P-Word List Flashcards

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1
Q

Palaver

A

(N)-unnecessarily elaborate or complex procedure.
-an improvised conference between two groups, typically those without a shared language or culture.
(V)-talk unproductively and at length.

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2
Q

Palliate

A

(V)-make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause.

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3
Q

Paradigm

A

(N) a typical example or pattern of something; a model.

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4
Q

Parthenogenesis

A

(N)-development of an egg without fertilization.

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5
Q

Parturition

A

(N)-the process of bringing forth young.

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6
Q

Pedantic

A

(Adj)-of or like a pedant.

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7
Q

Pederasty

A

(N)-sexual relations between two males, especially when one of them is a minor.

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8
Q

Pejorative

A

(Adj)-expressing contempt or disapproval.

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9
Q

Pellucid

A

(Adj)-allowing the maximum passage of light, as glass; translucent.

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10
Q

Perdure

A

(V)-remain in existence throughout a substantial period of time; endure.

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11
Q

Peregrinatory

A

(Adj)-Relating to, characteristic of, or written by a traveller or wanderer; that peregrinates.

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12
Q

Perennial

A

(Adj)-lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time; enduring or continually recurring.

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13
Q

Peristalsis

A

(N)-the involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the intestine or another canal, creating wave-like movements that push the contents of the canal forward.

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14
Q

Pernicious

A

(Adj)-having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.

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15
Q

Perspicacious

A

(Adj)-having keen mental perception and understanding; discerning:

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16
Q

Perspicacity

A

(N)-keenness of mental perception and understanding; discernment; penetration.

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17
Q

Perspicuous

A

(Adj)-(of an account or representation) clearly expressed and easily understood; lucid.

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18
Q

Pertinacious

A

(Adj)-holding firmly to an opinion or a course of action.

19
Q

Petrichor

A

(N)-a distinctive scent, usually described as earthy, pleasant, or sweet, produced by rainfall on very dry ground.

20
Q

Philology

A

(N)-the study of literary texts and of written records, the establishment of their authenticity and their original form, and the determination of their meaning.

21
Q

Physiognomy

A

(N)-the face or countenance, especially when considered as an index to the character.

22
Q

Pithy

A

(Adj)-(of language or style) concise and forcefully expressive.

23
Q

Plaintive

A

(Adj)-sounding sad and mournful.

24
Q

Planchette

A

(N)-a small board supported on casters, typically heart-shaped and fitted with a vertical pencil, used for automatic writing and in seances.

25
Q

Plebeian

A

(Adj)-belonging or pertaining to the common people.

26
Q

Preclude

A

(V)-(used with object) to prevent the presence, existence, or occurrence of; make impossible.

27
Q

Precocious

A

(Adj)-unusually advanced or mature in development, especially mental development.

28
Q

Predilection

A

(N)-a preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something.

29
Q

Preponderate

A

(V)-be greater in number, influence, or importance.

30
Q

Prescience

A

(N)-knowledge of things before they exist or happen; foreknowledge; foresight.

31
Q

Proclivity

A

(N)-A tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition toward a particular thing.

32
Q

Progenitor

A

(N)-a biologically related ancestor.

33
Q

Promontory

A

(N)-a high point of land or rock projecting into the sea or other water beyond the line of coast; a headland.

34
Q

Promulgate

A

(V)-(used with object) to make known by open declaration; publish; proclaim formally or put into operation (a law, decree of a court, etc.).

35
Q

Prosaic

A

(Adj)-commonplace or dull; matter-of-fact or unimaginative.

36
Q

Prose

A

(N)-the ordinary form of spoken or written language, without metrical structure, as distinguished from poetry or verse.
matter-of-fact, commonplace, or dull expression, quality, discourse, etc.

(Adj)-of, in, or pertaining to prose.
commonplace; dull; prosaic.

37
Q

Prosody

A

(N)-the science or study of poetic meters and versification.

38
Q

Punitive

A

(Adj)-inflicting or intended as punishment.

39
Q

Puritanical

A

(Adj)-practicing or affecting strict religious or moral behavior.

40
Q

Purloin

A

(V)-steal

41
Q

Propitiate

A

(V)- Win or regain the favor of (a god, spirit, or person) by doing something that pleases them.

42
Q

Peccadillo

A

(N)- a small, relatively unimportant offense or sin.

43
Q

Penumbra

A

(N)- the partial shadow surrounding a perfect shadow (as in an eclipse).