Lesson 40   -   edHelper.com

Word List ponderous pontificate portal posthumous postulate potable potent potential precarious precede precipice preclude precocious predecessor predicament predilection predominate prelude premature premise preposterous prerogative presage prescribe presumptuous

Definitions

1.

ponderous (pndr-s) adjective    a. heavy or weighty. b. awkward because of weight or size. c. heavily labored and dull.

2.

pontificate (pn-tf-kt) noun    a. the office or term of office of a pontiff. b. to perform the office or duties of a pontiff. c. to speak in a pompous or dogmatic manner

3.

portal (pô) noun    a. a door, gate, or entrance, esp. one of imposing appearance, as to a palace. b. an iron or steel bent for bracing a framed structure, having curved braces between the vertical members and a horizontal member at the top. c. an entrance to a tunnel or mine.

4.

posthumous (psch-ms) adjective    a. beginning, occurring, or continuing after one's death. b. published following the author's death. c. born after the father's death.

5.

postulate (psch-lt) verb    a. to ask, demand, or claim. b. to claim or assume the existence or truth of, esp. as a basis for reasoning or arguing. c. to assume without proof, or as self-evident; take for granted.

6.

potable (pt-bl) adjective    a. fit or suitable for drinking b. Usually,"potables."drinkable liquids; beverages.

7.

potent (ptnt) adjective    a. powerful; mighty b. cogent; persuasive c. producing powerful physical or chemical effects

8.

potential (p-tnshl) adjective    a. possible, as opposed to actual b. capable of being or becoming c. Gram. expressing possibility

9.

precarious (pr-kâ) adjective    a. dependent on circumstances beyond one's control; uncertain; unstable; insecure b. dependent on the will or pleasure of another; liable to be withdrawn or lost at the will of another c. exposed to or involving danger; dangerous; perilous; risky

10.

precede (pr-sd) verb    a. to go before, as in place, order, rank, importance, or time. b. to introduce by something preliminary; preface c. to go or come before.

11.

precipice (prs-ps) noun    a. a steep cliff. b. the verge of danger.

12.

preclude (pr-kld) verb    a. to prevent the presence, existence, or occurrence of; make impossible b. to exclude or debar from something

13.

precocious (pr-kshs) adjective    a. unusually advanced or mature in development, esp. mental development b. prematurely developed, as the mind, faculties, etc. c. of or pertaining to premature development.

14.

predecessor (prd-ssr) noun    a. one who holds a position, job, or the like prior to another. b. something that has been replaced by something else; earlier form of something. c. a forebear or ancestor.

15.

predicament (pr-dk-mnt) noun    a. an unpleasantly difficult, perplexing, or dangerous situation. b. a class or category of logical or philosophical predication.

16.

predilection (prdl-kshn) noun    an inclination to favor something; partiality or preference.

17.

predominate (pr-dm-nt) verb    a. to be the stronger or leading element or force. b. to have numerical superiority or advantage c. to surpass others in authority or influence; be preeminent

18.

prelude (prlyd) noun    a. a preliminary to an action, event, condition, or work of broader scope and higher importance. b. any action, event, comment, etc. that precedes something else. c. Music. a relatively short, independent instrumental composition, free in form and resembling an improvisation.a piece that precedes a more important movement.the overture to an opera.an independent piece, of moderate length, sometimes used as an introduction to a fugue.music opening a church service; an introductory voluntary.

19.

premature (prm-tyr) adjective    a. occurring, coming, or done too soon b. mature or ripe before the proper time. c. a premature infant.

20.

premise (prms) noun    a. Also,"premiss."Logic. a proposition supporting or helping to support a conclusion. b. "premises,"a tract of land including its buildings.a building together with its grounds or other appurtenances.the property forming the subject of a conveyance or bequest. c. Law. a basis, stated or assumed, on which reasoning proceeds.an earlier statement in a document.(in a bill in equity) the statement of facts upon which the complaint is based.

21.

preposterous (pr-pstr-s) adjective    totally unlikely, unbelievable, or senseless; absurd.

22.

prerogative (pr-rg-tv) noun    a. an exclusive right, privilege, etc., exercised by virtue of rank, office, or the like b. a right, privilege, etc., limited to a specific person or to persons of a particular category c. a power, immunity, or the like restricted to a sovereign government or its representative

23.

presage (prsj) noun    a. a presentiment or foreboding. b. something that portends or foreshadows a future event; an omen, prognostic, or warning indication. c. prophetic significance; augury.

24.

prescribe (pr-skrb) verb    a. to lay down, in writing or otherwise, as a rule or a course of action to be followed; appoint, ordain, or enjoin. b. Med. to designate or order the use of (a medicine, remedy, treatment, etc.). c. to lay down rules; direct; dictate.

25.

presumptuous (pr-zmpch-s) adjective    a. full of, characterized by, or showing presumption or readiness to presume in conduct or thought. b. unwarrantedly or impertinently bold; forward.