P

Question 1

Paramount

Answer 1

adj. predominant, superior, most important

Our paramount concern is the safety of our employees.

Question 2

Peculiar

Answer 2

adj. strange, bizarre

Upon entering the abandoned house, Kate experienced a peculiar feeling, as if someone was watching her.

Question 3

Perish

Answer 3

v. to die; to pass away

According to the news, nobody perished in the fire.

Question 4

Persecute

Answer 4

v. to cause suffering to

They will persecute anyone who doesn’t agree with their views of the world.

Question 5

Petulant

Answer 5

adj. cranky, pouty, irritable

Petulant children are especially difficult to care for.

Question 6

Pinnacle

Answer 6

n. highest level or degree

Many believe that composers such as Beethoven and Mozart represent the pinnacle of classical music.

Question 7

Pitiable

Answer 7

adj. deserving pity

The frail-looking dog was pitiable, so I gave it some food and took it inside to care for it.

Question 8

Plausible

Answer 8

adj. reasonable and possibly true

Her story is plausible, but that doesn’t mean she’s telling the truth.

Question 9

Postulate

Answer 9

v. to assert

The literary critic postulates that romanticism and naturalism are actually interconnected.

Question 10

Potent

Answer 10

adj. having great influence
adj. having a strong, chemical effect

The bald eagle is a potent symbol of the US.
The potion was definitely potent—it healed my wounds immediately!

Question 11

Pragmatic

Answer 11

adj. practical, useful

It’s not necessarily more pragmatic to study engineering than it is to study philosophy.

Question 12

Precedent

Answer 12

n. an example or subject from earlier in time

This change in law is without historical precedent.

Question 13

Predecessor

Answer 13

n. someone who comes before you (usu. in position or office)

My predecessor gave me many tips for running the office.

Question 14

Prescribe

Answer 14

v. to command orders
v. to issue authorization for medications

The directions for our essay prescribe a length of at least ten pages.
A doctor must prescribe you this medication before you can begin taking it.

Question 15

Principle

Answer 15

n. basic truth, assumption, or rule

Remember the universal principle: treat others as you want them to treat you.

Question 16

Prohibit

Answer 16

v. to command against, to outlaw

Alcohol was prohibited in the US in the 1920s.

Question 17

Prompt

Answer 17

adj. punctual, on time
n. a cue to begin something; instructions
v. to incite, propel, or cause to act

She is always prompt when it comes to turning in her homework.
I had to write an essay based on a prompt.
The possibility of a scholarship prompted him to apply to Harvard.

Question 18

Promulgate

Answer 18

v. to put into law or formally declare

The ruler will at last promulgate an amnesty with the neighboring countries.

Question 19

Prosecute

Answer 19

v. to bring criminal action against someone (in a trial)

The suspect was prosecuted yesterday.

Question 20

Provocative

Answer 20

adj. intending to provoke, inspire, or arouse

Her nude paintings are considered quite provocative.

Question 21

Prepotent

Answer 21

Definition of prepotent

1a: having exceptional power, authority, or influence
b: exceeding others in power
2: exhibiting genetic prepotency

Question 22

Prior

Answer 22

adjective: prior
existing or coming before in time, order, or importance.
“he has a prior engagement this evening”

Question 23

Proportional

Answer 23

Definition of proportional
adjective
1a: corresponding in size, degree, or intensity
b: having the same or a constant ratio
corresponding sides of similar triangles are proportional

Question 24

Precocious

Answer 24

adjective
adjective: precocious

(of a child) having developed certain abilities or inclinations at an earlier age than is usual or expected.
“a precocious, solitary boy”

(of behaviour or ability) having developed at an earlier age than is usual or expected.
“a precocious talent for computing”

(of a plant) flowering or fruiting earlier than usual.

Question 25

Prelude

Answer 25

noun
noun: prelude; plural noun: preludes
1.an action or event serving as an introduction to something more important.
“a ceasefire had been agreed as a prelude to full peace negotiations”

an introductory piece of music, most commonly an orchestral opening to an act of an opera, the first movement of a suite, or a piece preceding a fugue.

a short piece of music of a style similar to a prelude, especially for the piano.
the introductory part of a poem or other literary work.

Question 26

Purge

Answer 26

verb
verb: purge; 3rd person present: purges; past tense: purged; past participle: purged; gerund or present participle: purging
1.rid (someone or something) of an unwanted quality, condition, or feeling.
“Bob had helped purge Martha of the terrible guilt that had haunted her”

free someone or something from (an unwanted quality, condition, or feeling).
“his hatred was purged”

2.remove (a group of people considered undesirable) from an organization or place in an abrupt or violent way.
“he purged all but 26 of the central committee members”

physically remove or expel (something) completely.
“a substance designed to purge impurities from the body”

empty one’s stomach or bowels by inducing vomiting or using laxatives.
“sufferers eat normally in summer but overeat and purge during winter”

Question 27

Phenomena

Answer 27

plural phenomena\ fi-​ˈnä-​mə-​nə , -​ˌnä \ or phenomenons
Definition of phenomenon

1plural phenomena : an observable fact or event

2plural phenomena
a: an object or aspect known through the senses rather than by thought or intuition

b: a temporal or spatiotemporal object of sensory experience as distinguished from a noumenon
c: a fact or event of scientific interest susceptible to scientific description and explanation
3a: a rare or significant fact or event
b: plural phenomenons : an exceptional, unusual, or abnormal person, thing, or occurrence

Question 28

Patronage

Answer 28

Definition of patronage

2: the support or influence of a patron
the patronage of science by universities

3: kindness done with an air of superiority
The prince deigned to bestow his patronage on the composer.

4: business or activity provided by patrons
the new branch library is expected to have a heavy patronage

5a: the power to make appointments to government jobs especially for political advantage
oust his enemies from office and use the patronage to support his policies
— H. K. Beale

b: the distribution of jobs on the basis of patronage
The governor filled the vacated positions through patronage.

c: jobs distributed by patronage
the government’s vast network of patronage

Question 29

Periphery

Answer 29

noun
noun: periphery; plural noun: peripheries

the outer limits or edge of an area or object.
“new buildings on the periphery of the hospital site”

a marginal or secondary position in, or aspect of, a group, subject, or sphere of activity.
“a shift in power from the centre to the periphery”

Question 30

Proliferation

Answer 30

noun: proliferation

rapid increase in the number or amount of something.
“a continuing threat of nuclear proliferation”

rapid reproduction of a cell, part, or organism.
“we attempted to measure cell proliferation”

Question 31

Prejudice

Answer 31

noun: prejudice; plural noun: prejudices
1.
preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.
“prejudice against people from different backgrounds”

2.dislike, hostility, or unjust behaviour deriving from preconceived and unfounded opinions.
“accusations of racial prejudice”

LAW
harm or injury that results or may result from some action or judgement.
“prejudice resulting from delay in the institution of the proceedings”

verb
verb: prejudice; 3rd person present: prejudices; past tense: prejudiced; past participle: prejudiced; gerund or present participle: prejudicing

1.give rise to prejudice in (someone); make biased.
“the statement might prejudice the jury”

2.LAW
cause harm to (a state of affairs).
“delay is likely to prejudice the child’s welfare”

Question 32

Patriotism

Answer 32

Definition of patriotism noun
: love for or devotion to one’s country
Although poles apart ideologically, they are both unashamed of their patriotism.
— Christopher Hemphill

Question 33

Pursuit

Answer 33

noun: pursuit; plural noun: pursuits
1.the action of pursuing someone or something.
“the cat crouched in the grass in pursuit of a bird”

a cycling race in which competitors set off from different parts of a track and attempt to overtake one another.
“the Olympic pursuit champion”

PHYSIOLOGY
the action of the eye in following a moving object.

2.an activity of a specified kind, especially a recreational or sporting one.
“a whole range of leisure pursuits”

give pursuit — (of a person, animal, or vehicle) start to chase another.
“three cavalry companies gave pursuit”

Question 34

Prudence

Answer 34

Definition of prudence

1: the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason
2: sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs
3: skill and good judgment in the use of resources
4: caution or circumspection as to danger or risk

Question 35

Pulpit

Answer 35

noun: pulpit; plural noun: pulpits

1.a raised enclosed platform in a church or chapel from which the preacher delivers a sermon.
“many ministers delivered political guidance from their pulpits”

Question 36

Paradox

Answer 36

paradox noun

a situation or statement that seems impossible or is difficult to understand because it contains two opposite facts or characteristics:
[ + that ] It’s a curious paradox that drinking a lot of water can often make you feel thirsty.

a statement or proposition which, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems logically unacceptable or self-contradictory.
“the liar paradox”

a person or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities.
“cathedrals face the paradox of having enormous wealth in treasures but huge annual expenses”

Question 37

Patronize

Answer 37

verb
verb: patronize; 3rd person present: patronizes; past tense: patronized; past participle: patronized; gerund or present participle: patronizing; verb: patronise; 3rd person present: patronises; past tense: patronised; past participle: patronised; gerund or present participle: patronising

1.treat in a way that is apparently kind or helpful but that betrays a feeling of superiority.
“she was determined not to be put down or patronized”

frequent (a shop, restaurant, or other establishment) as a customer.
“restaurants and bars regularly patronized by the stars were often crowded with paparazzi”

give financial or other support to (a person, organization, or cause).
“she patronizes worthy causes”

Question 38

Polity

Answer 38

noun: polity; plural noun: polities
a form or process of civil government or constitution.
“the civic humanist’s polity”
an organized society; a state as a political entity.
“the period in which West Germany was a distinct polity”

Question 39

Punctilious

Answer 39

adjective: punctilious

showing great attention to detail or correct behaviour.
“he was punctilious in providing every amenity for his guests”

Question 40

Pedantic

Answer 40

adjective: pedantic

excessively concerned with minor details or rules; overscrupulous.
“his analyses are careful and even painstaking, but never pedantic”