prohibitionist
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 Anglais BN Bengali HI Hindi ES Espagnol FR Français DE Allemand RU Russe ZH Chinois JA Japonais
All Vocabulary Cards All Vocabularies
C2 noun /ˌproʊɪˈbɪʃənɪst/

prohibitionist

interdictionniste
Meaning
A person who supports or advocates prohibition, especially of alcohol.
Example
The prohibitionist campaigned against the sale of liquor in the town.
L'interdictionniste a mené une campagne contre la vente d'alcool dans la ville.
C2 verb /prəˈroʊɡ/

prorogue

suspendre une session
Meaning
to discontinue a session of a parliament or assembly without dissolving it
Example
The president decided to prorogue parliament until the crisis was resolved.
Le président a décidé de suspendre le parlement jusqu'à ce que la crise soit résolue.
C2 noun /ˌfɪziˈɒnəmi/

physiognomy

étude des traits du visage
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.
Il croyait à la physiognomonie et essayait de lire la personnalité des gens à partir de leurs visages.
C2 noun /ˈpærəpɛt/

parapet

mur de protection
Meaning
A low protective wall along the edge of a roof, balcony, or bridge.
Example
The soldier hid behind the parapet for protection.
Le soldat s'est caché derrière le parapet pour sa protection.
C2 noun /ˈpɒlɪɡæmɪst/

polygamist

polygame
Meaning
a person who has more than one spouse at the same time
Example
The polygamist had three wives living in different houses.
Le polygame avait trois femmes vivant dans des maisons différentes.
C2 adjective /ˈprɛʃənt/ or /ˈpriːʃənt/

prescient

prévoyant
Meaning
having or showing knowledge of events before they take place
Example
The prescient investor sold his shares just before the market crashed.
L'investisseur prévoyant a vendu ses actions juste avant que le marché ne s'effondre.
C2 adjective /pʌɡˈneɪʃəs/

pugnacious

agressif
Meaning
Having a quarrelsome or combative nature; eager to fight.
Example
His pugnacious attitude often got him into trouble.
Son attitude agressive le mettait souvent dans des ennuis.
C2 adjective /ˌpɑːrsɪˈmoʊniəs/

parsimonious

avare
Meaning
unwilling to spend money or use resources; stingy
Example
The company was too parsimonious to invest in better equipment.
L'entreprise était trop avare pour investir dans de meilleurs équipements.
C2 noun /ˈprɛʃəns/ or /ˈpriːʃəns/

prescience

prescience
Meaning
the ability to know or predict what will happen in the future
Example
Her prescience about market trends saved the company.
Sa préscience des tendances du marché a sauvé l'entreprise.
C2 noun /ˈplɛdʒiː/

pledgee

la personne à qui quelque chose est attribué comme garantie
Meaning
a person to whom something is pledged or given as security
Example
The bank is the pledgee of the collateral until the loan is repaid.
La banque est le créancier du bien jusqu'à ce que le prêt soit remboursé.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrkwɪzɪt raɪt/

perquisiteperquisiteright

droit aux avantages supplémentaires
Meaning
a legal right to certain benefits or privileges associated with a job or office
Example
The judge enjoyed certain perquisite rights attached to his position.
Le juge a profité de certains droits supplémentaires liés à sa fonction.
C2 verb /proʊˈskraɪb/

proscribe

interdire
Meaning
to forbid something by law or authority
Example
The new law will proscribe the use of harmful chemicals in farming.
La nouvelle loi interdira l'utilisation de produits chimiques nuisibles dans l'agriculture.
C2 noun /ˈpoʊtənˌteɪt/

potentate

potentat
Meaning
A monarch or ruler, especially one with absolute power.
Example
The ancient land was ruled by a powerful potentate.
L'ancienne terre était gouvernée par un puissant potentat.
C2 noun /ˈpriːskrɪpt/

prescript

prescription
Meaning
An authoritative rule or direction; something laid down as a command.
Example
The prescript of the organization required strict punctuality.
Le prescript de l'organisation exigeait une ponctualité stricte.
C2 verb /ˈprɛsɪdʒ/

presage

présage
Meaning
to be a sign or warning that something will happen; to foreshadow
Example
Dark clouds presage a storm.
Les nuages sombres présagent une tempête.
C2 noun /fɪˈlæt.əl.i/

philately

philatélie
Meaning
the collection and study of postage stamps
Example
Philately is a hobby enjoyed by people of all ages.
La philatélie est un passe-temps apprécié des personnes de tous âges.
C2 adjective /ˈpɒndərəbl/

ponderable

qui peut être considéré, pensable
Meaning
able to be considered or thought about
Example
The evidence was substantial and ponderable.
La preuve était substantielle et pensable.
C2 noun/verb /ˈpɪləri/

pillory

dispositif de châtiment public
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.
Le fonctionnaire corrompu a été mis en pilori pour que la ville se moque de lui.
C2 noun /ˈpɒm.əl/

pommel

le bouton arrondi sur le pommeau d'une épée ou d'une selle
Meaning
the rounded knob on the handle of a sword or saddle
Example
He gripped the sword firmly by the pommel.
Il saisit fermement l'épée par le pommel.
C2 adjective /ˈplɛntɪəs/

plenteous

abondant
Meaning
existing in great quantity; abundant
Example
The harvest was plenteous, providing enough food for the entire village.
La récolte était abondante, fournissant suffisamment de nourriture pour tout le village.
C2 noun /ˌsuːdəʊəˈpɒsəl/

pseudapostle

faux apôtre
Meaning
a false or pretended apostle
Example
The preacher was condemned as a pseudapostle.
Le prédicateur a été condamné en tant que faux apôtre.
C2 verb /pɜːrl/

purl

couler avec un bruit de murmure
Meaning
To knit with a purl stitch; to flow with a murmuring sound (as a stream).
Example
The brook purled softly through the meadow.
Le ruisseau purla doucement à travers la prairie.
C2 adjective /pəˈlɛmɪkəl/

polemical

polemique
Meaning
relating to or involving strongly critical or controversial writing or speech
Example
She wrote a polemical article challenging traditional beliefs.
Elle a écrit un article polémique remettant en question les croyances traditionnelles.
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.
Le professeur a expliqué comment la prosodie affecte l'humeur d'un poème.
C2 noun /ˈpætrɪsaɪd/

patricide

patricide
Meaning
The act of killing one's own father.
Example
The ancient myth describes a son committing patricide to take the throne.
Le mythe ancien décrit un fils commettant un patricide pour prendre le trône.
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.
L'arôme a rempli la cuisine lorsqu'elle a chauffé le panch phoron dans de l'huile.
C2 noun /ˈpɒliˌkreɪsi/

polycracy

policratie
Meaning
rule by many; government by multiple authorities
Example
The nation experienced a polycracy after decentralization reforms.
Le pays a connu une policratie après les réformes de décentralisation.
C2 verb /fɪˈlændər/

philander

flirter
Meaning
to engage in casual or frivolous romantic or sexual relationships
Example
He was known to philander with many women in town.
Il était connu pour flirter avec de nombreuses femmes en ville.
C2 noun /ˈpoʊ.ɪˌtæs.tər/

poetaster

un poète inférieur ou trivial
Meaning
an inferior or trivial poet
Example
He was mocked as a poetaster by the literary critics.
Il a été moqué comme un poétasteur par les critiques littéraires.
C2 verb /ˈpjuːtrɪfaɪ/

putrefy

putréfier
Meaning
to decay or rot, producing a foul smell
Example
The meat began to putrefy in the heat.
La viande a commencé à pourrir sous la chaleur.
C2 verb /ˈprɒsəˌlaɪtaɪz/

proselytize

tenter de convertir
Meaning
To try to persuade someone to convert to a different belief or religion.
Example
They tried to proselytize the villagers with their new ideas.
Ils ont essayé de prosélytiser les villageois avec leurs nouvelles idées.
C2 adjective /ˌpɜːrtɪˈneɪʃəs/

pertinacious

têtu
Meaning
holding firmly to an opinion, purpose, or course of action; stubbornly persistent
Example
The pertinacious lawyer refused to give up the case.
L'avocat têtu a refusé d'abandonner l'affaire.
C2 noun /ˈfoʊ.nə.ɡræm/

phonogram

symbole phonétique
Meaning
a written symbol representing a speech sound
Example
The teacher showed how each phonogram represents a particular sound.
L'enseignant a montré comment chaque phonogramme représente un son particulier.
C2 adjective /prɪˈskrɪptɪbəl/

prescriptible

prescriptible
Meaning
Capable of being prescribed or laid down as a rule or directive.
Example
Certain regulations are prescriptible under the law.
Certaines régulations sont prescrites par la loi.
C2 noun /ˈprɛləsi/

prelacy

prélature
Meaning
The office, dignity, or system of church government by prelates.
Example
The medieval church was dominated by prelacy and its traditions.
L'Église médiévale était dominée par la prélature et ses traditions.
C2 adjective /ˈproʊtiən/

protean

polyvalent
Meaning
tending or able to change frequently or easily; versatile
Example
She is a protean artist who experiments with many styles.
C'est une artiste polyvalente qui expérimente avec de nombreux styles.
C2 adjective /ˈpɪd.lɪŋ/

Piddling

insignifiant; trivial; petite quantité
Meaning
trivial; insignificant; small in amount
Example
He was annoyed by the piddling amount of money he received.
Il était contrarié par la petite quantité d'argent qu'il avait reçue.
C2 noun /ˈfɪl.ɪ.staɪn/

philistine

personne indifférente ou hostile à la culture et aux arts
Meaning
a person who is indifferent or hostile to culture and the arts
Example
He was criticized as a philistine for dismissing modern art.
Il a été critiqué comme un philistin pour avoir rejeté l'art moderne.
C2 noun /ˈpæsɪt/

Passet

fromage blanc
Meaning
Fresh cheese curds; cottage cheese made from curdled milk
Example
The cook prepared fresh passet by curdling warm milk with lemon juice.
Le cuisinier a préparé du fromage blanc frais en caillant du lait chaud avec du jus de citron.
C2 verb /ˈproʊtjuːbəreɪt/

protuberate

gonfler
Meaning
To swell out or bulge.
Example
The roots began to protuberate from the ground.
Les racines ont commencé à gonfler du sol.
C2 noun /prɒɡˌnɒstɪˈkeɪʃən/

prognostication

prédiction
Meaning
The act of foretelling or predicting future events.
Example
The astrologer's prognostication fascinated the audience.
La prédiction de l'astrologue a fasciné l'audience.
C2 adjective /ˈprɛfətɔːri/

prefatory

prélude
Meaning
serving as an introduction or preface
Example
He made some prefatory remarks before the lecture began.
Il a fait quelques remarques préliminaires avant que la conférence ne commence.
C2 noun /ˈproʊbɪti/

probity

probité
Meaning
The quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.
Example
The judge was admired for his integrity and probity.
Le juge a été admiré pour son intégrité et sa probité.
C2 noun /ˌfɑːrməkəˈpiːə/

pharmacopoeia

pharmacopée
Meaning
An official book listing medicinal drugs, their effects, and directions for use.
Example
The doctor referred to the pharmacopoeia to check the drug's proper dosage.
Le médecin a consulté la pharmacopée pour vérifier la dose correcte du médicament.
C2 adjective /ˌprɛsɪˈdɛnʃəl/

precedential

précédent
Meaning
Relating to, or serving as, a precedent; having authority as an example.
Example
The court’s decision has precedential value.
La décision de la cour a une valeur précédente.
C2 noun /ˈpɒliˌɑːrki/

polyarchy

polyarchie
Meaning
government by many people
Example
Polyarchy allows multiple parties to share power.
La polyarchie permet à plusieurs partis de partager le pouvoir.
C2 noun ˈfaɪ.təʊˌnjuː.tri.ənt

phytonutrient

phytonutriment
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.
Le brocoli est riche en phytonutriments qui renforcent l'immunité.
C2 noun /prəˈpɪŋkwɪti/

propinquity

proximité
Meaning
the state of being close to someone or something; proximity
Example
The propinquity of their houses made them close friends.
La proximité de leurs maisons les a rendus amis proches.
C2 noun /prəˈlɪksɪti/

prolixity

prolixité
Meaning
the quality of being tediously wordy and long
Example
The book’s prolixity made it difficult to read in one sitting.
La prolixité du livre rendait difficile de le lire en une seule séance.
C2 adjective /ˌpɛrɪpəˈtɛtɪk/

peripatetic

nomade
Meaning
Traveling from place to place, especially for work or based on lifestyle.
Example
He led a peripatetic life as a traveling teacher.
Il menait une vie de nomade en tant qu'enseignant itinérant.
C2 verb /prɪˈpɒndəreɪt/

preponderate

prépondérer
Meaning
To be greater in influence, weight, or number.
Example
In the debate, logical arguments preponderated over emotional appeals.
Dans le débat, les arguments logiques ont prépondéré sur les appels émotionnels.
C2 noun /ˈpɒmfrɪt/

Pomfret

poisson pomfret
Meaning
A deep-bodied marine fish with silvery scales, popular in Asian cuisine
Example
The restaurant serves delicious pomfret curry with rice.
Le restaurant sert un délicieux curry de pomfret avec du riz.
C2 noun /ˈpɛdɪmənt/

pediment

fronton triangulaire
Meaning
a triangular gable found above the horizontal structure of a building, often in classical architecture
Example
The ancient temple had a pediment decorated with sculptures.
Le temple antique avait un fronton décoré de sculptures.
C2 adjective /ˌpɛstɪˈlɛnʃəl/

pestilential

pestilentiel
Meaning
Relating to or causing pestilence; very harmful, troublesome, or dangerous.
Example
The pestilential smell of the garbage filled the street.
L'odeur pestilentielle de la poubelle a rempli la rue.
C2 adjective /ˌpjuːsɪˈlænɪməs/

pusillanimous

timoré
Meaning
showing a lack of courage or determination; timid
Example
The pusillanimous leader avoided making tough decisions.
Le leader timoré évitait de prendre des décisions difficiles.
C2 noun /ˈprɑːflɪɡəsi/

profligacy

dépense excessive
Meaning
reckless wastefulness or extravagance
Example
His profligacy with money led him to bankruptcy.
Sa dépense excessive l'a conduit à la faillite.
C2 noun /prəˈfʌn.dɪ.ti/

profundity

profondeur ou perspicacité
Meaning
Deep insight; great depth of knowledge or thought.
Example
The profundity of his words left a lasting impact.
La profondeur de ses paroles a laissé un impact durable.
C2 noun /ˈpɛntæd/

pentad

groupe de cinq
Meaning
A group or set of five things.
Example
The committee was divided into a pentad of working groups.
Le comité a été divisé en cinq groupes de travail.
C2 noun /proʊˈbɑːsɪs/

proboscis

trompe
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.
L'éléphant a utilisé sa trompe pour attraper de la nourriture.
C2 adjective /njuːˈmætɪk/

pneumatic

pneumatique
Meaning
operated by air or gas under pressure
Example
The factory uses pneumatic tools for assembly.
L'usine utilise des outils pneumatiques pour l'assemblage.
C2 adjective /ˌpɪkəˈjuːn/

picayune

insignifiant, trivial
Meaning
of little value or importance; trivial
Example
He complained about the picayune details of the contract.
Il se plaignait des détails triviaux du contrat.
C2 adjective /ˈpruːdɪʃ/

prudish

prude
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.
Elle était trop prude pour regarder le film avec ses amis.
C2 noun, adjective /pəˈtrɪʃən/

patrician

patricien
Meaning
A person of noble rank or high social standing; relating to aristocracy.
Example
The patrician families of Rome wielded great power in politics.
Les familles patriciennes de Rome exerçaient une grande puissance en politique.
C2 noun /ˈpɛstɪləns/

pestilence

peste
Meaning
A deadly or virulent epidemic disease that spreads rapidly.
Example
The medieval city was devastated by a pestilence.
La ville médiévale a été dévastée par une peste.
C2 noun /ˈpɒsi/

posse

gang / groupe d'amis
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.
Il est arrivé à la fête avec son groupe d'amis.
C2 noun /poʊˈzɜːr/

poseur

poseur
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.
Beaucoup le considéraient comme un poseur parce qu'il exagérait ses réalisations.
C2 adjective /ˈpɪrɪk/

pyrrhic

victoire pyrrhique
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.
Le général a déclaré la bataille comme une victoire pyrrhique en raison des lourdes pertes.
C2 noun /prəˈtuːbərəns/

protuberance

protubérance
Meaning
A rounded swelling or lump on a surface.
Example
The doctor examined the small protuberance on his arm.
Le médecin a examiné la petite protubérance sur son bras.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrsɪflɑːʒ/

persiflage

moquerie légère
Meaning
light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter
Example
Their conversation was full of persiflage and jokes.
Leurs conversations étaient pleines de moquerie légère et de blagues.
C2 adverb /ˈprɒksɪmətli/

proximately

près
Meaning
In a near or close manner; nearly.
Example
The village lies proximately to the river.
Le village est près de la rivière.
C2 noun /ˈpɪərɪdʒ/

peerage

noblesse
Meaning
the title or rank of a peer; the nobility as a group
Example
He was elevated to the peerage by the king.
Il a été élevé à la noblesse par le roi.
C2 adverb /pəˈfɔːs/

perforce

inévitablement
Meaning
by necessity; inevitably
Example
He had to perforce accept the decision.
Il a dû accepter la décision inévitablement.
C2 adjective /ˈpʌdʒi/

pudgy

rond
Meaning
slightly fat or chubby in a way that is often cute
Example
The baby had pudgy cheeks that everyone adored.
Le bébé avait des joues rondes que tout le monde adorait.
C2 noun /ˈpɛntəˌɡræm/

pentagram

pentagramme
Meaning
A five-pointed star often used as a symbol in magic, mysticism, or religion.
Example
The wizard drew a pentagram on the floor as part of the ritual.
Le magicien a tracé un pentagramme sur le sol dans le cadre du rituel.
C2 adjective /pəˈlædʒ.ɪk/

pelagic

relatif à l'océan ouvert
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.
Les poissons pélagiques comme le thon se trouvent loin de la côte.
C2 noun /ˈpærəmʊr/

paramour

amant
Meaning
a lover, especially an illicit one
Example
The secret paramour was finally revealed.
L'amant secret a finalement été révélé.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːrləns/

parlance

jargon
Meaning
a particular way of speaking or using words, common to a group
Example
In legal parlance, the term has a different meaning.
En langage juridique, le terme a une signification différente.
C2 noun /ˈpɒl.iˌθi.ɪz.əm/

polytheism

polythéisme
Meaning
the belief in or worship of multiple gods
Example
Ancient Greeks practiced polytheism, worshiping gods like Zeus and Athena.
Les anciens Grecs pratiquaient le polythéisme, en adorant des dieux comme Zeus et Athéna.
C2 verb /poʊˈtɛnʃiˌeɪt/

potentiate

potentialiser
Meaning
To increase the power, effect, or likelihood of something.
Example
Caffeine can potentiate the effects of some medicines.
La caféine peut potentialiser les effets de certains médicaments.
C2 noun /ˈplætɪtjuːd/

platitude

platitude, lieu commun
Meaning
a remark or statement that is overused and unoriginal
Example
He kept repeating the same platitudes during the speech.
Il n'a cessé de répéter les mêmes platitudes pendant son discours.
C2 adjective /pərˈspɪkjuəs/

perspicuous

clair
Meaning
Clearly expressed and easily understood; lucid.
Example
The teacher gave a perspicuous explanation of the theory.
L'enseignant a donné une explication claire de la théorie.
C2 noun /ˌfɪzɪˈɑːkrəsi/

physiocracy

fisiocratie
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.
La fisiocratie a souligné l'importance de l'agriculture dans la richesse nationale.
C2 noun /priːˈɛmɪnəns/

preeminence

prééminence
Meaning
The fact of surpassing all others; superiority.
Example
The university has gained preeminence in medical research.
L'université a gagné la prééminence dans la recherche médicale.
C2 adjective /pɪˈskætɔːrɪəl/

piscatorial

relatif à la pêche
Meaning
relating to fishing or fishermen
Example
He has a deep knowledge of piscatorial techniques and fish species.
Il a une connaissance approfondie des techniques piscatoires et des espèces de poissons.
C2 noun /prɪˈpɒndərəns/

preponderance

prépondérance
Meaning
The quality or fact of being greater in number, quantity, or importance.
Example
There was a preponderance of evidence against the defendant.
Il y avait une prépondérance de preuves contre l'accusé.
C2 verb /prɪmp/

primp

bonheur
Meaning
To spend time making minor adjustments to one's appearance.
Example
She primped in front of the mirror before the party.
Elle ne pouvait pas cacher son bonheur lorsqu'elle a reçu le prix.
C2 noun /ˌpætrəˈnɪmɪk/

patronymic

patronymique
Meaning
a name derived from the name of a father or ancestor
Example
In many cultures, surnames are patronymic in origin.
Dans de nombreuses cultures, les noms de famille sont d'origine patronymique.
C2 noun /pəˈtiːnə/

patina

un film ou une brillance sur le métal, la pierre ou le bois dû à l'âge ou à l'usage; aussi, une apparence superficielle
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 statue en bronze a développé une patine verte après des années passées dans l'air marin.
C2 adjective /ˈprɒvɪdənt/

provident

prévoyant
Meaning
making or indicative of timely preparation for the future
Example
She was provident in saving money for her children’s education.
Elle était prévoyante en économisant de l'argent pour l'éducation de ses enfants.
C2 adjective /prəˈvaɪzəri/

provisory

provisoire
Meaning
conditional; depending on certain terms being met
Example
The arrangement was only provisory until the final contract was signed.
L'arrangement était seulement provisoire jusqu'à ce que le contrat final soit signé.
C2 noun /ˈplænɪsfɪr/

planisphere

planisphère
Meaning
a rotating star chart used to display the visible stars for any time and date
Example
The astronomer used a planisphere to identify the constellations.
L'astronome a utilisé un planisphère pour identifier les constellations.
C2 noun /ˌfoʊˈtɑːmɪtər/

photometer

photomètre
Meaning
an instrument for measuring the intensity of light
Example
The scientist used a photometer to measure the light in the laboratory.
Le scientifique a utilisé un photomètre pour mesurer la lumière dans le laboratoire.
C2 verb /ˈprɑː.məl.ɡeɪt/

promulgate

promulguer
Meaning
To announce or make a law, decree, or idea officially known.
Example
The government promulgated new regulations on data privacy.
Le gouvernement a promulgué de nouvelles régulations sur la confidentialité des données.
C2 noun /prəˈtɛktərət/

protectorate

protectorat
Meaning
A state that is controlled and protected by another.
Example
The small country became a protectorate of the empire.
Le petit pays est devenu un protectorat de l'empire.
C2 noun /pəˈruːzl/

perusal

lecture attentive
Meaning
The action of reading or examining something carefully.
Example
The contract was given to the lawyer for perusal.
Le contrat a été remis à l'avocat pour une lecture attentive.
C2 verb /ˈpɒntɪfɪkeɪt/

pontificate

parler ou agir de manière pompeuse ou dogmatique; officier en tant que pontife
Meaning
to speak or act in a pompous or dogmatic way; to officiate as a pontiff
Example
He pontificated on the importance of education for over an hour.
Il a pontifié pendant plus d'une heure sur l'importance de l'éducation.
C2 noun /ˌpriːdɪˈlɛkʃən/

predilection

prédilection
Meaning
A strong liking or preference for something.
Example
She has a predilection for classical music.
Elle a une prédilection pour la musique classique.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːr.kə.tri/

parquetry

l'art de poser des planchers en parquet
Meaning
The art or technique of laying parquet floors.
Example
The craftsman specialized in parquetry for luxury homes.
L'artisan s'est spécialisé dans la parqueterie pour les maisons de luxe.
C2 noun /ˌpærəˈɡɔːrɪk/

paregoric

médicament contenant de l'opium
Meaning
a medicine containing opium, once used to relieve pain and diarrhea
Example
Doctors once prescribed paregoric to treat diarrhea in children.
Les médecins prescrivaient autrefois le paregoric pour traiter la diarrhée chez les enfants.
C2 adjective /pɒnˈtɪfɪkəl/

pontifical

relatif à un pape ou un évêque ; pompeux ou prétentieux
Meaning
relating to a pope or bishop; pompous or self-important
Example
His pontifical manner annoyed the other members of the committee.
Son comportement prétentieux agaçait les autres membres du comité.
C2 noun /prɔːŋ/

prong

dent de fourchette
Meaning
a projecting pointed part, such as one of the pointed ends of a fork
Example
The fork has four prongs.
La fourchette a quatre dents.
C2 noun /ˌpliːnɪpəˈtɛnʃəri/

plenipotentiary

plénipotentiaire
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.
L'ambassadeur était un plénipotentiaire envoyé pour négocier le traité.
C2 adjective /ˈpɑːrtəbl/

partible

divisible
Meaning
capable of being divided or separated
Example
The estate was partible among the heirs.
Le bien était divisible entre les héritiers.
C2 noun /ˈpɔl.zi/

Palsy

paralysie
Meaning
paralysis, especially that which is accompanied by involuntary tremors; loss of muscle control
Example
The elderly man suffered from palsy in his hands.
L'homme âgé souffrait de la paralysie dans ses mains.
C2 noun /pluːˈtɒkrəsi/

plutocracy

gouvernement des riches
Meaning
a system of government where the wealthy hold power
Example
The country was ruled as a plutocracy.
Le pays était dirigé comme une ploutocratie.
C2 verb /ˈprætəl/

prattle

bavarder
Meaning
to talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way
Example
The children would prattle on about their games.
Les enfants bavardaient de leurs jeux.
C2 noun /ˌpɒl.iˈsɪl.ə.bəl/

polysyllable

mot polysyllabique
Meaning
a word with more than one syllable
Example
The word 'elephant' is a polysyllable because it has three syllables.
Le mot 'éléphant' est un mot polysyllabique car il a trois syllabes.
C2 noun /ˌperəˈreɪʃən/

peroration

discours de conclusion
Meaning
The concluding part of a speech, often intended to inspire or persuade.
Example
The politician's peroration left the audience applauding enthusiastically.
La pérotation du politicien a fait applaudir le public avec enthousiasme.
C2 noun /ˈpiːs ɡʊdz/

Piece-goods

tissu au mètre
Meaning
textiles or fabrics sold by the yard or meter; cloth materials
Example
The tailor bought piece-goods from the wholesale market to make custom dresses.
Le tailleur a acheté des tissus au mètre au marché de gros pour fabriquer des robes sur mesure.
C2 noun /paɪər/

pyre

bûcher funéraire
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.
Les villageois ont construit un bûcher pour honorer le défunt.
C2 noun /ˌpriːɪɡˈzɪstəns/

preexistence

préexistence
Meaning
the state of existing before something else
Example
Philosophers often debated the preexistence of the soul.
Les philosophes débattaient souvent de la préexistence de l'âme.
C2 adjective /ˌpɛntəˈveɪlənt/

pentavalent

pentavalent
Meaning
Having a valence of five, especially in chemistry.
Example
Phosphorus can exist in a pentavalent state.
Le phosphore peut exister dans un état pentavalent.
C2 adjective /ˌpəʊstˈprændɪəl/

postprandial

postprandial
Meaning
Occurring after a meal.
Example
He went for a postprandial walk after dinner.
Il est allé faire une promenade postprandiale après le dîner.
C2 noun /ˌpɜːrtərˈbeɪʃn/

perturbation

perturbation
Meaning
A state of anxiety, disturbance, or disorder.
Example
The announcement caused a perturbation in the financial markets.
L'annonce a causé une perturbation sur les marchés financiers.
C2 noun /pəˈræm.bjə.leɪ.tər/

Perambulator

poussette
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.
Elle poussait le pérambulateur à travers le parc pendant que le bébé dormait paisiblement.
C2 noun /ˌprɛsiˈɒsɪti/

preciosity

raffinement excessif
Meaning
Excessive refinement or affected elegance in language, style, or behavior.
Example
The author's preciosity made the novel difficult to read for some audiences.
La preciosité de l'auteur a rendu le roman difficile à lire pour certains lecteurs.
C2 noun /prɪˈsɛntɪmənt/

presentiment

présentiment
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.
Il avait un fort pressentiment que le plan échouerait.
C2 adjective /ˈpjuːtətɪv/

putative

présumé
Meaning
commonly accepted or supposed; generally regarded as such
Example
He is the putative father of the child.
Il est le père présumé de l'enfant.
C2 noun /prɪˈsɛʃən/

precession

précession
Meaning
The slow movement of the axis of a spinning body around another axis, often referring to Earth's rotation.
Example
Astronomers study the precession of the equinoxes.
Les astronomes étudient la précession des équinoxes.
C2 noun /ˈpjuːdʒɪlɪzəm/

pugilism

boxe
Meaning
The practice or sport of boxing.
Example
He studied the art of pugilism in his youth.
Il a étudié l'art de la boxe dans sa jeunesse.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːdreɪ/

padre

prêtre
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.
Les soldats ont assisté à la messe dirigée par le prêtre.