Vocabulary: P-words Flashcards
Placate
to appease or pacify, especially by concessions or conciliatory gestures: to placate an outraged citizenry.
par·am·ne·sia
[par-am-nee-zhuh]
- A distortion of memory in which fact and fantasy are confused.
- The inability to recall the correct meaning of a word.
pen·i·tent
[pen-i-tuh nt]
1.
feeling or expressing sorrow for sin or wrongdoing and disposed to atonement and amendment; repentant; contrite.
Peruse(puh-ruse)
1. to read through with thoroughness or care: to peruse a report. 2. to read. 3. to survey or examine in detail.
pejorative
having a disparaging, derogatory, or belittling effect or force. Expressing contempt or disapproval.
pon·tif·i·cate
Express one’s opinions in a way considered annoyingly pompous and dogmatic.
Posit (poz-it)
to lay down or assume as a fact or principle; postulate.
Prevalent
widespread; of wide extent or occurrence; in general use or acceptance.
Pretense
1.
pretending or feigning make-believe; my sleepiness was all pretense
2.
a false show of something a pretense of friendship
4.
the act of pretending or alleging falsely
pro·pri·e·ty
[pruh-prahy-i-tee]
1.
conformity to established standards of good or proper behavior or manners
2.
appropriateness to the purpose or circumstances suitability
Pervasive
(of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) spreading widely though out an area or group of people.
Polarizing
Divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs.
pro·cliv·i·ty
[proh-kliv-i-tee]
natural or habitual inclination or tendency; propensity; predisposition: a proclivity to meticulousness.
Provision
1
the providing or supplying of something, especially of food or other necessities.
2
arrangement or preparation beforehand, as for the doing of something, the meeting of needs, the supplying of means, etc.
3
something provided; a measure or other means for meeting a need.
Premonition
A feeling of anticipation of or anxiety over a future event; a forewarning.
Purported
Appear or claim to be or do something.
Propensity
An inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way
Pedantic
Overly concerned with minute details or formulas, especially in teaching
Pareidolia
when a vague or random image is perceived as recognizable. This group is for those pictures that look just like real life objects, but it’s all in your head.
Polemic
a controversial argument, as one against some opinion, doctrine, etc.
pau·ci·ty
[paw-si-tee]
Paucity
The presence of something only in small or insufficient quantities or amounts. Scarcity
Pernicious
Having a harmful effect in a gradual or subtle way.
Pantheon
All the gods of a people or religion collectively.
A group of particularly respected, famous, or important people.
pro·di·gious
[pruh-dij-uh s]
1.
extraordinary in size, amount, extent, degree, force, etc.: a prodigious research grant.
2.
wonderful or marvelous: a prodigious feat.
per·en·ni·al
[puh-ren-ee-uh l]
1.
lasting for an indefinitely long time; enduring: her perennial beauty.
4.
perpetual; everlasting; continuing; recurrent.
plight
[plahyt]
1.
a condition, state, or situation, especially an unfavorable or unfortunate one: to find oneself in a sorry plight.
pre·text
[pree-tekst]
Pretext
A reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason.
pa·tron
[pey-truh n]
1.
a person who is a customer, client, or paying guest, especially a regular one, of a store, hotel, or the like.
2.
a person who supports with money, gifts, efforts, or endorsement an artist, writer, museum, cause, charity, institution, special event, or the like: a patron of the arts; patrons of the annual Democratic dance.
pomp·ous
[pom-puh s]
1.
characterized by an ostentatious display of dignity or importance: a pompous minor official.
2.
ostentatiously lofty or high-flown: a pompous speech.
pro·cur·ance
[proh-kyoo r-uh ns, pruh-]
the act of bringing about or getting something; agency; procurement.
pal·li·ate
[pal-ee-eyt]
1.
to relieve or lessen without curing; mitigate; alleviate.
2.
to try to mitigate or conceal the gravity of (an offense) by excuses, apologies, etc.; extenuate.
Pander
a person who caters to or profits from the weaknesses or vices of others.
A person who assists the baser urges or evil designs of others.
pu·er·ile
[pee-or-e-ul)
Childishly silly and trivial
Proffers
to put before a person for acceptance; offer.
noun
an offer or proposal.
Prerogative
1.
an exclusive right, privilege, etc., exercised by virtue of rank, office, or the like: the prerogatives of a senator.
2.
a right, privilege, etc., limited to a specific person or to persons of a particular category: It was the teacher’s prerogative to stop the discussion.
Preclude
1.
to prevent the presence, existence, or occurrence of; make impossible: The insufficiency of the evidence precludes a conviction.
Perpetuity
A thing that lasts forever or for an indefinite period of time. A bond or other security with no fixed maturity date.
potentiate
to cause to be potent; make powerful.
to increase the effectiveness of; intensify.
percolates
(Of information or idea or feeling) spread gradually through an area or group of people.
Parsimony
extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources. frugal or stingy.
Philander
(Of a man) Readily or frequently enter into casual sexual relationships with women
Parlance
A particular way of speaking or using words. A way common to those with a particular job or interest.
Penchant
A strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something.
Perennial
lasting for an indefinitely long time; enduring: her perennial beauty. something that is continuing or recurrent.
Prose
Noun: Written or spoken language in its ordinary form.
Plain or dull writing, discourse, or expression.
Verb: talk tediously: ex: prosing about female beauty
Platitude
a flat, dull, or trite remark, especially one uttered as if it were fresh or profound.
Profligate
Recklessly extravagant or wasteful in use of resources.
portentous
Done in a pompously or overly solemn manner so as to impress.
Panache
Distinctive and stylish elegance
Parochial
Narrowly restricted in Outlook or scope
