10 letter word starting with p

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Words Parts of Speech Meaning/Definition/Similar Words
pabulation noun The act of feeding, or providing food., Food; fodder; pabulum.
pachacamac noun A divinity worshiped by the ancient Peruvians as the creator of the universe.
pachometer noun An instrument for measuring thickness, as of the glass of a mirror, or of paper; a pachymeter.
pachymeter noun Same as Pachometer.
pacifiable adjective Capable of being pacified or appeased; placable.
pack herse See under 2d Pack.
pactitious adjective Setted by a pact, or agreement.
paddlecock noun The lumpfish.
paddlefish noun A large ganoid fish (Polyodon spathula) found in the rivers of the Mississippi Valley. It has a long spatula-shaped snout. Called also duck-billed cat, and spoonbill sturgeon.
paddlewood noun The light elastic wood of the Aspidosperma excelsum, a tree of Guiana having a fluted trunk readily split into planks.
padlocking present participle & vb. noun of Padlock
paganizing present participle & vb. noun of Paganize
pagination noun The act or process of paging a book; also, the characters used in numbering the pages; page number.
paideutics noun The science or art of teaching.
painstaker noun One who takes pains; one careful and faithful in all work.
palaeotype noun A system of representing all spoken sounds by means of the printing types in common use.
palaestric adjective See Palestric.
palamedeae noun pl. An order, or suborder, including the kamichi, and allied South American birds; — called also screamers. In many anatomical characters they are allied to the Anseres, but they externally resemble the wading birds.
palapteryx noun A large extinct ostrichlike bird of New Zealand.
palatalize verb t. To palatize.
palatinate noun The province or seigniory of a palatine; the dignity of a palatine., To make a palatinate of.
palavering present participle & vb. noun of Palaver
paleaceous adjective Chaffy; resembling or consisting of paleae, or chaff; furnished with chaff; as, a paleaceous receptacle.
palearctic adjective Belonging to a region of the earth’s surface which includes all Europe to the Azores, Iceland, and all temperate Asia.
paleogaean adjective Of or pertaining to the Eastern hemisphere.
paleograph noun An ancient manuscript.
paleothere noun Any species of Paleotherium.
palestrian adjective Alt. of Palestrical
palimpsest noun A parchment which has been written upon twice, the first writing having been erased to make place for the second.
palindrome noun A word, verse, or sentence, that is the same when read backward or forward; as, madam; Hannah; or Lewd did I live, & evil I did dwel.
palinodial adjective Of or pertaining to a palinode, or retraction.
palisading present participle & vb. noun of Palisade, A row of palisades set in the ground.
palisadoes plural of Palisado
palladious adjective Of, pertaining to, or containing, palladium; — used specifically to designate those compounds in which palladium has a lower valence as compared with palladic compounds.
pallbearer noun One of those who attend the coffin at a funeral; — so called from the pall being formerly carried by them.
palliament noun A dress; a robe.
palliating present participle & vb. noun of Palliate
palliation noun The act of palliating, or state of being palliated; extenuation; excuse; as, the palliation of faults, offenses, vices., Mitigation; alleviation, as of a disease., That which cloaks or covers; disguise; also, the state of being covered or disguised.
palliative adjective Serving to palliate; serving to extenuate or mitigate., That which palliates; a palliative agent.
palliatory adjective Palliative; extenuating.
pallidness noun The quality or state of being pallid; paleness; pallor; wanness.
palmaceous adjective Of or pertaining to palms; of the nature of, or resembling, palms.
palmatifid adjective Palmate, with the divisions separated but little more than halfway to the common center.
palmerworm noun Any hairy caterpillar which appears in great numbers, devouring herbage, and wandering about like a palmer. The name is applied also to other voracious insects., In America, the larva of any one of several moths, which destroys the foliage of fruit and forest trees, esp. the larva of Ypsolophus pometellus, which sometimes appears in vast numbers.
palmigrade adjective Putting the whole foot upon the ground in walking, as some mammals.
palmipedes noun pl. Same as Natatores.
palmitolic adjective Pertaining to, or designating, an artificial acid of the oleic acid series, isomeric with linoleic acid.
palprbrate adjective Having eyelids.
palpitated imp. & past participle of Palpitate
paltriness noun The state or quality of being paltry.
paludament noun See Paludamentum.
paludicole adjective Marsh-inhabiting; belonging to the Paludicolae
paludinous adjective Paludinal. (b) Like or pertaining to the genus Paludina., Of or pertaining to a marsh or fen.
palustrine adjective Of, pertaining to, or living in, a marsh or swamp; marshy.
panama hat A fine plaited hat, made in Central America of the young leaves of a plant (Carludovica palmata).
pancratian adjective Pancratic; athletic.
pancratist noun An athlete; a gymnast.
pancratium noun An athletic contest involving both boxing and wrestling., A genus of Old World amaryllideous bulbous plants, having a funnel-shaped perianth with six narrow spreading lobes. The American species are now placed in the related genus Hymenocallis.
pancreatic adjective Of or pertaining to the pancreas; as, the pancreatic secretion, digestion, ferments.
pancreatin noun One of the digestive ferments of the pancreatic juice; also, a preparation containing such a ferment, made from the pancreas of animals, and used in medicine as an aid to digestion.
pandermite noun A hydrous borate of lime, near priceite.
panegyrist noun One who delivers a panegyric; a eulogist; one who extols or praises, either by writing or speaking.
panegyrize verb t. To praise highly; to extol in a public speech; to write or deliver a panegyric upon; to eulogize., To indulge in panegyrics.
panelation noun The act of impaneling a jury.
pangenesis noun An hypothesis advanced by Darwin in explanation of heredity.
pangenetic adjective Of or pertaining to pangenesis.
paniculate adjective Alt. of Paniculated
panivorous adjective Eating bread; subsisting on bread.
panomphean adjective Uttering ominous or prophetic voices; divining.
panopticon noun A prison so contructed that the inspector can see each of the prisoners at all times, without being seen., A room for the exhibition of novelties.
pansclavic Alt. of Pansclavonian
panslavism noun A scheme or desire to unite all the Slavic races into one confederacy.
panslavist noun One who favors Panslavism.
panspermic adjective Of or pertaining to panspermy; as, the panspermic hypothesis.
pantagraph noun See Pantograph.
pantamorph noun That which assumes, or exists in, all forms.
pantascope noun A pantascopic camera.
pantheress noun A female panther.
pantherine adjective Like a panther, esp. in color; as, the pantherine snake (Ptyas mucosus) of Brazil.
pantograph noun An instrument for copying plans, maps, and other drawings, on the same, or on a reduced or an enlarged, scale.
pantometer noun An instrument for measuring angles for determining elevations, distances, etc.
pantometry noun Universal measurement.
pantomimic adjective Alt. of Pantomimical
pantophagy noun The habit or power of eating all kinds of food.
papaphobia noun Intense fear or dread of the pope, or of the Roman Catholic Church.
papaverine noun An alkaloid found in opium. It has a weaker therapeutic action than morphine.
papaverous adjective Of or pertaining to the poppy; of the nature of the poppy.
papiliones noun pl. The division of Lepidoptera which includes the butterflies.
papistical adjective Of or pertaining to the Church of Rome and its doctrines and ceremonies; pertaining to popery; popish; — used disparagingly.
parabolism noun The division of the terms of an equation by a known quantity that is involved in the first term.
parabolist noun A narrator of parables.
paraboloid noun The solid generated by the rotation of a parabola about its axis; any surface of the second order whose sections by planes parallel to a given line are parabolas.
parachrose adjective Changing color by exposure
paraconine noun A base resembling and isomeric with conine, and obtained as a colorless liquid from butyric aldehyde and ammonia.
paracymene noun Same as Cymene.
paradisaic adjective Alt. of Paradisaical
paradisean adjective Paradisiacal.
paradisiac adjective Alt. of Paradisiacal
paradisial adjective Alt. of Paradisian
paradisian adjective Paradisiacal.
paradoxist noun One who proposes a paradox.
paradoxure noun Any species of Paradoxurus, a genus of Asiatic viverrine mammals allied to the civet, as the musang, and the luwack or palm cat (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). See Musang.
paraglossa noun One of a pair of small appendages of the lingua or labium of certain insects. See Illust. under Hymenoptera.
paragnathi plural of Paragnathus
paragonite noun A kind of mica related to muscovite, but containing soda instead of potash. It is characteristic of the paragonite schist of the Alps.
para grass A valuable pasture grass (Panicum barbinode) introduced into the Southern United States from Brazil.
paraguayan adjective Of or pertaining to Paraguay., A native or inhabitant of Paraguay.
paralactic adjective Designating an acid called paralactic acid. See Lactic acid, under Lactic.
paralbumin noun A proteidlike body found in the fluid from ovarian cysts and elsewhere. It is generally associated with a substance related to, if not identical with, glycogen.
paralepsis noun See Paraleipsis.
paralipsis noun See Paraleipsis.
paralleled imp. & past participle of Parallel
parallelly adverb In a parallel manner; with parallelism.
paralogism noun A reasoning which is false in point of form, that is, which is contrary to logical rules or formulae; a formal fallacy, or pseudo-syllogism, in which the conclusion does not follow from the premises.
paralogize verb i. To reason falsely; to draw conclusions not warranted by the premises.
paralyzing present participle & vb. noun of Paralyze
paramaleic adjective Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained from malic acid, and now called fumaric acid.
paramitome noun The fluid portion of the protoplasm of a cell.
parapectin noun A gelatinous modification of pectin.
parapherna noun pl. The property of a woman which, on her marriage, was not made a part of her dower, but remained her own.
paraphagma noun One of the outer divisions of an endosternite of Crustacea.
paraphrase noun A restatement of a text, passage, or work, expressing the meaning of the original in another form, generally for the sake of its clearer and fuller exposition; a setting forth the signification of a text in other and ampler terms; a free translation or rendering; — opposed to metaphrase., To express, interpret, or translate with latitude; to give the meaning of a passage in other language., To make a paraphrase.
paraphrast noun A paraphraser.
paraphyses plural of Paraphysis
paraphysis noun A minute jointed filament growing among the archegonia and antheridia of mosses, or with the spore cases, etc., of other flowerless plants.
paraplegia noun Alt. of Paraplegy
parapleura noun A chitinous piece between the metasternum and the pleuron of certain insects.
parapodium noun One of the lateral appendages of an annelid; — called also foot tubercle.
parapterum noun A special plate situated on the sides of the mesothorax and metathorax of certain insects.
parascenia plural of Parascenium
paraselene noun A mock moon; an image of the moon which sometimes appears at the point of intersection of two lunar halos. Cf. Parhelion.
parasitism noun The state or behavior of a parasite; the act of a parasite., The state of being parasitic.
parastichy noun A secondary spiral in phyllotaxy, as one of the evident spirals in a pine cone.
paratactic adjective Of pertaining to, or characterized by, parataxis.
paratheses plural of Parathesis
parathesis noun The placing of two or more nouns in the same case; apposition., A parenthetical notice, usually of matter to be afterward expanded., The matter contained within brackets., A commendatory prayer.
parathetic adjective Of or pertaining to parathesis.
paraxylene noun A hydrocarbon of the aromatic series obtained as a colorless liquid by the distillation of camphor with zinc chloride. It is one of the three metamers of xylene. Cf. Metamer, and Xylene.
parboiling present participle & vb. noun of Parboil
parbuckled imp. & past participle of Parbuckle
parcelling of Parcel
pardonable adjective Admitting of pardon; not requiring the excution of penalty; venial; excusable; — applied to the offense or to the offender; as, a pardonable fault, or culprit.
pardonably adverb In a manner admitting of pardon; excusably.
parenchyma noun The soft celluar substance of the tissues of plants and animals, like the pulp of leaves, to soft tissue of glands, and the like.
parentally adverb In a parental manner.
parenthood noun The state of a parent; the office or character of a parent.
parentless adjective Deprived of parents.
parethmoid adjective Near or beside the ethmoid bone or cartilage; — applied especially to a pair of bones in the nasal region of some fishes, and to the ethmoturbinals in some higher animals., A parethmoid bone.
pargeboard noun See Bargeboard.
parisienne noun A female native or resident of Paris.
parisology noun The use of equivocal or ambiguous words.
parkleaves noun A European species of Saint John’s-wort; the tutsan. See Tutsan.
parliament noun A parleying; a discussion; a conference., A formal conference on public affairs; a general council; esp., an assembly of representatives of a nation or people having authority to make laws., The assembly of the three estates of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, viz., the lords spiritual, lords temporal, and the representatives of the commons, sitting in the House of Lords and the House of Commons, constituting the legislature, when summoned by the royal authority to consult on the affairs of the nation, and to enact and repeal laws., In France, before the Revolution of 1789, one of the several principal judicial courts.
parnassian adjective Of or pertaining to Parnassus., Any one of numerous species of butterflies belonging to the genus Parnassius. They inhabit the mountains, both in the Old World and in America.
paromology noun A concession to an adversary in order to strengthen one’s own argument.
paronomasy noun Paronomasia.
paronychia noun A whitlow, or felon.
paronymous adjective Having the same derivation; allied radically; conjugate; — said of certain words, as man, mankind, manhood, etc., Having a similar sound, but different orthography and different meaning; — said of certain words, as al/ and awl; hair and hare, etc.
parostosis noun Ossification which takes place in purely fibrous tracts; the formation of bone outside of the periosteum.
parostotic adjective Pertaining to parostosis.
parovarium noun A group of tubules, a remnant of the Wolffian body, often found near the ovary or oviduct; the epoophoron.
paroxysmal adjective Of the nature of a paroxysm; characterized or accompanied by paroxysms; as, a paroxysmal pain; paroxysmal temper.
paroxytone adjective A word having an acute accent on the penultimate syllable.
parquetage noun See Parquetry.
parricidal adjective Of or pertaining to parricide; guilty of parricide.
parsonical adjective Of or pertaining to a parson; clerical.
partheniad noun A poem in honor of a virgin.
partialism noun Partiality; specifically (Theol.), the doctrine of the Partialists.
partialist noun One who is partial., One who holds that the atonement was made only for a part of mankind, that is, for the elect.
partiality noun The quality or state of being partial; inclination to favor one party, or one side of a question, more than the other; undue bias of mind., A predilection or inclination to one thing rather than to others; special taste or liking; as, a partiality for poetry or painting.
partialize verb t. & i. To make or be partial.
participle noun A part of speech partaking of the nature both verb and adjective; a form of a verb, or verbal adjective, modifying a noun, but taking the adjuncts of the verb from which it is derived. In the sentences: a letter is written; being asleep he did not hear; exhausted by toil he will sleep soundly, — written, being, and exhaustedare participles., Anything that partakes of the nature of different things.
particular adjective Relating to a part or portion of anything; concerning a part separated from the whole or from others of the class; separate; sole; single; individual; specific; as, the particular stars of a constellation., Of or pertaining to a single person, class, or thing; belonging to one only; not general; not common; hence, personal; peculiar; singular., Separate or distinct by reason of superiority; distinguished; important; noteworthy; unusual; special; as, he brought no particular news; she was the particular belle of the party., Concerned with, or attentive to, details; minute; circumstantial; precise; as, a full and particular account of an accident; hence, nice; fastidious; as, a man particular in his dress., Containing a part only; limited; as, a particular estate, or one precedent to an estate in remainder., Holding a particular estate; as, a particular tenant., Forming a part of a genus; relatively limited in extension; affirmed or denied of a part of a subject; as, a particular proposition; — opposed to universal: e. g. (particular affirmative) Some men are wise; (particular negative) Some men are not wise., A separate or distinct member of a class, or part of a whole; an individual fact, point, circumstance, detail, or item, which may be considered separately; as, the particulars of a story., Special or personal peculiarity, trait, or character; individuality; interest, etc., One of the details or items of grounds of claim; — usually in the pl.; also, a bill of particulars; a minute account; as, a particular of premises.
parturiate verb i. To bring forth young.
parturient adjective Bringing forth, or about to bring forth, young; fruitful.
parturious adjective Parturient.
pasigraphy noun A system of universal writing, or a manner of writing that may be understood and used by all nations.
pasquilant noun A lampooner; a pasquiler.
pasquinade noun A lampoon or satirical writing., To lampoon, to satirize.
passageway noun A way for passage; a hall. See Passage, 5.
passegarde noun A ridge or projecting edge on a shoulder piece to turn the blow of a lance or other weapon from the joint of the armor.
passiflora noun A genus of plants, including the passion flower. It is the type of the order Passifloreae, which includes about nineteen genera and two hundred and fifty species.
passioning p. pr & vb. noun of Passion
passionary noun A book in which are described the sufferings of saints and martyrs.
passionate adjective Capable or susceptible of passion, or of different passions; easily moved, excited or agitated; specifically, easily moved to anger; irascible; quick-tempered; as, a passionate nature., Characterized by passion; expressing passion; ardent in feeling or desire; vehement; warm; as, a passionate friendship., Suffering; sorrowful., To affect with passion; to impassion., To express feelingly or sorrowfully.
passionist noun A member of a religious order founded in Italy in 1737, and introduced into the United States in 1852. The members of the order unite the austerities of the Trappists with the activity and zeal of the Jesuits and Lazarists. Called also Barefooted Clerks of the Most Holy Cross.
pasteboard noun A stiff thick kind of paper board, formed of several single sheets pasted one upon another, or of paper macerated and pressed into molds, etc., A board on which pastry dough is rolled; a molding board.
pasteurism noun A method of treatment, devised by Pasteur, for preventing certain diseases, as hydrophobia, by successive inoculations with an attenuated virus of gradually increasing strength., Pasteurization.
pasteurize verb t. To subject to pasteurization., To treat by pasteurism.
pastorally adverb In a pastoral or rural manner., In the manner of a pastor.
pastorless adjective Having no pastor.
pastorling noun An insignificant pastor.
pastorship noun Pastorate.
pasturable adjective Fit for pasture.
patagonian adjective Of or pertaining to Patagonia., A native of Patagonia.
patavinity noun The use of local or provincial words, as in the peculiar style or diction of Livy, the Roman historian; — so called from Patavium, now Padua, the place of Livy’s nativity.
patchingly adverb Knavishy; deceitfully.
patellulae plural of Patellula
patentable adjective Suitable to be patented; capable of being patented.
paternally adverb In a paternal manner.
pathematic adjective Of, pertaining to, or designating, emotion or suffering.
pathetical adjective Pathetic.
pathfinder noun One who discovers a way or path; one who explores untraversed regions.
pathogenic adjective Of or pertaining to pathogeny; producting disease; as, a pathogenic organism; a pathogenic bacterium.
pathognomy noun Expression of the passions; the science of the signs by which human passions are indicated.
pathologic adjective Alt. of Pathological
pathopoela noun A speech, or figure of speech, designed to move the passion.
patibulary adjective Of or pertaining to the gallows, or to execution.
patriarchy noun The jurisdiction of a patriarch; patriarchship., Government by a patriarch; patriarchism.
patriciate noun The patrician class; the aristocracy; also, the office of patriarch.
patricidal adjective Of or pertaining to patricide; parricidal.
patriotism noun Love of country; devotion to the welfare of one’s country; the virtues and actions of a patriot; the passion which inspires one to serve one’s country.
patristics noun That departnent of historical theology which treats of the lives and doctrines of the Fathers of the church.
patrolling present participle & vb. noun of Patrol
patronized imp. & past participle of Patronize
patronizer noun One who patronizes.
patronless adjective Destitute of a patron.
patronymic adjective Derived from ancestors; as, a patronymic denomination., A modification of the father’s name borne by the son; a name derived from that of a parent or ancestor; as, Pelides, the son of Peleus; Johnson, the son of John; Macdonald, the son of Donald; Paulowitz, the son of Paul; also, the surname of a family; the family name.
patterning present participle & vb. noun of Pattern
pauciloquy noun Brevity in speech.
paulianist noun A follower of Paul of Samosata, a bishop of Antioch in the third century, who was deposed for denying the divinity of Christ.
pauperized imp. & past participle of Pauperize
pavilioned imp. & past participle of Pavilion
pawnbroker noun One who makes a business of lending money on the security of personal property pledged or deposited in his keeping.
payndemain noun The finest and whitest bread made in the Middle Ages; — called also paynemain, payman.
peacemaker noun One who makes peace by reconciling parties that are at variance.
pea-jacket noun A thick loose woolen jacket, or coat, much worn by sailors in cold weather.
pearl-eyed adjective Having a pearly speck in the eye; afflicted with the cataract.
pearlstone noun A glassy volcanic rock of a grayish color and pearly luster, often having a spherulitic concretionary structure due to the curved cracks produced by contraction in cooling. See Illust. under Perlitic.
peccadillo noun A slight trespass or offense; a petty crime or fault.
pecopteris noun An extensive genus of fossil ferns; — so named from the regular comblike arrangement of the leaflets.
pectinated adjective Resembling the teeth of a comb., Having very narrow, close divisions, in arrangement and regularity resembling those of a comb; comblike; as, a pectinate leaf; pectinated muscles. See Illust. (e) of Antennae., Interlaced, like two combs.
pectorally adverb As connected with the breast.
peculating present participle & vb. noun of Peculate
peculation noun The act or practice of peculating, or of defrauding the public by appropriating to one’s own use the money or goods intrusted to one’s care for management or disbursement; embezzlement.
peculiarly adverb In a peculiar manner; particulary; in a rare and striking degree; unusually.
pedagogics noun The science or art of teaching; the principles and rules of teaching; pedagogy.
pedagogism noun The system, occupation, character, or manner of pedagogues.
pedantical adjective Of or pertaining to a pedant; characteristic of, or resembling, a pedant; ostentatious of learning; as, a pedantic writer; a pedantic description; a pedantical affectation.
pedanticly adverb Pedantically.
pederastic adjective Of or pertaining to pederasty.
pedestaled adjective Placed on, or supported by, a pedestal; figuratively, exalted.
pedestrial adjective Of or pertaining to the feet; employing the foot or feet.
pedestrian adjective Going on foot; performed on foot; as, a pedestrian journey., A walker; one who journeys on foot; a foot traveler; specif., a professional walker or runner.
pediculate adjective Of or pertaining to the Pediculati.
pediculati noun pl. An order of fishes including the anglers. See Illust. of Angler and Batfish.
pediculina noun pl. A division of parasitic hemipterous insects, including the true lice. See Illust. in Appendix.
pediculous adjective Pedicular.
pedigerous adjective Bearing or having feet or legs.
pedimanous adjective Having feet resembling hands, or with the first toe opposable, as the opossums and monkeys.
pedimental adjective Of or pertaining to a pediment.
pedipalpus noun One of the second pair of mouth organs of arachnids. In some they are leglike, but in others, as the scorpion, they terminate in a claw.
pedometric adjective Alt. of Pedometrical
pedomotive adjective Moved or worked by the action of the foot or feet on a pedal or treadle.
pedotrophy noun The art of nourishing children properly.
peduncular adjective Of or pertaining to a peduncle; growing from a peduncle; as, a peduncular tendril.
pegmatitic adjective Of, pertaining to, or resembling, pegmatite; as, the pegmatic structure of certain rocks resembling graphic granite.
peirameter noun A dynamometer for measuring the force required to draw wheel carriages on roads of different constructions.
pejorative adjective Implying or imputing evil; depreciatory; disparaging; unfavorable.
pelargonic adjective Pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid (called also nonoic acid) found in the leaves of the geranium (Pelargonium) and allied plants.
pelecypoda noun pl. Same as Lamellibranchia.
pellicular adjective Of or pertaining to a pellicle.
pellucidly adverb In a pellucid manner.
peltryware noun Peltry.
pelvimeter noun An instrument for measuring the dimensions of the pelvis.
penang nut The betel nut.
penannular adjective Nearly annular; having nearly the form of a ring.
pencilling of Pencil
pencillate adjective Alt. of Pencillated
pendentive noun The portion of a vault by means of which the square space in the middle of a building is brought to an octagon or circle to receive a cupola., The part of a groined vault which is supported by, and springs from, one pier or corbel.
penetrable adjective Capable of being penetrated, entered, or pierced. Used also figuratively.
penetralia noun pl. The recesses, or innermost parts, of any thing or place, especially of a temple or palace., Hidden things or secrets; privacy; sanctuary; as, the sacred penetralia of the home.
penetrance noun Alt. of Penetrancy
penetrancy noun The quality or state of being penetrant; power of entering or piercing; penetrating power of quality; as, the penetrancy of subtile effluvia.
penetrated imp. & past participle of Penetrate
penguinery noun A breeding place, or rookery, of penguins.
peninsular adjective Of or pertaining to a peninsula; as, a peninsular form; peninsular people; the peninsular war.
penitencer noun A priest who heard confession and enjoined penance in extraordinary cases.
penitently adverb In a penitent manner.
penmanship noun The use of the pen in writing; the art of writing; style or manner of writing; chirography; as, good or bad penmanship.
pennaceous adjective Like or pertaining to a normal feather.
pennatulae plural of Pennatula
pennatulas plural of Pennatula
pennyroyal noun An aromatic herb (Mentha Pulegium) of Europe; also, a North American plant (Hedeoma pulegioides) resembling it in flavor.
pennyworth noun A penny’s worth; as much as may be bought for a penny., Hence: The full value of one’s penny expended; due return for money laid out; a good bargain; a bargain., A small quantity; a trifle.
penologist noun One versed in, or a student of, penology.
pensioning present participle & vb. noun of Pension
pensionary adjective Maintained by a pension; receiving a pension; as, pensionary spies., Consisting of a pension; as, a pensionary provision for maintenance., One who receives a pension; a pensioner., One of the chief magistrates of towns in Holland.
pentabasic adjective Capable of uniting with five molecules of a monacid base; having five acid hydrogen atoms capable of substitution by a basic radical; — said of certain acids.
pentachord noun An ancient instrument of music with five strings., An order or system of five sounds.
pentacrons plural of Pentacron
pentagonal adjective Having five corners or angles.
pentagynia noun pl. A Linnaean order of plants, having five styles or pistils.
pentameran noun One of the Pentamera.
pentamerus noun A genus of extinct Paleozoic brachiopods, often very abundant in the Upper Silurian.
pentameter noun A verse of five feet., Having five metrical feet.
pentandria noun pl. A Linnaean class of plants having five separate stamens.
pentaptote noun A noun having five cases.
pentaptych noun A picture, or combination of pictures, consisting of a centerpiece and double folding doors or wings, as for an altarpiece.
pentaspast noun A purchase with five pulleys.
pentastich noun A composition consisting of five verses.
pentastyle adjective Having five columns in front; — said of a temple or portico in classical architecture., A portico having five columns.
pentateuch noun The first five books of the Old Testament, collectively; — called also the Law of Moses, Book of the Law of Moses, etc.
pentathlon noun A fivefold athletic performance peculiar to the great national games of the Greeks, including leaping, foot racing, wrestling, throwing the discus, and throwing the spear.
pentatomic adjective Having five atoms in the molecule., Having five hydrogen atoms capable of substitution.
pentecosty noun A troop of fifty soldiers in the Spartan army; — called also pentecostys.
pentelican adjective Of or pertaining to Mount Pentelicus, near Athens, famous for its fine white marble quarries; obtained from Mount Pentelicus; as, the Pentelic marble of which the Parthenon is built.
pentremite noun Any species of Pentremites.
penumbrala Of or pertaining to a penumbra; resembling a penumbra; partially illuminated.
peopleless adjective Destitute of people.
peppercorn noun A dried berry of the black pepper (Piper nigrum)., Anything insignificant; a particle.
pepperidge noun A North American tree (Nyssa multiflora) with very tough wood, handsome oval polished leaves, and very acid berries, — the sour gum, or common tupelo. See Tupelo.
peppermint noun An aromatic and pungent plant of the genus Mentha (M. piperita), much used in medicine and confectionery., A volatile oil (oil of peppermint) distilled from the fresh herb; also, a well-known essence or spirit (essence of peppermint) obtained from it., A lozenge of sugar flavored with peppermint.
pepperwort noun See Peppergrass.
pepsinogen noun The antecedent of the ferment pepsin. A substance contained in the form of granules in the peptic cells of the gastric glands. It is readily convertible into pepsin. Also called propepsin.
peptogenic adjective Same as Peptogenous.
peptonuria noun The presence of peptone, or a peptonelike body, in the urine.
perbromate noun A salt of perbromic acid.
perbromide noun A bromide having a higher proportion of bromine than any other bromide of the same substance or series.
percarbide noun A compound containing a relatively large amount of carbon.
perceiving present participle & vb. noun of Perceive
percentage noun A certain rate per cent; the allowance, duty, rate of interest, discount, or commission, on a hundred.
perception noun The act of perceiving; cognizance by the senses or intellect; apperhension by the bodily organs, or by the mind, of what is presented to them; discernment; apperhension; cognition., The faculty of perceiving; the faculty, or peculiar part, of man’s constitution by which he has knowledge through the medium or instrumentality of the bodily organs; the act of apperhending material objects or qualities through the senses; — distinguished from conception., The quality, state, or capability, of being affected by something external; sensation; sensibility., An idea; a notion.
perceptive adjective Of or pertaining to the act or power of perceiving; having the faculty or power of perceiving; used in perception.
percesoces noun pl. An order of fishes including the gray mullets (Mugil), the barracudas, the silversides, and other related fishes. So called from their relation both to perches and to pikes.
perchloric adjective Pertaining to, or designating, the highest oxygen acid (HClO4), of chlorine; — called also hyperchloric.
perchromic adjective Pertaining to, or designating, a certain one of the highly oxidized compounds of chromium, which has a deep blue color, and is produced by the action of hydrogen peroxide.
percipient adjective Having the faculty of perception; perceiving; as, a percipient being., One who, or that which, is percipient.
percolated imp. & past participle of Percolate
percolator noun One who, or that which, filters.
perculaced adjective Latticed. See Lattice, n., 2.
percurrent adjective Running through the entire length.
percursory adjective Running over slightly or in haste; cursory.
percussing present participle & vb. noun of Percuss
percussion noun The act of percussing, or striking one body against another; forcible collision, esp. such as gives a sound or report., Hence: The effect of violent collision; vibratory shock; impression of sound on the ear., The act of tapping or striking the surface of the body in order to learn the condition of the parts beneath by the sound emitted or the sensation imparted to the fingers. Percussion is said to be immediate if the blow is directly upon the body; if some interventing substance, as a pleximeter, is, used, it is called mediate.
percussive adjective Striking against; percutient; as, percussive force.
percutient adjective Striking; having the power of striking., That which strikes, or has power to strike.
perdurable noun Very durable; lasting; continuing long.
perdurance noun Alt. of Perduration
peremption noun A quashing; a defeating.
peremptory adjective Precluding debate or expostulation; not admitting of question or appeal; positive; absolute; decisive; conclusive; final., Positive in opinion or judgment; decided; dictatorial; dogmatical., Firmly determined; unawed.
perfecting present participle & vb. noun of Perfect
perfection noun The quality or state of being perfect or complete, so that nothing requisite is wanting; entire development; consummate culture, skill, or moral excellence; the highest attainable state or degree of excellence; maturity; as, perfection in an art, in a science, or in a system; perfection in form or degree; fruits in perfection., A quality, endowment, or acquirement completely excellent; an ideal faultlessness; especially, the divine attribute of complete excellence., To perfect.
perfective adjective Tending or conducing to make perfect, or to bring to perfection; — usually followed by of.
perficient adjective Making or doing throughly; efficient; effectual., One who performs or perfects a work; especially, one who endows a charity.
perfidious adjective Guilty of perfidy; violating good faith or vows; false to trust or confidence reposed; teacherous; faithless; as, a perfidious friend., Involving, or characterized by, perfidy.
perflation noun The act of perflating.
perfoliate adjective Having the basal part produced around the stem; — said of leaves which the stem apparently passes directory through., Surrounded by a circle of hairs, or projections of any kind.
perforated imp. & past participle of Perforate, Pierced with a hole or holes, or with pores; having transparent dots resembling holes.
perforator noun One who, or that which, perforates; esp., a cephalotome.
performing present participle & vb. noun of Perform
perfricate verb t. To rub over.
periastral adjective Among or around the stars.
periastron noun That point, in the real or apparent orbit of one star revolving around another, at which the former is nearest to the latter.
pericardic adjective Pericardiac.
pericarpic adjective Of or pertaining to a pericarp.
perichaeth noun The leafy involucre surrounding the fruit stalk of mosses; perichaetium; perichete.
periclinia plural of Periclinium
periculous adjective Dangerous; full of peril.
peridotite noun An eruptive rock characterized by the presence of chrysolite (peridot). It also usually contains pyroxene, enstatite, chromite, etc. It is often altered to serpentine.
periecians noun pl. See Perioecians.
perigonium noun Same as Perigone.
perigynium noun Some unusual appendage about the pistil, as the bottle-shaped body in the sedges, and the bristles or scales in some other genera of the Sedge family, or Cyperaceae.
perigynous adjective Having the ovary free, but the petals and stamens borne on the calyx; — said of flower such as that of the cherry or peach.
perihelion noun Alt. of Perihelium
perihelium noun That point of the orbit of a planet or comet which is nearest to the sun; — opposed to aphelion.
perimetric adjective Alt. of Perimetrical
perimysial adjective Surrounding a muscle or muscles., Of or pertaining to the perimysium.
perimysium noun The connective tissue sheath which surrounds a muscle, and sends partitions inwards between the bundles of muscular fibers.
periodical adjective Of or pertaining to a period or periods, or to division by periods., Performed in a period, or regular revolution; proceeding in a series of successive circuits; as, the periodical motion of the planets round the sun., Happening, by revolution, at a stated time; returning regularly, after a certain period of time; acting, happening, or appearing, at fixed intervals; recurring; as, periodical epidemics., Of or pertaining to a period; constituting a complete sentence., A magazine or other publication which appears at stated or regular intervals.
periosteal adjective Situated around bone; of or pertaining to the periosteum.
periosteum noun The membrane of fibrous connective tissue which closely invests all bones except at the articular surfaces.
peripheral adjective Of or pertaining to a periphery; constituting a periphery; peripheric., External; away from the center; as, the peripheral portion of the nervous system.
peripheric adjective Alt. of Peripherical
periphrase noun The use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution., To express by periphrase or circumlocution., To use circumlocution.
peripteral adjective Having columns on all sides; — said of an edifice. See Apteral.
periscians noun pl. Alt. of Periscii
periscopic adjective Viewing all around, or on all sides., of or relating to a periscope{2}.
perishable adjective Liable to perish; subject to decay, destruction, or death; as, perishable goods; our perishable bodies.
perishably adverb In a perishable degree or manner.
perishment noun The act of perishing.
perisomata plural of Perisoma
peristeria noun A genus of orchidaceous plants. See Dove plant.
peritomous adjective Cleaving in more directions than one, parallel to the axis.
peritoneal adjective Of or pertaining to the peritoneum.
peritoneum noun The smooth serous membrane which lines the cavity of the abdomen, or the whole body cavity when there is no diaphragm, and, turning back, surrounds the viscera, forming a closed, or nearly closed, sac.
peritricha noun pl. A division of ciliated Infusoria having a circle of cilia around the oral disk and sometimes another around the body. It includes the vorticellas. See Vorticella.
peritropal adjective Rotatory; circuitous., Having the axis of the seed perpendicular to the axis of the pericarp to which it is attached.
perwigging present participle & vb. noun of Periwig
periwinkle noun Any small marine gastropod shell of the genus Littorina. The common European species (Littorina littorea), in Europe extensively used as food, has recently become naturalized abundantly on the American coast. See Littorina., A trailing herb of the genus Vinca.
perjurious adjective Alt. of Perjurous
perlaceous adjective Pearly; resembling pearl.
permanable adjective Permanent; durable.
permanence noun Alt. of Permanency
permanency noun The quality or state of being permanent; continuance in the same state or place; duration; fixedness; as, the permanence of institutions; the permanence of nature.
permansion noun Continuance.
permeating present participle & vb. noun of Permeate
permeation noun The act of permeating, passing through, or spreading throughout, the pores or interstices of any substance.
permission noun The act of permitting or allowing; formal consent; authorization; leave; license or liberty granted.
permissive adjective Permitting; granting leave or liberty., Permitted; tolerated; suffered.
permistion noun The act of mixing; the state of being mingled; mixture.
permitting present participle & vb. noun of Permit
permixtion noun See Permission.
permutable adjective Capable of being permuted; exchangeable.
pernicious adjective Quick; swift (to burn)., Having the quality of injuring or killing; destructive; very mischievous; baleful; malicious; wicked.
perofskite noun A titanate of lime occurring in octahedral or cubic crystals.
peroration noun The concluding part of an oration; especially, a final summing up and enforcement of an argument.
peroxidize verb t. To oxidize to the utmost degree, so as to form a peroxide.
perpension noun Careful consideration; pondering.
perpensity noun Perpension.
perpession noun Suffering; endurance.
perpetrate verb t. To do or perform; to carry through; to execute, commonly in a bad sense; to commit (as a crime, an offense); to be guilty of; as, to perpetrate a foul deed.
perpetuate verb t. To make perpetual; to cause to endure, or to be continued, indefinitely; to preserve from extinction or oblivion; to eternize., Made perpetual; perpetuated.
perpetuity noun The quality or state of being perpetual; as, the perpetuity of laws., Something that is perpetual., Endless time., The number of years in which the simple interest of any sum becomes equal to the principal., The number of years’ purchase to be given for an annuity to continue forever., A perpetual annuity., Duration without limitations as to time., The quality or condition of an estate by which it becomes inalienable, either perpetually or for a very long period; also, the estate itself so modified or perpetuated.
perplexing present participle & vb. noun of Perplex, Embarrassing; puzzling; troublesome.
perplexity noun The quality or state of being perplexed or puzzled; complication; intricacy; entanglement; distraction of mind through doubt or difficulty; embarrassment; bewilderment; doubt.
perquisite noun Something gained from a place or employment over and above the ordinary salary or fixed wages for services rendered; especially, a fee allowed by law to an officer for a specific service., Things gotten by a man’s own industry, or purchased with his own money, as opposed to things which come to him by descent.
perruquier noun A marker of perukes or wigs.
persecuted imp. & past participle of Persecute
persecutor noun One who persecutes, or harasses.
persevered imp. & past participle of Persevere
persicaria noun See Lady’s thumb.
persiflage noun Frivolous or bantering talk; a frivolous manner of treating any subject, whether serious or otherwise; light raillery.
persifleur noun One who indulges in persiflage; a banterer; a quiz.
persisting present participle & vb. noun of Persist, Inclined to persist; tenacious of purpose; persistent.
persistent adjective Inclined to persist; having staying qualities; tenacious of position or purpose., Remaining beyond the period when parts of the same kind sometimes fall off or are absorbed; permanent; as, persistent teeth or gills; a persistent calyx; — opposed to deciduous, and caducous.
persistive adjective See Persistent.
personable adjective Having a well-formed body, or person; graceful; comely; of good appearance; presentable; as, a personable man or woman., Enabled to maintain pleas in court., Having capacity to take anything granted.
personally adverb In a personal manner; by bodily presence; in person; not by representative or substitute; as, to deliver a letter personally., With respect to an individual; as regards the person; individually; particularly., With respect to one’s individuality; as regards one’s self; as, personally I have no feeling in the matter.
personalty noun The state of being a person; personality., Personal property, as distinguished from realty or real property.
personated imp. & past participle of Personate
personator noun One who personates.
personeity noun Personality.
perspicacy noun Perspicacity.
perspiring present participle & vb. noun of Perspire
perstringe verb t. To touch; to graze; to glance on., To criticise; to touch upon.
persuading present participle & vb. noun of Persuade
persuasion noun The act of persuading; the act of influencing the mind by arguments or reasons offered, or by anything that moves the mind or passions, or inclines the will to a determination., The state of being persuaded or convinced; settled opinion or conviction, which has been induced., A creed or belief; a sect or party adhering to a certain creed or system of opinions; as, of the same persuasion; all persuasions are agreed., The power or quality of persuading; persuasiveness., That which persuades; a persuasive.
persuasive adjective Tending to persuade; having the power of persuading; as, persuasive eloquence., That which persuades; an inducement; an incitement; an exhortation.
persuasory adjective Persuasive.
pertaining present participle & vb. noun of Pertain
pertinence noun Alt. of Pertinency
pertinency noun The quality or state of being pertinent; justness of relation to the subject or matter in hand; fitness; appositeness; relevancy; suitableness.
perturbate verb t. To perturb., Perturbed; agitated.
perversely adverb In a perverse manner.
perversion noun The act of perverting, or the state of being perverted; a turning from truth or right; a diverting from the true intent or object; a change to something worse; a turning or applying to a wrong end or use.
perversity noun The quality or state of being perverse; perverseness.
perversive adjective Tending to pervert.
perverting present participle & vb. noun of Pervert
pesterment noun The act of pestering, or the state of being pestered; vexation; worry.
pestilence noun Specifically, the disease known as the plague; hence, any contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating., Fig.: That which is pestilent, noxious, or pernicious to the moral character of great numbers.
petaliform adjective Having the form of a petal; petaloid; petal-shaped.
petiolated adjective Having a stalk or petiole; as, a petioleate leaf; the petiolated abdomen of certain Hymenoptera.
petitioned imp. & past participle of Petition
petitionee noun A person cited to answer, or defend against, a petition.
petitioner noun One who presents a petition.
petrescent adjective Petrifying; converting into stone; as, petrescent water.
petrifying present participle & vb. noun of Petrify
petrohyoid adjective Pertaining to petrous, oe periotic, portion of the skull and the hyoid arch; as, the petrohyoid muscles of the frog.
petrolatum noun A semisolid unctuous substance, neutral, and without taste or odor, derived from petroleum by distilling off the lighter portions and purifying the residue. It is a yellowish, fatlike mass, transparent in thin layers, and somewhat fluorescent. It is used as a bland protective dressing, and as a substitute for fatty materials in ointments.
petroleuse noun f. One who makes use of petroleum for incendiary purposes.
petrologic adjective Alt. of Petrological
petrosilex noun Felsite.
pettichaps noun See Pettychaps.
pettychaps noun Any one of several species of small European singing birds of the subfamily Sylviinae, as the willow warbler, the chiff-chaff, and the golden warbler (Sylvia hortensis).
petulantly adverb In a petulant manner.
peucedanin noun A tasteless white crystalline substance, extracted from the roots of the sulphurwort (Peucedanum), masterwort (Imperatoria), and other related plants; — called also imperatorin.
phacochere noun The wart hog.
phaeospore noun A brownish zoospore, characteristic of an order (Phaeosporeae) of dark green or olive-colored algae.
phagedenic adjective Alt. of PhagedenicAL
phakoscope noun An instrument for studying the mechanism of accommodation.
phalangeal adjective Alt. of Phalangal
phalangial adjective Alt. of Phalangian
phalangian adjective Phalangeal.
phalangist noun Any arboreal marsupial of the genus Phalangista. The vulpine phalangist (P. vulpina) is the largest species, the full grown male being about two and a half feet long. It has a large bushy tail.
phalangite noun A soldier belonging to a phalanx.
phallicism noun See Phallism.
phantasmal adjective Pertaining to, of the nature of, or resembling, a phantasm; spectral; illusive.
phantastic adjective Alt. of Phantastical
pharisaism noun The notions, doctrines, and conduct of the Pharisees, as a sect., Rigid observance of external forms of religion, without genuine piety; hypocrisy in religion; a censorious, self-righteous spirit in matters of morals or manners.
pharmacist noun One skilled in pharmacy; a pharmaceutist; a druggist.
pharyngeal adjective Of or pertaining to the pharynx; in the region of the pharynx., A pharyngeal bone or cartilage; especially, one of the lower pharyngeals, which belong to the rudimentary fifth branchial arch in many fishes, or one of the upper pharyngeals, or pharyngobranchials, which are the dorsal elements in the complete branchial arches.
phascolome noun A marsupial of the genus Phascolomys; a wombat.
pheasantry noun A place for keeping and rearing pheasants.
phelloderm noun A layer of green parenchimatous cells formed on the inner side of the phellogen.
phenicious adjective Of a red color with a slight mixture of gray.
phenogamia noun pl. Same as Phaenogamia.
phenogamic adjective Alt. of Phenogamous
phenomenal adjective Relating to, or of the nature of, a phenomenon; hence, extraordinary; wonderful; as, a phenomenal memory.
phenomenon noun An appearance; anything visible; whatever, in matter or spirit, is apparent to, or is apprehended by, observation; as, the phenomena of heat, light, or electricity; phenomena of imagination or memory., That which strikes one as strange, unusual, or unaccountable; an extraordinary or very remarkable person, thing, or occurrence; as, a musical phenomenon.
philatelic adjective Of or pertaining to philately.
philippian adjective Of or pertaining to Philippi, a city of ancient Macedonia., A native or an inhabitant of Philippi.
philippium noun A rare and doubtful metallic element said to have been discovered in the mineral samarskite.
philippize verb i. To support or advocate the cause of Philip of Macedon., To write or speak in the style of a philippic.
philistine noun A native or an inhabitant of ancient Philistia, a coast region of southern Palestine., A bailiff., A person deficient in liberal culture and refinement; one without appreciation of the nobler aspirations and sentiments of humanity; one whose scope is limited to selfish and material interests., Of or pertaining to the Philistines., Uncultured; commonplace.
philologer noun A philologist.
philologic adjective Of or pertaining to philology.
philologue noun A philologist.
philomathy noun The love of learning or letters.
philosophe noun A philosophaster; a philosopher.
philosophy noun Literally, the love of, including the search after, wisdom; in actual usage, the knowledge of phenomena as explained by, and resolved into, causes and reasons, powers and laws., A particular philosophical system or theory; the hypothesis by which particular phenomena are explained., Practical wisdom; calmness of temper and judgment; equanimity; fortitude; stoicism; as, to meet misfortune with philosophy., Reasoning; argumentation., The course of sciences read in the schools., A treatise on philosophy.
philtering present participle & vb. noun of Philter
phlebogram noun A tracing (with the sphygmograph) of the movements of a vein, or of the venous pulse.
phlebolite noun Alt. of Phlebolith
phlebolith noun A small calcareous concretion formed in a vein; a vein stone.
phlebology noun A branch of anatomy which treats of the veins.
phlebotomy noun The act or practice of opening a vein for letting blood, in the treatment of disease; venesection; bloodletting.
phlegmasia noun An inflammation; more particularly, an inflammation of the internal organs.
phlegmatic adjective Watery., Abounding in phlegm; as, phlegmatic humors; a phlegmatic constitution., Generating or causing phlegm., Not easily excited to action or passion; cold; dull; sluggish; heavy; as, a phlegmatic person.
phlogistic adjective Of or pertaining to phlogiston, or to belief in its existence., Inflammatory; belonging to inflammations and fevers.
phlogiston noun The hypothetical principle of fire, or inflammability, regarded by Stahl as a chemical element.
phlogopite noun A kind of mica having generally a peculiar bronze-red or copperlike color and a pearly luster. It is a silicate of aluminia, with magnesia, potash, and some fluorine. It is characteristic of crystalline limestone or dolomite and serpentine. See Mica.
phloramine noun A basic amido derivative of phloroglucin, having an astringent taste.
phoenician adjective Of or pertaining to Phoenica., A native or inhabitant of Phoenica.
phonograph noun A character or symbol used to represent a sound, esp. one used in phonography., An instrument for the mechanical registration and reproduction of audible sounds, as articulate speech, etc. It consists of a rotating cylinder or disk covered with some material easily indented, as tinfoil, wax, paraffin, etc., above which is a thin plate carrying a stylus. As the plate vibrates under the influence of a sound, the stylus makes minute indentations or undulations in the soft material, and these, when the cylinder or disk is again turned, set the plate in vibration, and reproduce the sound.
phonologer noun A phonologist.
phonologic adjective Alt. of Phonological
phonometer noun An instrument for measuring sounds, as to their intensity, or the frequency of the vibrations.
phonomotor noun An instrument in which motion is produced by the vibrations of a sounding body.
phonoscope noun An instrument for observing or exhibiting the motions or properties of sounding bodies; especially, an apparatus invented by Konig for testing the quality of musical strings., An instrument for producing luminous figures by the vibrations of sounding bodies.
phonotypic adjective Alt. of Phonotypical
phoronomia noun See Phoronomics.
phosgenite noun A rare mineral occurring in tetragonal crystals of a white, yellow, or grayish color and adamantine luster. It is a chlorocarbonate of lead.
phosphatic adjective Pertaining to, or containing, phosphorus, phosphoric acid, or phosphates; as, phosphatic nodules.
phosphinic adjective Pertaining to, or designating, certain acids analogous to the phosphonic acids, but containing two hydrocarbon radicals, and derived from the secondary phosphines by oxidation.
phosphonic adjective Pertaining to, or designating, certain derivatives of phosphorous acid containing a hydrocarbon radical, and analogous to the sulphonic acid.
phosphoric adjective Of or pertaining to phosphorus; resembling, or containing, from us; specifically, designating those compounds in which phosphorus has a higher valence as contrasted with the phosphorous compounds., Phosphorescent.
phosphorus noun The morning star; Phosphor., A poisonous nonmetallic element of the nitrogen group, obtained as a white, or yellowish, translucent waxy substance, having a characteristic disagreeable smell. It is very active chemically, must be preserved under water, and unites with oxygen even at ordinary temperatures, giving a faint glow, — whence its name. It always occurs compined, usually in phosphates, as in the mineral apatite, in bones, etc. It is used in the composition on the tips of friction matches, and for many other purposes. The molecule contains four atoms. Symbol P. Atomic weight 31.0., Hence, any substance which shines in the dark like phosphorus, as certain phosphorescent bodies.
phosphoryl noun The radical PO, regarded as the typical nucleus of certain compounds.
phosphuret noun A phosphide.
photodrome noun An apparatus consisting of a large wheel with spokes, which when turning very rapidly is illuminated by momentary flashes of light passing through slits in a rotating disk. By properly timing the succession of flashes the wheel is made to appear to be motionless, or to rotate more or less slowly in either direction.
photogenic adjective Of or pertaining to photogeny; producing or generating light.
photograph noun A picture or likeness obtained by photography., To take a picture or likeness of by means of photography; as, to photograph a view; to photograph a group., To practice photography; to take photographs.
photologic adjective Alt. of Photological
photometer noun An instrument for measuring the intensity of light, or, more especially, for comparing the relative intensities of different lights, or their relative illuminating power.
photometry noun That branch of science which treats of the measurement of the intensity of light.
photophone noun An apparatus for the production of sound by the action of rays of light.
photophony noun The art or practice of using the photophone.
photoscope noun Anything employed for the observation of light or luminous effects.
phototonus noun A motile condition in plants resulting from exposure to light.
phototypic adjective Of or pertaining to a phototype or phototypy.
phraseless adjective Indescribable.
phrenology noun The science of the special functions of the several parts of the brain, or of the supposed connection between the various faculties of the mind and particular organs in the brain., In popular usage, the physiological hypothesis of Gall, that the mental faculties, and traits of character, are shown on the surface of the head or skull; craniology.
phryganeid noun Any insect belonging to the Phryganeides.
phthisical adjective Of or pertaining to phthisis; affected with phthisis; wasting; consumptive.
phthisicky adjective Having phthisis, or some symptom of it, as difficulty in breathing.
phycomater noun A gelatin in which the algae spores have been supposed to vegetate.
phylactery noun Any charm or amulet worn as a preservative from danger or disease., A small square box, made either of parchment or of black calfskin, containing slips of parchment or vellum on which are written the scriptural passages Exodus xiii. 2-10, and 11-17, Deut. vi. 4-9, 13-22. They are worn by Jews on the head and left arm, on week-day mornings, during the time of prayer., Among the primitive Christians, a case in which the relics of the dead were inclosed.
phyllocyst noun The cavity of a hydrophyllium.
phyllodium noun A petiole dilated into the form of a blade, and usually with vertical edges, as in the Australian acacias.
phyllopoda noun pl. An order of Entomostraca including a large number of species, most of which live in fresh water. They have flattened or leaflike legs, often very numerous, which they use in swimming. Called also Branchiopoda.
phyllosoma noun The larva of the spiny lobsters (Palinurus and allied genera). Its body is remarkably thin, flat, and transparent; the legs are very long. Called also glass-crab, and glass-shrimp.
phyllotaxy noun Alt. of Phyllotaxis
phylloxera noun A small hemipterous insect (Phylloxera vastatrix) allied to the aphids. It attacks the roots and leaves of the grapevine, doing great damage, especially in Europe., The diseased condition of a vine caused by the insect just described.
physemaria noun pl. A group of simple marine organisms, usually classed as the lowest of the sponges. They have inflated hollow bodies.
physicking present participle & vb. noun of Physic, p. pr. & vb. n. fr. Physic, v. t.
physically adverb In a physical manner; according to the laws of nature or physics; by physical force; not morally., According to the rules of medicine.
physiocrat noun One of the followers of Quesnay of France, who, in the 18th century, founded a system of political economy based upon the supremacy of natural order.
physiogeny noun The germ history of the functions, or the history of the development of vital activities, in the individual, being one of the branches of ontogeny. See Morphogeny.
physiogony noun The birth of nature.
physiology noun The science which treats of the phenomena of living organisms; the study of the processes incidental to, and characteristic of, life., A treatise on physiology.
physoclist noun One of the Physoclisti.
physograde noun Any siphonophore which has an air sac for a float, as the Physalia.
physostomi noun pl. An order of fishes in which the air bladder is provided with a duct, and the ventral fins, when present, are abdominal. It includes the salmons, herrings, carps, catfishes, and others.
phytochimy noun Phytochemistry.
phytolacca noun A genus of herbaceous plants, some of them having berries which abound in intensely red juice; poke, or pokeweed.
phytomeron noun An organic element of a flowering plant; a phyton.
phytophaga noun pl. A division of Hymenoptera; the sawflies.
phytophagy noun The eating of plants.
pianissimo adjective Very soft; — a direction to execute a passage as softly as possible. (Abbrev. pp.)
pianoforte adjective A well-known musical instrument somewhat resembling the harpsichord, and consisting of a series of wires of graduated length, thickness, and tension, struck by hammers moved by keys.
pianograph noun A form of melodiograph applied to a piano.
picaresque adjective Applied to that class of literature in which the principal personage is the Spanish picaro, meaning a rascal, a knave, a rogue, an adventurer.
picayunish adjective Petty; paltry; mean; as, a picayunish business.
piccadilly noun A high, stiff collar for the neck; also, a hem or band about the skirt of a garment, — worn by men in the 17th century.
piccalilli noun A pickle of various vegetables with pungent species, — originally made in the East Indies.
pichiciago noun A small, burrowing, South American edentate (Chlamyphorus truncatus), allied to the armadillos. The shell is attached only along the back.
piciformes noun pl. A group of birds including the woodpeckers, toucans, barbets, colies, kingfishes, hornbills, and some other related groups.
pickaninny noun A small child; especially, a negro or mulatto infant.
pickedness noun The state of being sharpened; pointedness., Fineness; spruceness; smartness.
pickeering present participle & vb. noun of Pickeer
pick-fault noun One who seeks out faults.
pickpocket noun One who steals purses or other articles from pockets.
picnicking present participle & vb. noun of Picnic
picrotoxin noun A bitter white crystalline substance found in the cocculus indicus. It is a peculiar poisonous neurotic and intoxicant, and consists of a mixture of several neutral substances.
pictograph noun A picture or hieroglyph representing and expressing an idea.
pictorical adjective Pictorial.
picturable adjective Capable of being pictured, or represented by a picture.
picturized imp. & past participle of Picturize
pierceable adjective That may be pierced.
piezometer noun An instrument for measuring the compressibility of liquids., A gauge connected with a water main to show the pressure at that point.
pigeonfoot noun The dove’s-foot geranium (Geranium molle).
pigeonhole noun A small compartment in a desk or case for the keeping of letters, documents, etc.; — so called from the resemblance of a row of them to the compartments in a dovecote., To place in the pigeonhole of a case or cabinet; hence, to put away; to lay aside indefinitely; as, to pigeonhole a letter or a report.
pigeontoed adjective Having the toes turned in.
pig-headed adjective Having a head like a pig; hence, figuratively: stupidity obstinate; perverse; stubborn.
pigmentary adjective Of or pertaining to pigments; furnished with pigments.
pigmentous adjective Pigmental.
pigwidgeon noun A cant word for anything petty or small. It is used by Drayton as the name of a fairy.
pilastered adjective Furnished with pilasters.
pilorhizae plural of Pileorhiza
pileorhiza noun A cap of cells which covers the growing extremity of a root; a rootcap.
pilgrimage noun The journey of a pilgrim; a long journey; especially, a journey to a shrine or other sacred place. Fig., the journey of human life., A tedious and wearisome time.
pilgrimize verb i. To wander as a pilgrim; to go on a pilgrimage.
piliferous adjective Bearing a single slender bristle, or hair., Beset with hairs.
piligerous adjective Bearing hair; covered with hair or down; piliferous.
pillorying present participle & vb. noun of Pillory
pillowcase noun A removable case or covering for a pillow, usually of white linen or cotton cloth.
pi–a cloth A fine material for ladies’ shawls, scarfs, handkerchiefs, etc., made from the fiber of the pineapple leaf, and perhaps from other fibrous tropical leaves. It is delicate, soft, and transparent, with a slight tinge of pale yellow.
pinakothek noun Pinacotheca.
pinchingly adverb In a pinching way.
pinchpenny noun A miserly person.
pincushion noun A small cushion, in which pins may be stuck for use.
pindarical adjective Pindaric.
pinenchyma noun Tabular parenchyma, a form of cellular tissue in which the cells are broad and flat, as in some kinds of epidermis.
pinfeather noun A feather not fully developed; esp., a rudimentary feather just emerging through the skin.
pinguicula noun See Butterwort.
pinguitude noun Fatness; a growing fat; obesity.
pink stern See Chebacco, and 1st Pink.
pinnacling present participle & vb. noun of Pinnacle
pinnatifid adjective Divided in a pinnate manner, with the divisions not reaching to the midrib.
pinnatiped adjective Having the toes bordered by membranes; fin-footed, as certain birds., Any bird which has the toes bordered by membranes.
pinnigrada noun pl. Same as Pinnipedia.
pinnigrade noun An animal of the seal tribe, moving by short feet that serve as paddles.
pinnipedes noun pl. Same as Steganopodes.
pinnipedia noun pl. A suborder of aquatic carnivorous mammals including the seals and walruses; — opposed to Fissipedia.
pinnothere noun A crab of the genus pinnotheres. See Oyster crab, under Oyster.
pinnulated adjective Having pinnules.
pin-tailed adjective Having a tapered tail, with the middle feathers longest; — said of birds.
pioneering present participle & vb. noun of Pioneer
pipal tree Same as Peepul tree.
pipe layer One who lays conducting pipes in the ground, as for water, gas, etc., A politician who works in secret; — in this sense, usually written as one word.
pipelaying Alt. of Pipe laying
piperidine noun An oily liquid alkaloid, C5H11N, having a hot, peppery, ammoniacal odor. It is related to pyridine, and is obtained by the decomposition of piperine.
piperylene noun A hydrocarbon obtained by decomposition of certain piperidine derivatives.
pipsissewa noun A low evergreen plant (Chimaphila umbellata), with narrow, wedge-lanceolate leaves, and an umbel of pretty nodding fragrant blossoms. It has been used in nephritic diseases. Called also prince’s pine.
pirouetted imp. & past participle of Pirouette
pistillate adjective Having a pistil or pistils; — usually said of flowers having pistils but no stamens.
pistillida plural of Pistillidium
pistillody noun The metamorphosis of other organs into pistils.
pitch-dark adjective Dark as a pitch; pitch-black.
pitcherful noun The quantity a pitcher will hold.
pitchiness noun Blackness, as of pitch; darkness.
pitchstone noun An igneous rock of semiglassy nature, having a luster like pitch.
pitfalling adjective Entrapping; insnaring.
pityriasis noun A superficial affection of the skin, characterized by irregular patches of thin scales which are shed in branlike particles.
placarding present participle & vb. noun of Placard
placentary adjective Having reference to the placenta; as, the placentary system of classification.
placidness noun The quality or state of being placid.
placodermi noun pl. An extinct group of fishes, supposed to be ganoids. The body and head were covered with large bony plates. See Illust. under Pterichthys, and Coccosteus.
placoidian noun One of the placoids.
placophora noun pl. A division of gastropod Mollusca, including the chitons. The back is covered by eight shelly plates. Called also Polyplacophora. See Illust. under Chiton, and Isopleura.
plagiarism noun The act or practice of plagiarizing., That which plagiarized.
plagiarist noun One who plagiarizes; or purloins the words, writings, or ideas of another, and passes them off as his own; a literary thief; a plagiary.
plagiarize verb t. To steal or purloin from the writings of another; to appropriate without due acknowledgement (the ideas or expressions of another).
plagiaries plural of Plagiary
plagionite noun A sulphide of lead and antimony, of a blackish lead-gray color and metallic luster.
plagueless adjective Free from plagues or the plague.
plain-laid adjective Consisting of strands twisted together in the ordinary way; as, a plain-laid rope. See Illust. of Cordage.
plaintless adjective Without complaint; unrepining.
planarioid adjective Like the planarians.
planchette noun A circumferentor. See Circumferentor., A small tablet of wood supported on casters and having a pencil attached. The characters produced by the pencil on paper, while the hand rests on the instrument and it is allowed to move, are sometimes translated as of oracular or supernatural import.
planetical adjective Of or pertaining to planets.
plane tree Same as 1st Plane.
planimeter noun An instrument for measuring the area of any plane figure, however irregular, by passing a tracer around the bounding line; a platometer.
planimetry noun The mensuration of plane surfaces; — distinguished from stereometry, or the mensuration of volumes.
planishing present participle & vb. noun of Planish, a. & vb. n. from Planish, v. t.
planoblast noun Any free-swimming gonophore of a hydroid; a hydroid medusa.
planometer noun An instrument for gauging or testing a plane surface. See Surface gauge, under Surface.
planometry noun The art or process of producing or gauging a plane surface.
plantation noun The act or practice of planting, or setting in the earth for growth., The place planted; land brought under cultivation; a piece of ground planted with trees or useful plants; esp., in the United States and West Indies, a large estate appropriated to the production of the more important crops, and cultivated by laborers who live on the estate; as, a cotton plantation; a coffee plantation., An original settlement in a new country; a colony.
plant-cane noun A stalk or shoot of sugar cane of the first growth from the cutting. The growth of the second and following years is of inferior quality, and is called rattoon.
plasmation noun The act of forming or molding.
plasmature noun Form; mold.
plasmodial adjective Of or pertaining to, or like, a plasmodium; as, the plasmodial form of a life cycle.
plasmodium noun A jellylike mass of free protoplasm, without any union of amoeboid cells, and endowed with life and power of motion., A naked mobile mass of protoplasm, formed by the union of several amoebalike young, and constituting one of the stages in the life cycle of Mycetozoa and other low organisms.
plastering present participle & vb. noun of Plaster, Same as Plaster, n., 2., The act or process of overlaying with plaster., A covering of plaster; plasterwork.
plasticity noun The quality or state of being plastic., Plastic force.
plastidule noun One of the small particles or organic molecules of protoplasm.
platetrope noun One of a pair of a paired organs.
platinized imp. & past participle of Platinize
platometer noun See Planimeter.
platonical adjective Of or pertaining to Plato, or his philosophy, school, or opinions., Pure, passionless; nonsexual; philosophical.
platonized imp. & past participle of Platonize
platonizer noun One who Platonizes.
platymeter noun An apparatus for measuring the capacity of condensers, or the inductive capacity of dielectrics.
platyptera noun pl. A division of Pseudoneuroptera including the species which have four broad, flat wings, as the termites, or white-ants, and the stone flies (Perla).
platyrhine adjective Having the nose broad; — opposed to leptorhine., One of the Platyrhini.
platyrhini noun pl. A division of monkeys, including the American species, which have a broad nasal septum, thirty-six teeth, and usually a prehensile tail. See Monkey.
plauditory adjective Applauding; commending.
playfellow noun A companion in amusements or sports; a playmate.
playground noun A piece of ground used for recreation; as, the playground of a school.
playwright noun A maker or adapter of plays.
playwriter noun A writer of plays; a dramatist; a playwright.
pleadingly adverb In a pleading manner.
pleasantly adverb In a pleasant manner.
pleasantry noun That which denotes or promotes pleasure or good humor; cheerfulness; gayety; merriment; especially, an agreeable playfulness in conversation; a jocose or humorous remark; badinage.
pleasuring present participle & vb. noun of Pleasure
pleasurist noun A person devoted to worldly pleasure.
plebeiance noun Plebeianism., Plebeians, collectively.
plebiscite noun A vote by universal male suffrage; especially, in France, a popular vote, as first sanctioned by the National Constitution of 1791.
pledgeless adjective Having no pledge.
plenishing noun Household furniture; stock.
plentevous adjective Plenteous.
pleochroic adjective Having the property of pleochroism.
pleonastic adjective Alt. of Pleonastical
plerophory noun Fullness; full persuasion.
plesiosaur noun One of the Plesiosauria.
pleuralgia noun Pain in the side or region of the ribs.
pleurocarp noun Any pleurocarpic moss.
pluroderes noun pl. A group of fresh-water turtles in which the neck can not be retracted, but is bent to one side, for protection. The matamata is an example.
pleurodont adjective Having the teeth consolidated with the inner edge of the jaw, as in some lizards., Any lizard having pleurodont teeth.
pleurostea plural of Pleurosteon
pleurotoma noun Any marine gastropod belonging to Pleurotoma, and ether allied genera of the family Pleurotmidae. The species are very numerous, especially in tropical seas. The outer lip has usually a posterior notch or slit.
pleximeter noun A small, hard, elastic plate, as of ivory, bone, or rubber, placed in contact with body to receive the blow, in examination by mediate percussion.
pliability noun The quality or state of being pliable; flexibility; as, pliability of disposition.
pliohippus noun An extinct genus of horses from the Pliocene deposits. Each foot had a single toe (or hoof), as in the common horse.
pliosaurus noun An extinct genus of marine reptiles allied to Plesiosaurus, but having a much shorter neck.
plot-proof adjective Secure against harm by plots.
ploughable adjective Capable of being plowed; arable.
ploughbote noun Wood or timber allowed to a tenant for the repair of instruments of husbandry. See Bote.
ploughfoot noun An adjustable staff formerly attached to the plow beam to determine the depth of the furrow.
ploughgang noun Same as Plowgate.
ploughgate noun The Scotch equivalent of the English word plowland.
ploughhead noun The clevis or draught iron of a plow.
ploughtail noun The hind part or handle of a plow.
plowwright noun Alt. of Ploughwright
pluckiness noun The quality or state of being plucky.
plumassary noun A plume or collection of ornamental feathers.
plumassier noun One who prepares or deals in ornamental plumes or feathers.
plumularia noun Any hydroid belonging to Plumularia and other genera of the family Plumularidae. They generally grow in plumelike forms.
plundering present participle & vb. noun of Plunder
plunderage noun The embezzlement of goods on shipboard.
pluperfect adjective More than perfect; past perfect; — said of the tense which denotes that an action or event was completed at or before the time of another past action or event., The pluperfect tense; also, a verb in the pluperfect tense.
pluralized imp. & past participle of Pluralize
pluralizer noun A pluralist.
plutocracy noun A form of government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of the wealthy classes; government by the rich; also, a controlling or influential class of rich men.
pneumatics noun That branch of science which treats of the mechanical properties of air and other elastic fluids, as of their weight, pressure, elasticity, etc. See Mechanics., The scientific study or knowledge of spiritual beings and their relations to God, angels, and men.
pneumology noun The science which treats of the lungs.
poachiness noun The state of being poachy; marshiness.
pocketbook noun A small book or case for carrying papers, money, etc., in the pocket; also, a notebook for the pocket.
pocketfuls plural of Pocketful
pockmarked adjective Marked by smallpox; pitted.
poculiform adjective Having the shape of a goblet or drinking cup.
podagrical adjective Pertaining to the gout; gouty; caused by gout., Afflicted with gout.
podarthrum noun The foot joint; in birds, the joint between the metatarsus and the toes.
podobranch noun One of the branchiae attached to the bases of the legs in Crustacea.
podogynium noun Same as Basigynium
podothecae plural of Podotheca
poecilitic adjective Mottled with various colors; variegated; spotted; — said of certain rocks., Specifically: Of or pertaining to, or characterizing, Triassic and Permian sandstones of red and other colors.
poecilopod noun One of the Poecilopoda. Also used adjectively.
poetically adverb In a poetic manner.
poignantly adverb In a poignant manner.
poikilitic adjective See Poecilitic.
poinsettia noun A Mexican shrub (Euphorbia pulcherrima) with very large and conspicuous vermilion bracts below the yellowish flowers.
pointleted adjective Having a small, distinct point; apiculate.
poisonable adjective Capable of poisoning; poisonous., Capable of being poisoned.
poisonsome adjective Poisonous.[Obs.] Holland.
polaristic adjective Pertaining to, or exhibiting, poles; having a polar arrangement or disposition; arising from, or dependent upon, the possession of poles or polar characteristics; as, polaristic antagonism.
polarizing present participle & vb. noun of Polarize
polatouche noun A flying squirrel (Sciuropterus volans) native of Northern Europe and Siberia; — called also minene.
polemicist noun A polemic.
polemonium noun A genus of gamopetalous perennial herbs, including the Jacob’s ladder and the Greek valerian.
polishable adjective Capable of being polished.
polishment noun The act of polishing, or the state of being polished.
politeness noun High finish; smoothness; burnished elegance., The quality or state of being polite; refinement of manners; urbanity; courteous behavior; complaisance; obliging attentions.
politician noun One versed or experienced in the science of government; one devoted to politics; a statesman., One primarily devoted to his own advancement in public office, or to the success of a political party; — used in a depreciatory sense; one addicted or attached to politics as managed by parties (see Politics, 2); a schemer; an intriguer; as, a mere politician., Cunning; using artifice; politic; artful.
politicist noun A political writer.
pollarding present participle & vb. noun of Pollard
pollenized imp. & past participle of Pollenize
pollinctor noun One who prepared corpses for the funeral.
polyacrons plural of Polyacron
polyandria noun pl. A Linnaean class of monoclinous or hermaphrodite plants, having many stamens, or any number above twenty, inserted in the receptacle.
polyandric adjective Pertaining to, or characterized by, polyandry; mating with several males.
polyanthus noun The oxlip. So called because the peduncle bears a many-flowered umbel. See Oxlip. (b) A bulbous flowering plant of the genus Narcissus (N. Tazetta, or N. polyanthus of some authors). See Illust. of Narcissus.
polyatomic adjective Having more than one atom in the molecule; consisting of several atoms., Having a valence greater than one.
polybasite noun An iron-black ore of silver, consisting of silver, sulphur, and antimony, with some copper and arsenic.
polycarpic adjective Alt. of Polycarpous
polychaeta noun pl. One of the two principal groups of Chaetopoda. It includes those that have prominent parapodia and fascicles of setae. See Illust. under Parapodia.
polychrest noun A medicine that serves for many uses, or that cures many diseases.
polychrome noun Esculin; — so called in allusion to its fluorescent solutions., Executed in the manner of polychromy; as, polychrome printing.
polychromy noun The art or practice of combining different colors, especially brilliant ones, in an artistic way.
polyclinic noun A clinic in which diseases of many sorts are treated; especially, an institution in which clinical instruction is given in all kinds of disease.
polycrotic adjective Of or pertaining to polycrotism; manifesting polycrotism; as, a polycrotic pulse; a polycrotic pulse curve.
polycystid noun One of the Polycystidea., One of the Polycystina., Pertaining to the Polycystidea, or the Polycystina.
polydipsia noun Excessive and constant thirst occasioned by disease.
polyedrous adjective See Polyhedral.
polyeidism noun The quality or state of being polyeidic.
polygamian adjective Polygamous.
polygamist adjective One who practices polygamy, or maintains its lawfulness.
polygamize verb i. To practice polygamy; to marry several wives.
polygamous adjective Of or pertaining to polygamy; characterized by, or involving, polygamy; having a plurality of wives; as, polygamous marriages; — opposed to monogamous., Pairing with more than one female., Belonging to the Polygamia; bearing both hermaphrodite and unisexual flowers on the same plant.
polygenism noun The doctrine that animals of the same species have sprung from more than one original pair.
polygenist noun One who maintains that animals of the same species have sprung from more than one original pair; — opposed to monogenist.
polygenous adjective Consisting of, or containing, many kinds; as, a polygenous mountain.
polygonous adjective Polygonal.
polygraphy noun Much writing; writing of many books., The art of writing in various ciphers, and of deciphering the same., The art or practice of using a polygraph.
polygynian adjective Alt. of Polygynous
polygynous adjective Having many styles; belonging to the order Polygynia.
polygynist noun One who practices or advocates polygyny.
polyhalite noun A mineral usually occurring in fibrous masses, of a brick-red color, being tinged with iron, and consisting chiefly of the sulphates of lime, magnesia, and soda.
polyhedral adjective Alt. of Polyhedrical
polyhedron noun A body or solid contained by many sides or planes., A polyscope, or multiplying glass.
polyhistor noun One versed in various learning.
polyhymnia noun The Muse of lyric poetry.
polyiodide noun A iodide having more than one atom of iodine in the molecule.
polymathic adjective Pertaining to polymathy; acquainted with many branches of learning.
polymerism noun The state, quality, or relation of two or more polymeric substances., The act or process of forming polymers.
polymerize verb t. To cause polymerization of; to produce polymers from; to increase the molecular weight of, without changing the atomic proportions; thus, certain acids polymerize aldehyde., To change into another substance having the same atomic proportions, but a higher molecular weight; to undergo polymerization; thus, aldehyde polymerizes in forming paraldehyde.
polymerous adjective Having many parts or members in each set., Polymeric.
polymorphy noun Existence in many forms; polymorphism.
polymyodae noun pl. Same as Oscines.
polynemoid adjective Of or pertaining to the polynemes, or the family Polynemidae.
polynesian adjective Of or pertaining to Polynesia (the islands of the eastern and central Pacific), or to the Polynesians.
polynomial noun An expression composed of two or more terms, connected by the signs plus or minus; as, a2 – 2ab + b2., Containing many names or terms; multinominal; as, the polynomial theorem., Consisting of two or more words; having names consisting of two or more words; as, a polynomial name; polynomial nomenclature.
polyoptron noun Alt. of Polyoptrum
polyoptrum noun A glass through which objects appear multiplied, but diminished in size.
polyparous adjective Producing or bearing a great number; bringing forth many.
polyparies plural of Polypary
polyphemus noun A very large American moth (Telea polyphemus) belonging to the Silkworm family (Bombycidae). Its larva, which is very large, bright green, with silvery tubercles, and with oblique white stripes on the sides, feeds on the oak, chestnut, willow, cherry, apple, and other trees. It produces a large amount of strong silk. Called also American silkworm.
polyphonic adjective Having a multiplicity of sounds., Characterized by polyphony; as, Assyrian polyphonic characters., Consisting of several tone series, or melodic parts, progressing simultaneously according to the laws of counterpoint; contrapuntal; as, a polyphonic composition; — opposed to homophonic, or monodic.
polypifera noun pl. The Anthozoa.
polypodium noun A genus of plants of the order Filices or ferns. The fructifications are in uncovered roundish points, called sori, scattered over the inferior surface of the frond or leaf. There are numerous species.
polyporous adjective Having many pores.
polypterus noun An African genus of ganoid fishes including the bichir.
polyptoton noun A figure by which a word is repeated in different forms, cases, numbers, genders, etc., as in Tennyson’s line, — “My own heart’s heart, and ownest own, farewell.”
polyspermy noun Fullness of sperm, or seed; the passage of more than one spermatozoon into the vitellus in the impregnation of the ovum.
polytheism noun The doctrine of, or belief in, a plurality of gods.
polytheist noun One who believes in, or maintains the doctrine of, a plurality of gods.
polytheize verb i. To adhere to, advocate, or inculcate, the doctrine of polytheism.
polytocous adjective Bearing fruit repeatedly, as most perennial plants; polycarpic., Producing many or young.
polytomous adjective Subdivided into many distinct subordinate parts, which, however, not being jointed to the petiole, are not true leaflets; — said of leaves.
polytyping present participle & vb. noun of Polytype
polyvalent adjective Multivalent.
polyzoaria plural of Polyzoarium
pomeranian adjective Of or pertaining to Pomerania, a province of Prussia on the Baltic Sea., A native or inhabitant of Pomerania.
pomiferous adjective Bearing pomes, or applelike fruits., Bearing fruits, or excrescences, more or less resembling an apple.
pommelling of Pommel
pomologist noun One versed in pomology; one who culticvates fruit trees.
pompelmous noun A shaddock, esp. one of large size.
pompillion noun An ointment or pomatum made of black poplar buds.
ponderable adjective Capable of being weighed; having appreciable weight.
ponderance noun Weight; gravity.
poniarding present participle & vb. noun of Poniard
ponibility noun The capability of being placed or located.
pontifices plural of Pontifex
pontifical adjective Of or pertaining to a pontiff, or high priest; as, pontifical authority; hence, belonging to the pope; papal., Of or pertaining to the building of bridges., A book containing the offices, or formulas, used by a pontiff., The dress and ornaments of a pontiff.
pontooning noun The act, art, or process of constructing pontoon bridges.
poonga oil A kind of oil used in India for lamps, and for boiling with dammar for pitching vessels. It is pressed from the seeds of a leguminous tree (Pongamia glabra).
poorliness noun The quality or state of being poorly; ill health.
popularity noun The quality or state of being popular; especially, the state of being esteemed by, or of being in favor with, the people at large; good will or favor proceeding from the people; as, the popularity of a law, statesman, or a book., The quality or state of being adapted or pleasing to common, poor, or vulgar people; hence, cheapness; inferiority; vulgarity., Something which obtains, or is intended to obtain, the favor of the vulgar; claptrap., The act of courting the favor of the people., Public sentiment; general passion.
popularize verb t. To make popular; to make suitable or acceptable to the common people; to make generally known; as, to popularize philosophy.
populating present participle & vb. noun of Populate
population noun The act or process of populating; multiplication of inhabitants., The whole number of people, or inhabitants, in a country, or portion of a country; as, a population of ten millions.
populicide noun Slaughter of the people.
populosity noun Populousness.
poriferata noun pl. The Polifera.
porismatic adjective Alt. of Porismatical
poristical adjective Of or pertaining to a porism; of the nature of a porism.
porousness noun The quality of being porous., The open parts; the interstices of anything.
porpentine noun Porcupine.
porphyrite noun A rock with a porphyritic structure; as, augite porphyrite.
porphyrize verb t. To cause to resemble porphyry; to make spotted in composition, like porphyry.
porphyries plural of Porphyry
porraceous adjective Resembling the leek in color; greenish.
porrection noun The act of stretching forth.
portamento noun In singing, or in the use of the bow, a gradual carrying or lifting of the voice or sound very smoothly from one note to another; a gliding from tone to tone.
portcrayon noun A metallic handle with a clasp for holding a crayon.
portcullis noun A grating of iron or of timbers pointed with iron, hung over the gateway of a fortress, to be let down to prevent the entrance of an enemy., An English coin of the reign of Elizabeth, struck for the use of the East India Company; — so called from its bearing the figure of a portcullis on the reverse., To obstruct with, or as with, a portcullis; to shut; to bar.
portending present participle & vb. noun of Portend
portension noun The act of foreshowing; foreboding.
portentive adjective Presaging; foreshadowing.
portentous adjective Of the nature of a portent; containing portents; foreshadowing, esp. foreshadowing ill; ominous., Hence: Monstrous; prodigious; wonderful; dreadful; as, a beast of portentous size.
portioning present participle & vb. noun of Portion
portionist noun A scholar at Merton College, Oxford, who has a certain academical allowance or portion; — corrupted into postmaster., One of the incumbents of a benefice which has two or more rectors or vicars.
portliness noun The quality or state of being portly; dignity of mien or of personal appearance; stateliness., Bulkiness; corpulence.
portmantle noun A portmanteau.
portraying present participle & vb. noun of Portray
portuguese adjective Of or pertaining to Portugal, or its inhabitants., A native or inhabitant of Portugal; people of Portugal.
positional adjective Of or pertaining to position.
positively adverb In a positive manner; absolutely; really; expressly; with certainty; indubitably; peremptorily; dogmatically; — opposed to negatively.
positivism noun A system of philosophy originated by M. Auguste Comte, which deals only with positives. It excludes from philosophy everything but the natural phenomena or properties of knowable things, together with their invariable relations of coexistence and succession, as occurring in time and space. Such relations are denominated laws, which are to be discovered by observation, experiment, and comparison. This philosophy holds all inquiry into causes, both efficient and final, to be useless and unprofitable.
positivist noun A believer in positivism., Relating to positivism.
positivity noun Positiveness.
possessing present participle & vb. noun of Possess
possession noun The act or state of possessing, or holding as one’s own., The having, holding, or detention of property in one’s power or command; actual seizin or occupancy; ownership, whether rightful or wrongful., The thing possessed; that which any one occupies, owns, or controls; in the plural, property in the aggregate; wealth; dominion; as, foreign possessions., The state of being possessed or controlled, as by an evil spirit, or violent passions; madness; frenzy; as, demoniacal possession., To invest with property.
possessive adjective Of or pertaining to possession; having or indicating possession., The possessive case., A possessive pronoun, or a word in the possessive case.
possessory adjective Of or pertaining to possession, either as a fact or a right; of the nature of possession; as, a possessory interest; a possessory lord.
postcornua plural of Postcornu
postdating present participle & vb. noun of Postdate
posteriors noun pl. The hinder parts, as of an animal’s body.
postfactum noun Same as Postfact.
postfurcae plural of Postfurca
posthetomy noun Circumcision.
posthumous adjective Born after the death of the father, or taken from the dead body of the mother; as, a posthumous son or daughter., Published after the death of the author; as, posthumous works; a posthumous edition., Being or continuing after one’s death; as, a posthumous reputation.
postticous adjective Posterior., Situated on the outer side of a filament; — said of an extrorse anther.
postilling of Postil
postillate verb t. To explain by marginal notes; to postil., To write postils; to comment., To preach by expounding Scripture verse by verse, in regular order.
posttiller noun See Postiler.
postliminy noun The return to his own country, and his former privileges, of a person who had gone to sojourn in a foreign country, or had been banished, or taken by an enemy., The right by virtue of which persons and things taken by an enemy in war are restored to their former state when coming again under the power of the nation to which they belonged.
postmarked imp. & past participle of Postmark
postmaster noun One who has charge of a station for the accommodation of travelers; one who supplies post horses., One who has charge of a post office, and the distribution and forwarding of mails.
postocular adjective & noun Same as Postorbital.
postponing present participle & vb. noun of Postpone
postposing present participle & vb. noun of Postpose
postremote adjective More remote in subsequent time or order.
postscribe verb t. To make a postscript.
postscript noun A paragraph added to a letter after it is concluded and signed by the writer; an addition made to a book or composition after the main body of the work has been finished, containing something omitted, or something new occurring to the writer.
postulated imp. & past participle of Postulate, Assumed without proof; as, a postulated inference.
postulatum noun A postulate.
potamology noun A scientific account or discussion of rivers; a treatise on rivers; potamography.
potassoxyl noun The radical KO, derived from, and supposed to exist in, potassium hydroxide and other compounds.
potentiate verb t. To render active or potent.
potentized imp. & past participle of Potentize
potentness noun The quality or state of being potent; powerfulness; potency; efficacy.
poulticing present participle & vb. noun of Poultice
poureliche adverb Poorly.
pourparler noun A consultation preliminary to a treaty.
powderhorn noun A horn in which gunpowder is carried.
powdermill noun A mill in which gunpowder is made.
pozzuolana noun Alt. of Pozzolana
practicing present participle & vb. noun of Practice
practician noun One who is acquainted with, or skilled in, anything by practice; a practitioner.
practisant noun An agent or confederate in treachery.
practisour noun A practitioner.
praecocial adjective Of or pertaining to the Praecoces.
praecordia noun The front part of the thoracic region; the epigastrium.
praecornua plural of Praecornu
praemunire noun The offense of introducing foreign authority into England, the penalties for which were originally intended to depress the civil power of the pope in the kingdom., The writ grounded on that offense., The penalty ascribed for the offense of praemunire.
praenomina plural of Praenomen
praeterist noun See Preterist.
praetermit verb t. See Pretermit.
praetextae plural of Praetexta
praetextas plural of Praetexta
praetorian adjective See Pretorian.
praetorium noun See Pretorium.
pragmatism noun The quality or state of being pragmatic; in literature, the pragmatic, or philosophical, method.
pragmatist noun One who is pragmatic.
pragmatize verb t. To consider, represent, or embody (something unreal) as fact; to materialize.
praiseless adjective Without praise or approbation.
praisement noun Appraisement.
praseolite noun A variety of altered iolite of a green color and greasy luster.
pratincole noun Any bird of the Old World genus Glareola, or family Glareolidae, allied to the plovers. They have long, pointed wings and a forked tail.
prayerless adjective Not using prayer; habitually neglecting prayer to God; without prayer.
preachment noun A religious harangue; a sermon; — used derogatively.
preadamite noun An inhabitant of the earth before Adam., One who holds that men existed before Adam.
preappoint verb t. To appoint previously, or beforehand.
prearrange verb t. To arrange beforehand.
prebendary noun A clergyman attached to a collegiate or cathedral church who enjoys a prebend in consideration of his officiating at stated times in the church. See Note under Benefice, n., 3., A prebendaryship.
prebendate verb t. To invest with the office of prebendary; to present to a prebend.
precarious adjective Depending on the will or pleasure of another; held by courtesy; liable to be changed or lost at the pleasure of another; as, precarious privileges., Held by a doubtful tenure; depending on unknown causes or events; exposed to constant risk; not to be depended on for certainty or stability; uncertain; as, a precarious state of health; precarious fortunes.
precaution noun Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent mischief or secure good; as, his life was saved by precaution., A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act; as, to take precautions against accident., To warn or caution beforehand., To take precaution against.
precedence noun Alt. of Precedency
precedency noun The act or state of preceding or going before in order of time; priority; as, one event has precedence of another., The act or state of going or being before in rank or dignity, or the place of honor; right to a more honorable place; superior rank; as, barons have precedence of commoners.
precellent adjective Excellent; surpassing.
preceptial adjective Preceptive.
preception noun A precept.
preceptive adjective Containing or giving precepts; of the nature of precepts; didactic; as, the preceptive parts of the Scriptures.
preceptory adjective Preceptive., A religious house of the Knights Templars, subordinate to the temple or principal house of the order in London. See Commandery, n., 2.
precession noun The act of going before, or forward.
preciosity noun Preciousness; something precious.
preciously adverb In a precious manner; expensively; extremely; dearly. Also used ironically.
precipient adjective Commanding; directing.
precluding present participle & vb. noun of Preclude
preclusion noun The act of precluding, or the state of being precluded; a shutting out.
preclusive adjective Shutting out; precluding, or tending to preclude; hindering.
precocious adjective Ripe or mature before the proper or natural time; early or prematurely ripe or developed; as, precocious trees., Developed more than is natural or usual at a given age; exceeding what is to be expected of one’s years; too forward; — used especially of mental forwardness; as, a precocious child; precocious talents.
precompose verb t. To compose beforehand.
preconceit noun An opinion or notion formed beforehand; a preconception.
preconcert verb t. To concert or arrange beforehand; to settle by previous agreement., Something concerted or arranged beforehand; a previous agreement.
precondemn verb t. To condemn beforehand.
preconform verb t. & i. To conform by way anticipation.
preconquer verb t. To conquer in anticipation.
preconsent noun A previous consent.
preconsign verb t. To consign beforehand; to make a previous consignment of.
precordial adjective Situated in front of the heart; of or pertaining to the praecordia.
precursive adjective Preceding; introductory; precursory.
precursory adjective Preceding as a precursor or harbinger; indicating something to follow; as, precursory symptoms of a fever., An introduction.
predaceous adjective Living by prey; predatory.
predecease verb t. To die sooner than., The death of one person or thing before another.
predeclare verb t. To declare or announce beforehand; to preannounce.
predestine verb t. To decree beforehand; to foreordain; to predestinate.
predestiny noun Predestination.
predicable adjective Capable of being predicated or affirmed of something; affirmable; attributable., Anything affirmable of another; especially, a general attribute or notion as affirmable of, or applicable to, many individuals., One of the five most general relations of attributes involved in logical arrangements, namely, genus, species, difference, property, and accident.
predicated imp. & past participle of Predicate
predicting present participle & vb. noun of Predict
prediction noun The act of foretelling; also, that which is foretold; prophecy.
predictive adjective Foretelling; prophetic; foreboding.
predictory adjective Predictive.
predispose verb t. To dispose or incline beforehand; to give a predisposition or bias to; as, to predispose the mind to friendship., To make fit or susceptible beforehand; to give a tendency to; as, debility predisposes the body to disease.
preeminent adjective Eminent above others; prominent among those who are eminent; superior in excellence; surpassing, or taking precedence of, others; rarely, surpassing others in evil, or in bad qualities; as, preeminent in guilt.
preempting present participle & vb. noun of Preempt
preemption noun The act or right of purchasing before others., The privilege or prerogative formerly enjoyed by the king of buying provisions for his household in preference to others., The right of an actual settler upon public lands (particularly those of the United States) to purchase a certain portion at a fixed price in preference to all other applicants.
preemptive adjective Of or pertaining to preemption; having power to preempt; preempting.
preemptory adjective Pertaining to preemption.
preengaged imp. & past participle of Preengage
preexamine verb t. To examine beforehand.
preexisted imp. & past participle of Preexist
prefecture noun The office, position, or jurisdiction of a prefect; also, his official residence.
preferring present participle & vb. noun of Prefer
preferable adjective Worthy to be preferred or chosen before something else; more desirable; as, a preferable scheme.
preferably adverb In preference; by choice.
preference noun The act of Preferring, or the state of being preferred; the setting of one thing before another; precedence; higher estimation; predilection; choice; also, the power or opportunity of choosing; as, to give him his preference., That which is preferred; the object of choice or superior favor; as, which is your preference?
preferment noun The act of choosing, or the state of being chosen; preference., The act of preferring, or advancing in dignity or office; the state of being advanced; promotion., A position or office of honor or profit; as, the preferments of the church.
prefidence noun The quality or state of being prefident.
prefigured imp. & past participle of Prefigure
prefrontal adjective Situated in front of the frontal bone, or the frontal region of the skull; ectethmoid, as a certain bone in the nasal capsule of many animals, and certain scales of reptiles and fishes., A prefrontal bone or scale.
preglacial adjective Prior to the glacial or drift period.
pregnantly adverb In a pregnant manner; fruitfully; significantly., Unresistingly; openly; hence, clearly; evidently.
pregravate verb t. To bear down; to depress.
pregustant adjective Tasting beforehand; having a foretaste.
prehensile noun Adapted to seize or grasp; seizing; grasping; as, the prehensile tail of a monkey.
prehension noun The act of taking hold, seizing, or grasping, as with the hand or other member.
prehensory adjective Adapted to seize or grasp; prehensile.
prejudging present participle & vb. noun of Prejudge
prejudical adjective Of or pertaining to the determination of some matter not previously decided; as, a prejudical inquiry or action at law.
prejudiced imp. & past participle of Prejudice
prelateity noun Prelacy.
prelatical adjective Of or pertaining to prelates or prelacy; as, prelatical authority.
prelatized imp. & past participle of Prelatize
prelecting present participle & vb. noun of Prelect
prelection noun A lecture or discourse read in public or to a select company.
preludious adjective Preludial.
premaxilla noun A bone on either side of the middle line between the nose and mouth, forming the anterior part of each half of the upper jawbone; the intermaxilla. In man the premaxillae become united and form the incisor part of the maxillary bone.
premediate verb t. To advocate.
premonitor noun One who, or that which, gives premonition.
prenominal adjective Serving as a prefix in a compound name.
prensation noun The act of seizing with violence.
preominate verb t. To ominate beforehand; to portend.
preopinion noun Opinion previously formed; prepossession; prejudice.
preorbital adjective Situated in front or the orbit.
preparable adjective Capable of being prepared.
preparator noun One who prepares beforehand, as subjects for dissection, specimens for preservation in collections, etc.
prepayment noun Payment in advance.
prepensely adverb In a premeditated manner.
prepollent adjective Having superior influence or power; prevailing; predominant., An extra first digit, or rudiment of a digit, on the preaxial side of the pollex.
prepositor noun A scholar appointed to inspect other scholars; a monitor.
prepossess verb t. To preoccupy, as ground or land; to take previous possession of., To preoccupy, as the mind or heart, so as to preclude other things; hence, to bias or prejudice; to give a previous inclination to, for or against anything; esp., to induce a favorable opinion beforehand, or at the outset.
prepotency noun The quality or condition of being prepotent; predominance., The capacity, on the part of one of the parents, as compared with the other, to transmit more than his or her own share of characteristics to their offspring.
preprovide verb t. To provide beforehand.
preregnant noun One who reigns before another; a sovereign predecessor.
prerequire verb t. To require beforehand.
preresolve verb t. & i. To resolve beforehand; to predetermine.
presageful adjective Full of presages; ominous.
presagious adjective Foreboding; ominous.
presbyopia A defect of vision consequent upon advancing age. It is due to rigidity of the crystalline lens, which produces difficulty of accommodation and recession of the near point of vision, so that objects very near the eyes can not be seen distinctly without the use of convex glasses. Called also presbytia.
presbyopic adjective Affected by presbyopia; also, remedying presbyopia; farsighted.
presbytery noun A body of elders in the early Christian church., A judicatory consisting of all the ministers within a certain district, and one layman, who is a ruling elder, from each parish or church, commissioned to represent the church in conjunction with the pastor. This body has a general jurisdiction over the churches under its care, and next below the provincial synod in authority., The Presbyterian religion of polity., That part of the church reserved for the officiating priest., The residence of a priest or clergyman.
presbytism noun Presbyopia.
prescience noun Knowledge of events before they take place; foresight.
prescribed imp. & past participle of Prescribe
prescriber noun One who prescribes.
presension noun Previous perception.
presenting present participle & vb. noun of Present
presential adjective Implying actual presence; present, immediate.
presention noun See Presension.
presentive adjective Bringing a conception or notion directly before the mind; presenting an object to the memory of imagination; — distinguished from symbolic.
presentoir noun An ornamental tray, dish, or the like, used as a salver.
preserving present participle & vb. noun of Preserve
presidence noun See Presidency.
presidency noun The function or condition of one who presides; superintendence; control and care., The office of president; as, Washington was elected to the presidency., The term during which a president holds his office; as, during the presidency of Madison., One of the three great divisions of British India, the Bengal, Madras, and Bombay Presidencies, each of which had a council of which its governor was president.
presidiary adjective Of or pertaining to a garrison; having a garrison.
presignify verb t. To intimate or signify beforehand; to presage.
pressitant adjective Gravitating; heavy.
pressurage noun Pressure., The juice of the grape extracted by the press; also, a fee paid for the use of a wine press.
prestation noun A payment of money; a toll or duty; also, the rendering of a service.
presternum noun The anterior segment of the sternum; the manubrium.
prestimony noun A fund for the support of a priest, without the title of a benefice. The patron in the collator.
presumable adjective Such as may be presumed or supposed to be true; that seems entitled to belief without direct evidence.
presumably adverb In a presumable manner; by, or according to, presumption.
presumedly adverb By presumption.
presuppose verb t. To suppose beforehand; to imply as antecedent; to take for granted; to assume; as, creation presupposes a creator.
presurmise noun A surmise previously formed.
pretending present participle & vb. noun of Pretend
pretendant noun A pretender; a claimant.
pretension noun The act of pretending, or laying claim; the act of asserting right or title., A claim made, whether true or false; a right alleged or assumed; a holding out the appearance of possessing a certain character; as, pretensions to scholarship.
preterient adjective Passed through; antecedent; previous; as, preterient states.
pretexture noun A pretext.
pretorship noun The office or dignity of a pretor.
pretorture verb t. To torture beforehand.
prettiness noun The quality or state of being pretty; — used sometimes in a disparaging sense.
prevailing present participle & vb. noun of Prevail, Having superior force or influence; efficacious; persuasive., Predominant; prevalent; most general; as, the prevailing disease of a climate; a prevailing opinion.
prevalence noun The quality or condition of being prevalent; superior strength, force, or influence; general existence, reception, or practice; wide extension; as, the prevalence of virtue, of a fashion, or of a disease; the prevalence of a rumor.
prevalency noun See Prevalence.
prevenance noun A going before; anticipation in sequence or order.
prevenancy noun The act of anticipating another’s wishes, desires, etc., in the way of favor or courtesy; hence, civility; obligingness.
prevenient adjective Going before; preceding; hence, preventive.
preventing present participle & vb. noun of Prevent
prevention noun The act of going, or state of being, before., Anticipation; esp., anticipation of needs or wishes; hence, precaution; forethought., The act of preventing or hindering; obstruction of action, access, or approach; thwarting., Prejudice; prepossession.
preventive adjective Going before; preceding., Tending to defeat or hinder; obviating; preventing the access of; as, a medicine preventive of disease., That which prevents, hinders, or obstructs; that which intercepts access; in medicine, something to prevent disease; a prophylactic.
previously adverb Beforehand; antecedently; as, a plan previously formed.
prewarning present participle & vb. noun of Prewarn
pricklouse noun A tailor; — so called in contempt.
prickmadam noun A name given to several species of stonecrop, used as ingredients of vermifuge medicines. See Stonecrop.
prickpunch noun A pointed steel punch, to prick a mark on metal.
prickshaft noun An arrow.
priesthood noun The office or character of a priest; the priestly function., Priests, taken collectively; the order of men set apart for sacred offices; the order of priests.
priestless adjective Without a priest.
priestlike adjective Priestly.
primatical adjective Of or pertaining to a primate.
primevally adverb In a primeval manner; in or from the earliest times; originally.
primipilar adjective Of or pertaining to the captain of the vanguard of a Roman army.
primordial adjective First in order; primary; original; of earliest origin; as, primordial condition., Of or pertaining to the lowest beds of the Silurian age, corresponding to the Acadian and Potsdam periods in American geology. It is called also Cambrian, and by many geologists is separated from the Silurian., Originally or earliest formed in the growth of an individual or organ; as, a primordial leaf; a primordial cell., A first principle or element.
primordian noun A name given to several kinds of plums; as, red primordian, amber primordian, etc.
princehood noun Princeliness.
princeless adjective Without a prince.
princelike adjective Princely.
princeling noun A petty prince; a young prince.
princewood noun The wood of two small tropical American trees (Hamelia ventricosa, and Cordia gerascanthoides). It is brownish, veined with lighter color.
princified adjective Imitative of a prince.
principate noun Principality; supreme rule.
principial adjective Elementary.
principled imp. & past participle of Principle
printa-ble adjective Worthy to be published.
prismoidal adjective Having the form of a prismoid; as, prismoidal solids.
prisonment noun Imprisonment.
pristinate adjective Pristine; primitive.
privileged imp. & past participle of Privilege, Invested with a privilege; enjoying a peculiar right, advantage, or immunity.
procacious adjective Pert; petulant; forward; saucy.
procambium noun The young tissue of a fibrovascular bundle before its component cells have begun to be differentiated.
procedendo noun A writ by which a cause which has been removed on insufficient grounds from an inferior to a superior court by certiorari, or otherwise, is sent down again to the same court, to be proceeded in there., In English practice, a writ issuing out of chancery in cases where the judges of subordinate courts delay giving judgment, commanding them to proceed to judgment., A writ by which the commission of the justice of the peace is revived, after having been suspended.
proceeding present participle & vb. noun of Proceed, The act of one who proceeds, or who prosecutes a design or transaction; progress or movement from one thing to another; a measure or step taken in a course of business; a transaction; as, an illegal proceeding; a cautious or a violent proceeding., The course of procedure in the prosecution of an action at law.
procellous adjective Stormy.
proception noun Preoccupation.
procession noun The act of proceeding, moving on, advancing, or issuing; regular, orderly, or ceremonious progress; continuous course., That which is moving onward in an orderly, stately, or solemn manner; a train of persons advancing in order; a ceremonious train; a retinue; as, a procession of mourners; the Lord Mayor’s procession., An orderly and ceremonial progress of persons, either from the sacristy to the choir, or from the choir around the church, within or without., An old term for litanies which were said in procession and not kneeling., To ascertain, mark, and establish the boundary lines of, as lands., To march in procession., To honor with a procession.
processive adjective Proceeding; advancing.
prochordal adjective Situated in front of the notochord; — applied especially to parts of the cartilaginous rudiments in the base of the skull.
procidence noun Alt. of Procidentia
prociduous adjective Falling from its proper place.
proclaimed imp. & past participle of Proclaim
proclaimer noun One who proclaims.
proclivity noun Inclination; propensity; proneness; tendency., Readiness; facility; aptitude.
proclivous adjective Inclined; tending by nature., Having the incisor teeth directed forward.
procoeliae plural of Procoelia
procoelian adjective Concave in front; as, procoelian vertebrae, which have the anterior end of the centra concave and the posterior convex., A reptile having procoelian vertebrae; one of the Procoelia.
procoelous adjective Same as Procoelian.
procreated imp. & past participle of Procreate
procreator noun One who begets; a father or sire; a generator.
procrustes noun A celebrated legendary highwayman of Attica, who tied his victims upon an iron bed, and, as the case required, either stretched or cut of their legs to adapt them to its length; — whence the metaphorical phrase, the bed of Procrustes.
proctocele noun Inversion and prolapse of the mucous coat of the rectum, from relaxation of the sphincter, with more or less swelling; prolapsus ani.
proctorage noun Management by a proctor, or as by a proctor; hence, control; superintendence; — in contempt.
proctorial adjective Of or pertaining to a proctor, esp. an academic proctor; magisterial.
proctotomy noun An incision into the rectum, as for the division of a stricture.
procumbent adjective Lying down, or on the face; prone., Lying on the ground, but without putting forth roots; trailing; prostrate; as, a procumbent stem.
procurable adjective Capable of being procured; obtainable.
procurator noun One who manages another’s affairs, either generally or in a special matter; an agent; a proctor., A governor of a province under the emperors; also, one who had charge of the imperial revenues in a province; as, the procurator of Judea.
prodigally adverb In a prodigal manner; with profusion of expense; extravagantly; wasteful; profusely; lavishly; as, an estate prodigally dissipated.
prodigence noun Waste; profusion; prodigality.
prodigious adjective Of the nature of a prodigy; marvelous; wonderful; portentous., Extraordinary in bulk, extent, quantity, or degree; very great; vast; huge; immense; as, a prodigious mountain; a prodigious creature; a prodigious blunder.
prodromous adjective Precursory.
producible adjective Capable of being produced, brought forward, brought forth, generated, made, or extended.
productile adjective Capable of being extended or prolonged; extensible; ductile.
production noun The act or process or producing, bringing forth, or exhibiting to view; as, the production of commodities, of a witness., That which is produced, yielded, or made, whether naturally, or by the application of intelligence and labor; as, the productions of the earth; the productions of handicraft; the productions of intellect or genius., The act of lengthening out or prolonging.
productive adjective Having the quality or power of producing; yielding or furnishing results; as, productive soil; productive enterprises; productive labor, that which increases the number or amount of products., Bringing into being; causing to exist; producing; originative; as, an age productive of great men; a spirit productive of heroic achievements., Producing, or able to produce, in large measure; fertile; profitable.
profection noun A setting out; a going forward; advance; progression.
professing present participle & vb. noun of Profess
profession verb The act of professing or claiming; open declaration; public avowal or acknowledgment; as, professions of friendship; a profession of faith., That which one professed; a declaration; an avowal; a claim; as, his professions are insincere., That of which one professed knowledge; the occupation, if not mechanical, agricultural, or the like, to which one devotes one’s self; the business which one professes to understand, and to follow for subsistence; calling; vocation; employment; as, the profession of arms; the profession of a clergyman, lawyer, or physician; the profession of lecturer on chemistry., The collective body of persons engaged in a calling; as, the profession distrust him., The act of entering, or becoming a member of, a religious order.
professory adjective Of or pertaining to a professor; professorial.
proffering present participle & vb. noun of Proffer
proficient noun One who has made considerable advances in any business, art, science, or branch of learning; an expert; an adept; as, proficient in a trade; a proficient in mathematics, music, etc., Well advanced in any branch of knowledge or skill; possessed of considerable acquirements; well-skilled; versed; adept,
proficuous adjective Profitable; advantageous; useful.
profitable adjective Yielding or bringing profit or gain; gainful; lucrative; useful; helpful; advantageous; beneficial; as, a profitable trade; profitable business; a profitable study or profession.
profitless adjective Without profit; unprofitable.
profligacy adjective The quality of state of being profligate; a profligate or very vicious course of life; a state of being abandoned in moral principle and in vice; dissoluteness.
profligate adjective Overthrown; beaten; conquered., Broken down in respect of rectitude, principle, virtue, or decency; openly and shamelessly immoral or vicious; dissolute; as, profligate man or wretch., An abandoned person; one openly and shamelessly vicious; a dissolute person., To drive away; to overcome.
profluence noun Quality of being profluent; course.
profoundly adverb In a profound manner.
profulgent adjective Shining forth; brilliant; effulgent.
profundity noun The quality or state of being profound; depth of place, knowledge, feeling, etc.
progenitor noun An ancestor in the direct line; a forefather.
proglottid noun Proglottis.
proglottis noun One of the free, or nearly free, segments of a tapeworm. It contains both male and female reproductive organs, and is capable of a brief independent existence.
prognathic adjective Prognathous.
prognostic adjective Indicating something future by signs or symptoms; foreshowing; aiding in prognosis; as, the prognostic symptoms of a disease; prognostic signs., That which prognosticates; a sign by which a future event may be known or foretold; an indication; a sign or omen; hence, a foretelling; a prediction., A sign or symptom indicating the course and termination of a disease., To prognosticate.
progressed imp. & past participle of Progress
prohibited imp. & past participle of Prohibit
prohibiter noun One who prohibits or forbids; a forbidder; an interdicter.
projecting present participle & vb. noun of Project
projectile adjective Projecting or impelling forward; as, a projectile force., Caused or imparted by impulse or projection; impelled forward; as, projectile motion., A body projected, or impelled forward, by force; especially, a missile adapted to be shot from a firearm., A part of mechanics which treats of the motion, range, time of flight, etc., of bodies thrown or driven through the air by an impelling force.
projection noun The act of throwing or shooting forward., A jutting out; also, a part jutting out, as of a building; an extension beyond something else., The act of scheming or planning; also, that which is planned; contrivance; design; plan., The representation of something; delineation; plan; especially, the representation of any object on a perspective plane, or such a delineation as would result were the chief points of the object thrown forward upon the plane, each in the direction of a line drawn through it from a given point of sight, or central point; as, the projection of a sphere. The several kinds of projection differ according to the assumed point of sight and plane of projection in each., Any method of representing the surface of the earth upon a plane.
projecture noun A jutting out beyond a surface.
prolapsion noun Prolapse.
proleptics noun The art and science of predicting in medicine.
proletaire noun One of the common people; a low person; also, the common people as a class or estate in a country.
prolifical adjective Producing young or fruit abundantly; fruitful; prolific.
prolixious adjective Dilatory; tedious; superfluous.
prolixness noun Prolixity.
prolocutor noun One who speaks for another., The presiding officer of a convocation.
prologizer noun One who prologizes.
prologuing present participle & vb. noun of Prologue
prolonging present participle & vb. noun of Prolong
prolongate verb t. To prolong; to extend in space or in time.
promenaded imp. & past participle of Promenade
promenader noun One who promenades.
promethean adjective Of or pertaining to Prometheus. See Prometheus., Having a life-giving quality; inspiring., An apparatus for automatic ignition., A kind of lucifer match.
prometheus noun The son of Iapetus (one of the Titans) and Clymene, fabled by the poets to have surpassed all mankind in knowledge, and to have formed men of clay to whom he gave life by means of fire stolen from heaven. Jupiter, being angry at this, sent Mercury to bind Prometheus to Mount Caucasus, where a vulture preyed upon his liver.
prominence noun Alt. of Prominency
prominency noun The quality or state of being prominent; a standing out from something; conspicuousness., That which is prominent; a protuberance.
promissive adjective Making a promise; implying a promise; promising.
promissory adjective Containing a promise or binding declaration of something to be done or forborne.
promontory noun A high point of land or rock projecting into the sea beyond the line of coast; a headland; a high cape., A projecting part. Especially: (a) The projecting angle of the ventral side of the sacrum where it joins the last lumbar vertebra. (b) A prominence on the inner wall of the tympanum of the ear.
promottion noun The act of promoting, advancing, or encouraging; the act of exalting in rank or honor; also, the condition of being advanced, encouraged, or exalted in honor; preferment.
promptness noun Promptitude; readiness; quickness of decision or action., Cheerful willingness; alacrity.
promptuary adjective Of or pertaining to preparation., That from which supplies are drawn; a storehouse; a magazine; a repository.
promulgate verb t. To make known by open declaration, as laws, decrees, or tidings; to publish; as, to promulgate the secrets of a council.
promulging present participle & vb. noun of Promulge
pronephric adjective Of or pertaining to the pronephros.
pronephros noun Alt. of Pronephron
pronephron noun The head kidney. See under Head.
pronominal adjective Belonging to, or partaking of the nature of, a pronoun.
pronounced imp. & past participle of Pronounce, Strongly marked; unequivocal; decided. [A Gallicism]
pronouncer noun One who pronounces, utters, or declares; also, a pronouncing book.
pronucleus noun One of the two bodies or nuclei (called male and female pronuclei) which unite to form the first segmentation nucleus of an impregnated ovum.
pronuncial adjective Of or pertaining to pronunciation; pronunciative.
proostraca plural of Proostracum
propagable adjective Capable of being propagated, or of being continued or multiplied by natural generation or production., Capable of being spread or extended by any means; — said of tenets, doctrines, or principles.
propaganda noun A congregation of cardinals, established in 1622, charged with the management of missions., The college of the Propaganda, instituted by Urban VIII. (1623-1644) to educate priests for missions in all parts of the world., Hence, any organization or plan for spreading a particular doctrine or a system of principles.
propagated imp. & past participle of Propagate
propagator noun One who propagates; one who continues or multiplies.
propagulum noun A runner terminated by a germinating bud.
propelling present participle & vb. noun of Propel
propendent adjective Inclining forward or toward.
propension noun The quality or state of being propense; propensity.
propensity noun The quality or state of being propense; natural inclination; disposition to do good or evil; bias; bent; tendency.
propeptone noun A product of gastric digestion intermediate between albumin and peptone, identical with hemialbumose.
properness noun The quality of being proper., Tallness; comeliness.
propertied adjective Possessing property; holding real estate, or other investments of money.
properties plural of Property
prophecies plural of Prophecy
prophesier noun A prophet.
prophesied imp. & past participle of Prophesy
prophetess noun A female prophet.
prophetize verb i. To give predictions; to foreshow events; to prophesy.
prophragma noun An internal dorsal chitinous process between the first two divisions of the thorax of insects.
propiolate noun A salt of propiolic acid.
propionate noun A salt of propionic acid.
propitiate verb t. To appease to render favorable; to make propitious; to conciliate., To make propitiation; to atone.
propitious adjective Convenient; auspicious; favorable; kind; as, a propitious season; a propitious breeze., Hence, kind; gracious; merciful; helpful; — said of a person or a divinity.
proplastic adjective Forming a mold.
propodiale noun The bone of either the upper arm or the thing, the propodialia being the humerus and femur.
proportion noun The relation or adaptation of one portion to another, or to the whole, as respect magnitude, quantity, or degree; comparative relation; ratio; as, the proportion of the parts of a building, or of the body., Harmonic relation between parts, or between different things of the same kind; symmetrical arrangement or adjustment; symmetry; as, to be out of proportion., The portion one receives when a whole is distributed by a rule or principle; equal or proper share; lot., A part considered comparatively; a share., The equality or similarity of ratios, especially of geometrical ratios; or a relation among quantities such that the quotient of the first divided by the second is equal to that of the third divided by the fourth; — called also geometrical proportion, in distinction from arithmetical proportion, or that in which the difference of the first and second is equal to the difference of the third and fourth., The rule of three, in arithmetic, in which the three given terms, together with the one sought, are proportional., To adjust in a suitable proportion, as one thing or one part to another; as, to proportion the size of a building to its height; to proportion our expenditures to our income., To form with symmetry or suitableness, as the parts of the body., To divide into equal or just shares; to apportion.
propounded imp. & past participle of Propound
propounder noun One who propounds, proposes, or offers for consideration.
proprietor noun One who has the legal right or exclusive title to anything, whether in possession or not; an owner; as, the proprietor of farm or of a mill.
proproctor noun A assistant proctor.
propulsion noun The act driving forward or away; the act or process of propelling; as, steam propulsion., An impelling act or movement.
propulsive adjective Tending, or having power, to propel; driving on; urging.
propulsory adjective Propulsive.
propylaeum noun Any court or vestibule before a building or leading into any inclosure.
proratable adjective Capable of being prorated, or divided proportionately.
proreption noun A creeping on.
proroguing present participle & vb. noun of Prorogue
proruption noun The act or state of bursting forth; a bursting out.
prosaicism noun The quality or state of being prosaic; a prosaic manner or style.
proscenium noun The part where the actors performed; the stage., The part of the stage in front of the curtain; sometimes, the curtain and its framework.
proscribed imp. & past participle of Proscribe
proscriber noun One who, or that which, proscribes, denounces, or prohibits.
prosecuted imp. & past participle of Prosecute
prosecutor noun One who prosecutes or carries on any purpose, plan, or business., The person who institutes and carries on a criminal suit against another in the name of the government.
proselyted imp. & past participle of Proselyte
proslavery adjective Favoring slavery., Advocacy of slavery.
prosocoele noun The entire cavity of the prosencephalon.
prosodical adjective Of or pertaining to prosody; according to the rules of prosody.
prospected imp. & past participle of Prospect
prospector noun One who prospects; especially, one who explores a region for minerals and precious metals.
prospectus noun A summary, plan, or scheme of something proposed, affording a prospect of its nature; especially, an exposition of the scheme of an unpublished literary work.
prospering present participle & vb. noun of Prosper
prosperity noun The state of being prosperous; advance or gain in anything good or desirable; successful progress in any business or enterprise; attainment of the object desired; good fortune; success; as, commercial prosperity; national prosperity.
prosperous adjective Tending to prosperity; favoring; favorable; helpful., Being prospered; advancing in the pursuit of anything desirable; making gain, or increase; thriving; successful; as, a prosperous voyage; a prosperous undertaking; a prosperous man or nation.
prosphysis noun A growing together of parts; specifically, a morbid adhesion of the eyelids to each other or to the eyeball.
prosternum noun The ventral plate of the prothorax of an insect.
prosthesis noun The addition to the human body of some artificial part, to replace one that is wanting, as a log or an eye; — called also prothesis., The prefixing of one or more letters to the beginning of a word, as in beloved.
prosthetic adjective Of or pertaining to prosthesis; prefixed, as a letter or letters to a word.
prostitute verb t. To offer, as a woman, to a lewd use; to give up to lewdness for hire., To devote to base or unworthy purposes; to give up to low or indiscriminate use; as, to prostitute talents; to prostitute official powers., Openly given up to lewdness; devoted to base or infamous purposes., A woman giver to indiscriminate lewdness; a strumpet; a harlot., A base hireling; a mercenary; one who offers himself to infamous employments for hire.
prostomium noun That portion of the head of an annelid situated in front of the mouth.
prostrated imp. & past participle of Prostrate
protandric adjective Having male sexual organs while young, and female organs later in life.
protecting present participle & vb. noun of Protect
protection noun The act of protecting, or the state of being protected; preservation from loss, injury, or annoyance; defense; shelter; as, the weak need protection., That which protects or preserves from injury; a defense; a shield; a refuge., A writing that protects or secures from molestation or arrest; a pass; a safe-conduct; a passport., A theory, or a policy, of protecting the producers in a country from foreign competition in the home market by the imposition of such discriminating duties on goods of foreign production as will restrict or prevent their importation; — opposed to free trade.
protective adjective Affording protection; sheltering; defensive.
protectrix noun A woman who protects.
proteiform adjective Changeable in form; resembling a Proteus, or an amoeba.
proteinous adjective Proteinaceuos.
protending present participle & vb. noun of Protend
protension noun A drawing out; extension.
protensive adjective Drawn out; extended.
protervity noun Peevishness; petulance.
protesting present participle & vb. noun of Protest
protestant verb One who protests; — originally applied to those who adhered to Luther, and protested against, or made a solemn declaration of dissent from, a decree of the Emperor Charles V. and the Diet of Spires, in 1529, against the Reformers, and appealed to a general council; — now used in a popular sense to designate any Christian who does not belong to the Roman Catholic or the Greek Church., Making a protest; protesting., Of or pertaining to the faith and practice of those Christians who reject the authority of the Roman Catholic Church; as, Protestant writers.
prothallia plural of Prothallium
prothallus noun The minute primary growth from the spore of ferns and other Pteridophyta, which bears the true sexual organs; the oophoric generation of ferns, etc.
protoconch noun The embryonic shell, or first chamber, of ammonites and other cephalopods.
protopapas noun A protopope.
protophyte noun Any unicellular plant, or plant forming only a plasmodium, having reproduction only by fission, gemmation, or cell division.
protoplasm noun The viscid and more or less granular material of vegetable and animal cells, possessed of vital properties by which the processes of nutrition, secretion, and growth go forward; the so-called ” physical basis of life;” the original cell substance, cytoplasm, cytoblastema, bioplasm sarcode, etc.
protoplast noun The thing first formed; that of which there are subsequent copies or reproductions; the original., A first-formed organized body; the first individual, or pair of individuals, of a species.
protracted imp. & past participle of Protract, Prolonged; continued.
protracter noun A protractor.
protractor noun One who, or that which, protracts, or causes protraction., A mathematical instrument for laying down and measuring angles on paper, used in drawing or in plotting. It is of various forms, semicircular, rectangular, or circular., An instrument formerly used in extracting foreign or offensive matter from a wound., A muscle which extends an organ or part; — opposed to retractor., An adjustable pattern used by tailors.
protruding present participle & vb. noun of Protrude
protrusile adjective Capable of being protruded or thrust out; protractile; protrusive.
protrusion noun The act of protruding or thrusting forward, or beyond the usual limit., The state of being protruded, or thrust forward.
protrusive adjective Thrusting or impelling forward; as, protrusive motion., Capable of being protruded; protrusile.
protureter noun The duct of a pronephros.
provection noun A carrying forward, as of a final letter, to a following word; as, for example, a nickname for an ekename.
proveditor noun One employed to procure supplies, as for an army, a steamer, etc.; a purveyor; one who provides for another.
provencial adjective Of or pertaining to Provence in France.
proverbial adjective Mentioned or comprised in a proverb; used as a proverb; hence, commonly known; as, a proverbial expression; his meanness was proverbial., Of or pertaining to proverbs; resembling a proverb.
providence noun The act of providing or preparing for future use or application; a making ready; preparation., Foresight; care; especially, the foresight and care which God manifests for his creatures; hence, God himself, regarded as exercising a constant wise prescience., A manifestation of the care and superintendence which God exercises over his creatures; an event ordained by divine direction., Prudence in the management of one’s concerns; economy; frugality.
provincial adjective Of or pertaining to province; constituting a province; as, a provincial government; a provincial dialect., Exhibiting the ways or manners of a province; characteristic of the inhabitants of a province; not cosmopolitan; countrified; not polished; rude; hence, narrow; illiberal., Of or pertaining to an ecclesiastical province, or to the jurisdiction of an archbishop; not ecumenical; as, a provincial synod., Of or pertaining to Provence; Provencal., A person belonging to a province; one who is provincial., A monastic superior, who, under the general of his order, has the direction of all the religious houses of the same fraternity in a given district, called a province of the order.
provokable adjective That may be provoked.
proximally adverb On or toward a proximal part; proximad.
proximious adjective Proximate.
prudential adjective Proceeding from, or dictated or characterized by, prudence; prudent; discreet; sometimes, selfish or pecuniary as distinguished from higher motives or influences; as, prudential motives., Exercising prudence; discretionary; advisory; superintending or executive; as, a prudential committee., That which relates to or demands the exercise of, discretion or prudence; — usually in the pl.
psalmistry noun The use of psalms in devotion; psalmody.
psalmodist noun One who sings sacred songs; a psalmist.
psalmodize verb i. To practice psalmody.
psalterial adjective Of or pertaining to the psalterium.
psalterium noun The third stomach of ruminants. See Manyplies., The lyra of the brain.
psalteries plural of Psaltery
pseudocarp noun That portion of an anthocarpous fruit which is not derived from the ovary, as the soft part of a strawberry or of a fig.
pseudology noun Falsehood of speech.
pseudopupa noun A stage intermediate between the larva and pupa of bees and certain other hymenopterous insects.
pseudovary noun The organ in which pseudova are produced; — called also pseudovarium.
psorosperm noun A minute parasite, usually the young of Gregarinae, in the pseudonavicula stage.
psychiatry noun The application of the healing art to mental diseases.
psychology noun The science of the human soul; specifically, the systematic or scientific knowledge of the powers and functions of the human soul, so far as they are known by consciousness; a treatise on the human soul.
psychopomp noun A leader or guide of souls .
psychozoic adjective Designating, or applied to the Era of man; as, the psychozoic era.
pteranodon noun A genus of American Cretaceous pterodactyls destitute of teeth. Several species are known, some of which had an expanse of wings of twenty feet or more.
pteroceras noun A genus of large marine gastropods having the outer border of the lip divided into lobes; — called also scorpion shell.
pteropappi noun pl. Same as Odontotormae.
pterophore noun Any moth of the genus Pterophorus and allied genera; a plume moth. See Plume moth, under Plume.
pterygiums plural of Pterygium
pterylosis noun The arrangement of feathers in definite areas.
ptilopteri noun pl. An order of birds including only the penguins.
ptolemaist noun One who accepts the astronomical system of Ptolemy.
puberulent adjective Very minutely downy.
pubescence noun The quality or state of being pubescent, or of having arrived at puberty., A covering of soft short hairs, or down, as one some plants and insects; also, the state of being so covered.
pubescency noun Pubescence.
publicness noun The quality or state of being public, or open to the view or notice of people at large; publicity; notoriety; as, the publicness of a sale., The quality or state of belonging to the community; as, the publicness of property.
publishing present participle & vb. noun of Publish
puddle-bar noun An iron bar made at a single heat from a puddle-ball hammering and rolling.
puerperous adjective Bearing children.
pugilistic adjective Of or pertaining to pugillism.
pugnacious adjective Disposed to fight; inclined to fighting; quarrelsome; fighting.
puissantly adverb In a puissant manner; powerfully; with great strength.
pulmograde adjective Swimming by the expansion and contraction, or lunglike movement, of the body, or of the disk, as do the medusae.
pulmometer noun A spirometer.
pulmonated adjective same as Pulmonate (a).
pulpitical adjective Of or pertaining to the pulpit; suited to the pulpit.
pulsatilla noun A genus of ranunculaceous herbs including the pasque flower. This genus is now merged in Anemone. Some species, as Anemone Pulsatilla, Anemone pratensis, and Anemone patens, are used medicinally.
pulsimeter noun A sphygmograph.
pulsometer noun A device, with valves, for raising water by steam, partly by atmospheric pressure, and partly by the direct action of the steam on the water, without the intervention of a piston; — also called vacuum pump., A pulsimeter.
pultaceous adjective Macerated; softened; nearly fluid.
purverable adjective Capable of being reduced to fine powder.
pulverized imp. & past participle of Pulverize
pulverizer noun One who, or that which, pulverizes.
pulvinated adjective Curved convexly or swelled; as, a pulvinated frieze., Having the form of a cushion.
pulvinulus noun Same as Pulvillus.
pumicating present participle & vb. noun of Pumicate
pumiciform adjective Resembling, or having the structure of, pumice.
punctiform adjective Having the form of a point.
punctilios plural of Punctilio
punctually adverb In a punctual manner; promptly; exactly.
punctuated imp. & past participle of Punctuate
punctuator noun One who punctuates, as in writing; specifically, a punctator.
punctulate adjective Alt. of Punctulated
puncturing present participle & vb. noun of Puncture
punishable adjective Deserving of, or liable to, punishment; capable of being punished by law or right; — said of person or offenses.
punishment noun The act of punishing., Any pain, suffering, or loss inflicted on a person because of a crime or offense., A penalty inflicted by a court of justice on a convicted offender as a just retribution, and incidentally for the purposes of reformation and prevention.
pupigerous adjective Bearing or containing a pupa; — said of dipterous larvae which do not molt when the pupa is formed within them.
pupiparous adjective Bearing, or containing, a pupa; — said of the matured larvae, or larval skins, of certain Diptera., Of or pertaining to the Pupipara.
pupivorous adjective Feeding on the pupae of insects.
purchasing present participle & vb. noun of Purchase
puristical adjective Of or pertaining to purists or purism.
puritanism noun The doctrines, notions, or practice of Puritans.
puritanize verb i. To agree with, or teach, the doctrines of Puritans; to conform to the practice of Puritans.
purloining present participle & vb. noun of Purloin
purplewood noun Same as Purpleheart.
purporting present participle & vb. noun of Purport
purposedly adverb In a purposed manner; according to purpose or design; purposely.
purposeful adjective Important; material.
pursership noun The office of purser.
pursuantly adverb Agreeably; conformably.
pursuivant noun A functionary of lower rank than a herald, but discharging similar duties; — called also pursuivant at arms; an attendant of the heralds. Also used figuratively., The king’s messenger; a state messenger., To pursue.
purtenance noun That which pertains or belongs to something; esp., the heard, liver, and lungs of an animal.
purrulence noun Alt. of Purulency
purulently verb In a purulent manner.
purveyance noun The act or process of providing or procuring; providence; foresight; preparation; management., That which is provided; provisions; food., A providing necessaries for the sovereign by buying them at an appraised value in preference to all others, and oven without the owner’s consent. This was formerly a royal prerogative, but has long been abolished.
puseyistic adjective Alt. of Puseyite
pustulated adjective Covered with pustulelike prominences; pustular; pustulous; as, a pustulate leaf; a pustulate shell or coral.
putrefying present participle & vb. noun of Putrefy
putrescent adjective Becoming putrid or rotten., Of or pertaining to the process of putrefaction; as, a putrescent smell.
putridness noun Putridity.
puzzlement noun The state of being puzzled; perplexity.
puzzlingly adverb In a puzzling manner.
pycnogonid noun One of the Pycnogonida.
pycnometer noun A specific gravity bottle; a standard flask for measuring and comparing the densities of liquids.
pycnostyle adjective See under Intercolumniation., A pycnostyle colonnade.
pygropodes noun pl. A division of swimming birds which includes the grebes, divers, auks, etc., in which the legs are placed far back.
pygopodous adjective Of or pertaining to the Pygopodes.
pyramidion noun The small pyramid which crowns or completes an obelisk.
pyramidoid noun A solid resembling a pyramid; — called also pyramoid.
pyrethrine noun An alkaloid extracted from the root of the pellitory of Spain (Anacyclus pyrethrum).
pyretology noun A discourse or treatise on fevers; the doctrine of fevers.
pyritology noun The science of blowpipe analysis.
pyroacetic adjective Pertaining to, and designating, a substance (acetone) obtained by the distillation of the acetates. It is now called also pyroacetic ether, and formerly was called pyroacetic spirit.
pyroborate noun A salt of pyroboric acid.
pyrochlore noun A niobate of calcium, cerium, and other bases, occurring usually in octahedrons of a yellowish or brownish color and resinous luster; — so called from its becoming grass-green on being subjected to heat under the blowpipe.
pyrocitric adjective Pertaining to, or designating, any one of three acids obtained by the distillation of citric acid, and called respectively citraconic, itaconic, and mesaconic acid.
pyrogallic adjective Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid called pyrogallol. See Pyrogallol.
pyrogallol noun A phenol metameric with phloroglucin, obtained by the distillation of gallic acid as a poisonous white crystalline substance having acid properties, and hence called also pyrogallic acid. It is a strong reducer, and is used as a developer in photography and in the production of certain dyes.
pyrogenous adjective Produced by fire; igneous.
pyrography noun A process of printing, ornamenting, or carving, by burning with heated instruments.
pyrolignic adjective Pertaining to, or designating, the acid liquid obtained in the distillation of wood, consisting essentially of impure acetic acid.
pyrolithic adjective Same as Pyrouric, or Cyanuric.
pyrologist noun One who is versed in, or makes a study of, pyrology.
pyrolusite noun Manganese dioxide, a mineral of an iron-black or dark steel-gray color and metallic luster, usually soft. Pyrolusite parts with its oxygen at a red heat, and is extensively used in discharging the brown and green tints of glass (whence its name).
pyromalate noun A salt of pyromalic acid.
pyromantic adjective Of or pertaining to pyromancy., One who pretends to divine by fire.
pyrometric adjective Alt. of Pyrometrical
pyromucate noun A salt of pyromucic acid.
pyronomics noun The science of heat.
pyrophoric adjective Alt. of Pyrophorous
pyrophorus noun Any one of several substances or mixtures which phosphoresce or ignite spontaneously on exposure to air, as a heated mixture of alum, potash, and charcoal, or a mixture of charcoal and finely divided lead.
pyrotechny noun The use and application of fire in science and the arts., Same as Pyrotechnics.
pyroxenite noun A rock consisting essentially of pyroxene.
pyrrhicist noun One two danced the pyrrhic.
pyrrhonean adjective Alt. of Pyrrhonic
pyrrhonism noun Skepticism; universal doubt.
pyrrhonist noun A follower of Pyrrho; a skeptic.
pyrrhotine noun Alt. of Pyrrhotite
pyrrhotite noun A bronze-colored mineral, of metallic luster. It is a sulphide of iron, and is remarkable for being attracted by the magnet. Called also magnetic pyrites.
pythagoric adjective Alt. of Pythagorical
pythocenic adjective Producing decomposition, as diseases which are supposed to be accompanied or caused by decomposition.