7 letter word starting with pr

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Words Parts of Speech Meaning/Definition/Similar Words
practic adjective Practical., Artful; deceitful; skillful.
praetor noun See Pretor.
prairie noun An extensive tract of level or rolling land, destitute of trees, covered with coarse grass, and usually characterized by a deep, fertile soil. They abound throughout the Mississippi valley, between the Alleghanies and the Rocky mountains., A meadow or tract of grass; especially, a so called natural meadow.
praised imp. & past participle of Praise
prakrit noun Any one of the popular dialects descended from, or akin to, Sanskrit; — in distinction from the Sanskrit, which was used as a literary and learned language when no longer spoken by the people. Pali is one of the Prakrit dialects.
pranced imp. & past participle of Prance
prancer noun A horse which prances.
prangos noun A genus of umbelliferous plants, one species of which (P. pabularia), found in Thibet, Cashmere, Afghanistan, etc., has been used as fodder for cattle. It has decompound leaves with very long narrow divisions, and a highly fragrant smell resembling that of new clover hay.
pranked imp. & past participle of Prank
pranker noun One who dresses showily; a prinker.
praseo- A combining form signifying green; as, praseocobalt, a green variety of cobalt.
prasoid adjective Resembling prase.
prating present participle & vb. noun of Prate
prattle verb i. To talk much and idly; to prate; hence, to talk lightly and artlessly, like a child; to utter child’s talk., To utter as prattle; to babble; as, to prattle treason., Trifling or childish tattle; empty talk; loquacity on trivial subjects; prate; babble.
pravity noun Deterioration; degeneracy; corruption; especially, moral crookedness; moral perversion; perverseness; depravity; as, the pravity of human nature.
praying present participle & vb. noun of Pray, a. & n. from Pray, v.
prebend noun A payment or stipend; esp., the stipend or maintenance granted to a prebendary out of the estate of a cathedral or collegiate church with which he is connected. See Note under Benefice., A prebendary.
precant noun One who prays.
precede verb t. To go before in order of time; to occur first with relation to anything., To go before in place, rank, or importance., To cause to be preceded; to preface; to introduce; — used with by or with before the instrumental object.
precent noun Any commandment, instruction, or order intended as an authoritative rule of action; esp., a command respecting moral conduct; an injunction; a rule., A command in writing; a species of writ or process.
precept verb t. To teach by precepts.
precipe noun See Praecipe, and Precept.
precise adjective Having determinate limitations; exactly or sharply defined or stated; definite; exact; nice; not vague or equivocal; as, precise rules of morality., Strictly adhering or conforming to rule; very nice or exact; punctilious in conduct or ceremony; formal; ceremonious.
precoce adjective Precocious.
predate verb t. To date anticipation; to affix to (a document) an earlier than the actual date; to antedate; as, a predated deed or letter.
predial adjective Consisting of land or farms; landed; as, predial estate; that is, real estate., Attached to land or farms; as, predial slaves., Issuing or derived from land; as, predial tithes.
predict verb t. To tell or declare beforehand; to foretell; to prophesy; to presage; as, to predict misfortune; to predict the return of a comet., A prediction.
predoom verb t. To foredoom.
preempt verb t. & i. To settle upon (public land) with a right of preemption, as under the laws of the United States; to take by preemption.
preened imp. & past participle of Preen
preface noun Something spoken as introductory to a discourse, or written as introductory to a book or essay; a proem; an introduction, or series of preliminary remarks., The prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass., To introduce by a preface; to give a preface to; as, to preface a book discourse., To make a preface.
prefect noun A Roman officer who controlled or superintended a particular command, charge, department, etc.; as, the prefect of the aqueducts; the prefect of a camp, of a fleet, of the city guard, of provisions; the pretorian prefect, who was commander of the troops guarding the emperor’s person., A superintendent of a department who has control of its police establishment, together with extensive powers of municipal regulation., In the Greek and Roman Catholic churches, a title of certain dignitaries below the rank of bishop.
prefine verb t. To limit beforehand.
preform verb t. To form beforehand, or for special ends.
pregage verb t. To preengage.
prehend verb t. To lay hold of; to seize.
prelacy noun The office or dignity of a prelate; church government by prelates., The order of prelates, taken collectively; the body of ecclesiastical dignitaries.
prelate noun A clergyman of a superior order, as an archbishop or a bishop, having authority over the lower clergy; a dignitary of the church., To act as a prelate.
prelaty noun Prelacy.
prelect verb t. To read publicly, as a lecture or discourse., To discourse publicly; to lecture.
prelook verb i. To look forward.
prelude verb t. An introductory performance, preceding and preparing for the principal matter; a preliminary part, movement, strain, etc.; especially (Mus.), a strain introducing the theme or chief subject; a movement introductory to a fugue, yet independent; — with recent composers often synonymous with overture., To play an introduction or prelude; to give a prefatory performance; to serve as prelude., To introduce with a previous performance; to play or perform a prelude to; as, to prelude a concert with a lively air., To serve as prelude to; to precede as introductory.
premial adjective Alt. of Premiant
premier adjective First; chief; principal; as, the premier place; premier minister., Most ancient; — said of the peer bearing the oldest title of his degree., The first minister of state; the prime minister.
premise noun A proposition antecedently supposed or proved; something previously stated or assumed as the basis of further argument; a condition; a supposition., Either of the first two propositions of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is drawn., Matters previously stated or set forth; esp., that part in the beginning of a deed, the office of which is to express the grantor and grantee, and the land or thing granted or conveyed, and all that precedes the habendum; the thing demised or granted., A piece of real estate; a building and its adjuncts; as, to lease premises; to trespass on another’s premises., To send before the time, or beforehand; hence, to cause to be before something else; to employ previously., To set forth beforehand, or as introductory to the main subject; to offer previously, as something to explain or aid in understanding what follows; especially, to lay down premises or first propositions, on which rest the subsequent reasonings., To make a premise; to set forth something as a premise.
premiss noun Premise.
premium noun A reward or recompense; a prize to be won by being before another, or others, in a competition; reward or prize to be adjudged; a bounty; as, a premium for good behavior or scholarship, for discoveries, etc., Something offered or given for the loan of money; bonus; — sometimes synonymous with interest, but generally signifying a sum in addition to the capital., A sum of money paid to underwriters for insurance, or for undertaking to indemnify for losses of any kind., A sum in advance of, or in addition to, the nominal or par value of anything; as, gold was at a premium; he sold his stock at a premium.
prender noun The power or right of taking a thing before it is offered.
prenote verb t. To note or designate beforehand.
preoral adjective Situated in front of, or anterior to, the mouth; as, preoral bands.
prepare verb t. To fit, adapt, or qualify for a particular purpose or condition; to make ready; to put into a state for use or application; as, to prepare ground for seed; to prepare a lesson., To procure as suitable or necessary; to get ready; to provide; as, to prepare ammunition and provisions for troops; to prepare ships for defence; to prepare an entertainment., To make all things ready; to put things in order; as, to prepare for a hostile invasion., To make one’s self ready; to get ready; to take the necessary previous measures; as, to prepare for death., Preparation.
prepaid imp. & past participle of Prepay
prepose verb t. To place or set before; to prefix.
prepuce noun The foreskin.
presage verb t. Something which foreshows or portends a future event; a prognostic; an omen; an augury., Power to look the future, or the exercise of that power; foreknowledge; presentiment., To have a presentiment of; to feel beforehand; to foreknow., To foretell; to predict; to foreshow; to indicate., To form or utter a prediction; — sometimes used with of.
present adjective Being at hand, within reach or call, within certain contemplated limits; — opposed to absent., Now existing, or in process; begun but not ended; now in view, or under consideration; being at this time; not past or future; as, the present session of Congress; the present state of affairs; the present instance., Not delayed; immediate; instant; coincident., Ready; quick in emergency; as a present wit., Favorably attentive; propitious., Present time; the time being; time in progress now, or at the moment contemplated; as, at this present., Present letters or instrument, as a deed of conveyance, a lease, letter of attorney, or other writing; as in the phrase, ” Know all men by these presents,” that is, by the writing itself, ” per has literas praesentes; ” — in this sense, rarely used in the singular., A present tense, or the form of the verb denoting the present tense., To bring or introduce into the presence of some one, especially of a superior; to introduce formally; to offer for acquaintance; as, to present an envoy to the king; (with the reciprocal pronoun) to come into the presence of a superior., To exhibit or offer to view or notice; to lay before one’s perception or cognizance; to set forth; to present a fine appearance., To pass over, esp. in a ceremonious manner; to give in charge or possession; to deliver; to make over., To make a gift of; to bestow; to give, generally in a formal or ceremonious manner; to grant; to confer., Hence: To endow; to bestow a gift upon; to favor, as with a donation; also, to court by gifts., To present; to personate., To nominate to an ecclesiastical benefice; to offer to the bishop or ordinary as a candidate for institution., To nominate for support at a public school or other institution ., To lay before a public body, or an official, for consideration, as before a legislature, a court of judicature, a corporation, etc.; as, to present a memorial, petition, remonstrance, or indictment., To lay before a court as an object of inquiry; to give notice officially of, as a crime of offence; to find or represent judicially; as, a grand jury present certain offenses or nuisances, or whatever they think to be public injuries., To bring an indictment against ., To aim, point, or direct, as a weapon; as, to present a pistol or the point of a sword to the breast of another., To appear at the mouth of the uterus so as to be perceptible to the finger in vaginal examination; — said of a part of an infant during labor., Anything presented or given; a gift; a donative; as, a Christmas present., The position of a soldier in presenting arms; as, to stand at present.
preshow verb t. To foreshow.
preside verb i. To be set, or to sit, in the place of authority; to occupy the place of president, chairman, moderator, director, etc.; to direct, control, and regulate, as chief officer; as, to preside at a public meeting; to preside over the senate., To exercise superintendence; to watch over.
pressed imp. & past participle of Press
presser noun One who, or that which, presses.
pressly adverb Closely; concisely.
pressor adjective Causing, or giving rise to, pressure or to an increase of pressure; as, pressor nerve fibers, stimulation of which excites the vasomotor center, thus causing a stronger contraction of the arteries and consequently an increase of the arterial blood pressure; — opposed to depressor.
prester noun A meteor or exhalation formerly supposed to be thrown from the clouds with such violence that by collision it is set on fire., One of the veins of the neck when swollen with anger or other excitement., A priest or presbyter; as, Prester John.
presume verb t. To assume or take beforehand; esp., to do or undertake without leave or authority previously obtained., To take or suppose to be true, or entitled to belief, without examination or proof, or on the strength of probability; to take for granted; to infer; to suppose., To suppose or assume something to be, or to be true, on grounds deemed valid, though not amounting to proof; to believe by anticipation; to infer; as, we may presume too far., To venture, go, or act, by an assumption of leave or authority not granted; to go beyond what is warranted by the circumstances of the case; to venture beyond license; to take liberties; — often with on or upon before the ground of confidence.
pretend verb t. To lay a claim to; to allege a title to; to claim., To hold before, or put forward, as a cloak or disguise for something else; to exhibit as a veil for something hidden., To hold out, or represent, falsely; to put forward, or offer, as true or real (something untrue or unreal); to show hypocritically, or for the purpose of deceiving; to simulate; to feign; as, to pretend friendship., To intend; to design; to plot; to attempt., To hold before one; to extend., To put in, or make, a claim, truly or falsely; to allege a title; to lay claim to, or strive after, something; — usually with to., To hold out the appearance of being, possessing, or performing; to profess; to make believe; to feign; to sham; as, to pretend to be asleep.
preter- A prefix signifying past, by, beyond, more than; as, preter- mission, a permitting to go by; preternatural, beyond or more than is natural.
pretext noun Ostensible reason or motive assigned or assumed as a color or cover for the real reason or motive; pretense; disguise.
pretzel noun A kind of German biscuit or cake in the form of a twisted ring, salted on the outside.
prevail verb i. To overcome; to gain the victory or superiority; to gain the advantage; to have the upper hand, or the mastery; to succeed; — sometimes with over or against., To be in force; to have effect, power, or influence; to be predominant; to have currency or prevalence; to obtain; as, the practice prevails this day., To persuade or induce; — with on, upon, or with; as, I prevailedon him to wait.
prevene verb t. & i. To come before; to anticipate; hence, to hinder; to prevent.
prevent verb t. To go before; to precede; hence, to go before as a guide; to direct., To be beforehand with; to anticipate., To intercept; to hinder; to frustrate; to stop; to thwart., To come before the usual time.
previse verb t. To foresee., To inform beforehand; to warn.
prewarn verb t. & i. To warn beforehand; to forewarn.
preying present participle & vb. noun of Prey
preyful adjective Disposed to take prey., Rich in prey.
pricing present participle & vb. noun of Price
pricked imp. & past participle of Prick
pricker noun One who, or that which, pricks; a pointed instrument; a sharp point; a prickle., One who spurs forward; a light horseman., A priming wire; a priming needle, — used in blasting and gunnery., A small marline spike having generally a wooden handle, — used in sailmaking.
pricket noun A buck in his second year. See Note under 3d Buck.
prickle noun A little prick; a small, sharp point; a fine, sharp process or projection, as from the skin of an animal, the bark of a plant, etc.; a spine., A kind of willow basket; — a term still used in some branches of trade., A sieve of filberts, — about fifty pounds., To prick slightly, as with prickles, or fine, sharp points.
prickly adjective Full of sharp points or prickles; armed or covered with prickles; as, a prickly shrub.
priding present participle & vb. noun of Pride
pridian adjective Of or pertaining to the day before, or yesterday.
prigged imp. & past participle of Prig
prighte imp. of Prick.
primmed imp. & past participle of Prim
primacy adjective The state or condition of being prime or first, as in time, place, rank, etc., hence, excellency; supremacy., The office, rank, or character of a primate; the chief ecclesiastical station or dignity in a national church; the office or dignity of an archbishop; as, the primacy of England.
primage noun A charge in addition to the freight; originally, a gratuity to the captain for his particular care of the goods (sometimes called hat money), but now belonging to the owners or freighters of the vessel, unless by special agreement the whole or part is assigned to the captain.
primary adjective First in order of time or development or in intention; primitive; fundamental; original., First in order, as being preparatory to something higher; as, primary assemblies; primary schools., First in dignity or importance; chief; principal; as, primary planets; a matter of primary importance., Earliest formed; fundamental., Illustrating, possessing, or characterized by, some quality or property in the first degree; having undergone the first stage of substitution or replacement., That which stands first in order, rank, or importance; a chief matter., A primary meeting; a caucus., One of the large feathers on the distal joint of a bird’s wing. See Plumage, and Illust. of Bird., A primary planet; the brighter component of a double star. See under Planet.
primate adjective The chief ecclesiastic in a national church; one who presides over other bishops in a province; an archbishop., One of the Primates.
priming present participle & vb. noun of Prime, The powder or other combustible used to communicate fire to a charge of gunpowder, as in a firearm., The first coating of color, size, or the like, laid on canvas, or on a building, or other surface., The carrying over of water, with the steam, from the boiler, as into the cylinder.
primely adverb At first; primarily., In a prime manner; excellently.
primero noun A game at cards, now unknown.
primine noun The outermost of the two integuments of an ovule.
primity noun Quality of being first; primitiveness.
primula noun The genus of plants including the primrose (Primula vera).
princox noun A coxcomb; a pert boy.
prinked imp. & past participle of Prink
prinker noun One who prinks.
printed imp. & past participle of Print
printer noun One who prints; especially, one who prints books, newspapers, engravings, etc., a compositor; a typesetter; a pressman.
priorly adverb Previously.
prisage noun A right belonging to the crown of England, of taking two tuns of wine from every ship importing twenty tuns or more, — one before and one behind the mast. By charter of Edward I. butlerage was substituted for this., The share of merchandise taken as lawful prize at sea which belongs to the king or admiral.
prithee interj. A corruption of pray thee; as, I prithee; generally used without I.
privacy noun The state of being in retirement from the company or observation of others; seclusion., A place of seclusion from company or observation; retreat; solitude; retirement., Concealment of what is said or done., A private matter; a secret., See Privity, 2.
privado noun A private friend; a confidential friend; a confidant.
private adjective Belonging to, or concerning, an individual person, company, or interest; peculiar to one’s self; unconnected with others; personal; one’s own; not public; not general; separate; as, a man’s private opinion; private property; a private purse; private expenses or interests; a private secretary., Sequestered from company or observation; appropriated to an individual; secret; secluded; lonely; solitary; as, a private room or apartment; private prayer., Not invested with, or engaged in, public office or employment; as, a private citizen; private life., Not publicly known; not open; secret; as, a private negotiation; a private understanding., Having secret or private knowledge; privy., A secret message; a personal unofficial communication., Personal interest; particular business., Privacy; retirement., One not invested with a public office., A common soldier; a soldier below the grade of a noncommissioned officer., The private parts; the genitals.
privily adverb In a privy manner; privately; secretly.
privity adjective Privacy; secrecy; confidence., Private knowledge; joint knowledge with another of a private concern; cognizance implying consent or concurrence., A private matter or business; a secret., The genitals; the privates., A connection, or bond of union, between parties, as to some particular transaction; mutual or successive relationship to the same rights of property.
privies plural of Privy
prizing present participle & vb. noun of Prize, The application of a lever to move any weighty body, as a cask, anchor, cannon, car, etc. See Prize, n., 5.
probacy noun Proof; trial.
probang noun A slender elastic rod, as of whalebone, with a sponge on the end, for removing obstructions from the esophagus, etc.
probate noun Proof., Official proof; especially, the proof before a competent officer or tribunal that an instrument offered, purporting to be the last will and testament of a person deceased, is indeed his lawful act; the copy of a will proved, under the seal of the Court of Probate, delivered to the executors with a certificate of its having been proved., The right or jurisdiction of proving wills., Of or belonging to a probate, or court of probate; as, a probate record., To obtain the official approval of, as of an instrument purporting to be the last will and testament; as, the executor has probated the will.
probing present participle & vb. noun of Probe
probity noun Tried virtue or integrity; approved moral excellence; honesty; rectitude; uprightness.
problem noun A question proposed for solution; a matter stated for examination or proof; hence, a matter difficult of solution or settlement; a doubtful case; a question involving doubt., Anything which is required to be done; as, in geometry, to bisect a line, to draw a perpendicular; or, in algebra, to find an unknown quantity.
proceed verb i. To move, pass, or go forward or onward; to advance; to continue or renew motion begun; as, to proceed on a journey., To pass from one point, topic, or stage, to another; as, to proceed with a story or argument., To issue or come forth as from a source or origin; to come from; as, light proceeds from the sun., To go on in an orderly or regulated manner; to begin and carry on a series of acts or measures; to act by method; to prosecute a design., To be transacted; to take place; to occur., To have application or effect; to operate., To begin and carry on a legal process., See Proceeds.
procere adjective Of high stature; tall.
process noun The act of proceeding; continued forward movement; procedure; progress; advance., A series of actions, motions, or occurrences; progressive act or transaction; continuous operation; normal or actual course or procedure; regular proceeding; as, the process of vegetation or decomposition; a chemical process; processes of nature., A statement of events; a narrative., Any marked prominence or projecting part, especially of a bone; anapophysis., The whole course of proceedings in a cause real or personal, civil or criminal, from the beginning to the end of the suit; strictly, the means used for bringing the defendant into court to answer to the action; — a generic term for writs of the class called judicial.
procris noun Any species of small moths of the genus Procris. The larvae of some species injure the grapevine by feeding in groups upon the leaves.
proctor noun One who is employed to manage to affairs of another., A person appointed to collect alms for those who could not go out to beg for themselves, as lepers, the bedridden, etc.; hence a beggar., An officer employed in admiralty and ecclesiastical causes. He answers to an attorney at common law, or to a solicitor in equity., A representative of the clergy in convocation., An officer in a university or college whose duty it is to enforce obedience to the laws of the institution., To act as a proctor toward; to manage as an attorney or agent.
procure verb t. To bring into possession; to cause to accrue to, or to come into possession of; to acquire or provide for one’s self or for another; to gain; to get; to obtain by any means, as by purchase or loan., To contrive; to bring about; to effect; to cause., To solicit; to entreat., To cause to come; to bring; to attract., To obtain for illicit intercourse or prostitution., To pimp., To manage business for another in court.
procyon noun A star of the first magnitude in the constellation Canis Minor, or the Little Dog., A genus of mammals including the raccoon.
prodded imp. & past participle of Prod
prodigy noun Something extraordinary, or out of the usual course of nature, from which omens are drawn; a portent; as, eclipses and meteors were anciently deemed prodigies., Anything so extraordinary as to excite wonder or astonishment; a marvel; as, a prodigy of learning., A production out of ordinary course of nature; an abnormal development; a monster.
proitor noun A traitor.
produce verb t. To bring forward; to lead forth; to offer to view or notice; to exhibit; to show; as, to produce a witness or evidence in court., To bring forth, as young, or as a natural product or growth; to give birth to; to bear; to generate; to propagate; to yield; to furnish; as, the earth produces grass; trees produce fruit; the clouds produce rain., To cause to be or to happen; to originate, as an effect or result; to bring about; as, disease produces pain; vice produces misery., To give being or form to; to manufacture; to make; as, a manufacturer produces excellent wares., To yield or furnish; to gain; as, money at interest produces an income; capital produces profit., To draw out; to extend; to lengthen; to prolong; as, to produce a man’s life to threescore., To extend; — applied to a line, surface, or solid; as, to produce a side of a triangle., To yield or furnish appropriate offspring, crops, effects, consequences, or results., That which is produced, brought forth, or yielded; product; yield; proceeds; result of labor, especially of agricultural labors, agricultural products.
product noun Anything that is produced, whether as the result of generation, growth, labor, or thought, or by the operation of involuntary causes; as, the products of the season, or of the farm; the products of manufactures; the products of the brain., The number or sum obtained by adding one number or quantity to itself as many times as there are units in another number; the number resulting from the multiplication of two or more numbers; as, the product of the multiplication of 7 by 5 is 35. In general, the result of any kind of multiplication. See the Note under Multiplication., To produce; to bring forward., To lengthen out; to extend., To produce; to make.
proface interj. Much good may it do you! — a familiar salutation or welcome.
profane adjective Not sacred or holy; not possessing peculiar sanctity; unconsecrated; hence, relating to matters other than sacred; secular; — opposed to sacred, religious, or inspired; as, a profane place., Unclean; impure; polluted; unholy., Treating sacred things with contempt, disrespect, irreverence, or undue familiarity; irreverent; impious., Irreverent in language; taking the name of God in vain; given to swearing; blasphemous; as, a profane person, word, oath, or tongue., To violate, as anything sacred; to treat with abuse, irreverence, obloquy, or contempt; to desecrate; to pollute; as, to profane the name of God; to profane the Scriptures, or the ordinance of God., To put to a wrong or unworthy use; to make a base employment of; to debase; to abuse; to defile.
profert noun The exhibition or production of a record or paper in open court, or an allegation that it is in court.
profess verb t. To make open declaration of, as of one’s knowledge, belief, action, etc.; to avow or acknowledge; to confess publicly; to own or admit freely., To set up a claim to; to make presence to; hence, to put on or present an appearance of., To present to knowledge of, to proclaim one’s self versed in; to make one’s self a teacher or practitioner of, to set up as an authority respecting; to declare (one’s self to be such); as, he professes surgery; to profess one’s self a physician., To take a profession upon one’s self by a public declaration; to confess., To declare friendship.
proffer verb t. To offer for acceptance; to propose to give; to make a tender of; as, to proffer a gift; to proffer services; to proffer friendship., To essay or attempt of one’s own accord; to undertake, or propose to undertake., An offer made; something proposed for acceptance by another; a tender; as, proffers of peace or friendship., Essay; attempt.
profile noun An outline, or contour; as, the profile of an apple., A human head represented sidewise, or in a side view; the side face or half face., A section of any member, made at right angles with its main lines, showing the exact shape of moldings and the like., A drawing exhibiting a vertical section of the ground along a surveyed line, or graded work, as of a railway, showing elevations, depressions, grades, etc., to draw the outline of; to draw in profile, as an architectural member., To shape the outline of an object by passing a cutter around it.
profuse adjective Pouring forth with fullness or exuberance; bountiful; exceedingly liberal; giving without stint; as, a profuse government; profuse hospitality., Superabundant; excessive; prodigal; lavish; as, profuse expenditure., To pour out; to give or spend liberally; to lavish; to squander.
progged imp. & past participle of Prog
progeny noun Descendants of the human kind, or offspring of other animals; children; offspring; race, lineage.
program noun Same as Programme.
proheme noun Proem.
project noun The place from which a thing projects, or starts forth., That which is projected or designed; something intended or devised; a scheme; a design; a plan., An idle scheme; an impracticable design; as, a man given to projects., To throw or cast forward; to shoot forth., To cast forward or revolve in the mind; to contrive; to devise; to scheme; as, to project a plan., To draw or exhibit, as the form of anything; to delineate; as, to project a sphere, a map, an ellipse, and the like; — sometimes with on, upon, into, etc.; as, to project a line or point upon a plane. See Projection, 4., To shoot forward; to extend beyond something else; to be prominent; to jut; as, the cornice projects; branches project from the tree., To form a project; to scheme.
prolate adjective Stretched out; extended; especially, elongated in the direction of a line joining the poles; as, a prolate spheroid; — opposed to oblate., To utter; to pronounce.
prolata plural of Prolatum
prolled imp. & past participle of Proll
proller noun Prowler; thief.
prolong adjective To extend in space or length; as, to prolong a line., To lengthen in time; to extend the duration of; to draw out; to continue; as, to prolong one’s days., To put off to a distant time; to postpone.
promise adjective In general, a declaration, written or verbal, made by one person to another, which binds the person who makes it to do, or to forbear to do, a specified act; a declaration which gives to the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act., An engagement by one person to another, either in words or in writing, but properly not under seal, for the performance or nonperformance of some particular thing. The word promise is used to denote the mere engagement of a person, without regard to the consideration for it, or the corresponding duty of the party to whom it is made., That which causes hope, expectation, or assurance; especially, that which affords expectation of future distinction; as, a youth of great promise., Bestowal, fulfillment, or grant of what is promised., To engage to do, give, make, or to refrain from doing, giving, or making, or the like; to covenant; to engage; as, to promise a visit; to promise a cessation of hostilities; to promise the payment of money., To afford reason to expect; to cause hope or assurance of; as, the clouds promise rain., To make declaration of or give assurance of, as some benefit to be conferred; to pledge or engage to bestow; as, the proprietors promised large tracts of land; the city promised a reward., To give assurance by a promise, or binding declaration., To afford hopes or expectation; to give ground to expect good; rarely, to give reason to expect evil.
promont noun Promontory.
promote verb t. To contribute to the growth, enlargement, or prosperity of (any process or thing that is in course); to forward; to further; to encourage; to advance; to excite; as, to promote learning; to promote disorder; to promote a business venture., To exalt in station, rank, or honor; to elevate; to raise; to prefer; to advance; as, to promote an officer., To urge on or incite another, as to strife; also, to inform against a person.
promove verb t. To move forward; to advance; to promote.
pronaos noun The porch or vestibule of a temple.
pronate adjective Somewhat prone; inclined; as, pronate trees.
pronely adverb In a prone manner or position.
pronged adjective Having prongs or projections like the tines of a fork; as, a three-pronged fork.
pronity noun Proneness; propensity.
pronota plural of Pronotum
pronoun noun A word used instead of a noun or name, to avoid the repetition of it. The personal pronouns in English are I, thou or you, he, she, it, we, ye, and they.
prootic adjective In front of the auditory capsule; — applied especially to a bone, or center of ossification, in the periotic capsule., A prootic bone.
propped imp. & past participle of Prop
propane noun A heavy gaseous hydrocarbon, C3H8, of the paraffin series, occurring naturally dissolved in crude petroleum, and also made artificially; — called also propyl hydride.
propend verb i. To lean toward a thing; to be favorably inclined or disposed; to incline; to tend.
propene noun Same as Propylene.
prophet noun One who prophesies, or foretells events; a predicter; a foreteller., One inspired or instructed by God to speak in his name, or announce future events, as, Moses, Elijah, etc., An interpreter; a spokesman., A mantis.
propice adjective Fit; propitious.
propine verb t. To pledge; to offer as a toast or a health in the manner of drinking, that is, by drinking first and passing the cup., Hence, to give in token of friendship., To give, or deliver; to subject., A pledge., A gift; esp., drink money., Same as Allylene.
propleg noun Same as Proleg.
propone verb t. To propose; to bring forward.
propose verb To set forth., To offer for consideration, discussion, acceptance, or adoption; as, to propose terms of peace; to propose a question for discussion; to propose an alliance; to propose a person for office., To set before one’s self or others as a purpose formed; hence, to purpose; to intend., To speak; to converse., To form or declare a purpose or intention; to lay a scheme; to design; as, man proposes, but God disposes., To offer one’s self in marriage., Talk; discourse.
propugn verb t. To contend for; to defend; to vindicate.
propyla plural of Propylon
prorate verb t. To divide or distribute proportionally; to assess pro rata.
prosaic adjective Alt. of Prosaical
prosing present participle & vb. noun of Prose, Writing prose; speaking or writing in a tedious or prosy manner.
prosily adverb In a prosy manner.
prosody noun That part of grammar which treats of the quantity of syllables, of accent, and of the laws of versification or metrical composition.
prosoma noun The anterior of the body of an animal, as of a cephalopod; the thorax of an arthropod.
prosper verb t. To favor; to render successful., To be successful; to succeed; to be fortunate or prosperous; to thrive; to make gain., To grow; to increase.
protean adjective Of or pertaining to Proteus; characteristic of Proteus., Exceedingly variable; readily assuming different shapes or forms; as, an amoeba is a protean animalcule.
protect verb t. To cover or shield from danger or injury; to defend; to guard; to preserve in safety; as, a father protects his children.
protege noun f. Alt. of Protegee
proteid noun One of a class of amorphous nitrogenous principles, containing, as a rule, a small amount of sulphur; an albuminoid, as blood fibrin, casein of milk, etc. Proteids are present in nearly all animal fluids and make up the greater part of animal tissues and organs. They are also important constituents of vegetable tissues. See 2d Note under Food.
protein noun A body now known as alkali albumin, but originally considered to be the basis of all albuminous substances, whence its name.
protend verb t. To hold out; to stretch forth.
protest verb i. To affirm in a public or formal manner; to bear witness; to declare solemnly; to avow., To make a solemn declaration (often a written one) expressive of opposition; — with against; as, he protest against your votes., To make a solemn declaration or affirmation of; to proclaim; to display; as, to protest one’s loyalty., To call as a witness in affirming or denying, or to prove an affirmation; to appeal to., A solemn declaration of opinion, commonly a formal objection against some act; especially, a formal and solemn declaration, in writing, of dissent from the proceedings of a legislative body; as, the protest of lords in Parliament., A solemn declaration in writing, in due form, made by a notary public, usually under his notarial seal, on behalf of the holder of a bill or note, protesting against all parties liable for any loss or damage by the nonacceptance or nonpayment of the bill, or by the nonpayment of the note, as the case may be., A declaration made by the master of a vessel before a notary, consul, or other authorized officer, upon his arrival in port after a disaster, stating the particulars of it, and showing that any damage or loss sustained was not owing to the fault of the vessel, her officers or crew, but to the perils of the sea, etc., ads the case may be, and protesting against them., A declaration made by a party, before or while paying a tax, duty, or the like, demanded of him, which he deems illegal, denying the justice of the demand, and asserting his rights and claims, in order to show that the payment was not voluntary.
proteus noun A sea god in the service of Neptune who assumed different shapes at will. Hence, one who easily changes his appearance or principles., A genus of aquatic eel-shaped amphibians found in caves in Austria. They have permanent external gills as well as lungs. The eyes are small and the legs are weak., A changeable protozoan; an amoeba.
protist noun One of the Protista.
protyle noun The hypothetical homogeneous cosmic material of the original universe, supposed to have been differentiated into what are recognized as distinct chemical elements.
proudly adverb In a proud manner; with lofty airs or mien; haughtily; arrogantly; boastfully.
provand noun Alt. of Proant
provant verb t. To supply with provender or provisions; to provide for., Provided for common or general use, as in an army; hence, common in quality; inferior.
proving present participle & vb. noun of Prove
provect adjective Carried forward; advanced.
provend noun See Provand.
provent noun See Provand.
proverb noun An old and common saying; a phrase which is often repeated; especially, a sentence which briefly and forcibly expresses some practical truth, or the result of experience and observation; a maxim; a saw; an adage., A striking or paradoxical assertion; an obscure saying; an enigma; a parable., A familiar illustration; a subject of contemptuous reference., A drama exemplifying a proverb., To name in, or as, a proverb., To provide with a proverb., To write or utter proverbs.
provide verb t. To look out for in advance; to procure beforehand; to get, collect, or make ready for future use; to prepare., To supply; to afford; to contribute., To furnish; to supply; — formerly followed by of, now by with., To establish as a previous condition; to stipulate; as, the contract provides that the work be well done., To foresee., To appoint to an ecclesiastical benefice before it is vacant. See Provisor., To procure supplies or means in advance; to take measures beforehand in view of an expected or a possible future need, especially a danger or an evil; — followed by against or for; as, to provide against the inclemency of the weather; to provide for the education of a child., To stipulate previously; to condition; as, the agreement provides for an early completion of the work.
provine verb t. To lay a stock or branch of a vine in the ground for propagation.
proviso noun An article or clause in any statute, agreement, contract, grant, or other writing, by which a condition is introduced, usually beginning with the word provided; a conditional stipulation that affects an agreement, contract, law, grant, or the like; as, the contract was impaired by its proviso.
provoke verb t. To call forth; to call into being or action; esp., to incense to action, a faculty or passion, as love, hate, or ambition; hence, commonly, to incite, as a person, to action by a challenge, by taunts, or by defiance; to exasperate; to irritate; to offend intolerably; to cause to retaliate., To cause provocation or anger., To appeal. [A Latinism]
provost noun A person who is appointed to superintend, or preside over, something; the chief magistrate in some cities and towns; as, the provost of Edinburgh or of Glasgow, answering to the mayor of other cities; the provost of a college, answering to president; the provost or head of certain collegiate churches., The keeper of a prison.
prowess adjective Distinguished bravery; valor; especially, military bravery and skill; gallantry; intrepidity; fearlessness.
prowled imp. & past participle of Prowl
prowler noun One that prowls.
proxene noun An officer who had the charge of showing hospitality to those who came from a friendly city or state.
proxime adjective Next; immediately preceding or following.
proximo In the next month after the present; — often contracted to prox.; as, on the 3d proximo.
proxies plural of Proxy
prudent adjective Sagacious in adapting means to ends; circumspect in action, or in determining any line of conduct; practically wise; judicious; careful; discreet; sensible; — opposed to rash; as, a prudent man; dictated or directed by prudence or wise forethought; evincing prudence; as, prudent behavior., Frugal; economical; not extravagant; as, a prudent woman; prudent expenditure of money.
prudery noun The quality or state of being prudish; excessive or affected scrupulousness in speech or conduct; stiffness; coyness.
prudish adjective Like a prude; very formal, precise, or reserved; affectedly severe in virtue; as, a prudish woman; prudish manners.
pruning present participle & vb. noun of Prune, The act of trimming, or removing what is superfluous., That which is cast off by bird in pruning her feathers; leavings.
prurigo noun A papular disease of the skin, of which intense itching is the chief symptom, the eruption scarcely differing from the healthy cuticle in color.
prussic adjective designating the acid now called hydrocyanic acid, but formerly called prussic acid, because Prussian blue is derived from it or its compounds. See Hydrocyanic.
prytany noun The period during which the presidency of the senate belonged to the prytanes of the section.
prythee interj. See Prithee.