Lesson 41   -   edHelper.com

Word List pretentious prevailing prevarication primary prime primordial priority probe proclamation procrastinate prodigious profane profess proficient profound progeny proliferate promontory propensity prophet proponent proposition propriety prose proselytize

Definitions

1.

pretentious (pr-tnshs) adjective    a. full of pretense or pretension. b. characterized by assumption of dignity or importance. c. making an exaggerated outward show; ostentatious.

2.

prevailing (pr-vlng) adjective    a. predominant b. generally current c. having superior power or influence.

3.

prevarication (pr-vr-kt) verb    to lie, mislead, or conceal the truth deliberately.

4.

primary (prmr) adjective    a. first or highest in rank or importance; chief; principal b. first in order in any series, sequence, etc. c. first in time; earliest; primitive.

5.

prime (prm) adjective    a. first in importance, rank, or degree. b. first in quality or value. c. first in time or order.

6.

primordial (pr-mô) adjective    a. constituting a beginning; giving origin to something derived or developed; original; elementary b. Embryol. first formed. c. pertaining to or existing at or from the very beginning

7.

priority (pr-ô) noun    a. the state or quality of being earlier in time, occurrence, etc. b. the right to precede others in order, rank, privilege, etc.; precedence. c. the right to take precedence in obtaining certain supplies, services, facilities, etc., esp. during a shortage.

8.

probe (prb) verb    a. to search into or examine thoroughly; question closely b. to examine or explore with a probe. c. to examine or explore with or as if with a probe.

9.

proclamation (prkl-mshn) noun    a. something that is proclaimed; a public and official announcement. b. the act of proclaiming.

10.

procrastinate (pr-krst-nt) verb    a. to defer action; delay b. to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.

11.

prodigious (pr-djs) adjective    a. extraordinary in size, amount, extent, degree, force, etc. b. wonderful or marvelous c. abnormal; monstrous.

12.

profane (pr-fn) adjective    a. characterized by irreverence or contempt for God or sacred principles or things; irreligious. b. not devoted to holy or religious purposes; unconsecrated; secular (opposed to sacred). c. unholy; heathen; pagan

13.

profess (pr-fs) verb    a. to lay claim to, often insincerely; pretend to b. to declare openly; announce or affirm; avow or acknowledge c. to affirm faith in or allegiance to (a religion, God, etc.).

14.

proficient (pr-fshnt) adjective    a. well-advanced or competent in any art, science, or subject; skilled b. an expert.

15.

profound (pr-found) adjective    a. penetrating or entering deeply into subjects of thought or knowledge; having deep insight or understanding b. originating in or penetrating to the depths of one's being; profound grief. c. being or going far beneath what is superficial, external, or obvious

16.

progeny (prj-n) noun    a. a descendant or offspring, as a child, plant, or animal. b. such descendants or offspring collectively. c. something that originates or results from something else; outcome; issue.

17.

proliferate (pr-lf-rt) verb    a. to multiply or grow quickly by, or as though by, cell division and the reproductive processes of living things. b. to spread or increase quickly.

18.

promontory (prmn-tô) noun    a. a high point of land or rock projecting into the sea or other water beyond the line of coast; a headland. b. a bluff, or part of a plateau, overlooking a lowland. c. Anat. a prominent or protuberant part.

19.

propensity (pr-pns-t) noun    a natural or inborn tendency, aptitude, or preference (often fol. by to or for).

20.

prophet (prft) noun    a. one who predicts the future, esp. one considered to be speaking under divine inspiration and revealing divine will. b. in the Old Testament, one chosen by God as a messenger and guide to the ancient Hebrews. c. in the early Christian church, one who was divinely inspired to make revelations and predictions.

21.

proponent (pr-pnnt) noun    a. a person who puts forward a proposition or proposal. b. a person who argues in favor of something; an advocate. c. a personwho supports a cause or doctrine; adherent.

22.

proposition (prp-zshn) noun    a. the act of offering or suggesting something to be considered, accepted, adopted, or done. b. a plan or scheme proposed. c. an offer of terms for a transaction, as in business.

23.

propriety (pr-pr-t) noun    a. conformity to established standards of good or proper behavior or manners. b. appropriateness to the purpose or circumstances; suitability. c. rightness or justness.

24.

prose (prz) noun    a. the ordinary form of spoken or written language, without metrical structure, as distinguished from poetry or verse. b. matter-of-fact, commonplace, or dull expression, quality, discourse, etc. c. Liturgy. a hymn sung after the gradual, originating from a practice of setting words to the jubilatio of the alleluia.

25.

proselytize (prs-l-tz) verb    to convert or try actively to convert (others) to one's own beliefs or religion.