pathological
ADJ. related to the study of disease; diseased or markedly abnormal.
pathos
N. tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings.
patronize
V. (1) support; (2) act superior toward; (3) be a customer of.
pecuniary
ADJ. pertaining to money.
pedagogy
N. teaching; art of education.
pedantic
ADJ. showing off learning; bookish.
pedestrian
ADJ. ordinary; unimaginative.
peerless
ADJ. having no equal; incomparable.
penchant
N. strong inclination; liking.
penitent
ADJ. repentant.
pensive
ADJ. dreamily thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative.
penury
N. severe poverty; stinginess.
perceptive
ADJ. insightful; aware; wise.
peremptory
ADJ. demanding and leaving no choice.
perennial
N. something that is continuing or recurrent.
perfunctory
ADJ. superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm.
peripheral
ADJ. (1) outer; (2) of minor importance.
permeable
ADJ. penetrable; porous; allowing liquids or gas to pass through.
permeate
V. pass through; spread.
pernicious
ADJ. very destructive.
perpetrate
V. commit an offense.
perpetual
ADJ. everlasting.
perpetuate
V. make something last; preserve from extinction.
persevere
V. persist; endure; strive.
perspicacious
ADJ. having insight; penetrating; astute.
pertinent
ADJ. to the point; relevant.
perturb
V. disturb greatly.
peruse
V. read with care.
pervasive
ADJ. pervading; spread throughout every part.
perverse
ADJ. stubbornly wrongheaded; wicked and perverted.
pessimism
N. belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess.
petrify
V. turn to stone.
petty
ADJ. trivial; unimportant; very small.
petulant
ADJ. touchy; peevish.
phenomena
N. PL. observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation.
philanthropist
N. lover of mankind; doer of good.
philistine
N. narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested in material gain.
phlegmatic
ADJ. calm; not easily disturbed.
phobia
N. morbid fear.
physiological
ADJ. pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms.
piety
N. religious devotion; godliness.
pious
ADJ. devout; religious.
pique
V. provoke or arouse; annoy.
pitfall
N. hidden danger; concealed trap.
pithy
ADJ. concise; meaningful; substantial; meaty.
pivotal
ADJ. crucial; key; vital.
placate
V. pacify; conciliate.
placid
ADJ. peaceful; calm.
plagiarize
V. steal another’s ideas and pass them off as one’s own.
platitude
N. trite remark; commonplace statement.