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history |
| prate |
speak foolishly; boast idly
Let us not prate about our qualities; rather, let our virtues speak for themselves. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:02:28 GMT |
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| potentate |
monarch; sovereign
The potentate spent more time at Monte Carlo than he did at home on his throne |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:02:28 GMT |
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| postulate |
self-evident truth
We must accept these statements as postulates before pursuing our discussions any further. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:00:27 GMT |
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| posthumous |
after death (as of child born after father's death or book published after author's death)
The critics ignored his works during his lifetime; it was only after the posthumous publication of his last novel that they recognized his great talent. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:00:27 GMT |
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| posterity |
descendants; future generations
We hope to leave a better world to posterity. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:00:27 GMT |
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| portly |
stout; corpulent
The salesclerk tactfully referred to the overweight customer as portly rather than fat. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:00:27 GMT |
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| portent |
sign; omen; forewarning
He regarded the black cloud as a portent of evil |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:52:48 GMT |
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| pontifical |
pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious
From the very beginning of his ministry it was clear from his pontifical pronouncements that John was destined for a high pontifical office. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:52:48 GMT |
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| polity |
form of government of nation or state
Our polity should be devoted to the concept that the government should strive for the good of all citizens. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:52:48 GMT |
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| plummet |
fall sharply
Stock prices plummeted as Wall Street reacted to the rise in interest rates |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:52:48 GMT |
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| plumb |
examine critically in order to understand; measure depth ( by sounding)
Try as he would, Watson could never fully plumb the depths of Holmes' thought processes. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:42:23 GMT |
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| plenary |
complete; full
The union leader was given plenary power to negotiate a new contract with the employers. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:42:23 GMT |
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| platitude |
trite remark; commonplace statement
In giving advice to his son, old Polonius expressed himself only in platitudes; every word out his mouth was a truism. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:42:23 GMT |
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| plaintive |
mournful
The dove has a plaintive and melancholy call. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:42:23 GMT |
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| placate |
pacify; conciliate
The store manager tried to placate the angry customer, offering to replace the damaged merchandise or to give her money back. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:25:11 GMT |
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| pith |
core or marrow; essence; substance
In preparing a pineapple for the table, first slice it in half and remove the woody central pith. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:25:11 GMT |
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| pique |
irritation; resentment
She showed her pique at her loss by refusing to appear with the other contestants at the end of the competition. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:25:11 GMT |
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| pinion |
restrain
They pinioned his arms against the body but left his legs free so that could move about. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:25:11 GMT |
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| piety |
devoutness; reverence for God
Living her life in prayer and good works, Mother Teresa exemplified the true spirit of piety |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:18:01 GMT |
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| pied |
variegated; mutlicolored
The Pied Piper of Hamelin got his name from the multicolored clothing he wore. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:18:01 GMT |
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| phlegmatic |
calm; not easily disturbed
The nurse was a cheerful but phlegmatic person, unexcited in the face of sudden emergencies. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:18:01 GMT |
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| philistine |
narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested in material gain.
We need more men and women of culture and enlightenment; we have too many philistines among us. |
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economist Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:18:01 GMT |
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