Words |
Parts of Speech |
Meaning/Definition/Similar Words |
pigpecker |
noun |
The European garden warbler (Sylvia, / Currica, hortensis); — called also beccafico and greater pettychaps. |
prigidity |
noun |
The condition or quality of being frigid; coldness; want of warmth., Want of ardor, animation, vivacity, etc.; coldness of affection or of manner; dullness; stiffness and formality; as, frigidity of a reception, of a bow, etc., Want of heat or vigor; as, the frigidity of old age. |
pachyderm |
noun |
One of the Pachydermata. |
pacifical |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to peace; pacific. |
pacifying |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pacify |
packeting |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Packet |
packhouse |
noun |
Warehouse for storing goods. |
pactional |
adjective |
Of the nature of, or by means of, a paction. |
pactolian |
adjective |
Pertaining to the Pactolus, a river in ancient Lydia famous for its golden sands. |
pademelon |
noun |
See Wallaby. |
padlocked |
imp. & past participle |
of Padlock |
paganical |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to pagans or paganism; heathenish; paganish. |
paganized |
imp. & past participle |
of Paganize |
pageantry |
noun |
Scenic shows or spectacles, taken collectively; spectacular quality; splendor. |
paillasse |
noun |
An under bed or mattress of straw. |
painterly |
adjective |
Like a painter’s work. |
paintless |
adjective |
Not capable of being painted or described. |
palacious |
adjective |
Palatial. |
palaestra |
noun |
See Palestra. |
palampore |
noun |
See Palempore. |
palanquin |
noun |
An inclosed carriage or litter, commonly about eight feet long, four feet wide, and four feet high, borne on the shoulders of men by means of two projecting poles, — used in India, China, etc., for the conveyance of a single person from place to place. |
palatable |
adjective |
Agreeable to the palate or taste; savory; hence, acceptable; pleasing; as, palatable food; palatable advice. |
palatably |
adverb |
In a palatable manner. |
palavered |
imp. & past participle |
of Palaver |
palaverer |
noun |
One who palavers; a flatterer. |
palempore |
noun |
A superior kind of dimity made in India, — used for bed coverings. |
paleolith |
noun |
A relic of the Paleolithic era. |
paleology |
noun |
The study or knowledge of antiquities, esp. of prehistoric antiquities; a discourse or treatise on antiquities; archaeology . |
paleotype |
noun |
See Palaeotype. |
paleozoic |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to, or designating, the older division of geological time during which life is known to have existed, including the Silurian, Devonian, and Carboniferous ages, and also to the life or rocks of those ages. See Chart of Geology. |
palestrae |
plural |
of Palestra |
palestras |
plural |
of Palestra |
palestric |
adjective |
Alt. of Palestrical |
palfreyed |
adjective |
Mounted on a palfrey. |
palinurus |
noun |
An instrument for obtaining directly, without calculation, the true bearing of the sun, and thence the variation of the compass |
palisaded |
imp. & past participle |
of Palisade |
palladian |
adjective |
Of, pertaining to, or designating, a variety of the revived classic style of architecture, founded on the works of Andrea Palladio, an Italian architect of the 16th century. |
palladium |
noun |
Any statue of the goddess Pallas; esp., the famous statue on the preservation of which depended the safety of ancient Troy., Hence: That which affords effectual protection or security; a sateguard; as, the trial by jury is the palladium of our civil rights., A rare metallic element of the light platinum group, found native, and also alloyed with platinum and gold. It is a silver-white metal resembling platinum, and like it permanent and untarnished in the air, but is more easily fusible. It is unique in its power of occluding hydrogen, which it does to the extent of nearly a thousand volumes, forming the alloy Pd2H. It is used for graduated circles and verniers, for plating certain silver goods, and somewhat in dentistry. It was so named in 1804 by Wollaston from the asteroid Pallas, which was discovered in 1802. Symbol Pd. Atomic weight, 106.2. |
palliasse |
noun |
See Paillasse. |
palliated |
imp. & past participle |
of Palliate |
pallidity |
noun |
Pallidness; paleness. |
pall-mall |
noun |
A game formerly common in England, in which a wooden ball was driven with a mallet through an elevated hoop or ring of iron. The name was also given to the mallet used, to the place where the game was played, and to the street, in London, still called Pall Mall. |
palmacite |
noun |
A fossil palm. |
palmarium |
noun |
One of the bifurcations of the brachial plates of a crinoid. |
palmately |
adverb |
In a palmate manner. |
palmcrist |
noun |
The palma Christi. (Jonah iv. 6, margin, and Douay version, note.) |
palmister |
noun |
One who practices palmistry |
palmistry |
noun |
The art or practice of divining or telling fortunes, or of judging of character, by the lines and marks in the palm of the hand; chiromancy., A dexterous use or trick of the hand. |
palmitate |
noun |
A salt of palmitic acid. |
palmitone |
noun |
The ketone of palmitic acid. |
pallometa |
noun |
A pompano. |
palpation |
noun |
Act of touching or feeling., Examination of a patient by touch. |
palpebrae |
plural |
of Palpebra |
palpebral |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the eyelids. |
palpicorn |
noun |
One of a group of aquatic beetles (Palpicornia) having short club-shaped antennae, and long maxillary palpi. |
palpiform |
adjective |
Having the form of a palpus. |
palpitant |
adjective |
Palpitating; throbbing; trembling. |
palpitate |
verb i. |
To beat rapidly and more strongly than usual; to throb; to bound with emotion or exertion; to pulsate violently; to flutter; — said specifically of the heart when its action is abnormal, as from excitement. |
palsgrave |
noun |
A count or earl who presided in the domestic court, and had the superintendence, of a royal household in Germany. |
palsywort |
noun |
The cowslip (Primula veris); — so called from its supposed remedial powers. |
paltering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Palter |
paludinae |
plural |
of Paludina |
paludinas |
plural |
of Paludina |
paludinal |
adjective |
Inhabiting ponds or swamps. |
palustral |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to a bog or marsh; boggy. |
pampering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pamper |
pamperize |
verb t. |
To pamper. |
pancratic |
adjective |
Having all or many degrees of power; having a great range of power; — said of an eyepiece made adjustable so as to give a varying magnifying power., Alt. of Pancratical |
pandarism |
noun |
Same as Panderism. |
pandarize |
verb i. |
To pander. |
pandarous |
adjective |
Panderous. |
pandering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pander |
panderage |
noun |
The act of pandering. |
panderism |
noun |
The employment, arts, or practices of a pander. |
panderous |
adjective |
Of or relating to a pander; characterizing a pander. |
pandurate |
adjective |
Alt. of Panduriform |
panegyric |
adjective |
An oration or eulogy in praise of some person or achievement; a formal or elaborate encomium; a laudatory discourse; laudation. See Synonym of Eulogy., Alt. of Panegyrical |
panegyris |
noun |
A festival; a public assembly. |
panelling |
|
of Panel |
panelwork |
noun |
Wainscoting. |
pangothic |
adjective |
Of, pertaining to, or including, all the Gothic races. |
panniered |
adjective |
Bearing panniers. |
panoistic |
adjective |
Producing ova only; — said of the ovaries of certain insects which do not produce vitelligenous cells. |
panoplied |
adjective |
Dressed in panoply. |
panoramic |
adjective |
Alt. of Panoramical |
panorpian |
adjective |
Like, or pertaining to, the genus Panorpa., Same as Panorpid. |
panslavic |
adjective |
Pertaining to all the Slavic races. |
panspermy |
noun |
The doctrine of the widespread distribution of germs, from which under favorable circumstances bacteria, vibrios, etc., may develop., The doctrine that all organisms must come from living parents; biogenesis; — the opposite of spontaneous generation. |
pantacosm |
noun |
See Cosmolabe. |
pantaloon |
noun |
A ridiculous character, or an old dotard, in the Italian comedy; also, a buffoon in pantomimes., A bifurcated garment for a man, covering the body from the waist downwards, and consisting of breeches and stockings in one., In recent times, same as Trousers. |
pantheism |
noun |
The doctrine that the universe, taken or conceived of as a whole, is God; the doctrine that there is no God but the combined force and laws which are manifested in the existing universe; cosmotheism. |
pantheist |
noun |
One who holds to pantheism. |
pantingly |
adverb |
With palpitation or rapid breathing. |
pantology |
noun |
A systematic view of all branches of human knowledge; a work of universal information. |
pantomime |
noun |
A universal mimic; an actor who assumes many parts; also, any actor., One who acts his part by gesticulation or dumb show only, without speaking; a pantomimist., A dramatic representation by actors who use only dumb show; hence, dumb show, generally., A dramatic and spectacular entertainment of which dumb acting as well as burlesque dialogue, music, and dancing by Clown, Harlequin, etc., are features., Representing only in mute actions; pantomimic; as, a pantomime dance. |
pantopoda |
noun pl. |
Same as Pycnogonida. |
papescent |
adjective |
Containing or producing pap; like pap. |
papeterie |
noun |
A case or box containing paper and materials for writing. |
papillary |
adjective |
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a papilla or papillae; bearing, or covered with, papillae; papillose. |
papillate |
verb t. & i. |
To cover with papillae; to take the form of a papilla, or of papillae., Same as Papillose. |
papilloma |
noun |
A tumor formed by hypertrophy of the papillae of the skin or mucous membrane, as a corn or a wart. |
papillose |
adjective |
Covered with, or bearing, papillae; resembling papillae; papillate; papillar; papillary. |
papillote |
noun |
a small piece of paper on which women roll up their hair to make it curl; a curl paper. |
papillous |
adjective |
Papillary; papillose. |
pappiform |
adjective |
Resembling the pappus of composite plants. |
parabanic |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or designating, a nitrogenous acid which is obtained by the oxidation of uric acid, as a white crystalline substance (C3N2H2O3); — also called oxalyl urea. |
parablast |
noun |
A portion of the mesoblast (of peripheral origin) of the developing embryo, the cells of which are especially concerned in forming the first blood and blood vessels. |
parabolas |
plural |
of Parabola |
parabolic |
adjective |
Alt. of Parabolical |
parachute |
noun |
A contrivance somewhat in the form of an umbrella, by means of which a descent may be made from a balloon, or any eminence., A web or fold of skin which extends between the legs of certain mammals, as the flying squirrels, colugo, and phalangister. |
paraclete |
noun |
An advocate; one called to aid or support; hence, the Consoler, Comforter, or Intercessor; — a term applied to the Holy Spirit. |
paraclose |
noun |
See Parclose. |
paraconic |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid obtained as a deliquescent white crystalline substance, and isomeric with itaconic, citraconic, and mesaconic acids. |
paradisal |
adjective |
Paradisiacal. |
paradised |
adjective |
Placed in paradise; enjoying delights as of paradise. |
paradisic |
adjective |
Paradisiacal. |
paradoses |
plural |
of Parados |
paradoxes |
plural |
of Paradox |
paradoxal |
adjective |
Paradoxical. |
paradoxer |
noun |
Alt. of Paradoxist |
paraffine |
noun |
A white waxy substance, resembling spermaceti, tasteless and odorless, and obtained from coal tar, wood tar, petroleum, etc., by distillation. It is used as an illuminant and lubricant. It is very inert, not being acted upon by most of the strong chemical reagents. It was formerly regarded as a definite compound, but is now known to be a complex mixture of several higher hydrocarbons of the methane or marsh-gas series; hence, by extension, any substance, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous, of the same chemical series; thus coal gas and kerosene consist largely of paraffins. |
paragenic |
adjective |
Originating in the character of the germ, or at the first commencement of an individual; — said of peculiarities of structure, character, etc. |
paragnath |
noun |
Same as Paragnathus. |
paragogic |
adjective |
Alt. of Paragogical |
paragraph |
noun |
Originally, a marginal mark or note, set in the margin to call attention to something in the text, e. g., a change of subject; now, the character /, commonly used in the text as a reference mark to a footnote, or to indicate the place of a division into sections., A distinct part of a discourse or writing; any section or subdivision of a writing or chapter which relates to a particular point, whether consisting of one or many sentences. The division is sometimes noted by the mark /, but usually, by beginning the first sentence of the paragraph on a new line and at more than the usual distance from the margin., A brief composition complete in one typographical section or paragraph; an item, remark, or quotation comprised in a few lines forming one paragraph; as, a column of news paragraphs; an editorial paragraph., To divide into paragraphs; to mark with the character /., To express in the compass of a paragraph; as, to paragraph an article., To mention in a paragraph or paragraphs |
paragrele |
noun |
A lightning conductor erected, as in a vineyard, for drawing off the electricity in the atmosphere in order to prevent hailstorms. |
paralysis |
noun |
Abolition of function, whether complete or partial; esp., the loss of the power of voluntary motion, with or without that of sensation, in any part of the body; palsy. See Hemiplegia, and Paraplegia. Also used figuratively. |
paralytic |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to paralysis; resembling paralysis., Affected with paralysis, or palsy., Inclined or tending to paralysis., A person affected with paralysis. |
paralyzed |
imp. & past participle |
of Paralyze |
paramalic |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid metameric with malic acid. |
paramatta |
noun |
A light fabric of cotton and worsted, resembling bombazine or merino. |
paramento |
noun |
Ornament; decoration. |
parameter |
noun |
A term applied to some characteristic magnitude whose value, invariable as long as one and the same function, curve, surface, etc., is considered, serves to distinguish that function, curve, surface, etc., from others of the same kind or family., Specifically (Conic Sections), in the ellipse and hyperbola, a third proportional to any diameter and its conjugate, or in the parabola, to any abscissa and the corresponding ordinate., The ratio of the three crystallographic axes which determines the position of any plane; also, the fundamental axial ratio for a given species. |
paramorph |
noun |
A kind of pseudomorph, in which there has been a change of physical characters without alteration of chemical composition, as the change of aragonite to calcite. |
paramount |
adjective |
Having the highest rank or jurisdiction; superior to all others; chief; supreme; preeminent; as, a paramount duty., The highest or chief. |
paramours |
adverb |
By or with love, esp. the love of the sexes; — sometimes written as two words. |
paramylum |
noun |
A substance resembling starch, found in the green frothy scum formed on the surface of stagnant water. |
paranymph |
noun |
A friend of the bridegroom who went with him in his chariot to fetch home the bride., The bridesmaid who conducted the bride to the bridegroom., An ally; a supporter or abettor. |
parapeted |
adjective |
Having a parapet. |
paraphing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Paraph |
paraplegy |
noun |
Palsy of the lower half of the body on both sides, caused usually by disease of the spinal cord. |
parapodia |
plural |
of Parapodium |
paraptera |
plural |
of Parapterum |
paraquito |
noun |
See Parrakeet. |
parasceve |
noun |
Among the Jews, the evening before the Sabbath., A preparation. |
parasital |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to parasites; parasitic. |
parasitic |
adjective |
Alt. of Parasitical |
parataxis |
noun |
The mere ranging of propositions one after another, without indicating their connection or interdependence; — opposed to syntax. |
paraunter |
adverb |
Peradventure. See Paraventure. |
parboiled |
imp. & past participle |
of Parboil |
parbuckle |
noun |
A kind of purchase for hoisting or lowering a cylindrical burden, as a cask. The middle of a long rope is made fast aloft, and both parts are looped around the object, which rests in the loops, and rolls in them as the ends are hauled up or payed out., A double sling made of a single rope, for slinging a cask, gun, etc., To hoist or lower by means of a parbuckle. |
parcelled |
|
of Parcel |
parceling |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Parcel, The act of dividing and distributing in portions or parts., Long, narrow slips of canvas daubed with tar and wound about a rope like a bandage, before it is served; used, also, in mousing on the stayes, etc. |
parcenary |
noun |
The holding or occupation of an inheritable estate which descends from the ancestor to two or more persons; coheirship. |
parchment |
noun |
The skin of a lamb, sheep, goat, young calf, or other animal, prepared for writing on. See Vellum., The envelope of the coffee grains, inside the pulp. |
pardoning |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pardon, Relating to pardon; having or exercising the right to pardon; willing to pardon; merciful; as, the pardoning power; a pardoning God. |
paregoric |
adjective |
Mitigating; assuaging or soothing pain; as, paregoric elixir., A medicine that mitigates pain; an anodyne; specifically, camphorated tincture of opium; — called also paregoric elexir. |
parembole |
noun |
A kind of parenthesis. |
parenesis |
noun |
Exhortation. |
parenetic |
adjective |
Alt. of Parenetioal |
parentage |
noun |
Descent from parents or ancestors; parents or ancestors considered with respect to their rank or character; extraction; birth; as, a man of noble parentage. |
parentele |
noun |
Kinship; parentage. |
pargasite |
noun |
A dark green aluminous variety of amphibole, or hornblende. |
pargeting |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Parget, Plasterwork; esp.: (a) A kind of decorative plasterwork in raised ornamental figures, formerly used for the internal and external decoration of houses. (b) In modern architecture, the plastering of the inside of flues, intended to give a smooth surface and help the draught. |
pargetory |
noun |
Something made of, or covered with, parget, or plaster. |
parhelion |
noun |
A mock sun appearing in the form of a bright light, sometimes near the sun, and tinged with colors like the rainbow, and sometimes opposite to the sun. The latter is usually called an anthelion. Often several mock suns appear at the same time. Cf. Paraselene. |
parhelium |
noun |
See Parhelion. |
parietary |
adjective |
See Parietal, 2., Any one of several species of Parietaria. See 1st Pellitory. |
parietine |
noun |
A piece of a fallen wall; a ruin. |
parigenin |
noun |
A curdy white substance, obtained by the decomposition of parillin. |
parkesine |
noun |
A compound, originally made from gun cotton and castor oil, but later from different materials, and used as a substitute for vulcanized India rubber and for ivory; — called also xylotile. |
parleying |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Parley |
parnassia |
noun |
A genus of herbs growing in wet places, and having white flowers; grass of Parnassus. |
parnassus |
noun |
A mountain in Greece, sacred to Apollo and the Muses, and famous for a temple of Apollo and for the Castalian spring. |
parochial |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to a parish; restricted to a parish; as, parochial duties. |
parochian |
adjective |
Parochial., A parishioner. |
parodical |
adjective |
Having the character of parody. |
parodying |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Parody |
parorchis |
noun |
The part of the epididymis; or the corresponding part of the excretory duct of the testicle, which is derived from the Wolffian body. |
parosteal |
|
Of or pertaining to parostosis; as, parosteal ossification. |
parotitis |
noun |
Inflammation of the parotid glands. |
parqueted |
adjective |
Formed in parquetry; inlaid with wood in small and differently colored figures. |
parquetry |
noun |
A species of joinery or cabinet-work consisting of an inlay of geometric or other patterns, generally of different colors, — used especially for floors. |
parquette |
noun |
See Parquet. |
parrakeet |
noun |
Alt. of Parakeet |
parrhesia |
noun |
Boldness or freedom of speech. |
parricide |
noun |
Properly, one who murders one’s own father; in a wider sense, one who murders one’s father or mother or any ancestor., The act or crime of murdering one’s own father or any ancestor. |
parseeism |
noun |
The religion and customs of the Parsees. |
parsimony |
noun |
Closeness or sparingness in the expenditure of money; — generally in a bad sense; excessive frugality; niggardliness. |
parsonage |
noun |
A certain portion of lands, tithes, and offerings, for the maintenance of the parson of a parish., The glebe and house, or the house only, owned by a parish or ecclesiastical society, and appropriated to the maintenance or use of the incumbent or settled pastor., Money paid for the support of a parson. |
parsonish |
adjective |
Appropriate to, or like, a parson; — used in disparagement. |
partaking |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Partake |
parthenic |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the Spartan Partheniae, or sons of unmarried women. |
parthenon |
noun |
A celebrated marble temple of Athene, on the Acropolis at Athens. It was of the pure Doric order, and has had an important influence on art. |
partenope |
noun |
One of the Sirens, who threw herself into the sea, in despair at not being able to beguile Ulysses by her songs., One of the asteroids between Mars and Jupiter, descovered by M. de Gasparis in 1850. |
partially |
adverb |
In part; not totally; as, partially true; the sun partially eclipsed., In a partial manner; with undue bias of mind; with unjust favor or dislike; as, to judge partially. |
partition |
verb |
The act of parting or dividing; the state of being parted; separation; division; distribution; as, the partition of a kingdom., That which divides or separates; that by which different things, or distinct parts of the same thing, are separated; separating boundary; dividing line or space; specifically, an interior wall dividing one part or apartment of a house, an inclosure, or the like, from another; as, a brick partition; lath and plaster partitions., A part divided off by walls; an apartment; a compartment., The servance of common or undivided interests, particularly in real estate. It may be effected by consent of parties, or by compulsion of law., A score., To divide into parts or shares; to divide and distribute; as, to partition an estate among various heirs., To divide into distinct parts by lines, walls, etc.; as, to partition a house. |
partitive |
adjective |
Denoting a part; as, a partitive genitive., A word expressing partition, or denoting a part. |
partridge |
noun |
Any one of numerous species of small gallinaceous birds of the genus Perdix and several related genera of the family Perdicidae, of the Old World. The partridge is noted as a game bird., Any one of several species of quail-like birds belonging to Colinus, and allied genera., The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus). |
parvitude |
noun |
Alt. of Parvity |
parvoline |
noun |
A liquid base, C/H/N, of the pyridine group, found in coal tar; also, any one of the series of isometric substances of which it is the type. |
pasquiler |
noun |
A lampooner. |
passement |
noun |
Lace, gimp, braid etc., sewed on a garment. |
passenger |
noun |
A passer or passer-by; a wayfarer., A traveler by some established conveyance, as a coach, steamboat, railroad train, etc. |
passer-by |
noun |
One who goes by; a passer. |
passerine |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the Passeres., One of the Passeres. |
passingly |
adverb |
Exceedingly. |
passioned |
imp. & past participle |
of Passion |
passional |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to passion or the passions; exciting, influenced by, or ministering to, the passions., A passionary. |
passively |
adverb |
In a passive manner; inertly; unresistingly., As a passive verb; in the passive voice. |
passivity |
noun |
Passiveness; — opposed to activity., The tendency of a body to remain in a given state, either of motion or rest, till disturbed by another body; inertia., The quality or condition of any substance which has no inclination to chemical activity; inactivity. |
pasticcio |
noun |
A medley; an olio., A work of art imitating directly the work of another artist, or of more artists than one., A falsified work of art, as a vase or statue made up of parts of original works, with missing parts supplied. |
pastorage |
noun |
The office, jurisdiction, or duty, of a pastor; pastorate. |
pastorale |
noun |
A composition in a soft, rural style, generally in 6-8 or 12-8 time., A kind of dance; a kind of figure used in a dance. |
pastorate |
noun |
The office, state, or jurisdiction of a pastor. |
pasturage |
noun |
Grazing ground; grass land used for pasturing; pasture., Grass growing for feed; grazing., The business of feeding or grazing cattle. |
pasturing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pasture |
patchouli |
noun |
Alt. of Patchouly |
patchouly |
noun |
A mintlike plant (Pogostemon Patchouli) of the East Indies, yielding an essential oil from which a highly valued perfume is made., The perfume made from this plant. |
patchwork |
noun |
Work composed of pieces sewed together, esp. pieces of various colors and figures; hence, anything put together of incongruous or ill-adapted parts; something irregularly clumsily composed; a thing putched up. |
patellula |
noun |
A cuplike sucker on the feet of certain insects. |
patenting |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Patent |
paternity |
noun |
The relation of a father to his child; fathership; fatherhood; family headship; as, the divine paternity., Derivation or descent from a father; male parentage; as, the paternity of a child., Origin; authorship. |
pathetism |
noun |
See Mesmerism. |
pathmaker |
noun |
One who, or that which, makes a way or path. |
pathogene |
noun |
One of a class of virulent microorganisms or bacteria found in the tissues and fluids in infectious diseases, and supposed to be the cause of the disease; a pathogenic organism; a pathogenic bacterium; — opposed to zymogene. |
pathogeny |
noun |
The generation, and method of development, of disease; as, the pathogeny of yellow fever is unsettled., That branch of pathology which treats of the generation and development of disease. |
pathology |
noun |
The science which treats of diseases, their nature, causes, progress, symptoms, etc. |
patiently |
adverb |
In a patient manner. |
patriarch |
noun |
The father and ruler of a family; one who governs his family or descendants by paternal right; — usually applied to heads of families in ancient history, especially in Biblical and Jewish history to those who lived before the time of Moses., A dignitary superior to the order of archbishops; as, the patriarch of Constantinople, of Alexandria, or of Antioch., A venerable old man; an elder. Also used figuratively. |
patrician |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the Roman patres (fathers) or senators, or patricians., Of, pertaining to, or appropriate to, a person of high birth; noble; not plebeian., Originally, a member of any of the families constituting the populus Romanus, or body of Roman citizens, before the development of the plebeian order; later, one who, by right of birth or by special privilege conferred, belonged to the nobility., A person of high birth; a nobleman., One familiar with the works of the Christian Fathers; one versed in patristic lore. |
patricide |
noun |
The murderer of his father., The crime of one who murders his father. Same as Parricide. |
patrimony |
noun |
A right or estate inherited from one’s father; or, in a larger sense, from any ancestor., Formerly, a church estate or endowment. |
patriotic |
adjective |
Inspired by patriotism; actuated by love of one’s country; zealously and unselfishly devoted to the service of one’s country; as, a patriotic statesman, vigilance. |
patristic |
adjective |
Alt. of Patristical |
patrizate |
verb i. |
To imitate one’s father. |
patrociny |
noun |
See Patrocination. |
patrolled |
imp. & past participle |
of Patrol |
patrolmen |
plural |
of Patrolman |
patrolman |
noun |
One who patrols; a watchman; especially, a policeman who patrols a particular precinct of a town or city. |
patronage |
noun |
Special countenance or support; favor, encouragement, or aid, afforded to a person or a work; as, the patronage of letters; patronage given to an author., Business custom., Guardianship, as of a saint; tutelary care., The right of nomination to political office; also, the offices, contracts, honors, etc., which a public officer may bestow by favor., The right of presentation to church or ecclesiastical benefice; advowson., To act as a patron of; to maintain; to defend. |
patronate |
noun |
The right or duty of a patron; patronage. |
patroness |
noun |
A female patron or helper. |
patronize |
verb t. |
To act as patron toward; to support; to countenance; to favor; to aid., To trade with customarily; to frequent as a customer., To assume the air of a patron, or of a superior and protector, toward; — used in an unfavorable sense; as, to patronize one’s equals. |
pattering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Patter |
patterned |
imp. & past participle |
of Pattern |
pauhaugen |
noun |
The menhaden; — called also poghaden. |
paulician |
noun |
One of a sect of Christian dualists originating in Armenia in the seventh century. They rejected the Old Testament and the part of the New. |
paulownia |
noun |
A genus of trees of the order Scrophulariaceae, consisting of one species, Paulownia imperialis. |
paunching |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Paunch |
pauperism |
noun |
The state of being a pauper; the state of indigent persons requiring support from the community. |
pauperize |
verb t. |
To reduce to pauperism; as, to pauperize the peasantry. |
pauropoda |
noun pl. |
An order of small myriapods having only nine pairs of legs and destitute of tracheae. |
pausingly |
adverb |
With pauses; haltingly. |
paxillose |
adjective |
Resembling a little stake. |
paymaster |
noun |
One who pays; one who compensates, rewards, or requites; specifically, an officer or agent of a government, a corporation, or an employer, whose duty it is to pay salaries, wages, etc., and keep account of the same. |
peaceable |
adjective |
Begin in or at peace; tranquil; quiet; free from, or not disposed to, war, disorder, or excitement; not quarrelsome. |
peaceless |
adjective |
Without peace; disturbed. |
pearlfish |
noun |
Any fish whose scales yield a pearl-like pigment used in manufacturing artificial pearls, as the bleak, and whitebait. |
pearlings |
noun pl. |
A kind of lace of silk or thread. |
pearlwort |
noun |
A name given to several species of Sagina, low and inconspicuous herbs of the Chickweed family. |
peasantly |
adjective |
Peasantlike. |
peasantry |
noun |
Peasants, collectively; the body of rustics., Rusticity; coarseness. |
peccantly |
adverb |
In a peccant manner. |
peccaries |
plural |
of Peccary |
pectinate |
adjective |
Alt. of Pectinated |
pectineal |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the pecten., Relating to, or connected with, the pubic bone. |
pectolite |
noun |
A whitish mineral occurring in radiated or fibrous crystalline masses. It is a hydrous silicate of lime and soda. |
peculated |
imp. & past participle |
of Peculate |
peculator |
noun |
One who peculates. |
pecuniary |
adjective |
Relating to money; monetary; as, a pecuniary penalty; a pecuniary reward. |
pecunious |
adjective |
Abounding in money; wealthy; rich. |
pedagogic |
adjective |
See Pedagogics., Alt. of Pedagogical |
pedagogue |
noun |
A slave who led his master’s children to school, and had the charge of them generally., A teacher of children; one whose occupation is to teach the young; a schoolmaster., One who by teaching has become formal, positive, or pedantic in his ways; one who has the manner of a schoolmaster; a pedant., To play the pedagogue toward. |
pedaneous |
adjective |
Going on foot; pedestrian. |
pedantism |
noun |
The office, disposition, or act of a pedant; pedantry. |
pedantize |
verb i. |
To play the pedant; to use pedantic expressions. |
pedatifid |
adjective |
Cleft in a pedate manner, but having the lobes distinctly connected at the base; — said of a leaf. |
pederasty |
noun |
The crime against nature; sodomy. |
pediceled |
adjective |
Pedicellate. |
pedicular |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to lice; having the lousy distemper (phthiriasis); lousy. |
pediculus |
noun |
A genus of wingless parasitic Hemiptera, including the common lice of man. See Louse. |
pedipalpi |
n pl. |
A division of Arachnida, including the whip scorpions (Thelyphonus) and allied forms. Sometimes used in a wider sense to include also the true scorpions., of Pedipalpus |
pedomancy |
noun |
Divination by examining the soles of the feet. |
pedometer |
noun |
An instrument for including the number of steps in walking, and so ascertaining the distance passed over. It is usually in the form of a watch; an oscillating weight by the motion of the body causes the index to advance a certain distance at each step. |
peduncled |
adjective |
Having a peduncle; supported on a peduncle; pedunculate. |
peelhouse |
noun |
See 1st Peel. |
peevishly |
adverb |
In a peevish manner. |
pegmatite |
noun |
Graphic granite. See under Granite., More generally, a coarse granite occurring as vein material in other rocks. |
pegtatoid |
adjective |
Resembling pegmatite; pegmatic. |
pegomancy |
noun |
Divination by fountains. |
peirastic |
adjective |
Fitted for trail or test; experimental; tentative; treating of attempts. |
pelasgian |
adjective |
Alt. of Pelasgic |
pelegrine |
adjective |
See Peregrine. |
pellagrin |
noun |
One who is afficted with pellagra. |
pellitory |
noun |
The common name of the several species of the genus Parietaria, low, harmless weeds of the Nettle family; — also called wall pellitory, and lichwort., A composite plant (Anacyclus Pyrethrum) of the Mediterranean region, having finely divided leaves and whitish flowers. The root is the officinal pellitory, and is used as an irritant and sialogogue. Called also bertram, and pellitory of Spain., The feverfew (Chrysanthemum Parthenium); — so called because it resembles the above. |
pell-mell |
noun |
See Pall-mall. |
peltiform |
adjective |
Shieldlike, with the outline nearly circular; peltate. |
pemphigus |
noun |
A somewhat rare skin disease, characterized by the development of blebs upon different part of the body. |
penalties |
plural |
of Penalty |
pencilled |
|
of Pencil |
penciling |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pencil, The work of the pencil or bruch; as, delicate penciling in a picture., Lines of white or black paint drawn along a mortar joint in a brick wall. |
pendently |
adverb |
In a pendent manner. |
pendicler |
noun |
An inferior tenant; one who rents a pendicle or croft. |
pendragon |
noun |
A chief leader or a king; a head; a dictator; — a title assumed by the ancient British chiefs when called to lead other chiefs. |
pendulate |
verb i. |
To swing as a pendulum. |
penduline |
noun |
A European titmouse (Parus, / Aegithalus, pendulinus). It is noted for its elegant pendulous purselike nest, made of the down of willow trees and lined with feathers. |
pendulous |
adjective |
Depending; pendent loosely; hanging; swinging., Wavering; unstable; doubtful., Inclined or hanging downwards, as a flower on a recurved stalk, or an ovule which hangs from the upper part of the ovary. |
pendulums |
plural |
of Pendulum |
penetrail |
noun |
Penetralia. |
penetrant |
adjective |
Having power to enter or pierce; penetrating; sharp; subtile; as, penetrant cold. |
penetrate |
verb t. |
To enter into; to make way into the interior of; to effect an entrance into; to pierce; as, light penetrates darkness., To affect profoundly through the senses or feelings; to touch with feeling; to make sensible; to move deeply; as, to penetrate one’s heart with pity., To pierce into by the mind; to arrive at the inner contents or meaning of, as of a mysterious or difficult subject; to comprehend; to understand., To pass; to make way; to pierce. Also used figuratively. |
penholder |
noun |
A handle for a pen. |
peninsula |
noun |
A portion of land nearly surrounded by water, and connected with a larger body by a neck, or isthmus. |
penitence |
noun |
The quality or condition of being penitent; the disposition of a penitent; sorrow for sins or faults; repentance; contrition. |
penitency |
noun |
Penitence. |
penknives |
plural |
of Penknife |
pennached |
adjective |
Variegated; striped. |
pennatula |
noun |
Any one of numerous species of Pennatula, Pteroides, and allied genera of Alcyonaria, having a featherlike form; a sea-pen. The zooids are situated along one edge of the side branches. |
penniform |
adjective |
Having the form of a feather or plume. |
penniless |
adjective |
Destitute of money; impecunious; poor. |
pennoncel |
noun |
Alt. of Pennoncelle |
pennywort |
noun |
A European trailing herb (Linaria Cymbalaria) with roundish, reniform leaves. It is often cultivated in hanging baskets. |
pensative |
adjective |
Pensive. |
pensioned |
imp. & past participle |
of Pension |
pensioner |
noun |
One in receipt of a pension; hence, figuratively, a dependent., One of an honorable band of gentlemen who attend the sovereign of England on state occasions, and receive an annual pension, or allowance, of £150 and two horses., In the university of Cambridge, England, one who pays for his living in commons; — corresponding to commoner at Oxford. |
pensively |
adverb |
In a pensive manner. |
pentacron |
noun |
A solid having five summits or angular points. |
pentaglot |
noun |
A work in five different tongues. |
pentagram |
noun |
A pentacle or a pentalpha. |
pentalpha |
noun |
A five-pointed star, resembling five alphas joined at their bases; — used as a symbol. |
pentamera |
noun pl. |
An extensive division of Coleoptera, including those that normally have five-jointed tarsi. It embraces about half of all the known species of the Coleoptera. |
pentangle |
noun |
A pentagon. |
pentapody |
noun |
A measure or series consisting of five feet. |
pentarchy |
noun |
A government in the hands of five persons; five joint rulers. |
pentecost |
noun |
A solemn festival of the Jews; — so called because celebrated on the fiftieth day (seven weeks) after the second day of the Passover (which fell on the sixteenth of the Jewish month Nisan); — hence called, also, the Feast of Weeks. At this festival an offering of the first fruits of the harvest was made. By the Jews it was generally regarded as commemorative of the gift of the law on the fiftieth day after the departure from Egypt., A festival of the Roman Catholic and other churches in commemoration of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles; which occurred on the day of Pentecost; — called also Whitsunday. |
penthouse |
noun |
A shed or roof sloping from the main wall or building, as over a door or window; a lean-to. Also figuratively., Leaning; overhanging. |
pentoxide |
noun |
An oxide containing five atoms of oxygen in each molecule; as, phosphorus pentoxide, P2O5. |
pentrough |
noun |
A penstock. |
penultima |
noun |
Same as Penult. |
penurious |
adjective |
Excessively sparing in the use of money; sordid; stingy; miserly., Not bountiful or liberal; scanty., Destitute of money; suffering extreme want. |
peppering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pepper, Hot; pungent; peppery. |
peptonize |
verb t. |
To convert into peptone; to digest or dissolve by means of a proteolytic ferment; as, peptonized food. |
peptonoid |
noun |
A substance related to peptone. |
peraeopod |
noun |
One of the thoracic legs of a crustacean. See Illust. of Crustacea. |
peragrate |
verb t. |
To travel over or through. |
perameles |
noun |
Any marsupial of the genus Perameles, which includes numerous species found in Australia. They somewhat resemble rabbits in size and form. See Illust. under Bandicoot. |
perbromic |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or designating, the highest oxygen acid, HBrO4, of bromine. |
percaline |
noun |
A fine kind of French cotton goods, usually of one color. |
perceived |
imp. & past participle |
of Perceive |
perceiver |
noun |
One who perceives (in any of the senses of the verb). |
perchance |
adverb |
By chance; perhaps; peradventure. |
percheron |
noun |
One of a breed of draught horses originating in Perche, an old district of France; — called also Percheron-Norman. |
perciform |
adjective |
Pertaining to the Perciformes. |
percoidea |
noun pl. |
Same as Perciformes. |
percolate |
verb t. |
To cause to pass through fine interstices, as a liquor; to filter; to strain., To pass through fine interstices; to filter; as, water percolates through porous stone. |
percussed |
imp. & past participle |
of Percuss |
perdicine |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the family Perdicidae, or partridges. |
perdifoil |
noun |
A deciduous plant; — opposed to evergreen. |
perdition |
noun |
Entire loss; utter destruction; ruin; esp., the utter loss of the soul, or of final happiness in a future state; future misery or eternal death., Loss of diminution. |
perdulous |
adjective |
Lost; thrown away. |
peregrine |
adjective |
Foreign; not native; extrinsic or from without; exotic., The peregrine falcon. |
perennial |
adjective |
ing or continuing through the year; as, perennial fountains., Continuing without cessation or intermission; perpetual; unceasing; never failing., Continuing more than two years; as, a perennial steam, or root, or plant., A perennial plant; a plant which lives or continues more than two years, whether it retains its leaves in winter or not. |
perennity |
noun |
The quality of being perennial. |
perfected |
imp. & past participle |
of Perfect |
perfecter |
noun |
One who, or that which, makes perfect. |
perfectly |
adverb |
In a perfect manner or degree; in or to perfection; completely; wholly; throughly; faultlessly. |
perfervid |
adjective |
Very fervid; too fervid; glowing; ardent. |
perfidies |
plural |
of Perfidy |
perflable |
adjective |
Capable of being blown through. |
perforata |
noun pl. |
A division of corals including those that have a porous texture, as Porites and Madrepora; — opposed to Aporosa., A division of Foraminifera, including those having perforated shells. |
perforate |
verb |
To bore through; to pierce through with a pointed instrument; to make a hole or holes through by boring or piercing; to pierce or penetrate the surface of., Alt. of Perforated |
performed |
imp. & past participle |
of Perform |
performer |
noun |
One who performs, accomplishes, or fulfills; as, a good promiser, but a bad performer; especially, one who shows skill and training in any art; as, a performer of the drama; a performer on the harp. |
perfuming |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Perfume |
perfumery |
noun |
Perfumes, in general., The art of preparing perfumes. |
perfusing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Perfuse |
perfusion |
noun |
The act of perfusing. |
perfusive |
adjective |
Of a nature to flow over, or to spread through. |
periauger |
noun |
See Pirogue. |
periblast |
adjective |
The protoplasmic matter which surrounds the entoblast, or cell nucleus, and undergoes segmentation. |
peribolos |
noun |
In ancient architecture, an inclosed court, esp., one surrounding a temple. |
perichete |
noun |
Same as Perichaeth. |
periclase |
noun |
Alt. of Periclasite |
periculum |
noun |
Danger; risk., In a narrower, judicial sense: Accident or casus, as distinguished from dolus and culpa, and hence relieving one from the duty of performing an obligation. |
peridrome |
noun |
The space between the columns and the wall of the cella, in a Greek or a Roman temple. |
perigonia |
plural |
of Perigonium |
perigraph |
noun |
A careless or inaccurate delineation of anything. |
perigynia |
plural |
of Perigynium |
perihelia |
plural |
of Perihelium |
perilling |
|
of Peril |
perilymph |
noun |
The fluid which surrounds the membranous labyrinth of the internal ear, and separates it from the walls of the chambers in which the labyrinth lies. |
perimeter |
noun |
The outer boundary of a body or figure, or the sum of all the sides., An instrument for determining the extent and shape of the field of vision. |
perimetry |
noun |
The art of using the perimeter; measurement of the field of vision. |
perimorph |
noun |
A crystal of one species inclosing one of another species. See Endomorph. |
perinaeum |
noun |
See Perineum. |
periodate |
noun |
A salt of periodic acid. |
periodide |
noun |
An iodide containing a higher proportion of iodine than any other iodide of the same substance or series. |
perioplic |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the periople; connected with the periople. |
peripatus |
noun |
A genus of lowly organized arthropods, found in South Africa, Australia, and tropical America. It constitutes the order Malacopoda. |
periphery |
noun |
The outside or superficial portions of a body; the surface., The circumference of a circle, ellipse, or other figure. |
periplast |
noun |
Same as Periblast. |
periproct |
noun |
The region surrounding the anus, particularly of echinoderms. |
periscian |
adjective |
Having the shadow moving all around. |
periscope |
noun |
A general or comprehensive view., an optical instrument of tubular shape containing an arrangement of lenses and mirrors (or prisms), allowing a person to observe a field of view otherwise obstructed, as beyond an obstructing object or (as in submarines) above the surface of the water. |
perishing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Perish |
perisperm |
noun |
The albumen of a seed, especially that portion which is formed outside of the embryo sac. |
perispore |
noun |
The outer covering of a spore. |
peristole |
noun |
Peristaltic action, especially of the intestines. |
peristoma |
noun |
Same as Peristome. |
peristome |
noun |
The fringe of teeth around the orifice of the capsule of mosses. It consists of 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 teeth, and may be either single or double., The lip, or edge of the aperture, of a spiral shell., The membrane surrounding the mouth of an invertebrate animal. |
peristyle |
noun |
A range of columns with their entablature, etc.; specifically, a complete system of columns, whether on all sides of a court, or surrounding a building, such as the cella of a temple. Used in the former sense, it gives name to the larger and inner court of a Roman dwelling, the peristyle. See Colonnade. |
peritreme |
noun |
That part of the integument of an insect which surrounds the spiracles., The edge of the aperture of a univalve shell. |
perwigged |
imp. & past participle |
of Periwig |
perjuring |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Perjure |
perjurous |
adjective |
Guilty of perjury; containing perjury. |
perjuries |
plural |
of Perjury |
perkinism |
noun |
A remedial treatment, by drawing the pointed extremities of two rods, each of a different metal, over the affected part; tractoration, — first employed by Dr. Elisha Perkins of Norwich, Conn. See Metallotherapy. |
permanent |
adjective |
Continuing in the same state, or without any change that destroys form or character; remaining unaltered or unremoved; abiding; durable; fixed; stable; lasting; as, a permanent impression. |
permeable |
adjective |
Capable of being permeated, or passed through; yielding passage; passable; penetrable; — used especially of substances which allow the passage of fluids; as, wood is permeable to oil; glass is permeable to light. |
permeably |
adverb |
In a permeable manner. |
permeated |
imp. & past participle |
of Permeate |
permitted |
imp. & past participle |
of Permit |
permittee |
noun |
One to whom a permission or permit is given. |
permitter |
noun |
One who permits. |
pernicion |
noun |
Destruction; perdition. |
pernicity |
noun |
Swiftness; celerity. |
perpender |
noun |
A large stone reaching through a wall so as to appear on both sides of it, and acting as a binder; — called also perbend, perpend stone, and perpent stone. |
perpetual |
adjective |
Neverceasing; continuing forever or for an unlimited time; unfailing; everlasting; continuous. |
perplexed |
imp. & past participle |
of Perplex, Entangled, involved, or confused; hence, embarrassd; puzzled; doubtful; anxious. |
perplexly |
adverb |
Perplexedly. |
perradial |
adjective |
Situated around the radii, or radial tubes, of a radiate. |
perroquet |
noun |
See Paroquet, Parakeet. |
persecute |
verb t. |
To pursue in a manner to injure, grieve, or afflict; to beset with cruelty or malignity; to harass; especially, to afflict, harass, punish, or put to death, for adherence to a particular religious creed or mode of worship., To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy. |
persevere |
verb i. |
To persist in any business or enterprise undertaken; to pursue steadily any project or course begun; to maintain a purpose in spite of counter influences, opposition, or discouragement; not to give or abandon what is undertaken. |
persimmon |
noun |
An American tree (Diospyros Virginiana) and its fruit, found from New York southward. The fruit is like a plum in appearance, but is very harsh and astringent until it has been exposed to frost, when it becomes palatable and nutritious. |
persisted |
imp. & past participle |
of Persist |
personage |
noun |
Form, appearance, or belongings of a person; the external appearance, stature, figure, air, and the like, of a person., Character assumed or represented., A notable or distinguished person; a conspicious or peculiar character; as, an illustrious personage; a comely personage of stature tall. |
personate |
verb t. |
To celebrate loudly; to extol; to praise., To assume the character of; to represent by a fictitious appearance; to act the part of; hence, to counterfeit; to feign; as, he tried to personate his brother; a personated devotion., To set forth in an unreal character; to disguise; to mask., To personify; to typify; to describe., To play or assume a character., Having the throat of a bilabiate corolla nearly closed by a projection of the base of the lower lip; masked, as in the flower of the snapdragon. |
personify |
verb t. |
To regard, treat, or represent as a person; to represent as a rational being., To be the embodiment or personification of; to impersonate; as, he personifies the law. |
personize |
verb t. |
To personify. |
personnel |
noun |
The body of persons employed in some public service, as the army, navy, etc.; — distinguished from materiel. |
perspicil |
noun |
An optical glass; a telescope. |
perspired |
imp. & past participle |
of Perspire |
persuaded |
imp. & past participle |
of Persuade, Prevailed upon; influenced by argument or entreaty; convinced. |
persuader |
noun |
One who, or that which, persuades or influences. |
pertained |
imp. & past participle |
of Pertain |
pertinacy |
noun |
The quality or state of being pertinent; pertinence., Pertinacity. |
pertinate |
adjective |
Pertinacious. |
pertinent |
adjective |
Belonging or related to the subject or matter in hand; fit or appropriate in any way; adapted to the end proposed; apposite; material; relevant; as, pertinent illustrations or arguments; pertinent evidence., Regarding; concerning; belonging; pertaining. |
perturbed |
adjective |
Agitated; disturbed; troubled. |
perturber |
noun |
One who, or that which, perturbs, or cause perturbation. |
pertusate |
adjective |
Pierced at the apex. |
pertusion |
noun |
The act of punching or piercing with a pointed instrument; as, pertusion of a vein., A punched hole; a perforation. |
pertussis |
noun |
The whooping cough. |
pervading |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pervade |
pervasion |
noun |
The act of pervading, passing, or spreading through the whole extent of a thing. |
pervasive |
adjective |
Tending to pervade, or having power to spread throughout; of a pervading quality. |
perversed |
adjective |
Turned aside. |
perverted |
imp. & past participle |
of Pervert |
perverter |
noun |
One who perverts (a person or thing). |
pervicacy |
noun |
Pervicacity. |
pessaries |
plural |
of Pessary |
pessimism |
noun |
The opinion or doctrine that everything in nature is ordered for or tends to the worst, or that the world is wholly evil; — opposed to optimism., A disposition to take the least hopeful view of things. |
pessimist |
noun |
One who advocates the doctrine of pessimism; — opposed to optimist., One who looks on the dark side of things., Alt. of Pessimistic |
pessimize |
verb i. |
To hold or advocate the doctrine of pessimism. |
pestering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pester |
pesterous |
adjective |
Inclined to pester. Also, vexatious; encumbering; burdensome. |
pesthouse |
noun |
A house or hospital for persons who are infected with any pestilential disease. |
pestiduct |
noun |
That which conveys contagion or infection. |
pestilent |
adjective |
Pestilential; noxious; pernicious; mischievous. |
petardeer |
noun |
Alt. of Petardier |
petardier |
noun |
One who managed a petard. |
petaurist |
noun |
Any flying marsupial of the genera Petaurus, Phalangista, Acrobata, and allied genera. See Flying mouse, under Flying, and Phalangister. |
petechiae |
noun pl. |
Small crimson, purple, or livid spots, like flea-bites, due to extravasation of blood, which appear on the skin in malignant fevers, etc. |
petechial |
adjective |
Characterized by, or pertaining to, petechiae; spotted. |
petersham |
noun |
A rough, knotted woolen cloth, used chiefly for men’s overcoats; also, a coat of that material. |
peterwort |
noun |
See Saint Peter’s-wort, under Saint. |
petiolary |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to petiole, or proceeding from it; as, a petiolar tendril; growing or supported upon a petiole; as, a petiolar gland; a petiolar bud. |
petiolate |
adjective |
Alt. of Petiolated |
petiolule |
noun |
A small petiole, or the petiole of a leaflet. |
petralogy |
noun |
See Petrology. |
petrified |
imp. & past participle |
of Petrify |
petrogale |
noun |
Any Australian kangaroo of the genus Petrogale, as the rock wallaby (P. penicillata). |
petroleum |
noun |
Rock oil, mineral oil, or natural oil, a dark brown or greenish inflammable liquid, which, at certain points, exists in the upper strata of the earth, from whence it is pumped, or forced by pressure of the gas attending it. It consists of a complex mixture of various hydrocarbons, largely of the methane series, but may vary much in appearance, composition, and properties. It is refined by distillation, and the products include kerosene, benzine, gasoline, paraffin, etc. |
petroleur |
noun f. |
Alt. of Petroleuse |
petroline |
noun |
A paraffin obtained from petroleum from Rangoon in India, and practically identical with ordinary paraffin. |
petrology |
noun |
The department of science which is concerned with the mineralogical and chemical composition of rocks, and with their classification: lithology., A treatise on petrology. |
petticoat |
noun |
A loose under-garment worn by women, and covering the body below the waist. |
pettiness |
noun |
The quality or state of being petty or paltry; littleness; meanness. |
pettitoes |
noun pl. |
The toes or feet of a pig, — often used as food; sometimes, in contempt, the human feet. |
pettywhin |
noun |
The needle furze. See under Needle. |
petulance |
noun |
Alt. of Petulancy |
petulancy |
noun |
The quality or state of being petulant; temporary peevishness; pettishness; capricious ill humor. |
petulcity |
noun |
Wantonness; friskiness. |
petulcous |
adjective |
Wanton; frisky; lustful. |
pewfellow |
noun |
One who occupies the same pew with another., An intimate associate; a companion. |
phacellus |
noun |
One of the filaments on the inner surface of the gastric cavity of certain jellyfishes. |
phacolite |
noun |
A colorless variety of chabazite; the original was from Leipa, in Bohemia. |
phaeacian |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the Phaeacians, a fabulous seafaring people fond of the feast, the lyre, and the dance, mentioned by Homer. |
phaenogam |
noun |
Any plant of the class Phaenogamia. |
phagedena |
noun |
A canine appetite; bulimia., Spreading, obstinate ulceration. |
phagocyte |
noun |
A leucocyte which plays a part in retrogressive processes by taking up (eating), in the form of fine granules, the parts to be removed. |
phalaenid |
noun |
Any moth of the family Phalaenidae, of which the cankerworms are examples; a geometrid. |
phalangal |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the phalanges. See Phalanx, 2. |
phalanger |
noun |
Any marsupial belonging to Phalangista, Cuscus, Petaurus, and other genera of the family Phalangistidae. They are arboreal, and the species of Petaurus are furnished with lateral parachutes. See Flying phalanger, under Flying. |
phalanges |
noun |
pl. of Phalanx., of Phalanx |
phalangid |
noun |
One of the Phalangoidea. |
phalanxes |
plural |
of Phalanx |
phalarope |
noun |
Any species of Phalaropus and allied genera of small wading birds (Grallae), having lobate toes. They are often seen far from land, swimming in large flocks. Called also sea goose. |
phanerite |
adjective |
Evident; visible. |
phantasma |
noun |
A phantasm. |
pharaonic |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the Pharaohs, or kings of ancient Egypt. |
pharisaic |
adjective |
Alt. of Pharisaical |
pharisean |
adjective |
Following the practice of Pharisees; Pharisaic. |
pharmacon |
noun |
A medicine or drug; also, a poison. |
pharology |
noun |
The art or science which treats of lighthouses and signal lights. |
pharyngal |
adjective |
Pharyngeal. |
pharynges |
plural |
of Pharynx |
phaseless |
adjective |
Without a phase, or visible form. |
phaseolus |
noun |
A genus of leguminous plants, including the Lima bean, the kidney bean, the scarlet runner, etc. See Bean. |
phellogen |
noun |
The tissue of young cells which produces cork cells. |
phenacite |
noun |
A glassy colorless mineral occurring in rhombohedral crystals, sometimes used as a gem. It is a silicate of glucina, and receives its name from its deceptive similarity to quartz. |
phenician |
adjective & noun |
See Phoenician. |
phenicine |
noun |
A purple powder precipitated when a sulphuric solution of indigo is diluted with water., A coloring matter produced by the action of a mixture of strong nitric and sulphuric acids on phenylic alcohol. |
phenolate |
noun |
A compound of phenol analogous to a salt. |
phenomena |
plural |
of Phenomenon |
phenylene |
noun |
A hypothetic radical (C6H4) occurring in certain derivatives of benzene; as, phenylene diamine. |
philander |
verb i. |
To make love to women; to play the male flirt., A lover., A South American opossum (Didelphys philander)., An Australian bandicoot (Perameles lagotis). |
philately |
noun |
The collection of postage stamps of various issues. |
philatory |
noun |
A kind of transparent reliquary with an ornamental top. |
philippic |
noun |
Any one of the series of famous orations of Demosthenes, the Grecian orator, denouncing Philip, king of Macedon., Hence: Any discourse or declamation abounding in acrimonious invective. |
philister |
noun |
A Philistine; — a cant name given to townsmen by students in German universities. |
phillyrea |
noun |
A genus of evergreen plants growing along the shores of the Mediterranean, and breading a fruit resembling that of the olive. |
phillyrin |
noun |
A glucoside extracted from Phillyrea as a bitter white crystalline substance. It is sometimes used as a febrifuge. |
philogyny |
noun |
Fondness for women; uxoriousness; — opposed to misogyny. |
philology |
noun |
Criticism; grammatical learning., The study of language, especially in a philosophical manner and as a science; the investigation of the laws of human speech, the relation of different tongues to one another, and historical development of languages; linguistic science., A treatise on the science of language. |
philomath |
noun |
A lover of learning; a scholar. |
philomela |
noun |
The nightingale; philomel., A genus of birds including the nightingales. |
philomene |
noun |
The nightingale. |
philopena |
noun |
A present or gift which is made as a forfeit in a social game that is played in various ways; also, the game itself. |
philtered |
imp. & past participle |
of Philter |
phitoness |
noun |
Pythoness; witch. |
phlebitis |
noun |
Inflammation of a vein. |
phlogosis |
noun |
Inflammation of external parts of the body; erysipelatous inflammation. |
phlogotic |
noun |
Of or pertaining to phlogisis. |
phloretic |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or derived from, or designating, an organic acid obtained by the decomposition of phloretin. |
phloretin |
noun |
A bitter white crystalline substance obtained by the decomposition of phlorizin, and formerly used to some extent as a substitute for quinine. |
phlorizin |
noun |
A bitter white crystalline glucoside extracted from the root bark of the apple, pear, cherry, plum, etc. |
phocacean |
noun |
Any species of Phoca; a seal. |
phocodont |
noun |
One of the Phocodontia. |
pholadean |
noun |
Pholad. |
phonation |
noun |
The act or process by which articulate sounds are uttered; the utterance of articulate sounds; articulate speech. |
phonetics |
noun |
The doctrine or science of sounds; especially those of the human voice; phonology., The art of representing vocal sounds by signs and written characters. |
phonetism |
noun |
The science which treats of vocal sounds. |
phonetist |
noun |
One versed in phonetics; a phonologist., One who advocates a phonetic spelling. |
phonetize |
verb t. |
To represent by phonetic signs. |
phonogram |
noun |
A letter, character, or mark used to represent a particular sound., A record of sounds made by a phonograph. |
phonolite |
noun |
A compact, feldspathic, igneous rock containing nephelite, hauynite, etc. Thin slabs give a ringing sound when struck; — called also clinkstone. |
phonology |
noun |
The science or doctrine of the elementary sounds uttered by the human voice in speech, including the various distinctions, modifications, and combinations of tones; phonetics. Also, a treatise on sounds. |
phonotypr |
noun |
A type or character used in phonotypy. |
phonotypy |
noun |
A method of phonetic printing of the English language, as devised by Mr. Pitman, in which nearly all the ordinary letters and many new forms are employed in order to indicate each elementary sound by a separate character. |
phosphate |
noun |
A salt of phosphoric acid. |
phosphene |
noun |
A luminous impression produced through excitation of the retina by some cause other than the impingement upon it of rays of light, as by pressure upon the eyeball when the lids are closed. Cf. After-image. |
phosphide |
noun |
A binary compound of phosphorus. |
phosphine |
noun |
A colorless gas, PH3, analogous to ammonia, and having a disagreeable odor resembling that of garlic. Called also hydrogen phosphide, and formerly, phosphureted hydrogen. |
phosphite |
noun |
A salt of phosphorous acid. |
phosphori |
plural |
of Phosphorus |
photogene |
noun |
A photograph., A more or less continued impression or image on the retina. |
photogeny |
noun |
See Photography. |
photogram |
noun |
A photograph. |
photology |
noun |
The doctrine or science of light, explaining its nature and phenomena; optics. |
photopsia |
noun |
An affection of the eye, in which the patient perceives luminous rays, flashes, coruscations, etc. See phosphene. |
phototype |
noun |
A plate or block with a printing surface (usually in relief) obtained from a photograph; also, any one of the many methods of processes by which such a printing surface is obtained. |
phototypy |
noun |
The art or process of producing phototypes. |
phratries |
plural |
of Phratry |
phrenetic |
adjective |
Alt. of Phrenetical, One who is phrenetic. |
phrenitis |
noun |
Inflammation of the brain, or of the meninges of the brain, attended with acute fever and delirium; — called also cephalitis., See Frenzy. |
phrenosin |
noun |
A nitrogenous body, related to cerebrin, supposed to exist in the brain. |
phrensied |
past participle & adjective |
See Frenzied. |
phthalate |
noun |
A salt of phthalic acid. |
phthalein |
noun |
One of a series of artificial organic dyes made as condensation products of the phenols with phthalic acid, and well represented by phenol phthalein. Their alkaline solutions are fluorescent. |
phthalide |
noun |
A lactone obtained by reduction of phthalyl chloride, as a white crystalline substance; hence, by extension, any one of the series of which phthalide proper is the type. |
phthongal |
adjective |
Formed into, or characterized by, voice; vocalized; — said of all the vowels and the semivowels, also of the vocal or sonant consonants g, d, b, l, r, v, z, etc., A vocalized element or letter. |
phycology |
noun |
The science of algae, or seaweeds; algology. |
phylacter |
noun |
A phylactery. |
phylarchy |
noun |
The office of a phylarch; government of a class or tribe. |
phyllodia |
plural |
of Phyllodium |
phyllopod |
noun |
One of the Phyllopoda. [Also used adjectively.] |
phylogeny |
noun |
The history of genealogical development; the race history of an animal or vegetable type; the historic exolution of the phylon or tribe, in distinction from ontogeny, or the development of the individual organism, and from biogenesis, or life development generally. |
physaliae |
noun pl. |
An order of Siphonophora which includes Physalia. |
physician |
noun |
A person skilled in physic, or the art of healing; one duty authorized to prescribe remedies for, and treat, diseases; a doctor of medicine., Hence, figuratively, one who ministers to moral diseases; as, a physician of the soul. |
physicism |
noun |
The tendency of the mind toward, or its preoccupation with, physical phenomena; materialism in philosophy and religion. |
physicist |
noun |
One versed in physics., A believer in the theory that the fundamental phenomena of life are to be explained upon purely chemical and physical principles; — opposed to vitalist. |
physopoda |
noun pl. |
Same as Thysanoptera. |
phytogeny |
noun |
The doctrine of the generation of plants. |
phytolite |
noun |
An old name for a fossil plant. |
phytology |
noun |
The science of plants; a description of the kinds and properties of plants; botany. |
phytonomy |
noun |
The science of the origin and growth of plants. |
phytotomy |
noun |
The dissection of plants; vegetable anatomy. |
phytozoon |
noun |
A plantlike animal. The term is sometimes applied to zoophytes. |
piaculous |
adjective |
Same as Piacular. |
pia mater |
|
The delicate and highly vascular membrane immediately investing the brain and spinal cord. |
pickaback |
adverb |
On the back or shoulders; as, to ride pickback. |
pickapack |
adverb |
Pickaback. |
pickeered |
imp. & past participle |
of Pickeer |
pickeerer |
noun |
One who pickeers. |
pickering |
noun |
The sauger of the St.Lawrence River. |
picketing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Picket |
pickpenny |
noun |
A miser; also, a sharper. |
pickpurse |
noun |
One who steals purses, or money from purses. |
pickthank |
noun |
One who strives to put another under obligation; an officious person; hence, a flatterer. Used also adjectively. |
picktooth |
noun |
A toothpick. |
picnicked |
imp. & past participle |
of Picnic |
picnicker |
noun |
One who takes part in a picnic. |
picrolite |
noun |
A fibrous variety of serpentine. |
pictorial |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to pictures; illustrated by pictures; forming pictures; representing with the clearness of a picture; as, a pictorial dictionary; a pictorial imagination. |
picturing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Picture |
picturize |
verb t. |
To picture., To adorn with pictures. |
pieceless |
adjective |
Not made of pieces; whole; entire. |
piecemeal |
adverb |
In pieces; in parts or fragments., Piece by piece; by little and little in succession., Made up of parts or pieces; single; separate., A fragment; a scrap. |
piecework |
noun |
Work done by the piece or job; work paid for at a rate based on the amount of work done, rather than on the time employed. |
piedouche |
noun |
A pedestal of small size, used to support small objects, as busts, vases, and the like. |
piedstall |
noun |
See Pedestal. |
piepoudre |
noun |
Alt. of Piepowder |
piepowder |
noun |
An ancient court of record in England, formerly incident to every fair and market, of which the steward of him who owned or had the toll was the judge. |
pietistic |
adjective |
Alt. of Pietistical |
piggeries |
plural |
of Piggery |
pig-jawed |
adjective |
Having the upper jaw projecting beyond the lower, with the upper incisors in advance of the lower; — said of dogs. |
pigmental |
adjective |
Alt. of Pigmentary |
pigmented |
adjective |
Colored; specifically (Biol.), filled or imbued with pigment; as, pigmented epithelial cells; pigmented granules. |
pignerate |
verb t. |
To pledge or pawn., to receive in pawn, as a pawnbroker does. |
pigtailed |
adjective |
Having a tail like a pig’s; as, the pigtailed baboon. |
pikestaff |
noun |
The staff, or shaft, of a pike., A staff with a spike in the lower end, to guard against slipping. |
pikrolite |
noun |
See Picrolite. |
pileiform |
adjective |
Having the form of a pileus or cap; pileate. |
pile-worn |
adjective |
Having the pile worn off; threadbare. |
pilfering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pilfer, Thieving in a small way., Petty theft. |
pilgarlic |
noun |
One who has lost his hair by disease; a sneaking fellow, or one who is hardly used. |
pillaging |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pillage |
pillarist |
noun |
See Stylite. |
pilleries |
plural |
of Pillery |
pillorize |
verb t. |
To set in, or punish with, the pillory; to pillory. |
pillories |
plural |
of Pillory |
pilloried |
imp. & past participle |
of Pillory |
pillowing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pillow |
pimpernel |
noun |
A plant of the genus Anagallis, of which one species (A. arvensis) has small flowers, usually scarlet, but sometimes purple, blue, or white, which speedily close at the approach of bad weather. |
pinacolin |
noun |
A colorless oily liquid related to the ketones, and obtained by the decomposition of pinacone; hence, by extension, any one of the series of which pinacolin proper is the type. |
pince-nez |
noun |
Eyeglasses kept on the nose by a spring. |
pinchbeck |
noun |
An alloy of copper and zinc, resembling gold; a yellow metal, composed of about three ounces of zinc to a pound of copper. It is much used as an imitation of gold in the manufacture of cheap jewelry., Made of pinchbeck; sham; cheap; spurious; unreal. |
pinchcock |
noun |
A clamp on a flexible pipe to regulate the flow of a fluid through the pipe. |
pinchfist |
noun |
A closefisted person; a miser. |
pincoffin |
noun |
A commercial preparation of garancin, yielding fine violet tints. |
pindarism |
noun |
Imitation of Pindar. |
pindarist |
noun |
One who imitates Pindar. |
pineapple |
noun |
A tropical plant (Ananassa sativa); also, its fruit; — so called from the resemblance of the latter, in shape and external appearance, to the cone of the pine tree. Its origin is unknown, though conjectured to be American. |
pineaster |
noun |
See Pinaster. |
pine-clad |
adjective |
Alt. of Pine-crowned |
pinedrops |
noun |
A reddish herb (Pterospora andromedea) of the United States, found parasitic on the roots of pine trees. |
pinefinch |
noun |
A small American bird (Spinus, / Chrysomitris, spinus); — called also pine siskin, and American siskin., The pine grosbeak. |
pinioning |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pinion |
pinionist |
noun |
Any winged creature. |
pink-eyed |
adjective |
Having small eyes. |
pinnacled |
imp. & past participle |
of Pinnacle |
pinnately |
adverb |
In a pinnate manner. |
pinniform |
adjective |
Shaped like a fin or feather. |
pinnulate |
adjective |
Having each pinna subdivided; — said of a leaf, or of its pinnae. |
pioneered |
imp. & past participle |
of Pioneer |
pipe clay |
|
A plastic, unctuous clay of a grayish white color, — used in making tobacco pipes and various kinds of earthenware, in scouring cloth, and in cleansing soldiers’ equipments. |
pipelayer |
|
Alt. of Pipe layer |
pipemouth |
noun |
Any fish of the genus Fistularia; — called also tobacco pipefish. See Fistularia. |
piperidge |
noun |
Same as Pepperidge. |
piperonal |
noun |
A white crystalline substance obtained by oxidation of piperic acid, and regarded as a complex aldehyde. |
pipestone |
noun |
A kind of clay slate, carved by the Indians into tobacco pipes. Cf. Catlinite. |
pipistrel |
noun |
Alt. of Pipistrelle |
piquantly |
adverb |
In a piquant manner. |
piqueerer |
noun |
See Pickeerer. |
pirameter |
noun |
A dynamometer for ascertaining the power required to draw carriages over roads. |
piratical |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to a pirate; acquired by, or practicing, piracy; as, a piratical undertaking. |
piririgua |
noun |
A South American bird (Guira guira) allied to the cuckoos. |
pirouette |
noun |
A whirling or turning on the toes in dancing., The whirling about of a horse., To perform a pirouette; to whirl, like a dancer. |
piscation |
noun |
Fishing; fishery. |
piscatory |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to fishes or fishing. |
pisciform |
adjective |
Having the form of a fish; resembling a fish. |
pisolitic |
adjective |
Composed of, containing, or resembling, pisolite. |
pisophalt |
noun |
Pissasphalt. |
pistachio |
noun |
The nut of the Pistacia vera, a tree of the order Anacardiaceae, containing a kernel of a pale greenish color, which has a pleasant taste, resembling that of the almond, and yields an oil of agreeable taste and odor; — called also pistachio nut. It is wholesome and nutritive. The tree grows in Arabia, Persia, Syria, and Sicily. |
pistacite |
noun |
Epidote. |
pistareen |
noun |
An old Spanish silver coin of the value of about twenty cents. |
pistazite |
noun |
Same as Pistacite. |
pistoling |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pistol |
pistolade |
noun |
A pistol shot. |
pistoleer |
noun |
One who uses a pistol. |
pitchfork |
noun |
A fork, or farming utensil, used in pitching hay, sheaves of grain, or the like., To pitch or throw with, or as with, a pitchfork. |
pitch-ore |
noun |
Pitchblende. |
pitchwork |
noun |
The work of a coal miner who is paid by a share of his product. |
pithecoid |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the genus Pithecia, or subfamily Pithecinae, which includes the saki, ouakari, and other allied South American monkeys., Of or pertaining to the anthropoid apes in particular, or to the higher apes of the Old World, collectively. |
pithiness |
noun |
The quality or state of being pithy. |
pituitary |
adjective |
Secreting mucus or phlegm; as, the pituitary membrane, or the mucous membrane which lines the nasal cavities., Of or pertaining to the pituitary body; as, the pituitary fossa. |
pituitous |
adjective |
Consisting of, or resembling, pituite or mucus; full of mucus; discharging mucus. |
pizzicato |
|
A direction to violinists to pluck the string with the finger, instead of using the bow. (Abrev. pizz.) |
placarded |
imp. & past participle |
of Placard |
placating |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Placate |
placation |
noun |
The act of placating. |
placeless |
adjective |
Having no place or office. |
placement |
noun |
The act of placing, or the state of being placed., Position; place. |
placentae |
plural |
of Placenta |
placentas |
plural |
of Placenta |
placental |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the placenta; having, or characterized by having, a placenta; as, a placental mammal., Of or pertaining to the Placentalia., One of the Placentalia. |
placidity |
noun |
The quality or state of being placid; calmness; serenity. |
placitory |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to pleas or pleading, in courts of law. |
placoderm |
noun |
One of the Placodermi. |
placoides |
noun pl. |
A group of fishes including the sharks and rays; the Elasmobranchii; — called also Placoidei. |
plagueful |
adjective |
Abounding, or infecting, with plagues; pestilential; as, plagueful exhalations. |
plainness |
noun |
The quality or state of being plain. |
plainsman |
noun |
One who lives in the plains. |
plaintful |
adjective |
Containing a plaint; complaining; expressing sorrow with an audible voice. |
plaintiff |
noun |
One who commences a personal action or suit to obtain a remedy for an injury to his rights; — opposed to defendant., See Plaintive. |
plaintive |
noun |
Repining; complaining; lamenting., Expressive of sorrow or melancholy; mournful; sad. |
plaisance |
noun |
See Pleasance. |
planariae |
plural |
of Planaria |
planarian |
noun |
One of the Planarida, or Dendrocoela; any turbellarian worm. |
planarida |
noun pl. |
A division of Turbellaria; the Dendrocoela. |
planching |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Planch, The laying of floors in a building; also, a floor of boards or planks. |
planetary |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the planets; as, planetary inhabitants; planetary motions; planetary year., Consisting of planets; as, a planetary system., Under the dominion or influence of a planet., Caused by planets., Having the nature of a planet; erratic; revolving; wandering. |
planetoid |
noun |
A body resembling a planet; an asteroid. |
planetule |
noun |
A little planet. |
plangency |
noun |
The quality or state of being plangent; a beating sound. |
planiform |
adjective |
Having a plane surface; as, a planiform, gliding, or arthrodial articulation. |
planished |
imp. & past participle |
of Planish |
planisher |
noun |
One who, or that which, planishes. |
planorbis |
noun |
Any fresh-water air-breathing mollusk belonging to Planorbis and other allied genera, having shells of a discoidal form. |
plantable |
adjective |
Capable of being planted; fit to be planted. |
planticle |
noun |
A young plant, or plant in embryo. |
plantless |
adjective |
Without plants; barren of vegetation. |
plasmatic |
adjective |
Alt. of Plasmatical |
plasmator |
noun |
A former; a fashioner. |
plasmodia |
plural |
of Plasmodium |
plasmogen |
noun |
The important living portion of protoplasm, considered a chemical substance of the highest elaboration. Germ plasm and idioplasm are forms of plasmogen. |
plastered |
imp. & past participle |
of Plaster |
plasterer |
noun |
One who applies plaster or mortar., One who makes plaster casts. |
plasterly |
adjective |
Resembling plaster of Paris. |
plastical |
adjective |
See Plastic. |
platanist |
noun |
The soosoo. |
platefuls |
plural |
of Plateful |
platinize |
verb t. |
To cover or combine with platinum. |
platinode |
noun |
A cathode. |
platinoid |
adjective |
Resembling platinum., An alloy of German silver containing tungsten; — used for forming electrical resistance coils and standards. |
platinous |
adjective |
Of, pertaining to, or containing, platinum; — used specifically to designate those compounds in which the element has a lower valence, as contrasted with the platinic compounds; as, platinous chloride (PtCl2). |
platitude |
noun |
The quality or state of being flat, thin, or insipid; flat commonness; triteness; staleness of ideas of language., A thought or remark which is flat, dull, trite, or weak; a truism; a commonplace. |
platonism |
noun |
The doctrines or philosophy by Plato or of his followers., An elevated rational and ethical conception of the laws and forces of the universe; sometimes, imaginative or fantastic philosophical notions. |
platonist |
noun |
One who adheres to the philosophy of Plato; a follower of Plato. |
platonize |
verb i. |
To adopt the opinion of Plato or his followers., To explain by, or accomodate to, the Platonic philosophy. |
platypoda |
noun pl. |
Same as Prosobranchiata. |
plausible |
adjective |
Worthy of being applauded; praiseworthy; commendable; ready., Obtaining approbation; specifically pleasing; apparently right; specious; as, a plausible pretext; plausible manners; a plausible delusion., Using specious arguments or discourse; as, a plausible speaker. |
plausibly |
adverb |
In a plausible manner., Contentedly, readily. |
playgoing |
adjective |
Frequenting playhouses; as, the playgoing public., The practice of going to plays. |
playhouse |
noun |
A building used for dramatic exhibitions; a theater., A house for children to play in; a toyhouse. |
playmaker |
noun |
A playwright. |
plaything |
noun |
A thing to play with; a toy; anything that serves to amuse. |
pleaching |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pleach |
pleadable |
adjective |
Capable of being pleaded; capable of being alleged in proof, defense, or vindication; as, a right or privilege pleadable at law. |
pleadings |
noun pl. |
The mutual pleas and replies of the plaintiff and defendant, or written statements of the parties in support of their claims, proceeding from the declaration of the plaintiff, until issue is joined, and the question made to rest on some single point. |
pleasance |
noun |
Pleasure; merriment; gayety; delight; kindness., A secluded part of a garden. |
pleaseman |
noun |
An officious person who courts favor servilely; a pickthank. |
pleasured |
imp. & past participle |
of Pleasure |
pleasurer |
noun |
A pleasure seeker. |
plegepoda |
noun pl. |
Same as Infusoria. |
pleiocene |
adjective |
See Pliocene. |
plenarily |
adverb |
In a plenary manner. |
plenicorn |
noun |
A ruminant having solid horns or antlers, as the deer. |
plenilune |
noun |
The full moon. |
plenitude |
noun |
The quality or state of being full or complete; fullness; completeness; abundance; as, the plenitude of space or power., Animal fullness; repletion; plethora. |
plenteous |
adjective |
Containing plenty; abundant; copious; plentiful; sufficient for every purpose; as, a plenteous supply., Yielding abundance; productive; fruitful., Having plenty; abounding; rich. |
plentiful |
adjective |
Containing plenty; copious; abundant; ample; as, a plentiful harvest; a plentiful supply of water., Yielding abundance; prolific; fruitful., Lavish; profuse; prodigal. |
pleonaste |
noun |
A black variety of spinel. |
plethoric |
adjective |
Haeving a full habit of body; characterized by plethora or excess of blood; as, a plethoric constitution; — used also metaphorically. |
pleuritic |
adjective |
Alt. of Pleuritical |
pleuritis |
noun |
Pleurisy. |
plexiform |
adjective |
Like network; complicated. |
plication |
noun |
A folding or fold; a plait. |
plicature |
noun |
A fold; a doubling; a plication. |
plighting |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Plight |
pletinian |
adjective |
Of pertaining to the Plotinists or their doctrines. |
plotinist |
noun |
A disciple of Plotinus, a celebrated Platonic philosopher of the third century, who taught that the human soul emanates from the divine Being, to whom it reunited at death. |
ploughing |
|
of Plough |
ploughboy |
noun |
A boy that drives or guides a team in plowing; a young rustic. |
plougland |
noun |
Land that is plowed, or suitable for tillage., the quantity of land allotted for the work of one plow; a hide. |
ploughman |
noun |
One who plows, or who holds and guides a plow; hence, a husbandman., A rustic; a countryman; a field laborer. |
plowpoint |
noun |
Alt. of Ploughpoint |
plowshare |
noun |
Alt. of Ploughshare |
pluckless |
adjective |
Without pluck; timid; faint-hearted. |
plumbagin |
noun |
A crystalline substance said to be found in the root of a certain plant of the Leadwort (Plumbago) family. |
plumbeous |
adjective |
Consisting of, or resembling, lead., Dull; heavy; stupid. |
plumeless |
adjective |
Without plumes. |
plumicorn |
noun |
An ear tuft of feathers, as in the horned owls. |
plumosite |
noun |
Same as Jamesonite. |
plumosity |
noun |
The quality or state of being plumose. |
plumpness |
noun |
The quality or state of being plump. |
plumulose |
adjective |
Having hairs branching out laterally, like the parts of a feather. |
plundered |
imp. & past participle |
of Plunder |
plunderer |
noun |
One who plunders or pillages. |
pluralism |
noun |
The quality or state of being plural, or in the plural number., The state of a pluralist; the holding of more than one ecclesiastical living at a time. |
pluralist |
noun |
A clerk or clergyman who holds more than one ecclesiastical benefice. |
plurality |
noun |
The state of being plural, or consisting of more than one; a number consisting of two or more of the same kind; as, a plurality of worlds; the plurality of a verb., The greater number; a majority; also, the greatest of several numbers; in elections, the excess of the votes given for one candidate over those given for another, or for any other, candidate. When there are more than two candidates, the one who receives the plurality of votes may have less than a majority. See Majority., See Plurality of benefices, below. |
pluralize |
verb t. |
To make plural by using the plural termination; to attribute plurality to; to express in the plural form., To multiply; to make manifold., To take a plural; to assume a plural form; as, a noun pluralizes., To hold more than one benefice at the same time. |
plutarchy |
noun |
Plutocracy; the rule of wealth. |
pluteuses |
plural |
of Pluteus |
plutocrat |
noun |
One whose wealth gives him power or influence; one of the plutocracy. |
plutology |
noun |
The science which treats of wealth. |
plutonian |
adjective |
Plutonic., A Plutonist. |
plutonism |
noun |
The theory, early advanced in geology, that the successive rocks of the earth’s crust were formed by igneous fusion; — opposed to the Neptunian theory. |
plutonist |
noun |
One who adopts the geological theory of igneous fusion; a Plutonian. See Plutonism. |
pneometer |
noun |
A spirometer. |
pneumatic |
adjective |
Alt. of Pneumatical |
pneumato- |
|
A combining form from Gr. pney^ma, pney`matos, wind, air, breath, respiration; as, pneumatograph, pneumatology. |
pneumonia |
noun |
Inflammation of the lungs. |
pneumonic |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the lungs; pulmonic., Of or pertaining to pneumonia; as, pneumonic symptoms., A medicine for affections of the lungs. |
pnigalion |
noun |
Nightmare. |
pockarred |
adjective |
See Pockmarked. |
pocketing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pocket |
pocketful |
noun |
As much as a pocket will hold; enough to fill a pocket; as, pocketfuls of chestnuts. |
pockiness |
noun |
The state of being pocky. |
podagrous |
adjective |
Gouty; podagric. |
podarthra |
plural |
of Podarthrum |
podetiums |
plural |
of Podetium |
podoscaph |
noun |
A canoe-shaped float attached to the foot, for walking on water. |
podosperm |
noun |
The stalk of a seed or ovule. |
podotheca |
noun |
The scaly covering of the foot of a bird or reptile. |
poenology |
noun |
See Penology. |
poetaster |
noun |
An inferior rhymer, or writer of verses; a dabbler in poetic art. |
poetastry |
noun |
The works of a poetaster. |
poeticule |
noun |
A poetaster. |
poetizing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Poetize |
poignancy |
noun |
The quality or state of being poignant; as, the poignancy of satire; the poignancy of grief. |
poinciana |
noun |
A prickly tropical shrub (Caesalpinia, formerly Poinciana, pulcherrima), with bipinnate leaves, and racemes of showy orange-red flowers with long crimson filaments. |
pointless |
adjective |
Having no point; blunt; wanting keenness; obtuse; as, a pointless sword; a pointless remark. |
pointsman |
noun |
A man who has charge of railroad points or switches. |
poisoning |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Poison |
poisonous |
adjective |
Having the qualities or effects of poison; venomous; baneful; corrupting; noxious. |
polarized |
imp. & past participle |
of Polarize |
polarizer |
noun |
That which polarizes; especially, the part of a polariscope which receives and polarizes the light. It is usually a reflecting plate, or a plate of some crystal, as tourmaline, or a doubly refracting crystal. |
polemarch |
noun |
In Athens, originally, the military commanderin-chief; but, afterward, a civil magistrate who had jurisdiction in respect of strangers and sojourners. In other Grecian cities, a high military and civil officer. |
polemical |
adjective |
Polemic; controversial; disputatious. |
polewards |
adverb |
Toward a pole of the earth. |
polianite |
noun |
Manganese dioxide, occurring in tetragonal crystals nearly as hard as quartz. |
policemen |
plural |
of Policeman |
policeman |
noun |
A member of a body of police; a constable. |
policying |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Policy |
polishing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Polish, a. & n. from Polish. |
politesse |
noun |
Politeness. |
political |
adjective |
Having, or conforming to, a settled system of administration., Of or pertaining to public policy, or to politics; relating to affairs of state or administration; as, a political writer., Of or pertaining to a party, or to parties, in the state; as, his political relations were with the Whigs., Politic; wise; also, artful. |
politicly |
adverb |
In a politic manner; sagaciously; shrewdly; artfully. |
pollarded |
imp. & past participle |
of Pollard |
pollenize |
verb t. |
To supply with pollen; to impregnate with pollen. |
pollicate |
adjective |
Having a curved projection or spine on the inner side of a leg joint; — said of insects. |
pollinate |
adjective |
Pollinose., To apply pollen to (a stigma). |
pollinium |
noun |
A coherent mass of pollen, as in the milkweed and most orchids. |
pollinose |
adjective |
Having the surface covered with a fine yellow dust, like pollen. |
pollucite |
noun |
A colorless transparent mineral, resembling quartz, occurring with castor or castorite on the island of Elba. It is a silicate of alumina and caesia. Called also pollux. |
polluting |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pollute, Adapted or tending to pollute; causing defilement or pollution. |
pollution |
noun |
The act of polluting, or the state of being polluted (in any sense of the verb); defilement; uncleanness; impurity., The emission of semen, or sperm, at other times than in sexual intercourse. |
polonaise |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the Poles, or to Poland., The Polish language., An article of dress for women, consisting of a body and an outer skirt in one piece., A stately Polish dance tune, in 3-4 measure, beginning always on the beat with a quaver followed by a crotchet, and closing on the beat after a strong accent on the second beat; also, a dance adapted to such music; a polacca. |
polt-foot |
adjective |
Alt. of Polt-footed |
polverine |
noun |
Glassmaker’s ashes; a kind of potash or pearlash, brought from the Levant and Syria, — used in the manufacture of fine glass. |
polyacron |
noun |
A solid having many summits or angular points; a polyhedron. |
polyandry |
noun |
The possession by a woman of more than one husband at the same time; — contrasted with monandry. |
polyarchy |
noun |
A government by many persons, of whatever order or class. |
polybasic |
adjective |
Capable of neutralizing, or of combining with, several molecules of a monacid base; having several hydrogen atoms capable of being replaced by basic radicals; — said of certain acids; as, sulphuric acid is polybasic. |
polychord |
adjective |
Having many strings., A musical instrument of ten strings., An apparatus for coupling two octave notes, capable of being attached to a keyed instrument. |
polyconic |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or based upon, many cones. |
polycracy |
noun |
Government by many rulers; polyarchy. |
polyedron |
noun |
See Polyhedron. |
polyeidic |
adjective |
Passing through several distinct larval forms; — having several distinct kinds of young. |
polygalic |
adjective |
Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, Polygala; specifically, designating an acrid glucoside (called polygalic acid, senegin, etc.), resembling, or possibly identical with, saponin. |
polygamia |
noun pl. |
A Linnaean class of plants, characterized by having both hermaphrodite and unisexual flowers on the same plant., A name given by Linnaeus to file orders of plants having syngenesious flowers. |
polygenic |
adjective |
Of or relating to polygeny; polygenetic. |
polygonal |
adjective |
Having many angles. |
polygonum |
noun |
A genus of plants embracing a large number of species, including bistort, knotweed, smartweed, etc. |
polygraph |
noun |
An instrument for multiplying copies of a writing; a manifold writer; a copying machine., In bibliography, a collection of different works, either by one or several authors., An instrument for detecting deceptive statements by a subject, by measuring several physiological states of the subject, such as pulse, heartbeat, and sweating. The instrument records these parameters on a strip of paper while the subject is asked questions designed to elicit emotional responses when the subject tries to deceive the interrogator. Also called lie detector |
polygynia |
noun pl. |
A Linnaean order of plants having many styles. |
polyhedra |
plural |
of Polyhedron |
polymathy |
noun |
The knowledge of many arts and sciences; variety of learning. |
polymeric |
adjective |
Having the same percentage composition (that is, having the same elements united in the same proportion by weight), but different molecular weights; — often used with with; thus, cyanic acid (CNOH), fulminic acid (C2N2O2H2), and cyanuric acid (C3N3O3H3), are polymeric with each other. |
polymnite |
noun |
A stone marked with dendrites and black lines, and so disposed as to represent rivers, marshes, etc. |
polymorph |
noun |
A substance capable of crystallizing in several distinct forms; also, any one of these forms. Cf. Allomorph. |
polymyoid |
adjective |
Having numerous vocal muscles; of or pertaining to the Polymyodae. |
polyonomy |
noun |
The use of a variety of names for the same object. |
polyorama |
noun |
A view of many objects; also, a sort of panorama with dissolving views. |
polyphagy |
noun |
The practice or faculty of subsisting on many kinds of food. |
polyphone |
noun |
A character or vocal sign representing more than one sound, as read, which is pronounced red. |
polyphony |
noun |
Multiplicity of sounds, as in the reverberations of an echo., Plurality of sounds and articulations expressed by the same vocal sign., Composition in mutually related, equally important parts which share the melody among them; contrapuntal composition; — opposed to homophony, in which the melody is given to one part only, the others filling out the harmony. See Counterpoint. |
polyphore |
noun |
A receptacle which bears many ovaries. |
polypidom |
noun |
A coral, or corallum; also, one of the coral-like structure made by bryozoans and hydroids. |
polyporus |
noun |
A genus of fungi having the under surface full of minute pores; also, any fungus of this genus. |
polypuses |
plural |
of Polypus |
polyscope |
noun |
A glass which makes a single object appear as many; a multiplying glass., An apparatus for affording a view of the different cavities of the body. |
polyspast |
noun |
A machine consisting of many pulleys; specifically, an apparatus formerly used for reducing luxations. |
polystome |
adjective |
Having many mouths., An animal having many mouths; — applied to Protozoa. |
polystyle |
adjective |
Having many columns; — said of a building, especially of an interior part or court; as, a polystyle hall., A polystyle hall or edifice. |
polytyped |
imp. & past participle |
of Polytype |
polyzoary |
noun |
The compound organism of a polyzoan. |
polyzonal |
adjective |
Consisting of many zones or rings. |
pomaceous |
adjective |
Like an apple or pear; producing pomes., Of or pertaining to a suborder (Pomeae) of rosaceous plants, which includes the true thorn trees, the quinces, service berries, medlars, and loquats, as well as the apples, pears, crabs, etc., Like pomace. |
pomewater |
noun |
A kind of sweet, juicy apple. |
pommelled |
|
of Pommel |
pommeling |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pommel |
pommelion |
noun |
The cascabel, or hindmost knob, of a cannon. |
pompadour |
noun |
A crimson or pink color; also, a style of dress cut low and square in the neck; also, a mode of dressing the hair by drawing it straight back from the forehead over a roll; — so called after the Marchioness de Pompadour of France. Also much used adjectively. |
pompholyx |
noun |
Impure zinc oxide., A skin disease in which there is an eruption of bullae, without inflammation or fever. |
pompoleon |
noun |
See Pompelmous. |
pomposity |
noun |
The quality or state of being pompous; pompousness. |
pondering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Ponder, Deliberating. |
ponderary |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to weight; as, a ponderary system. |
ponderate |
verb t. |
To consider; to ponder., To have weight or influence. |
ponderous |
adjective |
Very heavy; weighty; as, a ponderous shield; a ponderous load; the ponderous elephant., Important; momentous; forcible., Heavy; dull; wanting; lightless or spirit; as, a ponderous style; a ponderous joke. |
poniarded |
imp. & past participle |
of Poniard |
pontifice |
noun |
Bridgework; structure or edifice of a bridge. |
pontlevis |
noun |
The action of a horse in rearing repeatedly and dangerously. |
ponvolant |
noun |
A kind of light bridge, used in sieges, for surprising a post or outwork which has but a narrow moat; a flying bridge. |
pooh-pooh |
verb t. |
To make light of; to treat with derision or contempt, as if by saying pooh! pooh! |
poorhouse |
noun |
A dwelling for a number of paupers maintained at public expense; an almshouse; a workhouse. |
poor-john |
noun |
A small European fish, similar to the cod, but of inferior quality. |
poor-will |
noun |
A bird of the Western United States (Phalaenoptilus Nutalli) allied to the whip-poor-will. |
popliteal |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the ham; in the region of the ham, or behind the knee joint; as, the popliteal space. |
poppyhead |
noun |
A raised ornament frequently having the form of a final. It is generally used on the tops of the upright ends or elbows which terminate seats, etc., in Gothic churches. |
populares |
noun pl. |
The people or the people’s party, in ancient Rome, as opposed to the optimates. |
popularly |
adverb |
In a popular manner; so as to be generally favored or accepted by the people; commonly; currently; as, the story was popularity reported. |
populated |
imp. & past participle |
of Populate |
populator |
noun |
One who populates. |
porbeagle |
noun |
A species of shark (Lamna cornubica), about eight feet long, having a pointed nose and a crescent-shaped tail; — called also mackerel shark. |
porcelain |
noun |
Purslain., A fine translucent or semitransculent kind of earthenware, made first in China and Japan, but now also in Europe and America; — called also China, or China ware. |
porcupine |
noun |
Any Old Word rodent of the genus Hystrix, having the back covered with long, sharp, erectile spines or quills, sometimes a foot long. The common species of Europe and Asia (Hystrix cristata) is the best known., Any species of Erethizon and related genera, native of America. They are related to the true porcupines, but have shorter spines, and are arboreal in their habits. The Canada porcupine (Erethizon dorsatus) is a well known species. |
poreblind |
adjective |
Nearsighted; shortsighted; purblind. |
poriferan |
noun |
One of the Polifera. |
porporino |
noun |
A composition of quicksilver, tin, and sulphur, forming a yellow powder, sometimes used by mediaeval artists, for the sake of economy, instead of gold. |
porringer |
noun |
A porridge dish; esp., a bowl or cup from which children eat or are fed; as, a silver porringer. |
portative |
adjective |
Portable., Capable of holding up or carrying; as, the portative force of a magnet, of atmospheric pressure, or of capillarity. |
portcluse |
noun |
A portcullis. |
portended |
imp. & past participle |
of Portend |
porterage |
noun |
The work of a porter; the occupation of a carrier or of a doorkeeper., Money charged or paid for the carriage of burdens or parcels by a porter. |
porteress |
noun |
See Portress. |
portfolio |
noun |
A portable case for holding loose papers, prints, drawings, etc., Hence: The office and functions of a minister of state or member of the cabinet; as, to receive the portfolio of war; to resign the portfolio. |
portglave |
noun |
A sword bearer. |
portgreve |
|
Alt. of Portgrave |
portgrave |
|
In old English law, the chief magistrate of a port or maritime town.; a portreeve. |
porticoes |
plural |
of Portico |
porticoed |
adjective |
Furnished with a portico. |
portingal |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to Portugal; Portuguese., A Portuguese. |
portioned |
imp. & past participle |
of Portion |
portioner |
noun |
One who portions., See Portionist, 2. |
portrayed |
imp. & past participle |
of Portray |
portrayal |
noun |
The act or process of portraying; description; delineation. |
portrayer |
noun |
One who portrays. |
portreeve |
noun |
A port warden. |
portulaca |
noun |
A genus of polypetalous plants; also, any plant of the genus. |
posologic |
adjective |
Alt. of Posological |
pospolite |
noun |
A kind of militia in Poland, consisting of the gentry, which, in case of invasion, was summoned to the defense of the country. |
possessed |
imp. & past participle |
of Possess |
possessor |
noun |
One who possesses; one who occupies, holds, owns, or controls; one who has actual participation or enjoyment, generally of that which is desirable; a proprietor. |
posseting |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Posset |
postaxial |
adjective |
Situated behind any transverse axis in the body of an animal; caudal; posterior; especially, behind, or on the caudal or posterior (that is, ulnar or fibular) side of, the axis of a vertebrate limb. |
postcavae |
plural |
of Postcava |
postcornu |
noun |
The posterior horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain. |
postdated |
imp. & past participle |
of Postdate |
postentry |
noun |
A second or subsequent, at the customhouse, of goods which had been omitted by mistake., An additional or subsequent entry. |
posterior |
adjective |
Later in time; hence, later in the order of proceeding or moving; coming after; — opposed to prior., Situated behind; hinder; — opposed to anterior., At or toward the caudal extremity; caudal; — in human anatomy often used for dorsal., On the side next the axis of inflorescence; — said of an axillary flower. |
posterity |
noun |
The race that proceeds from a progenitor; offspring to the furthest generation; the aggregate number of persons who are descended from an ancestor of a generation; descendants; — contrasted with ancestry; as, the posterity of Abraham., Succeeding generations; future times. |
postexist |
verb i. |
To exist after; to live subsequently. |
post-fine |
noun |
A duty paid to the king by the cognizee in a fine of lands, when the same was fully passed; — called also the king’s silver. |
postfixes |
plural |
of Postfix |
postfurca |
noun |
One of the internal thoracic processes of the sternum of an insect. |
posthaste |
noun |
Haste or speed in traveling, like that of a post or courier., With speed or expedition; as, he traveled posthaste; to send posthaste. |
posthouse |
noun |
A house established for the convenience of the post, where relays of horses can be obtained., A house for distributing the malls; a post office. |
posthumed |
adjective |
Posthumous. |
postilled |
|
of Postil |
postiling |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Postil |
postilion |
noun |
One who rides and guides the first pair of horses of a coach or post chaise; also, one who rides one of the horses when one pair only is used. |
postnares |
noun pl. |
The posterior nares. See Nares. |
postnatal |
adjective |
After birth; subsequent to birth; as, postnatal infanticide; postnatal diseases. |
post note |
|
A note issued by a bank, payable at some future specified time, as distinguished from a note payable on demand. |
post-obit |
|
Alt. of Post-obit bond |
postponed |
imp. & past participle |
of Postpone |
postponer |
noun |
One who postpones. |
postposed |
imp. & past participle |
of Postpose |
postposit |
verb t. |
To postpone. |
postrider |
noun |
One who rides over a post road to carry the mails. |
postulant |
noun |
One who makes a request or demand; hence, a candidate. |
postulate |
noun |
Something demanded or asserted; especially, a position or supposition assumed without proof, or one which is considered as self-evident; a truth to which assent may be demanded or challenged, without argument or evidence., The enunciation of a self-evident problem, in distinction from an axiom, which is the enunciation of a self-evident theorem., Postulated., To beg, or assume without proof; as, to postulate conclusions., To take without express consent; to assume., To invite earnestly; to solicit. |
postulata |
plural |
of Postulatum |
postumous |
adjective |
See Posthumous. |
posturing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Posture |
pottassic |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or containing, potassium. |
potassium |
noun |
An Alkali element, occurring abundantly but always combined, as in the chloride, sulphate, carbonate, or silicate, in the minerals sylvite, kainite, orthoclase, muscovite, etc. Atomic weight 39.0. Symbol K (Kalium). |
pot-belly |
noun |
A protuberant belly. |
potboiler |
noun |
A term applied derisively to any literary or artistic work, and esp. a painting, done simply for money and the means of living. |
potentacy |
noun |
Sovereignty. |
potentate |
adjective |
One who is potent; one who possesses great power or sway; a prince, sovereign, or monarch. |
potential |
adjective |
Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result; efficacious; influential., Existing in possibility, not in actuality., Anything that may be possible; a possibility; potentially., In the theory of gravitation, or of other forces acting in space, a function of the rectangular coordinates which determine the position of a point, such that its differential coefficients with respect to the coordinates are equal to the components of the force at the point considered; — also called potential function, or force function. It is called also Newtonian potential when the force is directed to a fixed center and is inversely as the square of the distance from the center., The energy of an electrical charge measured by its power to do work; hence, the degree of electrification as referred to some standard, as that of the earth; electro-motive force. |
potentize |
verb t. |
To render the latent power of (anything) available. |
potestate |
noun |
A chief ruler; a potentate. [Obs.] Wyclif. |
pothecary |
noun |
An apothecary. |
pothering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pother |
potpourri |
noun |
A medley or mixture., A ragout composed of different sorts of meats, vegetables, etc., cooked together., A jar or packet of flower leaves, perfumes, and spices, used to scent a room., A piece of music made up of different airs strung together; a medley., A literary production composed of parts brought together without order or bond of connection. |
pottering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Potter |
potteries |
plural |
of Pottery |
poudrette |
noun |
A manure made from night soil, dried and mixed with charcoal, gypsum, etc. |
pouldavis |
noun |
Same as Poledavy. |
poulterer |
noun |
One who deals in poultry. |
poulticed |
imp. & past participle |
of Poultice |
poundcake |
noun |
A kind of rich, sweet cake; — so called from the ingredients being used by pounds, or in equal quantities. |
poundrate |
noun |
A rate or proportion estimated at a certain amount for each pound; poundage. |
pourparty |
noun |
A division; a divided share. |
pourpoint |
noun |
A quilted military doublet or gambeson worn in the 14th and 15th centuries; also, a name for the doublet of the 16th and 17th centuries worn by civilians. |
poussette |
noun |
A movement, or part of a figure, in the contradance., To perform a certain movement in a dance. |
poutingly |
adverb |
In a pouting, or a sullen, manner. |
powdering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Powder, a. & n. from Powder, v. t. |
powerable |
adjective |
Capable of being effected or accomplished by the application of power; possible., Capable of exerting power; powerful. |
powerless |
adjective |
Destitute of power, force, or energy; weak; impotent; not able to produce any effect. |
poy nette |
noun |
A bodkin. |
pozzolana |
noun |
Volcanic ashes from Pozzuoli, in Italy, used in the manufacture of a kind of mortar which hardens under water. |
practical |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to practice or action., Capable of being turned to use or account; useful, in distinction from ideal or theoretical; as, practical chemistry., Evincing practice or skill; capable of applying knowledge to some useful end; as, a practical man; a practical mind., Derived from practice; as, practical skill. |
practiced |
imp. & past participle |
of Practice, Experienced; expert; skilled; as, a practiced marksman., Used habitually; learned by practice. |
practicer |
noun |
One who practices, or puts in practice; one who customarily performs certain acts., One who exercises a profession; a practitioner., One who uses art or stratagem. |
praecoces |
noun pl. |
A division of birds including those whose young are able to run about when first hatched. |
praecornu |
noun |
The anterior horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain. |
praemolar |
adjective |
See Premolar. |
praemorse |
adjective |
Same as Premorse. |
praemnire |
verb t. |
The subject to the penalties of praemunire. |
praenares |
noun pl. |
The anterior nares. See Nares. |
praenasal |
adjective |
Same as Prenasal. |
praenomen |
noun |
The first name of a person, by which individuals of the same family were distinguished, answering to our Christian name, as Caius, Lucius, Marcus, etc. |
praetexta |
noun |
A white robe with a purple border, worn by a Roman boy before he was entitled to wear the toga virilis, or until about the completion of his fourteenth year, and by girls until their marriage. It was also worn by magistrates and priests. |
praetores |
noun pl. |
A division of butterflies including the satyrs. |
pragmatic |
adjective |
Alt. of Pragmatical, One skilled in affairs., A solemn public ordinance or decree. |
praisable |
adjective |
Fit to be praised; praise-worthy; laudable; commendable. |
praisably |
adverb |
In a praisable manner. |
praiseful |
adjective |
Praiseworthy., Praiseworthy. |
prakritic |
adjective |
Pertaining to Prakrit. |
prasinous |
adjective |
Grass-green; clear, lively green, without any mixture. |
pratingly |
adverb |
With idle talk; with loquacity. |
prattling |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Prattle |
prayerful |
adjective |
Given to prayer; praying much or often; devotional. |
prayingly |
adverb |
With supplication to God. |
preaching |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Preach, The act of delivering a religious discourse; the art of sermonizing; also, a sermon; a public religious discourse; serious, earnest advice. |
preachify |
verb i. |
To discourse in the manner of a preacher. |
preachmen |
plural |
of Preachman |
preachman |
noun |
A preacher; — so called in contempt. |
preaction |
noun |
Previous action. |
preadamic |
adjective |
Prior to Adam. |
preaortic |
adjective |
In front, or on the ventral side, of the aorta. |
preataxic |
adjective |
Occurring before the symptom ataxia has developed; — applied to the early symptoms of locomotor ataxia. |
prebendal |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to a prebend; holding a prebend; as, a prebendal priest or stall. |
precation |
noun |
The act of praying; supplication; entreaty. |
preceding |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Precede, Going before; — opposed to following., In the direction toward which stars appear to move. See Following, 2. |
precedent |
adjective |
Going before; anterior; preceding; antecedent; as, precedent services., Something done or said that may serve as an example to authorize a subsequent act of the same kind; an authoritative example., A preceding circumstance or condition; an antecedent; hence, a prognostic; a token; a sign., A rough draught of a writing which precedes a finished copy., A judicial decision which serves as a rule for future determinations in similar or analogous cases; an authority to be followed in courts of justice; forms of proceeding to be followed in similar cases. |
precentor |
noun |
A leader of a choir; a directing singer., The leader of the choir in a cathedral; — called also the chanter or master of the choir., The leader of the congregational singing in Scottish and other churches. |
preceptor |
noun |
One who gives commands, or makes rules; specifically, the master or principal of a school; a teacher; an instructor., The head of a preceptory among the Knights Templars. |
precessor |
noun |
A predecessor. |
precipice |
noun |
A sudden or headlong fall., A headlong steep; a very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging place; an abrupt declivity; a cliff. |
precisian |
noun |
One who limits, or restrains., An overprecise person; one rigidly or ceremoniously exact in the observance of rules; a formalist; — formerly applied to the English Puritans. |
precision |
noun |
The quality or state of being precise; exact limitation; exactness; accuracy; strict conformity to a rule or a standard; definiteness. |
precisive |
adjective |
Cutting off; (Logic) exactly limiting by cutting off all that is not absolutely relative to the purpose; as, precisive censure; precisive abstraction. |
precluded |
imp. & past participle |
of Preclude |
precocity |
noun |
The quality or state of being precocious; untimely ripeness; premature development, especially of the mental powers; forwardness. |
preconize |
verb t. |
To approve by preconization. |
precrural |
adjective |
Situated in front of the leg or thigh; as, the precrural glands of the horse. |
precurrer |
noun |
A precursor. |
precursor |
noun |
One who, or that which, precedes an event, and indicates its approach; a forerunner; a harbinger. |
predacean |
noun |
A carnivorous animal. |
predation |
noun |
The act of pillaging. |
predatory |
adjective |
Characterized by plundering; practicing rapine; plundering; pillaging; as, a predatory excursion; a predatory party., Hungry; ravenous; as, predatory spirits., Living by preying upon other animals; carnivorous. |
predefine |
verb t. |
To define beforehand. |
predesign |
verb t. |
To design or purpose beforehand; to predetermine. |
predicant |
adjective |
Predicating; affirming; declaring; proclaiming; hence; preaching., One who predicates, affirms, or proclaims; specifically, a preaching friar; a Dominican. |
predicate |
verb t. |
To assert to belong to something; to affirm (one thing of another); as, to predicate whiteness of snow., To found; to base., To affirm something of another thing; to make an affirmation., That which is affirmed or denied of the subject. In these propositions, “Paper is white,” “Ink is not white,” whiteness is the predicate affirmed of paper and denied of ink., The word or words in a proposition which express what is affirmed of the subject., Predicated. |
predicted |
imp. & past participle |
of Predict |
predictor |
noun |
One who predicts; a foreteller. |
predigest |
verb t. |
To subject (food) to predigestion or artificial digestion. |
predilect |
verb t. |
To elect or choose beforehand. |
predorsal |
adjective |
Situated in front of the back; immediately in front, or on the ventral side the dorsal part of the vertebral column. |
preemploy |
verb t. |
To employ beforehand. |
preempted |
imp. & past participle |
of Preempt |
preengage |
verb t. |
To engage by previous contract; to bind or attach previously; to preoccupy. |
prefacing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Preface |
prefatory |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a preface; introductory to a book, essay, or discourse; as, prefatory remarks. |
preferred |
imp. & past participle |
of Prefer |
preferrer |
noun |
One who prefers. |
prefident |
adjective |
Trusting beforehand; hence, overconfident. |
prefigure |
verb t. |
To show, suggest, or announce, by antecedent types and similitudes; to foreshadow. |
prefinite |
adjective |
Prearranged. |
prefixing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Prefix |
prefixion |
noun |
The act of prefixing. |
pregnable |
adjective |
Capable of being entered, taken, or captured; expugnable; as, a pregnable fort. |
pregnance |
noun |
Pregnancy. |
pregnancy |
noun |
The condition of being pregnant; the state of being with young., Figuratively: The quality of being heavy with important contents, issue, significance, etc.; unusual consequence or capacity; fertility. |
prehallux |
noun |
An extra first toe, or rudiment of a toe, on the preaxial side of the hallux. |
prehnitic |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or designating, a tetrabasic acid of benzene obtained as a white crystalline substance; — probably so called from the resemblance of the wartlike crystals to the mammillae on the surface of prehnite. |
prejudged |
imp. & past participle |
of Prejudge |
prejudice |
noun |
Foresight., An opinion or judgment formed without due examination; prejudgment; a leaning toward one side of a question from other considerations than those belonging to it; an unreasonable predilection for, or objection against, anything; especially, an opinion or leaning adverse to anything, without just grounds, or before sufficient knowledge., A bias on the part of judge, juror, or witness which interferes with fairness of judgment., Mischief; hurt; damage; injury; detriment., To cause to have prejudice; to prepossess with opinions formed without due knowledge or examination; to bias the mind of, by hasty and incorrect notions; to give an unreasonable bent to, as to one side or the other of a cause; as, to prejudice a critic or a juryman., To obstruct or injure by prejudices, or by previous bias of the mind; hence, generally, to hurt; to damage; to injure; to impair; as, to prejudice a good cause. |
prelacies |
plural |
of Prelacy |
prelatess |
noun |
A woman who is a prelate; the wife of a prelate. |
prelatial |
adjective |
Prelatical. |
prelation |
noun |
The setting of one above another; preference. |
prelatism |
noun |
Prelacy; episcopacy. |
prelatist |
noun |
One who supports of advocates prelacy, or the government of the church by prelates; hence, a high-churchman. |
prelatize |
verb t. |
To bring under the influence of prelacy., To uphold or encourage prelacy; to exercise prelatical functions. |
prelature |
noun |
Alt. of Prelatureship |
prelected |
imp. & past participle |
of Prelect |
prelector |
noun |
A reader of lectures or discourses; a lecturer. |
preluding |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Prelude |
preludial |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to a prelude; of the nature of a prelude; introductory. |
prelumbar |
adjective |
Situated immediately in front of the loins; — applied to the dorsal part of the abdomen. |
prelusive |
adjective |
Of the nature of a prelude; introductory; indicating that something of a like kind is to follow. |
prelusory |
adjective |
Introductory; prelusive. |
premature |
adjective |
Mature or ripe before the proper time; as, the premature fruits of a hotbed., Happening, arriving, existing, or performed before the proper or usual time; adopted too soon; too early; untimely; as, a premature fall of snow; a premature birth; a premature opinion; premature decay., Arriving or received without due authentication or evidence; as, a premature report. |
premising |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Premise |
premonish |
verb t. |
To forewarn; to admonish beforehand. |
premosaic |
adjective |
Relating to the time before Moses; as, premosaic history. |
premotion |
noun |
Previous motion or excitement to action. |
premunire |
noun |
See Praemunire. |
premunite |
verb t. |
To fortify beforehand; to guard against objection. |
prenostic |
noun |
A prognostic; an omen. |
prenotion |
noun |
A notice or notion which precedes something else in time; previous notion or thought; foreknowledge. |
preobtain |
verb t. |
To obtain beforehand. |
preoccupy |
verb t. |
To take possession of before another; as, to preoccupy a country not before held., To prepossess; to engage, occupy, or engross the attention of, beforehand; hence, to prejudice. |
preocular |
adjective |
Placed just in front of the eyes, as the antennae of certain insects., One of the scales just in front of the eye of a reptile or fish. |
preoption |
noun |
Right of first choice. |
preordain |
verb t. |
To ordain or appoint beforehand: to predetermine: to foreordain. |
preparing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Prepare |
prepaying |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Prepay |
prepenial |
adjective |
Situated in front of, or anterior to, the penis. |
preponder |
verb t. |
To preponderate. |
prepostor |
noun |
See Prepositor. |
prepotent |
adjective |
Very powerful; superior in force, influence, or authority; predominant., Characterized by prepotency. |
preputial |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the prepuce. |
preremote |
adjective |
More remote in previous time or prior order. |
presaging |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Presage |
presbyope |
noun |
One who has presbyopia; a farsighted person. |
presbyopy |
noun |
See Presbyopia. |
presbyter |
noun |
An elder in the early Christian church. See 2d Citation under Bishop, n., 1., One ordained to the second order in the ministry; — called also priest., A member of a presbytery whether lay or clerical., A Presbyterian. |
presbytia |
noun |
Presbyopia. |
presbytic |
adjective |
Same as Presbyopic. |
prescient |
adjective |
Having knowledge of coming events; foreseeing; conscious beforehand. |
prescribe |
verb t. |
To lay down authoritatively as a guide, direction, or rule of action; to impose as a peremptory order; to dictate; to appoint; to direct., To direct, as a remedy to be used by a patient; as, the doctor prescribed quinine., To give directions; to dictate., To influence by long use, To write or to give medical directions; to indicate remedies; as, to prescribe for a patient in a fever., To claim by prescription; to claim a title to a thing on the ground of immemorial use and enjoyment, that is, by a custom having the force of law. |
prescript |
adjective |
Directed; prescribed., Direction; precept; model prescribed., A medical prescription. |
prescutum |
noun |
The first of the four pieces composing the dorsal part, or tergum, of a thoracic segment of an insect. It is usually small and inconspicuous. |
preseance |
noun |
Priority of place in sitting. |
preselect |
verb t. |
To select beforehand. |
presented |
imp. & past participle |
of Present |
presentee |
verb t. |
One to whom something is presented; also, one who is presented; specifically (Eccl.), one presented to benefice. |
presenter |
noun |
One who presents. |
presently |
adverb |
At present; at this time; now., At once; without delay; forthwith; also, less definitely, soon; shortly; before long; after a little while; by and by., With actual presence; actually . |
preserved |
imp. & past participle |
of Preserve |
preserver |
noun |
One who, or that which, preserves, saves, or defends, from destruction, injury, or decay; esp., one who saves the life or character of another., One who makes preserves of fruit. |
presiding |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Preside, a. & n. from Preside. |
president |
noun |
Precedent., Occupying the first rank or chief place; having the highest authority; presiding., One who is elected or appointed to preside; a presiding officer, as of a legislative body., The chief officer of a corporation, company, institution, society, or the like., The chief executive officer of the government in certain republics; as, the president of the United States., A protector; a guardian; a presiding genius. |
presidial |
adjective |
Alt. of Presidiary |
presidary |
noun |
A guard. |
prespinal |
adjective |
Prevertebral. |
pressgang |
noun |
See Press gang, under Press. |
presspack |
verb t. |
To pack, or prepare for packing, by means of a press. |
presswork |
noun |
The art of printing from the surface of type, plates, or engravings in relief, by means of a press; the work so done. |
prestable |
adjective |
Payable. |
presultor |
noun |
A leader in the dance. |
presuming |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Presume |
pretended |
imp. & past participle |
of Pretend, Making a false appearance; unreal; false; as, pretended friend. |
pretender |
noun |
One who lays claim, or asserts a title (to something); a claimant., The pretender (Eng. Hist.), the son or the grandson of James II., the heir of the royal family of Stuart, who laid claim to the throne of Great Britain, from which the house was excluded by law., One who pretends, simulates, or feigns. |
pretensed |
adjective |
Pretended; feigned. |
preterist |
noun |
One whose chief interest is in the past; one who regards the past with most pleasure or favor., One who believes the prophecies of the Apocalypse to have been already fulfilled. |
preterite |
adjective & noun |
Same as Preterit. |
pretermit |
verb t. |
To pass by; to omit; to disregard. |
pretibial |
adjective |
Situated in front of the tibia. |
pretorial |
adjective |
Pretorian. |
pretorian |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to a pretor or magistrate; judicial; exercised by, or belonging to, a pretor; as, pretorian power or authority., A soldier of the pretorian guard. |
pretorium |
noun |
The general’s tent in a Roman camp; hence, a council of war, because held in the general’s tent., The official residence of a governor of a province; hence, a place; a splendid country seat. |
prettyish |
adjective |
Somewhat pretty. |
prettyism |
noun |
Affectation of a pretty style, manner, etc. |
pretypify |
verb t. |
To prefigure; to exhibit previously in a type. |
prevailed |
imp. & past participle |
of Prevail |
prevalent |
adjective |
Gaining advantage or superiority; having superior force, influence, or efficacy; prevailing; predominant; successful; victorious., Most generally received or current; most widely adopted or practiced; also, generally or extensively existing; widespread; prevailing; as, a prevalent observance; prevalent disease. |
prevented |
imp. & past participle |
of Prevent |
preventer |
noun |
One who goes before; one who forestalls or anticipates another., One who prevents or obstructs; a hinderer; that which hinders; as, a preventer of evils or of disease., An auxiliary rope to strengthen a mast. |
prevision |
noun |
Foresight; foreknowledge; prescience. |
prevoyant |
adjective |
Foreseeing; prescient. |
prewarned |
imp. & past participle |
of Prewarn |
pricasour |
noun |
A hard rider. |
priceless |
adjective |
Too valuable to admit of being appraised; of inestimable worth; invaluable., Of no value; worthless. |
prickling |
adjective |
Prickly. |
pricksong |
verb t. |
Music written, or noted, with dots or points; — so called from the points or dots with which it is noted down. |
prickwood |
noun |
A shrub (Euonymus Europaeus); — so named from the use of its wood for goads, skewers, and shoe pegs. Called also spindle tree. |
prideless |
adjective |
Without pride. |
pridingly |
adverb |
Proudly. |
priestcap |
noun |
A form of redan, so named from its shape; — called also swallowtail. |
priestery |
noun |
Priests, collectively; the priesthood; — so called in contempt. |
priestess |
noun |
A woman who officiated in sacred rites among pagans. |
priesting |
noun |
The office of a priest. |
priestism |
noun |
The influence, doctrines, principles, etc., of priests or the priesthood. |
primality |
noun |
The quality or state of being primal. |
primarily |
adverb |
In a primary manner; in the first place; in the first place; in the first intention; originally. |
primaries |
plural |
of Primary |
primatial |
adjective |
Primatical. |
primeness |
noun |
The quality or state of being first., The quality or state of being prime, or excellent. |
primerole |
noun |
See Primrose. |
primevous |
adjective |
Primeval. |
primipara |
noun |
A woman who bears a child for the first time. |
primitiae |
plural |
of Primitia |
primitias |
plural |
of Primitia |
primitial |
adjective |
Being of the first production; primitive; original. |
primitive |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the beginning or origin, or to early times; original; primordial; primeval; first; as, primitive innocence; the primitive church., Of or pertaining to a former time; old-fashioned; characterized by simplicity; as, a primitive style of dress., Original; primary; radical; not derived; as, primitive verb in grammar., An original or primary word; a word not derived from another; — opposed to derivative. |
princedom |
noun |
The jurisdiction, sovereignty, rank, or estate of a prince. |
princekin |
noun |
A petty prince; a princeling. |
princelet |
noun |
A petty prince. |
princesse |
adjective |
A term applied to a lady’s long, close-fitting dress made with waist and skirt in one. |
principal |
adjective |
Highest in rank, authority, character, importance, or degree; most considerable or important; chief; main; as, the principal officers of a Government; the principal men of a state; the principal productions of a country; the principal arguments in a case., Of or pertaining to a prince; princely., A leader, chief, or head; one who takes the lead; one who acts independently, or who has controlling authority or influence; as, the principal of a faction, a school, a firm, etc.; — distinguished from a subordinate, abettor, auxiliary, or assistant., The chief actor in a crime, or an abettor who is present at it, — as distinguished from an accessory., A chief obligor, promisor, or debtor, — as distinguished from a surety., One who employs another to act for him, — as distinguished from an agent., A thing of chief or prime importance; something fundamental or especially conspicuous., A capital sum of money, placed out at interest, due as a debt or used as a fund; — so called in distinction from interest or profit., The construction which gives shape and strength to a roof, — generally a truss of timber or iron, but there are roofs with stone principals. Also, loosely, the most important member of a piece of framing., In English organs the chief open metallic stop, an octave above the open diapason. On the manual it is four feet long, on the pedal eight feet. In Germany this term corresponds to the English open diapason., A heirloom; a mortuary., The first two long feathers of a hawk’s wing., One of turrets or pinnacles of waxwork and tapers with which the posts and center of a funeral hearse were formerly crowned., A principal or essential point or rule; a principle. |
principia |
noun pl. |
First principles; fundamental beginnings; elements; as. Newton’s Principia. |
principle |
noun |
Beginning; commencement., A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause., An original faculty or endowment., A fundamental truth; a comprehensive law or doctrine, from which others are derived, or on which others are founded; a general truth; an elementary proposition; a maxim; an axiom; a postulate., A settled rule of action; a governing law of conduct; an opinion or belief which exercises a directing influence on the life and behavior; a rule (usually, a right rule) of conduct consistently directing one’s actions; as, a person of no principle., Any original inherent constituent which characterizes a substance, or gives it its essential properties, and which can usually be separated by analysis; — applied especially to drugs, plant extracts, etc., To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles; to impress with any tenet, or rule of conduct, good or ill. |
printless |
adjective |
Making no imprint., Making no imprint. |
printshop |
noun |
A shop where prints are sold. |
priorship |
noun |
The state or office of prior; priorate. |
prismatic |
adjective |
Alt. of Prismatical |
prisoning |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Prison |
privacies |
plural |
of Privacy |
privateer |
noun |
An armed private vessel which bears the commission of the sovereign power to cruise against the enemy. See Letters of marque, under Marque., The commander of a privateer., To cruise in a privateer. |
privately |
adverb |
In a private manner; not openly; without the presence of others., In a manner affecting an individual; personally not officially; as, he is not privately benefited. |
privation |
noun |
The act of depriving, or taking away; hence, the depriving of rank or office; degradation in rank; deprivation., The state of being deprived or destitute of something, especially of something required or desired; destitution; need; as, to undergo severe privations., The condition of being absent; absence; negation. |
privative |
adjective |
Causing privation; depriving., Consisting in the absence of something; not positive; negative., Implying privation or negation; giving a negative force to a word; as, alpha privative; privative particles; — applied to such prefixes and suffixes as a- (Gr. /), un-, non-, -less., That of which the essence is the absence of something., A term indicating the absence of any quality which might be naturally or rationally expected; — called also privative term., A privative prefix or suffix. See Privative, a., 3. |
privilege |
noun |
A peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity not enjoyed by others or by all; special enjoyment of a good, or exemption from an evil or burden; a prerogative; advantage; franchise., See Call, Put, Spread, etc., To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize; as, to privilege representatives from arrest., To bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver. |
privities |
plural |
of Privity |
probality |
noun |
Probability. |
probation |
noun |
The act of proving; also, that which proves anything; proof., Any proceeding designed to ascertain truth, to determine character, qualification, etc.; examination; trial; as, to engage a person on probation., The novitiate which a person must pass in a convent, to probe his or her virtue and ability to bear the severities of the rule., The trial of a ministerial candidate’s qualifications prior to his ordination, or to his settlement as a pastor., Moral trial; the state of man in the present life, in which he has the opportunity of proving his character, and becoming qualified for a happier state. |
probative |
adjective |
Serving for trial or proof; probationary; as, probative judgments; probative evidence. |
probatory |
adjective |
Serving for trial; probationary., Pertaining to, or serving for, proof. |
probeagle |
noun |
See Porbeagle. |
proboscis |
noun |
A hollow organ or tube attached to the head, or connected with the mouth, of various animals, and generally used in taking food or drink; a snout; a trunk., By extension, applied to various tubelike mouth organs of the lower animals that can be everted or protruded., The nose. |
procacity |
noun |
Forwardness; pertness; petulance. |
procedure |
noun |
The act or manner of proceeding or moving forward; progress; process; operation; conduct., A step taken; an act performed; a proceeding; the steps taken in an action or other legal proceeding., That which results; issue; product. |
proceeded |
imp. & past participle |
of Proceed |
proceeder |
noun |
One who proceeds. |
procerite |
noun |
The segment next to the flagellum of the antennae of Crustacea. |
procerity |
noun |
Height of stature; tallness. |
proclitic |
adjective |
Leaning forward; — said of certain monosyllabic words which are so closely attached to the following word as not to have a separate accent. |
procoelia |
noun |
Same as Procoele., A division of Crocodilia, including the true crocodiles and alligators, in which the dorsal vertebrae are concave in front. |
proconsul |
noun |
An officer who discharged the duties of a consul without being himself consul; a governor of, or a military commander in, a province. He was usually one who had previously been consul. |
procreant |
adjective |
Generating; producing; productive; fruitful; assisting in procreation., One who, or that which, procreates. |
procreate |
verb t. |
To generate and produce; to beget; to engender. |
proctitis |
noun |
Inflammation of the rectum. |
proctucha |
noun pl. |
A division of Turbellaria including those that have an intestine terminating posteriorly., The Nemertina. |
procuracy |
noun |
The office or act of a proctor or procurator; management for another., Authority to act for another; a proxy. |
procuring |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Procure |
procuress |
noun |
A female procurer, or pander. |
prodigate |
verb t. |
To squander. |
prodigies |
plural |
of Prodigy |
prodition |
noun |
Disclosure; treachery; treason. |
proditory |
adjective |
Treacherous. |
prodromal |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to prodromes; as, the prodromal stage of a disease. |
prodromus |
noun |
A prodrome., A preliminary course or publication; — used esp. in the titles of elementary works. |
producing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Produce |
producent |
noun |
One who produces, or offers to notice. |
productus |
noun |
An extinct genus of brachiopods, very characteristic of the Carboniferous rocks. |
proembryo |
noun |
The series of cells formed in the ovule of a flowering plant after fertilization, but before the formation of the embryo., The primary growth from the spore in certain cryptogamous plants; as, the proembryo, or protonema, of mosses. |
profanate |
verb t. |
To profane. |
profaning |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Profane |
profanely |
adverb |
In a profane manner. |
profanity |
noun |
The quality or state of being profane; profaneness; irreverence; esp., the use of profane language; blasphemy., That which is profane; profane language or acts. |
professed |
imp. & past participle |
of Profess |
provessel |
adjective |
Openly declared, avowed, acknowledged, or claimed; as, a professed foe; a professed tyrant; a professed Christian. |
professor |
noun |
One who professed, or makes open declaration of, his sentiments or opinions; especially, one who makes a public avowal of his belief in the Scriptures and his faith in Christ, and thus unites himself to the visible church., One who professed, or publicly teaches, any science or branch of learning; especially, an officer in a university, college, or other seminary, whose business it is to read lectures, or instruct students, in a particular branch of learning; as a professor of theology, of botany, of mathematics, or of political economy. |
proffered |
imp. & past participle |
of Proffer |
profferer |
noun |
One who proffers something. |
profiling |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Profile, In the construction of fieldworks, the erection at proper intervals of wooden profiles, to show to the workmen the sectional form of the parapets at those points. |
profilist |
noun |
One who takes profiles. |
profiting |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Profit, Gain; advantage; profit. |
profluent |
adjective |
Flowing forward, |
profusely |
adverb |
In a profuse manner. |
profusion |
noun |
The act of one who is profuse; a lavishing or pouring out without sting., Abundance; exuberant plenty; lavish supply; as, a profusion of commodities. |
profusive |
adjective |
Profuse; lavish; prodigal. |
prognathi |
noun pl. |
A comprehensive group of mankind, including those that have prognathous jaws. |
prognosis |
noun |
The act or art of foretelling the course and termination of a disease; also, the outlook afforded by this act of judgment; as, the prognosis of hydrophobia is bad. |
programma |
noun |
Any law, which, after it had passed the Athenian senate, was fixed on a tablet for public inspection previously to its being proposed to the general assembly of the people., An edict published for public information; an official bulletin; a public proclamation., See Programme., A preface. |
programme |
noun |
That which is written or printed as a public notice or advertisement; a scheme; a prospectus; especially, a brief outline or explanation of the order to be pursued, or the subjects embraced, in any public exercise, performance, or entertainment; a preliminary sketch. |
projected |
imp. & past participle |
of Project |
projector |
noun |
One who projects a scheme or design; hence, one who forms fanciful or chimerical schemes. |
prolapsus |
noun |
Prolapse. |
prolation |
noun |
The act of prolating or pronouncing; utterance; pronunciation., The act of deferring; delay., A mediaeval method of determining of the proportionate duration of semibreves and minims. |
prolegate |
noun |
The deputy or substitute for a legate. |
prolepsis |
noun |
A figure by which objections are anticipated or prevented., A necessary truth or assumption; a first or assumed principle., An error in chronology, consisting in an event being dated before the actual time., The application of an adjective to a noun in anticipation, or to denote the result, of the action of the verb; as, to strike one dumb. |
proleptic |
adjective |
Alt. of Proleptical |
proletary |
noun |
A citizen of the lowest class, who served the state, not with property, but only by having children; hence, a common person. |
prolicide |
noun |
The crime of destroying one’s offspring, either in the womb or after birth. |
prolixity |
noun |
The quality or state of being prolix; great length; minute detail; as, prolixity in discourses and writings. |
prologize |
verb i. |
To deliver a Prologue. |
prologued |
imp. & past participle |
of Prologue |
prolonged |
imp. & past participle |
of Prolong |
prolonger |
noun |
One who, or that which, causes an extension in time or space. |
prolusion |
noun |
A trial before the principal performance; a prelude; hence, an introductory essay or exercise. |
promenade |
noun |
A walk for pleasure, display, or exercise., A place for walking; a public walk., To walk for pleasure, display, or exercise. |
promerops |
noun |
Any one of several species of very brilliant birds belonging to Promerops, Epimarchus, and allied genera, closely related to the paradise birds, and mostly native of New Guinea. They have a long curved beak and a long graduated tail. |
promethea |
noun |
A large American bombycid moth (Callosamia promethea). Its larva feeds on the sassafras, wild cherry, and other trees, and suspends its cocoon from a branch by a silken band. |
prominent |
adjective |
Standing out, or projecting, beyond the line surface of something; jutting; protuberant; in high relief; as, a prominent figure on a vase., Hence; Distinctly manifest; likely to attract attention from its size or position; conspicuous; as, a prominent feature of the face; a prominent building., Eminent; distinguished above others; as, a prominent character. |
promising |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Promise, Making a promise or promises; affording hope or assurance; as, promising person; a promising day. |
promoting |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Promote |
promotive |
adjective |
Tending to advance, promote, or encourage. |
prompting |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Prompt |
prompture |
adjective |
Suggestion; incitement; prompting. |
promulged |
imp. & past participle |
of Promulge |
promulger |
noun |
One who promulges or publishes what was before unknown. |
promuscis |
noun |
The proboscis of hemipterous insects. See Illust. under Hemiptera. |
pronation |
noun |
The act of turning the palm or palmar surface of the forefoot downward., That motion of the forearm whereby the palm or palmar, surface is turned downward., The position of the limb resulting from the act of pronation. Opposed to supination. |
proneness |
noun |
The quality or state of being prone, or of bending downward; as, the proneness of beasts is opposed to the erectness of man., The state of lying with the face down; — opposed to supineness., Descent; declivity; as, the proneness of a hill., Inclination of mind, heart, or temper; propension; disposition; as, proneness to self-gratification. |
prongbuck |
noun |
The springbuck., The pronghorn. |
prong-hoe |
noun |
A hoe with prongs to break the earth. |
pronghorn |
noun |
An American antelope (Antilocapra Americana), native of the plain near the Rocky Mountains. The upper parts are mostly yellowish brown; the under parts, the sides of the head and throat, and the buttocks, are white. The horny sheath of the horns is shed annually. Called also cabree, cabut, prongbuck, and pronghorned antelope. |
pronotary |
noun |
See Prothonotary. |
pronounce |
verb t. |
To utter articulately; to speak out or distinctly; to utter, as words or syllables; to speak with the proper sound and accent as, adults rarely learn to pronounce a foreign language correctly., To utter officially or solemnly; to deliver, as a decree or sentence; as, to pronounce sentence of death., To speak or utter rhetorically; to deliver; to recite; as, to pronounce an oration., To declare or affirm; as, he pronounced the book to be a libel; he pronounced the act to be a fraud., To give a pronunciation; to articulate; as, to pronounce faultlessly., To make declaration; to utter on opinion; to speak with confidence., Pronouncement; declaration; pronunciation. |
pronubial |
adjective |
Presiding over marriage. |
pronuclei |
plural |
of Pronucleus |
proof-arm |
verb t. |
To arm with proof armor; to arm securely; as, to proof-arm herself. |
proofless |
adjective |
Wanting sufficient evidence to induce belief; not proved. |
propagate |
verb t. |
To cause to continue or multiply by generation, or successive production; — applied to animals and plants; as, to propagate a breed of horses or sheep; to propagate a species of fruit tree., To cause to spread to extend; to impel or continue forward in space; as, to propagate sound or light., To spread from person to person; to extend the knowledge of; to originate and spread; to carry from place to place; to disseminate; as, to propagate a story or report; to propagate the Christian religion., To multiply; to increase., To generate; to produce., To have young or issue; to be produced or multiplied by generation, or by new shoots or plants; as, rabbits propagate rapidly. |
propagula |
plural |
of Propagulum |
propargyl |
noun |
Same as Propinyl. |
propelled |
imp. & past participle |
of Propel |
propeller |
noun |
One who, or that which, propels., A contrivance for propelling a steam vessel, usually consisting of a screw placed in the stern under water, and made to revolve by an engine; a propeller wheel., A steamboat thus propelled; a screw steamer. |
propepsin |
noun |
See Persinogen. |
properate |
verb t. & i. |
To hasten, or press forward. |
prophasis |
noun |
Foreknowledge of a disease; prognosis. |
prophetic |
adjective |
Alt. of Prophetical |
prophoric |
adjective |
Enunciative. |
propidene |
noun |
The unsymmetrical hypothetical hydrocarbon radical, CH3.CH2.CH, analogous to ethylidene, and regarded as the type of certain derivatives of propane; — called also propylidene. |
propiolic |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid (called also propargylic acid) of the acetylene or tetrolic series, analogous to propionic acid, and obtained as a white crystalline substance. |
propionic |
adjective |
Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an organic acid which is produced in the distillation of wood, in the fermentation of various organic substances, as glycerin, calcium lactate, etc., and is obtained as a colorless liquid having a sharp, pungent odor. Propionic acid is so called because it is the first or lowest member of the fatty acid series whose salts have a fatty feel. |
propionyl |
noun |
The hypothetical radical C3H5O, regarded as the essential residue of propionic acid and certain related compounds. |
propodial |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the propodialia, or the parts of the limbs to which they belong. |
propodite |
noun |
The sixth joint of a typical leg of a crustacean; usually, the penultimate joint. |
propodium |
noun |
The anterior portion of the foot of a mollusk., The segment which forms the posterior part of the thorax of a hymenopterous insect. |
proponent |
adjective |
Making proposals; proposing., One who makes a proposal, or lays down a proposition., The propounder of a thing. |
proposing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Propose |
propretor |
noun |
A magistrate who, having been pretor at home, was appointed to the government of a province. |
propriety |
noun |
Individual right to hold property; ownership by personal title; property., That which is proper or peculiar; an inherent property or quality; peculiarity., The quality or state of being proper; suitableness to an acknowledged or correct standard or rule; consonance with established principles, rules, or customs; fitness; appropriateness; as, propriety of behavior, language, manners, etc. |
propugner |
noun |
A defender; a vindicator. |
propylaea |
plural |
of Propylaeum |
propylene |
noun |
A colorless gaseous hydrocarbon (C3H6) of the ethylene series, having a garlic odor. It occurs in coal gas, and is produced artificially in various ways. Called also propene. |
prorating |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Prorate |
prorector |
noun |
An officer who presides over the academic senate of a German university. |
prorhinal |
adjective |
Situated in front of the nasal chambers. |
prorogate |
verb t. |
To prorogue. |
prorogued |
imp. & past participle |
of Prorogue |
prosaical |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to prose; resembling prose; in the form of prose; unpoetical; writing or using prose; as, a prosaic composition., Dull; uninteresting; commonplace; unimaginative; prosy; as, a prosaic person. |
proscenia |
plural |
of Proscenium |
proscolex |
noun |
An early larval form of a trematode worm; a redia. See Redia. |
proscribe |
verb t. |
To doom to destruction; to put out of the protection of law; to outlaw; to exile; as, Sylla and Marius proscribed each other’s adherents., To denounce and condemn; to interdict; to prohibit; as, the Puritans proscribed theaters. |
proscript |
noun |
A proscription; a prohibition; an interdict., One who is proscribed. |
prosector |
noun |
One who makes dissections for anatomical illustration; usually, the assistant of a professional anatomist. |
prosecute |
verb t. |
To follow or pursue with a view to reach, execute, or accomplish; to endeavor to obtain or complete; to carry on; to continue; as, to prosecute a scheme, hope, or claim., To seek to obtain by legal process; as, to prosecute a right or a claim in a court of law., To pursue with the intention of punishing; to accuse of some crime or breach of law, or to pursue for redress or punishment, before a legal tribunal; to proceed against judicially; as, to prosecute a man for trespass, or for a riot., To follow after., To institute and carry on a legal prosecution; as, to prosecute for public offenses. |
proselyte |
noun |
A new convert especially a convert to some religion or religious sect, or to some particular opinion, system, or party; thus, a Gentile converted to Judaism, or a pagan converted to Christianity, is a proselyte., To convert to some religion, opinion, or system; to bring over. |
prosimiae |
noun pl. |
Same as Lemuroidea. |
prosiness |
noun |
The quality or state of being prosy; tediousness; tiresomeness. |
prosingly |
adverb |
Prosily. |
prosiphon |
noun |
A minute tube found in the protoconch of ammonites, and not connected with the true siphon. |
prosodial |
adjective |
Prosodical. |
prosodian |
noun |
A prosodist. |
prosomata |
plural |
of Prosoma |
prospered |
imp. & past participle |
of Prosper |
prostatic |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the prostate gland. |
prostomia |
plural |
of Prostomium |
prostrate |
adjective |
Lying at length, or with the body extended on the ground or other surface; stretched out; as, to sleep prostrate., Lying at mercy, as a supplicant., Lying in a humble, lowly, or suppliant posture., Trailing on the ground; procumbent., To lay fiat; to throw down; to level; to fell; as, to prostrate the body; to prostrate trees or plants., to overthrow; to demolish; to destroy; to deprive of efficiency; to ruin; as, to prostrate a village; to prostrate a government; to prostrate law or justice., To throw down, or cause to fall in humility or adoration; to cause to bow in humble reverence; used reflexively; as, he prostrated himself., To cause to sink totally; to deprive of strength; to reduce; as, a person prostrated by fever. |
protactic |
adjective |
Giving a previous narrative or explanation, as of the plot or personages of a play; introductory. |
proteanly |
adverb |
In a protean manner. |
protected |
imp. & past participle |
of Protect |
protector |
noun |
One who, or that which, defends or shields from injury, evil, oppression, etc.; a defender; a guardian; a patron., One having the care of the kingdom during the king’s minority; a regent., A cardinal, from one of the more considerable Roman Catholic nations, who looks after the interests of his people at Rome; also, a cardinal who has the same relation to a college, religious order, etc. |
proteidea |
noun pl. |
An order of aquatic amphibians having prominent external gills and four legs. It includes Proteus and Menobranchus (Necturus). Called also Proteoidea, and Proteida. |
protended |
imp. & past participle |
of Protend |
protested |
imp. & past participle |
of Protest |
protester |
noun |
One who protests; one who utters a solemn declaration., One who protests a bill of exchange, or note. |
prothalli |
plural |
of Prothallus |
prothesis |
noun |
A credence table; — so called by the Eastern or Greek Church., See Prosthesis. |
prothetic |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to prothesis; as, a prothetic apparatus. |
prothorax |
noun |
The first or anterior segment of the thorax in insects. See Illusts. of Butterfly and Coleoptera. |
protiston |
noun |
One of the Protista. |
protogine |
noun |
A kind of granite or gneiss containing a silvery talcose mineral. |
protonema |
noun |
The primary growth from the spore of a moss, usually consisting of branching confervoid filaments, on any part of which stem and leaf buds may be developed. |
protopine |
noun |
An alkaloid found in opium in small quantities, and extracted as a white crystalline substance. |
protopope |
noun |
One of the clergy of first rank in the lower order of secular clergy; an archpriest; — called also protopapas. |
protosalt |
noun |
A salt derived from a protoxide base. |
prototype |
noun |
An original or model after which anything is copied; the pattern of anything to be engraved, or otherwise copied, cast, or the like; a primary form; exemplar; archetype. |
protoxide |
noun |
That one of a series of oxides having the lowest proportion of oxygen. See Proto-, 2 (b). |
protozoan |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the Protozoa., One of the Protozoa. |
protozoic |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the Protozoa., Containing remains of the earliest discovered life of the globe, which included mollusks, radiates and protozoans. |
protozoon |
noun |
One of the Protozoa., A single zooid of a compound protozoan. |
protruded |
imp. & past participle |
of Protrude |
proudling |
noun |
A proud or haughty person. |
proudness |
noun |
The quality of being proud; pride. |
proustite |
noun |
A sulphide of arsenic and silver of a beautiful cochineal-red color, occurring in rhombohedral crystals, and also massive; ruby silver. |
provedore |
noun |
A proveditor; a purveyor. |
proven/al |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to Provence or its inhabitants., A native or inhabitant of Provence in France., The Provencal language. See Langue d’oc. |
provender |
noun |
Dry food for domestic animals, as hay, straw, corn, oats, or a mixture of ground grain; feed., Food or provisions. |
provexity |
noun |
Great advance in age. |
providing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Provide |
provident |
adjective |
Foreseeing wants and making provision to supply them; prudent in preparing for future exigencies; cautious; economical; — sometimes followed by of; as, aprovident man; an animal provident of the future. |
providore |
noun |
One who makes provision; a purveyor. |
provision |
noun |
The act of providing, or making previous preparation., That which is provided or prepared; that which is brought together or arranged in advance; measures taken beforehand; preparation., Especially, a stock of food; any kind of eatables collected or stored; — often in the plural., That which is stipulated in advance; a condition; a previous agreement; a proviso; as, the provisions of a contract; the statute has many provisions., A canonical term for regular induction into a benefice, comprehending nomination, collation, and installation., A nomination by the pope to a benefice before it became vacant, depriving the patron of his right of presentation., To supply with food; to victual; as, to provision a garrison. |
provisory |
adjective |
Of the nature of a proviso; containing a proviso or condition; conditional; as, a provisory clause., Making temporary provision; provisional. |
provoking |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Provoke, Having the power or quality of exciting resentment; tending to awaken passion or vexation; as, provoking words or treatment. |
proximate |
adjective |
Nearest; next immediately preceding or following. |
proximity |
noun |
The quality or state of being next in time, place, causation, influence, etc.; immediate nearness, either in place, blood, or alliance. |
proxyship |
noun |
The office or agency of a proxy. |
prudently |
adverb |
In a prudent manner. |
pruderies |
plural |
of Prudery |
prudhomme |
noun |
A trustworthy citizen; a skilled workman. See Citation under 3d Commune, 1. |
prudishly |
adverb |
In a prudish manner. |
prurience |
noun |
Alt. of Pruriency |
pruriency |
noun |
The quality or state of being prurient. |
prussiate |
noun |
A salt of prussic acid; a cyanide. |
prytaneum |
noun |
A public building in certain Greek cities; especially, a public hall in Athens regarded as the home of the community, in which official hospitality was extended to distinguished citizens and strangers. |
psalmodic |
adjective |
Alt. of Psalmodical |
psalteria |
plural |
of Psalterium |
psarolite |
noun |
A silicified stem of tree fern, found in abundance in the Triassic sandstone. |
pseudodox |
adjective |
Not true in opinion or doctrine; false., A false opinion or doctrine. |
pseudonym |
noun |
A fictitious name assumed for the time, as by an author; a pen name. |
pseudopod |
noun |
Any protoplasmic filament or irregular process projecting from any unicellular organism, or from any animal or plant call., A rhizopod. |
pseudovum |
noun |
An egglike germ produced by the agamic females of some insects and other animals, and by the larvae of certain insects. It is capable of development without fertilization. See Illust. of Paedogenesis. |
psilology |
noun |
Love of empty of empty talk or noise. |
psittacid |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the parrots, or the Psittaci., One of the Psittaci. |
psoriasis |
noun |
The state of being affected with psora., A cutaneous disease, characterized by imbricated silvery scales, affecting only the superficial layers of the skin. |
psychical |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the human soul, or to the living principle in man., Of or pertaining to the mind, or its functions and diseases; mental; — contrasted with physical. |
psychosis |
noun |
Any vital action or activity., A disease of the mind; especially, a functional mental disorder, that is, one unattended with evident organic changes. |
ptarmigan |
noun |
Any grouse of the genus Lagopus, of which numerous species are known. The feet are completely feathered. Most of the species are brown in summer, but turn white, or nearly white, in winter. |
pteropoda |
noun pl. |
A class of Mollusca in which the anterior lobes of the foot are developed in the form of broad, thin, winglike organs, with which they swim at near the surface of the sea. |
pterosaur |
noun |
A pterodactyl. |
pterygium |
noun |
A superficial growth of vascular tissue radiating in a fanlike manner from the cornea over the surface of the eye. |
pterygoid |
adjective |
Like a bird’s wing in form; as, a pterygoid bone., Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the pterygoid bones, pterygoid processes, or the whole sphenoid bone., A pterygoid bone. |
ptolemaic |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to Ptolemy, the geographer and astronomer. |
pubescent |
adjective |
Arrived at puberty., Covered with pubescence, or fine short hairs, as certain insects, and the leaves of some plants. |
publicist |
noun |
A writer on the laws of nature and nations; one who is versed in the science of public right, the principles of government, etc. |
publicity |
noun |
The quality or state of being public, or open to the knowledge of a community; notoriety; publicness. |
published |
imp. & past participle |
of Publish |
publisher |
noun |
One who publishes; as, a publisher of a book or magazine. |
pucherite |
noun |
Vanadate of bismuth, occurring in minute reddish brown crystals. |
puckering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pucker |
puddening |
noun |
A quantity of rope-yarn, or the like, placed, as a fender, on the bow of a boat., A bunch of soft material to prevent chafing between spars, or the like. |
puddering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pudder |
puefellow |
noun |
A pewfellow. |
puerilely |
adverb |
In a puerile manner; childishly. |
puerility |
noun |
The quality of being puerile; childishness; puerileness., That which is puerile or childish; especially, an expression which is flat, insipid, or silly. |
puerperal |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to childbirth; as, a puerperal fever. |
puffiness |
noun |
The quality or state of being puffy. |
puffingly |
adverb |
In a puffing manner; with vehement breathing or shortness of breath; with exaggerated praise. |
pug-faced |
adjective |
Having a face like a monkey or a pug; monkey-faced. |
pugnacity |
noun |
Inclination or readiness to fight; quarrelsomeness. |
puissance |
noun |
Power; strength; might; force; potency. |
pullicate |
noun |
A kind of checked cotton or silk handkerchief. |
pullulate |
verb i. |
To germinate; to bud; to multiply abundantly. |
pulmonary |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the lungs; affecting the lungs; pulmonic., Lungwort. |
pulmonata |
noun pl. |
An extensive division, or sub-class, of hermaphrodite gastropods, in which the mantle cavity is modified into an air-breathing organ, as in Helix, or land snails, Limax, or garden slugs, and many pond snails, as Limnaea and Planorbis. |
pulmonate |
adjective |
Having breathing organs that act as lungs., Pertaining to the Pulmonata., One of the Pulmonata. |
pulpatoon |
noun |
A kind of delicate confectionery or cake, perhaps made from the pulp of fruit. |
pulpiness |
noun |
the quality or state of being pulpy. |
pulpiteer |
noun |
One who speaks in a pulpit; a preacher; — so called in contempt. |
pulpitish |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to the pulpit; like preaching. |
pulsating |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Pulsate |
pulsatile |
adjective |
Capable of being struck or beaten; played by beating or by percussion; as, a tambourine is a pulsatile musical instrument., Pulsating; throbbing, as a tumor. |
pulsation |
noun |
A beating or throbbing, especially of the heart or of an artery, or in an inflamed part; a beat of the pulse., A single beat or throb of a series., A stroke or impulse by which some medium is affected, as in the propagation of sounds., Any touching of another’s body willfully or in anger. This constitutes battery. |
pulsative |
adjective |
Beating; throbbing. |
pulsatory |
adjective |
Capable of pulsating; throbbing. |
pulseless |
adjective |
Having no pulsation; lifeless. |
pulverate |
verb t. |
To beat or reduce to powder or dust; to pulverize. |
pulverine |
noun |
Ashes of barilla. |
pulverize |
verb t. |
To reduce of fine powder or dust, as by beating, grinding, or the like; as, friable substances may be pulverized by grinding or beating, but to pulverize malleable bodies other methods must be pursued., To become reduced to powder; to fall to dust; as, the stone pulverizes easily. |
pulverous |
adjective |
Consisting of dust or powder; like powder. |
pulvillio |
noun |
Alt. of Pulvillo |
pulvillus |
noun |
One of the minute cushions on the feet of certain insects. |
pulvinate |
adjective |
Alt. of Pulvinated |
pulvinuli |
plural |
of Pulvinulus |
pumicated |
imp. & past participle |
of Pumicate |
pumiceous |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to pumice; resembling pumice. |
punctated |
adjective |
Alt. of Punctated, Pointed; ending in a point or points., Dotted with small spots of color, or with minute depressions or pits. |
punctator |
noun |
One who marks with points. specifically, one who writes Hebrew with points; — applied to a Masorite. |
punctilio |
noun |
A nice point of exactness in conduct, ceremony, or proceeding; particularity or exactness in forms; as, the punctilios of a public ceremony. |
punctuate |
verb t. |
To mark with points; to separate into sentences, clauses, etc., by points or stops which mark the proper pauses in expressing the meaning. |
punctuist |
noun |
A punctator. |
punctured |
imp. & past participle |
of Puncture, Having the surface covered with minute indentations or dots., Produced by puncture; having the characteristics of a puncture; as, a punctured wound. |
pungently |
adverb |
In a pungent manner; sharply. |
puniceous |
adjective |
Alt. of Punicial |
punishing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Punish |
punnology |
noun |
The art or practice of punning; paronomasia. |
pupillary |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to a pupil or ward., Of or pertaining to the pupil of the eye. |
puppetish |
adjective |
Resembling a puppet in appearance or action; of the nature of a puppet. |
puppetman |
noun |
A master of a puppet show. |
puppyhood |
noun |
The time or state of being a puppy; the time of being young and undisciplined. |
purcelane |
noun |
Purslane. |
purchased |
imp. & past participle |
of Purchase |
purchaser |
noun |
One who purchases; one who acquires property for a consideration, generally of money; a buyer; a vendee., One who acquires an estate in lands by his own act or agreement, or who takes or obtains an estate by any means other than by descent or inheritance. |
purgament |
noun |
That which is excreted; excretion., A cathartic; a purgative. |
purgation |
noun |
The act of purging; the act of clearing, cleansing, or putifying, by separating and carrying off impurities, or whatever is superfluous; the evacuation of the bowels., The clearing of one’s self from a crime of which one was publicly suspected and accused. It was either canonical, which was prescribed by the canon law, the form whereof used in the spiritual court was, that the person suspected take his oath that he was clear of the matter objected against him, and bring his honest neighbors with him to make oath that they believes he swore truly; or vulgar, which was by fire or water ordeal, or by combat. See Ordeal. |
purgative |
adjective |
Having the power or quality of purging; cathartic., A purging medicine; a cathartic. |
purgatory |
adjective |
Tending to cleanse; cleansing; expiatory., A state or place of purification after death; according to the Roman Catholic creed, a place, or a state believed to exist after death, in which the souls of persons are purified by expiating such offenses committed in this life as do not merit eternal damnation, or in which they fully satisfy the justice of God for sins that have been forgiven. After this purgation from the impurities of sin, the souls are believed to be received into heaven. |
purifying |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Purify |
puritanic |
adjective |
Alt. of Puritanical |
purloined |
imp. & past participle |
of Purloin |
purloiner |
noun |
One who purloins. |
purported |
imp. & past participle |
of Purport |
purposing |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Purpose |
purposely |
adverb |
With purpose or design; intentionally; with predetermination; designedly. |
purposive |
adjective |
Having or indicating purpose or design. |
purpurate |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to purpura., A salt of purpuric acid. |
purpureal |
adjective |
Of a purple color; purple. |
purpureo- |
|
A combining form signifying of a purple or purple-red color. Specif. (Chem.), used in designating certain brilliant purple-red compounds of cobaltic chloride and ammonia, similar to the roseocobaltic compounds. See Cobaltic. |
pursefuls |
plural |
of Purseful |
pursiness |
noun |
State of being pursy. |
pursuable |
adjective |
Capable of being, or fit to be, pursued, followed, or prosecuted. |
pursuance |
noun |
The act of pursuing or prosecuting; a following out or after., The state of being pursuant; consequence. |
purulency |
noun |
The quality or state of being purulent; the generation of pus; also, the pus itself. |
purveance |
noun |
Alt. of Purveiaunce |
purveying |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Purvey |
pustulant |
verb t. |
Producing pustules., A medicine that produces pustules, as croton oil. |
pustulate |
verb t. |
To form into pustules, or blisters., Alt. of Pustulated |
pustulous |
adjective |
Resembling, or covered with, pustules; pustulate; pustular. |
putidness |
noun |
The quality or state of being putrid. |
putrefied |
imp. & past participle |
of Putrefy |
putrescin |
noun |
A nontoxic diamine, C4H12N2, formed in the putrefaction of the flesh of mammals and some other animals. |
putridity |
noun |
The quality of being putrid; putrefaction; rottenness. |
putrilage |
noun |
That which is undergoing putrefaction; the products of putrefaction. |
puttering |
present participle & vb. noun |
of Putter |
putter-on |
noun |
An instigator. |
puttyroot |
noun |
An American orchidaceous plant (Aplectrum hyemale) which flowers in early summer. Its slender naked rootstock produces each year a solid corm, filled with exceedingly glutinous matter, which sends up later a single large oval evergreen plaited leaf. Called also Adam-and-Eve. |
puzzledom |
noun |
The domain of puzzles; puzzles, collectively. |
puzzolana |
noun |
See Pozzuolana. |
pycnidium |
noun |
In certain fungi, a flask-shaped cavity from the surface of the inner walls of which spores are produced. |
pycnodont |
noun |
Any fossil fish belonging to the Pycnodontini. They have numerous round, flat teeth, adapted for crushing. |
pygostyle |
noun |
The plate of bone which forms the posterior end of the vertebral column in most birds; the plowshare bone; the vomer. It is formed by the union of a number of the last caudal vertebrae, and supports the uropigium. |
pylangium |
noun |
The first and undivided part of the aortic trunk in the amphibian heart. |
pyocyanin |
noun |
A blue coloring matter found in the pus from old sores, supposed to be formed through the agency of a species of bacterium (Bacillus pyocyaneus). |
pyracanth |
noun |
The evergreen thorn (Crataegus Pyracantha), a shrub native of Europe. |
pyramidal |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to a pyramid; in the form of a a pyramid; pyramidical; as, pyramidal cleavage., Same as Tetragonal., One of the carpal bones. See Cuneiform, n., 2 (b). |
pyramidic |
adjective |
Alt. of Pyramidical |
pyramidia |
plural |
of Pyramidion |
pyramides |
plural |
of Pyramis |
pyrethrin |
noun |
A substance resembling, and isomeric with, ordinary camphor, and extracted from the essential oil of feverfew; — called also Pyrethrum camphor. |
pyrexical |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to fever; feverish. |
pyritical |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to pyrites; consisting of, or resembling, pyrites. |
pyroboric |
adjective |
Pertaining to derived from, or designating, an acid, H2B4O7 (called also tetraboric acid), which is the acid ingredient of ordinary borax, and is obtained by heating boric acid. |
pyrogenic |
adjective |
Producing heat; — said of substances, as septic poisons, which elevate the temperature of the body and cause fever. |
pyrolator |
noun |
A fire worshiper. |
pyrolatry |
noun |
The worship of fire. |
pyromalic |
adjective |
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid now called maleic acid. |
pyromancy |
noun |
Divination by means of fire. |
pyromania |
noun |
An insane disposition to incendiarism. |
pyrometer |
noun |
An instrument used for measuring the expansion of solid bodies by heat., An instrument for measuring degrees of heat above those indicated by the mercurial thermometer. |
pyrometry |
noun |
The art of measuring degrees of heat, or the expansion of bodies by heat. |
pyromucic |
adjective |
Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid obtained as a white crystalline substance by the distillation of mucic acid, or by the oxidation of furfurol. |
pyrophane |
noun |
A mineral which is opaque in its natural state, but is said to change its color and become transparent by heat. |
pyrophone |
noun |
A musical instrument in which the tones are produced by flames of hydrogen, or illuminating gas, burning in tubes of different sizes and lengths. |
pyroscope |
noun |
An instrument for measuring the intensity of heat radiating from a fire, or the cooling influence of bodies. It is a differential thermometer, having one bulb coated with gold or silver leaf. |
pyroxenic |
adjective |
Containing pyroxene; composed chiefly of pyroxene. |
pyroxylic |
adjective |
Derived from wood by distillation; — formerly used in designating crude wood spirit. |
pyroxylin |
noun |
A substance resembling gun cotton in composition and properties, but distinct in that it is more highly nitrified and is soluble in alcohol, ether, etc.; — called also pyroxyle. |
pyrrhonic |
adjective |
Of or pertaining to pyrrhonism. |
pyrroline |
noun |
A nitrogenous base, C4H7N, obtained as a colorless liquid by the reduction of pyrrol. |
pythoness |
noun |
The priestess who gave oracular answers at Delphi in Greece., Any woman supposed to have a spirit of divination; a sort of witch. |
pythonism |
noun |
The art of predicting events after the manner of the priestess of Apollo at Delphi; equivocal prophesying. |
pythonist |
noun |
A conjurer; a diviner. |