Luciferous Logolepsy
Dragging obscure words into the light of day

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pacable
adj. - capable of being pacified.
 
pachycephalic
adj. - thick-skulled
 
paciferin
n. - an infection-resisting factor found in natural foods.
 
padrone
n. - (pl. -ni ) master; inn-keeper; American, employment agent for (Italian) immigrants.
 
paduasoy
n. - corded silk; garment of this.
 
pageism
n. - masochism fantasy of a man imagining himself as servant to a beautiful woman
 
pagophagia
n. - eating a tray of ice daily for two months tohelp offset iron deficiency
 
pagurian
adj.,n. - (crab) belonging to hermit crab family. pagurid, n.
 
paideia
n. - education aimed at forming an enlightened, mature mind.
 
paideutics
n. - pedagogy
 
paizogony
n. - love play
 
palaestra, palestra
n. - wrestling; gymnasium. palaestral, palestral, adj.
 
palamate
adj. - webfooted.
 
palanquin
n. - litter for one in E Asia, carried on the shoulders.
 
paleaceous
adj. - chafflike.
 
paleomnesia
n. - good memory for events of the far past
 
paletot
n. - loose outer garment; overcoat.
 
palfrey
n. - quiet-moving saddle horse.
 
palilogy
n. - emphatic repetition of word.
 
palingenesis
n. - resuscitation; rebirth; metempsychosis; exact reproduction of ancestral characteristics. palingenesian, palingenetic, adj. palingenesist, n.
 
palinode
n. - recantation, especially in verse. palinodist, n.
 
palinoia
n. - compulsive repitition of an act until it'sperfect
 
palladian
adj. - pertaining to learning and wisdom
 
pallaesthesia
n. - sense of vibration.
 
palletron
n. - a cyclotron-like apparatus accelerating atomic particles up to a level of one million electron volts.
 
palliasse
n. - hard straw mattress.
 
pallium
n. - (pl. -ia) Roman Catholic, white woollen band worn round shoulders by pope and archibishops; Medicine, cerebral cortex.
 
pallograph
n. - instrument measuring steam ship's vibration.
 
palmary
adj. - meriting highest prize; principal.
 
palmiped
adj.,n. - web-footed (bird).
 
palmus
n. - palpitation; twitching; nervous tic. palmodic, adj.
 
palpate
v. - examine by touching. palpation, n. palpatory, adj.
 
palpebra
n. - (pl. -ae ) eyelid. palpebral, adj. palpebrate, adj. having palpebrae;, v.i. wink.
 
palpebrate
v. - to wink
 
palpi
n. -pl. pl. (sing. -pus) insect's or crustacean's feelers.
 
palter
v. -i. act or talk deceitfully.
 
paltripolitan
n. - an insular city dweller
 
paludal
adj. - pertaining to marshes. paludicolous, adj. inhabiting marshes. paludous,, adj. marshy; living in marshes; malarial. paludrine n. synthetic anti- malarial drug.
 
palynology
n. - study of pollen and spores living and fossil.
 
pampiniform
adj. - like a tendril.
 
panarchy
n. - universal rule.
 
panarthritis
n. - arthritis of all joints of body, or of whole of one joint.
 
panary
adj. - pertaining to bread and baking.
 
pancosmism
n. - belief that nothing exists beyond the material universe. pancosmic, adj. pertaining to pancosmism, or to universe in its entirety.
 
pancratic
adj. - athletic; pertaining to or having ability in all matters.
 
pandects
n. -pl. pl. complete summary of ancient Roman legal decisions. pandect, n. sing. legal code; any summary of or treatise on whole of subject.
 
pandemoniac
adj. - pertaining to general tumult. pandemonium, n. riotous uproar or place.
 
pandiculation
n. - stretching and yawning
 
panegyric
n. - eulogy. panegyrical, adj. panegyrize, v. praise highly. panegyrist, n.
 
paneity
n. - Theology, state of being merely bread.
 
panentheism
n. - belief that world is part of God.
 
pangamy
n. - marriage without limitation as to spouses. pangamic, adj.
 
pangenesis
n. - theory that reproductive cells contain particles from all parts of parents.
 
pangram
n. - sentence containing all 26 letters of the alphabet
 
pangrammatist
n. - person composing sentences, verses, etc., containing all letters of alphabet.
 
panicle
n. - loose much-branched flower-head, especially of grasses; compound raceme. paniculate a. having or arranged in panicles.
 
panification
n. - transformation into bread.
 
panivorous
adj. - bread-eating.
 
panjandrum
n. - a self-important local official; pompous minormagnate
 
panmixy, panmixia
n. - interbreeding without limitation. panmictic, adj.
 
panmnesia
n. - belief that every mental impression continues in memory.
 
pannage
n. - pigs' food in woods, as nuts, etc.; right to, or fee paid for, feeding pigs in woods.
 
pannicular
adj. - pertaining to or like a sheet or thin layer.
 
pannose
adj. - felt-like.
 
pannychous
adj. - lasting all night
 
panoptic(al)
adj. - giving view of whole at once. panopticon, n. such optical instrument; exhibition; building, as prison, whole of interior of which can be watched from one point.
 
panorpid
n. - scorpion fly. panorpine, adj.
 
panpsychism
n. - theory that all objects have minds or souls.
 
pansexualism
n. - obsession with sex in all activities; belief that sexual instinct is basis of all activity. pansexuality, n.
 
pansophism
n. - claim to know everything. pansophist, n. pansophy, n. knowledge of everything.
 
pantagamy
n. - marriage in which all spouses are held in common; free love.
 
pantagruelian
adj. - satirical, though ribald
 
pantarchy
n. - government by all.
 
pantisocracy
n. - anarchistic community. pantisocratic, adj.
 
pantochronometer
n. - combined sundial and compass, showing time in all parts of world.
 
pantoglot
n. - speaker of all languages.
 
pantograph
n. - instrument for copying maps, etc., on any scale; device for taking electric current from overhead wires to motor of train, etc. pantographic, adj.
 
pantology
n. - system of universal knowledge. pantologist, n.
 
pantometer
n. - device measuring all angles of elevations and distances.
 
pantomorphic
adj. - taking on all shapes.
 
pantophobia
n. - a fear of everything
 
pantothenic
adj. - denoting an acid which is a growth-promoting vitamin of vitamin B complex.
 
pantropic
adj. - pertaining to life found throughout the tropics; pertaining to a virus affecting all tissues.
 
panurgic
adj. - adept at all kinds of work.
 
panzootic
adj. - applied to disease attacking animals of many kinds.
 
paparchy
n. - government by pope. paparchical, adj.
 
papaveraceous
adj. - pertaining to or like a poppy; belonging to the poppy family of plants.
 
paphian
adj. - pertaining to love, especially its sexual and illicit manifestations; erotic
 
papilionaceous
adj. - shaped like a butterfly.
 
papilla
n. - (pl. -ae) nipple; projection shaped like nipple. papilliform, adj. nipple-shaped. papilloma, n. small tumour, e.g. wart. papillary, adj. papillate, papillose, adj. having papillae.
 
pappus
n. - (pl. -pi) downy tuft on plant seed; down. pappescent, adj. producing pappi. pappose, pappous, adj. having or like pappi.
 
papule
n. - pimple. papular, papulate, papuliferous, adj. pertaining to or bearing papules. papulous, adj. pimply.
 
parabiosis
n. - union of two organisms sharing blood circulation, etc. parabiotic, adj.
 
parablepsy, parablepsia
n. - false vision.
 
paracentesis
n. - tapping of body fluid.
 
paracentral
adj. - situated near centre.
 
parachronism
n. - error of chronology, especially placing event at date later than when it actually happened. parachronistic, adj.
 
paraclete
n. - advocate; Holy Ghost.
 
paracme
n. - stage following acme; decline.
 
paracoita
n. - a female sexual partner
 
paracoitus
n. - a male sexual partner
 
paracusia, paracusis
n. - abnormality of hearing. paracusic, adj.
 
paradiastole
n. - a euphemistic half-truth
 
parados
n. - bank behind trench or other type of fortification, giving protection from the rear.
 
paradromic
adj. - adjacent; side by side. paradromism, n.
 
paraenesis
n. - advice; exhortation. paraenetic, adj.
 
paraenetic
adj. - advisory; hortatory
 
paraesthesia
n. - tingling sensation on skin. paraesthetic, adj.
 
paragenesis
n. - order in which minerals together in rock were formed.
 
parageusia
n. - abnormality in taste sense.
 
paragoge
n. - addition of sound at end of word. paragogic(al), adj.
 
paragon
n. - model of perfection; v.t. compare; regard as paragon.
 
paragraphia
n. - writing of unintended words or letters.
 
parakinesis, parakinesia
n. - abnormality of nervous control over movement; production of movements.
 
paralalia
n. - abnormality of speech sounds.
 
paralanguage
n. - non-verbal elements which affect meaning of speech, as intonation, etc.
 
paraldehyde
n. - sleep-inducing drug.
 
paralepsis
n. - mentioning something by saying you won't mention it
 
paralexia
n. - transposition of words or syllables in reading, due to brain damage.
 
paralipomena
n. - pl. things added as supplement to main text.
 
paralipophobia
n. - fear of responsibility
 
paralogism
n. - illogical or fallacious deduction. paralogical, paralogistic, adj. paralogize, v.i. be illogical; draw unwarranted conclusions. paralogist, n.
 
paramagnetic
adj. - having a weak magnetic susceptibility.
 
paramatta
n. - cotton or silk and wool dress material.
 
paramedian
adj. - near middle line.
 
paramenia
n. - abnormality of menstruation.
 
paramnesia
n. - abnormality of memory, especially forgetting of meaning of words; illusion of having experienced before events which are being experienced for the first time.
 
paranephric
adj. - near kidney; suprarenal.
 
parang
n. - large Malay or Dyak sheath-knife.
 
paranymph
n. - archaic, best man; bridesmaid.
 
paraparesis
n. - paralysis of lower limbs.
 
paraph
n. - a flourish made after a signature.
 
paraphasia
n. - mental disorder marked by constant talking with misuse of words. paraphasic, adj.
 
paraphrase
v. - restate in different words; n. such restatement. paraphrasia, n. incoherence. paraphrastic, adj.
 
paraphrenia
n. - the group of paranoid illnesses.
 
paraplegia
n. - paralysis of lower half of body. paraplegic, adj. & n.
 
parapraxis
n. - committing of blunders.
 
parapsychology
n. - study of psychic phenomena.
 
paraquat
n. - herbicide that kills green vegetation by interfering with photosynthesis.
 
pararthria
n. - incoherence.
 
paraselene
n. - bright spot on moon's halo.
 
parasigmatism
n. - inability to pronounce sound of s.
 
parasynthesis
n. - adding of prefix or suffix to compound to form new word.
 
parataxis
n. - unconnected arrangement; Grammar, omission of connectives between related sentences. paratactic, adj.
 
parathyroid
adj. - near thyroid gland, especially applied to such small glands whose hormone controls calcium content of body; n. such gland.
 
paratonic
adj. - resulting from external impulse.
 
paratyphoid
adj.,n. - (fever) resembling typhoid but caused by different bacillus.
 
paravane
n. - knife-bearing torpedo-like device for cutting mines adrift.
 
paravent
n. - wind-screen.
 
parcener
n. - co-parcener.
 
pardine
adj. - pertaining to or like a leopard; spotted.
 
paregoric
n. - drug soothing pain.
 
parenchyma
n. - fundamental or essential tissue of organ or plant. parenchymatous, adj.
 
parentelic
adj. - related by blood.
 
parenteral
adj. - entering body by injection rather than through digestion.
 
parerethesis
n. - abnormal excitement
 
parergon
n. - subordinate work; accessory.
 
paresis
n. - partial paralysis. paretic,, n. & a.
 
pareunia
n. - sexual intercourse
 
parget
n. -v.t. plaster, whitewash, rough-cast, etc. pargeting, n.
 
parhelion
n. - (pl. -ia) halo-like light seen at point opposite sun; mock sun. parhelic, adj.
 
pari mutuel
n. - 'mutual bet'; form of betting whereby winners receive share of all stakes placed; totalizator or pool betting.
 
paries
n. - (pl. -rietes ) wall of hollow organ or cavity.
 
parine
adj. - like or pertaining to titmouse.
 
parisology
n. - deliberate ambiguity in use of words
 
paristhmion
n. - tonsil.
 
parisyllabic
adj. - (word) having same number of syllables in all forms.
 
parkin
n. - moist ginger cake made with treacle and oatmeal.
 
parnel
n. - a priest's mistress; a loose woman
 
paroemia
n. - proverb. paroemiac, adj. paroemiography, n. collection of proverbs. paroemiology, n. study of proverbs.
 
paromology
n. - apparent concession of opponent's point which in reality strengthens one's own argument.
 
paronomasia
n. - punning; a pun
 
paronym
n. - word having same derivation as another, or formed from foreign word, or having same form as cognate foreign word. paronymic, paronymous, adj.
 
parorexia
n. - desire to eat strange foods.
 
parosmia
n. - desire for strange scents.
 
parotic
adj. - adjacent to ear. parotid, adj. pertaining to salivary gland below ear; n. such gland. parotitis, n. mumps.
 
parous
adj. - bringing forth, or having borne, offspring.
 
parousia
n. - coming, especially second coming of Christ.
 
paroxysm
n. - sudden convulsion or fit. paroxysmal, paroxysmic, adj.
 
paroxytone
adj.,n. - (word) having acute accent on last syllable but one.
 
parr
n. - young salmon.
 
parrhesia
n. - freedom of speech
 
partheniad
n. - a poem in honor of a virgin
 
parthenolatry
n. - virgin worship
 
parton
n. - Physics, elementary particle theoretically held to be a constituent of protons and neutrons.
 
parure
n. - set of jewels or other ornaments.
 
parvanimity
n. - pettiness; meannes; or a mean or petty person
 
parvenu
n. - a pretentious snob of the nouveau riche
 
parvipotent
adj. - having little power. parviflorous, adj. having small flowers.
 
parvis
n. - enclosed area in front of church.
 
parviscient
adj. - uninformed
 
parvule
n. - minute pill.
 
paschal
adj. - pertaining to Easter, or Passover. paschal letter, bishop's letter of ancient Church concerning next Easter date. paschal moon, new moon of vernal equinox.
 
pascual
adj. - pertaining to pasture.
 
pasigraphy
n. - universal written language, especially using symbols for ideas rather than words. pasigraphic(al), adj.
 
pasilaly
n. - a universal language
 
pasque-flower
n. - white- or purple-flowered anemone-like plant.
 
pasquinade
n. - a lampoon or satire posted in a public place
 
passacaglia
n. - old slow Italian or Spanish dance; variations on a theme over a continuously repeated ground bass.
 
passado
n. - forward thrust in fencing.
 
passalorynchite
n. - a member of an early christian sect whoto a vow of perpetual silence
 
passé
adj. - 'past'; worn out; out of date; antiquated.
 
passe partout
n. - picture-frame, especially of adhesive cloth holding together glass, picture and back; universal passport; master-key.
 
passementerie
n. - bright trimmings of gilt, tinsel, etc.
 
passepartout
n. - a master key; a safeconduct or passport
 
passible
adj. - capable of feeling; impressionable.
 
passometer
n. - pedometer.
 
pastern
n. - part of horse's foot between fetlock joint and upper edge of hoof.
 
pasticcio
n. - (pl. -ci) medley; pot-pourri, pastiche.
 
pastose
adj. - painted thickly.
 
patagium
n. - web of skin between forelimbs and hind-limbs of tree-dwelling creatures, that acts as a wing.
 
patavinity
n. - the use of local words or expressions
 
patera
n. - decorative round or oval medallion used in ornamental bas- reliefs, etc.
 
pateriform
adj. - saucer-shaped.
 
paternoster
n. - Lord's Prayer, or recital of it; rosary bead on which this is said; curse or spell; bead-like moulding; doorless, continuously moving lift/elevator.
 
patharmosis
n. - mental adjustment to one's disease
 
pathic
n. - a catamite; or a passive participator
 
pathocryptia
n. - unwillingness to believe in or talk aboutone's illness
 
pathodixia
n. - talking to excess about one's illness andflaunting its signs
 
pathodontia
n. - study of dental diseases.
 
pathognomic, pathognomonic
adj. - a. aiding diagnosis; distinctive.
 
pathognomy
n. - the study of emotions by their outwardsigns
 
pathomimesis
n. - malingering
 
pathy
n. - medical treatment; nostrum.
 
patriolatry
n. - excessive devotion to native country.
 
patristic
adj. - pertaining to the Fathers of the Church. patristics, n. study of the Fathers' lives and works.
 
patrix
n. - die from which matrix is made.
 
patroclinous, patriclinous
adj. - pertaining to, or having, inherited paternal characteristics.
 
patronymic
adj.,n. - (name) derived from father or ancestors; surname, especially formed by addition of suffix (as -son, etc.) to father's name.
 
patten
n. - wooden sole, or clog, for raising foot above wet.
 
patulous
adj. - wide-spreading or wide open.
 
pauca verba
phr. - 'few words'. paucis verbis, 'in few words'.
 
pauciloquent
adj. - speaking briefly
 
pauciloquy
n. - brevity in speech.
 
pavid
adj. - quaking with fear; afraid; frightened
 
paviour
n. - labourer doing, or tool for, paving work.
 
pavonated
adj. - peacock blue. pavonine, adj. like or colored like a peacock.
 
pawky
adj. - sly; coy; dry.
 
pawl
n. - lever which engages with a ratchet wheel so as to permit movement in one direction only.
 
paynim
n. - archaic pagan.
 
peccable
adj. - liable to sin
 
peccatophobia
n. - fear of sinning or of having committed an imaginary crime
 
peccavi
n. - confession of a sin
 
pectinate
adj. - comb-shaped; toothed. pectineal, adj. pertaining to pubic bone. pectiniform, adj. like a comb or a scallop shell.
 
pectinous
adj. - pertaining to pectin. pectize, v. cause to set.
 
peculate
v. - embezzle. peculation, peculator, n.
 
peculation
n. - embezzlement
 
pecuniary
adj. - pertaining to money.
 
pedate
adj. - like a foot; having feet.
 
pedetentous
adj. - proceedilng gradually or cautiously
 
pedialgia
n. - pain in foot.
 
pedicel
n. - short, thin stalk; footstalk. pedicle, n. pedicellate, adj. having pedicel. pedicelliform, adj. like a pedicel.
 
pedicular
adj. - pertaining to or having lice. pediculicide, n. substance destroying lice. pediculosis, n. infestation with lice. pediculous, adj.
 
pediform
adj. - footshaped. pedigerous, adj. having feet. pediluvium, n. foot-bath.
 
pediment
n. - triangular space at end of gable, especially ornamented; such space over door, window, etc. pedimental, adj.
 
peduncle
n. - flower stalk; stem. peduncular, adj. pedunculate, adj. having peduncles.
 
peen
n. - rounded or wedge-shaped end of head of hammer.
 
peerl
n. - light, drizzling rain
 
peignoir
n. - loose dress; negligée.
 
peine
n. - 'pain'. peine forte et dure, 'pain strong and hard'; execution by crushing to death under heavy weights.
 
peirastic
adj. - experimental; ready to be tried
 
pejorate
v. - depreciate; worsen. pejoration, n. change for worse. pejorative, n. & a. disparaging (word or suffix, etc.).
 
pelage
n. - animal's coat.
 
pelargic
adj. - like or pertaining to a stork.
 
pelerine
n. - woman's short cape with tippets in front.
 
pelisse
n. - long outer mantle.
 
pellagra
n. - nervous and digestive disease due to deficiency of nicotinic acid in diet. pellagragenic, adj. causing pellagra. pellagrin, n. person suffering from pellagra. pellagrous, adj.
 
pellicle
n. - membrane; film. pellicular, adj. pelliculate, adj. covered with pellicle.
 
pellitory
n. - one of several wall-growing plants, including one with root used in dentifrices.
 
pelma
n. - impression showing shape of sole.
 
pelmatogram
n. - a footprint
 
pelology
n. - study of mud and its therapeutic applications
 
pelota
n. - 'ball'; several tennis-like Spanish games, and fives-like Basque game.
 
pelotherapy
n. - medical treatment by mud baths.
 
peltast
n. - ancient Greek soldier with light shield. peltate, peltiform, adj. shield- shaped. peltiferous, adj. bearing a shield.
 
penates
n. - pl. household gods.
 
pendente lite
adj. - 'during the lawsuit'; until completion of litigation.
 
penelopize
v. - to undo and redo to gain time
 
peneplain
n. - land reduced to plain level by erosion. peneplanation, n.
 
penetralia
n. - pl. private places; secrets.
 
penetrometer
n. - instrument measuring the penetrability or firmness of a substance by driving a needle into it; instrument measuring the penetrativeness of X-rays, etc.
 
penicillate
adj. - terminating in tuft of hairs. penicilliform, adj.
 
penna
n. - any of a bird's larger feathers, covering most of its body. pennaceons, adj.
 
pennate
adj. - having or like wings or feathers. penniferous, pennigerous, adj. feather-bearing. penniform, adj. feather-like.
 
pennon
n. - long flag coming to a point or swallowtail, especially attached as banner to head of lance; pennant.
 
penology
n. - study of criminal punishment. penologic(al), adj. penologist, n.
 
penotherapy
n. - regulating prostitutes to control venerealdisease
 
pensile
adj. - hanging; building a hanging nest. pensility, n.
 
pentachord
n. - five-stringed musical instrument; series of five tones.
 
pentad
n. - five; group of five.
 
pentadactyl
adj. - having five fingers or toes to each hand or foot. pentadactylate, adj. pentadactylism, n.
 
pentadecagon
n. - 15-sided plane figure.
 
pentaglot
adj.,n. - (book, speaker, etc.), in or of five languages.
 
pentahedron
n. - five-sided solid figure. pentahedral, adj.
 
pentalogy
n. - state of being fivefold or in five parts.
 
pentalpha
n. - pentagram.
 
pentamerous
adj. - in five parts; Botany, having its parts in fives. pentameral, adj. pentamerism, n.
 
pentapody
n. - verse line of five feet.
 
pentapolis
n. - group or alliance of five cities. pentapolitan,, adj.
 
pentapopemptic
n. - divorced five times
 
pentarch
n. - member of pentarchy. pentarchy, n. government by five persons; alliance between five powers.
 
pentastich
n. - stanza of five lines. pentastichous, adj. arranged in five rows. pentastichy, n.
 
pentasyllable
n. - word, verse-line, etc., of five syllables. pentasyllabic, adj.
 
pentheraphobia
n. - fear or dislike of one's mother-in-law
 
pentimento
n. - trace of earlier painting showing through layer(s) of paint added later.
 
penult
n. - last but one, especially such syllable. penultimate, n. & a.
 
penurious
adj. - poor; mean. penury, n. poverty.
 
peotomy
n. - the surgical amputation of the penis
 
peplos
n. - short tunic-like garment for women in ancient Greece.
 
peplum
n. - flounce at waistline of blouse, dress, etc.
 
pepsin
n. - gastric digestive juice. pepsinate, v. treat or mix with pepsin. pepsiniferous, adj. yielding pepsin. peptic, adj. pertaining to pepsin or digestion; aiding or capable of digestion; pertaining to, or in, stomach and duodenum; n. aid to digestion. peptone, n. substance resulting from digestion of protein by pepsin. peptonize, v. convert into peptone; pre-digest.
 
peracute
adj. - very acute.
 
percale
n. - closely woven cotton used especially for sheets.
 
percheron
n. - kind of dappled or black heavy carthorse.
 
perciform
adj. - like a perch (fish).
 
percurrent
adj. - extending whole length (of a leaf).
 
percuss
v. - strike, tap, especially part of body in medical diagnosis. percussion, n. act of striking violently; impact of violent sound on ear; musical instrument as drums, etc., sounded by being struck. percussive, adj.
 
percutaneous
adj. - taking effect through the skin.
 
perdu
adj. - (fem. -e) out of sight; lost; reckless.
 
perduellion
n. - treason
 
peregrinate
v. - wander (through). peregrination, n. peregrinatory, adj.
 
perendinate
n. - to postpone until the next day; to postponeindefinitely
 
perfidy
n. - treachery; breaking of promise. perfidious, adj.
 
perfrication
n. - thorough rubbing
 
perfuse
v. - suffuse, permeate. perfusion, n. perfusive, adj.
 
pergameneous
adj. - resembling parchment.
 
perhiemate
v. - to spend the winter
 
perianth
n. - external part of flower, including corolla and calyx. perianthial, adj.
 
periapt
n. - amulet.
 
pericardium
n. - (pl. -ia) membranous sac containing heart. pericardiac, pericardial, adj. pericarditis, n. inflammation of pericardium.
 
perichareia
n. - excessive and violent rejoicing
 
periclitate
v. - to expose to peril; endanger; risk
 
pericope
n. - selection or quotation from book. pericopal, pericopic, adj.
 
pericranium
n. - membrane covering skull. pericranial, adj.
 
peridot
n. - gemstone, pale green variety of olivine.
 
perilune
n. - point in the path of a body orbiting the moon that is nearest to the centre of the moon.
 
perioeci
n. -pl. pl. (sing. -cus) persons living in same latitude on opposite sides of earth. perioecic, adj.
 
periosteal
adj. - round a bone. periosteum, n. such membranous tissue.
 
periotic
adj. - round the ear.
 
peripety, peripetia, peripeteia
n. - sudden and violent change in circumstances, especially in drama.
 
periphrasis
n. - (pl. -ses ) circumlocution. periphrastic, a.; Grammar, formed with auxiliaries, prepositions, etc.
 
periphrastic
adj. - using many words when few would do; verbose;roundabout; circumlocutory
 
periplus
n. - tour round, circumnavigation; account of such tour.
 
peripteral
adj. - with row of columns on every side; pertaining to air about moving body. periptery n. region round moving body in air.
 
periscian
adj. - person living in polar circle.
 
perissotomist
n. - a knife-happy surgeon
 
peristalith
n. - prehistoric stone circle.
 
peristeronic
adj. - pertaining to pigeons.
 
peristrephic
adj. - turning around, rotatory
 
peristyle
n. - row of columns, especially on all sides of court, etc.; area enclosed by it.
 
perityphlic
adj. - round caecum. perityphlitis, n. inflammation of perityphlic tissue.
 
perlaceous
adj. - pearly. perligenous, adj. producing pearls.
 
perlite
n. - volcanic glass forming, when expanded by heat, an insulating material and a light-weight aggregate added to concrete and plaster or used as soil conditioner. perlitic, adj. having perlite-like texture.
 
perlustrate
v. - to review thoroughly; survey
 
permalloy
n. - alloy of nickel and iron, most easily magnetized of all materials.
 
pernancy
n. - Law, receiving.
 
pernine
adj. - pertaining to honey buzzard.
 
pernoctation
n. - act of spending the night.
 
pernor
n. - person taking or receiving.
 
peroneal
adj. - pertaining to fibula.
 
peroral
adj. - through the mouth.
 
perorate
v. -i. make grandiloquent speech; bring speech to close. peroration, n. final passage of speech. perorative, peroratory,, adj.
 
perry
n. - cider-like drink made from pears.
 
persiennes
n. - pl. kind of Venetian blinds; outside shutters with movable slats.
 
persiflage
n. - raillery; idle chatter.
 
personalia
n. -pl. pl. personal details or anecdotes; personal belongings.
 
personalty
n. - personal property.
 
pertinacity
n. - persistence; tenacity. pertinacious, adj.
 
peruke
n. - wig.
 
pervicacious
adj. - extremely obstinate; willful
 
pervious
adj. - permeable; open-minded.
 
pervulgate
v. - to publish
 
pessary
n. - supporting instrument or suppository introduced into vagina.
 
pestiferous
adj. - carrying infection or plague; noxious. pesticide, n. pest-killing substance. pestology, n. scientific study of insect pests.
 
petard
n. - bomb attached to, and for bursting open, gates, etc. hoist with own petard, blown up by own bomb; damaged by own devices to injure others.
 
pethidine
n. - pain-relieving drug used in childbirth, etc.
 
petiole
n. - leaf-stalk. petiolar, adj. petiolate, adj. having petiole. petiolule, n. petiole of a leaflet.
 
petitio principii
n. - 'begging the question'.
 
petricolous
adj. - inhabiting rocks.
 
pétrissage
n. - kneading (in massage).
 
petrogenesis
n. - origin or development of rocks. petrogenic, adj. petroglyph, n. ancient rock- carving. petrography, n. description and classification of rocks. petrolithic a. as hard as rock, applied to road surface. petrology, n. geological study of rocks. petrophilous, adj. living on rocks. petrous, adj. rocky; hard as stone.
 
pettitoes
n. - pl. pig's trotters.
 
petto
n. - breast. in petto, in mind; in secret thoughts.
 
petulcous
adj. - butting like a ram; offensively aggressive
 
phacometer
n. - lens-measuring instrument.
 
phaeton
n. - light two-horse four-wheeled open carriage.
 
phagedaena
n. - gangrene; extensive ulceration. phagedaenic a.
 
phagocyte
n. - leucocyte destroying harmful bacteria, etc. phagocytic, adj. phagocytosis, n. destruction of harmful elements by phagocytes.
 
phagomania
n. - insanely hungry
 
phalacrespia
n. - aversion for baldness, or for bald men
 
phalacrosis
n. - baldness.
 
phalanger
n. - several kinds of long-tailed Australian marsupial.
 
phalarope
n. - small sandpiper-like shore bird.
 
phallation
n. - movement of the penis in sexual intercourse
 
phanerogam
n. - (old term) flowering plant. phanerogamic, phanerogamous, adj.
 
phaneromania
n. - a compulsion to pick at a skin growth or imperfection
 
phantasmagoria
n. - crowd of phantoms; series of shifting images or scenes. phantasmagoric(al), adj.
 
pharisaical
adj. - of persons of rigid adherence to outward forms andrituals instead of to the true spirit
 
pharmacodynamic
adj. - pertaining to action of drugs on body.
 
pharos
n. - lighthouse. pharology, n. study of lighthouses.
 
phatic
adj. - establishing an atmosphere of sociability rather than communicating ideas
 
phellem
n. - cork. phellogen, n. tissue producing cork.
 
phenakistoscope
n. - apparatus or instrument in which figures on a moving dial, etc., seem to move when viewed through a slit; earliest form of cinematograph.
 
phenogenesis
n. - origin of races. phenogenetic, adj. phenogenology, n. study of relations between recurring biological activities and climate.
 
philalethe
n. - one who loves to forget
 
philauty
n. - self-love; selfishness
 
philematology
n. - the study of kissing
 
philematophobe
n. - a woman who dislikes kissing
 
philippic
n. - diatribe; abusive speech.
 
phillumenist
n. - collector of matchbox labels.
 
philocalist
n. - a lover of beauty
 
philocaly
n. - love of beauty. philocalic, adj. philocalist, n.
 
philocubist
n. - someone who likes dice games
 
philodemic
adj. - fond of the common people.
 
philodox
n. - one who loves one's own opinions
 
philogastric
adj. - greedy
 
philogynist
n. - lover of women. philogynous, adj. philogyny, n.
 
philomel
n. - nightingale.
 
philometrist
n. - collector of envelopes, etc., for their postal meter impressions.
 
philophobia
n. - fear of falling in love or of being loved
 
philopolemic
adj. - pertaining to love of argument orcontroversy
 
philopornist
n. - a lover of prostitutes
 
philoprogenitive
adj. - having many children; fond of children.
 
philosophastering
adj. - pseudo-philosophizing
 
philotheism
n. - love of God. philotheist, n.
 
philoxenist
n. - one who is happiest while entertaining strangers
 
philter
n. - love potion
 
phlebology
n. - science of veins. phlebitis, n. inflammation of vein. phlebitic, adj.
 
phlegmagogue
n. - phlegm-expelling drug. phlegmasia, n. inflammation. phlegmon,n. boil.
 
phloem
n. - bast tissue. phloic, adj.
 
phlogiston
n. - principle of combustibility once supposed to exist in all inflammable substances. phlogogenetic, phlogogenic, adj. causing inflammation. phlogistic, adj. pertaining to inflammation.
 
phocine
adj. - pertaining to seals (animals).
 
phoenicopter, phenicopter
n. - flamingo. phoenicurous, adj. having red tail. phoenix, n. mythical bird reborn from ashes.
 
phon
n. - unit of loudness of sound.
 
phonal
adj. - vocal; phonetic. phonate, v.i. speak or sing. phonation, n.
 
phonogram
n. - symbol representing sound, syllable or word. phonograph, American, n. gramophone. phonography, n. system of spelling or shorthand based on speech sounds.
 
phonology
n. - study of speech sounds in a language; such speech sounds. phonological, adj. phonologist, n.
 
phonometry
n. - measurement of intensity, etc., of sounds. phonometer, n. instrument used in phonometry. phonometric, adj.
 
phonophorous
adj. - able to transmit sound waves. phonophore, n. system of hearing for the deaf conducting sounds to the teeth; device for sending telephonic and telegraphic messages over same line simultaneously.
 
phonotype
n. - printing type of phonetic alphabet; a character of phonotype. phonotypic, adj. phonotypy, n. transcription into phonetic spelling advocated for ordinary use.
 
phorometry
n. - study and correction of abnormalities of muscles of eye. phorometer, n. instrument used in phorometry.
 
phosgene
n. - colorless poison gas made from chlorine and carbon monoxide.
 
phot
n. - unit of illumination of a surface.
 
photic
adj. - pertaining to or penetrated by light. photics, n. study of light.
 
photoautotrophic
adj. - (of plants, etc.) capable of using light to synthesize food from inorganic substances.
 
photobathic
adj. - pertaining to sea depths penetrated by sunlight. photobiotic, adj. thriving only in light.
 
photochemistry
n. - science, processes and properties of chemical changes effected by light.
 
photochromism
n. - property of changing color on exposure to light or other radiation and of reverting to original color immediately the light or radiation source is removed. photochromic, adj.
 
photocoagulation
n. - surgical coagulation of tissue by means of a laser beam.
 
photofission
n. - nuclear fission induced by gamma rays.
 
photogravure
n. - printing from engraved plates photographically prepared.
 
photogyric
adj. - turning towards light.
 
photokinesis
n. - activity caused by light. photokinetic, adj.
 
photolithography
n. - printing process using photographically prepared plates (abbr. photolitho ).
 
photolysis
n. - decomposition caused by light. photolytic, adj.
 
photometer
n. - instrument measuring intensity, etc., of light. photometric, adj. photometry, n.
 
photonasty
n. - Botany, adoption of certain position due to effect of light on growth. photonastic, adj.
 
photonosus
n. - morbid condition due to exposure to light. photopathy, n. any such disease.
 
photophile
adj.,n. - (organism) loving light. photophilous, adj. photophily, n. photophobia, n. dislike or dread of light. photophobic, adj. photophygous, adj. avoiding or disliking light.
 
photopia
n. - normal day vision. photopic, adj.
 
photoscope
n. - apparatus for observing light, especially changes in its intensity, or magnifying photographs.
 
photosphere
n. - sun's luminous envelope. photospheric, adj.
 
phototaxis
n. - growth or movement directed by light. phototactic, adj.
 
photothermic
adj. - pertaining to heat and light.
 
phototonus
n. - sensitivity to light.
 
phototropism
n. - movement directed by light; heliotropism. phototropic, adj.
 
phratry
n. - clan; tribe. phrator, n. member of phratry. phratric, adj.
 
phreatic
adj. - pertaining to wells and subterranean water.
 
phrenic
adj. - pertaining to diaphragm.
 
phrontifugic
adj. - relieving anxiety
 
phrontistery
n. - place for study.
 
phthiriasis
n. - infestation with lice. phthirophagous, adj. eating lice.
 
phthisis
n. - tuberculosis of lungs. phthisical, adj.
 
phycology
n. - study of seaweeds or algae.
 
phylactery
n. - small leather box containing scriptural extracts worn by Jews at prayer on head and arm; relic-container; amulet; reminder; record; in medieval art, words in a balloon-like circle drawn issuing from mouth.
 
phylactic
adj. - defending against disease.
 
phylliform
adj. - leaf-shaped. phylline, adj. leaf-like. phyllode (-/d), n. flattened stem functioning as leaf. phyllogenetic, adj. pertaining to production of, or producing, leaves. phylloid, adj. phylline. phyllomania, n. abnormal leaf-production. phyllomorph, n. artistic leaf-like detail. phyllophagous, adj. leaf-eating. phyllophorous, adj. bearing leaves. phyllotaxy, n. arrangement of leaves of plant.
 
phylloxera
n. - plant-louse harmful to vines.
 
phyma
n. - (pl. -ta) skin tumour. phymatic, adj. phymatosis, n. disease characterised by phymata.
 
physagogue
adj.,n. - (drug) expelling wind.
 
physagogue
n. - carminative, or medicine to induce farting
 
physiocracy
n. - government that does not interfere with the operation of supposed natural laws. physiocrat, n. advocate (especially French, 18th-century) of physiocracy.
 
physiolatry
n. - nature worship. physiolater, n. physiolatrous, adj.
 
physitheism
n. - nature worship; ascription to God of physical shape.
 
physiurgic
adj. - due to natural causes.
 
phytivorous
adj. - feeding on plants.
 
phytogamy
n. - Botany, cross-fertilization. phytogenesis, n. development and origin of plants. phytogenic, adj. derived from plants. phytography, n. descriptive botany. phytoid, adj. plant-like. phytophagic, phytophagous, adj. phytivorous. phytophilous, adj. fond of plants. phytosis, n. infection or disease caused by parasitic plant. phytosociology, n. branch of ecology dealing with plant communities. phytotomy, n. anatomy of plants. phytotoxin, n. poison produced by plant.
 
phytotron
n. - a botanical laboratory comprising a series of chambers reproducing any condition of temperature, humidity, illumination, or other plant-growth factor.
 
pia mater
n. - inner membrane enclosing brain.
 
piacular
adj. - serving to atone or make amends for; expiatory; or sinful; wicked
 
pibroch
n. - piece of music for bagpipe.
 
pica
n. - (12-point) size of type; Medicine, abnormal craving to eat unusual things such as chalk or hair. small pica, 11-point. double pica, 22-point.
 
picador
n. - mounted bull-fighter with lance.
 
picaro
n. - (fem. picara) rogue. picaresque, adj. pertaining to rogues, especially applied to literature about rogues and vagabonds. picaroon, n. rogue; thief; pirate.
 
piceous
adj. - like pitch; inflammable.
 
piciform
adj. - like a woodpecker. picine, adj. pertaining to woodpeckers.
 
pickerel
n. - young pike (fish); small American freshwater fish.
 
picot
n. - one of series of small loops forming ornamental edging to ribbon, lace, etc. picotee, n. flower with petal margins of different color.
 
picric acid
n. - yellow, bitter, poisonous acid used as dye and disinfectant and in manufacture of explosives.
 
pidan
n. - preserved Chinese duck's eggs.
 
piddock
n. - rough-shelled, boring, marine bivalve.
 
pied-à-terre
n. - 'foot on the ground'; temporary or subsidiary home.
 
Pierian
adj. - pertaining to Pieria, Macedonia, where the Muses were worshipped; pertaining to the Muses or poetry.
 
pierid
adj.,n. - (butterfly) belonging to the family including cabbage and other butterflies. pieridine, adj.
 
pietà
n. - 'piety'; representation of the dead Christ held and mourned by the Virgin Mary.
 
pietism
n. - unquestioning religious devotion; priggishness. pietist, n.
 
piezochemistry
n. - study of chemical effects of pressure. piezo-electricity, n. production of electric charges on certain crystals when under pressure; slight change in shape of crystal when in electric field. piezometer, n. instrument measuring compressibility of liquids.
 
pignorate
n. - mortgaged or pawned
 
pilaster
n. - rectangular pillar projecting from and supporting wall. pilastered, adj.
 
pileus
n. - (pl. -ei ) cap- or umbrella-like top of mushroom. pileate(d), adj. having pileus; with crest on pileum. pileiform, adj. shaped like pileus. pileolus, n. (pl. -li ) small pileus. pileum, n. top of bird's head.
 
piliferous
adj. - having hair
 
piloerection
n. - hair standing on end
 
pilose
adj. - hairy. piliferous, adj. bearing hair. piliform, adj. like a (long) hair. pilosis, n. over-growth of hair. pilosity, n. hairiness.
 
pilular
adj. - pertaining to or like a pill. pillule, n. small pill.
 
pinaceous
adj. - pertaining to or like a pine tree; belonging to the pine family of trees.
 
pinaster
n. - cluster pine.
 
pinchbeck
n. - gold-like alloy of copper and zinc; tawdry jewellery; a. spurious; trashy.
 
Pindaric
adj. - having complex metrical structure, as in Pindar's Odes.
 
pineal
adj. - pertaining to or like a pine cone. pineal body or gland, small gland-like process of brain cavity.
 
pinguefy
v. - become or make fat or rich. pinguid, adj. fatty; oily; rich.
 
pinguescent
adj. - becoming fat
 
pink
v. - prick with sword, etc.; decorate with perforations; cut with special scissors to make zigzag edge. v.i. (of internal-combustion engine) make a metallic noise as a result of faulty combustion.
 
pinnate
adj. - like a feather; with leaflets on either side of a leafstalk. pinnatifid, divided pinnately. pinnation, n.
 
pintle
n. - usually upright pin acting as hinge or pivot.
 
pip emma
adj. -adv. World War One signaller's slang for post meridiem.
 
piperaceous
adj. - pertaining to or like pepper plant; belonging to pepper family of plants.
 
pipit
n. - several lark-like singing birds; titlark.
 
pipkin
n. - small pot.
 
pique
n. - hurt pride, resentful irritation; v.t. cause pique; pride (oneself) on something.
 
pis aller
n. - 'go worst'; last resort; something done or accepted for lack of anything better; less desirable alternative.
 
piscary
n. - fishing rights or place.
 
pisiform
adj. - like pea(s).
 
pismire
n. - dialect or archaic, ant.
 
pithecoid
adj. - pertaining to anthropoid apes. pithecism, n. pithecoid characters in Man. pithecomorphic, adj. like anthropoid apes.
 
pithiatism
n. - a forceful suggestion
 
pityriasis
n. - scaly skin infection. pityriasic, adj.
 
pizzle
n. - a whip made from an animal's penis
 
placet
n. - 'it pleases'; n. assenting vote or expression.
 
placoid
adj. - pertaining to or like teeth-like scales.
 
plage
n. - sea beach; seaside resort.
 
plagiograph
n. - kind of pantograph.
 
plagiotropic
adj. - (of plant) growing away from vertical.
 
planarian
n. - kind of flatworm.
 
plangent
adj. - deep- or loud-sounding. plangency, n. plangorous, adj. mournful.
 
planimeter
n. - instrument measuring plane figure's area. planimetry, n. such measurement.
 
planipennate
adj. - having flat, broad wings. planirostral, adj. having such beak. planisphere, n. map of heavens on plane surface.
 
planistethic
adj. - flat-chested
 
planography
n. - printing from flat surface. planometry, n. gauging of plane surface.
 
planomania
n. - urge to live a bohemian life
 
plantigrade
adj.,n. - (animal) walking on soles of feet, as humans.
 
plasmapheresis
n. - process of separating plasma from red blood cells in blood from donor, and returning red blood cells to donor.
 
plastron
n. - breast-pad or plate for protection; shell protecting underside of tortoise, etc.; false shirt-front.
 
plataleiform
adj. - spoonbilled.
 
platycephaly
n. - flatness of crown of head. platycephalic, platycephalous, adj. platydactyl, adj. having flat digits. platypodous, adj. having broad, flat feet. platypodia, n. flat-footedness. platypus, n. duckbill. platyrrhinian, n. & a. (person) with short, flat nose.
 
plebicolist
n. - someone who woos the common folk
 
plectrum
n. - (pl. -ra) implement for plucking strings of musical instrument. plectridial, adj. drumstick-shaped.
 
pledget
n. - small wound dressing.
 
pleiobar
n. - isobar or area of high atmospheric pressure.
 
pleionosis
n. - exaggeration of one's own importance
 
plenary
adj.,n. - full; entire; unlimited; with all members present.
 
pleniloquence
n. - excessive talking
 
plenilunar
adj. - like or pertaining to full moon.
 
plenipotentiary
adj.,n. - (envoy) having full power.
 
plenum
n. - (pl. -na) space full of matter; plenary meeting.
 
pleochroic
adj. - showing different colors when viewed in different directions. pleochroous, adj. pleochroism, n.
 
pleonasm
n. - use of unnecessary words; redundancy. pleonastic, adj.
 
pleonastic
adj. - use of words superfluously; redundant
 
pleonectic
adj. - covetous. pleonexia, n.
 
pleonexia
n. - covetousness, avarice; mania for acquiring possessions
 
plethora
n. - excess, superfluity.
 
pleura
n. - (pl. -ae ) membrane lining half of thorax. pleural, adj. pleurisy, n. inflammation of pleura. pleuritic, adj. pleurogenic, adj. formed in pleura.
 
pleurodynia
n. - pain in muscles of chest or side.
 
pleuronectid
adj. - (pertaining to) flat-fish.
 
plexus
n. - network. plexiform, adj. like plexus. plexure, n. inter-weaving.
 
plicate
adj. - pleat; plait; fold; a. pleated; plaited. plication, n.
 
pliofilm
n. - trademark, thin transparent waterproof sheet used for packaging, etc.
 
pliothermic
adj. - Geology, pertaining to periods of temperature above average.
 
plosive
adj.,n. - Phonetics, explosive (sound), as p. plosion, n.
 
plumbeous
adj. - leaden. plumbic, plumbous, adj. plumbiferous, plumbism, n. lead-poisoning.
 
plumbum
n. - scientific word for lead
 
plumose
adj. - feathered; feathery.
 
pluperfect
adj. - (grammatical tense) signifying completion of action before a certain point in past time.
 
plurilateral
adj. - of more than two sides or parties. pluriliteral, adj. of more than three letters. plurinominal, adj. of more than one name. pluriparous, adj. bringing forth more than one at a birth. plurisyllable, n. word of more than one syllable.
 
plutonic
adj. - of volcanic or deep-seated origin.
 
plutonomy
n. - economics.
 
pluvial
adj. - pertaining or due to rain; having much rain. pluvine, adj. pluviography, n. recording of rainfall. pluviometer, n. rain gauge. pluvious, pluviose, adj. rainy.
 
pneuma
n. - soul, spirit.
 
pnigophobia
n. - morbid fear of being smothered.
 
poaceous
adj. - pertaining to or like grass; belonging to the grass family of plants.
 
pochard
n. - kind of redheaded duck.
 
pococurante
adj. - nonchalant, indifferent
 
pocosin
n. - swamp found in southeastern U.S.
 
poculiform
adj. - cup-shaped.
 
podagra
n. - gout. podagral, podagric, podagrous, adj.
 
podalic
adj. - pertaining to feet.
 
podesta
n. - Italian mayor or chief magistrate.
 
podex
n. - (pl. -dices ) posterior. podical, adj. pertaining to podex.
 
podobromhidrosis
n. - smelly feet
 
poecilonymy
n. - the use of several names for one thing
 
poetaster
n. - poor or unimportant poet. poetastery, n.
 
pogoniasis
n. - overgrowth of beard; growth of beard in woman. pogonology, n. book on beards. pogonophobia, n. morbid fear of beards. pogonotomy, n. cutting of beard; shaving. pogonotrophy, n. growing of a beard.
 
poiesis
n. - creation; creative power or ability
 
poikilothermic
adj. - cold-blooded. poikilothermism, n. poikilothermous, adj.
 
poikilothymia
n. - extreme changes of mood
 
poilu
n. - 'hairy'; n. slang, infantry soldier in World War One.
 
poimenics
n. - pastoral theology.
 
poise
n. - unit of viscosity.
 
polarimeter
n. - instrument measuring amount of polarized light or rotation of plane of polarized light. polariscope, n. instrument for studying polarized light or objects in it. polarizse, v. modify normally transverse light vibrations so that they are confined to one plane. polarization.
 
polder
n. - piece of land reclaimed from sea.
 
poliomyelitis
n. - virus disease of the spinal cord, often causing paralysis; infantile paralysis (abbr. polio).
 
poliosis
n. - greyness of hair.
 
pollard
v. - cut off top of (tree); n. pollarded tree; animal without its usual horns, antlers, etc.
 
pollex
n. - (pl. -lices ) thumb. pollical, adj. pollice verso, (Latin) with thumb turned down, indicating condemnation, especially to death. pollicitation, n. offer not accepted.
 
poltophagy
n. - lengthy mastication of food reducing it to semi-liquid state. poltophagic, adj. poltophagist, n.
 
poltroon
n. - abject coward.
 
polyamide
n. - compound characterized by more than one amide group, a polymeric amide.
 
polyarchy
n. - government by many persons.
 
polychaete
adj.,n. - (pertaining to) marine worm. polychaetous, adj.
 
polychotomy
n. - division into many parts. polychotomous, adj.
 
polychrest
n. - remedy for several diseases. polychrest, adj. polychresty, n.
 
polychrestic
adj. - serving and adapted for several different uses
 
polychrome
adj.,n. - work of art in many colors. polychromatic, polychromic, polychromous, adj. many-colored. polychromia, n., Medicine, excessive coloration. polychromy, n.
 
polycythaemia
n. - blood condition with abnormal numbers of red blood cells.
 
polydactyl
adj.,n. - (animal or human) having too many fingers or toes.
 
polydemic
adj. - native to several countries.
 
polydipsia
n. - abnormal thirst.
 
polyeidic
adj. - applied to insects with conspicuous metamorphosis. polyeidism, n.
 
polyelectrolyte
n. - a jelly-like plastic compounded of two polymers, one charged positively and one negatively.
 
polygenesis
n. - derivation from many origins. polygenesic, polygenetic, polygenic, adj. polygenism, n. theory of polygenesis of Man.
 
polyhidrosis
n. - excessive perspiration.
 
polyhistor
n. - person of exceptionally wide knowledge; polymath.
 
polylith
n. - prehistoric monument of many stones. polylithic, adj.
 
polylogy
n. - wordiness
 
polymath
n. - person of wide learning. polymathic, adj. polymathy, n.
 
polymythy
n. - use of many plots in one story. polymythic, adj.
 
polyneuritis
n. - neuritis of many nerves simultaneously. polyneuritic, adj.
 
polyonymy
n. - use of many names for same thing; use of polynomial term or name. polyonymous, adj.
 
polyopia
n. - multiple vision. polyopic, adj.
 
polyphagia
n. - eating of excessive amount, or many different kinds, of food. polyphagic, polyphagous, adj. polyphagy, n.
 
polypharmacy
n. - treatment with many medicines for same disease. polypharmacon, n. medicine containing many ingredients.
 
polyphony
n. - Music, composition in separate, but simultaneous and harmonizing, parts; counterpoint; Phonetics, use of one symbol for several sounds. polyphonic, adj. polyphonist, n. composer of polyphony.
 
polyphyletic
adj. - having more than one original type. polyphylesis, n. such descent.
 
polyploid
adj.,n. - (cell, individual, generation) having more than twice the basic number of chromosomes.
 
polypnea
n. - rapid breathing. polypneic, adj.
 
polypod
adj.,n. - many-legged (animal).
 
polypragmatist
n. - busybody. polypragmatism, n.
 
polypsychic
adj. - having several souls. polypsychism, n.
 
polypus
n. - (pl. -pi ) nasal, etc., polyp.
 
polyseme
n. - word with many meanings. polysemantic, adj. polysemous a. having many meanings. polysemy, n.
 
polystachious
adj. - many-spiked.
 
polystichous
adj. - in several rows.
 
polystomatous
adj. - many-mouthed.
 
polystyle
adj.,n. - (building) with many columns.
 
polysyndeton
n. - rhetorical device of repeating conjunction for emphasis. polysyndetic, adj.
 
polysynthetic
adj. - of languages where whole phrases are combined into one word.
 
polythalamous
adj. - having many chambers.
 
polytocous
adj. - bringing forth many young at once.
 
polytomous
adj. - divided into several parts. polytomy, n.
 
polyuria
n. - excessive urination. polyuric, adj.
 
polyvalent
adj. - Chemistry, having multiple valency; Medicine, effective against more than one toxin or strain of micro-organism. polyvalence, n.
 
pomace
n. - crushed apples in cider-making. pomaceous, adj. pertaining to apples or similar fruit.
 
pomelo
n. - fruit like a grapefruit; shaddock.
 
pomiculture
n. - fruit growing. pomiform, adj. apple-shaped. pomology, n. science of fruit growing.
 
pone
n. - card player on dealer's right, who cuts the cards.
 
ponerology
n. - division of theology dealing with evil.
 
pongee
n. - thin, soft silk from China, naturally colored beige or tan; cotton or rayon imitation of this.
 
pons
n. - (pl. pontes ) 'bridge'. pons asinorum, 'bridge of asses'; test of ignorant person's ability. pontine, adj.
 
pontage
n. - toll one pays for crossing a bridge
 
pood
n. - weight, equivalent of 36 lb.
 
popliteal
adj. - pertaining to the back of the knee.
 
porism
n. - geometric proposition that it is possible, in certain conditions, for a problem to have any number of solutions.
 
porogamy
n. - fertilization of seed plants. porogamic, porogamous, adj.
 
porraceous
adj. - like leek in color.
 
porrect
adj. - stretched at length.
 
porrigo
n. - scalp disease causing baldness. porriginous, adj.
 
portreeve
n. - formerly, in England, mayor.
 
posology
n. - study of medical doses. posologist, n.
 
posset
n. - hot spiced drink of milk and wine.
 
postament
n. - pedestal; frame.
 
postcibal
adj. - after a meal.
 
postconnubial
adj. - after marriage.
 
poste restante
n. - department of post office holding letters until called for.
 
postern
n. - archaic, back door.
 
postexilic
adj. - after exile, especially after Babylonian captivity of Jews.
 
postiche
adj.,n. - artificial or spurious (thing); false (hair); (ornament) added, especially inappropriately, to finished thing.
 
postil
n. - note in margin; comment.
 
postilion, postillion
n. - person who rides near horse of those drawing coach etc. and acts as guide to the whole team.
 
postjacent
adj. - posterior.
 
postmundane
adj. - after the (end of the) world.
 
postprandial
adj. - after dinner.
 
postrorse
adj. - turned, or bent, backwards.
 
posttonic
adj. - after accent or accented syllable.
 
postvocalic
adj. - after a vowel.
 
potamic
adj. - pertaining to rivers. potamology, n. study of rivers.
 
potation
n. - act of drinking; drinking bout; thing drunk. potatory, adj.
 
pou sto
n. - 'where I may stand'; place to stand; basis; locus standi.
 
poult
n. - young fowl, especially turkey.
 
poundal
n. - unit of force: force imparting to one pound mass acceleration of one foot per second.
 
praedial, predial
adj. - of land, farming, etc.
 
prandial
adj. - pertaining to or at dinner.
 
pratincolous
adj. - inhabiting meadows.
 
praxinoscope
n. - instrument with mirrors in which a series of moving drawings appear as a continuously moving picture; early form of cinematograph.
 
praxis
n. - practice (of profession, science, etc.) as opposed to theory; accepted practice.
 
preadamic
adj. - before Adam. preadamite, n. person living before Adam; believer in such persons.
 
preagonal
adj. - immediately preceding death throes. preagony, n. such period.
 
preantepenultimate
n. & adj. - fourth from last
 
prebend
n. - Ecclesiastical, stipend of member of chapter. prebendal, adj. prebendary, n. holder of prebend.
 
precative, precatory
adj. - beseeching.
 
precentor
n. - (fem. -tress, -trix) leader of singing. precentorial, adj.
 
preciation
n. - determination of value or price.
 
precisian
n. - person excessively devoted to minute observance of rules. precisianism, n. precisive, adj. separating; defining; exact.
 
precocial
adj. - applied to birds having downy young, able to run immediately they are hatched.
 
preconize
v. - proclaim; publish publicly. preconization, n.
 
predella
n. - (pl. -le ) platform for altar; work of art on predella.; portable altar or decoration on it; shelf behind altar.
 
preexilian, preexilic
adj. - before exile, especially Babylonian captivity of Jews.
 
prelapsarian
adj. - pertaining to time before Man's fall.
 
prelect
v. -i. deliver lecture. prelection, n. lecture. prelector, n. lecturer.
 
premiate
v. - give prize or premium for.
 
premorse
adj. - bitten off short; as if bitten off.
 
premundane
adj. - before creation of world.
 
prenarial
adj. - pertaining to or in front of nostrils.
 
prepense
adj. - deliberate; premediated.
 
prepollent
adj. - predominant.
 
prepotent
adj. - very or more powerful; predominant. prepotency, n.; Biology, propensity for transmitting certain heritable characteristics.
 
preprandial
adj. - before dinner or eating a meal.
 
prepuce
n. - foreskin. preputial, adj.
 
prerupt
adj. - abrupt; steep.
 
presbycousis
n. - hardness of hearing in old age. presbyophrenia, n. loss of memory in old age. presbyopia, presbytia, n. long-sightedness in old age.
 
prescind
v. - abstract or separate (oneself). prescission, n.
 
presentient
adj. - having premonition.
 
presidial
adj. - presidential.
 
presimian
adj. - before occurrence of anthropoid apes.
 
prest
n. - loan of money
 
preterist
n. - person who enjoys reliving past memories
 
preterist
n. - someone whose main pleasure in in reliving thepast
 
preterite
adj. - Grammar, signifying past time; aorist; n. such tense. preterition, n. passing over or omission.
 
preterlabent
adj. - flowing by.
 
pretermit
v. - omit; neglect; interrupt. pretermission, n.
 
pretone
n. - syllable or vowel before accented syllable. pretonic, adj.
 
prevenient
adj. - preceding; anticipating; having foresight; preventing. prevenience, n.
 
prevernal
adj. - flowering or foliating early.
 
prevocalic
adj. - before a vowel.
 
prevoyant
adj. - having foresight. prevoyance, n.
 
priapean
adj. - phallic
 
prie-dieu
n. - praying-desk.
 
primavera
n. - spring (season).
 
primipara
n. - (pl. -rae), woman bearing first child, or having borne only one child. primiparous, adj. primiparity, n.
 
primogeniture
n. - principle of inheritance by eldest child; state of being eldest child. primogenial, adj. first to be formed; original. primogenital, primogenitary, adj. primogenitor, n. ancestor.
 
princeps
n. - chief, headman; first edition of book.
 
princox
n. - an arrogant effeminate fellow
 
privative
adj. - depriving; signifying negation or deprivation; n. such prefix (as un-) or suffix (as - less).
 
privity
n. - private knowledge; connivance.
 
proairesis, proaeresis
n. - deliberate choice.
 
probity
n. - integrity of character.
 
probouleutic
adj. - pertaining to prior discussion and deliberation.
 
procacious
adj. - insolent. procacity n.
 
procatalectic
adj. - with unaccented part of first metrical foot lacking.
 
procathedral
n. - parish church used as cathedral.
 
proceleusmatic
adj. - exhorting; encouraging; n. metrical foot of four short syllables.
 
procellous
adj. - stormy.
 
procephalic
adj. - pertaining to front of head.
 
procès-verbal
n. - official report or memorandum; minutes of meeting.
 
prochronism
n. - error of assigning to an event a date before its real date.
 
procidence
n. - prolapse. procident, adj.
 
proclinate
adj. - directed forward.
 
proclitic
adj. - applied to naturally unaccented words dependent for pronunciation and accent on following word; n. such word. proclisis, n. such pronunciation.
 
procryptic
adj. - pertaining to or having protective coloration. procrypsis, n.
 
proctalgia
n. - a pain in the ass
 
procumbent
adj. - lying flat; trailing along ground.
 
proditorious
adj. - traitorous; prone to give away secrets
 
prodrome
n. - symptom appearing before setting in of disease. prodromal, prodromic, adj. prodromus, n. prefatory work.
 
proem
n. - preface. proemial, adj.
 
proemptosis
n. - addition once in every three centuries of one day to lunar calendar.
 
proethnic
adj. - prior to division into smaller ethnic groups.
 
profluent
adj. - flowing, abundant; exuberant. profluence, n.
 
progamic
adj. - before fertilization. progamete, n. germ or sperm cell.
 
progenitive
adj. - reproductive. progenital, adj. progenitor, n. (fem. -tress, - trix) ancestor.
 
prognathism
n. - state of having projecting jaws. prognathic, prognathous, adj.
 
projicient
adj. - projecting; communicating between organism and its surroundings.
 
prolapse, prolapsus
n. - falling (of bodily organ) forward or downward, especially of the uterus.
 
prolate
adj. - having flattened sides due to lengthwise elongation.
 
prolegomena
n. -pl. pl. (sing. -non) introductory remarks. prolegomenist, n. prolegomenous, adj.
 
prolepsis
n. - (pl. -ses ) rhetorical device of weakening objections by anticipating them; use of adjective that anticipates result of verb; prochronism; assumption. proleptic, a.; Medicine, recurring at decreasing intervals. proleptical, adj. prehistoric. proleptics n. prognosis.
 
prolicide
n. - killing or killer of own offspring. prolicidal, adj.
 
proligerous
adj. - bearing offspring.
 
prolix
n. - tedious, boring words
 
prolocutor
n. - presiding officer; chair, especially of lower house of convocation.
 
prolusion
n. - preliminary trial; tentative introductory essay. prolusory, adj.
 
promuscis
n. - proboscis, especially insect's. promuscidate, adj. having this.
 
prone
adj. - lying face down.
 
pronograde
adj. - walking with body parallel to ground.
 
pronominal
adj. - pertaining to a pronoun.
 
pronovalence
n. - ability to have sexual intercourse in a prone position only
 
propaedeutic
adj. - of or pertaining to preliminary instruction; introductory
 
propinquity
n. - nearness.
 
propitiate
v. - appease; conciliate. propitiatory, adj. propitiation, n. act of propitiating; expiatory sacrifice.
 
proplasm
n. - mould; preliminary model.
 
propolis
n. - resin of tree buds collected by bees; bee glue. propolize, v. cement with this.
 
proprio motu
phr. - 'by one's own motion'; of own initiative. proprio vigore, 'by (its) own force'; independently.
 
proprioceptor
n. - sense organ receptive to stimuli from within the body. proprioceptive, adj. proprioception, n.
 
proptosis
n. - prolapse of eyeball.
 
propugnation
n. - obsolete, defence.
 
proreption
n. - obsolete, slow secret advance; creeping attack.
 
prorogue
v. - end session (of Parliament); postpone (meeting). prorogation, n.
 
proscenium
n. - part of stage before curtain.
 
proscribe
v. - outlaw; prohibit; condemn as harmful. proscription, n. proscriptive, adj.
 
proselyte
n. - convert, especially to Jewish faith. proselytic, adj. proselytize, v.i. & t. proselytism, n.
 
prosenchyma
n. - supporting plant tissue containing little protoplasm. prosenchymatous, adj.
 
prosilient
adj. - jumping forth; conspicuous.
 
prosody
n. - study or art of versifying, especially of metre, rhyme and stanza-form; method of versifying. prosodial, prosodic, adj.
 
prosonomasia
n. - use of a humorous modification of a person'sname
 
prosophobia
n. - fear of or adversion to progress
 
prosopic
adj. - pertaining to face. prosopography, n. description of face. prosopopoeia n. personification; speaking or acting as if by imaginary or absent person.
 
prosopolepsy
n. - judging people favorably from their looks
 
prosopopy
n. - the personification of inanimate objects
 
prostyle
adj.,n. - (building) with columns in front only.
 
protandry
n. - development of male organs before female to avoid self- fertilization. protandric, protandrous, adj.
 
protanopia
n. - color blindness towards red. protanope, n. protanopic, adj.
 
protasis
n. - introductory and explanatory part of drama; subordinate clause in conditional sentence. protatic, adj.
 
protensive
adj. - extensive in time or lengthwise. protensity, n.
 
proteogenous
adj. - derived from protein. proteolysis, n. disintegration of protein. proteose, n. substance derived from protein in digestion.
 
proteranthous
adj. - with flowers appearing before leaves.
 
prothalamion, prothalamium
n. - (pl.) -mia), song in honour of a marriage.
 
prothesis
n. - addition of a sound to beginning of a word.
 
prothorax
n. - front segment of thorax.
 
protocanonical
adj. - pertaining to the first canon of the bible.
 
protogenic
adj. - Geology, formed at beginning.
 
protograph
n. - holograph.
 
protogyny
n. - development of female organs before male to avoid self- fertilization. protogynous, adj.
 
protolithic
adj. - pertaining to earliest Stone Age.
 
protomartyr
n. - first martyr.
 
protomorphic
adj. - primitive.
 
protonotary, prothonotary
n. - Roman Catholic, official keeper of canonization records and signatory to papal bull.
 
protopathic
adj. - pertaining to reception by nerves, etc. of only coarse stimuli such as heat, pain, etc.; pertaining to such nerves.
 
protophyte
n. - unicellular plant. protophytic, adj.
 
prototrophic
adj. - feeding directly on uncombined elements.
 
protreptic
adj. - hortatory; doctrinal.
 
protrusile
adj. - able to be thrust forward (as a frog's tongue).
 
provection
n. - carrying forward of sound at end of word to beginning of next (as a newt from original form an ewt).
 
proveditor
n. - purveyor of supplies.
 
provedore, providore
n. - proveditor; steward.
 
proxenete
n. - procurer; marriage broker.
 
pruinose
adj. - bearing whitish dust; hoary. pruinescence, n. pruinous, adj.
 
prurigo
n. - skin disease with small itching pustules. pruriginous
 
pruritus
n. - (condition of) itching of skin. pruritic, adj.
 
psaltery
n. - ancient zither-like musical instrument.
 
psammophyte
n. - plant of arid, sandy soil. psammophytic, adj.
 
psaphonic
n. - planning how to rise to fame and fortune
 
psellism
n. - defective pronunciation.
 
psephology
n. - scientific analysis of political elections and polls. psephologist, n.
 
pseudaesthesia
n. -pl. imaginary feeling, as of pain, etc.
 
pseudandry
n. - use by woman of man's name as assumed name.
 
pseudaposematic
adj. - imitating in color, etc., a dangerous animal.
 
pseudautochiria
n. - murder disguised as a suicide
 
pseudepigrapha
n. - pl. spurious books supposed to be written by or about Biblical persons but not contained in Apocrypha. pseudepigraphal, adj. pseudepigraphic, adj. pertaining to pseudepigrapha or pseudepigraphy. pseudepigraphous, adj. bearing wrong name; wrongly attributed. pseudepigraphy, n. mistaken attribution of works to wrong authors.
 
pseudoblepsia
n. - false or imaginary vision.
 
pseudocarp
n. - fruit, as apple, comprising more than mere seeds. pseudocarpous, adj.
 
pseudochromaesthesia
n. - mental association of sounds with colors. pseudochromia, n. false color perception.
 
pseudochronism
n. - error in date. pseudochronologist, n. person making this.
 
pseudocyesis
n. - false pregnancy, with symptoms only.
 
pseudodox
adj.,n. - false (doctrine or opinion).
 
pseudograph
n. - spurious writing; forgery. pseudographer, n.
 
pseudogyny
n. - male use of a female pseudonym
 
pseudohermaphroditism
n. - congenital abnormality where internal sexual organs are of one sex, external ones the other, or characteristic of both.
 
pseudologist
n. - liar
 
pseudology
n. - telling of lies. pseudological, adj. wildly exaggerated or untrue. pseudologue, n. mania for lying.
 
pseudomnesia
n. - memory for things that never happened
 
pseudomonas
n. - (pl. -ades ) any of a genus of rod-like bacteria, many of which cause disease in plants or animals.
 
pseudomorph
n. - false or abnormal form. pseudomorphic, pseudomorphous, adj. pseudomorphism, n. pseudomorphose, v. make into this. pseudomorphosis, n.
 
pseudophonia
n. - suicide disguised as murder
 
pseudopodium
n. - (pl. -dia), temporary projection of amoeba, etc. for use as foot or mouth.
 
pseudopsia
n. - optical illusion.
 
pseudoscope
n. - instrument producing images in reversed relief. pseudoscopic, adj. pseudoscopy, n.
 
pseudovum
n. - (pl. -va) parthenogenetic egg.
 
psilanthropy
n. - denial of divinity of Christ. psilanthropic, adj. psilanthropism, psilanthropist, n.
 
psilology
n. - empty talk
 
psilosis
n. - falling of hair; sprue.
 
psilosopher
n. - a superficial philosopher
 
psithurism
n. - sound of wind whispering in the trees
 
psittaceous
adj. - like or pertaining to parrot; belonging to parrot family of birds. psittacine, adj. psittacism, n. parrot-like repetition in speech. psittacosis, n. contagious parrot disease, causing fever and pneumonia in humans.
 
psittacistic
adj. - speaking in a mechanical, repetitive way
 
psoas
n. - loin muscle; tender-loin. psoatic, adj.
 
psora
n. - several itching skin diseases.
 
psoriasis
n. - skin disease with white-scaled red eruptions. psoriatic, n. & a. (person) suffering from this.
 
psorophthalmia
n. - scurfy inflammation of the eyes.
 
psoroptic
adj. - pertaining to scab mite.
 
psychaesthesia
n. - sensation in relation to feeling and thought.
 
psychagogic
adj. - attractive; encouraging. psychagogy, n. psychiatric treatment by persuading patient to adopt an absorbing interest or life work.
 
psychalgia
n. - mental pain or distress.
 
psychasthenia
n. - neurotic lassitude, indecision, doubts,tics and phobias
 
psychoanalysis
n. - treatment of neurotic persons by the analysis of their neuroses and revelation of their origins; system of such treatment, and body of theories related to it. psychoanalyse, v. treat patient in this way. psychoanalyst, n. psychoanalytic(al), adj.
 
psychodynamic
adj. - pertaining to psychological motives and causation.
 
psychogalvanic
adj. - pertaining to change in electrical resistance of skin resulting from mental processes which cause alterations in secretion of perspiration. psychogalvanometer, n. instrument measuring such electric change; lie detector.
 
psychogenesis
n. - origin in internal or mental state. psychogenetic, adj. psychogenetics, n. study of this. psychogenic, adj. derived from the mind.
 
psychogram
n. - spirit message; psychological description of person; mental picture. psychograph, n. instrument recording spirit messages; photographic plate recording spirit image. psychography n.
 
psycholepsy
n. - period of intense nervous depression and apathy.
 
psychomachy
n. - conflict of the soul.
 
psychometer
n. - instrument measuring duration and intensity of mental states.
 
psychometrics
n. - design and use of psychological tests, including statistical te