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BARRON SET#14

Terms

undefined, object
copy deck
philatelist
stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting
philistine
narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested in material gain; uncultured person who is indifferent to artistic and cultural values; member of an ancient people in Palestine; OP. aesthete
philology
study of language or words
phlegmatic
calm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed; CF. phlegm: sticky mucus produced in the respiratory tract
phobia
morbid fear
phoenix
symbol of immortality or rebirth; Ex. phoenix rising from its ashes
phylum
major classification, second to kingdom, of plants and animals; category ranking below a kingdom and above a class; division
physiognomy
face (as showing the character and the mind); art of judging human character from facial features
physiological
pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms; N. physiology
piebald
of different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors (esp. in black and white); Ex. piebald horse; CF. pie+bald
piecemeal
one part at a time; gradually; in stages; Ex. read a novel piecemeal
pied
piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored
piety
devoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious
pigment
coloring matter (usually powder to be mixed with water or oil)
pilfer
steal things of small value; filch; snitch
pillage
plunder
pillory
punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N.
pinch
squeeze between the thumb and a finger, or other edges; Ex. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. N: amount that can be held between the thumb and a finger
pine
long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline
pinion
restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs; N: bird's wing
pinnace
small boat
pinnacle
peak; highest point; acme; Ex. pinnacle of fame
pious
devout; religious; N. piety
piquant
pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating; Ex. piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help
pique
irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss in a contest); V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to feel resentment; Ex. pique her curiosity
piscatorial
pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces
pitfall
hidden danger; concealed trap
pith
core or marrow; spongelike substance in the center of stems; essence; substance
pithy
concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty
pittance
small amount (of money); small allowance or wage
pivotal
of a pivot; central; critical; crucial
placate
pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease
placebo
harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill
placid
peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake
plagiarize
steal another's ideas or writings and pass them off as one's own; Ex. ideas plagiarized from my article; N. plagiarism; CF. kidnap
plaintive
expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song
plait
braid; interwine; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; Ex. plaited hair; N: braided length as of hair o fabric; CF. pigtail, ponytail
plane
carpenter's tool for smoothing and leveling wood; V. CF. flat
plaster
paste that hardens to a smooth solid and is used for coating walls; V.
plasticity
ability to be molded; ADJ. plastic: capable of being shaped or molded; Ex. plastic material such as clay
platitude
trite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ. platitudinous
platonic
purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire
plaudit
praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or series) of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud
plausible
conceivably true; having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious
plebeian
common; vulgar; pertaining to the common people; N: common people in ancient Rome; CF. patrician
plebiscite
direct vote by the entire electorate (on an important issue)
plenary
(of power) complete; full; fully attended by all qualified members; Ex. plenary power
plenitude
abundance; plenty; great amount; completeness; fullness; CF. plenary, plenty
plethora
excess; overabundance; Ex. a plethora of excuses
pliable
flexible; easily influenced; yielding; adaptable
pliant
flexible; easily influenced
plight
difficult condition; condition or state (esp. a bad state or condition); predicament
ploy
strategem to gain an advantage; tactic; Ex. management ploy
pluck
courage; V: pull off or out; pull out the hair or feathers of; ADJ. plucky: courageous; brave
plumage
feathers of a bird;
plumb
exactly vertical; N: weight on the end of a line; V: examine very carefully or critically in order to understand; measure depth (by sounding); Ex. plumb the depth of
plumber
one who installs and repairs pipes and plumbing(pipes)
plume
feather, esp. large or showy one; something that rises into the air (like the shape of a feather); Ex. plume of smoke: ?? ??
plummet
fall sharply; fall straight down; Ex. Stock prices plummeted.
plump
pleasantly fat; nicely rounded
plutocracy
society ruled by the wealthy
podiatrist
doctor who treats ailments of the feet; chiropodist; N. podiatrics
podium
pedestal; raised platform
poignancy
quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion; ADJ. poignant: touching; deeply moving; (of sorrow, grief, etc.) painful; keenly distressing to the mind; Ex. poignant memory/anxiety; CF. prick
poise
good judgment with composure; balance; V: place in a carefully balanced position
polar
of a pole; characterized by opposite extremes; Ex. polar opposites
polarity
state of having two opposite qualities
polarize
split into opposite extremes or camps
polemic
attack or defense of an opinion; controversy or refutation; argument in support of point of view; N. polemics: art of debate or controversy
polemical(polemic)
aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious (rather than simply expressing opinions)
politic
prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well devised
polity
(particular form of) political organization; form of government of nation or state; Ex. student polity
polygamist
one who has more than one spouse at a time; CF. bigamy; CF. polyandry
polyglot
speaking several languages; multilingual; Ex. polyglot person/society; N.
pomposity
self-important behavior; acting like a stuffed shirt(pompous person); ADJ. pompous: self-important
ponderous
having great weight; weighty; unwieldy; lacking lightness; dull; Ex. ponderous body/style of writing
pontifical
pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious; CF. pontiff: pope; bishop
pore
study industriously; ponder; scrutinize; Ex. pore over the book; N.
porridge
soft food made by boiling oatmeal
portend
foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N. portent: sign; omen; forewarning
portly
stout; corpulent
pose
assume a particular posture; put forward; present; affect a particular attitude (to impress others); Ex. pose a threat; N.
poseur
person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc., to impress others; person who poses; CF. pose
posterity
descendants; future generations; Ex. go down to posterity; CF. posterior, anterior
posthumous
after death (as of child born after father's death or book published after author's death); coming or occurring after one's death; Ex. posthumous fame/novel
postmortem
autopsy; ADJ: occurring after death; of a postmortem
postulate
self-evident truth; something assumed without proof; V: assume the truth of (as a basis of an argument)
posture
assume an affected pose; act artificially; N: pose; attitude
potable
suitable for drinking; drinkable
potent
powerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influential
potentate
monarch; sovereign
potential
expressing possibility; latent; N: capacity for growth
potion
dose (of liquids); liquid dose
potpourri
heterogeneous mixture; medley; mixture of dried flower petals a pot (to give a pleasant smell to a room)
poultice
soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body
pr'ecis
abstract; concise summing up of main points; concise summary of a text
practicable
feasible
practical
based on experience; of or acquired through practice (rather than theory); useful; Ex. practical man
pragmatic
practical (as opposed to idealistic); concerned with practical worth or impact of something; Ex. pragmatic test of the skill
pragmatist
practical person; N. pragmatism: pragmatic way of dealing with things
prance
move about in a spirited manner (proudly and confidently)
prank
mischievous trick
prate
talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly
prattle
talk idly; babble; N. CF. prate
preamble
introductory statement
precarious
unsafe; lacking in stability; uncertain; risky; Ex. precarious living
precedent
something preceding in time which may be used as an authority or guide for future action; V. precede; CF. unprecedented
precept
practical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mother's precept
precinct
division of a city for election or police purposes; precincts: space that surrounds a building; Ex. precincts of the college
precipice
cliff; dangerous position; Ex. on the edge of the precipice
precipitant
something that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form; ???; OP. solvent
precipitate
hurl downward; throw headlong; hasten; cause to happen sooner; condense and fall as rain or snow; cause (a solid substance) to be separated from a solution; ADJ. hasty; rash; premature; sudden
precipitous
steep; overhasty; precipitate
precise
exact
preclude
make impossible; prevent; exclude; eliminate
precocious
advanced in development; N. precocity
precursor
forerunner; predecessor
predator
predatory animal or bird; predatory person; creature that seizes and devours another animal; person who robs or exploits others; ADJ. predatory: living by preying on other organisms; plundering; N. predation
predecessor
former occupant of a post
predetermine
determine in advance; predestine; settle or decide beforehand; influence markedly
predicament
difficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma
predilection
preference; partiality
predispose
give an inclination toward (in advance); make susceptible to; Ex. predispose people to certain cancer; N. predisposition
preeminent
outstanding; superior
preempt
prevent in advance; head off(forestall); forestall by acting first; appropriate for oneself before others; supplant; take the place of; displace; Ex. preempt any attempts; ADJ. preemptive
preen
make oneself tidy in appearance; feel self-satisfaction or pride; (of a bird) smooth or clean (feathers) with the beak; Ex. preen oneself on; CF. prune
prefatory
introductory; of a preface
prefigure
be a sign of; foreshadow
prehensile
capable of grasping or holding (esp. by wrapping around); Ex. prehensile tails
prelate
church dignitary; priest of high position in the church (esp. bishop)
prelude
introduction; introductory performance or event; forerunner
premeditate
plan in advance; Ex. premeditated murder
premise
assumption; postulate; proposition upon which an argument is based
premonition
forewarning; presentiment; foreboding
premonitory
serving to warn
preponderance
superiority of power, quantity, etc.; V. preponderate: be greater in power, weight, or importance; ADJ. preponderant
prepossessing
attractive; CF. preoccupying ?
preposterous
absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous
prerogative
privilege; unquestionable right; CF. ask before
presage
foretell; be a warning or sign of; N: presentiment; foreboding; omen
prescience
ability to foretell the future; knowledge of actions before they occur; ADJ. prescient
presentiment
premonition; foreboding; feeling something will happen; anticipatory fear
prestige
respect or admiration; impression produced by achievements or reputation; ADJ: causing admiration; ADJ. prestigious: having prestige
presume
take for granted; assume; act overconfidently; take liberties; presume on/upon: take unfair advantage of (someone's kindness or connection); N. presumption
presumptuous
going beyond what is right; excessively forward; arrogant; taking liberties
pretend
feign; pretend to: claim to possess; make pretensions to; Ex. I don't pretend to much expertise; N. pretense
pretension
pretentiousness; claim (without foundation); Ex. I make no pretensions to skill as an artist.
pretentious
ostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; overambitious; Ex. pretentious films that claim to be art
preternatural
beyond what is normal in nature; supernatural; Ex. preternatural strength/forces
pretext
excuse
prevail
be widespread; triumph over; gain victory; prevail on: persuade; induce; Ex. Justice has prevailed; Ex. prevail on someone to do something
prevalent
widespread; generally accepted
prevaricate
lie; hide the truth (by equivocating)
prey
target of a hunt; victim; V: hunt and eat as prey; victimize; Ex. Cats prey on mice.
prim
proper to the point of affectation; very precise and formal; exceedingly proper
primal
first in rank or importance; being first in time; original; Ex. man's primal innocence
primary
first in rank or importance; principal; earliest in time; Ex. primary stages; N. CF. first
primate
group of mammals including humans
prime
period of ideal or peak condition; earliest or beginning stage; Ex. in the prime of life; Ex. prime of the year(spring); ADJ: first in importance or rank; first; V: make ready; prepare
primogeniture
seniority by birth; state of being the first-born child; right of the eldest child (to inherit the entire property of one or both parents)
primordial
existing at the beginning (of time); rudimentary
primp
groom oneself with care; adorn oneself
pristine
unspoiled; remaining in a pure state; characteristic of earlier times; primitive; Ex. an old book in pristine condition
privation
lack of the basic necessities or comforts of life; hardship; want; CF. deprive
privy
secret; hidden; not public; made a participant in something secret; Ex. privy chamber government; Ex. be privy to a discussion; CF. private
prize
pry; move with a lever; value highly; esteem; Ex. his most prized possession; N: something captured during war-time (esp. an enemy ship)
probe
explore with a probe or tools; investigate; N: slender instrument used to explore a wound or body cavity; device designed to investigate an unknown region; thorough investigation; Ex. space probe
probity
uprightness; honesty; incorruptibility
problematic
causing a problem; open to doubt; doubtful; unsettled; questionable; Ex. Whether the arena will ever be completed is problematic.
proclivity
inclination; natural tendency (esp. towards something bad)
procrastinate
postpone; delay or put off
procurement
obtaining; V. procure: obtain by effort; obtain (a prostitute) for another
prod
poke (with a pointed object); stir up; urge; goad to action; N: pointed object used to prod; prodding
prodigal
wasteful; reckless with money; profuse; Ex. a mind prodigal of ideas; N. prodigality
prodigious
enormous; marvelous; extraordinary; Ex. prodigious amount/memory
prodigy
highly gifted child; person with exceptional talents; marvel; wonder
profane
violate; desecrate (something holy); treat unworthily; be profane for; ADJ: secular; nonreligious; irreverent for holy things
profligate
wasteful (of money); dissipated; wildly immoral; dissolute; N: profligate person; N. profligacy
profound
deep; not superficial; complete; Ex. profound thinker/remark/silence/deafness; N. profundity
profusion
great amount; plenty; overabundance; excess; lavish expenditure; Ex. profusion of choices; ADJ. profuse: plentiful; copious; giving or given abundantly; extravagant
progenitor
ancestor
progeny
children; offspring; descendants
prognosis
forecasted course of a disease; prediction; CF. prognostic
prognosticate
predict (according to present indications)
prohibitive
so high as to prohibit purchase or use; tending to prevent the purchase or use of something; prohibiting; inclined to prevent or forbid; Ex. prohibitive tax
projectile
missile; fired or thrown object (such as stone or bullet)
proletarian
member of the working class; blue collar guy; N. proletariat: working class (who have to work for wages)
proliferate
grow rapidly (in numbers); spread; multiply; N. proliferation
prolific
producing offspring or fruit in abundance; fertile; fecund; abundantly fruitful; producing abundant works; Ex. prolific writer
prolixity
tedious wordiness; verbosity; ADJ. prolix: wordy; verbose; diffuse
prologue
introduction (to a poem or play)
prolong
lengthen; extend; draw out
prominent
protruding(sticking out); conspicuous; notable; eminent
promiscuous
mixed indiscriminately; indiscriminate; not choosing carefully; indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners; irregular, particularly sexually; Ex. promiscuous life/girl; N. promiscuity
promontory
headland
promote
advance in rank; advance; help to flourish; advocate; help actively in forming; publicize or popularize; Ex. Milk promotes health; Ex. promote a match/bill; Ex. promote a new product
prompt
cause; urge; provoke; provide a cue (for an actor); ADJ: done without delay; done at the right time; punctual; on time; N: reminder or cue
promulgate
announce; proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by official publication
prone
inclined to; likely to (suffer); prostrate; lying with the front downward; Ex. prone to disease/make mistakes; Ex. accident-prone
prong
pointed projecting part
pronounced
distinct; very noticeable; Ex. pronounced limp
prop
support placed under or against something; V.
propagate
increase in number by producing young; multiply; spread; Ex. Most plants propagate by seed; Ex. newspaper propagating their ideas
propellant(propellent)
substance which propels or drives forward (such as an explosive charge or a rocket fuel)
propensity
natural inclination
prophetic
of a prophet or prophecy; having to do with predicting the future; N. prophecy; V. prophesy; N. prophet
prophylactic
used to prevent disease; N: something prophylactic; condom; N. prophylaxis: prevention of disease
propinquity
nearness (in space or relationship); proximity; kinship
propitiate
appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory
propitious
favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate; Ex. propitious day/sign
proponent
supporter; backer; opposite of opponent
propound
put forth for consideration or analysis; set forth; Ex. propound a problem/theory
propriety
fitness; quality of being proper; correct conduct; conformity to prevailing customs and usages; CF. proprietor, proprietary
propulsive
driving forward; N. propulsion
prosaic
lacking in imagination; dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact(concerned with facts, not imagination or feelings); factual; CF. prose
proscenium
part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage
proscribe
prohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw
proselytize
(induce someone to) convert to a religion or belief; N. proselyte: new convert to a doctrine or religion
prosody
art of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse
prosper
become successful (esp. financially); thrive; grow well; Ex. children prospering under his care
prosperity
good fortune and financial success; physical well-being
prosperous
successful; rich; affluent; well-to-do; well-off
prostrate
stretch out full on ground; make prostrate; enervate; Ex. prostrating illness; ADJ: lying face down; having lost all strength
prot'eg'e
person receiving protection and support from a patron
protagonist
leader or noticeable supporter of an idea; chief character in a play or story
protean
able to take on many forms; versatile; CF. Proteus: sea god to change his shape at will
protocol
diplomatic etiquette; ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats; first copy of a treaty before its ratification; Ex. Protocol demands that the queen meet him at the airport.
prototype
original work used as a model by others
protract
prolong; lengthen in time; draw out
protrude
stick out; jut; project; Ex. protruding teeth
protuberance
protrusion; swelling; bulge
provenance
place of origin; origin or source of something; Ex. Gunpowder is of Chinese provenance; CF. come
provender
dry food for livestock; fodder
providence
quality of being provident; divine care; god's care; Providence: god; Ex. It seemed like providence that the doctor happened to be there; ADJ. providential: of divine providence; fortunate
provident
providing for future needs; displaying foresight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies; OP. improvident
provincial
pertaining to a province; limited in outlook; narrow; unsophisticated
provision
act of providing; something provided; preparatory measure; provisions: necessary supplies (esp. food); stipulation; condition in an agreement; Ex. According to the provisions of the agreement
provisional
tentative; temporary
proviso
stipulation; condition in an agreement; provision
provocative
arousing anger or sexual interest; annoying; Ex. provocative in tight jeans; V. provoke: incite to anger; cause (an unpleasant action or feeling); N. provocation
prowess
extraordinary ability; military bravery; Ex. prowess in battle
proximity
nearness; ADJ. proximate
proxy
authorized agent; authority to act for another
prude
excessively modest or proper person (who is easily shocked by improper things, esp. of a sexual nature); N. prudery; ADJ. prudish: excessively concerned with propriety
prudent
cautious; careful; prudential
prune
cut away; trim
prurient
having or causing lustful desires and thoughts; arousing immoderate sexual desire
pry
inquire impertinently (someone else's private affairs); use leverage to raise or open something; prize; N. pries: tool for prying
pseudonym
pen name; fictitious name assumed by an author; ADJ. pseudonymous

Deck Info

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