 | Term | Definition |
| |
precept |
practical rule guiding conduct |
| |
precipice |
cliff, dangerous position |
| |
precipitant |
something that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form |
| |
precipitate (adj) |
rash, premature, hasty |
| |
precipitate (v) |
throw headlong, hasten |
| |
precipitous |
steep, overhasty |
| |
precis |
concise summing up of main points |
| |
precise |
exact |
| |
preclude |
make impossible, eliminate |
| |
precocious |
advanced in development |
| |
precursor |
forerunner |
| |
predator |
species that eats other animals, person who robs or exploits others |
| |
predecessor |
former occupant of a post |
| |
predetermine |
predestine |
| |
predicament |
tricky, dangerous situation |
| |
predilection |
partiality, preference |
| |
predispose |
give an inclination towards |
| |
preeminent |
outstanding, superior |
| |
preempt |
head off, forestall by acting first |
| |
preen |
make oneself tidy in appearance |
| |
prefatory |
introductory |
| |
prehensible |
capable of grasping or holding |
| |
prelate |
church dignitary |
| |
premeditate |
plan in advance |
| |
premise |
assumption, postulate |
| |
premonition |
forewarning |
| |
premonitory |
serving to warn |
| |
preponderance |
superiority of power, quality |
| |
preposterous |
absurd, ridiculous |
| |
prerogative |
privilege |
| |
presage |
foretell, portend |
| |
prescience |
ability to fortell the future |
| |
presentiment |
anticipatory fear, premonition |
| |
prestige |
reputation |
| |
presumptous |
arrogant, taking liberties |
| |
pretentious |
ostentatious |
| |
preternatural |
beyond what is natural |
| |
pretext |
excuse |
| |
prevail |
induce, triumph over |
| |
prevalent |
widespread |
| |
prevaricate |
lie |
| |
prey |
victim |
| |
prim |
very precise and formal |
| |
primogeniture |
seniority by birth |
| |
primordial |
existing at the beginning of time |
| |
primp |
groom oneself with care |
| |
pristine |
primitive, unspoiled |
| |
privation |
hardship, want |
| |
privy |
secret |
| |
probe |
explore with tools |
| |
probity |
uprightness, incorruptibility |
| |
problematic |
doubtful, unsettled |
| |
proclivity |
inclination, natural tendency |
| |
procastinate |
delay |
| |
procurement |
obtaining |
| |
prod |
probe |
| |
prodigal |
wasteful, reckless with money |
| |
prodigious |
marvelous, enormous |
| |
prodigy |
gifted child |
| |
profane |
violate, desecrate |
| |
profligate |
dissipated, wasteful |
| |
profound |
deep |
| |
profusion |
overabundance |
| |
progenitor |
ancestor |
| |
progeny |
children, offspring |
| |
prognosis |
prediction, prognosticate |
| |
prohibitive |
tending to prevent the purchase or use of something |
| |
projectile |
missile |
| |
proletarian |
member of the working class, blue collared |
| |
proliferate |
grow rapidly, multiply, propagate |
| |
prolific |
abundant, fruitful |
| |
prolixity |
verbosity |
| |
prologue |
introduction to a poem or a play |
| |
prolong |
extend |
| |
prominent |
notable, protruding |
| |
promiscuous |
mixed indiscriminantly |
| |
promontory |
headland |
| |
promote |
help to flourish, publicize |
| |
prompt |
cause, provoke |
| |
promulgate |
proclaim a doctrine or law |
| |
prone |
inclined to, prostrate |
| |
propellant |
substance that drives or propels forward |
| |
propensity |
natural inclination |
| |
prophetic |
predict future |
| |
propylactic |
used to prevent disease |
| |
propinquity |
nearness, kinship |
| |
propitiate |
appease |
