Words 751 - 775 Flashcards
plausible
appearing worthy of belief
adjective
He studied all the data and then came up with a plausible theory that took all factors into account.
plenitude
a great sufficiency
noun
My grandmother was overwhelmed by the plenitude of tomatoes her garden yielded this season.
plethora
an ample amount
noun
The wedding banquet included a plethora of oysters piled almost three feet high.
pliable
supple enough to bend freely without breaking
adjective
Aircraft wings are designed to be somewhat pliable so they do not break in heavy turbulence.
poignant
designed to make an impression
adjective
My teacher actually cried after reading to us the poignant final chapter of the novel.
polemic
an aggressive refutation of the opinions of another
noun
My brother launched into a polemic against my arguments that capitalism was an unjust economic system.
portent
something that foreshadows a coming event
noun
When a black cat crossed my sister’s path while she was walking to school, she took it as a portent that she would do badly on her spelling test.
potable
suitable for drinking
adjective
During sea voyages it is essential that ships carry a supply of potable water because salty ocean water makes anyone who drinks it sick.
potentate
one who wields great power
noun
All the villagers stood along the town’s main road to observe as the potentate’s procession headed towards the capital.
pragmatic
concerned with practical rather than intellectual or artistic matters
adjective
The politician argued that while increased security measures might not fit with the lofty ideals of the nation, they were a pragmatic necessity to ensure everyone’s safety.
precipice
a very steep or overhanging place
noun
The mountain climber hung from a precipice before finding a handhold and pulling himself up.
preclude
to rule out in advance
verb
My grandfather’s large and vicious guard dog precluded anyone from entering the yard.
precocious
exceptionally early in development
adjective
Derek was so academically precocious that by the time he was ten years old, he was already in the ninth grade.
predilection
an established preference for something
noun
François has a predilection for eating scrambled eggs with ketchup, though I prefer to eat eggs without any condiments.
preponderance
a superiority in importance
adjective
Britain’s preponderance of naval might secured the nation’s role as a military power.
prepossessing
tending to create a favorable impression
adjective
His prepossessing appearance made it impossible for me to think of anything else.
presage
something that foreshadows a future event
noun
When my uncle’s old war injury ached, he interpreted it as a presage of bad weather approaching.
prescient
having foreknowledge of events
adjective
Questioning the fortune cookie’s prediction, Ray went in search of the old hermit who was rumored to be prescient.
prescribe
to lay down a rule
verb
The duke prescribed that from this point further all of the peasants living on his lands would have to pay higher taxes.
presumptuous
overstepping due bounds
adjective
The princess grew angry after the presumptuous noble tried to kiss her, even though he was far below her in social status.
pretense
professed rather than real intention
noun
Though he actually wanted to use his parents’ car to go on a date, Nick borrowed his parents’ car under the pretense of attending a group study session.
primeval
relating to the earliest ages
adjective
The first primates to walk on two legs, called Australopithecus, were the primeval descendants of modern man.
privation
the state of being deprived
noun
After decades of rule by an oppressive government that saw nothing wrong with stealing from its citizens, the recent drought only increased the people’s privation.
probity
adherence to the highest ideals
noun
Because he was never viewed as a man of great probity, no one was surprised by Mr. Samson’s immoral behavior.
proclivity
an inclination toward something
noun
In a sick twist of fate, Harold’s childhood proclivity for torturing small animals grew into a desire to become a surgeon.
