478
pellucid
transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand
479
pundit
authority on a subject; expert; learned person
480
profligate
wasteful (of money); dissipated; wildly immoral; dissolute; N: profligate person; N. profligacy
481
overwrought
nervous or excited; extremely agitated; hysterical; wrought-up; CF. wrought: made or done
482
prefatory
introductory; of a preface
483
presentiment
premonition; foreboding; feeling something will happen; anticipatory fear
484
peccadillo
slight offense or fault; CF. sin
485
palatable
agreeable; pleasing to the taste
486
pry
inquire impertinently (someone else's private affairs); use leverage to raise or open something; prize; N. pries: tool for prying
487
outlandish
bizzare; peculiar; unconventional
488
piquant
pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating; Ex. piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help
489
prance
move about in a spirited manner (proudly and confidently)
490
overthrow
topple; N.
491
puerile
childish; immature; CF. puer: boy
492
precipitate
hurl downward; throw headlong; hasten; cause to happen sooner; condense and fall as rain or snow; cause (a solid substance) to be separated from a solution; ADJ. hasty; rash; premature; sudden
493
quay
dock; wharf; pier; landing place (for boats)
494
protrude
stick out; jut; project; Ex. protruding teeth
495
prevalent
widespread; generally accepted
496
philology
study of language or words
497
preempt
prevent in advance; head off(forestall); forestall by acting first; appropriate for oneself before others; supplant; take the place of; displace; Ex. preempt any attempts; ADJ. preemptive
498
philanthropist
lover of mankind; doer of good; N. philanthropy
499
pliable
flexible; easily influenced; yielding; adaptable
500
premonitory
serving to warn
