WL 37 Flashcards
palimpsest
n. parchment used for second time after original writing has been erased
palliation
n. act of making less severe or violent
panoply
n. full set of armor
paramour
n. illicit lover
paranoiac
n. mentally unsound person suffering from delusions
parapet
n. low wall at edge of roof or balcony
parity
n. equality close resemblance
parlous
adj. dangerous; perilous
parturition
n. delivery; childbirth
passé
adj. old-fashioned; past the prime
pastiche
n. imitation of another’s style in musical composition or in writing
pathological
adj. pertaining to disease
patina
n. green crust on old bronze works; tone slowly taken by varnished painting
patois
n. local or provincial dialct
peculation
n. embezzlement; theft
pedant
n. scholar who overemphasizes book learning or technicalities
pediment
n. triangular part above columns in Greek buildings
pejorative
adj. having a deteriorating or depreciating effect on the meaning of a word
pendulous
adj. hanging ; suspended
pennate
adj. having wings or feathers
peregrinations
n. journey
perigee
n. point of moon’s orbit when it is nearest the earth
peristyle
n. series of columns surrounding a building or yard