Flashcards in vocabulary p-s Deck (500):
1
pacific
calm, peaceful
2
pacifist
one opposed to war
3
pacify
to restore calm, bring peace
4
palatial
like a palace, magnificent
5
palaver
idle talk
6
paleontology
study of past geological eras through fossil remains
7
palette
board for mixing paints; range of colors
8
palisade
fence made up of stakes
9
pall (n)
covering that darkens or obscures; coffin
10
pall (v)
to lose strength or interest
11
palliate
to make less serious, ease
12
pallid
lacking color or liveliness
13
palpable
obvious, real, tangible
14
palpitation
trembling, shaking, irregular beating
15
paltry
pitifully small or worthless
16
panacea
flamboyance, verve
17
pandemic
spread over a whole area or country
18
panegyric
elaborate praise; formal hymn of praise
19
panoply
impressive array
20
panorama
broad view; comprehensive picture
21
paradigm
ideal example, model
22
paradox
contradiction, incongruity; dilemma, puzzle
23
paradoxical
self-contradictory but true
24
paragon
model of excellence or perfection
25
paramount
supreme, dominant, primary
26
paraphrase
to reword, usually in simpler terms
27
parasite
person or animal that lives at another's expense
28
parch
to dry or shrivel
29
pare
to trim
30
pariah
outcast
31
parity
equality
32
parley
discussion, usually between enemies
33
parochial
of limited scope or outlook, provincial
34
parody
humorous imitation
35
parole
conditional release of a prisoner
36
parry
to ward off or deflect
37
parsimony
stinginess
38
partisan (n)
stronger supporter
39
partisan (adj)
biased in favor of
40
pastiche
piece of literature or music imitating other works
41
patent (adj)
obvious, unconcealed
42
patent (n)
official document giving exclusive right to sell an invention
43
paternity
fatherhood; descent from father's ancestors
44
pathogenic
causing disease
45
pathos
pity, compassion
46
patrician
aristocrat
47
patricide
murder of one's father
48
patrimony
inheritance or heritage derived from one's father
49
patronize
to condescend to, disparage; to buy from
50
paucity
scarcity, lack
51
pauper
very poor person
52
pavilion
tent or light building used for shelter or exhibitions
53
peccadillo
minor sin or offense
54
peculation
theft of money or goods
55
pedagogue
teacher
56
pedant
uninspiring, boring academic
57
pedestrian (adj)
commonplace
58
pediatrician
doctor specializing in children and their ailments
59
pediment
triangular gable on a roof or facade
60
peer (n)
contemporary, equal, match
61
peerless
unequaled
62
pejorative
having bad connotations; disparaging
63
pellucid
transparent; translucent; easily understood
64
penance
voluntary suffering to repent for a wrong
65
penchant
inclination
66
pending (prep)
during, while awaiting
67
penitent
expressing sorrow for sins or offenses, repentant
68
pensive
thoughtful
69
penultimate
next to last
70
penumbra
partial shadow
71
penury
extreme poverty
72
perambulator
baby carriage
73
percipient
discerning, able to perceive
74
perdition
complete and utter loss; damnation
75
peregrinate
to wander from place to place
76
perennial
present throughout the years; persistent
77
perfidious
faithless, disloyal, untrustworthy
78
perfunctory
done in a routine way; indifferent
79
perihelion
point in orbit nearest to the sun
80
peripatetic
moving from place to place
81
perjure
to tell a lie under oath
82
permeable
penetrable
83
pernicious
very harmful
84
perpetual
endless, lasting
85
personification
act of attributing human qualities to objects or abstract qualities
86
perspicacious
shrewd, astute, keen-witted
87
pert
lively and bold
88
pertinacious
persistent, stubborn
89
pertinent
applicable, appropriate
90
perturbation
disturbance
91
perusal
close examination
92
pervert (v)
to cause to change in immoral way; to misuse
93
pestilence
epidemic, plague
94
petulance
rudeness, peevishness
95
phalanx
massed group of soldiers, people, or things
96
philanderer
persuer of casual love affairs
97
philanthropy
love of humanity; generosity to worthy causes
98
philistine
narrow-minded person, someone lacking appreciation for art or culture
99
philology
study of words
100
phlegmatic
calm in temperament; sluggish
101
phobia
anxiety, horror
102
phoenix
mythical, immortal bird which lives for 500 years, burns itself to death, and rises from its ashes
103
phonetics
study of speech sounds
104
phonic
relating to sound
105
piety
devoutness
106
pilfer
to steal
107
pillage
to loot, especially during a war
108
pinnacle
peak, highest point of development
109
pious
dedicated, devout, extremely religious
110
pique
fleeting feeling of hurt pride
111
pithy
profound substantial; concise, succinct, to the point
112
pittance
meager amount or wage
113
placate
to soothe or pacify
114
placid
calm
115
plagiarist
one who steals words or ideas
116
plaintiff
injured person in a lawsuit
117
plait
to braid
118
platitude
stale, overused expression
119
plebeian
crude, vulgar, low-class
120
plenitude
abundance, plenty
121
plethora
excess, overabundance
122
pliant
pliable, yielding
123
pluck
to pull strings on musical instrument
124
plucky
courageous, spunky
125
plummet
to fall, plunge
126
pluralistic
including a variety of groups
127
ply (v)
to use diligently; to engage; to join together
128
pneumatic
relating to air; worked by compressed air
129
poach
to steal game or fish; cook in boiling liquid
130
podium
platform or lectern for orchestra conductors or speakers
131
poignant
emotionally moving
132
polar
relating to a geographic pole; exhibiting contrast
133
polarize
to tend towards opposite extremes
134
polemic
controversy, argument; verbal attack
135
politic
shrewd and practical, diplomatic
136
polyglot
speaker of many languages
137
ponderous
weighty, heavy, large
138
pontificate
to speak in a pretentious manner
139
pore (v)
to study closely or meditatively
140
porous
full of holes, permeable to liquids
141
portent
omen
142
portly
stout, dignified
143
posit
to put in position; to suggest an idea
144
posterior
bottom, rear
145
posterity
future generations; all of a person's descendants
146
potable
drinkable
147
potentate
monarch or ruler with great power
148
pragmatic
practical; moved by facts rather than abstract ideals
149
prattle
meaningless, foolish talk
150
precarious
uncertain
151
precept
principle; law
152
precipice
edge, steep overhang
153
precipitate (adj)
sudden and unexpected
154
precipitate (v)
to throw down from a height; to cause to happen
155
precipitous
hasty, quickly, with too little caution
156
precis
short summary of facts
157
precision
state of being precise
158
preclude
to rule out
159
precocious
unusually advanced at an early age
160
precursor
forerunner, predecessor
161
predator
one that preys on others, destroyer, plunderer
162
predicament
difficult situation
163
predicate (v)
to found or base on
164
predictive
relating to prediction, indicative of the future
165
predilection
preference, liking
166
predisposition
tendency, inclination
167
preeminent
celebrated, distinguished
168
preface
introduction to a book; introductory remarks to a speech
169
premeditate
to consider, plan beforehand
170
premonition
forewarning; presentiment
171
preponderance
majority in number; dominance
172
prepossessing
attractive, engaging, appealing
173
preposterous
absurd, illogical
174
presage
to foretell, indicate in advance
175
prescient
having foresight
176
prescribe
to set down a rule; to recommend a treatment
177
presentiment
premonition, sense of foreboding
178
prestidigitation
sleight of hand
179
presumptuous
rude, improperly bold
180
pretext
excuse, pretended reason
181
prevalent
widespread
182
prevaricate
to lie, evade the truth
183
primeval
ancient, primitive
184
primordial
original, existing from the beginning
185
pristine
untouched, uncorrupted
186
privation
lack of usual necessities or comforts
187
probity
honesty, high-mindedness
188
proclivity
tendency, inclination
189
procrastinator
one who continually and unjustifiably postpones
190
procure
to obtain
191
prodigal
wasteful, extravagant, lavish
192
prodigious
vast, enormous, extraordinary
193
profane
impure; contrary to religion; sacrilegious
194
proficient
expert, skilled in a certain subject
195
profligate
corrupt, degenerate
196
profuse
lavish, extravagent
197
progenitor
originator, forefather, ancestor in a direct line
198
progeny
offspring, children
199
prognosis
prediction of disease outcome; any prediction
200
progressive
favoring progress or change; moving forward, going step-by-step
201
proliferation
propagation, reproduction; enlargement, expansion
202
prolific
productive, fertile
203
prologue
introductory section of a literary work or play
204
promontory
piece of land or rock higher than its surroundings
205
promulgate
to make known publicly
206
propensity
inclination, tendency
207
propinquity
nearness
208
propitiate
to win over, appease
209
propitious
favorable, advantageous
210
proponent
advocate, defender, supporter
211
prosaic
relating to prose; dull, commonplace
212
proscribe
to condemn; to forbid, outlaw
213
prose
ordinary language used in everyday speech
214
prosecutor
person who initiates a legal action or suit
215
proselytize
to convert to a particular belief or religion
216
prostrate
lying face downward, lying flat on ground
217
protagonist
main character in a play or story, hero
218
protean
readily assuming different forms or characters
219
protestation
declaration
220
protocol
ceremony and manners observed by diplomats
221
protract
to prolong, draw out, extend
222
protrusion
something that sticks out
223
provincial
rustic, unsophisticated, limited in scope
224
provocation
cause, incitement to act or respond
225
prowess
bravery, skill
226
proximity
nearness
227
proxy
power to act as substitute for another
228
prude
one who is excessively proper or modest
229
prudent
careful, cautious
230
prurient
lustful, exhibiting lewd desires
231
pry
to intrude into; force open
232
pseudonym
pen name; fictitious or borrowed name
233
psychic (adj)
perceptive of non-material, spiritual forces
234
puerile
childish, immature, silly
235
pudgy
chubby, overweight
236
pugilism
boxing
237
pugnacious
quarrelsome, eager and ready to fight
238
pulchritude
beauty
239
pulverize
to pound, crush, or grind into powder; destroy
240
pummel
to pound, beat
241
punctilious
careful in observing rules of behavior or ceremony
242
pungent
strong or sharp in smell or taste
243
punitive
having to do with punishment
244
purgation
process of cleansing, purification
245
purge (v)
to cleanse or free from impurities
246
puritanical
adhering to a rigid moral code
247
purport
to profess, suppose, claim
248
quack (n)
faker; one who falsely claims to have medical skill
249
quadrilateral
four-sided polygon
250
quadruped
animal having four feet
251
quagmire
marsh; difficult situation
252
qualify
to provide with needed skills; modify, limit
253
quandary
dilemma, difficulty
254
quarantine
isolation period, originally 40 days, to prevent spread of disease
255
quaternary
consisting of or relating to four units or members
256
quell
to crush or subdue
257
querulous
inclined to complain, irritable
258
query (n)
question
259
quibble
to argue about insignificant and irrelevant details
260
quicken
to hasten, arouse, excite
261
quiescence
inactivity, stillness
262
quintessence
most typical example; concentrated essence
263
quiver (v)
to shake slightly, tremble, vibrate
264
quixotic
overly idealistic, impractical
265
quotidian
occuring daily; commonplace
266
raconteur
witty, skillful storyteller
267
radical (adj)
fundamental; drastic
268
rail (v)
to scold with bitter or abusive language
269
rally (v)
to assemble; recover, recuperate
270
ramble (v)
to roam, wander; to babble, digress
271
ramification
implication, outgrowth, or consequence
272
ramshackle
likely to collapse
273
rancid
spoiled, rotten
274
rancor
bitter hatred
275
rant
to harangue, rave, forcefully scold
276
rapport
relationship of trust and respect
277
rapt
deeply absorbed
278
rarefy
to make thinner, purer, or more refined
279
rash (adj)
careless, hasty, reckless
280
ratify
to approve formally, confirm
281
ratiocination
methodial, logical reasoning
282
ration (n)
portion, share
283
ration (v)
to supply; to restrict consumption of
284
rational
logical, reasonable
285
raucous
harsh-sounding; boisterous
286
ravage
to destroy, devastate
287
ravenous
extremely hungry
288
ravine
deep, narrow gorge
289
raze
to tear down, demolish
290
reactionary (adj)
marked by extreme conservatism, esp. in politics
291
rebuff (n)
blunt rejection
292
rebuke (v)
to reprimand, scold
293
rebut
to refute by evidence or argument
294
recalcitrant
resisting authority or control
295
recant
to retract a statement, opinion, etc
296
recapitulate
to review with a brief summary
297
receptive
open to others' ideas; congenial
298
reclusive
shut off from the world
299
recondite
relating to obscure learning; known to only a few
300
recount (v)
to describe facts or events
301
recruit (v)
to draft, enlist; to seek to enroll
302
rectify
to correct
303
rectitude
moral uprightness
304
recurrence
repetition
305
redress (n)
relief from wrong or injury
306
redundancy
unnecessary repetition
307
refectory
room where meals are served
308
reflection
image, likeness; opinion, thought, impression
309
reform (v)
to change, correct
310
refract
to deflect sound or light
311
refuge
escape, shelter
312
refurbish
to renovate
313
refute
to contradict, discredit
314
regimen
government rule; systematic plan
315
regress
to move backward; revert to an earlier form or state
316
rehabilitate
to restore to good health or condition; reestablish a person's good reputation
317
reiterate
to say again, repeat
318
rejoinder
response
319
rejuvenate
to make young again; renew
320
relegate
to assign to a class, especially an inferior one
321
relinquish
to renounce or surrender something
322
relish (v)
to enjoy greatly
323
remediable
capable of being corrected
324
remedy (v)
to cure, corect
325
reminiscence
remembrance of past events
326
remission
lessening, relaxation
327
remit
to send (usually money) as payment
328
remote
distant, isolated
329
remuneration
pay or reward for work, trouble, etc
330
renascent
reborn, coming into being again
331
renegade
traitor, person abandoning a cause
332
renege
to go back on one's word
333
renounce
to give up or reject a right, title, person, etc
334
renown
fame, widespread acclaim
335
repast
meal or mealtime
336
repeal
to revoke or formally withdraw (often a law)
337
repel
to rebuff, repulse; disgust, offend
338
repent
to regret a past action
339
repentant
apologetic, guilty, remorseful
340
replete
abundantly supplied
341
replicate
to duplicate, repeat
342
repose
relaxation, leisure
343
repress
to restrain or hold in
344
repression
act of restraining or holding in
345
reprehensible
blameworthy, disreputable
346
reprise
repetition, esp of a piece of music
347
reproach (v)
to find fault with; blame
348
reprobate
morally unprincipled person
349
reprove
to criticize or correct
350
repudiate
to reject as having no authority
351
repulse
repel, fend off; sicken, disgust
352
requiem
hymns or religious service for the dead
353
requite
to return or repay
354
rescind
to repeal, cancel
355
residue
remainder, leftover, remnant
356
resilient
able to recover quickly after illness or bad luck; able to bounce back to shape
357
resolute
determined; with a clear purpose
358
resolve (n)
determination, firmness of purpose
359
resolve (v)
to conclude, determine
360
resonate
to echo
361
respire
to breathe
362
respite
interval of relief
363
resplendent
splendid, brilliant
364
restitution
act of compensating for loss or damage
365
restive
impatient, uneasy, restless
366
restorative
having the power to renew or revitalize
367
restrained
controlled, repressed, restricted
368
resuscitate
to revive, bring back to life
369
retain
to hold, keep possession of
370
retard (v)
to slow, hold back
371
reticent
not speaking freely; reserved
372
retinue
group of attendants with an important person
373
retiring
shy, modest, reserved
374
retort
cutting response
375
retract
to draw in or take back
376
retrench
to regroup, reorganize
377
retrieve
to bring, fetch; reclaim
378
retroactive
applying to an earlier time
379
retrograde
having a backward motion or direction
380
retrospective
looking back to the past
381
revelry
boisterous festivity
382
revere
to worship, regard with awe
383
revert
to backslide, regress
384
revile
to criticize with harsh language, verbally abuse
385
revitalize
to renew; give new energy to
386
revoke
to annul, cancel, call back
387
revulsion
strong feeling of repugnance or dislike
388
rhapsody
emotional literary or musical work
389
rhetoric
persuasive use of language
390
rhythm
regular pattern or variation of sounds and stresses
391
ribald
humorous in a vulgar way
392
riddle (v)
to make many holes in; permeate
393
rife
widespread, prevalent; abundant
394
risque
bordering on being inappropriate or indecent
395
robust
strong and healthy; hardy
396
rococo
very highly ornamented
397
root (v)
to dig with a snout (like a pig)
398
rostrum
stage for public speaking
399
rotund
round in shape; fat
400
rue
to regret
401
ruminate
to contemplate, reflect upon
402
rustic
rural
403
saccharine
excessively sweet or sentimental
404
sacrosanct
extremely sacred; beyond criticism
405
sagacious
shrewd, wise
406
salient
prominent or conspicuous
407
sallow
sickly yellow in color
408
salubrious
healthful
409
salutation
greeting
410
sanction
permission, suport; law; penalty
411
sanctuary
haven, retreat
412
sanguine
ruddy; cheerfully optimistic
413
sardonic
cynical, scornfully mocking
414
satiate
to satisfy
415
saunter
to amble; walk in a leisurely manner
416
savant
learned person
417
savory
agreeable in taste or smell
418
scabbard
sheath for sword or dagger
419
scale (v)
to climb to the top of
420
scathing
harshly critical; painfully hot
421
scenario
plot outline; possible situation
422
scintilla
very small amount
423
scintillate
to sparkle, flash
424
scoff
to deride, ridicule
425
score (n)
notation for a musical composition
426
score (v)
to make a notch or scratch
427
scrivener
professional copyist
428
scrupulous
restrained; careful and precise
429
scrutiny
careful observation
430
scurrilous
vulgar, low, indecent
431
secant
straight line intersecting a curve at two points
432
secede
to withdraw formally from an organization
433
secluded
isolated and remote
434
sectarian
narrow minded; relating to a group or sect
435
secular
not specifically pertaining to religion
436
sedentary
inactive, stationary; sluggish
437
sedition
behavior promoting rebellion
438
seismology
science of earthquakes
439
seminal
relating to the beginning or seeds of something
440
senescent
aging, growing old
441
sensual
satisfying or gratifying the senses; suggesting sexuality
442
sententious
having a moralizing tone
443
sentient
aware, conscious, able to perceive
444
sequel
anything that follows
445
sequester
to remove or set apart; put into seclusion
446
seraphic
angelic, pure, sublime
447
serendipity
habit of making fortunate discoveries by chance
448
serenity
calm, peacefulness
449
serpentine
serpent-like; twisting, winding
450
serrated
saw-toothed, notched
451
servile
submissive, obedient
452
shard
piece of broken glass or pottery
453
sheepish
timid, meek or bashful
454
shirk
to avoid a task due to laziness or fear
455
signify
denote, indicate; symbolize
456
simian
ape-like; relating to apes
457
simper
to smirk, smile foolishly
458
sinecure
well-paying job or office that requires little or no work
459
singe
to burn slightly, scorch
460
sinuous
winding; intricate, complex
461
skeptical
doubtful, questioning
462
skulk
to move in a stealthy or cautious manner; sneak
463
slight
to treat as unimportant; insult
464
slipshod
careless, hasty
465
sloth
sluggishness, laziness
466
slough
to discard or shed
467
slovenly
untidy, messy
468
sluggard
lazy, inactive person
469
smelt (v)
to melt metal in order to refine it
470
snippet
tiny part, tidbit
471
sobriety
seriousness
472
sobriquet
nickname
473
sodden
thoroughly soaked; saturated
474
sojourn
visit, stay
475
solace
comfort in distress; consolation
476
solarium
room or glassed in area exposed to the sun
477
solecism
grammatical mistake
478
solicitous
concerned, attentive; eager
479
solidarity
unity based on common aims or interests
480
soliloquy
literary or dramatic speech by one character, not addressed to others
481
solipsism
belief that the self is the only reality
482
solstice
shortest and longest day of the year
483
soluble
capable of being solved or dissolved
484
somber
dark and gloomy; melancholy, dismal
485
somnambulist
sleepwalker
486
somnolent
drowsy, sleepy; inducing sleep
487
sonic
relating to sound
488
sonorous
producing a full, rich sound
489
sophist
person good at arguing deviously
490
sophistry
deceptive reasoning or argumentation
491
sophomoric
immature and overconfident
492
soporific
sleepy or tending to cause sleep
493
sordid
filthy; contemptible and corrupt
494
sovereign
having supreme power
495
spartan
austere, severe, grave; simple, bare
496
spawn
to generate, produce
497
speculation
contemplation; act of taking business risks for financial gain
498
speculative
involving assumption; uncertain; theoretical
499
spontaneous
on the spur of the moment, impulsive
500