Vocabularies

English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples

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patricide

noun C2
/ˈpætrɪsaɪd/

The act of killing one's own father.

"The ancient myth describes a son committing patricide to take the throne."

noun C2
/ˈpætrɪˌmoʊni/

Property or inheritance passed down from one's father or ancestors.

"The castle was part of his patrimony from his noble ancestors."

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patronymic

noun C2
/ˌpætrəˈnɪmɪk/

a name derived from the name of a father or ancestor

"In many cultures, surnames are patronymic in origin."

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paunchy

adjective C2
/ˈpɔːntʃi/

Having a large or protruding belly.

"The paunchy man struggled to button his shirt."

noun C2
/ˈpɔːpərɪzəm/

The state of being extremely poor.

"The country struggled with rising pauperism in the 19th century."

adjective C2
/ˈpɛkəbl/

liable to sin or error; capable of doing wrong

"Humans are peccable, but they strive for goodness."

noun C2
/ˌpɛkəˈdɪloʊ/

a small or minor fault or sin

"Forgetting to call was just a small peccadillo, not a serious mistake."

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peccant

adjective C2
/ˈpɛkənt/

Guilty of a moral offense or wrongdoing; sinful.

"The judge declared the peccant official unfit for office."

adjective C2
/ˈpɛktərəl/

Relating to the chest or breast.

"The athlete focused on strengthening his pectoral muscles."

verb C2
/ˈpɛkjʊˌleɪt/

To embezzle or steal money, especially public funds.

"The corrupt official was found guilty of peculating government funds."

noun C2
/ˌpɛkjʊˈleɪʃən/

The act of embezzling or stealing money, especially from public funds.

"The minister resigned after being accused of peculation."

noun C2
/ˌpɛdəˈɡɒdʒɪks/

the science or art of teaching

"He studied pedagogics to become a better teacher."

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pedagogue

noun C2
/ˈpɛdəˌɡɒɡ/

a teacher, especially a strict or formal one

"The old pedagogue insisted on discipline in the classroom."

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pedant

noun C2
/ˈpɛdənt/

A person who is excessively concerned with minor details or rules, often in a showy way.

"The professor was criticized as a pedant who focused too much on trivial details."

noun C2
/ˈpɛd.ən.tri/

Excessive concern with minor details or rules.

"His pedantry made the meeting unnecessarily long."

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pediment

noun C2
/ˈpɛdɪmənt/

a triangular gable found above the horizontal structure of a building, often in classical architecture

"The ancient temple had a pediment decorated with sculptures."

pedology definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
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pedology

noun C2
/pɪˈdɒl.ə.dʒi/

The study of soils in their natural environment.

"Pedology helps scientists understand soil fertility."

noun C2
/ˈpɪərɪdʒ/

the title or rank of a peer; the nobility as a group

"He was elevated to the peerage by the king."

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pejorative

adjective C2
/pɪˈdʒɒrətɪv/

Expressing contempt or disapproval.

"He used pejorative terms to insult his opponents."

pelagic definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
adjective C2
/pəˈlædʒ.ɪk/

Relating to the open sea or ocean water column, away from the shore.

"Pelagic fish like tuna are found far from the coast."

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pelf

noun C2
/pɛlf/

Money, especially when gained dishonorably.

"The corrupt official was motivated only by pelf."

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pell-mell

adverb C2
/ˌpɛlˈmɛl/

In a confused, rushed, or disorderly manner.

"The children ran pell-mell through the playground."

adjective C2
/pəˈluːsɪd/

Transparently clear; easy to understand.

"The lake water was so pellucid that you could see the stones at the bottom."

adjective C2
/ˈpɛndjʊləs/

hanging down loosely; drooping

"The pendulous fruit weighed down the branch."

adjective C2
/ˈpɛnɪtrəbl/

Capable of being passed through or entered.

"The thin wall was easily penetrable."

adjective C2
/ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃəl/

Relating to or expressing penitence or penance.

"The priest delivered a penitential sermon on forgiveness."

adjective C2
/ˈpɛneɪt/

Having parts or structures arranged like a feather; feather-shaped.

"The fern has a pennate leaf structure."

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penology

noun C2
/pɪˈnɒlədʒi/

The study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation.

"He decided to specialize in penology to help improve the prison system."

5️⃣

pentad

noun C2
/ˈpɛntæd/

A group or set of five things.

"The committee was divided into a pentad of working groups."

noun C2
/ˈpɛntəˌɡræm/

A five-pointed star often used as a symbol in magic, mysticism, or religion.

"The wizard drew a pentagram on the floor as part of the ritual."

noun C2
/ˌpɛntəˈhiːdrən/

A solid geometric figure with five faces.

"In geometry class, the teacher explained the structure of a pentahedron."

noun C2
/pɛnˈtæmɪtər/

A line of verse consisting of five metrical feet.

"Shakespeare often wrote his plays in iambic pentameter."

adjective C2
/ˌpɛntəˈveɪlənt/

Having a valence of five, especially in chemistry.

"Phosphorus can exist in a pentavalent state."

noun C2
/pəˈnʌmbrə/

a partially shaded area around the shadow of an object, especially during an eclipse

"The moon’s penumbra created a dim shadow over the Earth."

adjective C2
/pəˈnjʊəriəs/

extremely poor; poverty-stricken; miserly

"The penurious family struggled to buy food."

penury definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈpɛnjʊri/

extreme poverty or destitution

"He grew up in penury but became successful later in life."

Per boiled rice definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/pɜːr bɔɪld raɪs/

Rice that has been partially boiled in the husk before milling; parboiled rice

"Per boiled rice retains more nutrients than regular white rice."

verb C2
/pəˈræmbjʊˌleɪt/

To walk through or travel around, especially for leisure.

"They perambulated the old town, enjoying the sights."

Perambulator definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/pəˈræm.bjə.leɪ.tər/

a four-wheeled carriage for a baby; baby stroller or pram

"She pushed the perambulator through the park while the baby slept peacefully."

Perched rice definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/pɜːrtʃt raɪs/

puffed rice; rice that has been heated and puffed into light, crispy grains

"I enjoy eating puffed rice as a healthy snack."

noun C2
/pərˈsɪpiəns/

The ability to perceive, understand, or notice things quickly.

"His percipience in reading people made him a great negotiator."

adjective C2
/pərˈsɪpiənt/

Having good understanding or insight; able to perceive things clearly.

"As a percipient critic, she recognized the deeper meaning of the play."

noun C2
/pərˈdɪʃən/

A state of eternal spiritual ruin, often referring to hell or damnation.

"The preacher warned that greed would lead to perdition."

verb C2
/ˈpɛrəɡrɪˌneɪt/

To travel or wander from place to place.

"He loved to peregrinate across the countryside during summer."

noun C2
/ˌpɛrəɡrɪˈneɪʃən/

A long journey or wandering, especially on foot.

"Their peregrination across Asia lasted two years."

adjective C2
/pəˈrɛmptəri/

Insisting on immediate attention or obedience, especially in a commanding way.

"The officer gave a peremptory order to evacuate the building."

adjective C2
/pərˈfɛktəbl/

capable of being made perfect or improved

"Human nature is imperfect but perfectible."

adjective C2
/pərˈfɜrvɪd/

intensely passionate or fervent

"She gave a perfervid speech in defense of human rights."

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perfidious

adjective C2
/pərˈfɪdiəs/

deceitful and untrustworthy

"The spy was executed for his perfidious actions."

Perfidy definition card — visual illustration of the meaning
noun C2
/ˈpɜrfɪdi/

the act of betrayal or deceit; treachery

"The politician's perfidy shocked even his closest supporters."