5000 English Vocabulary Words - Sheet8 Flashcards
perfidy n
Treachery
perforate v
To make a hole or holes through
perform v
To accomplish
perfumery n
The preparation of perfumes
perfunctory adj
Half-hearted
perhaps adv
Possibly
perigee n
The point in the orbit of the moon when it is nearest the earth
periodicity n
The habit or characteristic of recurrence at regular intervals
peripatetic adj
Walking about
perjure v
To swear falsely to
perjury n
A solemn assertion of a falsity
permanence n
A continuance in the same state, or without any change that destroys the essential form or nature
permanent adj
Durable
permeate v
To pervade
permissible adj
That may be allowed
permutation n
Reciprocal change, different ordering of same items
pernicious adj
Tending to kill or hurt
perpendicular adj
Straight up and down
perpetrator n
The doer of a wrong or a criminal act
perpetuate v
To preserve from extinction or oblivion
perquisite n
Any profit from service beyond the amount fixed as salary or wages
persecution n
Harsh or malignant oppression
perseverance n
A persistence in purpose and effort
persevere v
To continue striving in spite of discouragements
persiflage n
Banter
persist v
To continue steadfast against opposition
persistence n
A fixed adherence to a resolve, course of conduct, or the like
personage n
A man or woman as an individual, especially one of rank or high station
personal adj
Not general or public
personality n
The attributes, taken collectively, that make up the character and nature of an individual
personnel n
The force of persons collectively employed in some service
perspective n
The relative importance of facts or matters from any special point of view
perspicacious adj
Astute
perspicacity n
Acuteness or discernment
perspicuous adj
Lucid
perspiration n
Sweat
perspire v
To excrete through the pores of the skin
persuade v
To win the mind of by argument, eloquence, evidence, or reflection
persuadable adj
capable of influencing to action by entreaty, statement, or anything that moves the feelings
pertinacious adj
Persistent or unyielding
pertinacity n
Unyielding adherence
pertinent adj
Relevant
perturb v
To disturb greatly
perturbation n
Mental excitement or confusion
perusal n
The act of reading carefully or thoughtfully
pervade v
To pass or spread through every part
pervasion n
The state of spreading through every part
pervasive adj
Thoroughly penetrating or permeating
perverse adj
Unreasonable
perversion n
Diversion from the true meaning or proper purpose
perversity n
Wickedness
pervert n
One who has forsaken a doctrine regarded as true for one esteemed false
pervious adj
Admitting the entrance or passage of another substance
pestilence n
A raging epidemic
pestilent adj
Having a malign influence or effect
pestilential adj
having the nature of or breeding pestilence
peter v
To fail or lose power, efficiency, or value
petrify v
To convert into a substance of stony hardness and character
petulance n
The character or condition of being impatient, capricious or petulant
petulant adj
Displaying impatience
pharmacopoeia n
A book containing the formulas and methods of preparation of medicines for the use of druggists
pharmacy n
The art or business of compounding and dispensing medicines
phenomenal adj
Extraordinary or marvelous
phenomenon n
Any unusual occurrence
philander v
To play at courtship with a woman
philanthropic adj
Benevolent
philanthropist n
One who endeavors to help his fellow men
philanthropy n
Active humanitarianism
philately n
The study and collection of stamps
philharmonic adj
Fond of music
philogynist n
One who is fond of women
philologist n
An expert in linguistics
philology n
The study of language in connection with history and literature
philosophize v
To seek ultimate causes and principles
philosophy n
The general principles, laws, or causes that furnish the rational explanation of anything
phlegmatic adj
Not easily roused to feeling or action
phonetic adj
Representing articulate sounds or speech
phonic adj
Pertaining to the nature of sound
phonogram n
A graphic character symbolizing an articulate sound
phonology n
The science of human vocal sounds
phosphorescence n
The property of emitting light
photoelectric adj
Pertaining to the combined action of light and electricity
photometer n
Any instrument for measuring the intensity of light or comparing the intensity of two lights
photometry n
The art of measuring the intensity of light
physicist n
A specialist in the science that treats of the phenomena associated with matter and energy
physics n
The science that treats of the phenomena associated with matter and energy
physiocracy n
The doctrine that land and its products are the only true wealth
physiognomy n
The external appearance merely
physiography n
Description of nature
physiology n
The science of organic functions
physique n
The physical structure or organization of a person
picayune adj
Of small value
piccolo n
A small flute
piece n
A loose or separated part, as distinguished from the whole or the mass
piecemeal adv
Gradually
pillage n
Open robbery, as in war
pillory n
A wooden framework in which an offender is fastened to boards and is exposed to public scorn
pincers n
An instrument having two lever-handles and two jaws working on a pivot
pinchers n
An instrument having two jaws working on a pivot
pinnacle n
A high or topmost point, as a mountain-peak
pioneer n
One among the first to explore a country
pious adj
Religious
pique v
To excite a slight degree of anger in
piteous adj
Compassionate
pitiable adj
Contemptible
pitiful adj
Wretched
pitiless adj
Hard-hearted
pittance n
Any small portion or meager allowance
placate v
To bring from a state of angry or hostile feeling to one of patience or friendliness
placid adj
Serene
plagiarism n
The stealing of passages from the writings of another and publishing them as one’s own
planisphere n
A polar projection of the heavens on a chart
plasticity n
The property of some substances through which the form of the mass can readily be changed
platitude n
A written or spoken statement that is flat, dull, or commonplace
plaudit n
An expression of applause
plausible adj
Seeming likely to be true, though open to doubt
playful adj
Frolicsome
playwright n
A maker of plays for the stage
plea n
An argument to obtain some desired action
pleasant adj
Agreeable
pleasurable adj
Affording gratification
plebeian adj
Common
pledgee n
The person to whom anything is pledged
pledgeor n
One who gives a pledge
plenary adj
Entire
plenipotentiary n
A person fully empowered to transact any business
plenitude n
Abundance
plenteous adj
Abundant
plumb n
A weight suspended by a line to test the verticality of something
plummet n
A piece of lead for making soundings, adjusting walls to the vertical
pluperfect adj
Expressing past time or action prior to some other past time or action
plural adj
Containing or consisting of more than one
plurality n
A majority
plutocracy n
A wealthy class in a political community who control the government by means of their money
pneumatic adj
Pertaining to or consisting of air or gas
poesy n
Poetry
poetaster n
An inferior poet
poetic adj
Pertaining to poetry
poetics n
The rules and principles of poetry
poignancy n
Severity or acuteness, especially of pain or grief
poignant adj
Severely painful or acute to the spirit
poise n
Equilibrium
polar adj
Pertaining to the poles of a sphere, especially of the earth
polemics n
The art of controversy or disputation
pollen n
The fine dust-like grains or powder formed within the anther of a flowering plant
pollute v
To contaminate
polyarchy n
Government by several or many persons of what- ever class
polycracy n
The rule of many
polygamy n
the fact or condition of having more than one wife or husband at once
polyglot adj
Speaking several tongues
polygon n
A figure having many angles
polyhedron n
A solid bounded by plane faces, especially by more than four
polysyllable adj
Having several syllables, especially more than three syllables
polytechnic adj
Pertaining to, embracing, or practicing many arts
polytheism n
The doctrine or belief that there are more gods than one
pommel v
To beat with something thick or bulky
pomposity n
The quality of being marked by an assumed stateliness and impressiveness of manner
pompous adj
Marked by an assumed stateliness and impressiveness of manner
ponder v
To meditate or reflect upon
ponderous adj
Unusually weighty or forcible
pontiff n
The Pope
populace n
The common people
populous adj
Containing many inhabitants, especially in proportion to the territory
portend v
To indicate as being about to happen, especially by previous signs
portent n
Anything that indicates what is to happen
portfolio n
A portable case for holding writing-materials, drawings, etc
posit v
To present in an orderly manner
position n
The manner in which a thing is placed
positive adj
Free from doubt or hesitation
posse n
A force of men
possess v
To own
possession n
The having, holding, or detention of property in one’s power or command
possessive adj
Pertaining to the having, holding, or detention of property in one’s power or command
possessor n
One who owns, enjoys, or controls anything, as property
possible adj
Being not beyond the reach of power natural, moral, or supernatural
postdate v
To make the date of any writing later than the real date
posterior n
The hinder part
postgraduate adj
Pertaining to studies that are pursued after receiving a degree
postscript n
Something added to a letter after the writer’s signature
potency n
Power
potent adj
Physically powerful
potentate n
One possessed of great power or sway
potential n
Anything that may be possible
potion n
A dose of liquid medicine
powerless adj
Impotent
practicable adj
Feasible
prate v
To talk about vainly or foolishly
prattle v
To utter in simple or childish talk
preamble n
A statement introductory to and explanatory of what follows
precarious adj
Perilous
precaution n
A provision made in advance for some possible emergency or danger
precede v
To happen first
precedence n
Priority in place, time, or rank
precedent n
An instance that may serve as a guide or basis for a rule
precedential adj
Of the nature of an instance that may serve as a guide or basis for a rule
precession n
The act of going forward
precipice n
A high and very steep or approximately vertical cliff
precipitant adj
Moving onward quickly and heedlessly
precipitate v
To force forward prematurely
precise adj
Exact
precision n
Accuracy of limitation, definition, or adjustment
preclude v
To prevent
precocious adj
Having the mental faculties prematurely developed
precursor n
A forerunner or herald
predatory adj
Prone to pillaging
predecessor n
An incumbent of a given office previous to another
predicament n
A difficult, trying situation or plight
predicate v
To state as belonging to something
predict v
To foretell
prediction n
A prophecy
predominance n
Ascendancy or preponderance
predominant adj
Superior in power, influence, effectiveness, number, or degree
predominate v
To be chief in importance, quantity, or degree
preeminence n
Special eminence
preempt v
To secure the right of preference in the purchase of public land
preemption n
The right or act of purchasing before others
preengage v
To preoccupy
preestablish v
To settle or arrange beforehand
preexist v
To exist at a period or in a state earlier than something else
preexistence n
Existence antecedent to something
preface n
A brief explanation or address to the reader, at the beginning of a book
prefatory adj
Pertaining to a brief explanation to the reader at the beginning of a book
prefer v
To hold in higher estimation
preferable adj
More desirable than others
preference n
An object of favor or choice
preferential adj
Possessing, giving, or constituting preference or priority
preferment n
Preference
prefix v
To attach at the beginning
prehensible adj
Capable of being grasped
prehensile adj
Adapted for grasping or holding
prehension n
The act of laying hold of or grasping
prejudice n
A judgment or opinion formed without due examination of the facts
prelacy n
A system of church government
prelate n
One of a higher order of clergy having direct authority over other clergy
prelude n
An introductory or opening performance
premature adj
Coming too soon
premier adj
First in rank or position
premise n
A judgment as a conclusion
premonition n
Foreboding
preoccupation n
The state of having the mind, attention, or inclination preoccupied
preoccupy v
To fill the mind of a person to the exclusion of other subjects
preordain v
To foreordain
preparation n
An act or proceeding designed to bring about some event
preparatory adj
Having to do with what is preliminary
preponderant adj
Prevalent
preponderate v
To exceed in influence or power
prepossession n
A preconceived liking
preposterous adj
Utterly ridiculous or absurd
prerogative adj
Having superior rank or precedence
presage v
To foretell
prescience n
Knowledge of events before they take place
prescient adj
Foreknowing
prescript adj
Prescribed as a rule or model
prescriptible adj
Derived from authoritative direction
prescription n
An authoritative direction
presentient adj
Perceiving or feeling beforehand
presentiment n
Foreboding
presentment n
Semblance
preservation n
Conservation
presumption n
That which may be logically assumed to be true until disproved
presumptuous adj
Assuming too much
pretension n
A bold or presumptuous assertion
pretentious adj
Marked by pretense, conceit, or display
preternatural adj
Extraordinary
pretext n
A fictitious reason or motive
prevalence n
Frequency
prevalent adj
Of wide extent or frequent occurrence
prevaricate v
To use ambiguous or evasive language for the purpose of deceiving or diverting attention
prevention n
Thwarting
prickle v
To puncture slightly with fine, sharp points
priggish adj
Conceited
prim adj
Stiffly proper
prima adj
First
primer n
An elementary reading-book for children
primeval adj
Belonging to the first ages
primitive adj
Pertaining to the beginning or early times
principal adj
Most important
principality n
The territory of a reigning prince
principle n
A general truth or proposition
priory n
A monastic house
pristine adj
Primitive
privateer n
A vessel owned and officered by private persons, but carrying on maritime war
privilege n
A right or immunity not enjoyed by all, or that may be enjoyed only under special conditions
privity n
Knowledge shared with another or others regarding a private matter
privy adj
Participating with another or others in the knowledge of a secret transaction
probate adj
Relating to making proof, as of a will
probation n
Any proceeding designed to ascertain or test character, qualification, or the like
probe v
To search through and through
probity n
Virtue or integrity tested and confirmed
procedure n
A manner or method of acting
proceed v
To renew motion or action, as after rest or interruption
proclamation n
Any announcement made in a public manner
procrastinate v
To put off till tomorrow or till a future time
procrastination n
Delay
proctor n
An agent acting for another
prodigal n
One wasteful or extravagant, especially in the use of money or property
prodigious adj
Immense
prodigy n
A person or thing of very remarkable gifts or qualities
productive adj
Yielding in abundance
profession n
Any calling or occupation involving special mental or other special disciplines
professor n
A public teacher of the highest grade in a university or college
proffer v
To offer to another for acceptance
proficiency n
An advanced state of acquirement, as in some knowledge, art, or science
proficient adj
Possessing ample and ready knowledge or of skill in any art, science, or industry
profile n
An outline or contour
profiteer n
One who profits
profligacy n
Shameless viciousness
profligate adj
Abandoned to vice
profuse adj
Produced or displayed in overabundance
progeny n
Offspring
progression n
A moving forward or proceeding in course
prohibition n
A decree or an order forbidding something
prohibitionist n
One who favors the prohibition by law of the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages
prohibitory adj
Involving or equivalent to prohibition, especially of the sale of alcoholic beverages
projection n
A prominence
proletarian n
A person of the lowest or poorest class
prolific adj
Producing offspring or fruit
prolix adj
Verbose
prologue n
A prefatory statement or explanation to a poem, discourse, or performance
prolong v
To extend in time or duration
promenade v
To walk for amusement or exercise
prominence n
The quality of being noticeable or distinguished
prominent adj
Conspicuous in position, character, or importance
promiscuous adj
Brought together without order, distinction, or design (for sex)
promissory adj
Expressing an engagement to pay
promontory n
A high point of land extending outward from the coastline into the sea
promoter n
A furtherer, forwarder, or encourager
promulgate v
To proclaim
propaganda n
Any institution or systematic scheme for propagating a doctrine or system
propagate v
To spread abroad or from person to person
propel v
To drive or urge forward
propellant adj
Propelling
propeller n
One who or that which propels
prophecy n
Any prediction or foretelling
prophesy v
To predict or foretell, especially under divine inspiration and guidance
propitious adj
Kindly disposed
proportionate adj
Being in proportion
propriety n
Accordance with recognized usage, custom, or principles
propulsion n
A driving onward or forward
prosaic adj
Unimaginative
proscenium n
That part of the stage between the curtain and the orchestra
proscribe v
To reject, as a teaching or a practice, with condemnation or denunciation
proscription n
Any act of condemnation and rejection from favor and privilege
proselyte n
One who has been won over from one religious belief to another
prosody n
The science of poetical forms
prospector n
One who makes exploration, search, or examination, especially for minerals
prospectus n
A paper or pamphlet containing information of a proposed undertaking
prostrate adj
Lying prone, or with the head to the ground
protagonist n
A leader in any enterprise or contest
protection n
Preservation from harm, danger, annoyance, or any other evil
protective adj
Sheltering
protector n
A defender
protege n
One specially cared for and favored by another usually older person
Protestant n
A Christian who denies the authority of the Pope and holds the right of special judgment
protomartyr n
The earliest victim in any cause
protocol n
A declaration or memorandum of agreement less solemn and formal than a treaty
protoplasm n
The substance that forms the principal portion of an animal or vegetable cell
prototype n
A work, original in character, afterward imitated in form or spirit
protract v
To prolong
protrude v
To push out or thrust forth
protrusion n
The act of protruding
protuberance n
Something that swells out from a surrounding surface
protuberant adj
Bulging
protuberate v
To swell or bulge beyond the surrounding surface
proverb n
A brief, pithy saying, condensing in witty or striking form the wisdom of experience
provident adj
Anticipating and making ready for future wants or emergencies
providential adj
Effected by divine guidance
provincial adj
Uncultured in thought and manner
proviso n
A clause in a contract, will, etc, by which its operation is rendered conditional
provocation n
An action or mode of conduct that excites resentment
prowess n
Strength, skill, and intrepidity in battle
proximately adv
Immediately
proxy n
A person who is empowered by another to represent him or her in a given matter
prudence n
Caution
prudential adj
Proceeding or marked by caution
prudery n
An undue display of modesty or delicacy
prurient adj
Inclined to lascivious thoughts and desires
pseudapostle n
A pretended or false apostle
pseudonym n
A fictitious name, especially when assumed by a writer
pseudonymity n
The state or character of using a fictitious name
psychiatry n
The branch of medicine that relates to mental disease
psychic adj
Pertaining to the mind or soul
psychopathic adj
Morally irresponsible
psychotherapy n
The treatment of mental disease
pudgy adj
Small and fat
puerile adj
Childish
pugnacious adj
Quarrelsome
puissant adj
Possessing strength
pulmonary adj
Pertaining to the lungs
punctilious adj
Strictly observant of the rules or forms prescribed by law or custom
punctual adj
Observant and exact in points of time
pungent adj
Affecting the sense of smell
pungency n
The quality of affecting the sense of smell
punitive adj
Pertaining to punishment
pupilage n
The state or period of being a student
purgatory n
An intermediate state where souls are made fit for paradise or heaven by expiatory suffering
purl v
To cause to whirl, as in an eddy
purloin v
To steal
purport n
Intent
purveyor n
one who supplies
pusillanimous adj
Without spirit or bravery
putrescent adj
Undergoing decomposition of animal or vegetable matter accompanied by fetid odors
pyre n
A heap of combustibles arranged for burning a dead body
pyromania n
An insane propensity to set things on fire
pyrotechnic adj
Pertaining to fireworks or their manufacture
pyx n
A vessel or casket, usually of precious metal, in which the host is preserved
quackery n
Charlatanry
quadrate v
To divide into quarters
quadruple v
To multiply by four
qualification n
A requisite for an employment, position, right, or privilege
qualify v
To endow or furnish with requisite ability, character, knowledge, skill, or possessions
qualm n
A fit of nausea
quandary n
A puzzling predicament
quantity n
Magnitude
quarantine n
The enforced isolation of any person or place infected with contagious disease
quarrelsome adj
Irascible
quarter n
One of four equal parts into which anything is or may be divided
quarterly adj
Occurring or made at intervals of three months
quartet n
A composition for four voices or four instruments
quarto n
An eight-page newspaper of any size
quay n
A wharf or artificial landing-place on the shore of a harbor or projecting into it
querulous adj
Habitually complaining
query v
To make inquiry
queue n
A file of persons waiting in order of their arrival, as for admittance
quibble n
An utterly trivial distinction or objection
quiescence n
Quiet
quiescent adj
Being in a state of repose or inaction
quiet adj
Making no noise
quietus n
A silencing, suppressing, or ending
quintessence n
The most essential part of anything
quintet n
Musical composition arranged for five voices or instruments
quite adv
Fully
Quixotic adj
Chivalrous or romantic to a ridiculous or extravagant degree
rabid adj
Affected with rabies or hydrophobia
racy adj
Exciting or exhilarating to the mind
radiance n
Brilliant or sparkling luster
radiate v
To extend in all directions, as from a source or focus
radical n
One who holds extreme views or advocates extreme measures
radix n
That from or on which something is developed
raillery n
Good-humored satire
ramify v
To divide or subdivide into branches or subdivisions
ramose adj
Branch-like
rampant adj
Growing, climbing, or running without check or restraint
rampart n
A bulwark or construction to oppose assault or hostile entry
rancor n
Malice
rankle v
To produce irritation or festering
rapacious adj
Disposed to seize by violence or by unlawful or greedy methods
rapid adj
Having great speed
rapine n
The act of seizing and carrying off property by superior force, as in war
rapt adj
Enraptured
raptorial adj
Seizing and devouring living prey
ration v
To provide with a fixed allowance or portion, especially of food
rationalism n
The formation of opinions by relying upon reason alone, independently of authority
raucous adj
Harsh
ravage v
To lay waste by pillage, rapine, devouring, or other destructive methods
ravenous adj
Furiously voracious or hungry
ravine n
A deep gorge or hollow, especially one worn by a stream or flow of water
reaction n
Tendency towards a former, or opposite state of things, as after reform, revolution, or inflation
reactionary adj
Pertaining to, of the nature of, causing, or favoring reaction
readily adv
Without objection or reluctance
readjust v
To put in order after disarrangement
ready adj
In a state of preparedness for any given purpose or occasion
realism n
The principle and practice of depicting persons and scenes as they are believed really to exist
rearrange v
To arrange again or in a different order
reassure v
To give new confidence
rebellious adj
Insubordinate
rebuff n
A peremptory or unexpected rejection of advances or approaches
rebuild v
To build again or anew
rebut v
To oppose by argument or a sufficient answer
recant v
To withdraw formally one’s belief (in something previously believed or maintained)
recapitulate v
To repeat again the principal points of
recapture v
To capture again
recede v
To move back or away
receivable adj
Capable of being or fit to be received - often money
receptive adj
Having the capacity, quality, or ability of receiving, as truths or impressions
recessive adj
Having a tendency to go back
recidivist n
A confirmed criminal
reciprocal adj
Mutually interchangeable or convertible
reciprocate v
To give and take mutually
reciprocity n
Equal mutual rights and benefits granted and enjoyed
recitation n
The act of reciting or repeating, especially in public and from memory
reck v
To have a care or thought for
reckless adj
Foolishly headless of danger
reclaim v
To demand or to obtain the return or restoration of
recline v
To cause to assume a leaning or recumbent attitude or position
recluse n
One who lives in retirement or seclusion
reclusory n
A hermitage
recognizance n
An acknowledgment entered into before a court with condition to do some particular act
recognize v
To recall the identity of (a person or thing)
recoil v
To start back as in dismay, loathing, or dread
recollect v
To recall the knowledge of
reconcilable adj
Capable of being adjusted or harmonized
reconnoiter v
To make a preliminary examination of for military, surveying, or geological purposes
reconsider v
To review with care, especially with a view to a reversal of previous action
reconstruct v
To rebuild
recourse n
Resort to or application for help in exigency or trouble
recover v
To regain
recreant n
A cowardly or faithless person
recreate v
To refresh after labor
recrudescence n
The state of becoming raw or sore again
