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pabouche slipper
pabulous of, like or pertaining to
nourishment
pabulum food; provender;
nourishment
pacable able to be appeased;
willing to forgive
pace contrary to the opinion of;
in respectful disagreement with
pachycephalosaurus a bipedal herbivorous
dinosaur of the late Cretaceous, characterized by a thickened, dome-like
skull
pachydermatous thick; callous,
insensitive; thick-skinned
pachydermia elephantiasis
pachyglossal thick-tongued
pachymeter instrument for measuring
small thicknesses
pachynsis thickening
paciferous peace-bringing
pacificate to give peace to
pactolian like or having golden-hued
sands
paddereen a rosary bead
padella shallow dish of fat with a
wick used in illuminations
padrone innkeeper; employer
padronism system of obtaining labour
through employment agents
paduasoy corded silk
paean song of thanksgiving
paedarchy rulership by a child or
several children
paedobaptism doctrine of infant baptism
paedocracy government by children;
paedarchy
paedogenesis reproduction by an infant
or larval organism
paedology study of children
paedomorphism retention in the adult of
infantile or juvenile characters
paedonymic name taken from one's child
paedophage eater of children
paedophilia abnormal love or sexual
attraction for children
paedophobia the fear of children or of
dolls
paedotrophy the art of rearing children
paginal of, like or pertaining to
pages or pagination
pagophagia a folk remedy of eating a
bowl of ice daily to offset iron deficiency
pagophobia the fear of ice or frost
pahoehoe lava with a smooth glassy
surface (compare a'a)
paideutic educational method or
theory
paidonosology study of children's
diseases; pediatrics
paillette a spangle; an adornment
pais people from whom a jury is
drawn
paisley soft wool fabric with
ornamental pattern
paizogony necking; love-play
palabra a word; talk
palaceous spade-shaped
palaeoanthropology study of early humans
palaeobiology study of fossil plants and
animals
palaeoclimatology study of ancient climates
palaeogaea the Old World as a
biological region
palaeolimnology study of ancient fish or
ancient lakes
palaeopedology study of early soils
palaeophile antiquarian
palaeosophy ancient learning or thought
palaestra wrestling school; gymnasium
palaetiology application of principles
of causation to past events
palafitte prehistoric lake dwelling
palamate having webbed feet
palanquin light litter for one
passenger
palatine having royal authority over
a region
palative pleasing to the taste or to
the palate
palatography recording position of
tongue against hard palate during speech
palaver to talk profusely or idly
palaveration discussion
palaverous full of or given to
palaver; wordy, verbose
paleaceous chaffy; like or resembling
chaff
paleobotany study of ancient plants
paleography the study of ancient
writings
paleo-osteology study of ancient bones
paleozoology the study of prehistoric
animals
palestral pertaining to wrestling
paletot loose overcoat
palette small plate covering the
armpit joint in a suit of armour
palewise (of heraldic charges)
oriented vertically
palfrenier groom
palfrey a saddle horse, esp. a
light easy-gaited horse suitable for a woman
palification the act of strengthening
with stakes
paliform shaped like a stake
palilalia disorder characterized by
rapid repetition of words
palillogy repetition of a word or
word or phrase
palimbacchius metrical foot of two long
and one short syllable
palimpsest writing material (as a
parchment or tablet) used one or more times
palingenesis new birth; reincarnation;
second creation
palingman seller of fish or eels
palinode 1. an ode or song recanting
or retracting something in an earlier poem
palinode 2. a statement retraction
palinoia the compulsive repetition
of an act as a way to master its performance
palinspastic showing geological
formations of an area as they existed in the past
palisade fence of stakes used for
defensive purposes
pall covering cloth laid upon
Communion chalice
palladian of, like or pertaining to
wisdom or learning
pallasethesia sense of vibration
pallescent turning pale
palliament white robe or gown
palliasse straw mattress
palliate to ease without curing; to
extenuate; to make (an offence or crime) seem less serious
pallid pale; wan
pallium white woollen band
symbolising archbishop's authority
pallograph instrument measuring ship's
vibration
palmar of, like or pertaining to
the palm
palmarian pre-eminent
palmary principal; meritorious
palmate hand-shaped
palmiped web-footed
palooka a clumsy, inept, or
untalented boxer; a stupid, clumsy, or obnoxious person; oaf; lout
palpate to examine by touch
palpation an examination by touch,
esp. medical
palpebral of, like or pertaining to
the eyelid
palpebration winking
palter 1. to act insincerely or
deceitfully; equivocate; to trifle in talk
palter 2. to haggle, chaffer
palterer one who palters; a triffer;
a huckster, a haggler
paltripolitan term of scorn applied to
city-dwellers or urban life
paludal of, like or pertaining to
marshes; marshy; malarial
paludicolous growing in marshes;
marsh-dwelling
paludism marsh fever; malaria
paludose marshy; living in marshes
palynology study of pollen
palzogony love-play; foreplay
pam card game in which jack of
club has highest value
pampination to trim vines
pampiniform like a tendril
panaceist believer in panaceas
panache dash or flamboyance in
style; verve
panaesthesia totality of perception;
general awareness
panaesthetism theory that consciousness
may inhere generally in matter
panarchy universal rule or dominion
panary of, like or pertaining to
bread; bread store
panatella long; thin cigar
panchion coarse earthenware pan
panchreston panacea
pancosmism theory that the material
universe is all that exists
pancratic excelling all round in
athletics or accomplishments
pandation warping
pandect treatise covering the whole
of a subject
pandemian vulgar; sensual
pandemic universal; affecting
majority of people in a region
pandemonism worship of spirits dwelling
in all forms of nature
pandiculation stretching and yawning
before going to bed or after waking up
panduriform fiddle-shaped
panegoism solipsism
panegyric elaborate and poetic
compliment; eulogy; laudation
panegyricon collection of sermons for
Orthodox church festivals
panegyry grand assembly; religious
festival
paneity the state of being bread
panentheism belief that world is part
but not all of God's being
paneulogism universal or indiscriminate
praise
pangamy random or unrestricted
mating
pangeometry extension of geometry to
more than three dimensions
panglossian blindly or naively
optimistic
pangram sentence containing all the
letters of the alphabet
panhygrous moist in all parts
panification conversion into bread
panivorous bread-eating
panjandrum a powerful personage or
pretentious official; the mock title of a self-important person
panmixia cessation of the influence
of natural selection
panmnesia belief that all mental
impressions are stored in memory
pannage food picked up by swine in
woods; right to pasture swine
panne heavy lustrous silk or
rayon with waxy feel
pannicle thin sheet-like vestment
pannier provision-basket; basket
carried over one's back
pannikin small metal cup
pannose like felt
pannychis all-night vigil in
preparation for Orthodox church feast
panomphaean all-oracular
panophobia melancholia marked by
groundless fears
panoptic all-embracing; viewing all
aspects
panopticon prison where all inmates
can be watched from one point
panpharmacon universal remedy
panplain flat area consisting of
several joined floodplains
panpsychism theory that all nature has
a psychic side
panpygoptosis shortness of the legs
pansexualism theory that all thought
derived from sexual instinct
pansophy universal knowledge
panspermatism belief in origin of life
from extraterrestrial germs
panspermia the theory that
microorganisms or biochemical compounds from outer space are responsible
for originating life on Earth
pantagamy universal bachelorhood;
free love
pantagruelian marked by extravagant and
coarse satire
pantagruelism 1. a semi-serious
philosophy of laughter
pantagruelism 2. a cynical humor
pantaloon a man's close-fitting
garment for the hips and legs, worn especially in the 19th century
pantaphobia the fear of lack of fear
pantarbe a precious stone fabled to
act as a magnet to gold; the stone of the sun
pantarchy government by all the
people; world government
pantechnicon 1. enclosed wagon or
motortruck used for transportation of goods or animals
pantechnicon 2. receptacle holding many
miscellaneous objects
pantheism belief that the universe is
God; belief in many gods
panticulation the stretching of one’s
body that often accompanies yawning
pantisocracy government by all equally
pantler officer in a household in
charge of bread
pantochronometer combined sundial and
compass
pantoglot speaker of all languages
pantograph 1. apparatus connecting
streetcar to overhead wires
pantograph 2. instrument for copying
drawing to a different scale
pantography general description of an
object; an overview
pantology system of universal
knowledge
pantomancer one who sees omens in every
event
pantomnesia remembrance of everything
ever learned
pantomorphic taking on all shapes
pantophagous eating or requiring a
variety of foods
pantophagy omnivorousness
pantophobia the fear of everything
pantopragmatic meddling in everybody's
business
pantoscope panoramic camera
pantosophy universal knowledge;
pansophy
panurgic able or ready to do
anything; skilled at all kinds of jobs
panzoism belief that humans and
animals share vital life energy
papaphobia the fear of the pope or the
papacy
paparchy government by the pope
papaverous of, like or pertaining to
poppies
paperasserie excessive bureaucratic
procedure or paperwork; bureaucracy; red tape
papeterie packaged fancy stationery;
stationery-case
paphian pertaining to elicit love;
wanton
papilionaceous like or pertaining to
butterflies
papilla nipple-like projection
papilliferous bearing papillae
papilliform nipple-shaped
papillose having nipples or papillae
papillote 1. a greased paper wrapper
in which food (as meat or fish) is cooked
papillote 2. a small triangular piece
of paper used as a curl-paper for damp hair
pappus downy beginnings of a beard
papren stone passing through a
wall from face to face
papulation the development of papillae
or pimples
papule pimple
papuliferous pimply; bearing or
pertaining to pimples
papyraceous like paper; papery
papyrocracy government by newspapers or
literature
papyrology study of paper
papyrophobia the fear of paper
papyrotamia manufacture of paper
flowers
parabasis speech where the chorus
advances and addresses audience
parabiosis physical union of two
embryos or organisms
parablepsis false vision; oversight
parabolanus layman or monk who treats
contagious diseases
parabolaster a parabola of a higher
degree
paraboliform shaped like a parabola
parabolist teller of parables
paracentral situated near the centre
parachronism an error in chronology;
esp. the placing of an event later than its actual date
parachronistic misdated, esp. dated too
late
paraclete advocate or intercessor;
the Holy Spirit acting in such a role
paracme decline; period following
the zenith or acme
paracoita female sexual partner
paracoitus male sexual partner
paracrostic poem whose initial letters
reproduce its first verse
paracusis disordered hearing
paradiastole a figure of speech in which
a favorable turn is given to something unfavorable by the use of
euphemism or partial truth
paradisiacal suggestive of a place or
state of perfect bliss
parados earthworks defending
against a rear attack
paradoxology holding or maintaining
paradoxes
paradromic adjacent; side by side
paraenesis exhortation
paraesthesia tingling sensation on the
skin
paraffle an ostentatious display
parage high birth or rank;
equality of birth or status
paragenesis formation of minerals as a
joined mass
paragnosia misunderstanding
paragnosis skill in matters immune to
scientific investigation
paragoge addition of a sound to end
of word
paragram play on words in which
letters are changed
paragraphia writing of different
letters and words than intended
parakinesis production of movement of
objects by a spiritualist
paralalia abnormality of speech
sounds
paraleipsis implying something more
serious by deliberately concise treatment
paralian a person who lives near the
sea
paralipomenon thing left out; added in
supplement
paralipophobia the fear of responsibility
paralipsis fixing attention on subject
by pretending to neglect it
parallax seeming change of object
position due to observer moving
parallelepiped solid figure with each face
a parallelogram
parallelism belief that matter and mind
don't interact but relate
paralogise to reason falsely
paralogism a piece of false or
erroneous reasoning; an illogical argument; a fallacy
paramatta worsted and cotton blend
paramedian near the middle line
parament rich decoration, hanging or
robe
paramnesia remembering events that
never happened; abnormality of memory; inability to remember meaning of
word
paranatellon a star that rises at the
same time as another star
paranym euphemism; word whose
meaning altered to conceal evasion
paranymph best man; bridesmaid
paraph a flourish at the end of a
signature
paraphasia disorder in which one word
substituted for another
paraphilia any abnormal sexual
attraction
paraphonia alteration of the voice; as
at puberty
paraphrast one who paraphrases
paraphraxis inability to perform
purposive movements properly
parapraxis A lapse of memory or a slip
of the tongue, usually revealing a hidden thought; blunder; error;
mistake; a Freudian slip
parapsychology study of unexplained mental
phenomena
pararthria incoherence
paraselene mock moon; bright patch on
a lunar halo
parasigmatism inability to pronounce the
sound 's'
parasitaster a mean or sorry parasite
parasiticide killing of parasites
parasitophobia the fear of parasites
paraskevidekatriaphobia the fear of Friday the 13th
parastatal indirectly controlled by
the state
parastatic of, like or pertaining to
protective mimicry of animals
parasuicide harmful act appearing to be
an attempt at suicide
parasynesis corruption of forms of
words
parasynthesis derivation of words using
hyphenated compounds
parataxis organization of clauses
without connectives
parateresiomania the obsession with being a
voyeur
parathesis apposition; compounding of
words without change
paratonic arresting growth
paravail inferior; lowest; of least
account
paravane device used to cut
underwater cables
paravant in front; first; beforehand
paravent wind screen
parbreak to vomit
parbuckle sling made by wrapping both
ends of rope around object
parcel partly
parcenary co-heirship
parciloquy laconic speech
parclose railing in church enclosing
altar, chapel or tomb
pardie mild oath; certainly or
truly
pardine of, like or pertaining to
leopards
pardoner one who raises money for
religious works by selling indulgences
paregmenon repetition of a word or its
cognates in a series of words
paregoric soothing; lessening pain
pareidolia a type of illusion or
misperception involving a vague stimulus which is perceived as clearly
being something
parembole insertion of something
related to the subject into a phrase
parenesis advice
parentalia feasts or rites in memory
of deceased parents
parentelic related by blood
parenticide killing or killer of one's
parents
parergon work undertaken in addition
to one's employment
pareschatology doctrine dealing with
matters after death but before the end of the world
paresis omission of an element from
a word
pareunia coitus
parfay by my faith; verily
parfilage the unravelling of gold or
silver thread from laces, epaulets, tassels, etc.; fashionable as a
pastime among ladies, esp. in France
parfleche dried buffalo skin
parget to plaster over; to cover
with ornamental plasterwork
parhelion halo-like light seen in sky
opposite the sun
paribuntal fine straw used to make
hats
parietal of a wall or walls,
especially anatomical walls
parietals school rules regarding
inter-gender contact
parine of, like or pertaining to
titmouses
pari passu a banking term, meaning at
an equal rate or pace
parisologist a person who uses ambiguous
language or evasive writing
parisology the deliberate use of
equivocal or ambiguous words
parison lump of glass before it is
moulded into its final shape
paristhimion tonsil
parisyllabic having the same number of
syllables in all forms
parity condition or fact of having
born children
parlous full of danger or risk
Parnassian poetic
parnel mistress or concubine of a
priest; harlot
parochial local; confined to one
region
parodinia difficult childbirth
paroemia a proverb, adage or saying
paroemiographer writer of proverbs
paroemiology study of proverbs
paroeomiographer a writer or collector of
proverbs
paromoeon alliteration
paromology concession of opponent's
point to strengthen one's own point
paronomania a clinical obsession with
word games
paronomasia a play on words, pun;
hence, paronomastic
paronomastic relating to paronomasia,
punning
paronym word from same root or
having same sound as another
parorexia the craving to eat strange
foods
parosmia a disorder which causes one
to smell things that are not real
parotic near or adjacent to the ear
parous bearing or having borne
offspring
Parousia the second coming (of
Christ)
parousiamania obsession with the second
coming of Christ
paroxysm fit of passion; laughter;
coughing; sudden violent action
paroxytone having an acute accent on
the next to last syllable
parquet floor-covering of fitted
wooden blocks
parr young salmon
parrel band by which a yard is
fastened to a mast
parrhesia boldness or freedom of
speech; candid speech
parrhesiastic able to speak freely
parricide killing of parent or close
relative
parse to describe a word fully in
terms of classification
parsonarchy government by parsons or
priests
parterre pit of a theatre
partheniad a poem which honors a
virgin
parthenian of, like or pertaining to
virgins
parthenogenesis reproduction by a virgin or
by means of an unfertilized egg
parthenolagnia the desire to make love to
virgins
parthenolatry worship of virgins or the
Virgin Mary
parthenology study of virgins
parthenophobia the fear of virgins
parthophobia the fear of virgins
parti pris a preconceived opinion;
prejudice
partialist 1. one that is partial to
one side; specif. a partisan
partialist 2. a believer in or
advocate of theological particularism, or exclusiveness
partible that may be divided up or
parted
partim in part
partitive indicating a part of a
larger whole
partocracy government by a single
unopposed political party
partouse an orgy
parton a hypothetical particle
that is held to be a constituent of nucleons
parturition the act of giving birth
parure a set of ornaments or
jewels
parvanimity the state or quality of
having a small or ignoble mind; pettiness; meanness
parvenu one that has suddenly risen
to an unaccustomed position of wealth or power and has not yet gained
the manner associated with it; a pretentious snob of the nouveau riche
parvenue a woman who is a parvenu
parvipotent having little power
parvis enclosed space at the front
of a church
parviscient knowing little, uninformed
pascual growing on land used for
grazing; of, like or pertaining to pastures
paseo leisurely stroll; march of
bullfighters into arena
pashmina fine goat's wool fabric
used for making shawls
pasigraphy a system of universal
ideographic writing
pasilaly any universal language
paso-doble quick Spanish one-step
dance
pasquilant lampooner
pasquin to lampoon
pasquinade a lampoon posted in a
public place; satire
pasquinade to lampoon; a lampoon
passacaglia slow solemn Italian or
Spanish dance
passade motion of horse to and fro
over ground in dressage
passalorynchite a member of an old
Christian sect in which members had to take a vow of silence
passant heraldic animal depicted
walking
passéist having an excessive regard
for the traditions and values of the past; backward-looking; a writer
who os a passéist
passement decorative trimming of
beads or braid
passepied Breton dance resembling a
quick minuet
passerine of, like or pertaining to
sparrows
passible susceptible to or capable
of suffering or of feeling
passim everywhere; dispersedly
passimeter instrument for issuing
automatic tickets
passiuncle a petty or contemptible
passion
passivate to coat metal with oxides
to protect from corrosion
passulate to dry grapes
passulation the act of drying up and
turning into a raisin
passus section of a poem or story
pastance pastime
pastern rope, strap or chain used
to tie horse by its leg
pastiche medley, composed from
different sources; imitative work
pastille small cone of charcoal
burned as incense
pastinaceous of the nature of or akin to
the parsnip
pastose painted thickly
pastourelle medieval poem between
knight and shepherdess
patagium wing-membrane of flying
mammal
pataphysics the science of imaginary
solutions or of nonsensical philosophy
patation act of drinking
patavinity the use of local slang or
expressions when writing
pate top of the head, usually a
bald head
patefaction disclosure; opening;
manifestation
patelliform shaped like a saucer or
kneecap
paten plate; metal disk used to
hold Communion bread
pateriform saucer-shaped
pathenophillia the love of virgins
pathenophobia the fear of virgins
pathic passive; a passive subject
pathogenesis causation or production of
disease
pathognomic indicative of a specific
disease
pathomania moral insanity
pathophobia the fear of disease
pathopoeia excitation of passion by
rhetoric or poetry
patible capable of suffering or
being acted on; passible
patible capable of suffering or
undergoing something; sufferable; tolerable; endurable
patibulary of, like or pertaining to
the gallows
patibulate to execute by hanging
patina film or surface that forms
on surface of metal or wood
patination formation of a film on
copper from exposure
patootie suggested by sweetheart and
sweet potato
patrial of, like or pertaining to
one's native land
patrimony inheritance from father or
ancestors
patriolatry excessive devotion or
worship of one's native country
patrioteer an insincere, misguided, or
false patriot; flag-waver
patroclinous having inherited paternal
characteristics
patroiophobia the fear of hereditary
diseases
patrology study of early Christianity
patronym name derived from father's
name
patroon captain of a ship; coxswain
of a longboat
patruity degree of relationship of
paternal uncle
patte narrow band keeping a belt
or sash in its place
patten wooden shoe; clog; base of
a pillar
patulous expanded; gaping; a wound
with patulous margins
patulous spreading out eg. an old
tree with patulous branches
patzer an inept chess player
pauciloquence uttering few words,
speaking briefly
pauciloquent using as few words as
possible when speaking
pauciloquy brevity in speech hence,
pauciloquent
pauldron shoulder-plate of suit of
armour
paulopast just finished or past; just
after
pavage charge for paving streets
pavane stately English Renaissance
court dance
pavé setting of jewellery with
stones close together
pavid afraid; timid
pavior one who lays down paving
stones
pavis shield for the entire body
pavisand to display a formidable
array of clothing and ornament; to flaunt one's appearance
pavonated peacock-blue
pavonian of, like or pertaining to
peacocks
pavonine of, like or pertaining to
peacocks
pawky artfully shrewd; canny
pax tablet decorated with
sacred figure and kissed by participants in mass
paxillose resembling a small stake
paxophobia the fear of peace
pax romana an uneasy peace, especially
when imposed by a powerful group or country on a weaker one
paynimry heathendom
paysage landscape
paysagist painter of landscapes
peach to inform against; betray;
to turn informer; blab
pear-shaped to go badly wrong, to go
awry
peatary region, bog or moor covered
with peat
peavey lumberman's spiked and
hooked lever
peccable liable or prone to sin
peccable liable to sin
peccadillo a slight offense or sin
peccaminous sinful
peccancy sinfulness; transgression
peccary Javelina, small wild pig
found in SW USA and Central America
peccatiphobia the fear of sin or of
sinning
peccavi admission of sin or guilt
peccavi an acknowledgment of sin
peck unit of dry measure equal
to 8 quarts
peckerwood a southern US term for poor
anglo-saxon protestants
pecksniffian selfish and corrupt behind
a display of seeming benevolence; sanctimonious
pecorous full of cows
pectinal of a comb; comb-like
pectination comb-like structure
pectineal of the pubic bone
pectiniform shaped like a comb
pectize to congeal; to cause to set
pectoriloquy sound of patient's voice as
heard through stethoscope
pecudiculture rearing of cattle
peculate embezzle
peculation embezzlement
peculium private property;
especially when given by father to son
pecuniary of, like or pertaining to
money; consisting of money
pecunious having a lot of money
ped naturally formed mass or
aggregate of soil
pedagogics study of teaching
pedagoguery schoolmastering; teaching
pedalian of, like or pertaining to
the foot or to metrical feet
pedaneous going on foot; pedestrian;
of lowly or petty standing
pedantocracy government by pedants or
strict rule-bound scholars
pedantrocracy rulership by pedants or
pedagogs
pedary of, like or pertaining to
walking or feet
pedate footed; having feet; like a
foot
pederasty anal intercourse between a
man and a boy
pedetentous proceeding slowly
pediatricophobia the fear of having to take
care of children
pedicel stalk of an animal organ
pedicle bony protrusion of the
skull from which an antler grows
pedicular of, like or pertaining to
lice
pediculophobia the fear of lice
pediculous lousy, infested with lice
pediform shaped like a foot
pedigerous having or bearing feet
pediluvium foot bath
pedinomite one who lives on a plain
pedimanous having feet shaped like
hands
pediment triangular structure
crowning front of a Greek building
pediophobia the fear of children or
dolls
pedipulate to work or knead with the
feet
pedological of, like or pertaining to
soils
pedology study of soils
pedomancy fortunetelling by examining
the soles of the feet
pedometer instrument for measuring
distance travelled on foot
pedotrophy the art of raising children
properly
peduncle stem or stalk of a flower
peenging whining, complaining,
moping; peevish
peevologist one who practices peevology
peevology the collecting and public
airing of language peeves; the study of such peevish behavior
pegamoid artificial leather
pegomancy fortunetelling using the
bubbles in a fountain
peignoir woman's dressing-gown
peirameter instrument measuring
resistance of road surfaces to wheel movement
peirastic experimental; tentative
peirastically pertaining to attempt or
experiment, tentatively
peise weight; burden; load
pejorate to make worse; depreciate
pejorism severe pessimism
pejorist one who thinks the world is
getting worse
pekin fine soft silk
peladophobia the fear of people who are
bald
pelage animal's coat of hair or
wool
pelagic oceanic; inhabiting or
carried out in the deep sea
pelargic of, like or pertaining to
storks
pelasgic nomadic
pelatast ancient Greek
shield-bearing soldier
pelecoid shaped like a hatchet; a
hatchet-shaped geometrical figure
pelerine woman's fur cape
pelf money, riches, wealth
pelisse fur-lined or fur garment
pelitic composed of fine sediment
pellate to divide; to separate
pellicle thin skin or film
pellicule thin diaphanous fabric
pellucid admitting maximum passage
of light; reflecting light evenly; completely clear; transparent
pelma sole of the foot
pelmatogram footprint
pelmet fringe or valance for
hiding a curtain rod
peloid mud or other semi-solid
medium used in baths
pelology the study of therapeutic
uses of mud
pelotherapy treatment by mud baths
peltastiform shield-shaped
peltiferous bearing a shield
peltry skins of animals with the
fur on them
pelurious furry; hairy
pelviform basin-shaped
pelvimeter instrument for measuring
the pelvis
pembroke small four-legged table
with hinged flaps
pemphigus skin condition
characterized by watery boils on the body
penacute having an acute accent on
the penultimate syllable; paroxytone
penanggalan female vampire of Malay
mythology
penannular in the form of an almost
complete ring
penates household gods of a Roman
family
pencilliform paintbrush-shaped
pencil-necked having a pencil-neck; thin,
underdeveloped; weak, effete, or excessively studious
pendeloque drop pendant
pendent hanging; drooping; dangling
pendicle pendant, dependency or
appendage
pendular of, like or pertaining to a
pendulum
pendulate to swing as a pendulum;
fluctuate, undulate
penduline building a pendulous nest
pendulograph curve representing
combination of musical sounds
penecontemporaneous of geological processes
occurring immediately after deposition
penectomy surgical removal of the
penis
penelopize 1. to create work as an
excuse to deter suitors
penelopize 2. to undo what you have
earlier done, in so delaying a decision due upon completion
peneplain land worn down by
denudation to almost be a plain
penetralia the innermost or most
private parts, esp. of a temple or palace; hidden things or secrets
penetrometer instrument for measuring
firmness or consistency of substances
penial of, like or pertaining to
the penis
peniaphobia the fear of poverty
pennaceous featherlike
pennate winged; feathered
penniferous bearing feathers
penniform feather-shaped
penury a state of extreme poverty;
to be very poor
penny-farthing an old bicycle with a huge
front wheel
pennyweight unit of troy weight equal
to 24 grains
pennyworth a penny's worth; that which
can be bought for a penny; a bargain; a small amount; a modicum
penology study of crime and
punishment
penotherapy controlling prostitutes in
order to eliminate the spread of disease
penphobia the fear of writing or of
the written word
pensile hanging; suspended;
overhanging
pensum task; school imposition
pentad set of five things
pentagamist person who has or has had
five spouses
pentalogy state of being in five
parts
pentamerous having five parts or
members
pentapolis alliance of five cities
pentapopemptic one who has been divorced
five times
pentarchy government by five
individuals
pentateuch the first five books of the
Old Testament
pentheraphobia the fear or hatred of one's
mother-in-law
pentimento revealing of part of a
painting beneath a newer one
penultimate next to the last
penury destitution; poverty
peotillomania abnormal compulsion for
pulling on the penis
peotomy amputation of the penis
peotomy surgical removal of the
penis
per through; according to; by
means or agency of
peracute very sharp or violent; very
acute
peradventure perhaps; possibly; by
adventure; by chance
peragrate to travel over or through
percale closely woven lightweight
cloth
percaline glossy lightweight cotton
percheron dappled cart horse
percipient perceiving; observant;
perceptive
percoct well-cooked; overdone
percontation a questioning or inquiry,
esp. one which requires more than a yes or no answer
percrebrate to sift; pass through a
sieve
percribrate to sift
perculsion a severe shock
percunctorily lazily
percurrent running through the whole
length
percussedness referring to a level of
noisy carrying on
percutaneous done or applied through the
skin
percutient striking or having the
power to strike; percussive
perdicine of, like or pertaining to
partridges
perdricide killer of partridges
perdu 1. remaining out of sight;
concealed
perdu 2. a soldier assigned to
extremely hazardous duty
perduellion treason
perdurable very durable; eternal
perdure to endure over a period of
time; to continue; to survive
peregal fully equal
peregrinate having the air of one who
has traveled or lived abroad; foreign
peregrination journey, especially on foot
or to a foreign country
peregrinity foreignness in style,
fashion, dialect, etc.; strangeness, outlandishness
perendinate to delay until the day
after tomorrow or to delay indefinitely
perennate to live perennially; to
survive from season to season
perequitate to ride through on
horseback
perestroik to build, to restructure
perfectibilism doctrine that humans
capable of becoming perfect
perfectionism doctrine that moral
perfection constitutes the highest value
perfervid marked by overwrought or
exaggerated emotion; excessively fervent
perficient effectual; actually
achieving a result
perfidious faithless, disloyal;
treacherous
perfricate to rub thoroughly
perfuncturate to perform some task in a
careless or listless manner
perfuse to pour or diffuse through
or over
pergameneous like or resembling
parchment
pergola arched framework for
climbing plants
perhendinancer a traveler, lodger
periaster point in orbit of a body in
which it is nearest to a specified star
periblebsis the wild look which
accompanies delirium
peribolos precinct; enclosing wall of
a precinct
pericentral surrounding a centre or
central body
periclinal sloping downwards in all
directions from a point
periclitate to endanger; to jeopardise
pericope an excerpt or passage read
during religious services
periculous dangerous
periegesis description in the manner
of a tour; journey through
periodontics study of gums
perioeci individuals living at same
latitude on opposite sides of earth
periotic around the ear
peripatetic walking about from place to
place, pedestrian, itinerant
peripeteia a sudden or unexpected
reversal of circumstances or situation, esp. in a literary work
peripetia sudden change of fortune
periphrasis using longer phrasing in
place of shorter form of expression; circumlocution
periphrastic pertaining to
circumlocution or to one who is wordy
periplus a voyage or trip around
something
peripteral having a row of columns on
every side
perirrhanterium an instrument used for
sprinkling holy water, esp. upon the newly baptised, or the font used
for such
periscian 1. having shadows revolving
all around, as happens during the course of a summer day in the polar
regions
periscian 2. person living inside the
polar circle
perispomenon having a circumflex accent
on the final syllable
perissology verbiage; pleonasm;
superfluity of words
perissopedics the special branch of
pediatric dealing with gifted children
perissosyllabic having an additional
syllable
perissotomist knife-happy surgeon
peristalith ancient stone circle
peristalsis successive waves of
involuntary contraction passing along the walls of a hollow muscular
structure (as the esophagus or intestine)
peristeronic of, like or pertaining to
pigeons
peristerophilist one who collects pigeons
peristerophily the art of collecting or
training pidgeons
peristerophobia the fear of pigeons
peristrephic moving round; revolving;
rotatory
peristyle range of columns around a
building or courtyard
peritectic in the state between solid
and liquid; melting
periwinkle a bluish or azure colour; a
plant with bluish flowers
perlaceous pearly
perlative indicating movement through
or across
perliginous producing pearls
perlocution effect produced when a
particular word is uttered
perlustrate to travel through and view
all over; to survey thoroughly
perlustration 1. the act of inspecting,
surveying, or viewing a place thoroughly; a comprehensive survey
perlustration 2. the act of examining
documents for purposes of surveillance; specif. the inspection of posted
letters, etc.
permamene very pleasant
permanganate a salt of a dark purple
color
permeameter instrument for measuring
permeability
pernicious destructive; ruinous; fatal
pernickety characterized by excessive
precision and attention to trivial details; fussy, meticulous,
persnickety
pernoctate to pass the night in vigil
or prayer
pernoctation staying up all night doing
work or attending a party; an all-night vigil
pernoctator a person who studies
through the night
pernor one who takes or receives
peroral through the mouth
perorate to speak grandiosely or
grandiloquently
peroration concluding part of a
discourse; a highly rhetorical speech
perpend to weigh in the mind; to
consider carefully
perpension careful weighing in the
mind
perpession endurance of suffering
perpilocutionist someone who talks through
his hat
perpotation excessive drinking
perquisquilian thoroughly worthless
perron raised platform or terrace
at an entrance door
perruquier wigmaker
perscrutation a thorough examination;
careful investigation
perse dark blue or bluish-grey;
cloth of such a colour
perseity independent existence
perseverate to repeat an action
continually or habitually
perseverating repeating something
insistently or redundantly
perseveration continuation of something
(as repetition of a word) usually to an exceptional degree or beyond a
desired point
persiennes outside shutters with
movable slats
persiflage banter; flippancy; idle
chatter
persiflate to indulge in persiflage,
to talk banteringly
persifleur a person who indulges in
persiflage; one given to frivolous banter especially about matters
usually given serious consideration
Persil a brand of laundry
detergent in UK; of no interest in intelligence matters; clean
personalia personal details,
possessions or stories
personalism doctrine that humans
possess spiritual freedom
personalty personal belongings and
property
perspicacious clear-minded; astute;
perceptive; of acute mental vision or discernment
perspicuous simple and elegant as well
as clear; easily understood; clearly expressed
perstringe to constrain; to touch on;
to censure
pertinacious perversely persistent;
stubbornly unyielding
pertinacity quality of holding
unyieldingly to a position
pertuse punched; pierced; slit
pertussis whooping cough
peruke a frilly wig
perulate scaly; having scaled skin
pervicacious very obstinate or stubborn
pervigilation a careful watching; a night
vigil
pervigilium night vigil
pervious permeable; accessible;
open-minded
pervulgate to publish something
pesematology the science of falling;
e.g., feline pesematology is the science of falling cats
pessary suppository inserted into
the vagina
pessimal worst, or least ideal;
maximally bad
Pessimisterian pessimism as a state of
mind
pessimize to take a negative view of;
make the worst of; also, to act or speak in a pessimistic manner
pessimum point at which any
condition is least favourable
pessomancy fortunetelling using
pebbles, stones or rocks
pestiferous bringing plague or
pestilence
pestology science of pests
petaflop a unit of computing power
equal to one quadrillion operations per second
petaliferous bearing petals
petard a case containing an
explosive to break down a door or gate or breach a wall; a loud firework
petarding the action of setting off
petards
petary peat-bog
petaurist flying phalanger
petcock valve for draining
condensed steam from engine cylinders
petrary contrivance for hurling
stones
petrean of, like or pertaining to
or made of rock
petrichor pleasant smell accompanying
the first rain after a dry spell
petricolous living in or near rocks
petrissage massage by longitudinal
rubbing and lateral squeezing
petrogenesis formation or development of
rocks
petroleous containing or rich in
petroleum
petroliferous bearing petroleum
petrology study of rocks
petrophilous living on or thriving in
rocky areas
petrous stony
pettifog to act like a pettifogger
pettifogger a lawyer given to
underhanded tactics
pettifogulize to quibble; to use
contemptible tricks, hence, pettifogulizer
pettitoes pigs' feet as food
petulcous butting like a ram
pewfellow one who occupies the same
pew as another
pexity roughness of the nap of
cloth
phacochoerine of, like or pertaining to
warthogs
phacoid lens-shaped
phacometer instrument for measuring
lenses
phaeic dusky
phaeism duskiness
phaeton open four-wheeled carriage
phagomania insatiable hunger
phagophobia the fear of eating or
swallowing
phakic (of an eye) having a
crystalline lens
phalacrophobia the fear of going bald
phalacrosis baldness
phalanger small Australian arboreal
marsupials having a long tail and dense woolly fur
phalanstery dwelling of a communal
group or phalanx of individuals
phallephoric carrying the penis
phallic of, pertaining to or
resembling a penis
phallocracy government by men
phallocrat one who assumes the
naturality of male dominance
phallocratic relating to masculine power
and dominance
phanerolagniast a psychologist who studies
human lust
phaneromania habit of biting one's nails
or picking at scabs or growths
phanerosis act or process of becoming
visible
phanic visible; obvious
phanopoeia visual imagery in poetry
phantomnation appearance as of a phantom;
illusion
phaometer old instrument for
measuring light intensity
Pharisaic 1. of or belonging to the
Pharisees
Pharisaic 2. laying great stress upon
the external observances of religion and outward show of morality;
self-righteous
pharisaic hypocritical
pharmacognosy study of drugs of animal
and plant origin
pharmacology study of drugs
pharmacomania abnormal obsession with
trying drugs
pharmacometer instrument for measuring
drugs
pharmacophobia the fear of medicine or
drugs
pharmacopolist drug-seller; pharmacist;
apothecary
pharology study of lighthouses or
similar signalling devices
pharos any lighthouse or beacon to
direct mariners
pharyngology study of the throat
pharyngoscope instrument for inspecting
the pharynx or upper throat
phasmophobia the fear of ghosts
phassachate lead-coloured agate
phatic relating to discourse that
is social rather than informative
phellem cork
phelloid cork-like
phelloplastic a model in cork
phememe smallest possible
linguistic unit
phemic of, like or pertaining to
speech
phenakism deception or trickery;
cheating
phenakistoscope early cinematograph in
which figures are viewed through a slit
phenetic of, like or pertaining to
classification by phenotype
phengite bright and beautiful kind
of alabaster
phengophobia the fear of daylight, the
Sun or sunlight
phenogenesis origin of racial groups
phenology study of organisms as
affected by climate
phenomenalism belief that phenomena are
the only realities
phenomenology study of phenomena
pheon the barbed head of a dart
or arrow in heraldry
pheretrer keeper of a shrine
phialiform saucer-shaped
phialine resembling a phial
phigerophobia the fear of choking
philalethist a lover of the truth
philandrist one who loves men
philatelist a stamp collector
philately study of postage stamps
philemaphobia the fear of kissing
philematology the act or study of kissing
philematophobe one who dislikes kissing
philhippic loving or admiring horses
philiater a medical student
philippic speech or writing full of
bitter condemnation
philistine materialistic in outlook;
uncultured
phillumenist a collector of matchbooks
or matchboxes
phillumeny collecting of matchbox
labels
philocalist a lover of beauty
philocaly love of beauty
philocomal love of hair or attention
to the hair
philodemic fond of commoners or the
lower classes
philodespot one who loves tyranny
philodox one who loves his own
opinions; dogmatic person
philogeant one who loves everything on
the Earth
philographer a collector of autographs
philography the collecting of
autographs
philogynist a lover or friend of women;
one who esteems women as the higher type of humanity
philogyny love of women
philologaster an incompetent philologist;
a dabbler in philology
philologist one who loves literature
and languages
philology study of ancient texts;
historical linguistics
philomath one who loves mathematics
and the sciences
philomelian of, like or pertaining to
nightingales
philomythist a person who loves
mythology
philoneist one who is obsessed with
trends or fads
philonoist one who seeks knowledge
philophobia the fear of love or of
falling in love
philopolemical disputatious, as of a
person who loves to argue or debate
philopolemicist a person who loves to argue
or debate
philopornist lover of prostitutes
philoprogeneity the love of your children
philoprogenitive pertaining to instinctive
love for offspring; to produce offspring; prolific
philosophaster a person who pretends to
know more than they do to impress others
philosophobia the fear of philosophy or
philosophers
philosophocracy government by philosophers
philosophunculist one who pretends to know
more than they do to impress others
philotechnical devoted to the arts
philotherian an animal lover
philotherianism love of animals
philotimia the love of honour
philoxenia hospitality
philoxenist a person who loves to
entertain strangers
philter love potion; magic potion
philtrum the vertical groove in the
middle of the upper lip
phimosis inability to retract the
prepuce of the penis
phishing the practice of using
fraudulent e-mails and copies of legitimate websites to extract
financial data from computer users for purposes of identity theft
phiz face
phlebography description or examination
of a vein
phlebotomy blood-letting
phlegmatic of a calm; unexcitable
disposition
phlogiston nonexistent principle of
flammability inherent in matter
phlogogenetic causing inflammation
phlyarologist a person who talks
gibberish or nonsense
phobologophobia the fear of words about
fears
phobophobia the fear of being afraid
phocine of, like or pertaining to
seals
phocomelia having limbs like a seal's
flippers
phoeniceous bright scarlet-red colour
phoenicopter flamingo
phoenixity the quality of being unique
pholidosis arrangement of scales, as
in fish and reptiles
phon unit of loudness of sound
as heard by listeners
phonascus person who maintains rhythm
in church choir
phonasthenia weakness of voice
phonation production of vocal sound
phonautograph instrument for recording
sound vibrations
phonendoscope device which amplifies
small sounds
phonesis production of speech sounds
phoniatrics study and correction of
speech defects
phonomania pathological tendency to
murder
phonometer instrument for measuring
sound levels
phonophobia the fear of noise or of
speaking aloud
phonophorous transmitting sound waves
phonus-bolonus nonsense, exaggeration;
insincerity; fraud, trickery
phorometer instrument used to correct
abnormalities in eye muscles
phosphene light seen when the eyeball
is pressed
phossy caused by phosphorus
photaesthesia sense of vision
photic light-giving; sensitive to
light; penetrated by light
photism illusory vision of light
photoaugiaphobia the fear of glaring lights
or being in the spotlight
photobiology study of effects of light
on organisms
photodromy motion towards light
photoglyph photographic engraving
photogyric turning towards light
photokinesis motion or activity induced
by light
photolysis disintegration resulting
from exposure to radiation
photomania pathological desire for
light
photometer instrument for measuring
light intensity
photon unit of brightness of light
as received at the retina
photophile organism loving or thriving
in light
photophilous preferring or thriving in
lighted conditions
photophobia irrational fear or dislike
of light
photophygous avoiding or disliking light
photopia vision in bright light
photopolarimeter instrument for measuring
intensity and polarization of reflected light
photopsia appearance of light flashes
due to retinal irritation
photosphere region of space lit by the
sun
phototachometer instrument for measuring
the speed of light
phototaxis growth or movement
determined by light; growth of plants towards light
phototelegraph instrument for transmitting
drawings telegraphically
phototonus sensitivity to light
phraseology study of phrases
phratry clan or tribe
phreaking the use of a telephone
network without payment; now, generally, to use an electronic device to
invade some type of network or system
phreatic of, like or pertaining to
underground water supplying or wells
phrenesis delirium; frenzy
phrenic of or near the midriff
phrenology the study of how the shape
of one's skull determines characteristic traits
phronemophobia the fear of thinking
phrontifugic helping to escape from
one's thoughts or cares; relieving anxiety
phrontistery a thinking-place; place for
study and contemplation
phthartic deadly; destructive
phthiriophobia the fear of lice
phthirophagous lice-eating
phthisiophobia the fear of tuberculosis
phthongal of, pertaining to, or
consisting of a sound; vocalized
phthongometer instrument measuring
intensity of vowel sounds
phugoid of, like or pertaining to
the longitudinal stability of aircraft
phycology study of algae and seaweeds
phygogalactic halting milk production
phylactery one of two small black
leather boxes which contain biblical verses of Jewish law
phylactic defending against disease
phylarchy government by a specific
class or tribe
phyle division of the people of a
state into local clans
phylliform shaped like a leaf
phylline leaf-like
phyllomancy fortunetelling using leaves
or tea leaves
phyllomania excessive or abnormal
production of leaves
phyllophagous leaf-eating
phyllophorous leafy; bearing or having
leaves
phylogenesis origin and history of a
species' evolution
phylogeny evolution of the group;
history or course of the development of something
physagogue substance causing
flatulence
physicalism belief that all phenomena
reducible to verifiable assertions
physiocracy government according to
natural laws or principles
physiognomancy fortunetelling by studying
the face
physiognomy general appearance of
anything, especially the face
physiolatry nature-worship
physiologus work containing
descriptions of animals; a bestiary
physiophilosophy system of knowledge
concerning principles of natural history
physiosophy assumption of knowledge of
nature
physitheism attribution of physical
form and attributes to deities
physitism the worship of nature
physiurgic due to natural causes
phytivorous pertaining to the eating of
vegetables; feeding on plants
phytogenesis origin and development of
plants
phytogenic derived from plants
phytoid plant-like
phytology study of plants; botany
phytomania obsession with collecting
plants
phytophilous fond of plants
phytosophy knowledge of plants
piacular sacrificial, expiatory;
requiring expiation; sinful, heinous
pibcorn old Welsh instrument like a
hornpipe
piblokto a winter-related hysteria
and depression among the Inuit
pibroch piece of music for bagpipe
pica the craving for an inedible
substance (such as chalk or paint chips)
picamar bitter oily liquid obtained
from tar
picaresque of, like or pertaining or
pertaining to rogues or roguish behaviour
picaroon a rogue or adventurer; a
bohemian; a pirate, corsair; a small pirate ship
picayune 1. a silver 5-cent coin
struck by the U.S. mint from 1792-1873; half dime
picayune 2. something trivial; eg.
not worth a picayune
piceous like pitch; inflammable;
reddish black
piciform of the form or shape of a
woodpecker
picine of, like or pertaining to
woodpeckers
pickelhaube the spiked helmet worn by
german or prussian soldiers before World War I
pickery petty theft under Scottish
law
picksome particular; picky
pickthank one who strives to put
another under obligation; an officious person; hence, a flatterer
picktooth a toothpick
picot loop in an ornamental
edging; raised knot in embroidery
picul Chinese unit of weight
(133.33 pounds)
piebald of an animal, consisting of
two or more colours
pied variegated; of various
colours
pied-à-terre a secondary or temporary
place of lodging
piedroit square pillar attached to
wall, lacking both base and capital
pie-faced having a round, flat face
or a blank expression; stupid
piend a salient angle
piepowder a traveling man, a
wayfarer, esp. an itinerant merchant or trader
pierage fee paid for use of a pier
pieriansipist a dabbler in learning; one
who learns a little about many subjects, or 'sips' from the Pierian
spring (a source of knowledge and inspiration, from the Muses)
pieta representation of Virgin
Mary with dead Christ across her knees
pietism unquestioning or dogmatic
religious devotion
piezometer instrument for measuring
pressure or compressibility
piggin small pail or bowl made of
staves and hoops
pight to pitch
pigmentocracy government by those of one
skin colour
pignorate to give or take in pledge
or pawn
pigritious slothful; so, pigritude and
pigrity - slothfulness
pig's ear rhyming slang for beer (UK)
pigsconce a blockhead
pigsney 1. darling, sweetheart
pigsney 2. a small eye
pilaster square column partially
embedded in a wall
pilch fur or wool outergarment;
rug laid over saddle
pilcrow the symbol used by editors
to indicate a new paragraph
pile upside-down wedge at an
acute angle on a coat of arms
pileated cap-shaped; crested; capped
pileiform shaped like an umbrella
pileum top of a bird's head
pileus umbrella-shaped portion of
a mushroom
pilgarlic a bald head, bald-headed
man; a man looked upon with humorous contempt or mock pity
pilgarlick poor wretch; self-pitying
person
piliferous bearing or growing hair
piliform shaped like hair
pillion a seat for a second person
on a motorcycle or on a horse
pilliver a pillowcase
pilliwinks an instrument of torture
designed to crush fingers
pillory wooden frame with holes for
head and hands used as punishment
pilose having scattered soft or
moderately stiff hairs; covered with hair
pilosism excessive hairiness
pilpul 1. casuistic argumentation
especially among Jewish scholars on talmudic subjects
pilpul 2. rabbinical dialectic;
critical analysis and hairsplitting
pilpulistic characterized by subtle
reasoning
pilule little pill
piment spiced sweetened wine
pinacotheca a picture-gallery
pinafore loose protective garment
worn over a dress
pinchbeck cheap copper and zinc
alloy; spurious or trashy; something counterfeit or spurious
pinder one who impounds cattle
pineal shaped like a pine-cone
pinetum a scientific collection of
living coniferous trees
pingo cone-shaped mound with ice
core
pinguefy to become or make fat or
greasy; to make rich
pinguescence the process of growing fat;
obesity
pinguid abounding in fat; unctuous,
greasy, oily; (of soil) rich, fertile
pinguidity fatty, greasy, or oily
matter; fatness, obesity
pinion 1. small wheel with teeth
pinion 2. wing; last joint of a
wing; outermost flight feather
pinnace small vessel with oars and
sails
pinnate shaped like a feather
pinniped seals, walruses, and other
such sea mammals
pintle bolt or pin on which
something turns, such as a hinge
piobalreachd a dirge played on the
Highland bagpipes
piolet ice-axe
pipe unit of liquid capacity
equal to two hogsheads
pipistrelle small reddish-brown bat
pipkin small pot
piqué stiff durable corded fabric
of cotton, rayon or silk
pirogue a dugout canoe
piscary fishery
piscary the right of fishing; a
fishing pond
piscation fishing
piscatology study of fishes; the
science of fishing
piscatorial of, like or pertaining to
fishing or fishers
piscicapture capture of fishes, as by
angling; fishing
piscicapturist one who catches fish;
fisherman
piscifauna fish life of an area
pisciform shaped like a fish
piscina basin set in wall of church
to drain away ceremonial water
piscine of, like or pertaining to
fish
piscivorous fish-eating
pisiform resembling a pea in size or
shape
pismire an ant; something or
someone insignificant
pismirism the saving of every bit of
money, such as hoarding pennies
piste a beaten track or trail
made by an animal; more generally, any track or trail; a hard packed ski
trail or course
pisteology science or study of faith
pistic exhibiting faith
pistology branch of theology
concerned with faith
pitchometer instrument for measuring
angles of ship's propeller blades
piteous arousing or deserving pity
pityroid bran-like
pixilated slightly unbalanced
mentally, bemused
pizzle bull's penis used as
instrument of punishment by flogging
placage covering of walls with thin
marble slabs or with plaster
placebo a harmless substance given
as medicine, usually to humor a patient
placee investor who is sold shares
by private placement
placentiform cake-shaped
placentigerous bearing a placenta
placentophagy eating of the placenta
placet vote of assent in a
governing body
placitum decision of a court or an
assembly
placket opening in a skirt or shirt
for a pocket
placoid plate-like; having
plate-like scales
placophobia the fear of tombstones
plafond decorated ceiling
plagate marked with a streak or
streaks
plage fashionable beach
plagiary one who plagiarises
plagium the crime of kidnapping
(esp. of children); an instance of this
plagosity the inclination or tendency
to beat or flog people
plainstones flagstone side-pavement of
a street
planation making level
planchet blank metal disc to be
stamped as a coin
planchette board or similar tool used
in interpreting spirit messages
planetesimal of, like or pertaining to
asteroids or similar tiny celestial bodies
planetic erring; erratic
planetogeny theory of the origin of
planets
planetolatry worship of the planets
planetology study of planets
plangency resonance; noisiness
plangent a deep, reverberating sound
such as heavy bells ringing or thunder
plangonologist a collector of dolls
plangorous mournful
planigraph instrument for copying
drawings at a different scale
planiloquent talking plainly about some
subject
planimeter instrument for measuring
area of plane figures
planipennate having flat; broad wings
planish to polish; to flatten
planisphere sphere projected onto a
plane; map of the heavens
planity the quality of being plane
plankwise in the manner or direction
of a plank
planography cartography
planomania abnormal desire to wander
and disobey social norms
planster petty or poor planner
plantar of, like or pertaining to
the sole of the foot
plantigrade walking fully on the soles
of the feet
plantivorous plant-eating
plantocracy government by plantation
owners
plapper to make sounds with the
lips
plash dash of water
plashy full of pools or puddles;
marshy or boggy
plasmophagous consuming plasma
plastinated preserved by plastination
plastination an embalming and preserving
technique using synthetic materials such as epoxy or polyester polymers
plastography a counterfeiting or false
writing; forgery
plastron fencer's padded
breast-shield; steel breastplate worn under hauberk
plataleiform spoonbilled; of the shape
of a spoonbill
platband flat molding that exceeds
its projection; fillet between column's flutings
plateasm broad speech; talking with
the mouth open too wide
platilla fine white linen
platiniferous bearing platinum
platitude commonplace or trite remark
made as if it were important
platitudinarian one who utters platitudes
platitudinary characterized by or tending
to use platitudes
platometer instrument for measuring
area; planimeter
platten to flatten into a plate or
sheet
platurous flat-tailed
platyopic having a broad flat nose
platypodia flat-footedness
platypussary building or pen where
platypuses are kept
platypygous having broad buttocks
platysma broad sheet of muscle in
the neck
plauditory issuing enthusiastic
approval or applause
plaustral of, like or pertaining to a
wagon
playa basin which becomes a
shallow lake after heavy rainfall
pleach to intertwine the branches
of; interlace, plait
pleasance pleasure; enjoyment;
complaisance
plebania mother-church having
authority over several local churches
plebeian of the common people or
vulgar classes
plebification making something vulgar or
plebeian
plebiscitarism principle or practice of
using plebiscites
plectile woven or plaited
plectrum pick for stringed
instruments
pledget wad of cotton or lint used
to dress a wound
plegometer instrument for measuring
the strength of a blow
pleiomery condition of having more
than the normal number
pleiomorphy occurrence of several
distinct stages in the life cycle of an organism
pleionosis the exaggeration of one's
own importance
pleistodox holding the opinion of the
majority
plemyrameter instrument for measuring
variations in water level
plenary full; entire; complete;
absolute; unqualified
plenicorn having solid horns (as a
deer)
pleniloquence excessive talking; fullness
of speech
pleniloquent always talking or full of
speech
plenilunar of, like or pertaining to
the full moon
plenilune the time of the full moon
plenipotence absolute power
plenipotentiary invested with full power;
relating to a person so invested
plenitude fullness; completeness;
abundance; sufficiency
plenum space completely filled
with matter
pleochroic displaying different
colours when seen from different directions
pleonasm the use of more words than
necessary
pleonectic greedy; covetous
pleonexia avarice, greed,
covetousness (regarded as mental disease)
pleroma fullness; abundance
plerophory complete assurance; full
conviction
plesiosynchronous nearly simultaneous;
happening at the same time
plethysmograph instrument for measuring
change in body part size due to blood flow
pleurotropous laterally flattened
plevisable able to be bailed out
plexiform shaped like a network
plexor the small, rubber-headed
hammer that physicians use to test reflexes
plexure network; web; interweaving
plexus network
plicated folded fanwise; pleated
plication the act of folding
plimsoll rubber-soled canvas shoe
plinth rectangular base of column
or pedestal
pliofilm thin waterproof transparent
sheet used for packaging
pliothermic of, like or pertaining to
periods of above-average temperatures
plip the remote control for some
European roadsters, such as Peugeot, Renault, MG
pliskie practical joke; trick
plissé fabric with puckered finish
ploce repetition of word in more
expressive sense for emphasis
plodge to trudge through anything
in which the feet sink
plongeur a hotel dishwasher
plonk cheap or inferior wine;
short for earlier plink-plonk
plonker a foolish or inept person
plosion release of breath after
consonant
plotz 1. to sit down wearily, to
flop; to slouch, loaf (around)
plotz 2. to burst; usu. in fig.
senses, esp. to explode in anger
plousiocracy government by the wealthy
or elite; plutocracy
plumassier worker in feathers;
feather-seller
plumbago graphite
plumbeous leaden; lead-coloured
plumbiferous bearing or yielding lead
plumbism lead poisoning
plumbless incapable of being sounded
plumeopicean composed of tar and
feathers (alluding to the practice of tarring and feathering an
obnoxious person)
plumigerous plumaged
plumiped having feathered feet
plumpendicular perpendicular (to the
ground); hanging perpendicularly
plumulate downy
plunderbund political corruption
pluperfect past perfect (in grammar)
pluralism belief that reality
consists of several kinds or entities
plurennial lasting or surviving many
years
pluriliteral of more than three letters
plurinominal having more than one name
pluriparous giving birth to multiple
young in a single birth
pluripresence presence in multiple places
at one time
pluriserial in several rows
plutarchy government by the wealthy;
plutocracy
pluterperfect more than perfect
pluto to demote or devalue
someone or something
plutocracy government by the wealthy
plutocrat a member of the wealthy
ruling class
plutolatry worship of wealth
plutology political economy; study of
wealth
plutomania an abnormal desire for
wealth
pluton mass of rock solidified
under earth's surface
plutonian characteristic of Pluto or
the lower world; infernal
plutonic of deep igneous or magmatic
origin; plutonic rocks
plutonomy economics
pluvial floor-length open-fronted
ecclesiastical garment
pluviculture the science of making rain;
or schemes for inducing rain
pluviograph self-registering rain gauge
pluviometer rain-meter
pluviophobia the fear of rain
pluviose marked by or regularly
receiving heavy rainfall; tearful
pluvious rainy; heavy rainfall
pneometer instrument that measures
respiration
pneumatics study of mechanics of gases
pneumatographer one who receives and writes
spirit messages
pneumatolith a stone in the lung
pneumatology theory of the existence of
spirits
pneumatomachy denial of the divinity of
the Holy Ghost
pneumatometer instrument for measuring
quantity of air breathed
pneumatomorphic like a spirit
pneumatophany appearance of a spirit;
especially the Holy Ghost
pneumatophilosophy philosophy of spirits or
the spirit world
pneumatophobia the fear of air
pneumatophony sound caused by a ghost or
spirit
pneumatosis presence of gas in the body
pneumograph instrument for measuring
and recording respiration
pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis a miner's
lung disease caused by inhaling silicate dust
pnigophobia the fear of choking
pnyx ancient Athenian place of
assembly
poaceous of, like or pertaining or
pertaining to grass
pochette pocket notecase or wallet
pochoir manual colour stencilling
onto a printed illustration
pocillator cup-bearer
pococurante uninterested; indifferent;
nonchalant; apathetic
pococurantish careless or indifferent
pocosin an upland swamp of the
coastal plain of the southeastern U.S.
poculation drinking of alcoholic
beverages
poculent fit for drinking
poculiform cup-shaped
podagra gout
podagrous gouty
podalic of, like or pertaining to
feet
podex rump; anal region
podiatry study and treatment of
disorders of the foot; chiropody
podiform shaped like a pod
podobromhydrosis having smelly feet
podocarp stalk that bears the fruit
of a plant
podology study of the feet
podoscaph pedalled boat; canoe-shaped
float attached to feet for walking on water
Podunk a small isolated town,
region, or place that is regarded as unimportant
podzol acidic soil with ash-like
subsurface layer
poecilomere part of an animal's body
where colour variations first appear
poecilonym one of various names for
the same thing; a synonym
poecilonymic having several names;
synonymic
poecilonymy the use of several names
for the same thing; synonymy
poêlée broth or stock
poephagous eating grass or herbs;
herbivorous
poetaster petty poet; writer of
contemptible verses; an inferior poet
poetolatry worship of poets
poetomachia contest or quarrel among
poets
po-faced humorless; excessively
priggish
pogamoggan wooden club with iron or
stone piece on end, used by North American Indians
pogey unemployment or welfare
benefit
pogoniasis excessive growth of beard
pogonip dense winter fog containing
frozen particles formed in deep mountain valleys
pogonology book or treatise on beards
pogonology the study of beards
pogonophile one who loves beards
pogonophobia the fear of beards
pogonotomy shaving
pogonotomy the act of cutting a beard
pogonotrophy cultivation or growing of a
beard
pogrom organized massacre
pohutukawa a New Zealand evergreen
which bears clusters of red flowers in December and January; thus called
the Christmas tree
poiesis creation
poietic creative, formative,
productive, active
poikilitic mottled
poikilothermal cold blooded
poikilothermic cold-blooded
poimenic pastoral
poinephobia the fear of punishment
pointel sharp instrument
pointillism use of separate dots of
pure colour rather than blends
poise unit of viscosity of
liquids
poitrel armour for a horse's breast
poivrade pepper sauce
pokerish causing terror; uncanny
polacca stately Polish dance;
polonaise
polarchy government by many people;
polyarchy
polarimeter instrument for measuring
polarised light
polariscope instrument for detecting
polarized light
polder piece of low-lying
reclaimed land
pole unit of area equal to a
square rod
polemarch ancient Greek military and
civil officer
polemic controversial discussion or
attack
polemology the science and study of
human conflict and war
polemomania mania for war
polemoscope telescope with angled
mirrors for seeing over walls or around corners
poleyn piece of armour for the
knee
policeocracy government by police
policlinic outpatient department of
hospital
poliorcectic of, like or pertaining to
siegecraft or besiegement
poliosis premature graying of the
hair
politicaster a second rate politician or
incompetent leader
politicomania mania for politics
politicophobia the fear of politicians
polkamania craze for polka dancing
pollarchy government by the multitude
or a mob; ochlocracy
pollard tree having the whole crown
cut off
pollent strong
pollex the thumb
pollicitation promise; especially one not
yet accepted
polliniferous bearing pollen
pollinctor one who prepares a dead
body for cremation or embalming
pollyanna one who is naively
optimistic
polonaise stately Polish dance of
moderate tempo
poltophagy to chew food until it is
the consistency of porridge
poltroon an abject coward; craven
poltroonery mean pusillanimity;
cowardice
polverine glass-makers' potash
polyacoustic amplifying sounds
polyaemia plethora
polyandry marriage to several men
polyapopemptic having been divorced
numerous times
polyarchy government by many people
polychotomy division into many parts
polychrest thing or medicine useful in
many ways
polycracy government by many rulers;
polyarchy
polydemic native to several countries
polydipsia abnormal or excessive
thirst
polyergic having many functions
polyethnic consisting of or derived
from many races or ethnicities
polygenesis theory that humans derived
from many separate origins
polygenous of multiple origin or
composition
polygoneutic having several broods in
each season
polygyny marriage to several women
polyhidrosis excessive perspiration
polyhistor person of exceptionally
broad knowledge; well educated
polylemma argument forcing choice
between contradictory statements
polylith prehistoric monument
consisting of many stones
polylogize to talk excessively
polyloquent one who can talk about
numerous subjects
polymania mania affecting several
different mental faculties
polymath person possessing knowledge
of many subjects
polymicrian compressed into a very
small space
polymythy use of multiple plots in a
single story
polynesic in multiple separate
locations
polynya an area of open water
amidst sea ice, as in the Arctic
polyommatous having many eyes
polyonym name consisting of several
words
polyonymosity the use of several
different names for the same person or thing
polyopia multiple vision
polyorchid a man who has at least
three testicles
polyphage someone who eats many kinds
of foods
polyphagous eating many types of food
polypharmacy treatment with many
medicines
polyphiloprogenitive very prolific, spec. of a
person's talent, imagination, inventive powers, etc.
polyphloisbic loud-roaring
polyphloisboian making a lot of noise or
loud racket
polyphobia the fear of many things
polyphyletic descending from more than
one original type
polypnea rapid breathing
polypod many-legged animal
polypragmatist busybody
polypsychic having several souls
polysarcous obese
polysemant word with many meanings
polysemous having multiple meanings
polystachious having many spikes
polystichous arranged in many rows
polystomatous having many mouths
polystyle building having many
columns
polysyllogism series of syllogisms where
each is basis for next
polysyndeton rhetorical device of
repeating conjunction for emphasis
polythalamous having many chambers
polytheism the belief that there are
many gods
polytocous producing many or several
at a birth
pomace crushed apples for
cider-making
pomaceous of, like or pertaining to
or consisting of apples
pomade ointment for the hair
pomander ball of perfumes
pomiculture growing of fruit
pomiferous bearing apples
pomiform shaped like an apple
pomoerium open space around a town
within the walls
pomology study of fruit-growing
pompatus nonsense word
ponceau poppy red
poncey effeminate; snobby,
ostentatious
ponderation weighing or weighing up
pone card player on dealer's
right responsible for cutting cards
ponent western
ponerologist one who expounds on the
evils of nature
ponerology theological doctrine of
wickedness or evil
pongee thin soft fabric woven from
raw silk
pongy having a strong, usually
unpleasant smell; stinky, smelly
poniard small dagger
ponophobia the fear of overworking
pons asinorum critical test of ability
imposed on the inexperienced or ignorant
pontage toll paid on bridges; tax
for repairing bridges
pontifice bridge-work; a bridge
pontist bridge builder
pontlevis drawbridge
poodle coarsely looped or nubby
fabric
pool-pah the wrath of god; a shit
storm
poop enclosed structure at stern
of ship above main deck
poophyte meadow plant
pootle to move or travel about in
a leisurely manner
popination an outrageous drinking; a
haunting of taverns
popinjay a talkative and conceited
person
popjoy to amuse oneself
poplin corded woven silk and
worsted
popliteal of, like or pertaining to
the back of the knee
popocracy government by populists
popple to flow tumblingly; to
heave choppily
poppyhead raised ornament on top of
upright end of seats in churches
poral of, like or pertaining to
pores
porbeagle shark with a pointed snout
porcellanous resembling porcelain
porcine of, like or pertaining to
pigs; swinish
porculation fattening or feeding of
swine
porge to make meat kosher by
removing veins and sinews from hindquarters
poriferous having pores
poriform having the form of a pore
poriomania abnormal compulsion to
wander
porism geometrical expression of
possibility of multiple solutions
porlock to interrupt an artist
engaged in aesthetic creation
porlocking irksome intrusion or
interruption
pornbroker one who deals in
pornography
pornerastic lecherous; bawdy; lewd
pornocracy government by harlots
pornogenarian dirty old man
pornolagnia desire for prostitutes
pornomania obsession with pornography
pornotopia perfect setting for the
antics of pornography
porogamy fertilization of seed
plants
poromeric permeable to water vapour
porometer instrument for measuring
degree of porosity
poroplastic both porous and plastic
poroscope instrument for
investigating porosity
porosis knitting together of broken
bones
porphyrogenitic of royal birth
porphyrogeniture accession of 1st son born
after father's accession
porphyrophobia the fear of the color
purple
porphyrous purple
porphyry beautiful and valuable
purplish stone
porraceous leek-green
porrect stretched out or forth;
extended, especially forward eg. porrect antennae
porriginous suffering from a scalp
disease that causes baldness
porringer small dish for soup or
porridge
portatile portable
portesse portable breviary
portfire prepared paper cylinder
used to fire rockets and fireworks
portière curtain hung over door of a
room
portmanteau 1. traveling bag
portmanteau 2. word formed by blending
two existing words eg. brunch = breakfast + lunch
portreeve mayor
posada in Mexico, each of a series
of visits traditionally paid to different friends during the days before
Christmas
poshlost a well-rounded,
untranslatable whole made up of banality, vulgarity and sham
posigrade auxiliary rocket on a
spacecraft
positivism doctrine that that which is
not observable is not knowable
posnet small cooking pot with feet
and handle
posology the area of medicine
dealing with dosages
possessive indicating possession;
genitive case
posset milk curdled with alcohol
used as remedy
possident a possessor; one who owns
something
posslq Person of the Opposite Sex
Sharing Living Quarters
postament frame; pedestal
postcenal after dinner
postcibal after a meal
postconnubial after marriage
postdiluvian after the great Flood
postern back door or gate; small
private door
postexilic after exile
postface concluding note added to
end of written work
posthetomist a person who performs
circumcisions
postiche excessively and
inappropriately added to a finished work
posticous posterior; outward;
extrorse
postil marginal note; commentary
postilion someone who guides
posthorses
postjacent posterior; behind
postliminary subsequent
postliminy right of returned exiles to
resume former status
postlude closing piece of music at
end of church service
postmodernism genre of art and literature
and especially architecture in reaction against the philosophy and
practices of modern movements that is typically marked by revival of
traditional elements and techniques
postmundane after the end of the world
postpositive a modifier placed after or
at the end of a word
postprandial following a meal, esp.
dinner
postscenium part of stage behind the
scenery
postulant candidate for a religious
order
postulator official who presents case
for canonization or beatification
potable fit to drink; drinkable
potager garden laid out in a
decorative way
potamic of, like or pertaining to
rivers
potamology study of rivers
potamophobia a fear of rivers
potation the activity of drinking
potatory related to excessive
drinking
potentiate to use drugs in combination
to increase their power
potentiometer instrument for measuring
electromotive forces
pother noisy disturbance, fuss;
choking cloud of dust/smoke; mental turmoil
potichomania craze for imitating
Oriental porcelain
potomania abnormal desire to drink
alcohol
potometer instrument measuring rate
at which plants absorb water
potophobia the fear of drinking
alcohol
potsherd a pottery fragment
potshop small public house
potter to busy oneself with
trifling tasks
pottiness the state or condition of
being potty
pottle 1. small conical fruit
basket
pottle 2. unit of liquid
measurement of two quarts, or one-half gallon
potty addlebrained
pot-valiant bold or courageous under
the influence of alcoholic drink
pot-walloper a person who qualified to
vote in parts of England by having boiled (walloped) his own pot for six
months, thereby establishing residency
poudrin small ice crystals
poulaine pointy toed shoes such as
worn by jesters
poulard fattened or spayed hen
poulp octopus
poult young fowl
pounce fine powder spread on
writing paper to keep ink from running
poundage charge for keeping stray
cattle
poundal unit of force that
accelerates 1 pound to 1 foot / second / second
pourboire tip; gratuity
pourparler discussion prior to
negotiation
poussin chicken raised for eating
at around six weeks old
powellisation means of preserving timber
powfag to tire bodily from
overwork; to become worn out in mind from care or anxiety; to work to
the point of exhaustion
practive practical; concerned with
practice
praedial of, like or pertaining to
or connected with the land or farming
praepostor prefect of a school
pragmatica royal edict that has the
force of law
pragmatism doctrine emphasizing
practical value of philosophy
prairillon small prairie
pralltriller rapid musical trill
prandial of, like or pertaining to
dinner
prasinous leek-green colour
prastuphulic heavyset, fat
pratal growing in meadows
prate to talk foolishly or
sententiously; to tattle
pratincolous inhabiting meadows or
fields
pravity wickedness; depravity
praxeology study of practical or
efficient activity; science of efficient action
praxinoscope early cinematograph using
series of moving drawings
praxis customary practice or
conduct
preadamic before Adam
preagonal immediately preceding death
throes
preallable previous; preliminary;
preceding
preantepenultimate that precedes or stands
immediately before the antepenult; the last but three, defined most
often as 'fourth from the last'
preaudience right to be heard before
another
prebend a stipend furnished by a
cathedral to a chapter canon
prebendal of, like or pertaining to
stipends issued by a church
precative supplicating; expressing
entreaty
precatory expressing entreaty,
expressing a wish; also, precative
precentor leader of the singing of a
church choir
preceptive concerning rules of
conduct, laws or precepts
precess to move in or be subjected
to precession
precession precession of the
equinoxes; any motion analogous to that of the earth's axis or the earth
itself in the precession of the equinoxes
preciation evaluation of the value or
price of a thing
precibal before dinner
précieuse woman affecting a
fastidious over-refinement
precipitinogenic causing precipitation
precisian a person who stresses or
practices scrupulous adherence to a strict standard especially of
religious observance or morality; a Puritan
precisian overly precise person;
formalist
precissive separating; defining; exact
precognosce to take a precognition of
preconcert to settle beforehand
preconize to proclaim; to summon
publicly
predacean predatory animal
predacious living by prey; predatory
predella platform for altar;
portable altar or decoration upon it
predestinarianism belief that whatever is to
happen is already fixed
predevote foreordained
predicant preaching; predicating
predicative indicating the predicate
prefatorial serving as preface or
opening remarks
prefigure to imagine beforehand; to
foreshadow
prefulgent extremely bright
pregustation foretaste
pregustator one who tastes meats and
drinks before serving them
prehensor something that grasps or
seizes
prelacy episcopal church government
prelapsarian belonging to the time
before man's original sin
prelate bishop or abbot of superior
rank
prelation preferment; promotion;
eminence
prelect to lecture
prelibation foretaste; offering of
first fruits
prelusive of the nature of a prelude;
introductory
premiate to give a prize or premium
for
premonish to forewarn; to give
warning in advance
premorse ending abruptly as if
bitten off
premotion divine impulse determining
the will
premove to incite or prompt to
action
premundane period before the creation
of the earth
prenarial of, like or pertaining to
or in front of the nostrils
prepense premeditated; intentional
prepensely with premeditation;
deliberately, purposely
prepollence predominance
preponderate 1. to exceed in weight
preponderate 2. to exceed in influence,
power, importance or numbers; predominate
prepone to reschedule for an
earlier time
prepossess to bias or prejudice
favourably; to impress
prepotent potent in a very high
degree
preputial of, like or pertaining to
the foreskin
prerupt broken off; steep; abrupt
presagition an omen, a prognostication;
foresight, prevision
presbycousis hardness of hearing during
old age
presbyophrenia female senility marked by
loss of memory
presbyopia the loss of sight due to
old age
presbyte old man
presbytery part of church reserved for
officiating clergy
prescient having foresight or
knowledge of what will happen.
prescind to cut off; cut short;
separate; turn aside
prescious prescient
prescriptivism belief that moral edicts
are merely orders with no truth value
preseminal before the onset of
puberty; before fertility
presenium period of life preceding
old age
presenteeism the fact or condition of
being present, esp. at work; (a) the practice of working more hours than
is required by one's terms of employment
presentient prescient; having a
premonition
presentoir ornamental shallow tray or
cup
presidial 1. of, like or pertaining
to a garrison
presidial 2. presidential
presque vu a feeling that you are on
the edge of grasping something very, very important
pressible able to be pressed
prest to loan
prestigiator conjurer
prestriction blindness; blindfolding
preterist one whose chief interest is
in the past; someone whose main pleasure is in reliving the past
preterite signifying past time or a
completed action
preterition the act of passing over or
omission
preterlapsed past, bygone; ended, over
with
pretermit to let pass without notice;
omit; to leave undone; neglect; suspend, break off
preternatural existing outside of nature;
nonnatural; abnormal, exceptional; inexplicable by ordinary means
preterpluperfect more than perfect
prevenancy courteous anticipation of
others' wishes
prevenient antecedent; preceding;
anticipatory
prevernal blossoming or foliating
early
prevision foresight; foreknowledge
prevoyant having foresight
Priapean of, like or pertaining to
male reproductive power; phallic
Priapic phallic
Priapism constant erection;
licentiousness; lewdness
pricket a small point or spike for
holding a candle upright; a candlestick having such a spike
pridian of, like or pertaining to
yesterday
prie-dieu prayer stool or kneeling
bench in a church
prill nodule of metal obtained
after assaying
primage fee paid to loaders for
loading ship
primatology study of primates
primaveral of or pertaining to the
earliest springtime
prime prayer service held at 6
a.m.
primigenial first or earliest formed or
produced
primiparous having borne only one child
primitiae first fruits
primitial of, like or pertaining to
first fruits; primeval
primitivism doctrine that a simple and
natural life is morally best
primo in the first place
primogeniture rights of the first-born
primogenous of, like or pertaining to
the earliest or first developmental stage
primrose pale yellow
princeps first; especially first
edition of a book
princox a pert youth; coxcomb
priscan ancient; of early times
priscianist a grammarian; a person who
uses grammar cleverly
prisoptometer instrument for measuring
degree of astigmatism
prithee expression of wish or
request
privatism attitude of avoiding
involvement in outside interests
privative indicating absence,
deprivation or negation
privity privacy; secrecy; secret or
confidential conversation
pro in favour of; for
pro tanto to that extent;
accordingly [adj] commensurate, resultant
proairesis the act of choosing
probabiliorism belief that when in doubt
one must choose most likely answer
probabilism belief that knowledge is
always probable but never absolute
proband one with a certain feature
by which descendants analyzed
probang flexible rod put down the
throat to clear an obstacle
probit unit of measurement of
statistical probability
proboscidate having a proboscis or long
snout
proboscidiform having a nose like an
elephant's trunk
probosciform shaped like a long nose
probouleutic for preliminary
deliberation
procacious bold; impertinent
procacity pertinacity, obtrusiveness,
impudence; petulence; impudence
procatalectic lacking the unaccented part
of first foot of a line of verse
procathedral parish church serving as a
cathedral
proceleusmatic inciting; encouraging;
exhorting
procellous tempestuous, stormy
procephalic of, like or pertaining to
the front of the head
procerity tallness, loftiness, height
prochronism assigning a date to an
event earlier than actual
procidence prolapse; falling forward
or downward
procinct preparedness
proclisis pronunciation of word
dependent on following word
proclivitous steep
procoelous cupped in front
procrescophobia the fear of gaining weight
procrustean seeking to enforce
uniformity
procrypsis protective coloration
proctal of, like or pertaining to
the anus or rectum
proctalgia a pain in the anus
proctology study of rectum
proctor disciplinary officer at a
college or university
proctoscope instrument for examining
the rectum
procumbent lying or leaning forward;
prone
procuratory authorization to act for
another
procursive running forward
procyonine of, like or pertaining to
raccoons
proditor traitor
prodnose to pry, to be inquisitive
prodrome initial symptom of a
disease; introductory treatise
proeguminal predisposing; preceding
proem preface
proemial introductory; prefatory
proemptosis addition of extra day to
lunar calendar every 300 years
proethnic of, like or pertaining to
primitive races
profectitious derived from a parent or
ancestor
proficuous advantageous and useful
profligate debauched; rashly
extravagant
profluent exuberant; abundant
profulgent shining out; radiant
progeria second childhood; disease
of premature aging
prognathic having a jaw that projects
forward
prognathous having a jaw which extends
past the rest of one's face
projacient jutting forward
projicient communicating between an
organism and its environment
prolate having flattened sides due
to lengthwise elongation
prolation utterance
prolative indicating motion alongside
or means of motion
prolegomenon introductory study or
treatise
prolepsis anticipation; device where
objections are anticipated
proleptic pertaining to, or
characterized by prolepsis or anticipation; anticipative, anticipatory
proleptical prehistoric
proleptically by prolepsis; by way of
anticipation; antecedently
proleptics prognosis
proletaneous having numerous offspring
prolicide killing of offspring;
killing of the human race
proligerous bearing offspring
prolix long-winded; garrulous;
dwelling too long on particulars
prolocutor spokesman; speaker of the
House of Lords
prolusion preliminary performance,
activity or display
promachos champion or defender;
tutelary god
promptuary repository; reference book
of facts
promulgate make known; disseminate
pronaos vestibule in front of a
temple
pronasale tip of the nose
pronation turning hand and forearm so
that palm faces downward
proneur one who praises another; an
extoller, eulogist, flatterer
pronk 1. the
jumping
by lifting all four feet off the ground simultaneously by some African
antelope eg. Springbok
pronk 2. a weak or foolish person
pronograde walking with body parallel
to ground
pronunciamento a pronouncement, a
proclamation, a manifesto; often applied to one issued by
insurrectionists
prooemium preface
propadeuctic a preliminary study;
preliminary
proper elements of Christian mass
that are variable
prophetocracy government by a prophet
propination the action of offering
drink to another in pledging; the drinking to the health of someone
propine to pledge in drinking; to
present or offer
propinquiphobia the fear of being too close
propinquity closeness
propitiate to render favourable; to
appease
proplasm preliminary model or mould
propolis resin of tree buds
collected by bees
proprioception the unconscious perception
of movement and spatial orientation arising from stimuli within the body
itself
propugnation defence
prore prow or fore part of a ship
proreption creeping attack or
secretive advance of troops
prorogue to discontinue meetings of
a group without dissolving it; defer, postpone
prorrhesis preface
prosateur one who writes prose for a
living
proscenium part of the stage in front
of the curtain
prosector one who dissects bodies in
anatomical lectures
proseuche place of prayer; oratory
prosilient outstanding; conspicuous;
jumping forth
prosit toast to good health
prosodemic contagious; infectious
prosodic of, like or pertaining to
versification
prosody the study of versification;
esp. the systematic study of metrical structure
prosophobia the fear of progress
prosopic of, like or pertaining to
the face
prosopography biographical sketch;
description of person’s appearance
prosopolepsy the acceptance of people
based on the appearance
prosopolethy the inability to remember a
face
prosopopeia personification;
representation of absent person as speaking
prosopopoeia a figure of speech in which
an imaginary or absent person is represented as speaking or acting
prospice look forward
prospicience the act of looking
foreward; foresight
prostibulous pertaining to a prostitute,
meretricious; addicted to the company of prostitutes
prostyle building having columns
only in the front
prosy prosaic; tedious
prosyllogism syllogism whose conclusion
forms premise of another
protactic prefatory; preliminarily
explanatory
protanopia colour-blindness with
respect to red
protasis 1. conditional clause of a
conditional sentence
protasis 2. introductory or
explanatory portion of a play
protean of or resembling Proteus in
having a varied nature or ability to assume different forms; displaying
great diversity or variety; versatile
protean variable; versatile;
assuming different forms
protension duration
protensive extensive in time or length
protervity peevishness; petulance;
perversity; wantonness
protestation avowal or solemn
declaration
prothalamion song or poem celebrating a
coming marriage
prothonotary chief registrar of a court;
keeper of canonisation records
protistology study of protists
protocolist registrar or clerk
protogenic formed at the beginning
protogenist inventor
protolithic from the earliest Stone Age
protomorphic primordial; primitive
protopathic relating to sensory nerve
fibers that enable the perception of strong rather crude stimuli
protopathy first or direct experience
protoplast original ancestor;
first-formed person or thing
prototrophic feeding directly on
uncombined elements
protreptic exhorting; encouraging;
didactic; doctrinal
provand allowance of food;
provisions
provection transfer of last letter of
one word to first of next
proveditor purveyor of supplies or
goods
provenance source; origin
provenient issuing forth
providore steward; quartermaster
provine to propagate by layering
proxemics study of man's need for
personal space
proxenete procurer; marriage broker
proximo of next month
proxysm close or near relationship
prudhomme a trustworthy citizen; a
skilled workman
prufrockian a personality type that is
timid and indecisive and full of unfulfilled aspirations
pruinose having a frosted look;
bearing whitish dust
prunella strong and heavy silk or
wool
pruniferous bearing plums
prunt moulded glass ornament
attached to a larger glass object
prurient stemming from the
indulgence of lewd ideas; lascivious
prurigo irritating skin disease
causing itching
pruritus itching of the skin
psalligraphy the art of paper-cutting to
make pictures
psalmodist singer of psalms
psalmody act of singing psalms in
church services
psaltery ancient stringed musical
instrument
psammite fine-grained rock
psammophile sand-loving plant
psammous sandy
psaphonic preoccupied with planning
one's rise to fame
psellism an indistinct
pronounciation, such as produced by a lisp or by stammering
psellismophobia the fear of stuttering
psephitic of, like or pertaining to
pebbles
psephocracy government resulting from
election by ballot
psephologist someone who pursues the
scientific study of elections
psephology study of election results
and voting trends
psephomancy fortunetelling by drawing
marked stones from a container
pseudacusis mistaken or false hearing
pseudaesthesia imaginary feeling or
sensation
pseudandry the use of a masculine name
by a woman as a pseudonym eg. Mary Ann Evans wrote as George Eliot
pseudaposematic imitating the coloration of
a dangerous animal
pseudepigrapha spurious writings, esp.
writings falsely attributed to biblical characters or times
pseudepigraphy assignment of false authors
to books
pseudepiscopy existence or rule of a
spurious bishop
pseudoantidisestablishmentarianism false opposition to
the withdrawal of state support from an established church
pseudoautochiria murder disguised as suicide
pseudoblepsis imaginary or false vision;
hallucination
pseudochromaesthesia mental association of
sounds with colours
pseudochronism error in dating
pseudodox false doctrine or opinion
pseudography unsatisfactory spelling
pseudogyny the use of a feminine name
by a man as a pseudonym
pseudolalia incoherence of speech
pseudolatry false worship
pseudologia lying in speech or writing
pseudologue pathological liar
pseudology 1. false speaking; the
making of false statements, esp. when humorously represented as an art
or system; the art of lying
pseudology 2. the science or subject
of false statements; a false or pretended science
pseudomancy a false or fake divination
pseudomania irrational predilection for
lying
pseudomorph false or abnormal physical
form
pseudomorphosis conversion into a false or
deceptive form
pseudophonia suicide disguised as murder
pseudopsia optical illusion
pseudoptics study of optical illusions
pseudosmia false perception of odours
pseudosopher one who pretends to hold
knowledge or wisdom
pseudosophy pretension to wisdom
psilanthropism the belief that Jesus was
not a God, but a man
psilanthropy belief that Christ was not
divine but divinely inspired
psilology the love of empty talk
psilosis loss of hair
psilosopher one with a petty or shallow
philosophy
psilosophy shallow philosophy; limited
knowledge
psilothrum substance causing loss of
hair
psithurism the sound of wind in trees
or rustling leaves
psittacine of, like or pertaining to
macaws, parakeets or parrots
psittacism mechanical, repetitive
(parrot-like) speech without thought of the meaning of the words spoken
psoas loin muscle
psomophagy swallowing food without
thorough chewing
psophometer instrument measuring
audible interference of electrical current
psychaesthesia sensation in relation to
feeling or thought
psychagogic attractive; encouraging
psychagogue conductor of souls to the
underworld
psychalgia mental pain or distress
psychasthenia an incapacity to resolve
doubts/uncertainties or to resist obsessions/compulsions that one knows
are irrational
psychiasis healing of the soul or
psyche
psychism belief in universal soul
psychobiology study of biology of the
mind
psychodynamic concerning psychological
motives and causation
psychofugal proceeding outward from a
mental state
psychogenesis origin and development of
the mind
psychogenetics study of internal or mental
states
psychognosy study of mentality,
personality or character
psychogony development of the mind or
soul
psychogram writing supposedly produced
under influence of spirits
psychograph instrument that supposedly
records spirit messages
psychomachy conflict between the body
and the soul
psychomancy fortunetelling by means of
spirits
psychometry measurement of intelligence
and psychological attributes
psychomorphism doctrine that inanimate
objects have human mentality
psychopannychism belief souls sleep from
death to resurrection
psychopathology study of mental illness
psychophobia the fear of the mind
psychophysics study of link between
mental and physical processes
psychopomp someone who conducts
spirits or souls to the afterworld, as Hermes or Charon
psychorrhagy separation of the soul from
the body
psychosomatic of a physical disorder,
having a psychological cause
psychosophy doctrine or theory of the
soul
psychotaxis alteration of mental
outlook to satisfy the personality
psychotheism doctrine that God is a
purely spiritual entity
psychroaesthesia sensation of cold in part
of body that is actually warm
psychrolusia bathing in cold water
psychrolute one who bathes in the open
air daily throughout the winter
psychrolutist an advocate of bathing in
cold water
psychrometer instrument for measuring
dryness of the atmosphere
psychrophilic thriving in cold
temperatures
psychrophobia the fear of the cold
psychurgy mental function, operation
or energy
ptarmic any substance that causes
sneezing
pteric of, like or pertaining to
the wing or the shoulder
pteridology the study of ferns
pteridomania passion for ferns
pterography treatise or description of
feathers
pteronophobia the fear of being tickled
by feathers
pteropine of, like or pertaining to
flying foxes
pterospermous having winged seeds
pterygium abnormal mass of tissue
obstructing vision in the eye
pterygoid like a wing
pteryla patch or clump of feathers
on a bird
pterylology study of distribution of
feathers on birds
ptilosis plumage or mode of
feathering; plumage
ptochocracy government by beggars or
paupers
ptochogony production of beggars;
pauperization
ptosis drooping of the upper
eyelid
ptyalagogue substance that promotes
salivation
ptyalism an excessive flow of saliva
pubarche first appearance of pubic
hair
puberulent feebly or minutely
pubescent; covered with minute down
pubigerous hairy; bearing or growing
hair
puccoon blood-root; dark red colour
puce brownish-purple;
purplish-pink
pucelage the state of being a girl;
maidenhood, virginity
pucelage virginity
pucelle maid; virgin
puckery astringent; tending to
wrinkle
puckeroo useless, broken
pudendum external female
reproductive organs
pudibund shamefaced; prudish
pudibundery prudery, bashfulness
pudicity modesty
pudor sense of shame
puellaphillist one who loves girls
puericulture child-rearing
puerperal of, like or pertaining to
childbirth
pug ground clay mixed with
water
puggle to clear out or stir up by
poking
puggry a turban worn in India; a
light scarf wound around a hat or helmet to protect the head from the
sun
pugil small handful; pinch
pugioniform dagger-shaped
puisne inferior in rank; later;
junior
puissance power; potency; might
puissant powerful; mighty
pulchritude beauty; attractiveness
pule to pipe; to whimper or
whine
pulicide flea-killer
pulicine of, like or pertaining to
fleas
pulicoid like a flea
pulicose infested with fleas
pulicous abounding with fleas;
fleay; so, pulicose ; infested with fleas
pullastrine of, like or pertaining to
pigeons
pullet young hen
pullulate to swarm; to teem; to breed
freely; to sprout
pullulation germination; a rapid and
abundant increase
pulmonic of, like or pertaining to
the lungs
pulpitum gigantic stone screen
separating cathedral choir from the nave
pulsimeter instrument for measuring
the pulse
pultaceous macerated and softened;
like porridge; pulpy
pulveratricious covered with dust;
dust-coloured
pulverous dusty or powder
pulverulent consisting of or reducible
to fine powder; covered or looking as if covered with dust or powder;
dusty, crumbly
pulvil perfumed powder
pulvillar cushion-like
pulvilli pads between claws of an
insect's foot
pulvilliform shaped like a cushion
pulvinated cushion-like; bulging;
pillowy
pumpkinification an apotheosis; a parody of
deification; apocolocyntosis
punaluan marriage of brothers of one
family to sisters of another
puncheon tool for punching or
stamping
punctal like a point
punctate dotted; pitted
punctatim point for point
punctiform shaped like a point
punctilio minute detail of conduct;
careful observance of forms
punctilious scrupulous and exact
punctulate bearing small spots or dots
punctule minute dot, pit or aperture
pundigrion a play on words; pun
punditocracy government by political
pundits
pundonor a point of honor
puniceous bright or purplish red
punk dry decayed wood used for
tinder
punkah a large fan suspended from
the ceiling used esp in India
punkahwallah the wallah (boy, servant)
who operates a punkah, large cloth fan suspended from the ceiling
punnet small shallow fruit basket
pupate to pass through a chrysalis
stage
pupigerous bearing a puparium
pupillarity the state of being a pupil
purblind partly blind; lacking in
vision, insight or understanding; obtuse
purdah seclusion of women from
public observation among Muslims and some Hindus
purfle to ornament the edge of
with embroidery
purfler one who purfles; spec. one
who inlays the ornamentation in violins
puricle the space between thumb and
extended forefinger
purificator cloth used to wipe
Eucharist chalice
puriform like pus
purlicue curl or flourish in
writing; summary of speeches
purlieu a person's usual haunts;
neighbourhood
purline supporting timber
stretching across rafters
purloin to steal; to filch
purpresture encroachment on public
property
purpure heraldic colour purple
purpureal purple
purser ship's officer in charge of
finances and passengers
pursuivant follower or attendant
pursy fat; characterized by
arrogance arising from wealth
purulence the quality of being filled
with pus
purulent containing, consisting of,
or discharging pus
pushful energetically or
aggressively enterprising
pusillanimous lacking courage and
resolution; marked by contemptible timidity; cowardly
pustule pimple containing pus; lump
or wart
putanism lewdness in women;
prostitution
putative supposed; reputed
putcher wire trap for catching
salmon
puteal wall round the top of a
well
putid decayed; fetid
putlock cross-piece in a
scaffolding
putois brush for painting pottery
putrefaction rotting
putrilage products or remnants of
decay
putto plump naked winged boy in
artwork
puture foresters' claim of
subsistence within bounds of forest
putz a representation of the
Nativity scene traditionally placed under a Christmas tree
puy small volcanic cone
puzzlepated having or based on confused
attitudes or ideas
puzzomous disgustingly obsequious
pycnometer instrument for measuring
specific gravity or density
pycnomorphous compact; dense
pycnosis thickening
pycnostyle having closely spaced
columns
pygal belonging to the rump end;
pertaining to the buttocks
pygalgia a pain in the buttocks
pygephanous showing one's buttocks;
mooning
pygmachy boxing; fighting with clubs
pygophilous buttock-loving
pyknic characterized by shortness
of stature, broadness of girth, and powerful muscularity
pyknometer instrument for measuring
specific gravities
pyogenic pus-forming
pyoid purulent; pus-like
pyosis the formation of pus or the
process through which pus is formed
pyranometer instrument measuring solar
radiation from the sky's whole hemisphere
pyrene fruit-stone
pyretic of, pertaining to or for
the cure of fevers
pyretology study of fevers
pyrexia fever
pyrexical feverish
pyrexiophobia the fear of fever
pyrgeometer instrument for measuring
radiation from earth
pyrgoidal tower-shaped
pyrgology study of towers
pyrheliometer instrument for measuring
heating effect of sun
pyriform shaped like a pear
pyritiferous bearing pyrite
pyroballogy study of artillery
pyroclastics ash and other material
released by volcano
pyrogenation subjection to heat
pyrogenous produced by or producing
heat or fever
pyrognomic easily made incandescent
pyrography the art of writing on wood
or decorating wood by burning it
pyrokinesis ability to start fires
using mind alone
pyrolatry fire-worship
pyromachy 1. use of fire in combat
pyromancy 2. fortunetelling using
fire
pyrometer instrument for measuring
very high temperatures
pyrophanous becoming transparent when
heated
pyrophobia the fear of fire
pyrophorus substance that
spontaneously combusts
pyroscope instrument for measuring
intensity of radiant heat
pyrosis heartburn
pyrosophy knowledge of the properties
of fire
Pyrrhic achieved at excessive cost
eg. a Pyrrhic victory
pyrrhonism the doctrine of the
impossibility of attaining certainty of knowledge; absolute or universal
skepticism
pyrrhonism total or radical skepticism
pyrrhonist a skeptic who accepts
nothing at face value
pyrrhotism state of being red-haired
pyrrhous reddish; ruddy
pyrrhuline of, like or pertaining to
bullfinches
pysmatic always asking questions or
inquiring; interrogatory
pysmatic interrogatory, questioning
Pythia the priestess of Apollo at
Delphi
pythogenic produced by filth; causing
dirt or decay
pythonic 1. relating to divination;
prophetic, oracular
pythonic 2. relating to or like a
python; huge, monstrous
pythonic 3. relating to the Monty
Python comedy group
pythonism possession by an oracular
spirit
pyx 1. a container which holds
the wafer used in Holy Communion
pyx 2. a box used in a Mint for
deposit of sample coins
pyxis little box or casket for
jewels or toiletries
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