Vocabularies

English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples

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perforate

verb C2
/ˈpɜː.fə.reɪt/

to make a hole or holes through something

"The machine can perforate sheets of paper for easy tearing."

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perforce

adverb C2
/pəˈfɔːs/

by necessity; inevitably

"He had to perforce accept the decision."

noun C2
/ˈper.ɪ.dʒiː/

the point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite at which it is nearest to the Earth

"The moon appeared much larger during its perigee."

noun C2
/ˌpɪəriəˈdɪsɪti/

The quality or state of being regular or recurring at intervals.

"The periodicity of the moon’s phases has fascinated humans for centuries."

adjective C2
/ˌpɛrɪpəˈtɛtɪk/

Traveling from place to place, especially for work or based on lifestyle.

"He led a peripatetic life as a traveling teacher."

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peristyle

noun C2
/ˈpɛrɪstaɪl/

A continuous porch formed by a row of columns surrounding the perimeter of a building or courtyard.

"The Roman villa featured a beautiful peristyle garden."

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perjure

verb C2
/ˈpɜːrdʒər/

To knowingly tell a lie in a court of law after swearing to tell the truth.

"He was accused of trying to perjure himself during the trial."

noun C2
/ˌperəˈreɪʃən/

The concluding part of a speech, often intended to inspire or persuade.

"The politician's peroration left the audience applauding enthusiastically."

perpetuity definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
ˌpɜː.pɪˈtʃuː.ɪ.ti

Permanence, eternity, continuity.

"The contract ensures payments in perpetuity."

Perquisite definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈpɜːrkwɪzɪt/

a special privilege or benefit attached to a position or job

"A company car is one of the perquisites of the job."

noun C2
/ˈpɜːrkwɪzɪt raɪt/

a legal right to certain benefits or privileges associated with a job or office

"The judge enjoyed certain perquisite rights attached to his position."

noun C2
/ˈpɜːrsɪflɑːʒ/

light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter

"Their conversation was full of persiflage and jokes."

noun C2
/ˈpɜːrsənɪdʒ/

an important or famous person

"He is considered a great personage in the world of literature."

perspicacious definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C2
/ˌpɜːrspɪˈkeɪʃəs/

Having a ready insight into and understanding of things.

"The perspicacious student quickly understood the complex problem."

perspicacity definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˌpɜːrspɪˈkæsəti/

The quality of having a ready insight into things; shrewdness.

"Her perspicacity in analyzing complex issues impressed everyone."

noun C2
/ˌpɜːrspɪˈkjuːəti/

Clarity and ease in speech or writing; the quality of being clearly expressed.

"The perspicuity of his lecture made it easy for students to understand complex topics."

adjective C2
/pərˈspɪkjuəs/

Clearly expressed and easily understood; lucid.

"The teacher gave a perspicuous explanation of the theory."

adjective C2
/ˌpɜːrtɪˈneɪʃəs/

holding firmly to an opinion, purpose, or course of action; stubbornly persistent

"The pertinacious lawyer refused to give up the case."

pertinacity definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˌpɜːrtɪˈnæsɪti/

The quality of being stubbornly persistent or resolute in purpose.

"Her pertinacity in pursuing justice inspired everyone around her."

noun C2
/ˈpɜːrtnəs/

boldness or forwardness in speech or behavior; sauciness

"Her pertness during the meeting surprised everyone."

noun C2
/ˌpɜːrtərˈbeɪʃn/

A state of anxiety, disturbance, or disorder.

"The announcement caused a perturbation in the financial markets."

noun C2
/pəˈruːzl/

The action of reading or examining something carefully.

"The contract was given to the lawyer for perusal."

noun C2
/pəˈveɪʒən/

the act of spreading through or being present everywhere in something

"There was a pervasion of hope throughout the community."

adjective C2
/ˈpɜːrviəs/

Allowing water, air, or other substances to pass through; permeable.

"The soil here is pervious to rainwater."

noun C2
/ˈpɛstɪləns/

A deadly or virulent epidemic disease that spreads rapidly.

"The medieval city was devastated by a pestilence."

adjective C2
/ˈpɛstɪlənt/

Causing or tending to cause death or destruction; harmful or pernicious.

"The pestilent atmosphere of the swamp made people sick."

adjective C2
/ˌpɛstɪˈlɛnʃəl/

Relating to or causing pestilence; very harmful, troublesome, or dangerous.

"The pestilential smell of the garbage filled the street."

noun C2
/ˈpɛtrəˌɡræf/

a description or representation of rocks, especially in detailed scientific writing

"The scientist studied the petrograph to understand the rock composition."

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pettifog

verb C2
/ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡ/

to argue or quibble over trivial matters; to engage in petty, dishonest practices

"The lawyer was accused of trying to pettifog instead of addressing the real issue."

noun C2
/ˈpɛtjʊləns/

The quality of being childishly sulky or bad-tempered.

"His petulance during the meeting annoyed everyone."

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phalanx

noun C2
/ˈfeɪlæŋks/

A group of people or things arranged in a compact, close formation; also an ancient Greek military formation.

"A phalanx of reporters waited outside the courthouse."

noun C2
/ˈfænˌtæzəm/

an illusion, ghost, or figment of the imagination

"The child claimed to see a phantasm in the old house."

adjective C2
/ˌfæntæzməˈɡɒrɪkəl/

Having a fantastic, dreamlike, or surreal appearance, often shifting or illusory.

"The movie created a phantasmagorical vision of another world."

adjective C2
/ˌfærɪˈseɪɪkəl/

Excessively concerned with formal rules or outward show of morality, often in a hypocritical way.

"His pharisaical behavior made people doubt his sincerity."

noun C2
/ˈfærɪsiː/

A member of an ancient Jewish sect; by extension, a self-righteous or hypocritical person.

"He acted like a pharisee, judging others while ignoring his own faults."

noun C2
/ˌfɑːrməkəˈpiːə/

An official book listing medicinal drugs, their effects, and directions for use.

"The doctor referred to the pharmacopoeia to check the drug's proper dosage."

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phial

noun C2
/ˈfaɪəl/

a small glass container for liquids, especially medicines

"The doctor gave her a phial of medicine."

verb C2
/fɪˈlændər/

to engage in casual or frivolous romantic or sexual relationships

"He was known to philander with many women in town."

noun C2
/fɪˈlændərər/

a man who habitually engages in casual romantic or sexual affairs

"The politician was exposed as a notorious philanderer."

noun C2
/fɪˈlæt.əl.ɪst/

a person who collects or studies postage stamps

"The philatelist spent years building a rare stamp collection."

noun C2
/fɪˈlæt.əl.i/

the collection and study of postage stamps

"Philately is a hobby enjoyed by people of all ages."

noun C2
/ˈfɪl.ɪ.staɪn/

a person who is indifferent or hostile to culture and the arts

"He was criticized as a philistine for dismissing modern art."

noun C2
/ˈfɪl.ə.dʒɪ.nɪst/

a person who loves or admires women

"As a known philogynist, he advocated for women's education."

noun C2
/fɪˈlɒl.ə.dʒɪst/

a person who studies languages and their history

"The philologist analyzed ancient texts to understand language evolution."

noun C2
/fɪˈlɒl.ə.dʒi/

the study of language in written historical sources; linguistics

"She devoted her career to philology, researching ancient manuscripts."

verb C2
/fɪˈlɒs.ə.faɪz/

to think or talk about the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence

"He likes to philosophize about life and its meaning."

phlegmatic definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C2
/flɛgˈmæt.ɪk/

having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition

"Despite the chaos, he remained phlegmatic and composed."

noun C2
/ˈfoʊ.nə.ɡræm/

a written symbol representing a speech sound

"The teacher showed how each phonogram represents a particular sound."

noun C2
/ˌfoʊ.nəˈlɑː.dʒi/

the study of the sound system of a language

"She is studying phonology to understand how sounds function in English."

noun C2
/ˌfɑːsfəˈrɛsəns/

the property of emitting light without noticeable heat

"The deep-sea creatures displayed a beautiful phosphorescence."