PACIFY-PYRRHIC Flashcards
pacify
to calm down
pact
an agreement
paean
song of praise or joy
palatable
pleasant to the taste
palatial
magnificent
paleontology
study of prehistoric life
pall
(two meanings) something that covers or conceals (noun); to become wearisome or unpleasant (verb)
palliate
to ease; to lessen
pallid
pale; dull
palpable
obvious; capable of being touched or felt
palpitate
to beat rapidly; to tremble
palsy
muscle paralysis
paltry
trivial; worthless
panacea
a cure-all; an answer for all problems
panache
self-confidence; a showy manner
pandemic
general; widespread
pandemonium
wild disorder; confusion
panegyric
an expression of praise
pang
a sharp pain
panoply
suit of armor; any protective covering
panorama
unlimited view; comprehensive survey
parable
a simple story giving a moral or religious lession
paradigm
a model; an example
paradox
a statement that seems contradictory, but probably true
paragon
a model of excellence or perfection
parameter
boundary; limits
paramount
chief; supreme
paranoia
mental disorder characterized by a feeling of being persecuted
paraphernalia
personal belongings; equipment
paraphrase
to reword; to restate
parched
dried up; extremely thirsty
pariah
an outcast
parity
equality; similiarity
parley
discussion; conference
parlous
dangerous
parochial
local; narrow; limited
parody
a work which imitates another in a ridiculous manner
paroxysm
a sudden outburst; a fit
parrot
to repeat or imitate without understanding
parry
to avoid something such as a thrust or blow
parsimonious
stingy; miserly
partisan
a strong supporter of a cause
passé
old fashioned; out of date
passive
submissive; unresisting
pastoral
pertaining to the country; rural
patent
(two meanings) a government protection for an inventor (noun); evident or obvious (adjective)
paternal
fatherly
pathogenic
causing disease
pathos
pity; deep feeling
patriarch
an early biblical person regarded as one of the fathers of the human race
patrician
aristocratic
patrimony
inherited right; heritage
patronage
the control of power to make appointments to government jobs
patronize
(two meanings) to be a customer; to talk down to
paucity
scarcity; lack
peccadillo
a minor offense
pectoral
pertaining to the chest
peculate
to steal; to embezzle
pecuniary
pertaining to money
pedagogue
a schoolteacher
pedantic
tending to show off one’s learning
pedestrian
(two meanings) one who walks (noun); ordinary or dull (adjective)
pedigree
a record of ancestors; a line of descent
peer
(two meanings) an equal (noun); to look closely (verb)