Vocabularies

English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples

adjective C2
/ˌfoʊtoʊɪˈlɛktrɪk/

relating to the emission of electrons or other free carriers when light shines on a material

"The photoelectric effect is fundamental in solar panels."

noun C2
/ˌfoʊˈtɑːmɪtər/

an instrument for measuring the intensity of light

"The scientist used a photometer to measure the light in the laboratory."

noun C2
/foʊˈtɑːmɪtri/

the science of measuring visible light in terms of its perceived brightness to human eyes

"Photometry helps in designing efficient lighting systems."

photosensitivity definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˌfəʊ.təʊ.sen.sɪˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/

Sensitivity to light, especially abnormal sensitivity that may cause discomfort or damage.

"Overrubbing can increase photosensitivity."

noun C2
/ˈfaɪləm/

a primary category in the biological classification of organisms, above class and below kingdom

"Humans belong to the phylum Chordata."

noun C2
/ˌfɪzɪˈɑːkrəsi/

an economic theory that land and its natural products are the source of wealth

"Physiocracy emphasized the importance of agriculture in national wealth."

noun C2
/ˌfɪziˈɒnəmi/

the study of facial features to judge character or personality

"He believed in physiognomy and tried to read people's personalities from their faces."

noun C2
/ˌfɪziˈɑːɡrəfi/

the study of the physical features of the earth's surface

"He specialized in physiography to understand the landscape of the region."

phytochemicals definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˌfaɪ.təʊˈkem.ɪ.kəlz/

Natural chemical compounds produced by plants that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition, often having antioxidant properties.

"Phytochemicals in green tea help reduce inflammation."

phytonutrient definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
ˈfaɪ.təʊˌnjuː.tri.ənt

Chemical compounds produced by plants that are beneficial to human health but not essential nutrients.

"Broccoli is rich in phytonutrients that enhance immunity."

phytonutrients definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
ˈfaɪ.təʊˌnjuː.tri.ənts

Bioactive compounds found in plants that have health benefits beyond basic nutrition.

"Green tea contains powerful phytonutrients."

adjective C2
/ˌpɪkəˈrɛsk/

relating to a style of fiction depicting the adventures of a roguish hero

"The novel is a picaresque tale of a clever vagabond."

adjective C2
/ˌpɪkəˈjuːn/

of little value or importance; trivial

"He complained about the picayune details of the contract."

noun C2
/ˈpɪkəloʊ/

a small flute, higher in pitch than the regular flute

"She played a lively tune on the piccolo during the concert."

adjective C2
/ˈpɪdlɪŋ/

trivial or insignificant; very small

"He made a piddling amount of money from that deal."

adjective C2
/ˈpaɪbɔːld/

having irregular patches of two colors, especially black and white

"The farmer owns a piebald horse with black and white spots."

Piece-goods definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈpiːs ɡʊdz/

textiles or fabrics sold by the yard or meter; cloth materials

"The tailor bought piece-goods from the wholesale market to make custom dresses."

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pied

adjective C2
/paɪd/

having two or more different colors, typically in blotches

"The pied cat had black and white patches all over its body."

Pillaw definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/pɪˈlɑːf/

a dish of rice cooked in seasoned broth, often with meat and vegetables

"We enjoyed a delicious chicken pillaw for dinner."

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pillory

noun/verb C2
/ˈpɪləri/

a device for publicly punishing someone / to expose to public ridicule

"The corrupt official was placed in the pillory for the town to jeer at."

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pinion

noun C2
/ˈpɪnjən/

a small gear or the outer part of a bird's wing; to restrain or immobilize

"The bird's pinion was injured, preventing it from flying."

noun C2
/ˈpɪnəs/

a small boat, often carried by a larger ship

"The sailors used a pinnace to reach the shore."

adjective C2
/pɪˈskætɔːrɪəl/

relating to fishing or fishermen

"He has a deep knowledge of piscatorial techniques and fish species."

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pith

noun C2
/pɪθ/

the essential or central part of something

"The pith of his argument was that honesty matters most."

adjective C2
/ˈplændʒənt/

having a loud, mournful sound; resonant

"The plangent toll of the church bell echoed through the village."

noun C2
/ˈplænɪsfɪr/

a rotating star chart used to display the visible stars for any time and date

"The astronomer used a planisphere to identify the constellations."

platitude definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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platitude

noun C2
/ˈplætɪtjuːd/

a remark or statement that is overused and unoriginal

"He kept repeating the same platitudes during the speech."

noun C2
/ˈplɔːdɪt/

an expression of praise or approval

"The actor received plaudit for his outstanding performance."

noun C2
/ˈplɔːdɪts/

expressions of praise or approval

"The scientist received plaudits from the international community."

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plebeian

adjective, noun C2
/pləˈbiːən/

common, ordinary, or belonging to the lower social classes

"The festival was enjoyed by both plebeian and noble citizens."

adjective, noun C2
/pləˈbiːən/

alternate spelling of 'plebeian'; common or ordinary

"His tastes were rather plebian, favoring simple food and clothes."

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plebiscite

noun C2
/ˈplɛbɪsaɪt/

a direct vote by the electorate on an important public question

"The government held a plebiscite to decide on the new constitution."

noun C2
/ˈplɛdʒiː/

a person to whom something is pledged or given as security

"The bank is the pledgee of the collateral until the loan is repaid."

noun C2
/ˈplɛdʒɔːr/

a person who gives or offers a pledge or security

"The bank accepted the jewelry from the pledgeor as collateral for the loan."

adjective C2
/ˈpliːnəri/

complete in every way; fully attended or absolute

"The committee held a plenary session to discuss all matters of importance."

noun C2
/ˌpliːnɪpəˈtɛnʃəri/

a person invested with full power to act on behalf of another, especially in diplomacy

"The ambassador was a plenipotentiary sent to negotiate the treaty."

noun C2
/ˈplɛnɪtjuːd/

the condition of being full or abundant; a great quantity

"The garden was a plenitude of flowers in spring."

adjective C2
/ˈplɛntɪəs/

existing in great quantity; abundant

"The harvest was plenteous, providing enough food for the entire village."

noun C2
/ˈplɛntɪtjuːd/

the condition of being full or abundant

"The garden offered a plentitude of flowers in spring."

adjective C2
/ˌpluːˈpɜːrfɪkt/

a verb tense expressing an action completed before another past action

"By the time she arrived, he had finished his homework, showing the pluperfect tense."

noun C2
/pluːˈtɒkrəsi/

a system of government where the wealthy hold power

"The country was ruled as a plutocracy."

adjective C2
/njuːˈmætɪk/

operated by air or gas under pressure

"The factory uses pneumatic tools for assembly."

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poesy

noun C2
/ˈpoʊ.ə.si/

poetry; the art or composition of poems

"The anthology was filled with romantic poesy."

noun C2
/ˈpoʊ.ɪˌtæs.tər/

an inferior or trivial poet

"He was mocked as a poetaster by the literary critics."

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polemic

noun C2
/pəˈlɛmɪk/

a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something

"The article was a fierce polemic against the government's policies."

adjective C2
/pəˈlɛmɪkəl/

relating to or involving strongly critical or controversial writing or speech

"She wrote a polemical article challenging traditional beliefs."

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polemics

noun C2
/pəˈlɛmɪks/

the art or practice of engaging in controversial debate or dispute

"The conference was full of polemics on economic reforms."

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polity

noun C2
/ˈpɒlɪti/

an organized society or form of government

"The ancient Greek polity had a system of city-states."

adjective C2
/ˌpɒliˈæn.ɪ.ɪʃ/

overly or blindly optimistic

"Her pollyannaish attitude ignored the obvious problems."

noun C2
/pəˈtruːn/

a cowardly person

"He acted like a poltroon during the crisis."