P-Word List

Question 1

Palaver

Answer 1

(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.

Question 2

Palliate

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Paradigm

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Parthenogenesis

Answer 4

(N)-development of an egg without fertilization.

Question 5

Parturition

Answer 5

(N)-the process of bringing forth young.

Question 6

Pedantic

Answer 6

(Adj)-of or like a pedant.

Question 7

Pederasty

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Pejorative

Answer 8

(Adj)-expressing contempt or disapproval.

Question 9

Pellucid

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Perdure

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Peregrinatory

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Perennial

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Peristalsis

Answer 13

(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.

Question 14

Pernicious

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Perspicacious

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Perspicacity

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Perspicuous

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Pertinacious

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Petrichor

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Philology

Answer 20

(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.

Question 21

Physiognomy

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Pithy

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Plaintive

Answer 23

(Adj)-sounding sad and mournful.

Question 24

Planchette

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Plebeian

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Preclude

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Precocious

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Predilection

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Preponderate

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Prescience

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Proclivity

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Progenitor

Answer 32

(N)-a biologically related ancestor.

Question 33

Promontory

Answer 33

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

Question 34

Promulgate

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Prosaic

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Prose

Answer 36

(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.

Question 37

Prosody

Answer 37

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

Question 38

Punitive

Answer 38

(Adj)-inflicting or intended as punishment.

Question 39

Puritanical

Answer 39

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

Question 40

Purloin

Answer 40

(V)-steal

Question 41

Propitiate

Answer 41

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

Question 42

Peccadillo

Answer 42

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

Question 43

Penumbra

Answer 43

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