pugnacious
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C2 adjective /pʌɡˈneɪʃəs/

pugnacious

streitlustig
Meaning
Having a quarrelsome or combative nature; eager to fight.
Example
His pugnacious attitude often got him into trouble.
Seine streitlustige Haltung brachte ihn oft in Schwierigkeiten.
C2 noun /ˈpɪnjən/

pinion

ein kleines Zahnrad oder der äußere Teil eines Vogelflügels; einschränken oder immobilisieren
Meaning
a small gear or the outer part of a bird's wing; to restrain or immobilize
Example
The bird's pinion was injured, preventing it from flying.
Die Pinion des Vogels war verletzt, was es ihm verhinderte zu fliegen.
C2 verb /ˌpriːɪɡˈzɪst/

preexist

vorher existieren
Meaning
to exist beforehand or before something else
Example
These customs preexist the arrival of modern technology.
Diese Bräuche existierten vor der Ankunft moderner Technologie.
C2 adjective /ˈprʊəriənt/

prurient

lasterhaft
Meaning
having or showing an excessive interest in sexual matters
Example
The magazine was criticized for its prurient content.
Das Magazin wurde für seinen lasterhaften Inhalt kritisiert.
C2 noun /pəˈtruːn/

poltroon

Feigling
Meaning
a cowardly person
Example
He acted like a poltroon during the crisis.
Er verhielt sich wie ein Feigling während der Krise.
C2 noun /pɛnˈtæmɪtər/

pentameter

Pentameter
Meaning
A line of verse consisting of five metrical feet.
Example
Shakespeare often wrote his plays in iambic pentameter.
Shakespeare schrieb oft seine Stücke im jambischen Pentameter.
C2 adjective /ˈpɒndərəbl/

ponderable

die bedacht werden kann, überlegbar
Meaning
able to be considered or thought about
Example
The evidence was substantial and ponderable.
Die Beweise waren substanziell und überlegbar.
C2 noun /ˌpraɪvəˈtɪə/

privateer

Kaper
Meaning
A privately owned armed ship authorized by a government to attack enemy ships during war.
Example
The privateer captured several enemy vessels during the conflict.
Der Kaper ergriff während des Konflikts mehrere feindliche Schiffe.
C2 noun, adjective /pəˈtrɪʃən/

patrician

patrizier
Meaning
A person of noble rank or high social standing; relating to aristocracy.
Example
The patrician families of Rome wielded great power in politics.
Die Patrizierfamilien Roms übten großen Einfluss auf die Politik aus.
C2 noun /ˌpriːɪɡˈzɪstəns/

preexistence

Präexistenz
Meaning
the state of existing before something else
Example
Philosophers often debated the preexistence of the soul.
Philosophen debattierten oft über die Präexistenz der Seele.
C2 noun /ˌpɜːrtərˈbeɪʃn/

perturbation

Störung
Meaning
A state of anxiety, disturbance, or disorder.
Example
The announcement caused a perturbation in the financial markets.
Die Ankündigung verursachte eine Störung auf den Finanzmärkten.
C2 noun /ˌpætrəˈnɪmɪk/

patronymic

Patronym
Meaning
a name derived from the name of a father or ancestor
Example
In many cultures, surnames are patronymic in origin.
In vielen Kulturen stammen Nachnamen vom Patronym ab.
C2 verb /pɔːrˈtɛnd/

portend

vorzeichen
Meaning
To be a sign or warning that something, especially something bad, is going to happen.
Example
Dark clouds portend a storm.
Dunkle Wolken deuten auf einen Sturm hin.
C2 noun /proʊˈskrɪp.ʃən/

proscription

Verbot
Meaning
the act of forbidding something, especially by law
Example
The proscription of child labor is an important human rights achievement.
Das Verbot von Kinderarbeit ist ein wichtiger Erfolg der Menschenrechte.
C2 noun /pɜːrtʃt raɪs/

Perched rice

gepuffter Reis
Meaning
puffed rice; rice that has been heated and puffed into light, crispy grains
Example
I enjoy eating puffed rice as a healthy snack.
Ich esse gerne gepufften Reis als gesunden Snack.
C2 noun /ˌfəʊ.təʊ.sen.sɪˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/

photosensitivity

Lichtempfindlichkeit
Meaning
Sensitivity to light, especially abnormal sensitivity that may cause discomfort or damage.
Example
Overrubbing can increase photosensitivity.
Zu viel Reiben kann die Lichtempfindlichkeit erhöhen.
C2 noun /ˈpɒl.i.mæθ/

polymath

Allrounder
Meaning
a person with knowledge of many different subjects
Example
Leonardo da Vinci was a true polymath, excelling in art, science, and engineering.
Leonardo da Vinci war ein wahrer Allrounder, der in Kunst, Wissenschaft und Ingenieurwesen hervorragend war.
C2 noun /ˈpaʊ.waʊ/

powwow

informelles Treffen
Meaning
an informal meeting or conference to discuss something
Example
The team held a quick powwow before the presentation.
Das Team hielt vor der Präsentation ein schnelles informelles Treffen ab.
C2 adjective /prəˈvaɪzəri/

provisory

vorläufig
Meaning
conditional; depending on certain terms being met
Example
The arrangement was only provisory until the final contract was signed.
Die Vereinbarung war nur vorläufig, bis der endgültige Vertrag unterschrieben wurde.
C2 noun /ˈpɒmfrɪt/

Pomfret

Pomfretfisch
Meaning
A deep-bodied marine fish with silvery scales, popular in Asian cuisine
Example
The restaurant serves delicious pomfret curry with rice.
Das Restaurant serviert köstliches Pomfret-Curry mit Reis.
C2 verb /ˈpʌkər/

pucker

schnüren
Meaning
to tighten or contract into small folds or wrinkles
Example
She puckered her lips before kissing the child.
Sie schnürte ihre Lippen, bevor sie das Kind küsste.
C2 noun /ˌsuːdəˈnɪmɪti/

pseudonymity

Benutzung eines Pseudonyms
Meaning
the practice or state of using a pseudonym
Example
The author maintained pseudonymity throughout her career.
Die Autorin behielt während ihrer gesamten Karriere die Benutzung eines Pseudonyms bei.
C2 noun /prəˈtɛktərət/

protectorate

Protektorat
Meaning
A state that is controlled and protected by another.
Example
The small country became a protectorate of the empire.
Das kleine Land wurde zu einem Protektorat des Imperiums.
C2 adjective /ˈpruːdɪʃ/

prudish

prüde
Meaning
having or revealing a tendency to be easily shocked by matters relating to sex or nudity
Example
She was too prudish to watch the movie with her friends.
Sie war zu prüde, um den Film mit ihren Freunden zu sehen.
C2 noun/verb /ˈpɪləri/

pillory

öffentliches Bestrafungsgerät
Meaning
a device for publicly punishing someone / to expose to public ridicule
Example
The corrupt official was placed in the pillory for the town to jeer at.
Der korrupte Beamte wurde in den Pillory gestellt, damit die Stadt ihn auslachen konnte.
C2 noun /paɪər/

pyre

Leichentuch
Meaning
A heap of combustible material, especially one used for burning a corpse as part of a funeral ceremony.
Example
The villagers built a pyre to honor the deceased.
Die Dorfbewohner bauten ein Leichentuch, um den Verstorbenen zu ehren.
C2 noun /ˈfaɪəl/

phial

kleine Phiole
Meaning
a small glass container for liquids, especially medicines
Example
The doctor gave her a phial of medicine.
Der Arzt gab ihr eine Phiole mit Medizin.
C2 adjective /prəˈpʌlsɪv/

propulsive

antriebend
Meaning
Having the power to drive or push something forward.
Example
The propulsive force of the rocket lifted it off the ground.
Die antreibende Kraft der Rakete hob sie vom Boden ab.
C2 noun /prɔːŋ/

prong

Gabelzahn
Meaning
a projecting pointed part, such as one of the pointed ends of a fork
Example
The fork has four prongs.
Die Gabel hat vier Zähne.
C2 verb /preɪt/

prate

plappern
Meaning
to talk foolishly or at tedious length about something
Example
He would prate endlessly about his minor achievements.
Er würde endlos über seine kleinen Erfolge plappern.
C2 verb /ˈpɔːltər/

palter

undeutlich sprechen, betrügen
Meaning
to act insincerely or deceitfully; to equivocate or lie
Example
He paltered when asked about his involvement in the deal.
Er wich aus, als man ihn nach seiner Beteiligung an dem Deal fragte.
C2 verb /ˌpriːɔːrˈdeɪn/

preordain

vorherbestimmen
Meaning
To decide or determine an outcome in advance, especially by fate or divine will.
Example
They believed their meeting was preordained by destiny.
Sie glaubten, ihr Treffen sei von Schicksal vorbestimmt.
C2 adjective /ˈprɛfətɔːri/

prefatory

einleitend
Meaning
serving as an introduction or preface
Example
He made some prefatory remarks before the lecture began.
Er machte einige einleitende Bemerkungen, bevor der Vortrag begann.
C2 verb /ˌpriːɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/

preengage

vorab engagieren
Meaning
To contract or engage beforehand; to arrange in advance.
Example
The workers were preengaged before the project officially started.
Die Arbeiter wurden vor dem offiziellen Projektbeginn vorab engagiert.
C2 adjective /ˌpɑːrsɪˈmoʊniəs/

parsimonious

geizig
Meaning
unwilling to spend money or use resources; stingy
Example
The company was too parsimonious to invest in better equipment.
Das Unternehmen war zu geizig, um in bessere Ausrüstung zu investieren.
C2 adjective /pərˈsuːənt/

pursuant

gemäß
Meaning
in accordance with or following something, especially a law or rule
Example
The decision was made pursuant to the regulations.
Die Entscheidung wurde gemäß den Vorschriften getroffen.
C2 noun /foʊˈtɑːmɪtri/

photometry

Lichtmesswissenschaft
Meaning
the science of measuring visible light in terms of its perceived brightness to human eyes
Example
Photometry helps in designing efficient lighting systems.
Fotometrie hilft bei der Planung effizienter Beleuchtungssysteme.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːrləns/

parlance

sprachgebrauch
Meaning
a particular way of speaking or using words, common to a group
Example
In legal parlance, the term has a different meaning.
Im rechtlichen Sprachgebrauch hat der Begriff eine andere Bedeutung.
C2 noun /ˈpruːdəri/

prudery

Meaning
the behavior or attitude of people who are too easily shocked or offended by sexual matters
Example
His prudery often made others uncomfortable during open discussions.
C2 noun /pɪˈlɑːf/

Pillaw

pilaw
Meaning
a dish of rice cooked in seasoned broth, often with meat and vegetables
Example
We enjoyed a delicious chicken pillaw for dinner.
Wir haben ein köstliches Hähnchenpilav zum Abendessen genossen.
C2 noun /prəˈpɪŋkwɪti/

propinquity

Nähe
Meaning
the state of being close to someone or something; proximity
Example
The propinquity of their houses made them close friends.
Die Nähe ihrer Häuser machte sie zu engen Freunden.
C2 noun /proʊˈdʒɛnɪtər/

progenitor

Vorfahre
Meaning
a direct ancestor; a person or thing that originates something
Example
Researchers traced the custom back to a common progenitor.
Forscher verfolgten den Brauch bis zu einem gemeinsamen Vorfahren.
C2 noun ˈfaɪ.təʊˌnjuː.tri.ənts

phytonutrients

Phytochemikalien
Meaning
Bioactive compounds found in plants that have health benefits beyond basic nutrition.
Example
Green tea contains powerful phytonutrients.
Grüner Tee enthält starke Phytochemikalien.
C2 adjective /ˌpəʊstˈprændɪəl/

postprandial

postprandial
Meaning
Occurring after a meal.
Example
He went for a postprandial walk after dinner.
Er ging nach dem Abendessen zu einem postprandialen Spaziergang.
C2 adjective /ˌpɛrənˈθɛtɪkəl/

parenthetical

Kommentar in Klammern
Meaning
Relating to or expressed in parentheses; a side remark or digression.
Example
He added a parenthetical comment during the lecture.
Er fügte während der Vorlesung einen Kommentar in Klammern hinzu.
C2 noun /ˈpærəpɛt/

parapet

Schutzmauer
Meaning
A low protective wall along the edge of a roof, balcony, or bridge.
Example
The soldier hid behind the parapet for protection.
Der Soldat versteckte sich hinter der Schutzmauer zum Schutz.
C2 adjective /njuːˈmætɪk/

pneumatic

pneumatisch
Meaning
operated by air or gas under pressure
Example
The factory uses pneumatic tools for assembly.
Die Fabrik verwendet pneumatische Werkzeuge zur Montage.
C2 noun /prɪˈzɛntmənt/

presentment

formelle Präsentation
Meaning
The act of presenting something formally or officially; a formal statement or document.
Example
The lawyer made a presentment of the evidence to the court.
Der Anwalt machte eine Präsentation der Beweise vor Gericht.
C2 adjective /ˈproʊtiən/

protean

veränderlich
Meaning
tending or able to change frequently or easily; versatile
Example
She is a protean artist who experiments with many styles.
Sie ist eine wandelbare Künstlerin, die mit vielen Stilen experimentiert.
C2 adjective /ˈpɜːˌblaɪnd/

purblind

blind oder ahnungslos
Meaning
Having impaired or defective vision; lacking insight or understanding.
Example
The purblind approach to the problem led to many mistakes.
Der purblinde Ansatz für das Problem führte zu vielen Fehlern.
C2 noun /ˈpɛrɪstaɪl/

peristyle

ein von Säulen umgebener Balkon
Meaning
A continuous porch formed by a row of columns surrounding the perimeter of a building or courtyard.
Example
The Roman villa featured a beautiful peristyle garden.
Die römische Villa hatte einen schönen peristyl Garten.
C2 noun, verb /ˈpɑːrli/

parley

Gespräch
Meaning
a discussion between opposing sides, especially to negotiate terms
Example
The generals met to parley over the terms of surrender.
Die Generäle trafen sich, um über die Bedingungen der Kapitulation zu verhandeln.
C2 noun /ˈpjuː.pɪ.lɪdʒ/

pupilage

Zustand des Schülers
Meaning
The state of being a pupil or under instruction.
Example
During his pupilage, he studied law under a senior barrister.
Während seines Schülerstatus studierte er Recht unter einem senior Barrister.
C2 noun /prɪˈsɛntɪmənt/

presentiment

Vorahnung
Meaning
An intuitive feeling about the future, especially of something bad about to happen.
Example
He had a strong presentiment that the plan would fail.
Er hatte eine starke Vorahnung, dass der Plan scheitern würde.
C2 verb /ˈpælpɪˌteɪt/

palpitate

schnell schlagen
Meaning
to beat rapidly and strongly, often because of fear, excitement, or illness
Example
Her heart began to palpitate with fear.
Ihr Herz begann vor Angst zu palpieren.
C2 noun ˈfaɪ.təʊˌnjuː.tri.ənt

phytonutrient

Phytochemikalien
Meaning
Chemical compounds produced by plants that are beneficial to human health but not essential nutrients.
Example
Broccoli is rich in phytonutrients that enhance immunity.
Brokkoli ist reich an Phytochemikalien, die die Immunität stärken.
C2 adjective /ˈprɒɡnəθəs/

prognathous

vorgewölbte Kiefer
Meaning
Having jaws that project forward beyond the rest of the face.
Example
The fossil displayed a distinctly prognathous skull structure.
Das Fossil zeigte eine deutlich vorgewölbte Kieferskelettstruktur.
C2 adjective /ˈprɒvɪdənt/

provident

vorausschauend
Meaning
making or indicative of timely preparation for the future
Example
She was provident in saving money for her children’s education.
Sie war vorausschauend, indem sie Geld für die Ausbildung ihrer Kinder sparte.
C2 noun /ˌpɜːrspɪˈkjuːəti/

perspicuity

klarheit
Meaning
Clarity and ease in speech or writing; the quality of being clearly expressed.
Example
The perspicuity of his lecture made it easy for students to understand complex topics.
Die Klarheit seines Vortrags machte es den Studenten leicht, komplexe Themen zu verstehen.
C2 adjective /pruːˈdɛnʃəl/

prudential

prudential
Meaning
involving or showing prudence, especially in financial or business matters
Example
The bank has set prudential rules to protect depositors.
Die Bank hat prudenzielle Regeln zum Schutz der Einleger aufgestellt.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːdreɪ/

padre

Priester
Meaning
A title for a priest, especially in the Roman Catholic Church; also used informally for 'father'.
Example
The soldiers attended mass led by the padre.
Die Soldaten nahmen an der Messe teil, die vom Priester geleitet wurde.
C2 noun /ˈplɛntɪtjuːd/

plentitude

Fülle
Meaning
the condition of being full or abundant
Example
The garden offered a plentitude of flowers in spring.
Der Garten bot im Frühling eine Fülle von Blumen an.
C2 adjective /ˈpɜːrviəs/

pervious

durchlässig
Meaning
Allowing water, air, or other substances to pass through; permeable.
Example
The soil here is pervious to rainwater.
Der Boden hier ist durchlässig für Regenwasser.
C2 adjective /ˌpɪkəˈrɛsk/

picaresque

Geschichte eines schelmischen Helden
Meaning
relating to a style of fiction depicting the adventures of a roguish hero
Example
The novel is a picaresque tale of a clever vagabond.
Der Roman ist eine picareske Erzählung über einen schlauen Vagabunden.
C2 adverb /ˌpɛlˈmɛl/

pell-mell

in ungeordneter Weise
Meaning
In a confused, rushed, or disorderly manner.
Example
The children ran pell-mell through the playground.
Die Kinder rannten in ungeordneter Weise durch den Spielplatz.
C2 adjective /ˈprɒmɪsəri/

promissory

versprechend
Meaning
Containing or conveying a promise, especially in writing.
Example
He signed a promissory note to repay the loan.
Er unterschrieb einen Schuldschein, um das Darlehen zurückzuzahlen.
C2 noun /ˌpærəˈɡɔːrɪk/

paregoric

Opiumhaltiges Arzneimittel
Meaning
a medicine containing opium, once used to relieve pain and diarrhea
Example
Doctors once prescribed paregoric to treat diarrhea in children.
Früher verschrieben Ärzte Paregoric zur Behandlung von Durchfall bei Kindern.
C2 verb /ˈprɑː.məl.ɡeɪt/

promulgate

veröffentlichen
Meaning
To announce or make a law, decree, or idea officially known.
Example
The government promulgated new regulations on data privacy.
Die Regierung veröffentlichte neue Datenschutzregelungen.
C2 noun /ˈpætrɪsaɪd/

patricide

Patrizid
Meaning
The act of killing one's own father.
Example
The ancient myth describes a son committing patricide to take the throne.
Der alte Mythos beschreibt einen Sohn, der einen Patricid begeht, um den Thron zu erlangen.
C2 /ˈpæn.ə.pli/

panoply

Panoplie
Meaning
A complete or impressive collection of things; a full set of armor.
Example
The museum displayed a panoply of ancient weapons.
Das Museum zeigte eine Panoplie antiker Waffen.
C2 verb /ˈpælieɪt/

palliate

lindern
Meaning
to make a disease, symptoms, or problem less severe without removing the cause
Example
The doctor prescribed medicine to palliate the patient's pain.
Der Arzt verschrieb Medikamente, um den Schmerz des Patienten zu lindern.
C2 adjective /prɪˈsɛnʃənt/

presentient

vorahnung
Meaning
Having a feeling or sense of something about to happen; predictive.
Example
She was presentient of the coming disaster.
Sie hatte ein Gefühl für die bevorstehende Katastrophe.
C2 noun /ˌfɪziˈɑːɡrəfi/

physiography

Physiographie
Meaning
the study of the physical features of the earth's surface
Example
He specialized in physiography to understand the landscape of the region.
Er spezialisierte sich auf Physiographie, um die Landschaft der Region zu verstehen.
C2 adjective /prɪˈhɛnsɪbəl/

prehensible

fassbar
Meaning
capable of being grasped or seized
Example
The tool has a prehensible handle that improves safety.
Das Werkzeug hat einen fassbaren Griff, der die Sicherheit verbessert.
C2 adjective /ˈpɛkəbl/

peccable

fehleranfällig
Meaning
liable to sin or error; capable of doing wrong
Example
Humans are peccable, but they strive for goodness.
Menschen sind fehleranfällig, aber sie streben nach Gutem.
C2 adverb /pəˈfɔːs/

perforce

zwangsläufig
Meaning
by necessity; inevitably
Example
He had to perforce accept the decision.
Er musste die Entscheidung zwangsläufig akzeptieren.
C2 noun /ˈprɒsədi/

prosody

Prosodie
Meaning
The patterns of rhythm and sound used in poetry and speech.
Example
The professor explained how prosody affects the mood of a poem.
Der Professor erklärte, wie die Prosodie die Stimmung eines Gedichts beeinflusst.
C2 noun /ˈprɒsɪlaɪt/

proselyte

Proselyt
Meaning
A person who has converted from one belief, opinion, or religion to another.
Example
She became a proselyte after converting to a new faith.
Sie wurde ein Proselyt, nachdem sie zu einem neuen Glauben konvertiert war.
C2 adjective /ˌprɛsɪˈdɛnʃəl/

precedential

präzedenz
Meaning
Relating to, or serving as, a precedent; having authority as an example.
Example
The court’s decision has precedential value.
Die Entscheidung des Gerichts hat einen präzedenzwert.
C2 noun /ˈpriːsɛpt/

precept

Gebot
Meaning
A general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought.
Example
Honesty is a fundamental precept in all religions.
Ehrlichkeit ist ein grundlegendes Gebot in allen Religionen.
C2 verb /pərˈveɪ/

purvey

liefern
Meaning
to supply or provide goods, services, or information, often as a business
Example
The company purveys organic food to health-conscious customers.
Das Unternehmen liefert Bio-Lebensmittel an gesundheitsbewusste Kunden.
C2 noun /ˈpiːən/

paean

Loblied
Meaning
A song or piece of writing expressing great praise or triumph.
Example
The article was a paean to the beauty of nature.
Der Artikel war ein Loblied auf die Schönheit der Natur.
C2 noun /ˈproʊtoʊˌplæzəm/

protoplasm

Protoplasma
Meaning
The living substance inside a cell, including the cytoplasm and nucleus.
Example
Scientists observed the movement of protoplasm under the microscope.
Wissenschaftler beobachteten die Bewegung des Protoplasmas unter dem Mikroskop.
C2 adjective /pəˈrɛmptəri/

peremptory

bestimmend
Meaning
Insisting on immediate attention or obedience, especially in a commanding way.
Example
The officer gave a peremptory order to evacuate the building.
Der Offizier gab einen bestimmenden Befehl, das Gebäude zu evakuieren.
C2 noun /ˈpɛntæd/

pentad

Fünfergruppe
Meaning
A group or set of five things.
Example
The committee was divided into a pentad of working groups.
Der Ausschuss wurde in eine Fünfergruppe von Arbeitsgruppen aufgeteilt.
C2 noun /ˈpɛstɪləns/

pestilence

pest
Meaning
A deadly or virulent epidemic disease that spreads rapidly.
Example
The medieval city was devastated by a pestilence.
Die mittelalterliche Stadt wurde von einer Pest verwüstet.
C2 adjective /prɪˈzʌmptɪv/

presumptive

vermutet
Meaning
Based on probability or assumption rather than proof.
Example
She is the presumptive nominee for the party.
Sie ist die vermutete Kandidatin für die Partei.
C2 noun /ˈplɛbɪsaɪt/

plebiscite

Volksabstimmung
Meaning
a direct vote by the electorate on an important public question
Example
The government held a plebiscite to decide on the new constitution.
Die Regierung hielt eine Volksabstimmung ab, um über die neue Verfassung zu entscheiden.
C2 adjective /ˈprəʊ.lɪks/

prolix

zu lang
Meaning
using too many words; tediously lengthy
Example
The professor’s prolix lecture put many students to sleep.
Die prolixe Vorlesung des Professors brachte viele Studenten zum Einschlafen.
C2 verb /pərˈtɪkjələrˌaɪz/

particularize

spezifizieren
Meaning
to mention or describe something in detail
Example
The witness was asked to particularize the events of that night.
Der Zeuge wurde gebeten, die Ereignisse jener Nacht im Detail zu beschreiben.
C2 noun /ˈfɪl.ɪ.staɪn/

philistine

eine Person, die gleichgültig oder feindlich gegenüber Kultur und Kunst ist
Meaning
a person who is indifferent or hostile to culture and the arts
Example
He was criticized as a philistine for dismissing modern art.
Er wurde als Philistiner kritisiert, weil er moderne Kunst abgelehnt hat.
C2 noun /ˌprɒdɪˈɡæləti/

prodigality

verschwenderischer Luxus
Meaning
the quality of being wastefully extravagant
Example
His prodigality with money left him bankrupt.
Seine verschwenderische Haltung gegenüber Geld führte ihn in den Bankrott.
C2 verb /pɜːrl/

purl

mit einem murmelnden Geräusch fließen
Meaning
To knit with a purl stitch; to flow with a murmuring sound (as a stream).
Example
The brook purled softly through the meadow.
Der Bach purle sanft durch die Wiese.
C2 noun /ˌpliːnɪpəˈtɛnʃəri/

plenipotentiary

Plenipotentiär
Meaning
a person invested with full power to act on behalf of another, especially in diplomacy
Example
The ambassador was a plenipotentiary sent to negotiate the treaty.
Der Botschafter war ein Plenipotentiär, der geschickt wurde, um den Vertrag zu verhandeln.
C2 noun /ˈpɛdənt/

pedant

pedantische Person
Meaning
A person who is excessively concerned with minor details or rules, often in a showy way.
Example
The professor was criticized as a pedant who focused too much on trivial details.
Der Professor wurde als pedantische Person kritisiert, die sich zu sehr auf triviale Details konzentrierte.
C2 adjective /pjuːˈtrɛsənt/

putrescent

verwestend
Meaning
undergoing the process of decay; rotting
Example
The putrescent odor made everyone leave the room.
Der verwesende Geruch brachte alle dazu, den Raum zu verlassen.
C2 adjective ˌpɜː.spɪˈkeɪ.ʃəs

perspicacious

perspicaz
Meaning
Having keen insight and understanding; showing acute mental discernment.
Example
The detective's perspicacious nature helped solve the mystery.
Die scharfsinnige Natur des Detektivs half, das Rätsel zu lösen.
C2 noun /ˌpraɪmoʊˈdʒɛnɪtʃər/

primogeniture

Primogenitur
Meaning
The right of the firstborn child to inherit the family estate or title.
Example
Under primogeniture, the eldest son inherited the entire estate.
Unter der Primogenitur erbte der älteste Sohn das gesamte Anwesen.
C2 noun /ˈpɒlɪti/

polity

Politik, Regierungssystem
Meaning
an organized society or form of government
Example
The ancient Greek polity had a system of city-states.
Die antike griechische Politik hatte ein System von Stadtstaaten.
C2 noun /ˈfærɪsiː/

pharisee

heuchlerische Person
Meaning
A member of an ancient Jewish sect; by extension, a self-righteous or hypocritical person.
Example
He acted like a pharisee, judging others while ignoring his own faults.
Er verhielt sich wie ein Pharisäer, indem er andere verurteilte, während er seine eigenen Fehler ignorierte.
C2 noun /pəˈlɛmɪk/

polemic

polemischer Angriff
Meaning
a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something
Example
The article was a fierce polemic against the government's policies.
Der Artikel war ein heftiger polemischer Angriff gegen die Politik der Regierung.
C2 adjective /ˈpjuːtətɪv/

putative

vermeint
Meaning
commonly accepted or supposed; generally regarded as such
Example
He is the putative father of the child.
Er ist der vermeintliche Vater des Kindes.
C2 adjective /prɪˈhɛnsaɪl/

prehensile

prehensil
Meaning
adapted for seizing or grasping, especially by wrapping around an object
Example
The monkey used its prehensile tail to hang from the branch.
Der Affe benutzte seinen prehensilen Schwanz, um sich vom Ast hängen zu lassen.
C2 noun /ˌfɪzɪˈɑːkrəsi/

physiocracy

Physiokratie
Meaning
an economic theory that land and its natural products are the source of wealth
Example
Physiocracy emphasized the importance of agriculture in national wealth.
Die Physiokratie betonte die Bedeutung der Landwirtschaft für den nationalen Reichtum.
C2 adjective /pəˈlædʒ.ɪk/

pelagic

im offenen Meer befindlich
Meaning
Relating to the open sea or ocean water column, away from the shore.
Example
Pelagic fish like tuna are found far from the coast.
Pelagische Fische wie Thunfisch findet man weit entfernt von der Küste.
C2 verb /ˈprætəl/

prattle

plappern
Meaning
to talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way
Example
The children would prattle on about their games.
Die Kinder redeten über ihre Spiele.
C2 adjective /pəˈnjʊəriəs/

penurious

äußerst arm
Meaning
extremely poor; poverty-stricken; miserly
Example
The penurious family struggled to buy food.
Die äußerst arme Familie hatte Schwierigkeiten, Essen zu kaufen.
C2 noun /proʊˈsiː.ni.əm/

proscenium

Proscenium
Meaning
the part of a theater stage in front of the curtain; the arch framing the stage
Example
The actors bowed at the proscenium before leaving the stage.
Die Schauspieler verbeugten sich vor dem Proscenium, bevor sie die Bühne verließen.
C2 noun /ˈpɒm.əl/

pommel

der abgerundete Knopf am Griff eines Schwertes oder Sattels
Meaning
the rounded knob on the handle of a sword or saddle
Example
He gripped the sword firmly by the pommel.
Er griff das Schwert fest am Pommel.
C2 noun /ˈpɒsi/

posse

Gang / Freundesgruppe
Meaning
A group of people, often friends or a group organized to support or enforce the law.
Example
He arrived at the party with his posse of friends.
Er kam zur Party mit seiner Gang von Freunden.
C2 adjective /ˌpjuːsɪˈlænɪməs/

pusillanimous

feige
Meaning
showing a lack of courage or determination; timid
Example
The pusillanimous leader avoided making tough decisions.
Der feige Führer vermied es, schwierige Entscheidungen zu treffen.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrsɪflɑːʒ/

persiflage

leichte spöttische Bemerkungen
Meaning
light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter
Example
Their conversation was full of persiflage and jokes.
Ihre Gespräche waren voll von leichten spöttischen Bemerkungen und Witzen.
C2 adjective /ˌfoʊtoʊɪˈlɛktrɪk/

photoelectric

fotoelektrisch
Meaning
relating to the emission of electrons or other free carriers when light shines on a material
Example
The photoelectric effect is fundamental in solar panels.
Der fotoelektrische Effekt ist grundlegend in Solarzellen.
C2 noun /ˈprɛlət/

prelate

hochrangiges Mitglied des Klerus
Meaning
A high-ranking member of the clergy, especially a bishop or abbot.
Example
The prelate delivered a sermon to the congregation.
Der Prälat hielt eine Predigt vor der Gemeinde.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːrsɪmoʊni/

parsimony

Geiz
Meaning
extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources
Example
His parsimony was evident in the way he avoided any unnecessary expenses.
Sein Geiz zeigte sich darin, dass er jede unnötige Ausgabe vermied.
C2 noun /ˌpærəˈnɔɪæk/

paranoiac

paranoide person
Meaning
A person who suffers from paranoia or exhibits extreme, irrational distrust and suspicion.
Example
The paranoiac refused to leave his house, fearing everyone was against him.
Die paranoide Person weigerte sich, das Haus zu verlassen, weil sie fürchtete, dass alle gegen sie waren.
C2 noun /ˈfeɪlæŋks/

phalanx

Phalanx
Meaning
A group of people or things arranged in a compact, close formation; also an ancient Greek military formation.
Example
A phalanx of reporters waited outside the courthouse.
Eine Phalanx von Reportern wartete vor dem Gericht.
C2 noun /pɪθ/

pith

wesentlicher Teil, Kern
Meaning
the essential or central part of something
Example
The pith of his argument was that honesty matters most.
Der wesentliche Teil seines Arguments war, dass Ehrlichkeit am wichtigsten ist.
C2 adjective /ˈpɛnɪtrəbl/

penetrable

durchlässig
Meaning
Capable of being passed through or entered.
Example
The thin wall was easily penetrable.
Die dünne Wand war leicht durchlässig.
C2 noun /ˈpɜr.fɪ.di/

Perfidy

Perfidi
Meaning
deliberate breach of faith or trust; treachery; betrayal of trust
Example
His perfidy shocked all who had trusted him.
Seine Perfidie schockierte alle, die ihm vertraut hatten.
C2 noun /pərˈsɪpiəns/

percipience

Wahrnehmungsfähigkeit
Meaning
The ability to perceive, understand, or notice things quickly.
Example
His percipience in reading people made him a great negotiator.
Seine Wahrnehmungsfähigkeit im Umgang mit Menschen machte ihn zu einem großartigen Verhandler.