portent
All a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
All CEFR A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2
Content locale
EN English BN Bengali HI Hindi ES Español FR Francés DE Alemán RU Ruso ZH Chino JA Japonés
All Vocabulary Cards All Vocabularies
C2 noun /ˈpɔːrtɛnt/

portent

presagio
Meaning
A sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen.
Example
The sudden drop in stock prices was seen as a portent of economic trouble.
La repentina caída de los precios de las acciones fue vista como un presagio de problemas económicos.
C2 noun /ˈpʌlkrɪˌtjuːd/

pulchritude

hermosura
Meaning
physical beauty
Example
The actress was admired for her pulchritude as well as her talent.
La actriz fue admirada por su hermosura y su talento.
C2 adjective /ˌpɪkəˈjuːn/

picayune

insignificante, trivial
Meaning
of little value or importance; trivial
Example
He complained about the picayune details of the contract.
Se quejaba de los detalles triviales del contrato.
C2 verb /preɪt/

prate

hablar tontamente
Meaning
to talk foolishly or at tedious length about something
Example
He would prate endlessly about his minor achievements.
Él hablaba sin cesar sobre sus pequeños logros.
C2 noun /prɔːŋ/

prong

pico de tenedor
Meaning
a projecting pointed part, such as one of the pointed ends of a fork
Example
The fork has four prongs.
El tenedor tiene cuatro picos.
C2 noun /proʊˈbɑːsɪs/

proboscis

trompa
Meaning
The long, flexible nose of some animals, especially an elephant, or a tubular feeding and sucking organ in insects.
Example
The elephant used its proboscis to grab food.
El elefante usó su trompa para agarrar comida.
C2 noun /ˌperəˈreɪʃən/

peroration

peroración final
Meaning
The concluding part of a speech, often intended to inspire or persuade.
Example
The politician's peroration left the audience applauding enthusiastically.
La peroración del político hizo que la audiencia aplaudiera con entusiasmo.
C2 noun /paɪər/

pyre

pira
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.
Los aldeanos construyeron una pira para honrar al difunto.
C2 verb /pərˈtɪkjələrˌaɪz/

particularize

especificar
Meaning
to mention or describe something in detail
Example
The witness was asked to particularize the events of that night.
Se le pidió al testigo que especificara los eventos de esa noche.
C2 adjective /ˌpɛrɪpəˈtɛtɪk/

peripatetic

nómada
Meaning
Traveling from place to place, especially for work or based on lifestyle.
Example
He led a peripatetic life as a traveling teacher.
Llevaba una vida nómada como profesor itinerante.
C2 noun ˈfaɪ.təʊˌnjuː.tri.ənts

phytonutrients

fitonutrientes
Meaning
Bioactive compounds found in plants that have health benefits beyond basic nutrition.
Example
Green tea contains powerful phytonutrients.
El té verde contiene poderosos fitonutrientes.
C2 noun /pʌntʃ ˈfoʊrən/

Panch Phoron

panch phoron
Meaning
a Bengali spice blend containing five whole spices: cumin, fennel, fenugreek, nigella, and mustard seeds
Example
The aroma filled the kitchen when she heated panch phoron in oil.
El aroma llenó la cocina cuando calentó panch phoron en aceite.
C2 adjective /ˌpɛntəˈveɪlənt/

pentavalent

pentavalente
Meaning
Having a valence of five, especially in chemistry.
Example
Phosphorus can exist in a pentavalent state.
El fósforo puede existir en un estado pentavalente.
C2 noun /pəˈtiːnə/

patina

una película o brillo en metal, piedra o madera debido a la edad o uso; también, una apariencia superficial
Meaning
a surface film or sheen on metal, stone, or wood due to age or use; also, a superficial appearance
Example
The bronze statue developed a green patina after years in the sea air.
La estatua de bronce desarrolló una patina verde después de años en el aire marino.
C2 adjective /prɪˈhɛnsaɪl/

prehensile

prensil
Meaning
adapted for seizing or grasping, especially by wrapping around an object
Example
The monkey used its prehensile tail to hang from the branch.
El mono usó su cola prensil para colgarse de la rama.
C2 adjective /ˈpɛkənt/

peccant

culpable
Meaning
Guilty of a moral offense or wrongdoing; sinful.
Example
The judge declared the peccant official unfit for office.
El juez declaró al oficial culpable no apto para el cargo.
C2 adjective /prəˈhɪbɪtɔːri/

prohibitory

prohibitivo
Meaning
Serving or tending to prohibit or forbid.
Example
The prohibitory laws were strictly enforced in the region.
Las leyes prohibitivas fueron estrictamente aplicadas en la región.
C2 noun /ˈpær.əkˌsɪz.əm/

paroxysm

arrebato súbito
Meaning
A sudden, violent outburst of emotion or activity.
Example
She was seized by a paroxysm of laughter.
Ella fue tomada por un arrebato de risa.
C2 noun /pɛlf/

pelf

dinero ilícito
Meaning
Money, especially when gained dishonorably.
Example
The corrupt official was motivated only by pelf.
El funcionario corrupto solo estaba motivado por el dinero ilícito.
C2 adjective /ˈpɛndjʊləs/

pendulous

felicidad
Meaning
hanging down loosely; drooping
Example
The pendulous fruit weighed down the branch.
Ella no pudo ocultar su felicidad cuando recibió el premio.
C2 noun /pɜːr bɔɪld raɪs/

Per boiled rice

arroz precocido
Meaning
Rice that has been partially boiled in the husk before milling; parboiled rice
Example
Per boiled rice retains more nutrients than regular white rice.
El arroz precocido retiene más nutrientes que el arroz blanco regular.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːr.kə.tri/

parquetry

el arte de colocar suelos de parqué
Meaning
The art or technique of laying parquet floors.
Example
The craftsman specialized in parquetry for luxury homes.
El artesano se especializó en parquetería para casas de lujo.
C2 noun /priˈɛmpʃən/

preemption

derecho de preferencia
Meaning
The act of taking action before someone else; the right to purchase or act before others.
Example
The company exercised preemption to acquire the land before competitors.
La empresa ejerció el derecho de preferencia para adquirir la tierra antes que los competidores.
C2 verb /pɜːrl/

purl

fluir con un sonido murmullante
Meaning
To knit with a purl stitch; to flow with a murmuring sound (as a stream).
Example
The brook purled softly through the meadow.
El arroyo purleó suavemente por el prado.
C2 noun /ˌpaɪroʊˈmeɪniæk/

pyromaniac

persona con deseos incontrolables de incendiar cosas
Meaning
A person with an uncontrollable desire to set things on fire.
Example
The pyromaniac was arrested for setting several buildings ablaze.
El pirómano fue arrestado por incendiar varios edificios.
C2 adjective /ˌpaɪroʊˈtɛknɪk/

pyrotechnic

piromáquina
Meaning
Relating to fireworks or spectacular displays involving fire.
Example
The city celebrated with a grand pyrotechnic display on New Year's Eve.
La ciudad celebró con un gran espectáculo pirotécnico en la víspera de Año Nuevo.
C2 adjective /ˈplændʒənt/

plangent

sonido triste o resonante
Meaning
having a loud, mournful sound; resonant
Example
The plangent toll of the church bell echoed through the village.
El tañido triste de la campana de la iglesia resonó por el pueblo.
C2 noun /ˈpɒm.əl/

pommel

la parte redondeada del mango de una espada o silla
Meaning
the rounded knob on the handle of a sword or saddle
Example
He gripped the sword firmly by the pommel.
Sujeto la espada firmemente por el pómel.
C2 noun /ˌpænəˈdʒɪrɪk/

panegyric

panegírico, elogio
Meaning
a formal speech or piece of writing in praise of someone or something
Example
The author wrote a panegyric on the bravery of the soldiers.
El autor escribió un panegírico sobre la valentía de los soldados.
C2 noun /ˈprɒsɪlaɪt/

proselyte

prosélito
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.
Se convirtió en un prosélito después de convertirse a una nueva fe.
C2 adjective /ˈplɛntɪəs/

plenteous

abundante
Meaning
existing in great quantity; abundant
Example
The harvest was plenteous, providing enough food for the entire village.
La cosecha fue abundante, proporcionando suficiente comida para todo el pueblo.
C2 noun /poʊˈzɜːr/

poseur

farsante
Meaning
A person who pretends to be something they are not, often to impress others.
Example
Many considered him a poseur because he exaggerated his accomplishments.
Muchos lo consideraban un farsante porque exageraba sus logros.
C2 noun /ˈproʊtoʊˌmɑːrtɚ/

protomartyr

primer mártir
Meaning
The first martyr in a cause or religion, often referring to the first Christian martyr.
Example
St. Stephen is known as the protomartyr of Christianity.
San Esteban es conocido como el protomártir del cristianismo.
C2 noun /ˈplɛntɪtjuːd/

plentitude

abundancia
Meaning
the condition of being full or abundant
Example
The garden offered a plentitude of flowers in spring.
El jardín ofreció una gran cantidad de flores en primavera.
C2 noun /ˌfɪziˈɒnəmi/

physiognomy

estudio de las características faciales
Meaning
the study of facial features to judge character or personality
Example
He believed in physiognomy and tried to read people's personalities from their faces.
Él creía en la fisiognomía e intentaba leer las personalidades de las personas desde sus rostros.
C2 noun /ˈfɪl.ɪ.staɪn/

philistine

persona indiferente o hostil hacia la cultura y las artes
Meaning
a person who is indifferent or hostile to culture and the arts
Example
He was criticized as a philistine for dismissing modern art.
Fue criticado como un filisteo por rechazar el arte moderno.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrljuː/

purlieu

área periférica
Meaning
The area near or surrounding a place; an outlying or neighboring district.
Example
They spent the afternoon exploring the purlieus of the ancient city.
Pasaron la tarde explorando los purlíus de la antigua ciudad.
C2 noun /ˌpoʊpʊˈriː/

potpourri

mezcla de flores secas
Meaning
a mixture of dried flowers and spices kept in a bowl to perfume a room; a miscellaneous collection
Example
The living room was filled with the scent of potpourri.
La sala de estar estaba llena con el aroma del potpourri.
C2 noun /ˈfænˌtæzəm/

phantasm

fantasma
Meaning
an illusion, ghost, or figment of the imagination
Example
The child claimed to see a phantasm in the old house.
El niño afirmó ver un fantasma en la casa antigua.
C2 adjective /ˈpɛnɪtrəbl/

penetrable

penetrable
Meaning
Capable of being passed through or entered.
Example
The thin wall was easily penetrable.
La delgada pared era fácilmente penetrable.
C2 noun /ˌpɜːrspɪˈkjuːəti/

perspicuity

claridad
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.
La claridad de su conferencia hizo que fuera fácil para los estudiantes entender temas complejos.
C2 noun /pɜːrtʃt raɪs/

Perched rice

arroz inflado
Meaning
puffed rice; rice that has been heated and puffed into light, crispy grains
Example
I enjoy eating puffed rice as a healthy snack.
Disfruto comer arroz inflado como un bocadillo saludable.
C2 noun /ˈpɛtrəˌɡræf/

petrograph

descripción de rocas
Meaning
a description or representation of rocks, especially in detailed scientific writing
Example
The scientist studied the petrograph to understand the rock composition.
El científico estudió el petrográfico para entender la composición de la roca.
C2 noun ˈfaɪ.təʊˌnjuː.tri.ənt

phytonutrient

fitonutriente
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.
El brócoli es rico en fitonutrientes que mejoran la inmunidad.
C2 noun /ˌpɛrəɡrɪˈneɪʃən/

peregrination

peregrinación
Meaning
A long journey or wandering, especially on foot.
Example
Their peregrination across Asia lasted two years.
Su peregrinación a través de Asia duró dos años.
C2 adjective /ˌpriːpəˈzɛsɪŋ/

prepossessing

atractivo
Meaning
Attractive or appealing in appearance or manner.
Example
She had a prepossessing smile that charmed everyone.
Ella tenía una sonrisa atractiva que cautivó a todos.
C2 noun /fɪˈlæt.əl.ɪst/

philatelist

coleccionista de sellos
Meaning
a person who collects or studies postage stamps
Example
The philatelist spent years building a rare stamp collection.
El filatelista pasó años construyendo una rara colección de sellos.
C2 adjective /pərˈsuːənt/

pursuant

de acuerdo con
Meaning
in accordance with or following something, especially a law or rule
Example
The decision was made pursuant to the regulations.
La decisión se tomó de acuerdo con los reglamentos.
C2 noun /pərˈsɪpiəns/

percipience

capacidad de percepción
Meaning
The ability to perceive, understand, or notice things quickly.
Example
His percipience in reading people made him a great negotiator.
Su capacidad de percepción al leer a las personas lo convirtió en un gran negociador.
C2 noun /ˌpraɪmoʊˈdʒɛnɪtʃər/

primogeniture

primogenitura
Meaning
The right of the firstborn child to inherit the family estate or title.
Example
Under primogeniture, the eldest son inherited the entire estate.
Bajo la primogenitura, el hijo mayor heredó toda la propiedad.
C2 adjective /pɒnˈtɪfɪkəl/

pontifical

relativo a un papa o obispo; pomposo o engreído
Meaning
relating to a pope or bishop; pompous or self-important
Example
His pontifical manner annoyed the other members of the committee.
Su comportamiento arrogante molestaba a los demás miembros del comité.
C2 noun/verb /ˈpɪləri/

pillory

dispositivo de castigo público
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.
El funcionario corrupto fue puesto en el píloris para que la gente se burlara de él.
C2 noun /ˌpæliˈeɪʃən/

palliation

alivio
Meaning
relief of symptoms without curing the underlying disease or problem
Example
Palliation is often the focus of care for terminally ill patients.
El alivio suele ser el enfoque principal del cuidado para los pacientes terminales.
C2 adjective /paɪd/

pied

de varios colores
Meaning
having two or more different colors, typically in blotches
Example
The pied cat had black and white patches all over its body.
El gato pied tenía manchas negras y blancas por todo su cuerpo.
C2 noun /pəˈræm.bjə.leɪ.tər/

Perambulator

cochecito de bebé
Meaning
a four-wheeled carriage for a baby; baby stroller or pram
Example
She pushed the perambulator through the park while the baby slept peacefully.
Ella empujaba el perambulator por el parque mientras el bebé dormía tranquilamente.
C2 adjective /ˈpɪrɪk/

pyrrhic

victoria pírrica
Meaning
A victory won at such a great cost that it is almost equivalent to defeat.
Example
The general declared the battle a pyrrhic victory due to heavy losses.
El general declaró la batalla una victoria pírrica debido a las grandes pérdidas.
C2 noun /ˈpær.ɪ.saɪd/

parricide

parricidio
Meaning
The act of killing one's father, mother, or other close relative.
Example
The court tried him for parricide after the tragic incident.
El tribunal lo juzgó por parricidio después del trágico incidente.
C2 verb /prəˈpɪʃieɪt/

propitiate

propiciar
Meaning
to win or regain the favor of someone by doing something that pleases them
Example
He offered gifts to propitiate the angry gods.
Él ofreció regalos para propiciar a los dioses enojados.
C2 verb /prɪˈværɪkeɪt/

prevaricate

evitar decir la verdad
Meaning
to avoid telling the truth by not giving a direct answer
Example
The politician began to prevaricate when asked about the scandal.
El político comenzó a evadir cuando le preguntaron sobre el escándalo.
C2 adjective, noun /pləˈbiːən/

plebeian

persona común
Meaning
common, ordinary, or belonging to the lower social classes
Example
The festival was enjoyed by both plebeian and noble citizens.
El festival fue disfrutado tanto por los plebeyos como por los ciudadanos nobles.
C2 noun /ˈpɛdənt/

pedant

persona pedante
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.
El profesor fue criticado como un pedante que se centraba demasiado en los detalles triviales.
C2 noun /ˌpɛdəˈɡɒdʒɪks/

pedagogics

pedagogía
Meaning
the science or art of teaching
Example
He studied pedagogics to become a better teacher.
Estudió pedagogía para convertirse en un mejor maestro.
C2 noun /ˌfɪziˈɑːɡrəfi/

physiography

fisiografía
Meaning
the study of the physical features of the earth's surface
Example
He specialized in physiography to understand the landscape of the region.
Se especializó en fisiografía para comprender el paisaje de la región.
C2 adjective /pərˈfɜrvɪd/

perfervid

sumamente entusiasta
Meaning
intensely passionate or fervent
Example
She gave a perfervid speech in defense of human rights.
Ella dio un discurso sumamente entusiasta en defensa de los derechos humanos.
C2 noun /pʌɡˈnæsɪti/

pugnacity

pugnacidad
Meaning
A natural disposition to be combative or aggressive.
Example
The coach admired the player's pugnacity on the field.
El entrenador admiraba la pugnacidad del jugador en el campo.
C2 noun /ˈpætrɪsaɪd/

patricide

patricidio
Meaning
The act of killing one's own father.
Example
The ancient myth describes a son committing patricide to take the throne.
El antiguo mito describe a un hijo cometiendo patricidio para tomar el trono.
C2 noun /ˌpɑːrtjʊˈrɪʃən/

parturition

parto
Meaning
The act of giving birth; childbirth.
Example
The doctor explained the stages of parturition to the students.
El médico explicó las etapas del parto a los estudiantes.
C2 noun /pərˈdɪʃən/

perdition

felicidad
Meaning
A state of eternal spiritual ruin, often referring to hell or damnation.
Example
The preacher warned that greed would lead to perdition.
Ella no pudo esconder su felicidad cuando recibió el premio.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːrsɪmoʊni/

parsimony

tacañeria
Meaning
extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources
Example
His parsimony was evident in the way he avoided any unnecessary expenses.
Su tacañeria era evidente en la manera en que evitaba cualquier gasto innecesario.
C2 noun /ˈpæntəˌskoʊp/

pantoscope

instrumento óptico que proporciona una vista panorámica
Meaning
An optical instrument that provides a wide or panoramic view.
Example
The scientist used a pantoscope to observe the entire horizon.
El científico usó un pantoscopio para observar todo el horizonte.
C2 noun ˈpɑː.stər.ə.lɪ.zəm

pastoralism

pastoralismo, sistema de pastoreo basado en pasto
Meaning
A form of animal husbandry where domesticated animals are released onto large vegetated outdoor lands for grazing.
Example
Pastoralism is a traditional way of managing livestock.
El pastoreo es una forma tradicional de gestionar el ganado.
C2 noun /ˌprɪnsɪˈpæləti/

principality

principado
Meaning
a state ruled by a prince
Example
Monaco is a famous principality in Europe.
Mónaco es un famoso principado en Europa.
C2 noun /ˈpɛd.ən.tri/

pedantry

excesiva preocupación por los detalles o reglas menores
Meaning
Excessive concern with minor details or rules.
Example
His pedantry made the meeting unnecessarily long.
Su pedantería hizo que la reunión fuera innecesariamente larga.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːdreɪ/

padre

padre
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.
Los soldados asistieron a la misa presidida por el padre.
C2 adjective /ˈpʌkɪʃ/

puckish

travieso
Meaning
playfully mischievous
Example
The child gave a puckish grin before hiding the toy.
El niño dio una sonrisa traviesa antes de esconder el juguete.
C2 adjective /njuːˈmætɪk/

pneumatic

neumático
Meaning
operated by air or gas under pressure
Example
The factory uses pneumatic tools for assembly.
La fábrica usa herramientas neumáticas para el ensamblaje.
C2 verb /pɑːrtʃ/

parch

secar
Meaning
to make something extremely dry, especially by exposure to heat
Example
The scorching sun began to parch the fields.
El sol abrasador comenzó a secar los campos.
C2 noun /ˌpɪəriəˈdɪsɪti/

periodicity

periodicidad
Meaning
The quality or state of being regular or recurring at intervals.
Example
The periodicity of the moon’s phases has fascinated humans for centuries.
La periodicidad de las fases de la luna ha fascinado a los humanos durante siglos.
C2 verb /ˌpriːɪˈstæblɪʃ/

preestablish

preestablecer
Meaning
To establish or set up beforehand.
Example
Certain rules were preestablished before the meeting.
Algunas reglas fueron preestablecidas antes de la reunión.
C2 adjective /ˌpluːˈpɜːrfɪkt/

pluperfect

pluscuamperfecto
Meaning
a verb tense expressing an action completed before another past action
Example
By the time she arrived, he had finished his homework, showing the pluperfect tense.
Para cuando ella llegó, él ya había terminado su tarea, mostrando el tiempo pluscuamperfecto.
C2 noun /ˈplɔːdɪt/

plaudit

elogio
Meaning
an expression of praise or approval
Example
The actor received plaudit for his outstanding performance.
El actor recibió elogios por su destacada actuación.
C2 noun /ˈpæn.θi.ɪ.zəm/

pantheism

panteísmo
Meaning
The belief that God and the universe are identical, or that everything is a manifestation of God.
Example
Spinoza’s philosophy is often associated with pantheism.
La filosofía de Spinoza a menudo se asocia con el panteísmo.
C2 noun /ˈpærəpɛt/

parapet

murallas de protección
Meaning
A low protective wall along the edge of a roof, balcony, or bridge.
Example
The soldier hid behind the parapet for protection.
El soldado se escondió detrás de la muralla de protección para su seguridad.
C2 noun /ˌpɒl.iˈsɪl.ə.bəl/

polysyllable

palabra polisílaba
Meaning
a word with more than one syllable
Example
The word 'elephant' is a polysyllable because it has three syllables.
La palabra 'elefante' es una palabra polisílaba porque tiene tres sílabas.
C2 noun /pəˈlɛmɪk/

polemic

ataque polémico
Meaning
a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something
Example
The article was a fierce polemic against the government's policies.
El artículo fue un ataque polémico contra las políticas del gobierno.
C2 noun /ˈpɒliˌkreɪsi/

polycracy

policracia
Meaning
rule by many; government by multiple authorities
Example
The nation experienced a polycracy after decentralization reforms.
La nación experimentó una policracia después de las reformas de descentralización.
C2 adjective /pruːˈdɛnʃəl/

prudential

prudencial
Meaning
involving or showing prudence, especially in financial or business matters
Example
The bank has set prudential rules to protect depositors.
El banco ha establecido reglas prudenciales para proteger a los depositantes.
C2 noun /ˈpjuː.pɪ.lɪdʒ/

pupilage

estado de pupilo
Meaning
The state of being a pupil or under instruction.
Example
During his pupilage, he studied law under a senior barrister.
Durante su pupilaje, estudió derecho bajo un barrister senior.
C2 adjective /ˌfæntæzməˈɡɒrɪkəl/

phantasmagorical

fantasmagórico
Meaning
Having a fantastic, dreamlike, or surreal appearance, often shifting or illusory.
Example
The movie created a phantasmagorical vision of another world.
La película creó una visión fantasmagórica de otro mundo.
C2 adjective /ˌpɜːrtɪˈneɪʃəs/

pertinacious

tenaz
Meaning
holding firmly to an opinion, purpose, or course of action; stubbornly persistent
Example
The pertinacious lawyer refused to give up the case.
El abogado tenaz se negó a abandonar el caso.
C2 adjective /prəˈtuːbərənt/

protuberant

protuberante
Meaning
Sticking out or bulging.
Example
His protuberant belly showed after the meal.
Su barriga protuberante se mostró después de la comida.
C2 adjective /ˌpəʊstˈprændɪəl/

postprandial

postprandial
Meaning
Occurring after a meal.
Example
He went for a postprandial walk after dinner.
Fue a caminar después de la cena postprandial.
C2 noun /ˈpeɪpəsi/

papacy

papado
Meaning
The office or authority of the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church.
Example
The papacy played a significant role in medieval European politics.
El papado jugó un papel importante en la política medieval europea.
C2 verb /ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡ/

pettifog

discutir sobre trivialidades
Meaning
to argue or quibble over trivial matters; to engage in petty, dishonest practices
Example
The lawyer was accused of trying to pettifog instead of addressing the real issue.
Se acusó al abogado de tratar de discutir sobre temas triviales en lugar de abordar el verdadero problema.
C2 noun /fɪˈlɒl.ə.dʒi/

philology

el estudio de la lengua en fuentes históricas escritas; lingüística
Meaning
the study of language in written historical sources; linguistics
Example
She devoted her career to philology, researching ancient manuscripts.
Ella dedicó su carrera a la filología, investigando manuscritos antiguos.
C2 adjective /ˌpjuːsɪˈlænɪməs/

pusillanimous

pusilánime
Meaning
showing a lack of courage or determination; timid
Example
The pusillanimous leader avoided making tough decisions.
El líder pusilánime evitaba tomar decisiones difíciles.
C2 noun /pəˈruːzl/

perusal

lectura cuidadosa
Meaning
The action of reading or examining something carefully.
Example
The contract was given to the lawyer for perusal.
El contrato fue dado al abogado para su lectura cuidadosa.
C2 adjective /pɔːrˈtɛntəs/

portentous

portentoso, grave
Meaning
Giving a sign or warning that something, often bad or serious, is going to happen; or overly solemn and pompous.
Example
His portentous tone made everyone nervous about the news.
Su tono portentoso hizo que todos se pusieran nerviosos por las noticias.
C2 noun /ˌpliːnɪpəˈtɛnʃəri/

plenipotentiary

plenipotenciario
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.
El embajador era un plenipotenciario enviado para negociar el tratado.
C2 noun /ˌpriːɪɡˈzɪstəns/

preexistence

preexistencia
Meaning
the state of existing before something else
Example
Philosophers often debated the preexistence of the soul.
Los filósofos a menudo debatían sobre la preexistencia del alma.
C2 noun /ˌfoʊˈtɑːmɪtər/

photometer

fotómetro
Meaning
an instrument for measuring the intensity of light
Example
The scientist used a photometer to measure the light in the laboratory.
El científico usó un fotómetro para medir la luz en el laboratorio.
C2 noun /prəˈlɪksɪti/

prolixity

prolijidad
Meaning
the quality of being tediously wordy and long
Example
The book’s prolixity made it difficult to read in one sitting.
La prolijidad del libro hizo que fuera difícil leerlo en una sola sesión.
C2 verb /pərˈlɔɪn/

purloin

robar
Meaning
to steal something, often in a sneaky or dishonest way
Example
He tried to purloin a book from the library without being noticed.
Intentó robar un libro de la biblioteca sin ser notado.
C2 noun /proʊˈskrɪp.ʃən/

proscription

prohibición
Meaning
the act of forbidding something, especially by law
Example
The proscription of child labor is an important human rights achievement.
La prohibición del trabajo infantil es un logro importante de los derechos humanos.
C2 verb /priːˈdɛstɪn/

predestine

predestinar
Meaning
to determine or decide something in advance, often regarded as being fixed by fate or divine will
Example
They believed their paths were predestined by fate.
Ellos creían que sus caminos estaban predestinados por el destino.
C2 /ˈpæn.ə.pli/

panoply

panoplia
Meaning
A complete or impressive collection of things; a full set of armor.
Example
The museum displayed a panoply of ancient weapons.
El museo exhibió una panoplia de armas antiguas.
C2 adjective /ˈprəʊ.lɪks/

prolix

excesivamente largo
Meaning
using too many words; tediously lengthy
Example
The professor’s prolix lecture put many students to sleep.
La conferencia prolija del profesor hizo que muchos estudiantes se quedaran dormidos.
C2 noun/adjective /prɪˈsɪpɪtənt/

precipitant

precipitado
Meaning
As a noun: a substance that causes a substance to be deposited from a solution; as an adjective: acting hastily or impulsively.
Example
The chemist added a precipitant to the solution to observe the reaction.
El químico añadió un precipitado a la solución para observar la reacción.
C2 noun /ˈpjuːdʒɪlɪzəm/

pugilism

boxeo
Meaning
The practice or sport of boxing.
Example
He studied the art of pugilism in his youth.
Él estudió el arte del boxeo en su juventud.
C2 noun /pəˈnʌmbrə/

penumbra

sombra parcial
Meaning
a partially shaded area around the shadow of an object, especially during an eclipse
Example
The moon’s penumbra created a dim shadow over the Earth.
La penumbra de la luna creó una sombra tenue sobre la Tierra.
C2 noun /ˌpraɪvəˈtɪə/

privateer

corsario
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.
El corsario capturó varios barcos enemigos durante el conflicto.
C2 noun /ˈpɒsi/

posse

pandilla / grupo de amigos
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.
Llegó a la fiesta con su pandilla de amigos.
C2 noun /pəˈtruːn/

poltroon

cobarde
Meaning
a cowardly person
Example
He acted like a poltroon during the crisis.
Actuó como un cobarde durante la crisis.
C2 adjective /prɪˈpɒndərənt/

preponderant

preponderante
Meaning
Having superior weight, force, influence, or importance.
Example
The preponderant influence of the media shapes public opinion.
La influencia preponderante de los medios de comunicación da forma a la opinión pública.
C2 noun /prɪˈpɒndərəns/

preponderance

preponderancia
Meaning
The quality or fact of being greater in number, quantity, or importance.
Example
There was a preponderance of evidence against the defendant.
Había una preponderancia de evidencia contra el acusado.
C2 noun /ˈpruːdəri/

prudery

pudor excesivo
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.
Su pudor excesivo a menudo hacía que los demás se sintieran incómodos durante las discusiones abiertas.
C2 adjective /ˈpɒndərəbl/

ponderable

que puede ser considerado, pensable
Meaning
able to be considered or thought about
Example
The evidence was substantial and ponderable.
La evidencia era sustancial y pensable.
C2 adjective /ˈpɑːrtəbl/

partible

divisible
Meaning
capable of being divided or separated
Example
The estate was partible among the heirs.
La propiedad era divisible entre los herederos.
C2 verb /pɔːrˈtɛnd/

portend

presagiar
Meaning
To be a sign or warning that something, especially something bad, is going to happen.
Example
Dark clouds portend a storm.
Las nubes oscuras presagian una tormenta.
C2 noun /ˈpɪnəs/

pinnace

bote pequeño
Meaning
a small boat, often carried by a larger ship
Example
The sailors used a pinnace to reach the shore.
Los marineros usaron un bote pequeño para llegar a la orilla.
C2 noun /pɒmˈpɒsəti/

pomposity

pomposidad, arrogancia
Meaning
self-important behavior or exaggerated dignity
Example
His speech was full of pomposity and arrogance.
Su discurso estaba lleno de pomposidad y arrogancia.