Vocabulary Cards C2
363 cards available.
C2 noun
patois
Meaning
a regional or social dialect, especially one considered nonstandard or informal
Example
The guide slipped into local patois when chatting with the fishermen.
C2 noun, adjective
patrician
Meaning
A person of noble rank or high social standing; relating to aristocracy.
Example
The patrician families of Rome wielded great power in politics.
C2 noun
patricide
Meaning
The act of killing one's own father.
Example
The ancient myth describes a son committing patricide to take the throne.
C2 noun
patrimony
Meaning
Property or inheritance passed down from one's father or ancestors.
Example
The castle was part of his patrimony from his noble ancestors.
C2 noun
patronymic
Meaning
a name derived from the name of a father or ancestor
Example
In many cultures, surnames are patronymic in origin.
C2 adjective
paunchy
Meaning
Having a large or protruding belly.
Example
The paunchy man struggled to button his shirt.
C2 noun
pauperism
Meaning
The state of being extremely poor.
Example
The country struggled with rising pauperism in the 19th century.
C2 adjective
peccable
Meaning
liable to sin or error; capable of doing wrong
Example
Humans are peccable, but they strive for goodness.
C2 noun
peccadillo
Meaning
a small or minor fault or sin
Example
Forgetting to call was just a small peccadillo, not a serious mistake.
C2 adjective
peccant
Meaning
Guilty of a moral offense or wrongdoing; sinful.
Example
The judge declared the peccant official unfit for office.
C2 adjective
pectoral
Meaning
Relating to the chest or breast.
Example
The athlete focused on strengthening his pectoral muscles.
C2 verb
peculate
Meaning
To embezzle or steal money, especially public funds.
Example
The corrupt official was found guilty of peculating government funds.
C2 noun
peculation
Meaning
The act of embezzling or stealing money, especially from public funds.
Example
The minister resigned after being accused of peculation.
C2 noun
pedagogics
Meaning
the science or art of teaching
Example
He studied pedagogics to become a better teacher.
C2 noun
pedagogue
Meaning
a teacher, especially a strict or formal one
Example
The old pedagogue insisted on discipline in the classroom.
C2 noun
pedant
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.
C2 noun
pedantry
Meaning
Excessive concern with minor details or rules.
Example
His pedantry made the meeting unnecessarily long.
C2 noun
pediment
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.
C2 noun
pedology
Meaning
The study of soils in their natural environment.
Example
Pedology helps scientists understand soil fertility.
C2 noun
peerage
Meaning
the title or rank of a peer; the nobility as a group
Example
He was elevated to the peerage by the king.
C2 adjective
pejorative
Meaning
Expressing contempt or disapproval.
Example
He used pejorative terms to insult his opponents.
C2 adjective
pelagic
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.
C2 noun
pelf
Meaning
Money, especially when gained dishonorably.
Example
The corrupt official was motivated only by pelf.
C2 adverb
pell-mell
Meaning
In a confused, rushed, or disorderly manner.
Example
The children ran pell-mell through the playground.