# dict

Words: per diem
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (from Latin, especially AmE) money paid, for example to employees, for things they need to buy every day:\nHe will get $14 000 a year in per diem to help with the higher costs of living in Washington. * a per diem allowance


Words: per se
Meaning:
adverb\n(from Latin) used meaning ’by itself’ to show that you are referring to sth on its own, rather than in connection with other things:\nThe drug is not harmful per se, but is dangerous when taken with alcohol.


Words: perambulation
Meaning:
noun\n[C] (formal or humorous) a slow walk or journey around a place, especially one made for pleasure\n    perambulate verb [V, VN]


Words: perceive
Meaning:
verb (written)\n  1  to notice or become aware of sth:\n[VN] I perceived a change in his behaviour. * [V that] She perceived that all was not well. * [VN to inf] The patient was perceived to have difficulty in breathing.\n HELP NOTE  This pattern is usually used in the passive.\n  2  ~ sth (as sth) to understand or think of sth in a particular way:\n[VN] This discovery was perceived as a major breakthrough. * She did not perceive herself as disabled. * A science degree and artistic interests are often perceived as incompatible. * [VN to inf] They were widely perceived to have been unlucky.\n HELP NOTE  This pattern is usually used in the passive.\n______________________________\n WORD FAMILY \nperceive v.\nperception n.\nperceptive adj.\nperceptible adj. (=/= imperceptible)\n______________________________


Words: percentage
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C+sing./pl. v.] the number, amount, rate of sth, expressed as if it is part of a total which is 100; a part or share of a whole:\nWhat percentage of the population is / are overweight? * A high percentage of the female staff are part-time workers. * Interest rates are expected to rise by one percentage point (= one per cent). * The figure is expressed as a percentage. * The results were analysed in percentage terms.\n  2  [C, usually sing.] a share of the profits of sth:\nHe gets a percentage for every car sold.


Words: percentile
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) one of the 100 equal groups that a larger group of people can be divided into, according to their place on a scale measuring a particular value:\nOverall these students rank in the 21st percentile on the tests-that is, they did worse than 79 per cent of all children taking the test.


Words: perceptible
Meaning:
adjective (formal)\n  1  great enough for you to notice it:\na perceptible change / increase / decline / impact * The price increase has had no perceptible effect on sales. * Her foreign accent was barely perceptible.\n  2  (technical) that you can notice or feel with your senses:\nthe perceptible world\nOPP IMPERCEPTIBLE\n    perceptibly  adverb:\nIncome per head rose perceptibly. * It was perceptibly colder. * His voice softened perceptibly.


Words: perception
Meaning:
noun (formal)\n  1  [U] (formal or technical) the way you notice things, especially with the senses:\nour perception of reality * colour / visual perception\nsee also EXTRASENSORY PERCEPTION\n  2  [U] (formal) the ability to understand the true nature of sth\nSYN INSIGHT:\nShe showed great perception in her assessment of the family situation.\n  3  [C] ~ (that ...) (formal) an idea, a belief or an image you have as a result of how you see or understand sth:\na campaign to change public perception of the police * There is a general public perception that standards in schools are falling.


Words: perceptive
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (approving) having or showing the ability to see or understand things quickly, especially things that are not obvious:\na highly perceptive analysis / observation / comment * It was very perceptive of you to notice that.\n  2  connected with seeing, hearing and understanding:\nour innate perceptive abilities\n    perceptively adverb\n    perceptiveness noun [U]


Words: perceptual
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (technical) relating to the ability to PERCEIVE things or the process of PERCEIVING:\nperceptual skills / problems


Words: perch
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V +adv./prep.] \n  1  [V] ~ (on sth) (of a bird) to land and stay on a branch, etc:\nA robin was perching on the fence.\n  2  ~ (sb / yourself) (on sth) (informal) to sit or to make sb sit on sth, especially on the edge of it:\n[V] We perched on a couple of high stools at the bar. * [VN] She perched herself on the edge of the bed. * My father used to perch me on the front of his bike.\n  3  [V] ~ (on sth) to be placed on the top or the edge of sth:\nThe hotel perched precariously on a steep hillside.\n    noun\n\n \n  1  a place where a bird rests, especially a branch or bar for this purpose, for example in a bird’s cage\n \n  2  a high seat or position:\nHe watched the game from his precarious perch on top of the wall.\n \n  3  (plural perch) a FRESHWATER fish that is sometimes used for food\n \n IDIOMS  see KNOCK v.


Words: perched
Meaning:
adjective ~ on, etc. sth\n  1  (especially of a bird) sitting or resting on sth:\nThere was a bird perched on the roof.\n  2  placed in a high and/or dangerous position:\na hotel perched high on the cliffs


Words: percipient
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) having or showing the ability to understand things, especially things that are not obvious\nSYN PERCEPTIVE:\npercipient comments * She was a percipient interpreter of the public mood.


Words: percolate
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [V] (of a liquid, gas, etc.) to move gradually through a surface that has very small holes or spaces in it:\nWater had percolated down through the rocks. * Nitrates may take 20 years to percolate through to the underground streams.\n  2  [V] to gradually become known or spread through a group or society:\nIt had percolated through to us that something interesting was about to happen. * Changes percolate through gradually.\n  3  [VN, V] to make coffee in a percolator; to be made in this way


Words: percolator
Meaning:
noun\na pot for making coffee, in which boiling water is forced up a central tube and then comes down again through the coffee


Words: percussion
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U] musical instruments that you play by hitting them with your hand or with a stick, for example drums:\npercussion instruments * The track features Joey Langton on percussion.\n \n  2  (the percussion) [sing.] (also percussion section [C]) the players of percussion instruments in an orchestra\ncompare BRASS, STRINGS, WOODWIND


Words: percussive
Meaning:
adjective\n(technical) connected with sounds made by hitting things, especially PERCUSSION instruments:\npercussive sounds / effects


Words: peregrine
Meaning:
(also peregrine falcon) noun\na grey and white BIRD OF PREY (= a bird that kills other creatures for food) that can be trained to hunt for sport


Words: peremptorily
Meaning:
adverb\n(formal) in a way that allows no discussion or refusal:\nShe peremptorily rejected the request. * He insisted peremptorily on speaking to Rachel.


Words: peremptory
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal, disapproving) (especially of sb’s manner or behaviour) expecting to be obeyed immediately and without question or refusal:\na peremptory summons / order / command * The letter was peremptory in tone. * with a peremptory wave of his hand


Words: perennial
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  continuing for a very long time; happening again and again:\nthe perennial problem of water shortage * that perennial favourite, hamburgers * Colonialism in different forms is a perennial theme of history.\n  2  (of plants) living for two years or more\n    perennially  adverb:\na perennially popular subject\n    noun any plant that lives for more than two years\ncompare ANNUAL, BIENNIAL


Words: perfect
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective \n  1  having everything that is necessary; complete and without faults or weaknesses:\nin perfect condition * a perfect set of teeth * Well I’m sorry-but nobody’s perfect (= used when sb has criticized you).\n  2  completely correct; exact and accurate:\nShe speaks perfect English. * a perfect copy / fit / match * What perfect timing!\nsee also WORD-PERFECT\n  3  the best of its kind:\na perfect example of the painter’s early style * the perfect crime (= one in which the criminal is never discovered)\n  4  excellent; very good:\nThe weather was perfect.\n  5  ~ for sb/sth exactly right for sb/sth\nSYN IDEAL:\nIt was a perfect day for a picnic. * She’s the perfect candidate for the job. * ’Will 2.30 be OK for you?’ ’Perfect, thanks.’\n  6  [only before noun] total; complete:\nI don’t know him-he’s a perfect stranger.\n  7  (grammar) connected with the form of a verb that consists of part of the verb have with the past participle of the main verb, used to express actions completed by the present or a particular point in the past or future:\n’I have eaten’ is the present perfect tense of the verb ’to eat’, ’I had eaten’ is the past perfect and ’I will have eaten’ is the future perfect.\n IDIOMS  see PRACTICE, WORLD\n    verb  [VN] to make sth perfect or as good as you can:\nAs a musician, she has spent years perfecting her techniques. * They have perfected the art of winemaking.


Words: perfect pitch
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (music) the ability to identify or sing a musical note correctly without the help of an instrument


Words: perfection
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, sing.] the state of being perfect:\ntechnical / physical perfection * The fish was cooked to perfection. * The novel achieves a perfection of form that is quite new. * His performance was perfection (= sth perfect).\n  2  [U, sing.] the act of making sth perfect by doing the final improvements:\nThey have been working on the perfection of the new model.\n IDIOMS  see COUNSEL n.


Words: perfectionist
Meaning:
noun\n(sometimes disapproving) a person who likes to do things perfectly and is not satisfied with anything less:\nHe was a perfectionist in his art and could be difficult to work for. * perfectionist principles / standards * To reach that level of playing you have to be an absolute perfectionist.\n    perfectionism  noun [U]:\nHer perfectionism is evident at work and at home.


Words: perfectly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  completely:\nIt’s perfectly normal to feel like this. * It’s perfectly good as it is (= it doesn’t need changing). * You know perfectly well what I mean. * To be perfectly honest, I didn’t want to go anyway. * He stood perfectly still until the danger had passed. * ’Do you understand?’ ’Perfectly.’ * (old-fashioned) How perfectly awful! * They’re perfectly within their rights to ask to see the report.\n  2  in a perfect way:\nThe TV works perfectly now. * It fits perfectly.


Words: perfidy
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (literary) actions that betray sb/sth \nSYN TREACHERY:\nIn Act 2 he learns of Giovanni’s perfidy and swears revenge.


Words: perforate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to make a hole or holes through sth:\nThe explosion perforated his eardrum. * a perforated line (= a row of small holes in paper, made so that a part can be torn off easily)


Words: perforation
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C, usually pl., U] a small hole in a surface, often one of a series of small holes:\nTear the sheet of stamps along the perforations. * He made a small perforation in the lining of the tube.\n \n  2  [U] (medical) the process of splitting or tearing in such a way that a hole is left:\nExcessive pressure can lead to perforation of the stomach wall.


Words: perforce
Meaning:
adverb\n(old use or formal) because it is necessary or cannot be avoided:\nThey had perforce to abandon the attempt on the summit.


Words: perform
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [VN] to do sth, such as a piece of work, task or duty:\nto perform an experiment / a miracle / a ceremony * She performs an important role in our organization. * This operation has never been performed in this country. * A computer can perform many tasks at once.\n  2  to entertain an audience by playing a piece of music, acting in a play, etc:\n[VN] to perform somersaults / magic tricks * The play was first performed in 1987. * I’d like to hear it performed live. * [V] to perform on the flute * I’m looking forward to seeing you perform.\n  3  [V] ~ (well / badly / poorly) to work or function well or badly:\nThe engine seems to be performing well. * The company has been performing poorly over the past year. * If Owen performs (= performs well) then I believe England can win. * She performed less well in the second test.\n IDIOMS  see MIRACLE


Words: performance
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] the act of performing a play, concert or some other form of entertainment:\nThe performance starts at seven. * an evening performance * a performance of Ravel’s String Quartet * Please refrain from talking during the performance. * a series of performances by the Kirov Ballet * one of the band’s rare live performances\n  2  [C] the way a person performs in a play, concert, etc:\nShe gave the greatest performance of her career. * an Oscar-winning performance from Al Pacino\n  3  [U, C] how well or badly you do sth; how well or badly sth works:\nthe country’s economic performance * It was an impressive performance by the French team. * The new management techniques aim to improve performance. * He criticized the recent poor performance of the company. * high-performance (= very powerful) cars / aircraft * performance indicators (= things that show how well or badly sth is working) * performance-related pay (= money that you earn that depends on how well you do your job) * Profits continue to grow, with strong performances in South America and the Far East. * Her academic performance has been inconsistent.\n  4  [U, sing.] (formal) the act or process of performing a task, an action, etc:\nShe has shown enthusiasm in the performance of her duties. * He did not want a repeat performance of the humiliating defeat he had suffered.\n  5  [sing.] (informal, especially BrE) an act that involves a lot of effort or trouble, sometimes when it is not necessary:\nIt’s such a performance getting the children off to school in the morning. * He always goes through the whole performance of checking the oil and water even if we’re in a hurry.


Words: performer
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who performs for an audience in a show, concert, etc:\na brilliant / polished / seasoned performer\n  2  a person or thing that behaves or works in the way mentioned:\nHe was a poor performer at school and left with no qualifications. * VW is the star performer of the motor industry this year.


Words: perfume
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n [C, U]\n \n  1  a liquid, often made from flowers, that you put on your skin to make yourself smell nice:\na bottle of expensive perfume * We stock a wide range of perfumes. * the perfume counter of the store * There was strong smell of cheap perfume in the car.\n \n  2  a pleasant, often sweet, smell:\nthe sweet / heady perfume of the roses\n    verb [VN] [often passive] ~ sth (with sth)\n  1  (literary) (especially of flowers) to make the air in a place smell pleasant:\nThe garden was perfumed with the smell of roses. * One bloom has the power to perfume a whole room.\n  2  to put perfume in or on sth:\nShe perfumed her bath with fragrant oils.\n    perfumed adjective:\nperfumed soap / paper / candles


Words: perfumery
Meaning:
noun (plural perfumeries)\n  1  [C] a place where perfumes are made and/or sold:\na visit to the Fragonard perfumery in Paris\n  2  [U] the process of making perfume:\noils used in perfumery


Words: perfunctory
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) (of an action) done as a duty or habit, without real interest, attention or feeling:\na perfunctory smile / nod * They only made a perfunctory effort.\n    perfunctorily  adverb:\nto nod / smile perfunctorily * The guard glanced perfunctorily at her pass and let her through.


Words: perhaps
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  possibly\nSYN MAYBE:\n’Are you going to come?’ ’Perhaps. I’ll see how I feel.’ * Perhaps he’s forgotten.\n  2  used when you want to make a statement or opinion less definite:\nThis is perhaps his best novel to date.\n  3  used when making a rough estimate:\na change which could affect perhaps 20% of the population\n  4  used when you agree or accept sth unwillingly, or do not want to say strongly that you disapprove:\n’You could do it yourself.’ ’Yeah, perhaps.’\n  5  used when making a polite request, offer or suggestion:\nPerhaps it would be better if you came back tomorrow. * I think perhaps you’ve had enough to drink tonight. * Perhaps you’d like to have a wash before the others arrive. * Perhaps you would be good enough to let him know we are on our way.


Words: peril
Meaning:
noun (formal or literary)\n  1  [U] serious danger:\nThe country’s economy is now in grave peril. * She seemed blissfully unaware of the peril she was in.\n  2  [C, usually pl.] ~ (of sth) the fact of sth being dangerous or harmful:\na warning about the perils of drug abuse\n IDIOMS \n  do sth at your (own) peril used to warn sb that if they do sth, it may be dangerous or cause them problems:\nTeachers ignore the importance of these results at their peril.


Words: perilous
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal or literary) very dangerous:\na perilous adventure / journey\n    perilously adverb:\nWe came perilously close to disaster. * Supplies are perilously low.


Words: perimeter
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the outside edge of an enclosed area of land:\nGuards patrol the perimeter of the estate. * a perimeter fence / track / wall\n  2  (mathematics) the total length of the outside edge of an area or a shape:\nFind the area and perimeter of the following shapes.\ncompare CIRCUMFERENCE


Words: period
Meaning:
noun, adverb, adjective \n    noun\n  length of time\n  1  a particular length of time:\na period of consultation / mourning / uncertainty * The factory will be closed down over a 2-year period / a period of two years. * This compares with a 4% increase for the same period last year. * This offer is available for a limited period only. * The aim is to reduce traffic at peak periods. * You can have it for a trial period (= in order to test it). * The project will run for a six-month trial period. * Tomorrow will be cold with sunny periods.\nsee also COOLING-OFF PERIOD\n  2  a length of time in the life of a particular person or in the history of a particular country:\nWhich period of history would you most like to have lived in? * the post-war period * The church dates from the Norman period. * Like Picasso, she too had a blue period. * Most teenagers go through a period of rebelling.\n  3  a particular length of time during which rocks are formed:\nthe Jurassic period\n  lesson\n  4  any of the parts that a day is divided into at a school, college, etc. for study:\n’What do you have next period?’ ’French.’ * a free / study period (= for private study)\n  woman\n  5  the flow of blood each month from the body of a woman who is not pregnant:\nperiod pains * monthly periods * When did you last have a period?\ncompare MENSTRUATION\n  punctuation\n  6  (AmE) = FULL STOP noun\n    adverb (spoken, especially AmE) = FULL STOP adv.:\nThe answer is no, period!\n    adjective [only before noun] having a style typical of a particular time in history:\nperiod costumes / furniture


Words: period piece
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a play, film/movie, etc. that is set in a particular period of history\n  2  an ornament, piece of furniture, etc. that was made during a particular period of history and is typical of that period


Words: periodic
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] happening fairly often and regularly:\nPeriodic checks are carried out on the equipment. * He makes periodic visits to all the shops which stock his products.\n    periodically  adverb:\nMailing lists are updated periodically. * Periodically, we meet to discuss any problems.


Words: periodical
Meaning:
noun\na magazine that is published every week, month, etc., especially one that is concerned with an academic subject


Words: peripatetic
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) going from place to place, for example in order to work:\na peripatetic music teacher


Words: peripheral
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  ~ (to sth) (formal) not as important as the main aim, part, etc. of sth:\nperipheral information * Fund-raising is peripheral to their main activities. * matters of peripheral concern\n  2  (technical) connected with the outer edge of a particular area:\nthe peripheral nervous system * peripheral vision\n  3  (computing) (of equipment) connected to a computer:\na peripheral device\n    peripherally  adverb:\nThey were only peripherally involved in the affair.\n    noun (computing) a piece of equipment that is connected to a computer:\nmonitors, printers and other peripherals


Words: periphery
Meaning:
noun [usually sing.] (plural peripheries) (formal)\n  1  the outer edge of a particular area:\nindustrial development on the periphery of the town * The condition makes it difficult for patients to see objects at the periphery of their vision. * Extensive new planting is taking place around the periphery of the site.\n  2  the less important part of sth, for example of a particular activity or of a social or political group:\nminor parties on the periphery of American politics


Words: periscope
Meaning:
noun\na device like a long tube, containing mirrors which enable the user to see over the top of sth, used especially in a SUBMARINE (= a ship that can operate underwater) to see above the surface of the sea


Words: perish
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [V] (formal or literary) (of people or animals) to die, especially in a sudden violent way:\nA family of four perished in the fire. * Thousands perished at the hands of the invading forces.\n  2  [V] (formal) to be lost or destroyed:\nEarly buildings were made of wood and have perished.\n  3  [V, VN] (BrE) if a material such as rubber perishes or is perished, it becomes damaged, weaker or full of holes\n IDIOMS \n  perish the thought (spoken) used to say that you find a suggestion unacceptable or that you hope that sth will never happen:\nMe get married? Perish the thought!


Words: perishing
Meaning:
adjective (BrE, informal)\n  1  extremely cold:\nIt’s perishing outside! * I’m perishing!\n  2  [only before noun] (old-fashioned) used to show that you are annoyed about sth:\nI’ve had enough of this perishing job!


Words: peritonitis
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (medical) a serious condition in which the inside wall of the body becomes swollen and infected


Words: perjure
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] ~ yourself (law) to tell a lie in a court of law after you have sworn to tell the truth:\nShe admitted that she had perjured herself.\n    perjurer  noun


Words: perjury
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (law) the crime of telling a lie in a court of law:\nThe defence witnesses were found guilty of perjury. * to commit perjury


Words: perk
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (also formal perquisite) [usually pl.] something you receive as well as your wages for doing a particular job:\nPerks offered by the firm include a car and free health insurance. * (figurative) Not having to get up early is just one of the perks of being retired.\n    verb [V] \n PHRASAL VERBS \n  perk up | perk sb<->up (informal) to become or to make sb become more cheerful or lively, especially after they have been ill/sick or sad:\nHe soon perked up when his friends arrived.\n  perk up | perk sth<->up (informal) to increase, or to make sth increase in value, etc:\nShare prices had perked up slightly by close of trading.\n  perk sth<->up (informal) to make sth more interesting, more attractive, etc:\nideas for perking up bland food * Stencilling is a cheap and easy way to perk up old furniture.


Words: perky
Meaning:
adjective\n(perkier, perkiest) (informal) cheerful and full of energy:\nShe hasn’t been her usual perky self lately.\n    perkiness noun [U]


Words: perm
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a way of changing the style of your hair by using chemicals to create curls that last for several months:\nto have a perm\n    verb [VN] to give sb’s hair a perm:\nto have your hair permed * a shampoo for permed or damaged hair


Words: permanence
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the state of lasting for a long time or for all time in the future:\nThe spoken word is immediate but lacks permanence. * We no longer talk of the permanence of marriage.


Words: permanent
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective lasting for a long time or for all time in the future; existing all the time:\na permanent job * permanent / temporary staff * They are now living together on a permanent basis. * The accident has not done any permanent damage. * a permanent fixture (= a person or an object that is always in a particular place) * The gallery hosts various exhibitions and a permanent collection.\nOPP IMPERMANENT, TEMPORARY\n    permanently adverb:\nThe stroke left his right side permanently damaged. * She had decided to settle permanently in France. * This door is kept permanently locked.\n    noun (old-fashioned, AmE) = PERM


Words: Permanent Undersecretary
Meaning:
(also Permanent Secretary) noun\n(in Britain) a person of high rank in the CIVIL SERVICE, who advises a SECRETARY OF STATE\ncompare UNDERSECRETARY


Words: permeable
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to sth) (technical) allowing a liquid or gas to pass through:\nThe skin of amphibians is permeable to water. * permeable rocks * gas-permeable contact lens\nOPP IMPERMEABLE\n    permeability  noun [U]


Words: permeate
Meaning:
verb (formal)\n  1  (of a liquid, gas, etc.) to spread to every part of an object or a place:\n[VN] The smell of leather permeated the room. * The air was permeated with the odour of burning rubber. * [V +adv./prep.] rainwater permeating through the ground\n  2  (of an idea, an influence, a feeling, etc.) to affect every part of sth:\n[VN] a belief that permeates all levels of society * A feeling of unease permeates the novel. * [V +adv./prep.] Dissatisfaction among the managers soon permeated down to members of the workforce.\n    permeation  noun [U] (formal)


Words: permissible
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (for sb) (to do sth) (formal) acceptable according to the law or a particular set of rules:\npermissible levels of nitrates in water * It is not permissible for employers to discriminate on grounds of age.


Words: permission
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] ~ (for sth) | ~ (for sb/sth) (to do sth) the act of allowing sb to do sth, especially when this is done by sb in a position of authority:\nYou must ask permission for all major expenditure. * The school has been refused permission to expand. * No official permission has been given for the event to take place. * She took the car without permission. * poems reprinted by kind permission of the author * (formal, spoken) With your permission, I’d like to say a few words.\n  2  [C, usually pl.] an official written statement allowing sb to do sth:\nThe publisher is responsible for obtaining the necessary permissions to reproduce illustrations.\nsee also PLANNING PERMISSION


Words: permissive
Meaning:
adjective\nallowing or showing a freedom of behaviour that many people do not approve of, especially in sexual matters:\npermissive attitudes * He is a product of the permissive society of the 1960s. * permissive parents (= who allow their children a lot of freedom)\n    permissiveness noun [U]:\nthe growth of permissiveness


Words: permit
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb  (-tt-) (formal)\n  1  to allow sb to do sth or to allow sth to happen:\n[VN] Radios are not permitted in the library. * There are substantial fines for exceeding permitted levels of noise pollution. * [VNN] We were not permitted any contact with each other. * Jim permitted himself a wry smile. * [VN to inf] Visitors are not permitted to take photographs. * She would not permit herself to look at them. * (formal, spoken) Permit me to offer you some advice. [also V -ing] -> ALLOW\n  2  to make sth possible:\n[V] We hope to visit the cathedral, if time permits. * I’ll come tomorrow, weather permitting (= if the weather is fine). * [VN] The password permits access to all files on the hard disk. * The length of the report does not permit a detailed discussion of the problems. * [VN to inf] Cash machines permit you to withdraw money at any time. [also V -ing]\n    noun  an official document that gives sb the right to do sth, especially for a limited period of time:\na fishing / work / residence / parking permit * to apply for a permit * to issue a permit * You cannot enter the military base without a permit.


Words: permutation
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] any of the different ways in which a set of things can be ordered:\nThe possible permutations of x, y and z are xyz, xzy, yxz, yzx, zxy and zyx.


Words: pernicious
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) having a very harmful effect on sb/sth, especially in a way that is gradual and not easily noticed:\nthe pernicious influence of TV violence on children * Ageism is equally as offensive and pernicious as sexism.


Words: pernickety
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually persnickety) adjective (informal, disapproving) worrying too much about unimportant details; showing this\nSYN FUSSY


Words: peroration
Meaning:
noun (formal)\n  1  the final part of a speech in which the speaker gives a summary of the main points\n  2  (disapproving) a long speech that is not very interesting


Words: peroxide
Meaning:
(also hydrogen peroxide) noun\n[U] a colourless liquid used to kill bacteria and to BLEACH hair (= make it lighter):\na woman with peroxide blonde hair


Words: perpendicular
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  ~ (to sth) (usually technical) forming an angle of 90ｰ with another line or surface; upright and going straight up:\nAre the lines perpendicular to each other? * The staircase was almost perpendicular (= very steep).\n  2  (Perpendicular) (architecture) connected with a style of architecture common in England in the 14th and 15th centuries, that makes use of vertical lines and wide arches\n    noun (the perpendicular) [sing.] a line, position or direction that is exactly perpendicular:\nThe wall is a little out of the perpendicular.


Words: perpetrate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] ~ sth (against / upon / on sb) (formal) to commit a crime or do sth wrong or evil:\nto perpetrate a crime / fraud / massacre * violence perpetrated against women and children * security breaches perpetrated by people working for the company\n    perpetration  noun [U]


Words: perpetrator
Meaning:
noun\na person who commits a crime or does sth that is wrong or evil:\nthe perpetrators of the attack / crime / offence * We will do everything in our power to bring the perpetrators to justice.


Words: perpetual
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] continuing for a long period of time without interruption\nSYN CONTINUOUS:\nthe perpetual noise of traffic * We lived for years in a perpetual state of fear. * We’re all in a state of perpetual motion in this office (= we’re always moving round or changing things). * (literary) mountain peaks covered with perpetual snows and ice\n  2  [usually before noun] frequently repeated, in a way that is annoying\nSYN CONTINUAL:\nHow can I work with these perpetual interruptions?\n  3  [only before noun] (of a job or position) lasting for the whole of sb’s life:\nHe was elected perpetual president. * (humorous) She’s a perpetual student.\n    perpetually  adverb


Words: perpetuate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (formal) to make sth such as a bad situation, a belief, etc. continue for a long time:\nto perpetuate inequality / injustice / conflict * This system perpetuated itself for several centuries. * Comics and books for children tend to perpetuate the myth that ’boys don’t cry’.\n    perpetuation  noun [U]


Words: perpetuity
Meaning:
noun\n[U]\n IDIOMS \n  in perpetuity (formal) for all time in the future\nSYN FOREVER:\nThey do not own the land in perpetuity. * The trust fund will ensure preservation of the site in perpetuity.


Words: perplex
Meaning:
verb\n[usually passive] if sth perplexes you, it makes you confused or worried because you do not understand it\nSYN PUZZLE:\n[VN] They were perplexed by her response. [also VN that]\n    perplexing adjective:\na perplexing problem / question * I found the whole thing extremely perplexing.


Words: perplexed
Meaning:
adjective\nconfused and anxious because you are unable to understand sth; showing this:\na perplexed expression / look / voice * She looked perplexed.\n    perplexedly  adverb (rare)


Words: perplexity
Meaning:
noun (plural perplexities) (formal)\n  1  [U] the state of feeling confused and anxious because you do not understand sth:\nMost of them just stared at her in perplexity. * His comments have been the source of much perplexity and debate.\n  2  [C, usually pl.] something that is difficult to understand:\nthe perplexities of life


Words: perquisite
Meaning:
noun (formal)\n  1  [usually pl.] = PERK\n  2  ~ (of sb) something to which sb has a special right because of their social position:\nPolitics used to be the perquisite of the property-owning classes.


Words: persecute
Meaning:
verb [VN] [often passive]\n  1  ~ sb (for sth) to treat sb in a cruel and unfair way, especially because of their race, religion or political beliefs:\nThroughout history, people have been persecuted for their religious beliefs. * persecuted minorities\n  2  to deliberately annoy sb all the time and make their life unpleasant:\nWhy are the media persecuting him like this?\n    persecution  noun [U, C]:\nthe victims of religious persecution * They fled to Europe to escape persecution.


Words: persecutor
Meaning:
noun\na person who treats another person or group of people in a cruel and unfair way:\nThe missionaries suffered death at the hands of their persecutors.


Words: perseverance
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (approving) the quality of continuing to try to achieve a particular aim in spite of difficulties:\nThey showed great perseverance in the face of difficulty. * The only way to improve is through hard work and dogged perseverance.


Words: persevere
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (in sth / in doing sth) | ~ (with sth/sb) (approving) to continue trying to do or achieve sth in spite of difficulties:\nDespite a number of setbacks, they persevered in their attempts to fly around the world in a balloon. * She persevered with her violin lessons. * You have to persevere with difficult students.


Words: persevering
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (approving) showing determination to achieve a particular aim in spite of difficulties:\nA few persevering climbers finally reached the top.


Words: Persian
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a person from ancient Persia, or modern Persia, now called Iran\n  2  (also Farsi) [U] the official language of Iran\n  3  [C] = PERSIAN CAT\n    Persian adjective


Words: Persian carpet
Meaning:
(also Persian rug) noun\na carpet of traditional design from the Near East, made by hand from silk or wool


Words: persist
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ (in sth / in doing sth) | ~ (with sth) to continue to do sth in spite of difficulties or opposition, in a way that can seem unreasonable:\n[V] Why do you persist in blaming yourself for what happened? * She persisted in her search for the truth. * He persisted with his questioning. * [V speech] ’So, did you agree or not?’ he persisted.\n  2  [V] to continue to exist:\nThe belief that the earth was flat persisted for many centuries. * If the symptoms persist, consult your doctor.


Words: persistence
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the fact of continuing to try to do sth in spite of difficulties, especially when other people are against you and think that you are being annoying or unreasonable:\nHis persistence was finally rewarded when the insurance company agreed to pay for the damage. * It was her sheer persistence that wore them down in the end.\n  2  the state of continuing to exist for a long period of time:\nthe persistence of unemployment in the 1970s and 1980s


Words: persistent
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  determined to do sth in spite of difficulties, especially when other people are against you and think that you are being annoying or unreasonable:\nHow do you deal with persistent salesmen who won’t take no for an answer? * a persistent offender (= a person who continues to commit crimes after they have been caught and punished) * She can be very persistent when she wants something.\n  2  continuing for a long period of time without interruption, or repeated frequently, especially in a way that is annoying and cannot be stopped:\npersistent rain / pain * a persistent cough * I can’t take much more of this persistent criticism. * He resigned over persistent rumours of his affair with an actress. * Famine is a persistent problem in many parts of the world.\n    persistently adverb:\nThey have persistently denied claims of illegal dealing. * persistently high interest rates * a prison for juveniles who persistently reoffend


Words: persistent vegetative state
Meaning:
noun\n(medical) a condition in which a person’s body is kept working by medical means but the person shows no sign of other brain activity


Words: person
Meaning:
or, especially in formal use, persons)\n \n  1  a human being as an INDIVIDUAL:\nWhat sort of person would do a thing like that? * He’s a fascinating person. * What is she like as a person? * He’s just the person we need for the job. * I had a letter from the people who used to live next door. * I’m not really a city person (= I don’t really like cities).\n \n HELP NOTE  Use everyone or everybody instead of ’all people’.\n \n  2  (formal or disapproving) a human being, especially one who is not identified:\nA certain person (= somebody that I do not wish to name) told me about it. * The price is $40 per person. * This vehicle is licensed to carry 4 persons. (= in a notice) * (law) The verdict was murder by a person or persons unknown.\nsee also VIP\n \n  3  (-person) (in compounds) a person working in the area of business mentioned; a person concerned with the thing mentioned:\na salesperson * a spokesperson\n  4  (grammar) any of the three classes of personal pronouns. The first person (I/we) refers to the person(s) speaking; the second person (you) refers to the person(s) spoken to; the third person (he/she/it/they) refers to the person(s) or thing(s) spoken about.\n IDIOMS \n  about / on your person if you have or carry sth about/on your person, you carry it about with you, for example in your pocket:\nRelatives of the dead man were traced through an address found on his person.\n  in person if you do sth in person, you go somewhere and do it yourself, instead of doing it by letter, asking sb else to do it, etc:\nHe had to pick up his welfare cheque in person.\n  in the person of sb (formal) in the form or shape of sb:\nHelp arrived in the person of his mother. * The firm has an important asset in the person of the sales director.\nmore at RESPECTER


Words: person-to-person
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  happening between two or more people who deal directly with each other rather than through another person:\nTechnical support is offered on a person-to-person basis.\n  2  (especially AmE) (of a telephone call) made by calling the OPERATOR (= a person who works at a telephone exchange) and asking to speak to a particular person. If that person is not available, the call does not have to be paid for:\na person-to-person call


Words: persona
Meaning:
noun\n(plural personae  or personas) (formal) the aspects of a person’s character that they show to other people, especially when their real character is different:\nHis public persona is quite different from the private family man described in the book.\nsee also DRAMATIS PERSONAE


Words: persona non grata
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (from Latin) a person who is not welcome in a particular place because of sth they have said or done, especially one who is told to leave a country by the government:\nTheir ambassador was declared persona non grata and forced to leave the country.


Words: personable
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a person) attractive to other people because of having a pleasant appearance and character:\nThe sales assistant was a very personable young man.


Words: personal
Meaning:
adjective\n  your own\n  1  [only before noun] your own; not belonging to or connected with anyone else:\npersonal effects / belongings / possessions * personal details (= your name, age, etc.) * Of course, this is just a personal opinion. * Coogan has run a personal best of just under four minutes. * The novel is written from personal experience. * Use stencils to add a few personal touches to walls and furniture. * All hire cars are for personal use only.\n  feelings / character / relationships\n  2  [only before noun] connected with individual people, especially their feelings, characters and relationships:\nHaving good personal relationships is the most important thing for me. * He was popular as much for his personal qualities as for his cricketing skills.\n  not official\n  3  not connected with a person’s job or official position:\nThe letter was marked ’Personal’. * I’d like to talk to you about a personal matter. * I try not to let work interfere with my personal life. * She’s a personal friend of mine (= not just somebody I know because of my job). * Please keep personal phone calls to a minimum.\n  done by person\n  4  [only before noun] done by a particular person rather than by sb who is acting for them:\nThe President made a personal appearance at the event. * I shall give the matter my personal attention. * She takes a personal interest in the work of the charity. * The Principal has little personal contact with the students.\n  done for person\n  5  [only before noun] made or done for a particular person rather than for a large group of people or people in general:\nWe offer a personal service to all our customers. * a personal pension plan (= a pension organized by a private company for one particular person) * Will you do it for me as a personal favour?\n  offensive\n  6  referring to a particular person’s character, appearance, opinions, etc. in a way that is offensive:\nTry to avoid making personal remarks. * There’s no need to get personal! * Nothing personal (= I do not wish to offend you), but I do have to go now.\n  connected with body\n  7  [only before noun] connected with a person’s body:\npersonal cleanliness / hygiene * She’s always worrying about her personal appearance. * This insurance policy covers you against personal injury or death.


Words: personal computer
Meaning:
noun\n(abbreviation PC) a small computer that is designed for one person to use at work or at home\ncompare MAINFRAME, MICROCOMPUTER, MINICOMPUTER


Words: personal organizer
Meaning:
(BrE also personal organiser) noun\na small file with loose sheets of paper in which you write down information, addresses, what you have arranged to do, etc.; a very small computer for the same purpose\nsee also FILOFAX


Words: personal space
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the space directly around where you are standing or sitting:\nHe leaned towards her and she stiffened at this invasion of her personal space.


Words: personality
Meaning:
noun (plural personalities)\n  1  [C, U] the various aspects of a person’s character that combine to make them different from other people:\nHis wife has a strong personality. * The children all have very different personalities. * He maintained order by sheer force of personality. * There are likely to be tensions and personality clashes in any social group. * People’s clothes are often an expression of their personality.\n  2  [U] the qualities of a person’s character that make them interesting and attractive:\nWe need someone with lots of personality to head the project. * She was very beautiful but seemed to lack personality.\n  3  [C] a famous person, especially one who works in entertainment or sport:\npersonalities from the world of music * a TV / sports personality\n  4  [C] a person whose strong character makes them noticeable:\nTheir son is a real personality.\n  5  [U] the qualities of a place or thing that make it interesting and different:\nThe problem with many modern buildings is that they lack personality.


Words: personality cult
Meaning:
noun\n(disapproving) a situation in which people are encouraged to show extreme love and admiration for a famous person, especially a political leader


Words: personalize
Meaning:
(BrE also personalise)  verb [VN] \n  1  [usually passive] to mark sth in some way to show that it belongs to a particular person:\nAll the towels were personalized with their initials. * This program enables faxes to be personalized automatically.\n  2  to design or change sth so that it is suitable for the needs of a particular person:\nAll our courses are personalized to the needs of the individual.\n  3  to refer to particular people when discussing a general subject:\nThe mass media tends to personalize politics.\n    personalized, personalised adjective:\na highly personalized service * (BrE) a personalized number plate (= on a car)


Words: personally
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  used to show that you are giving your own opinion about sth:\nPersonally, I prefer the second option. * ’Is it worth the effort?’ ’Speaking personally, yes.’\n  2  by a particular person rather than by sb acting for them:\nAll letters will be answered personally. * Do you know him personally (= have you met him, rather than just knowing about him from other people)? * I’ll deal with the matter personally. * He’s no longer personally involved in the day-to-day running of the company.\n  3  in a way that is connected with one particular person rather than a group of people:\nHe was personally criticized by inspectors for his incompetence. * You will be held personally responsible for any loss or breakage.\n  4  in a way that is intended to be offensive:\nI’m sure she didn’t mean it personally.\n  5  in a way that is connected with sb’s personal life rather than with their job or official position:\nHave you had any dealings with any of the suspects, either personally or professionally?\n IDIOMS \n  take sth personally to be offended by sth:\nI’m afraid he took your remarks personally. * Please don’t take this personally, but would you mind leaving us alone for a few moments?


Words: personification
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, usually sing.] ~ of sth a person who has a lot of a particular quality or characteristic:\nShe was the personification of elegance.\n  2  [U, C] the practice of representing objects, qualities, etc. as human beings, in art and literature; an object, quality, etc. that is represented in this way:\nthe personification of autumn in Keats’s poem


Words: personify
Meaning:
verb (personifies, personifying, personified, personified) [VN] \n  1  to be an example of a quality or characteristic, or to have a lot of it:\nThese children personify all that is wrong with the education system. * He is kindness personified.\n  2  [usually passive] ~ sth (as sb) to show or think of an object, quality, etc. as a person:\nThe river was personified as a goddess.


Words: personnel
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [pl.] the people who work for an organization or one of the armed forces:\nskilled / trained personnel * sales / technical / medical / security personnel * army / military personnel\n  2  [U+sing./pl. v.] the department in a company that deals with employing and training people\nSYN HUMAN RESOURCES:\nthe personnel department / manager * She works in personnel. * Personnel is / are currently reviewing pay scales.


Words: perspective
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] ~ (on sth) a particular attitude towards sth; a way of thinking about sth:\na global perspective * Try to see the issue from a different perspective. * a report that looks at the education system from the perspective of deaf people * His experience abroad provides a wider perspective on the problem. * Recent events seem less serious when put into an international perspective.\n \n  2  [U] the ability to think about problems and decisions in a reasonable way without exaggerating their importance:\nShe was aware that she was losing all sense of perspective. * Try to keep these issues in perspective. * Talking to others can often help to put your own problems into perspective. * It is important not to let things get out of perspective.\n \n  3  [U] the art of creating an effect of depth and distance in a picture by representing people and things that are far away as being smaller than those that are nearer the front:\nThe artist plays with perspective to confuse the eye. * We learnt how to draw buildings in perspective. * The tree on the left is out of perspective.\n \n  4  [C] a view, especially one in which you can see far into the distance:\na perspective of the whole valley


Words: perspicacious
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) able to understand sb/sth quickly and accurately; showing this:\na perspicacious remark * He was perspicacious enough to realize that things were soon going to change.\n    perspicacity  noun [U]


Words: perspiration
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  drops of liquid that form on your skin when you are hot\nSYN SWEAT:\nBeads of perspiration stood out on his forehead. * Her skin was damp with perspiration.\n  2  the act of perspiring:\nPerspiration cools the skin in hot weather.


Words: perspire
Meaning:
verb\n[V] (formal) to produce sweat on your body\nSYN SWEAT:\nThe game of squash left me perspiring profusely. * He mopped his perspiring face with a handkerchief.


Words: persuade
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ sb (into sth / into doing sth) to make sb do sth by giving them good reasons for doing it:\n[VN to inf] Try to persuade him to come. * [VN] Please try and persuade her. * She’s always easily persuaded. * I allowed myself to be persuaded into entering the competition. * I’m sure he’ll come with a bit of persuading.\n  2  to make sb believe that sth is true\nSYN CONVINCE:\n[VN that] It will be difficult to persuade them that there’s no other choice. * She had persuaded herself that life was not worth living. * [VN] No one was persuaded by his arguments. * (formal) I am still not fully persuaded of the plan’s merits.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \npersuade / convince\nThe main meaning of persuade is to make someone agree to do something by giving them good reasons for doing it: I tried to persuade her to see a doctor. The main meaning of convince is to make someone believe that something is true: He convinced me he was right.\nIt is quite common, however, for each of these words to be used with both meanings, especially for convince to be used as a synonym for persuade: I persuaded/convinced her to see a doctor. Some speakers of BrE think that this is not correct.\n______________________________


Words: persuasion
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the act of persuading sb to do sth or to believe sth:\nIt didn’t take much persuasion to get her to tell us where he was. * After a little gentle persuasion, he agreed to come. * She has great powers of persuasion. * I wasn’t intending to sell, but I’m open to persuasion.\n  2  [C, U] a particular set of beliefs, especially about religion or politics:\npoliticians of all persuasions * every shade of religious persuasion\n IDIOMS \n  of the ...persuasion (formal or humorous) of the type mentioned:\npeers of the Liberal persuasion


Words: persuasive
Meaning:
adjective\nable to persuade sb to do or believe sth:\npersuasive arguments / evidence * He can be very persuasive. * the persuasive power of advertising\n    persuasively adverb:\nThey argue persuasively in favour of a total ban on handguns.\n    persuasiveness noun [U]


Words: pert
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (especially of a girl or young woman) showing a lack of respect, especially in a cheerful and amusing way:\na pert reply\n  2  (of a part of the body) small, firm and attractive:\na pert nose * pert features\n    pertly adverb


Words: pertain
Meaning:
verb\n[V] (formal) to exist or to apply in a particular situation or at a particular time:\nLiving conditions are vastly different from those pertaining in their country of origin. * Those laws no longer pertain.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pertain to sth/sb (formal) to be connected with sth/sb:\nthe laws pertaining to adoption


Words: pertinacious
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) determined to achieve a particular aim in spite of difficulties or opposition\n    pertinacity  noun [U]:\nWith his usual pertinacity, he pursued this new line of inquiry.


Words: pertinent
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to sth) (formal) appropriate to a particular situation:\na pertinent question / fact * Please keep your comments pertinent to the topic under discussion.\n    pertinently adverb:\nThe report examines the causes of rising unemployment, and, more pertinently, offers some solutions.\n    pertinence  noun [U]


Words: perturb
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (formal) to make sb worried or anxious\nSYN ALARM:\nHer sudden appearance did not seem to perturb him in the least. * I was perturbed by his lack of interest.\n    perturbed  about sth):\na perturbed young man * She didn’t seem perturbed at the change of plan.\nOPP UNPERTURBED


Words: perturbation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] (formal) the state of feeling anxious about sth that has happened\n  2  [C, U] (technical) a small change in the quality, behaviour or movement of sth:\nclimatic / temperature perturbations


Words: peruse
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (formal or humorous) to read sth, especially in a careful way:\nA copy of the report is available for you to peruse at your leisure.\n    perusal  noun [U, sing.]:\na brief / casual perusal of a document * The agreement was signed after careful perusal.


Words: pervade
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (formal) to spread through and be noticeable in every part of sth:\na pervading mood of fear * the sadness that pervades most of her novels * The entire house was pervaded by a sour smell.


Words: pervasive
Meaning:
adjective\nexisting in all parts of a place or thing; spreading gradually to affect all parts of a place or thing:\na pervasive smell of damp * Her influence is all-pervasive (= it affects everyone and everything). * A sense of social change is pervasive in her novels.\n    pervasively adverb\n    pervasiveness noun [U]


Words: perverse
Meaning:
adjective\nshowing deliberate determination to behave in a way that most people think is wrong, unacceptable or unreasonable:\na perverse decision / judgement / result (= one that most people do not expect and think is wrong) * She finds a perverse pleasure in upsetting her parents. * Do you really mean that or are you just being deliberately perverse? * For some perverse reason he is refusing to see a doctor. * It would be perverse to quit now that we’re almost finished.\n    perversely adverb:\nShe seemed perversely proud of her criminal record. * He couldn’t bear to be near her, yet, perversely, he still found himself looking out for her.\n    perversity noun [U]:\nHe refused to attend out of sheer perversity.


Words: perversion
Meaning:
noun [U, C]\n  1  behaviour that most people think is not normal or acceptable, especially when it is connected with sex; an example of this type of behaviour:\nsexual perversion * sadomasochistic perversions\n  2  the act of changing sth that is good or right into sth that is bad or wrong; the result of this:\nthe perversion of innocence / justice * Her account was a perversion of the truth.


Words: pervert
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb  [VN] \n  1  to change a system, process, etc. in a bad way so that it is not what it used to be or what it should be:\nSome scientific discoveries have been perverted to create weapons of destruction.\n  2  to affect sb in a way that makes them act or think in an immoral or unacceptable way\nSYN CORRUPT:\nSome people believe that television can pervert the minds of children.\n IDIOMS \n  pervert the course of justice (law) to tell a lie or to do sth in order to prevent the police, etc. from finding out the truth about a crime\n    noun  a person whose sexual behaviour is not thought to be normal or acceptable by most people:\na sexual pervert


Words: perverted
Meaning:
adjective\nnot thought to be normal or acceptable by most people:\nsexual acts, normal and perverted * She was having difficulty following his perverted logic. * They clearly take a perverted delight in watching others suffer.


Words: pessary
Meaning:
noun (plural pessaries)\n  1  a small piece of solid medicine that is placed inside a woman’s VAGINA and left to dissolve, used to cure an infection or to prevent her from becoming pregnant\nsee also SUPPOSITORY\n  2  a device that is placed inside a woman’s VAGINA to support the WOMB


Words: pessimism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] ~ (about / over sth) a feeling that bad things will happen and that sth will not be successful; the tendency to have this feeling:\nThere is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. * This widespread pessimism does not seem justified.\nOPP OPTIMISM


Words: pessimist
Meaning:
noun\na person who always expects bad things to happen:\nYou don’t have to be a pessimist to realize that we’re in trouble.\nOPP OPTIMIST


Words: pessimistic
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (about sth) expecting bad things to happen or sth not to be successful; showing this:\nThey appeared surprisingly pessimistic about their chances of winning. * a pessimistic view of life * I think you’re being far too pessimistic.\nOPP OPTIMISTIC\n    pessimistically  adverb


Words: pest
Meaning:
noun\n  1  an insect or animal that destroys plants, food, etc:\npest control * insect / plant / garden pests\n  2  (informal) an annoying person or thing:\nThat child is being a real pest.


Words: pester
Meaning:
verb\n~ sb (for / with sth) to annoy sb, especially by asking them sth many times:\n[VN] Journalists pestered neighbours for information. * He has been pestering her with phone calls for over a week. * The horses were continually pestered by flies. * [VN to inf] The kids kept pestering me to read to them. [also V]


Words: pesticide
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a chemical used for killing pests, especially insects:\nvegetables grown without the use of pesticides * crops sprayed with pesticide\nsee also HERBICIDE, INSECTICIDE


Words: pestilence
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] (old use or literary) any infectious disease that spreads quickly and kills a lot of people


Words: pestilential
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [only before noun] (literary) extremely annoying\n  2  (old use) connected with or causing a pestilence


Words: pestle
Meaning:
noun\na small heavy tool with a round end used for crushing things in a special bowl called a MORTAR


Words: pet
Meaning:
noun, verb, adjective \n    noun\n  1  an animal, a bird, etc. that you have at home for pleasure, rather than one that is kept for work or food:\nDo you have any pets? * a pet dog / hamster * a family / domestic pet * pet food * a pet shop (= where animals are sold as pets)\n  2  (usually disapproving) a person who is given special attention by sb, especially in a way that seems unfair to other people:\nShe’s the teacher’s pet.\n  3  (BrE, spoken) used when speaking to a child or young woman to show affection:\nWhat’s wrong, pet? * Be a pet (= be kind) and post this letter for me.\n    verb (-tt-)\n  1  [VN] (especially AmE) to touch or move your hand gently over an animal or a child in a kind and loving way\n  2  [V] (informal) (of two people) to kiss and touch each other in a sexual way\nsee also PETTING\n    adjective [only before noun] that you are very interested in:\nhis pet subject / theory / project\nsee also PET NAME\n IDIOMS \n  sb’s pet hate (BrE) (AmE sb’s pet peeve) something that you particularly dislike


Words: petal
Meaning:
noun\na delicate coloured part of a flower. The head of a flower is usually made up of several petals around a central part.


Words: peter
Meaning:
verb\n\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  peter out to gradually become smaller, quieter, etc. and then end:\nThe campaign petered out for lack of support. * The road petered out into a dirt track. * The conversation became strained and eventually petered out.


Words: petit bourgeois
Meaning:
(also petty bourgeois) noun\n(plural petits / petty bourgeois) (disapproving) a member of the lower middle class in society, especially one who thinks that money, work and social position are very important\n    petit bourgeois (also petty bourgeois) adjective [usually before noun]


Words: petition
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  ~ (against / for sth) a written document signed by a large number of people that asks sb in a position of authority to do or change sth:\na petition against experiments on animals * The workers are getting up (= starting) a petition for tighter safety standards. * Councillors were presented with a petition calling for more money to be spent on policing the area.\n  2  (law) an official document asking a court of law to take a particular course of action:\na bankruptcy petition * Her husband has already filed a petition for divorce.\n  3  (formal) a formal prayer to God or request to sb in authority\n    verb\n  1  ~ for / against sth | ~ sb (for sth) to make a formal request to sb in authority, especially by sending them a petition:\n[V] Local residents have successfully petitioned against the siting of a prison in their area. * [VN] The group intends to petition Parliament for reform of the law. * [VN to inf] Parents petitioned the school to review its admission policy.\n  2  ~ (sb) (for sth) to formally ask for sth in a court of law:\n[V] to petition for divorce [also VN, VN to inf]


Words: petitioner
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who organizes or signs a petition\n  2  (law) a person who asks a court of law to take a particular course of action\n  3  (formal) a person who makes a formal request to sb in authority


Words: petrified
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (of sth) | ~ (that ...) extremely frightened\nSYN TERRIFIED:\na petrified expression * I’m petrified of snakes. * They were petrified with fear (= so frightened that they were unable to move or think). * She was petrified that the police would burst in at any moment.\n  2  [only before noun] petrified trees, insects, etc. have died and been changed into stone over a very long period of time:\na petrified forest


Words: petrify
Meaning:
verb (petrifies, petrifying, petrified, petrified)\n  1  [VN] to make sb feel extremely frightened\nSYN TERRIFY:\nJust the thought of making a speech petrifies me. * His icy stare petrified her.\n  2  [V, VN] to change or to make sth change into a substance like stone


Words: petro-
Meaning:
combining form (in nouns, adjectives and adverbs)\n  1  connected with rocks:\npetrology\n  2  connected with petrol/gas:\npetrochemical


Words: petrochemical
Meaning:
noun\nany chemical substance obtained from PETROLEUM oil or natural gas:\nthe petrochemical industry


Words: petrodollar
Meaning:
noun\na unit of money that is used for calculating the money earned by countries that produce and sell oil


Words: petrol
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE gasoline, gas) noun\n[U] a liquid obtained from PETROLEUM, used as fuel in car engines, etc:\nto fill a car up with petrol * the petrol tank of a car * an increase in petrol prices * leaded / unleaded petrol\ncompare DIESEL


Words: petrol station
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE gas station) (also filling station, service station AmE, BrE) noun\na place at the side of a road where you take your car to buy petrol/gas, oil, etc.


Words: petroleum
Meaning:
noun\n[U] mineral oil that is found under the ground or the sea and is used to produce petrol/gas, PARAFFIN, DIESEL oil, etc.


Words: petroleum jelly
Meaning:
(AmE also petrolatum ) noun\n[U] a soft clear substance obtained from petroleum, used to heal injuries on the skin or to make machine parts move together more smoothly\nSYN VASELINE


Words: petticoat
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned) a piece of women’s underwear like a thin dress or skirt, worn under a dress or skirt\nSYN SLIP


Words: pettifogging
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (rare, old-fashioned) paying too much attention to unimportant details; concerned with unimportant things:\npettifogging officials * pettifogging little details


Words: petting
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the activity of kissing and touching sb, especially in a sexual way:\nheavy (= very intense) petting


Words: pettish
Meaning:
adjective\n(rare) behaving in a bad-tempered or unreasonable way, especially because you cannot have or do what you want:\nShe had never seen the pettish side of his nature before.\n    pettishly adverb


Words: petty
Meaning:
adjective (usually disapproving)\n  1  [usually before noun] small and unimportant:\npetty squabbles / restrictions * petty crime / theft (= that is not very serious) * a petty criminal / thief * a petty bureaucrat / official (= who does not have much power or authority)\n  2  concerned with small and unimportant matters, especially when this is unkind to other people:\nHow could you be so petty?\n    pettiness noun [U]


Words: petulant
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) bad-tempered and unreasonable, especially because you cannot do or have what you want:\nHe behaved like a petulant child and refused to cooperate. * Her tone of voice became abrupt and petulant.\n    petulantly adverb:\n’I won’t go!’ he said petulantly.\n    petulance  noun [U]:\nShe withdrew the offer in a fit of petulance.


Words: pew
Meaning:
noun\na long wooden seat in a church\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  Take a pew! (BrE, spoken, humorous) used to tell sb to sit down


Words: pewter
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a grey metal made by mixing TIN with LEAD, used especially in the past for making cups, dishes, etc.; objects made from pewter:\na pewter tankard * a fine collection of old pewter


Words: PG
Meaning:
abbreviation\n(BrE) parental guidance. A film that has the label ’PG’ is not suitable for children to watch without an adult.


Words: PGCE
Meaning:
noun\nthe abbreviation for ’Postgraduate Certificate of Education’ (a British teaching qualification taken by people with a degree in another subject)


Words: pH
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (chemistry) a measurement of the level of acid or ALKALI in a solution or substance. In the pH range of 0 to 14 a reading of below 7 shows an acid and of above 7 shows an ALKALI:\na pH of 7.5 * to test the pH level of the soil


Words: phalanx
Meaning:
noun\n(formal) a group of people or things standing very close together:\nThe protesters ran into a solid phalanx of riot police.


Words: phallus
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (technical) the male sexual organ, especially when it is ERECT\n  2  a model or an image of the male sexual organ that represents power and FERTILITY


Words: phantasmagoria
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (formal) a changing scene of real or imagined figures, for example as seen in a dream or created as an effect in a film/movie\n    phantasmagorical  adjective


Words: phantom
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  a ghost:\nthe phantom of his dead father\n  2  a thing that exists only in your imagination:\nPhantoms and chimeras inhabited her brain.\n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  like a ghost:\na phantom horseman\n  2  existing only in your imagination:\nphantom fears / illnesses * a phantom pregnancy (= a condition in which a woman seems to be pregnant but in fact is not)\n  3  that people think exists but that in fact does not:\nphantom assets / profits


Words: Pharisee
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a member of an ancient Jewish group who followed religious laws and teaching very strictly\n  2  (disapproving) a person who is very proud of the fact that they have high religious and moral standards, but who does not care enough about other people\nSYN HYPOCRITE


Words: pharmaceutical
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun] connected with making and selling drugs and medicines:\npharmaceutical companies / products * the pharmaceutical industry\n    noun [usually pl.] (technical) a drug or medicine:\nthe development of new pharmaceuticals * the pharmaceuticals industry


Words: pharmacist
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (AmE also druggist) a person whose job is to prepare medicines and sell or give them to the public in a shop/store or in a hospital:\nWe had to wait for the pharmacist to make up her prescription.\ncompare CHEMIST\n \n  2  (pharmacist’s) (plural pharmacists) (BrE) a shop that sells medicines:\nThey sell vitamin supplements at the pharmacist’s.\ncompare CHEMIST\nsee also PHARMACY


Words: pharmacology
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the scientific study of drugs and their use in medicine\n    pharmacological  adjective:\npharmacological research


Words: pharmacopoeia
Meaning:
(AmE also pharmacopeia)  noun\n(technical) an official book containing a list of medicines and drugs and instructions for their use


Words: pharmacy
Meaning:
noun (plural pharmacies)\n \n  1  [C] a shop/store, or part of one, that sells medicines and drugs\ncompare CHEMIST, DRUGSTORE\n \n  2  [C] a place in a hospital where medicines are prepared\nsee also DISPENSARY\n \n  3  [U] the study of how to prepare medicines and drugs


Words: pharynx
Meaning:
noun\n(plural pharynges ) (anatomy) the soft area at the top of the throat where the passages to the nose and mouth connect with the throat


Words: phase
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a stage in a process of change or development:\nduring the first / next / last phase * the initial / final phase of the project * a critical / decisive phase * the design phase * His anxiety about the work was just a passing phase. * She’s going through a difficult phase. * The wedding marked the beginning of a new phase in Emma’s life.\n  2  each of the shapes of the moon as we see it from the earth at different times of the month:\nthe phases of the moon\n IDIOMS \n  in phase / out of phase (with sth) (BrE) working/not working together in the right way:\nThe traffic lights were out of phase.\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] to arrange to do sth gradually in stages over a period of time:\nthe phased withdrawal of troops from the area * Closure of the hospitals was phased over a three-year period.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  phase sth<->in to introduce or start using sth gradually in stages over a period of time:\nThe new tax will be phased in over two years.\n  phase sth<->out to stop using sth gradually in stages over a period of time:\nSubsidies to farmers will be phased out by the year 2 000.


Words: PhD
Meaning:
(also Ph.D. especially in AmE)  noun\nthe abbreviation for ’Doctor of Philosophy’ (a university degree of a very high level that is given to sb who has done research in a particular subject):\nto be / have / do a PhD * (BrE) Anne Thomas PhD


Words: pheasant
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural pheasants or pheasant) a large bird with a long tail, the male of which is brightly coloured. People sometimes shoot pheasants for sport or food. Meat from this bird is also called pheasant: (BrE) to shoot pheasant * (AmE) to hunt pheasant * roast pheasant


Words: phenol
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (chemistry) a poisonous white chemical compound. When dissolved in water it is used as an ANTISEPTIC and DISINFECTANT, usually called CARBOLIC


Words: phenom
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE, informal) a person or thing that is very successful or impressive \nSYN PHENOMENON:\nthe 17-year-old basketball phenom


Words: phenomenal
Meaning:
adjective\nvery great or impressive:\nThe product has been a phenomenal success. * The company has seen phenomenal growth. * The response to the appeal has been phenomenal.


Words: phenomenally
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in a very great or impressive way:\nThis product has been phenomenally successful\n  2  extremely; very:\nphenomenally bad weather


Words: phenomenology
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the branch of philosophy that deals with what you see, hear, feel, etc. in contrast to what may actually be real or true about the world\n    phenomenological  adjective:\na phenomenological approach to language


Words: phenomenon
Meaning:
1  a fact or an event in nature or society, especially one that is not fully understood:\ncultural / natural / social phenomena * Terrorism is a phenomenon of the 20th century. * Early retirement is a relatively new phenomenon in Britain.\n  2  (plural phenomenons in AmE) a person or thing that is very successful or impressive


Words: pheromone
Meaning:
noun\n(biology) a substance produced by an animal as a chemical signal, to attract another animal of the same SPECIES


Words: phew
Meaning:
(BrE) exclamation\na sound that people make to show that they are hot, tired, or happy that something bad has finished or did not happen:\nPhew, it’s hot in here! * Phew, I’m glad that’s all over.\ncompare WHEW


Words: Phi Beta Kappa
Meaning:
noun\n(in the US) a society for college and university students who are very successful in their studies


Words: philanderer
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned, disapproving) a man who has sexual relationships with many different women:\nHe had a reputation as a philanderer.


Words: philandering
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (old-fashioned, disapproving) (of a man) the fact of having sexual relationships with many different women\nSYN WOMANIZING\n    philandering adjective [only before noun]:\na philandering husband


Words: philanthropist
Meaning:
noun\na rich person who helps the poor and those in need, especially by giving money:\nHe was a wealthy businessman and philanthropist. * The trust was set up by an American philanthropist.


Words: philanthropy
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the practice of helping the poor and those in need, especially by giving money:\nHospitals were built as a result of private philanthropy and government intervention.\n    philanthropic  adjective:\nphilanthropic work * philanthropic societies / organizations (= that help people in need)\n    philanthropically  adverb


Words: philharmonic
Meaning:
adjective\nused in the names of orchestras, music societies, etc:\nthe Berlin Philharmonic (Orchestra)


Words: philistine
Meaning:
noun\n(disapproving) a person who does not like or understand art, literature, music, etc:\nIn artistic matters he’s a complete philistine * She dismissed critics of her work as philistines.\n    philistine adjective:\nphilistine attitudes\n    philistinism  noun [U]:\nthe philistinism of the tabloid press


Words: philology
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the scientific study of the development of language or of a particular language\n    philological  adjective


Words: philosopher
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who studies or writes about philosophy:\nthe Greek philosopher Aristotle\n  2  a person who thinks deeply about things:\nHe seems to be a bit of a philosopher.


Words: philosophical
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  connected with philosophy:\nthe philosophical writings of Kant * philosophic debate / discussion / enquiry\n  2  ~ (about sth) (approving) having a calm attitude towards a difficult or disappointing situation:\nHe was philosophical about losing and said that he’d be back next year to try again.\n    philosophically  adverb:\nThis kind of evidence is philosophically unconvincing. * She took the bad news philosophically.


Words: philosophize
Meaning:
(BrE also philosophise)  verb\n[V] ~ (about / on sth) to talk about sth in a serious way, especially when other people think this is boring:\nHe spent the evening philosophizing on the meaning of life.\n    philosophizing, philosophising noun [U]


Words: philosophy
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the study of nature and meaning of the universe and of human life:\nmoral philosophy * the philosophy of science * a professor of philosophy * a degree in philosophy\n  2  [C] a particular set or system of beliefs resulting from the search for knowledge about life and the universe:\nthe philosophy of Jung * the development of different philosophies\n  3  [C] a set of beliefs or an attitude to life that guides sb’s behaviour:\nHer philosophy of life is to take every opportunity that presents itself.


Words: phlegm
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the thick yellowish-green substance that forms in the nose and throat, especially when you have a cold\n  2  (written) the ability to remain calm in a situation that is difficult or upsetting:\nPhlegm and perseverance carried them through many troubles.


Words: phlox
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a tall garden plant with groups of white, blue or red flowers with a sweet smell\n  2  a low, spreading plant with small white, blue or pink flowers


Words: phobia
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a strong unreasonable fear or hatred of sth:\nHe has a phobia about flying. * One of the symptoms of the disease is water phobia.\n  2  (-phobia) (in nouns) a strong unreasonable fear or hatred of a particular thing:\nclaustrophobia * xenophobia\ncompare -PHILIA


Words: phobic
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who has a strong unreasonable fear or hatred of sth:\ncat phobics\n  2  (-phobic) (in adjectives) having a strong unreasonable fear or hatred of a particular thing:\nclaustrophobic * xenophobic\n    phobic adjective:\nphobic anxiety


Words: phoenix
Meaning:
noun\n(in stories) a magic bird that lives for several hundred years before burning itself and then being born again from its ashes:\nto rise like a phoenix from the ashes (= to be powerful or successful again)


Words: phone
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n (also telephone)\n \n  1  [U, C] a system for talking to sb else over long distances using wires or radio; a machine used for this:\nI have to make a phone call. * The phone rang and Pat answered it. * They like to do business by phone / over the phone. * a phone bill\nsee also CAR PHONE, CELLULAR PHONE, ENTRYPHONE, MOBILE PHONE, PAYPHONE\n \n  2  (also telephone) [C] the part of the telephone that you hold in your hand and speak into:\nto pick up the phone * to put the phone down * He left the phone off the hook as he didn’t want to be disturbed.\nsee also ANSWERPHONE\n \n  3  (-phone) (in nouns) an instrument that uses or makes sound:\ndictaphone * xylophone\n  4  (-phone) (in adjectives and nouns) speaking a particular language; a person who does this:\nanglophone * francophone\n IDIOMS \n  be on the phone\n1 to be using the telephone:\nHe’s been on the phone to Kate for more than an hour.\n2 (BrE) to have a telephone in your home or place of work:\nThey’re not on the phone at the holiday cottage.\n    verb (especially BrE) (BrE also phone up) to make a telephone call to sb: [V] I was just phoning up for a chat. * He phoned to invite me out for dinner. * Someone phone for an ambulance! * Could you phone back later? * He phoned home, but there was no reply. * I’m phoning about your ad in the paper. * [VN] Don’t forget to phone New York. * For reservations, phone 0171 281 3964. * Phone them up and find out when they are coming.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  phone in (especially BrE)\n1 to make a telephone call to the place where you work:\n[+ADJ] Three people have phoned in sick already this morning.\n2 to make a telephone call to a radio or television station:\nListeners are invited to phone in with their comments.\nrelated noun PHONE-IN\n  phone sth<->in (especially BrE) to make a telephone call to the place where you work in order to give sb some information:\nI need you to phone the story in before five.\n______________________________\n BRITISH / AMERICAN \nphone / call / ring\nVerbs\nIn BrE, to phone, to ring and to call are the usual ways of saying to telephone. In AmE the most common word is call, but phone is also used. Speakers of AmE do not say ring. Telephone is very formal and is used mainly in BrE.\nNouns\nYou can use call or phone call (more formal) in both BrE and AmE: Were there any phone calls for me? * How do I make a local call? The idiom give sb a call is also common: I’ll give you a call tonight. In informal BrE you could also say: I’ll give you a ring tonight.\n______________________________


Words: phone booth
Meaning:
(also telephone booth) noun\na place that is partly enclosed, containing a public telephone, in a hotel, restaurant, in the street, etc.


Words: phone box
Meaning:
(also telephone box, telephone kiosk, call box) (all BrE) noun\na small unit that is completely enclosed, containing a public telephone, in the street, at a station, etc:\nWhen the car broke down, I walked to the nearest phone box to call the garage.


Words: phone-in
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE call-in) noun\na radio or television programme in which people can telephone and make comments or ask questions about a particular subject:\na phone-in / call-in show * ’Any Answers’ is a weekly phone-in on Radio 4.


Words: phoneme
Meaning:
noun\n(phonetics) any one of the set of smallest units of speech in a language that distinguish one word from another. In English, the ’s’ in ’sip’ and the ’z’ in ’zip’ represent two different phonemes.\n    phonemic  adjective


Words: phonetic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  using special symbols to represent each different speech sound:\nthe International Phonetic Alphabet * a phonetic symbol / transcription\n  2  (of a spelling or spelling system) that closely matches the sounds represented:\nSpanish spelling is phonetic, unlike English spelling.\n  3  connected with the sounds of human speech\n    phonetically  adverb


Words: phoney
Meaning:
(also phony especially in AmE)  adjective, noun \n    adjective (phonier, phoniest) (informal, disapproving) not real or true; false, and trying to deceive people:\nShe spoke with a phoney Russian accent.\n    noun (plural phoneys or phonies) (formal) a person who is not honest or sincere; a thing that is not real or true


Words: phoney war
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (BrE) a period of time when two groups are officially at war but not actually fighting


Words: phonic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (technical) relating to sound; relating to sounds made in speech\n  2  (-phonic) (in adjectives) connected with an instrument that uses or makes sound:\ntelephonic


Words: phono-
Meaning:
(also phon-) combining form\n(in nouns, adjectives and adverbs) connected with sound or sounds:\nphonetic


Words: phonology
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (linguistics) the speech sounds of a particular language; the study of these sounds\n    phonological  adjective:\nphonological analysis\n    phonologist  noun


Words: phosphate
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (chemistry) any salt or compound containing phosphorus, used in industry or for helping plants to grow:\nphosphate-free washing powder * the use of nitrates and phosphates to fertilize the soil


Words: phosphorescent
Meaning:
adjective (technical)\n  1  producing a faint light in the dark\ncompare FLUORESCENT\n  2  producing light without heat or with so little heat that it cannot be felt\n    phosphorescence  noun [U]


Words: phosphorus
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (Symbol P) a chemical element found in several different forms, including as a poisonous, pale yellow substance that shines in the dark and starts to burn as soon as it is placed in air


Words: photo
Meaning:
noun\n(plural photos ) = PHOTOGRAPH:\na colour / black-and-white / passport photo * I’ll take a photo of you.\n \n HELP NOTE  The usual phrase in AmE is take a picture.


Words: photo booth
Meaning:
noun\na small enclosed structure where you can put money in a machine and get a photograph of yourself in a few minutes


Words: photo call
Meaning:
noun\na time that is arranged in advance when photographers or television cameras are invited to take pictures of a famous person


Words: photo finish
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] the end of a race in which the leading runners or horses are so close together that only a photograph of them passing the finishing line can show which is the winner


Words: photo opportunity
Meaning:
noun\nan occasion when a famous person arranges to be photographed doing sth that will impress the public:\nShe stayed away from the funeral not wanting to turn it into a photo opportunity.


Words: photo session
Meaning:
(also photo shoot) noun\nan occasion when a photographer takes pictures of a famous person, fashion model, etc. for use in a magazine, etc.


Words: photo-
Meaning:
combining form (in nouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs)\n  1  connected with light:\nphotosynthesis\n  2  connected with photography:\nphotogenic


Words: Photo-Fit
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a picture of a person who is wanted by the police, made by putting together photographs of different features of faces from information that is given by sb who has seen the person\ncompare E-FIT, IDENTIKIT


Words: photocopier
Meaning:
(also copier especially in AmE) noun\na machine that makes copies of documents, etc. by photographing them


Words: photocopy
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (also copy) (plural photocopies) a photographic copy of a document, etc:\nMake as many photocopies as you need.\n    verb (photocopies, photocopying, photocopied, photocopied) (especially BrE copy)\n  1  to make a photocopy of sth:\n[VN] a photocopied letter * Can you get these photocopied for me by 5 o’clock? * [V] I seem to have spent most of the day photocopying.\n  2  [V] ~ well / badly (of printed material) to produce a good/bad photocopy:\nThe comments in pencil haven’t photocopied very well.


Words: photoelectric cell
Meaning:
(also photocell) noun\nan electric device that uses a beam of light. When the beam is broken it shows that sb/sth is present, and can be used to control ALARMS, machinery, etc.


Words: photograph
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n (also photo) a picture that is made by using a camera that has a film sensitive to light inside it:\naerial / satellite photographs * colour photographs * His photograph appeared in the local paper. * Please enclose a recent passport-sized photograph of yourself. * I spent the day taking photographs of the city.\n \n HELP NOTE  The usual phrase in AmE is take pictures.\n    verb\n  1  to take a photograph of sb/sth:\n[VN] He has photographed some of the world’s most beautiful women. * a beautifully photographed book (= with good photographs in it) * [VN-ADJ] She refused to be photographed nude. * [VN -ing] They were photographed playing with their children.\n  2  [V] ~ well, badly, etc. to look or not look attractive in photographs:\nSome people just don’t photograph well.


Words: photographer
Meaning:
noun\na person who takes photographs, especially as a job:\na wildlife / fashion / portrait photographer


Words: photographic
Meaning:
adjective\nconnected with photographs or photography:\nphotographic equipment / film / images * They produced a photographic record of the event. * His paintings are almost photographic in detail. * Some passages stood out in her mind with photographic clarity.\n    photographically  adverb


Words: photographic memory
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] the ability to remember things accurately and in great detail after seeing them


Words: photography
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the art, process or job of taking photographs or filming sth:\ncolour / flash / aerial photography * fashion photography by David Burn * Her hobbies include hiking and photography. * the director of photography (= the person who is in charge of the actual filming of a film / movie, programme, etc.) * Did you see the film about Antarctica? The photography was superb!


Words: photosensitive
Meaning:
adjective\nreacting to light, for example by changing colour or producing an electrical signal:\na photosensitive device


Words: photosynthesis
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (biology) the process by which green plants turn CARBON DIOXIDE and water into food using energy from sunlight


Words: phrasal verb
Meaning:
noun\n(grammar) a verb combined with an adverb or a preposition, or sometimes both, to give a new meaning, for example go in for, win over and see to


Words: phrase
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  (grammar) a group of words without a FINITE verb, especially one that forms part of a sentence. ’the green car’ and ’on Friday morning’ are phrases.\nsee also NOUN PHRASE\n  2  a group of words which have a particular meaning when used together:\na memorable / famous phrase * She was, in her own favourite phrase, ’a woman without a past’.\nsee also CATCHPHRASE\n  3  (music) a short series of notes that form a unit within a longer passage in a piece of music\n IDIOMS  see COIN v., TURN n.\n    verb\n  1  [VN] ~ sth (as sth) to say or write sth in a particular way:\na carefully phrased remark * I agree with what he says, but I’d have phrased it differently. * Her order was phrased as a suggestion. * She phrased the explanation in very simple terms.\n  2  [V, VN] to divide a piece of music into small groups of notes; to play or sing these in a particular way, especially in an effective way


Words: phrase book
Meaning:
noun\na book containing lists of common expressions translated into another language, especially for people visiting a foreign country


Words: phraseology
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) the particular way in which words and phrases are arranged when saying or writing sth:\nlegal / German phraseology * Simple phraseology throughout makes the work easily accessible.


Words: phrasing
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the words used to express sth:\nThe phrasing of the report is ambiguous.\n  2  (music) the way in which a musician or singer divides a piece of music into phrases by pausing in suitable places


Words: phrenology
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the study of the shape of the human head, which some people think is a guide to a person’s character\n    phrenologist  noun


Words: phylum
Meaning:
noun\n(plural phyla ) (biology) a group into which animals, plants, etc. are divided, smaller than a KINGDOM and larger than a CLASS\ncompare GENUS


Words: physical
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  the body\n  1  [usually before noun] connected with a person’s body rather than their mind:\nphysical fitness / strength / disabilities * physical appearance / beauty * The ordeal has affected both her mental and physical health. * He tends to avoid all physical contact. * The centre offers activities for everyone, whatever your age or physical condition.\n  real things\n  2  [only before noun] connected with things that actually exist or are present and can be seen, felt, etc. rather than things that only exist in a person’s mind:\nthe physical world / universe / environment * the physical properties (= the colour, weight, shape, etc.) of copper * She was intimidated by his physical presence. * Is there any physical evidence to suggest that a crime has been committed?\n  nature / science\n  3  [only before noun] according to the laws of nature:\nIt is a physical impossibility to be in two places at once. * There does not seem to be any physical explanation for what they saw.\n  4  [only before noun] connected with the scientific study of forces such as heat, light, sound, etc. and how they affect objects:\nphysical chemistry / laws\n  sex\n  5  involving sex:\nphysical love * They are having a physical relationship. * The attraction between them is purely physical.\n  person\n  6  (informal) (of a person) liking to touch other people a lot:\nShe’s not very physical.\n  violent\n  7  (informal) violent (used to avoid saying this in a direct way):\nAre you going to cooperate or do we have to get physical?\n    noun (also physical examination) a medical examination of a person’s body, for example, to check that they are fit enough to do a particular job


Words: physical geography
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the scientific study of the natural features on the surface of the earth, for example mountains and rivers\n  2  the way in which the natural features of a place are arranged:\nthe physical geography of Scotland


Words: physical science
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (also the physical sciences [pl.]) the areas of science concerned with studying natural forces and things that are not alive, for example physics and chemistry\ncompare LIFE SCIENCES


Words: physicality
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) the quality of being physical rather than emotional or spiritual:\nI was struck by the sheer physicality of his piano playing.


Words: physically
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in a way that is connected with a person’s body rather than their mind:\nmentally and physically handicapped * physically and emotionally exhausted * I felt physically sick before the exam. * I don’t find him physically attractive. * They were physically prevented from entering the building. * a physically demanding job * Try to be as physically active as possible. * Physically, she hadn’t changed much.\n  2  according to the laws of nature or what is probable:\nIt’s physically impossible to finish by the end of the week.


Words: physician
Meaning:
noun\n(formal, especially AmE) a doctor, especially one who is a specialist in general medicine and not SURGERY\ncompare SURGEON\n HELP NOTE  This word is now old-fashioned in BrE. Doctor or GP is used instead.


Words: physics
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the scientific study of forces such as heat, light, sound, etc., of relationships between them, and how they affect objects:\na degree in physics * particle / nuclear / theoretical physics * the laws of physics * a school physics department * to study the physics of the electron\nsee also ASTROPHYSICS, GEOPHYSICS


Words: physio-
Meaning:
combining form (in nouns, adjectives and adverbs)\n  1  connected with nature\n  2  connected with PHYSIOLOGY


Words: physiology
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the scientific study of the normal functions of living things:\nthe department of anatomy and physiology\n  2  [U, sing.] the way in which a particular living thing functions:\nplant physiology * the physiology of the horse\n    physiological  adjective:\nthe physiological effect of space travel * physiological research\n    physiologically  adverb


Words: physiotherapist
Meaning:
(also informal physio) (both BrE) (AmE physical therapist) noun\na person whose job is to give patients physiotherapy


Words: physiotherapy
Meaning:
(also informal physio) (both BrE) (AmE physical therapy) noun\n[U] the treatment of disease, injury or weakness in the joints or muscles by exercises, MASSAGE and the use of light and heat


Words: physique
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the size and shape of a person’s body:\nHe has the physique of a rugby player. * a good / strong / youthful physique * She doesn’t have the physique to be a dancer.


Words: pi
Meaning:
noun\n(geometry) the symbol {pi} used to show the RATIO of the CIRCUMFERENCE of (= distance around) a circle to its DIAMETER (= distance across), that is about 3.14159


Words: pianissimo
Meaning:
adverb\n(abbreviation pp) (music) played or sung very quietly\nOPP FORTISSIMO\n    pianissimo adjective


Words: pianist
Meaning:
noun\na person who plays the piano:\na concert / jazz pianist * an accomplished / a talented pianist


Words: piano
Meaning:
noun, adverb \n    noun ) a large musical instrument played by pressing the black and white keys on the keyboard. The sound is produced by small hammers hitting the metal strings inside the piano:\nto play the piano * playing jazz on the piano * piano music * a piano teacher / lesson * Ravel’s piano concerto in G * a sonata for violin and piano * Alison Evans provided piano accompaniment.\nsee also GRAND PIANO, UPRIGHT PIANO\n    adverb  (abbreviation p) (music) played or sung quietly\nOPP FORTE\n    piano adjective


Words: picaresque
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) connected with literature that describes the adventures of a person who is sometimes dishonest but easy to like:\na picaresque novel


Words: piccolo
Meaning:
noun\n(plural piccolos) a musical instrument of the WOODWIND group, like a small FLUTE that plays high notes


Words: pick
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to choose sb/sth from a group of people or things:\n[VN] Pick a number from one to twenty. * She picked the best cake for herself. * He picked his words carefully. * Have I picked a bad time to talk to you? * [VN to inf] He has been picked to play in this week’s game.\nsee also HAND-PICKED\n  2  [VN] to take flowers, fruit, etc. from the plant or the tree where they are growing:\nto pick grapes / cotton * flowers freshly picked from the garden * to go blackberry picking\n  3  to pull or remove sth or small pieces of sth from sth else, especially with your fingers: [VN, +adv./prep.] She picked bits of fluff from his sweater. * He picked the nuts off the top of the cake. * [VN] to pick your nose (= put your finger inside your nose to remove dried MUCUS) * to pick your teeth (= use a small sharp piece of wood to remove pieces of food from your teeth) * [VN-ADJ] The dogs picked the bones clean (= ate all the meat from the bones).\n  4  [V, VN] (AmE) = PLUCK (3)\n IDIOMS \n  pick and choose to choose only those things that you like or want very much:\nYou have to take any job you can get-you can’t pick and choose.\n  pick sb’s brains (informal) to ask sb a lot of questions about sth because they know more about the subject than you do\n  pick a fight / quarrel (with sb) to deliberately start a fight or an argument with sb:\nHe had drunk too much and was ready to pick a fight with anyone who crossed his path.\n  pick holes in sth to find the weak points in sth such as a plan, suggestion, etc:\nIt was easy to pick holes in his arguments.\n  pick a lock to open a lock without a key, using sth such as a piece of wire:\nThe burglars must have picked the lock on the back door.\n  pick sb’s pocket to steal sth from sb’s pocket without them noticing:\nThe back pocket on a pair of jeans is the easiest one to pick.\nrelated noun PICKPOCKET\n  pick up the bill, tab, etc. (for sth) (informal) to pay for sth:\nThe company picked up the tab for his hotel room. * The government will continue to pick up college fees for some students.\n  pick up the pieces to return or to help sb return to a normal situation, particularly after a shock or a disaster:\nYou cannot live your children’s lives for them; you can only be there to pick up the pieces when things go wrong.\n  pick up speed to go faster:\nThe train began to pick up speed.\n  pick up the threads to return to an earlier situation or way of life after an interruption\n  pick your way (across, along, among, over, through sth) to walk carefully, choosing the safest, driest, etc. place to put your feet:\nShe picked her way delicately over the rough ground.\n  pick a winner\n1 to choose a horse, etc. that you think is most likely to win a race\n2 (informal) to make a very good choice\nmore at BONE n., PIECE n., SHRED n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pick at sth\n1 to eat food slowly, taking small amounts or bites because you are not hungry:\nShe sat at the table in silence, picking at her dinner.\n2 to pull or touch sth several times:\nHe tried to undo the knot by picking at it with his fingers.\n  pick sb<->off (informal) to aim carefully at a person, an animal or an aircraft, especially one of a group, and then shoot them:\nSnipers were picking off innocent civilians.\n  pick sth<->off to remove sth from sth such as a tree, a plant, etc:\nPick off all the dead leaves.\n  pick on sb/sth\n1 to treat sb unfairly, by blaming, criticizing or punishing them:\nShe was picked on by the other girls because of her size.\n2 to choose sb/sth:\nHe picked on two of her statements which he said were untrue.\n  pick sb/sth<->out\n1 to choose sb/sth carefully from a group of people or things:\nShe was picked out from dozens of applicants for the job. * He picked out the ripest peach for me.\n2 to recognize sb/sth from among other people or things:\nSee if you can pick me out in this photo. * We couldn’t pick out any familiar landmarks.\n  pick sth<->out\n1 to play a tune on a musical instrument slowly without using written music:\nHe picked out the tune on the piano with one finger.\n2 to discover or recognize sth after careful study:\nRead the play again and pick out the major themes.\n3 to make sth easy to see or hear:\na sign painted cream, with the lettering picked out in black * The car lights picked out a cat running across the road.\n  pick sth<->over | pick through sth to examine a group of things carefully, especially to choose the ones you want:\nPick over the lentils and remove any little stones. * I picked over the facts of the case.\n  pick up\n1 to get better, stronger, etc.; to improve:\nTrade usually picks up in the spring. * The wind is picking up now. * Sales have picked up 14% this year.\nrelated noun PICKUP\n2 (informal) to start again; to continue:\nLet’s pick up where we left off yesterday.\n3 (informal, especially AmE) to put things away and make things neat, especially for sb else:\nAll I seem to do is cook, wash and pick up after the kids.\n  pick sb<->up\n1 to go somewhere in your car and collect sb who is waiting for you\nSYN COLLECT:\nI’ll pick you up at five.\n2 to allow sb to get into your vehicle and take them somewhere:\nThe bus picks up passengers outside the airport.\n3 to rescue sb from the sea or from a dangerous place, especially one that is difficult to reach:\nA lifeboat picked up survivors. * The stranded climbers were picked up by a rescue helicopter.\n4 (informal, often disapproving) to start talking to sb you do not know because you want to have a sexual relationship with them:\nHe goes to clubs to pick up girls.\nrelated noun PICKUP\n5 (informal) (of the police) to arrest sb:\nHe was picked up by police and taken to the station for questioning.\n6 to make sb feel better:\nTry this-it will pick you up.\nrelated noun PICK-ME-UP\n  pick sb/sth<->up\n1 to take hold of sb/sth and lift them/it up:\nShe went over to the crying child and picked her up. * He picked up the phone and dialled the number.\n2 to receive an electronic signal, sound or picture:\nWe were able to pick up the BBC World Service. * The survivors were rescued after their sounds were picked up by a television crew’s microphone.\n  pick sth<->up\n1 to get information or a skill by chance rather than by making a deliberate effort:\nto pick up bad habits * Here’s a tip I picked up from my mother. * She picked up Spanish when she was living in Mexico. * Where did you pick up that idea?\n2 to identify or recognize sth:\nScientists can now pick up early signs of the disease.\n3 to collect sth from a place:\nI picked up my coat from the cleaners.\nrelated noun PICKUP\n4 to buy sth, especially cheaply or by chance:\nWe managed to pick up a few bargains at the auction.\n5 to get or obtain sth:\nI seem to have picked up a terrible cold from somewhere. * I picked up ｣30 in tips today.\n6 to find and follow a route:\nto pick up the scent / trail of an animal * We can pick up the motorway in a few miles.\n7 to return to an earlier subject or situation in order to continue it:\nHe picks up this theme again in later chapters of the book. * She left the band in 1994 to pick up her career as a solo performer.\n8 to notice sth that is not very obvious; to see sth that you are looking for:\nI picked up the faint sound of a car in the distance.\n9 (especially AmE) to put things away neatly:\nWill you pick up all your toys?\n10 (AmE) to put things away and make a room neat:\nto pick up a room / an apartment\n  pick up on sth\n1 to notice sth and perhaps react to it:\nShe failed to pick up on the humour in his remark.\n2 to return to a point that has already been mentioned or discussed:\nIf I could just pick up on a question you raised earlier.\n  pick sb up on sth to mention sth that sb has said or done that you think is wrong:\nI knew he would pick me up on that slip sooner or later.\n  pick yourself up to stand up again after you have fallen:\nHe just picked himself up and went on running. * (figurative) She didn’t waste time feeling sorry for herself-she just picked herself up and carried on.\n    noun\n  1  [sing.] an act of choosing sth:\nTake your pick (= choose). * The winner gets first pick of the prizes.\n  2  [sing.] (especially AmE) a person or thing that is chosen:\nShe was his pick for best actress.\n  3  [sing.] the ~ of sth the best thing or things in a group:\nWe’re reviewing the pick of this month’s new books. * I think we got the pick of the bunch (= the best in the group).\n  4  = PICKAXE:\npicks and shovels\nsee also ICE PICK, TOOTHPICK


Words: pick-and-mix
Meaning:
adjective\n(BrE) used to describe a way of putting sth together by choosing things from among a large variety of different items:\na pick-and-mix programme of study


Words: pick-me-up
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) something that makes you feel better, happier, healthier, etc., especially medicine or an alcoholic drink:\nUse the facial scrub when your skin needs an extra pick-me-up. * (figurative) This deal would offer the best possible pick-me-up to the town’s ailing economy.


Words: pick-your-own
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (of fruit or vegetables) picked by the customer on the farm where they are grown:\npick-your-own strawberries


Words: pickaxe
Meaning:
(AmE also pickax)  (also pick) noun\na large heavy tool that has a curved metal bar with sharp ends fixed at the centre to a wooden handle. It is used for breaking rocks or hard ground.


Words: picket
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a person or group of people who stand outside the entrance to a building in order to protest about sth, especially in order to stop people from entering a factory, etc. during a strike; an occasion at which this happens:\nFive pickets were arrested by police. * I was on picket duty at the time. * We are organizing a mass picket of the abortion clinic.\nsee also FLYING PICKET, PICKETER\n  2  a soldier or group of soldiers guarding a military base\n  3  a piece of wood that is pointed at the bottom so that it can be fixed in the ground, especially as part of a fence:\na picket fence\n    verb to stand outside somewhere such as your place of work to protest about sth or to try and persuade people to join a strike: [VN] 200 workers were picketing the factory. * [V] Striking workers picketed outside the gates.


Words: picketing
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the activity of standing outside the entrance to a building in order to protest about sth and stop people from entering the building:\nmass picketing of the factory


Words: pickings
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] something, especially money, that can be obtained from a particular situation in an easy or a dishonest way:\neasy / slim pickings * There are rich pickings to be had by investing in this sort of company. * The strike affecting the country’s largest airline is producing easy pickings for smaller companies.


Words: pickle
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C, usually pl.] (BrE) a vegetable that has been preserved in VINEGAR or salt water and has a strong flavour, served cold with meat, salads, etc.\n  2  [U] (BrE) a cold thick spicy sauce made from fruit and vegetables that have been boiled, often sold in JARS and served with meat, cheese, etc.\n  3  [U, C] (AmE) = GHERKIN\n IDIOMS \n  in a pickle (informal) in a difficult or unpleasant situation\n    verb [VN] to preserve food in VINEGAR or salt water


Words: pickled
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of food) preserved in VINEGAR:\npickled cabbage / herring / onions\n  2  (old-fashioned, informal) drunk:\nHe was completely pickled.


Words: pickup
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also pickup truck) [C] a motor vehicle with low sides and no roof at the back used, for example, by farmers\n  2  [C] a person sb meets for the first time, for example in a bar, with whom they start a sexual relationship:\ncasual pickups\n  3  [C] ~ (in sth) an improvement:\na pickup in the housing market\n  4  [U, C] an occasion when sb/sth is collected:\nGoods are delivered not later than noon on the day after pickup.\n  5  [C] the part of a record player or musical instrument that changes electrical signals into sound, or sound into electrical signals\n  6  [U] (AmE) a vehicle’s ability to ACCELERATE (= increase in speed)


Words: picky
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal) (of a person) liking only particular things and difficult to please:\na picky eater * She’s very picky about her clothes.


Words: picnic
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  an occasion when people pack a meal and take it to eat outdoors, especially in the countryside:\nIt’s a nice day. Let’s go for a picnic.\n \n  2  the meal, usually consisting of sandwiches, salad and fruit, etc. that you take with you when you go on a picnic:\nLet’s eat our picnic by the lake. * a picnic lunch / supper / basket\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  be no picnic (informal) to be difficult and cause a lot of problems:\nBringing up a family when you’re unemployed is no picnic.\n    verb (-ck-) [V] to have a picnic:\nNo picnicking allowed (= on a sign)


Words: picnicker
Meaning:
noun\na person who is having a picnic:\nPicnickers are requested not to leave litter (for example, on a notice).


Words: pictogram
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a picture representing a word or phrase\n  2  a diagram that uses pictures to represent amounts or numbers of a particular thing


Words: pictorial
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  using or containing pictures:\na pictorial account / record of the expedition * a pictorial encyclopedia\n  2  connected with pictures:\npictorial traditions\n    pictorially  adverb


Words: picture
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  painting / drawing\n \n  1  [C] a painting or drawing, etc. that shows a scene, a person or a thing:\nA picture of flowers hung on the wall. * The children were drawing pictures of their pets. * She wanted a famous artist to paint her picture (= a picture of herself). * a book with lots of pictures in it\n \n  photograph\n \n  2  [C] a photograph:\nWe had our picture taken in front of the hotel. * The picture shows the couple together on their yacht. * Have you got any pictures of your trip?\n \n  on tv\n \n  3  [C] an image on a television screen:\nharrowing television pictures of the famine * satellite pictures * The picture isn’t very clear tonight.\n  description\n  4  [C, usually sing.] a description that gives you an idea in your mind of what sth is like:\nThe writer paints a gloomy picture of the economy. * The police are trying to build up a picture of what happened. * From newspaper reports a picture emerges of a country barely under control. * The TV report painted a much rosier picture of the employment situation than research shows to be the case.\n  mental image\n  5  [C, usually sing.] a mental image or memory of sth:\nI have a vivid picture of my grandfather smiling down at me when I was very small.\n  general situation\n  6  (the picture) [sing.] the general situation concerning sb/sth:\nJust a few years ago the picture was very different. * The overall picture for farming is encouraging.\n  movies\n  7  [C] a film/movie:\nThe movie won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture. * (especially AmE) I believe her husband’s in pictures (= he acts in movies or works in the industry).\nsee also MOTION PICTURE\n  8  (the pictures) [pl.] (old-fashioned, informal) the cinema/the movies:\nShall we go to the pictures tonight?\n IDIOMS \n  be / look a picture to look very beautiful or special:\nThe garden looks a picture in the summer.\n  be the picture of health / guilt / misery, etc. (informal) to look extremely healthy, guilty, etc.\n  get the picture (spoken) to understand a situation, especially one that sb is describing to you:\n’I pretended that I hadn’t heard.’ ’I get the picture.’\n  in / out of the picture (informal) involved/not involved in a situation:\nMorris is likely to win, with Jones out of the picture now.\n  put / keep sb in the picture (informal) to give sb the information they need in order to understand a situation:\nJust to put you in the picture-there have been a number of changes here recently.\nmore at BIG adj., PAINT v., PRETTY adj.\n    verb\n  imagine\n  1  ~ sb (as sth) to imagine sb/sth; to create an image of sb/sth in your mind:\n[VN] I can still picture the house I grew up in. * We found it hard to picture him as the father of teenage sons. * [VN -ing] When he did not come home she pictured him lying dead on the roadside somewhere. * [V wh-] I tried to picture what it would be like to live alone.\n  describe\n  2  [VN] [often passive] ~ sb/sth as sth to describe or present sb/sth in a particular way\nSYN PORTRAY:\nBefore the trial Liz had been pictured as a frail woman dominated by her husband.\n  show in photograph\n  3  [usually passive] to show sb/sth in a photograph or picture:\n[VN] She is pictured here with her parents. * [VN -ing] The team is pictured setting off on their European tour. [also VN-ADJ]


Words: picture rail
Meaning:
noun\na narrow strip of wood attached to the walls of a room below the ceiling and used for hanging pictures from


Words: picture-perfect
Meaning:
adjective\n(AmE) exactly right in appearance or in the way things are done:\nHer wedding day was picture-perfect. * The White House has worked for years to produce picture-perfect events to frame the president as the nation’s leader.


Words: picturesque
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a place, building, scene, etc.) pretty, especially in a way that looks old-fashioned:\na picturesque cottage / setting / village\n  2  (of language) producing strong mental images by using unusual words:\na picturesque description of life at sea\n    picturesquely adverb:\nThe inn is picturesquely situated on the banks of the river.


Words: piddling
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (informal, disapproving) small and unimportant:\nI spent all day doing piddling little jobs.


Words: pidgin
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a simple form of a language, especially English, Portuguese or Dutch, with a limited number of words, that are used together with words from a local language. It is used when people who do not speak the same language need to talk to each other.\n  2  (Pidgin) = TOK PISIN\n  3  ~ English, French, Japanese, etc. a way of speaking a language that uses simple words and forms, used when a person does not speak the language well, or when he or she is talking to sb who does not speak the language well:\nI tried to get my message across in my pidgin Italian.


Words: pie
Meaning:
noun [C, U]\n \n  1  fruit baked in a dish with pastry on the bottom, sides and top:\na slice of apple pie * Help yourself to some more pie. * a pie dish\n \n  2  (especially BrE) meat, vegetables, etc. baked in a dish with pastry on the bottom, sides and top:\na steak and kidney pie\nsee also MINCE PIE, PORK PIE, SHEPHERD’S PIE\nsee also CUSTARD PIE\n \n IDIOMS \n  a piece / slice / share of the pie (AmE) a share of sth such as money, profits, etc.\n  pie in the sky (informal) an event that sb talks about that seems very unlikely to happen:\nThis talk of moving to Australia is all just pie in the sky.\nmore at AMERICAN adj., EASY adj., EAT, FINGER n., NICE


Words: pie chart
Meaning:
noun\na diagram consisting of a circle that is divided into sections to show the size of particular amounts in relation to the whole


Words: piece
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  separate amount\n \n  1  [C] ~ (of sth) (used especially with of and uncountable nouns) an amount of sth that has been cut or separated from the rest of it; a standard amount of sth:\na piece of string / wood * She wrote something on a small piece of paper. * a large piece of land * a piece of cake / cheese / meat * He cut the pizza into bite-sized pieces. * I’ve got a piece of grit in my eye.\n \n  part\n \n  2  [C, usually pl.] one of the bits or parts that sth breaks into:\nThere were tiny pieces of glass all over the road. * The boat had been smashed to pieces on the rocks. * The vase lay in pieces on the floor.\n \n  3  [C] one of the parts that sth is made of:\nHe took the clock to pieces. * a missing piece of the puzzle * The bridge was taken down piece by piece. * a 500 piece jigsaw\nsee also ONE-PIECE, TWO-PIECE, THREE-PIECE\n  single item\n  4  [C] (used especially with of and uncountable nouns) a single item of a particular type, especially one that forms part of a set:\na piece of clothing / furniture / luggage * a piece of equipment / machinery * a 28-piece dinner service\n  5  [C] ~ of sth used with many uncountable nouns to describe a single example or an amount of sth:\na piece of advice / information / news * an interesting piece of research * Isn’t that a piece of luck?\n  6  [C] ~ (of sth) a single item of writing, art, music, etc. that sb has produced or created:\na piece of art / music / poetry * They performed pieces by Bach and Handel. * (formal) They have some beautiful pieces (= works of art, etc.) in their home.\nsee also MASTERPIECE, MUSEUM PIECE, PARTY PIECE, PERIOD PIECE, SHOWPIECE\n  news article\n  7  [C] an article in a newspaper or magazine or a broadcast on television or radio:\nDid you see her piece about the Internet in the paper today?\nsee also SET PIECE\n  coin\n  8  [C] a coin of the value mentioned:\na 50p piece * a five-cent piece\n  in chess, etc.\n  9  [C] one of the small figures or objects that you move around in games such as CHESS\n  share of sth\n  10  [sing.] ~ of sth (especially AmE) a part or share of sth:\ncompanies seeking a piece of the market\n  gun\n  11  [C] (AmE, slang) a gun\n HELP NOTE  You will find other compounds ending in piece at their place in the alphabet.\n IDIOMS \n  fall to pieces\n1 (usually used in the progressive tenses) (of things) to become very old and in bad condition because of long use:\nOur car is falling to pieces, we’ve had it so long.\n2 (of a person, an organization, a plan, etc.) to stop working; to be destroyed:\nHe’s worried the business will fall to pieces without him.\n  give sb a piece of your mind (informal) to tell sb that you disapprove of their behaviour or are angry with them\n  go to pieces (informal) (of a person) to be so upset or afraid that you cannot manage to live or work normally:\nAfter his wife died he just went to pieces.\n  (all) in one piece (informal) safe; not damaged or hurt, especially after a journey or dangerous experience:\nThey were lucky to get home in one piece.\n  (all) of a piece (formal)\n1 all the same or similar:\nThe houses are all of a piece.\n2 all at the same time:\nThe house was built all of a piece in 1754.\n  pick / pull / tear sb/sth to pieces / shreds (informal) to criticize sb, or their work or ideas, very severely\n  a piece of cake (informal) a thing that is very easy to do\n  a piece of piss (BrE, !!!, slang) a thing that is very easy to do\nmore at ACTION, BIT, LONG adj., NASTY, PICK v., PIE, SAY v., VILLAIN\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  piece sth<->together\n1 to understand a story, situation, etc. by taking all the facts and details about it and putting them together:\nPolice are trying to piece together the last hours of her life. * The account of their journey has been pieced together from personal letters and diaries.\n2 to put all the separate parts of sth together to make a complete whole:\nto piece together a jigsaw * She tried to piece together the cheque which he had just torn up.\n______________________________\n VOCABULARY BUILDING \npieces\nIf you want to talk about a small amount or one example of something that is normally an uncountable noun, there is a range of words you can use. You must choose the right one to go with the substance you are talking about.\nPiece and (BrE, informal) bit are very general words and can be used with most uncountable nouns: a piece of paper / wood / string / cake / fruit / meat / work / research / advice * a bit of paper / work / chocolate / luck.\nA slice is a thin flat piece: a slice of bread / cake / salami / cheese / pie /apple * (figurative) a slice of life.\nA chunk is a thick, solid piece: a chunk of cheese / bread / rock * a chunk of land (= a fairly large piece).\nA lump is a piece of something solid without any particular shape: a lump of coal / rock / mud.\nA fragment is a very small piece of something that is broken or damaged: fragments of glass * (figurative) fragments of conversation. It can also be used with countable nouns to mean a small part of something: a fragment of the story.\nA speck is a tiny piece of powder: a speck of dust / dirt. You can also say: a speck of light.\nDrop is used with liquids: a drop of water / rain / blood / milk / whisky.\nA pinch is as much as you can hold between your finger and thumb: a pinch of salt / cinnamon.\nA portion is enough for one person: a portion of chicken / fish and chips. It can also be used with some countable nouns to mean a part of something.\n______________________________


Words: piece de resistance
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] (plural pieces de resistance ) (from French, written) the most important or impressive part of a group or series of things:\nOf all the events, the piece de resistance will be a gala night at the King’s Hall.


Words: piece rate
Meaning:
noun\nan amount of money paid for each thing or amount of sth that a worker produces:\nSlow workers on piece rates simply took home less pay.


Words: piecemeal
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (often disapproving) done or happening gradually at different times and often in different ways, rather than carefully planned at the beginning:\na piecemeal approach to dealing with the problem * piecemeal changes / reforms * Alterations have been carried out on a piecemeal basis.\n    piecemeal adverb:\nThe reforms were implemented piecemeal. * The companies were broken up and sold off piecemeal over several years.


Words: pied-a-terre
Meaning:
noun\n(plural pieds-a-terre apartment, usually in a town, that you do not live in as your main home but keep for use when necessary:\nThey live in Scotland but have a pied-a-terre in London.


Words: pier
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a long structure built in the sea and joined to the land at one end, often with places of entertainment on it:\nAfter lunch, the family went for a walk along the pier. * Blackpool pier\n \n  2  a long low structure built in a lake, river or the sea and joined to the land at one end, used by boats to allow passengers to get on and off:\nThe river bus leaves from Pier 4.\n \n  3  (technical) a large strong piece of wood, metal or stone that is used to support a roof, wall, bridge, etc.


Words: pierce
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ (through) sth to make a small hole in sth, or to go through sth, with a sharp object:\n[VN] The arrow pierced his shoulder. * He pierced another hole in his belt with his knife. * to have your ears / nose pierced (= to have a small hole made in your ears / nose so that you can wear jewellery there) * (figurative) She was pierced to the heart with guilt. * [V] The knife pierced through his coat.\n  2  ~ (through) sth (literary) (of light, sound, etc.) to be suddenly seen or heard:\n[VN] Sirens pierced the silence of the night. * Shafts of sunlight pierced the heavy mist. [also V]\n  3  ~ (through) sth to force a way through a barrier:\n[VN] They failed to pierce the Liverpool defence. [also V]


Words: piercing
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] (of eyes or the way they look at sb) seeming to notice things about another person that would not normally be noticed, especially in a way that makes that person feel anxious or embarrassed:\nShe looked at me with piercing blue eyes. * a piercing look / gaze\n  2  [usually before noun] (of sounds) very high, loud and unpleasant:\na piercing shriek / scream / whistle * She has such a piercing voice.\n  3  [only before noun] (of feelings) affecting you very strongly, especially in a way that causes you pain:\npiercing sadness / fear / nostalgia\n  4  (of the wind or cold) very strong and feeling as if it can pass through your clothes and skin\n  5  [only before noun] sharp and able to make a hole in sth:\nThe belly of the animal is covered in long piercing spikes.\n    piercingly adverb:\nHis eyes were piercingly blue. * The weather remained piercingly cold.


Words: piety
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the state of having or showing a deep respect for sb/sth, especially for God and religion; the state of being PIOUS\nOPP IMPIETY


Words: pig
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  (also hog especially in AmE) an animal with pink, black or brown skin, short legs, a broad nose and a short curly tail. Pigs are kept on farms for their meat (called PORK) or live in the wild:\na pig farmer * Pigs were grunting and squealing in the yard.\nsee also BOAR, SOW, PIGLET, SWINE, GUINEA PIG\n \n  2  (informal, disapproving) an unpleasant or offensive person; a person who is dirty or GREEDY:\nArrogant pig! * Don’t be such a pig! * The greedy pig’s eaten all the biscuits! * She made a pig of herself with the ice cream (= ate too much). * He’s a real male chauvinist pig (= a man who does not think women are equal to men).\n \n  3  (slang) an offensive word for a police officer\n \n IDIOMS \n  make a pig’s ear (out) of sth (BrE, informal) to do sth badly; to make a MESS of sth\n  (buy) a pig in a poke if you buy a pig in a poke, you buy sth without seeing it or knowing if it is satisfactory:\nBuying from a catalogue can mean buying a pig in a poke.\n  a pig of a sth (BrE, informal) a difficult or unpleasant thing or task:\nI’ve had a pig of a day.\n  pig / piggy in the middle\n1 a children’s game where two people throw a ball to each other over the head of another person who tries to catch it\n2 a person who is caught between two people or groups who are fighting or arguing\n  pigs might fly (BrE) (AmE when pigs fly) (ironic, saying) used to show that you do not believe sth will ever happen:\n’With a bit of luck, we’ll be finished by the end of the year.’ ’Yes, and pigs might fly!’\n    verb (-gg-) [VN] ~ sth | ~ yourself (on sth) (BrE, informal) to eat too much of sth:\nI had a whole box of chocolates and pigged the lot! * Don’t give me cakes-I’ll just pig myself.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pig out (on sth) (informal) to eat too much food:\nThey pigged out on pizza.


Words: pig-headed
Meaning:
adjective\nunwilling to change your opinion about sth, in a way that other people think is annoying and unreasonable:\nWhy are you being so pig-headed about this?\n    pig-headedness noun [U]


Words: pigeon
Meaning:
noun\na fat grey and white bird with short legs. Pigeons are common in cities and also live in woods and fields where people shoot them for sport or food:\nthe sound of pigeons cooing\ncompare DOVE\nsee also CARRIER PIGEON, CLAY PIGEON, HOMING PIGEON, WOOD PIGEON\n IDIOMS \n  be sb’s pigeon (old-fashioned, BrE) to be sb’s responsibility or business\nmore at CAT


Words: pigeon-hole
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun one of a set of small boxes that are fixed on a wall and open at the front, used for putting letters, messages, etc. in; one of a similar set of boxes that are part of a desk, used for keeping papers, documents, etc. in:\nIf you can’t come, leave a note in my pigeon-hole.\n    verb\n  1  [VN] ~ sb (as sth) to decide that sb belongs to a particular group or type without thinking deeply enough about it and considering what other qualities they might have\nSYN CATEGORIZE, LABEL:\nHe has been pigeon-holed as a youth writer.\n  2  [VN] to decide to deal with sth later or to forget it:\nPlans to build a new school have been pigeon-holed.


Words: piggy
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (plural piggies) a child’s word for a pig\n IDIOMS  see PIG IN THE MIDDLE\n    adjective [only before noun] (informal, disapproving) (of a person’s eyes) like those of a pig


Words: piggy bank
Meaning:
noun\na container in the shape of a pig, with a narrow opening in the top for putting coins in, used by children to save money\ncompare MONEY BOX


Words: piggyback
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a ride on sb’s back, while he or she is walking:\nGive me a piggyback, Daddy! * a piggyback ride\n    piggyback adverb:\nto ride piggyback\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  piggyback on sb/sth to use sth that already exists as a support for your own work; to use a larger organization, etc. for your own advantage


Words: pigment
Meaning:
noun [U, C]\n  1  a substance that exists naturally in people, animals and plants and gives their skin, leaves, etc. a particular colour:\nHaemoglobin is the red pigment found in blood.\n  2  a coloured powder that is mixed with a liquid to produce paint, etc:\nThe wool is coloured using only natural pigment dyes.


Words: pigmentation
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the presence of pigments in skin, hair, leaves, etc. that causes them to be a particular colour:\nThe dark pigmentation of the skin gives protection in hot climates.


Words: pigskin
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] leather made from the skin of a pig:\na pigskin suitcase\n  2  [sing.] (AmE, informal) the ball used in American football


Words: pigsty
Meaning:
1  [C] a small building or an enclosed area where pigs are kept\n  2  [sing.] (informal) a very dirty or untidy place:\nHonestly, this room’s a pigsty!


Words: pigtail
Meaning:
(BrE) (also braid AmE, BrE) noun\nhair that is tied together into one or two bunches and twisted into a PLAIT or PLAITS, worn either at the back of the head or one on each side of the head:\nShe wore her hair in pigtails.\ncompare PONYTAIL


Words: pike
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (plural pike) a large FRESHWATER fish with very sharp teeth\n  2  a weapon with a sharp blade on a long wooden handle, used in the past by soldiers on foot\n  3  (AmE) = TURNPIKE\n  4  (dialect) a pointed top of a hill in N England:\nthe Langdale Pikes\n IDIOMS \n  come down the pike (AmE, informal) to happen; to become noticeable:\nWe’re hearing a lot about new inventions coming down the pike.


Words: pile
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun-see also PILES\n  1  [C] a number of things that have been placed on top of each other:\na pile of books / clothes / bricks * He arranged the documents in neat piles. * She looked in horror at the mounting pile of letters on her desk.\n  2  [C] a mass of sth that is high in the middle and wider at the bottom than at the top:\na pile of sand * piles of dirty washing\n  3  [C] ~ of sth (formal) a lot of sth:\nI have got piles of work to do. * He walked out leaving a pile of debts behind him.\n  4  [U, sing.] the short threads, pieces of wool, etc. that form the soft surface of carpets and some fabrics such as VELVET:\na deep-pile carpet * Corduroy is the poor man’s velvet; its pile is made of cotton rather than silk or satin.\n  5  [C] a large wooden, metal or stone post that is fixed into the ground and used to support a building, bridge etc.\n  6  [C] (formal or humorous) a large impressive building:\na Victorian pile built to house the mentally ill * the ancestral pile\n IDIOMS \n  (at the) bottom / top of the pile in the least/most important position in a group of people or things:\nIt’s been 20 years since a British player was top of the pile.\n  make a / your pile (informal) to make a lot of money:\nThe family made its pile from oil. * I bet they made an absolute pile out of the deal.\n    verb\n  1  [VN] ~ sth (up) to put things one on top of another; to form a pile:\nShe piled the boxes one on top of the other. * The clothes were piled high on the chair. * Snow was piled up against the door.\n  2  [VN +adv./prep.] ~ A in(to) / on(to) B | ~ B with A to put sth on/into sth; to load sth with sth:\nThe sofa was piled high with cushions. * She piled everything into her suitcase. * He piled as much food as he could onto his plate. * He piled his plate with as much food as he could.\nsee also STOCKPILE\n  3  [V +adv./prep.] (informal) (of a number of people) to go somewhere quickly without order or control:\nThe coach finally arrived and we all piled on. * Children were piling out of the school bus.\n IDIOMS \n  pile on the agony / gloom (informal, especially BrE) to make an unpleasant situation worse:\nBosses piled on the agony with threats of more job losses.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pile on (especially of a person’s weight) to increase quickly:\nThe weight just piled on while I was abroad.\n  pile sth<->on\n1 to make sth increase rapidly:\nThe team piled on the points in the first half of the game. * I’ve been piling on the pounds (= I have put on weight) recently.\n2 to express a feeling in a much stronger way than is necessary:\nDon’t pile on the drama! * Things aren’t really that bad-she does tend to pile it on.\n3 to give sb more or too much of sth:\nThe German team piled on the pressure in the last 15 minutes.\n  pile sth on(to) sb to give sb a lot of sth to do, carry, etc:\nHe felt his boss was piling too much work on him.\n  pile up to become larger in quantity or amount:\nWork always piles up at the end of the year. * Problems were beginning to pile up.


Words: pile-up
Meaning:
noun\na road accident involving several vehicles crashing into each other:\nThree people died in a multiple pile-up in freezing fog.


Words: piledriver
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE, informal) a very heavy kick or blow\n  2  a machine for forcing heavy posts into the ground


Words: pilfer
Meaning:
verb\n~ (sth) (from sb/sth) to steal things of little value or in small quantities, especially from the place where you work:\n[V] He was caught pilfering. * [VN] She regularly pilfered stamps and stationery from work.\n    pilferage  noun [U] (formal):\npilferage of goods\n    pilfering noun [U]:\nWe know that pilfering goes on.


Words: pilgrim
Meaning:
noun\na person who travels to a holy place for religious reasons:\nMuslim pilgrims on their way to Mecca * Christian pilgrims visiting Lourdes


Words: pilgrimage
Meaning:
noun [C, U]\n  1  a journey to a holy place for religious reasons:\nto go on / make a pilgrimage\n  2  a journey to a place that is connected with sb/sth that you admire or respect:\nHis grave has become a place of pilgrimage.


Words: pill
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a small flat round piece of medicine that you swallow without chewing it:\na vitamin pill * Take three pills daily after meals. * (informal) pill-popping (= the act of taking too many pills or using illegal drugs)\nsee also PEP PILL, SLEEPING PILL\n \n  2  (the pill or the Pill) [sing.] a pill that some women take to prevent them becoming pregnant:\nthe contraceptive pill * to be / go on the pill\nsee also MORNING-AFTER PILL\n \n  3  [C] (AmE) an annoying person\n IDIOMS \n  sugar / sweeten the pill to do sth that makes an unpleasant situation seem less unpleasant\nSYN SUGAR-COAT\nmore at BITTER adj.\n    verb [V] (of a piece of clothing, especially one made of wool) to become covered in very small balls of FIBRE


Words: pillage
Meaning:
verb\nto steal things from a place or region, especially in a war, using violence:\n[V] The rebels went looting and pillaging. * [VN] The town had been pillaged and burned. * Works of art were pillaged from churches and museums.\n    pillage noun [U] (formal):\nThey brought back horrific accounts of murder and pillage.\ncompare LOOT, PLUNDER


Words: pillar
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a large round stone, metal or wooden post that is used to support a bridge, the roof of a building, etc., especially when it is also decorative:\nTwo white marble pillars stood on either side of the entrance.\n \n  2  a large round stone, metal or wooden post that is built to remind people of a famous person or event\nSYN COLUMN\n \n  3  ~ of sth a mass of sth that is shaped like pillar:\na pillar of smoke / rock\n \n  4  ~ of sth a strong supporter of sth; an important member of sth:\na pillar of the Church * a pillar of society\n  5  ~ of sth a person who has a lot of a particular quality:\nShe is a pillar of strength in a crisis.\n  6  a basic part or feature of a system, organization, belief, etc:\nthe central pillar of this theory * Education and investment are the twin pillars on which a successful economy is built.\n IDIOMS \n  be driven, pushed, etc. from pillar to post to be forced to go from one person or situation to another without achieving anything:\nMorale is very low. People have just had enough of being thrown from pillar to post.


Words: pillar box
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned, BrE) a tall red metal box in the street, used for putting letters in which are being sent by post\ncompare LETTER BOX, POSTBOX


Words: pillared
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (of a building or part of a building) having PILLARS:\nan imposing pillared entrance


Words: pillion
Meaning:
noun\na seat for a passenger behind the driver of a motorcycle:\na pillion passenger / seat\n    pillion adverb:\nto ride pillion


Words: pillory
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (pillories, pillorying, pilloried, pilloried) [VN] [often passive] (written) to criticize sb strongly in public:\nHe was regularly pilloried by the press for his radical ideas.\n    noun (plural pillories) a wooden frame, with holes for the head and hands, which people were locked into in the past as a punishment\ncompare STOCKS (9)


Words: pillow
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a square or RECTANGULAR piece of fabric filled with soft material, used to rest your head on in bed:\nShe lay back against the pillows. * pillow talk (= conversations in bed between lovers) * He lay back on the grass using his backpack as a pillow. * The nurse plumped up the pillows. * a pillow fight (= a game in which people hit each other with pillows)\n \n  2  (AmE) = CUSHION\n    verb [VN] (literary) to rest sth, especially your head, on an object:\nShe lay on the grass, her head pillowed on her arms.


Words: pilot
Meaning:
noun, verb, adjective \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a person who operates the controls of an aircraft, especially as a job:\nan airline pilot * a fighter pilot * The accident was caused by pilot error.\nsee also AUTOMATIC PILOT, AUTOPILOT, CO-PILOT, TEST PILOT\n \n  2  a person with special knowledge of a difficult area of water, for example, a canal, the entrance to a harbour, etc., whose job is to guide ships through it\n \n  3  a single television programme that is made in order to find out whether people will like it and want to watch further programmes\n \n  4  = PILOT LIGHT\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to fly an aircraft or guide a ship; to act as a pilot:\nThe plane was piloted by the instructor. * The captain piloted the boat into a mooring.\n  2  ~ sth (through sth) to guide sb/sth somewhere, especially through a complicated place or system:\nShe piloted a bill on the rights of part-time workers through parliament.\n  3  to test a new product, idea, etc. with a few people or in a small area before it is introduced everywhere\n    adjective [only before noun] done on a small scale in order to see if sth is successful enough to do on a large scale:\na pilot project / study / survey * a pilot episode (= of a radio or television series)


Words: pilot light
Meaning:
(also pilot) noun\na small flame that burns all the time, for example on a gas BOILER, and lights a larger flame when the gas is turned on


Words: pimp
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a man who controls prostitutes and lives on the money that they earn\n    verb [V] ~ (for sb) to get customers for a prostitute


Words: pimple
Meaning:
noun\na small raised spot on the skin:\na pimple on her chin\ncompare SPOT\nsee also GOOSE PIMPLES\n    pimply  adjective:\npimply skin * a pimply youth


Words: PIN
Meaning:
(also PIN number) noun\nthe abbreviation for ’personal identification number’ (a number given to you, for example by a bank so that you can use a plastic card to take out money from a cash machine)


Words: pin
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  for fastening / joining\n \n  1  a short thin piece of stiff wire with a sharp point at one end and a round head at the other, used especially for fastening together pieces of fabric when sewing\nsee also BOBBY PIN, DRAWING PIN, HAIRPIN, LINCHPIN, PINS AND NEEDLES, SAFETY PIN\n \n  jewellery\n \n  2  a short thin piece of stiff wire with a sharp point at one end and an item of decoration at the other, worn as jewellery:\na diamond pin\nsee also TIEPIN\n \n  3  (especially AmE) = BROOCH\n  badge\n  4  (especially AmE) a type of BADGE that is fastened with a pin at the back:\nHe supports the group and wears its pin on his lapel.\n  medical\n  5  a piece of steel used to support a bone in your body when it has been broken:\nThe pin in her spine will have to be changed as she grows.\n  electrical\n  6  one of the metal parts that stick out of an electric PLUG and fit into a SOCKET:\na 2-pin plug\n  in games\n  7  a wooden or plastic object that is shaped like a bottle and that players try to knock down in games such as BOWLING\nsee also NINEPINS, TENPIN\n  in golf\n  8  a stick with a flag on top of it, placed in a hole so that players can see where they are aiming for:\nThe ball stopped five feet short of the pin.\nsee also LINCHPIN\n  legs\n  9  (pins) [pl.] (informal) a person’s legs:\nHe’s not as quick on his pins as he used to be.\n  on small bomb\n  10  a small piece of metal on a HAND GRENADE that stops it from exploding and is pulled out just before the HAND GRENADE is thrown\n IDIOMS \n  for two pins (old-fashioned, BrE) used to say that you would like to do sth, even though you know that it would not be sensible:\nI’d kill him for two pins. * For two pins I’d tell her what I really think of her.\nmore at HEAR\n    verb (-nn-) [VN +adv./prep.]\n  fasten / join\n  1  to attach sth onto another thing or fasten things together with a pin, etc:\nShe pinned the badge onto her jacket. * A message had been pinned to the notice board. * Pin all the pieces of material together. * She always wears her hair pinned back.\n  prevent movement\n  2  to make sb unable to move by holding them or pressing them against sth:\nThey pinned him against a wall and stole his wallet. * He grabbed her arms and pinned them to her sides. * They found him pinned under the wreckage of the car.\n IDIOMS \n  pin (all) your hopes on sb/sth | pin your faith on sb/sth to rely on sb/sth completely for success or help:\nThe company is pinning its hopes on the new project.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pin sb<->down\n1 to make sb unable to move by holding them firmly:\nTwo men pinned him down until the police arrived.\n2 to find sb and make them answer a question or tell you sth you need to know:\nI need the up-to-date sales figures but I can never pin him down at the office.\n  pin sb<->down (to sth / doing sth) to make sb make a decision or say clearly what they think or what they intend to do:\nIt’s difficult to pin her down to fixing a date for a meeting.\n  pin sth<->down to explain or understand sth exactly:\nThe cause of the disease is difficult to pin down precisely.\n  pin sth on sb to make sb be blamed for sth, especially for sth they did not do:\nNo one would admit responsibility. They all tried to pin the blame on someone else. * You can’t pin this one on me-I wasn’t even there!


Words: pin money
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a small amount of money that you earn, especially when this is used to buy things that you want rather than things that you need:\nShe earns a little pin money doing ironing for other people.


Words: pin-up
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a picture of an attractive person, especially one who is not wearing many clothes, that is put on a wall for people to look at:\nPin-ups have been banned from the factory.\n  2  a person who appears in a pin-up


Words: pinafore
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also informal pinny) (both BrE) a loose piece of clothing without sleeves, worn over the front of your clothes to keep them clean, for example when cooking\ncompare APRON\n  2  (also pinafore dress) (both especially BrE) (AmE usually jumper) a loose dress with no sleeves, usually worn over a shirt or BLOUSE


Words: pinball
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a game played on a pinball machine, in which the player sends a small metal ball up a sloping board and scores points as it bounces off objects. The player tries to prevent the ball from reaching the bottom of the machine by pressing two buttons at the side.


Words: pince-nez
Meaning:
noun\n(plural pince-nez) (from French) a pair of glasses, worn in the past, with a spring that fits on the nose, instead of parts at the sides that fit over the ears


Words: pincer
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (pincers) [pl.] a tool made of two crossed pieces of metal, used for holding things firmly and pulling things, for example nails out of wood:\na pair of pincers\n \n  2  [C] one of a pair of curved CLAWS of some types of shellfish:\nCrabs normally catch food with their pincers.


Words: pincer movement
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] a military attack in which an army attacks the enemy from two sides at the same time


Words: pinch
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  with thumb and finger\n \n  1  [VN] to take a piece of sb’s skin between your thumb and first finger and squeeze hard, especially to hurt the person:\nMy sister’s always pinching me and it really hurts. * He pinched the baby’s cheek playfully. * (figurative) She had to pinch herself to make sure she was not dreaming.\n \n  2  [VN] to hold sth tightly between the thumb and finger or between two things that are pressed together:\nPinch the nostrils together between your thumb and finger to stop the bleeding. * a pinched nerve in the neck\n \n  of a shoe\n \n  3  if sth such as a shoe pinches part of your body, it hurts you because it is too tight:\n[V] These new shoes pinch. [also VN]\n  steal\n  4  [VN] ~ sth (from sb/sth) (BrE, informal) to steal sth, especially sth small and not very valuable:\nKids have been pinching our apples again. * Who’s pinched my pen?\n  cost too much\n  5  [VN] to cost a person or an organization a lot of money or more than they can spend:\nHigher interest rates are already pinching the housing industry.\n  arrest\n  6  [VN] (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) to arrest sb:\nI was pinched for dangerous driving.\n IDIOMS \n  pinch pennies (informal) to try to spend as little money as possible\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pinch sth<->off / out to remove sth by pressing your fingers together and pulling:\nPinch off the dead flowers.\n    noun\n  with thumb and finger\n  1  an act of squeezing a part of sb’s skin tightly between your thumb and finger, especially in order to hurt them:\nShe gave him a pinch on the arm to wake him up.\n  small amount\n  2  the amount of sth that you can hold between your finger and thumb:\na pinch of salt\n IDIOMS \n  at a pinch (BrE) (AmE in a pinch) used to say that sth could be done or used in a particular situation if it is really necessary:\nWe can get six people round this table at a pinch. * The recipe is for beef, but at a pinch you could use chicken.\n  take sth with a pinch of salt to be careful about believing that sth is completely true:\nIf I were you, I’d take everything he says with a pinch of salt.\nmore at FEEL v.


Words: pinch-hit
Meaning:
verb [V] (AmE)\n  1  (in baseball) to hit the ball for another player\n  2  ~ (for sb) (informal) to do sth for sb else who is suddenly unable to do it


Words: pinched
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a person’s face) pale and thin, especially because of illness, cold or worry:\nHis features were greyish and pinched.


Words: pine
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C, U] (also pine tree) a tall forest tree with leaves like needles. Pine trees are EVERGREEN and grow in cool northern countries:\npine forests * pine needles * a Scots pine\n \n  2  (also pinewood) [U] the pale soft wood of the pine tree, used in making furniture, etc:\na pine table\n    verb [V] to become very sad because sb has died or gone away:\nShe pined for months after he’d gone.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pine away to become very sick and weak because you miss sb/sth very much:\nAfter his wife died, he just pined away.\n  pine for sb/sth to want or miss sb/sth very much:\nShe was pining for the mountains of her native country.


Words: pine marten
Meaning:
noun\na small wild animal with a long body, short legs and sharp teeth. Pine martens live in forests and eat smaller animals.


Words: pineapple
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a large tropical fruit with thick rough skin, sweet yellow flesh with a lot of juice and stiff leaves on top:\nfresh pineapple * a tin of pineapple chunks * pineapple juice


Words: ping
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a short high sound made when a hard object hits sth that is made of metal or glass:\nThe bell went ping and the doors opened. * The old cash register opened with a ping.\n    verb\n  1  [V, VN] to make a short, high ringing sound; to make sth produce this sound\n  2  [V] (AmE) = PINK


Words: pinion
Meaning:
verb\n[VN +adv./prep.] to hold or tie sb, especially by their arms, so that they cannot move:\nHis arms were pinioned to his sides. * They were pinioned against the wall.


Words: pink
Meaning:
adjective, noun, verb \n    adjective\n  1  pale red in colour:\npale pink roses * She went bright pink with embarrassment. * The sun was now just a pink glow in the evening sky.\n  2  [only before noun] connected with HOMOSEXUAL people:\nthe pink pound / dollar (= money spent by HOMOSEXUALS as an influence in the economy)\n  3  (politics) (informal, disapproving) having or showing slightly LEFT-WING political views:\npale pink politics\ncompare RED adj.\n    pinkness noun [U]\n IDIOMS  see TICKLE v.\n    noun\n  1  [U, C] a pale red colour:\nShe was dressed in pink at the wedding. * The bedroom was decorated in pale pinks.\n  2  [C] a garden plant with pink, red or white flowers that have a sweet smell\n IDIOMS \n  in the pink (old-fashioned, informal) in good health\n    verb (BrE) (AmE ping) [V] (of a car engine) to make knocking sounds because the fuel is not burning correctly


Words: pink gin
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] an alcoholic drink made from GIN mixed with ANGOSTURA that gives it a bitter flavour\n  2  [C] a glass of pink gin


Words: pink slip
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE, informal) a letter given to sb to say that they must leave their job:\nAbout 40% of the department’s 78 engineers received pink slips.


Words: pink-collar
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (especially AmE) connected with low-paid jobs done mainly by women, for example in offices and restaurants:\npink-collar workers\ncompare BLUE-COLLAR, WHITE-COLLAR


Words: pinkie
Meaning:
(also pinky)  noun\n(AmE, ScotE) the smallest finger of the hand:\na pinkie ring (= worn on the smallest finger)\nSYN LITTLE FINGER


Words: pinko
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (AmE, informal, disapproving) a COMMUNIST or a SOCIALIST\n  2  (BrE, informal, informal) a person who is slightly LEFT-WING in their ideas, but not very\ncompare RED n. (3)\n    pinko adjective


Words: pinnacle
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [usually sing.] ~ of sth the most important or successful part of sth:\nthe pinnacle of her career * He spent more than twenty years at the pinnacle of his profession. * Formula One is the pinnacle of motor racing.\n \n  2  a small pointed stone ornament built on the roof of a building:\nWe could just make out the pinnacles of the cathedral in the distance.\n \n  3  a high pointed piece of rock, especially at the top of a mountain


Words: pinpoint
Meaning:
verb, adjective, noun \n    verb [VN] \n  1  to find and show the exact position of sb/sth or the exact time that sth happened:\nHe was able to pinpoint on the map the site of the medieval village.\n  2  to be able to give the exact reason for sth or to describe sth exactly:\nThe report pinpointed the areas most in need of help.\n    adjective if sth is done with pinpoint accuracy, it is done exactly and in exactly the right position:\nThe pilots bombed strategic targets with pinpoint accuracy.\n    noun a very small area of sth, especially light:\nThe star was little more than a pinpoint in the night sky.


Words: pinprick
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a very small area of sth, especially light:\nHis eyes narrowed to two small pinpricks of black.\n  2  a very small hole in sth, especially one that has been made by a pin:\nThe only mark on her was a pinprick left by the injection.\n  3  something that annoys you even though it is small and unimportant:\nNausea and tiredness were mere pinpricks compared to the emotional pain she was feeling.


Words: pins and needles
Meaning:
noun\n[U] an uncomfortable feeling in a part of your body, caused when a normal flow of blood returns after it has been partly blocked, especially because you have been sitting or lying in an awkward position:\nto have pins and needles\n IDIOMS \n  be on pins and needles (AmE) = BE ON TENTERHOOKS


Words: pinstripe
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] one of the white vertical lines printed on dark fabric that is used especially for making business suits\n \n  2  [U, C] dark fabric with white vertical lines printed on it; a suit made from this cloth:\na tall man in grey pinstripe * Without a pinstripe, you’d be underdressed. * a pinstripe suit\n \n    pinstriped adjective [only before noun]:\na pinstriped suit * a pinstriped official (= who is wearing a pinstriped suit)


Words: pint
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (abbreviation pt) a unit for measuring liquids and some dry goods. There are 8 pints in a GALLON, equal to 0.568 of a litre in the UK and 0.473 of a litre in the US:\na pint of beer / milk * We’d better get a couple of extra pints (= of milk) tomorrow. * Add half a pint of cream.\n \n  2  (BrE) a pint of beer (especially in a pub):\nDo you want to go for a pint later?\n \n IDIOMS  see QUART


Words: pioneer
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  ~ (in / of sth) a person who is the first to study and develop a particular area of knowledge, culture, etc. that other people then continue to develop:\na pioneer in the field of microsurgery * a computer pioneer * a pioneer aviator * a pioneer design (= one that introduces new ideas, methods, etc.)\n  2  one of the first people to go to a particular area in order to live and work there:\nthe pioneer spirit\n    verb [VN] when sb pioneers sth, they are one of the first people to do, discover or use sth new:\na new technique pioneered by surgeons in a London hospital


Words: pioneering
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] introducing ideas and methods that have never been used before:\npioneering work on infant mortality * the pioneering days of radio


Words: pious
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having or showing a deep respect for God and religion:\npious acts\nOPP IMPIOUS\nsee also PIETY\n  2  (disapproving) pretending to be religious, moral or good in order to impress other people:\npious sentiments * He dismissed his critics as pious do-gooders.\n  3  ~ hope something that you want to happen but is unlikely to be achieved:\nSuch reforms seem likely to remain little more than pious hopes.\n    piously adverb:\n’There’s no need for bad language,’ said Edward piously.


Words: pip
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  (especially BrE) (AmE usually seed) the small hard seed that is found in some types of fruit:\nan apple / orange pip\n \n  2  (the pips) [pl.] (old-fashioned, BrE) a series of short high sounds, especially those used when giving the exact time on the radio:\nThe news will follow the pips at six o’clock.\n \n  3  (AmE) one of the dots showing the value on DICE and DOMINOES; one of the marks showing the value and SUIT of a playing card\n    verb (-pp-) [VN] (BrE, informal) to beat sb in a race, competition, etc. by only a small amount or at the last moment:\nShe pipped her rival for the gold medal. * He was pipped at / to the post for the top award.


Words: pipe
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C, U] a tube through which liquids and gases can flow:\nhot and cold water pipes * lead / plastic pipes * a leaking gas pipe * Copper pipe is sold in lengths. * a burst pipe * Insulation may reduce the danger of pipes bursting in winter.\nsee also DRAINPIPE, EXHAUST, WINDPIPE\n \n  2  [C] a narrow tube with a bowl at one end, used for smoking tobacco:\nto smoke a pipe * He puffed on his pipe. * pipe tobacco\n \n  3  [C] a musical instrument in the shape of a tube, played by blowing\nsee also PAN PIPES\n  4  [C] any of the tubes from which sound is produced in an ORGAN\n  5  (pipes) [pl.] = BAGPIPES\n    verb\n  1  [VN] to send water, gas, oil, etc. through a pipe from one place to another:\nto pipe oil across the desert * Water is piped from the reservoir to the city.\n  2  [VN] [usually passive] to send sounds or signals through a wire or cable from one place to another:\nThe speech was piped over a public address system. * piped music\n  3  to play music on a pipe or the BAGPIPES, especially to welcome sb who has arrived:\n[VN] Passengers were piped aboard ship at the start of the cruise. * [V] a prize for piping and drumming\n  4  to speak or sing in a high voice or with a high sound:\n[V] Outside a robin piped. [also V speech]\n  5  [VN] to decorate food, especially a cake, with thin lines of ICING, etc. by squeezing it out of a special bag or tube:\nThe cake had ’Happy Birthday’ piped on it.\n  6  [VN] to decorate the edge of a cushion, a piece of clothing, etc. using thin strips of fabric, especially of a different colour:\na red tunic piped in gold around the collar and cuffs\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pipe down (informal, spoken) used especially in orders, to tell sb to stop talking or to be less noisy\n  pipe up (with sth) (informal) to begin to speak:\nThe person next to me piped up with a silly comment. * [+ speech] ’I know the answer,’ piped up a voice at the back of the room.


Words: pipe-cleaner
Meaning:
noun\na short piece of wire, covered with soft material, used for cleaning inside a pipe (= the kind used for smoking tobacco)


Words: pipeline
Meaning:
noun\na series of pipes that are usually underground and are used for carrying oil, gas, etc. over long distances:\na gas / an oil pipeline\n IDIOMS \n  in the pipeline something that is in the pipeline is being discussed, planned or prepared and will happen or exist soon:\nImportant new laws are already in the pipeline.


Words: pipette
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) a narrow tube used in a LABORATORY for measuring or TRANSFERRING small amounts of liquids


Words: pipework
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the pipes used for carrying oil, gas or water around a machine, building, etc:\nAny exposed pipework should be insulated to prevent it from freezing.


Words: piping
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun [U]\n  1  a pipe or pipes of the type or length mentioned:\nten metres of lead piping\n  2  a folded strip of fabric, often with a length of string inside, used to decorate a piece of clothing, a cushion, etc:\na uniform with gold piping\n  3  lines of cream or ICING/FROSTING as decoration on a cake\n  4  the sound of a pipe or pipes being played:\nWe heard their piping in the distance.\n    adjective (of a person’s voice) high


Words: pipsqueak
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned, informal) a person that you think is unimportant or does not deserve respect because they are small or young


Words: piquancy
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (written) the quality of being piquant:\nThe situation has an added piquancy since the two men are also rivals in love. * The tart flavour of the cranberries adds piquancy.


Words: piquant
Meaning:
adjective (written)\n  1  having a pleasantly strong or spicy taste:\nchicken served with a piquant wild mushroom sauce\n  2  exciting and interesting


Words: pique
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U] (formal) annoyed or bitter feelings that you have, usually because your pride has been hurt:\nWhen he realized nobody was listening to him, he left in a fit of pique. * She’d lied about it out of pique.\n    verb [VN] (formal) to make sb annoyed or upset:\nThe incident piqued his pride.\n    piqued adjective [not before noun]:\nShe couldn’t help feeling a little piqued by his lack of interest.\n IDIOMS \n  pique sb’s interest, curiosity, etc. (especially AmE) to make sb very interested in sth


Words: piracy
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the crime of attacking ships at sea in order to steal from them\n  2  the act of making illegal copies of video tapes, computer programs, books, etc., in order to sell them:\nsoftware piracy\nsee also PIRATE


Words: pirate
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  (especially in the past) a person on a ship who attacks other ships at sea in order to steal from them:\na pirate ship\n  2  (often used as an adjective) a person who makes illegal copies of video tapes, computer programs, books, etc., in order to sell them:\na pirate edition / recording * software pirates\n  3  (often used as an adjective) a person or an organization that broadcasts illegally:\na pirate radio station\nsee also PIRACY\n    piratical  adjective \n    verb [VN] to copy and use or sell sb’s work or a product without permission and without having the right to do so:\npirated computer games / books / videos * Jones was accused of having pirated the scientist’s work.


Words: pirouette
Meaning:
noun\na fast turn or SPIN that a person, especially a ballet dancer, makes on one foot\n    pirouette verb:\n[V] She pirouetted across the stage.


Words: Pisces
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U] the 12th sign of the ZODIAC, the Fishes\n \n  2  [sing.] a person born under the influence of this sign, that is between 20 February and 20 March\n \n    Piscean  noun, adjective


Words: piss
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (!!!, slang) [V] to URINATE\n HELP NOTE  A more polite way of expressing this is ’go to the toilet / loo’ (BrE), ’go to the bathroom’ (AmE) or ’to go’.\n IDIOMS \n  piss yourself (laughing) to laugh very hard\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  piss about / around (BrE) to waste time by behaving in a silly way\n HELP NOTE  A more polite, informal way of saying this is mess about (BrE) or mess around (AmE,BrE).\n  piss sb about / around (BrE) to treat sb in a way that is deliberately not helpful to them or wastes their time:\nThe job centre pissed me around for hours before they finally gave me the right form.\n HELP NOTE  A more polite, informal way of saying this is mess sb about / around (BrE).\n  piss down (BrE) to rain heavily\n  piss off (especially BrE) (usually used in orders) to go away:\nWhy don’t you just piss off and leave me alone?\n  piss sb<->off to make sb annoyed or bored:\nHer attitude really pisses me off. * I’m pissed off with the way they’ve treated me.\n    noun (!!!, slang)\n  1  [U] = URINE\n  2  [sing.] an act of URINATING:\nto go for a piss\n IDIOMS \n  be on the piss (BrE) to be out at a pub, club, etc. and drinking a large amount of alcohol\n  take the piss (out of sb/sth) (BrE) to make fun of sb, especially by copying them or laughing at them for reasons they do not understand\nmore at PIECE n.


Words: piss artist
Meaning:
noun (BrE, !!!, slang)\n  1  a person who drinks too much alcohol\nSYN ALCOHOLIC\n  2  a person who behaves in a stupid way


Words: piss-up
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, !!!, slang) an occasion when a large amount of alcohol is drunk\n HELP NOTE  A more polite, informal word for this is booze-up.


Words: pissed
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (BrE, !!!, slang) drunk\n  2  (AmE, slang) very angry or annoyed\n IDIOMS \n  (as) pissed as a newt (BrE) very drunk


Words: pistachio
Meaning:
noun (plural pistachios)\n  1  (also pistachio nut) [C] the small green nut of an Asian tree\n  2  [U] a pale green colour


Words: piste
Meaning:
noun\na track of firm snow prepared for skiing on:\nHe enjoys skiing off piste (= away from the track). * off-piste snowboarding


Words: pistol
Meaning:
noun\na small gun that you can hold and fire with one hand:\nan automatic pistol * a starting pistol (= used to signal the start of a race)\nsee also WATER PISTOL


Words: piston
Meaning:
noun\na part of an engine that consists of a short CYLINDER that fits inside a tube and moves up and down or backwards and forwards to make other parts of the engine move


Words: pit
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  deep hole\n \n  1  [C] a large deep hole in the ground:\nWe dug a deep pit in the yard. * The body had been dumped in a pit.\n \n  2  [C] (especially in compounds) a deep hole in the ground from which minerals are dug out:\na chalk / gravel pit\n \n  mine\n \n  3  [C] = COAL MINE:\npit closures * (BrE) He went down the pit (= started work as a miner) when he left school.\n  in skin\n  4  a small shallow hole in the surface of sth, especially a mark left on the surface of the skin by some disease, such as CHICKENPOX\nsee also PITTED\n  in fruit\n  5  (especially AmE) = STONE (5):\na peach pit\n  in motor racing\n  6  (the pits) [pl.] (BrE) (AmE the pit [C]) a place near the track where cars can stop for fuel, new tyres, etc. during a race\nsee also PIT STOP\n  in theatre\n  7  = ORCHESTRA PIT\n  part of body\n  8  (AmE, informal) = ARMPIT\n  in business\n  9  (AmE) the area of a STOCK EXCHANGE where a particular product is traded:\nthe corn pit\ncompare FLOOR (6)\nsee also SANDPIT\n IDIOMS \n  be the pits (informal) to be very bad or the worst example of sth\n  the pit of your / the stomach the bottom of the stomach where people say they feel strong feelings, especially fear:\nHe had a sudden sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.\nmore at BOTTOMLESS\n    verb (-tt-) [VN] [usually passive]\n  make holes\n  1  to make marks or holes on the surface of sth:\nThe surface of the moon is pitted with craters. * Smallpox scars had pitted his face.\n  fruit\n  2  = STONE (2):\npitted dates / olives\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pit sb/sth against sth to test sb or their strength, intelligence, etc. in a struggle or contest against sb/sth else:\nLawyers and accountants felt that they were being pitted against each other. * a chance to pit your wits against the world champions (= in a test of your intelligence)


Words: pit bull terrier
Meaning:
(also pit bull) noun\na small strong fierce dog, sometimes used in dog fights where people bet on which dog will win


Words: pit prop
Meaning:
noun\na large piece of wood used to support the roof of part of a coal mine from which coal has been removed


Words: pit stop
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (in motor racing) an occasion when a car stops during a race for more fuel, etc.\n  2  (AmE, informal) a short stop during a long trip for a rest, a meal, etc.


Words: pit-a-pat
Meaning:
(also pitter-patter) adverb\nwith quick light steps or beats:\nHer heart went pit-a-pat.\n    pit-a-pat (also pitter-patter) noun [sing.]:\nI could hear the pit-a-pat of feet in the corridor.


Words: pitch
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  for sport\n \n  1  (BrE) (also field AmE, BrE) [C] an area of ground specially prepared and marked for playing a game such as football:\na football / cricket / rugby pitch * The rugby tour was a disaster both on and off the pitch. * After the game fans invaded the pitch.\n \n  degree / strength\n \n  2  [sing., U] the degree or strength of a feeling or activity; the highest point of sth:\na frenetic pitch of activity * Speculation has reached such a pitch that a decision will have to be made immediately.\n \n  of sound\n \n  3  [sing., U] how high or low a sound is, especially a musical note:\nA basic sense of rhythm and pitch is essential in a music teacher.\nsee also PERFECT PITCH\n  to sell sth\n  4  [C, usually sing.] talk or arguments used by a person trying to sell things or persuade people to do sth:\nan aggressive sales pitch * the candidate’s campaign pitch * Each company was given ten minutes to make its pitch.\n  in baseball\n  5  [C] an act of throwing the ball; the way in which it is thrown\n  black substance\n  6  [U] a black sticky substance made from oil or coal, used on roofs or the wooden boards of a ship to stop water from coming through\n  in street / market\n  7  [C] (BrE) a place in a street or market where sb sells things, or where a street entertainer usually performs\n  of ship / aircraft\n  8  [U] (technical) the movement of a ship up and down in the water or of an aircraft in the air\ncompare ROLL n. (5)\n  of roof\n  9  [sing., U] (technical) the degree to which a roof slopes\n IDIOMS \n  make a pitch for sb/sth | make a pitch to sb (especially AmE) to make a determined effort to get sth or to persuade sb of sth:\nHe made a pitch to black voters in Alabama.\nmore at QUEER v.\n    verb\n  throw\n  1  [VN +adv./prep.] to throw sb/sth in a rough or forceful way:\nThe explosion pitched her violently into the air. * (figurative) The new government has already been pitched into a crisis.\n  in sports\n  2  [V, VN] (in baseball) to throw the ball to the person who is BATTING\n  3  [+adv./prep.] (of the ball in the games of cricket or golf) to hit the ground; to make the ball hit the ground:\n[V] The ball pitched a yard short. [also VN]\n  4  [VN, V] (in golf) to hit the ball in a high curve\n  fall\n  5  [V +adv./prep.] to fall heavily in a particular direction:\nWith a cry she pitched forward.\n  of ship / aircraft\n  6  [V] to move up and down on the water or in the air:\nThe sea was rough and the ship pitched and rolled all night.\ncompare PITCH v. (9)\n  set level\n  7  [VN +adv./prep.] ~ sth (at sth) to set sth at a particular level:\nThey have pitched their prices too high. * The test was pitched at too low a level for the students.\n  try to sell\n  8  [VN] ~ sth (at sb) | ~ sth (as sth) to aim or direct a product or service at a particular group of people:\nThe new software is being pitched at banks. * Orange juice is to be pitched as an athlete’s drink.\n  9  ~ (for sth) to try to persuade sb to buy sth, to give you sth or to make a business deal with you:\n[VN] Representatives went to Japan to pitch the company’s newest products. * [V] We were pitching against a much larger company for the contract.\n  sound / music\n  10  [VN] to produce a sound or piece of music at a particular level:\nYou pitched that note a little flat. * The song was pitched too low for my voice.\nsee also HIGH-PITCHED, LOW-PITCHED\n  tent\n  11  [VN] to set up a tent or a camp for a short time:\nWe could pitch our tent in that field. * They pitched camp for the night near the river.\nsee also PITCHED\n IDIOMS \n  pitch a story / line / yarn (to sb) (informal) to tell sb a story or make an excuse that is not true\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pitch in (with sb/sth) (informal) to join in and help with an activity, by doing some of the work or by giving money, advice, etc:\nEveryone pitched in with the work. * Local companies pitched in with building materials and labour.\n  pitch sth<->in to give a particular amount of money in order to help with sth:\nWe all pitched in $10 to buy her a gift.\n  pitch into sb (informal) to attack or criticize sb:\nShe started pitching into me as soon as I arrived.\n  pitch into sth (informal) to start an activity with enthusiasm:\n[+ -ing] I rolled up my sleeves and pitched into cleaning the kitchen.


Words: pitched battle
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a fight that involves a large number of people:\nThe demonstration escalated into a pitched battle with the police.\n  2  a military battle fought with soldiers arranged in prepared positions


Words: pitcher
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (AmE) = JUG (1):\na pitcher of water / wine\n  2  (BrE) a large clay container with a small opening and one or two handles, used, especially in the past, for holding liquids\n  3  (in baseball) the player who throws the ball to the BATTER


Words: pitchfork
Meaning:
noun\na farm tool in the shape of a large fork with a long handle and two or three sharp metal points, used especially for lifting and moving HAY (= dried grass), etc.


Words: pitfall
Meaning:
noun\na danger or difficulty, especially one that is hidden or not obvious at first:\nthe potential pitfalls of buying a house * Getting professional advice will help you avoid the most obvious pitfalls.


Words: pith
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a soft dry white substance inside the skin of oranges and some other fruits\n  2  the essential or most important part of sth:\nthe pith of her argument


Words: pithy
Meaning:
adjective\n(approving) (of a comment, piece of writing, etc.) short but expressed well and full of meaning:\na pithy observation\n    pithily  adverb:\npithily expressed


Words: pitiable
Meaning:
adjective (formal)\n  1  deserving pity or causing you to feel pity:\nThe refugees were in a pitiable state.\n  2  not deserving respect:\na pitiable lack of talent\n    pitiably  adverb


Words: pitiful
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  deserving or causing you to feel pity:\nThe horse was a pitiful sight (= because it was very thin or sick).\n  2  not deserving respect:\na pitiful effort / excuse / performance\n    pitifully  adverb:\nThe dog was whining pitifully. * She was pitifully thin. * The fee is pitifully low.


Words: pitiless
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  showing no pity; cruel:\na pitiless killer / tyrant\n  2  very harsh or severe, and never ending:\na scorching, pitiless sun\n    pitilessly adverb


Words: piton
Meaning:
noun\na short pointed piece of metal used in rock-climbing. The piton is fixed into the rock and has a rope attached to it through a ring at the other end.


Words: pitta
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE pita)  (also pitta bread, pita bread) noun\n[U, C] a type of flat bread in the shape of an OVAL that can be split open and filled


Words: pittance
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] a very small amount of money that sb receives, for example as a wage, and that is hardly enough to live on:\nto pay sb a pittance * to work for a pittance * She could barely survive on the pittance she received as a pension.


Words: pitted
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having small marks or holes in the surface:\nThe egg is dark brown with a thick, pitted shell.\n  2  (of fruit) having had the stone/pit removed:\npitted olives


Words: pituitary
Meaning:
(also pituitary gland) noun\na small organ at the base of the brain that produces HORMONES that influence growth and sexual development


Words: pity
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U] ~ (for sb/sth) a feeling of sympathy and sadness caused by the suffering and troubles of others:\nI could only feel pity for what they were enduring. * He had no pity for her. * a look / feeling / surge of pity * I took pity on her and lent her the money. * (formal) I beg you to have pity on him. * I don’t want your pity.\n  2  [sing.] a ~ (that ...) | a ~ (to do sth) used to show that you are disappointed about sth:\nIt’s a pity that you can’t stay longer. * ’I’ve lost it!’ ’Oh, what a pity.’ * What a pity that she didn’t tell me earlier. * It seems a pity to waste this food. * This dress is really nice. Pity it’s so expensive. * Oh, that’s a pity. * It would be a great pity if you gave up now.\n IDIOMS \n  more’s the pity (BrE, informal) unfortunately:\n’Was the bicycle insured?’ ’No, more’s the pity!’\n    verb (pities, pitying, pitied, pitied) (not used in the progressive tenses) to feel sorry for sb because of their situation; to feel PITY for sb: [VN] He pitied people who were stuck in dead-end jobs. * Compulsive gamblers are more to be pitied than condemned. * [VN -ing] I pity her having to work such long hours.\n______________________________\n WORD FAMILY \npity n.,  v.\npitiful adj.\npitiless adj.\npitiable adj.\npiteous adj.\n______________________________


Words: pitying
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] showing pity for sb, often in a way that shows that you think you are better than them:\na pitying look / smile\n    pityingly adverb


Words: pivot
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  the central point, pin or column on which sth turns or balances\n  2  the central or most important person or thing:\nWest Africa was the pivot of the cocoa trade. * The pivot on which the old system turned had disappeared.\n    verb [usually +adv./prep.] to turn or balance on a central point (= a pivot); to make sth do this: [V] Windows that pivot from a central point are easy to clean. * She pivoted around and walked out. [also VN] \n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pivot on / around sth (of an argument, a theory, etc.) to depend completely on sth


Words: pivotal
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) of great importance because other things depend on it:\na pivotal role in European affairs * Accountancy, law and economics are pivotal to a successful career in any financial services area.


Words: pixel
Meaning:
noun\n(computing) any of the small individual areas on a computer screen, which together form the whole display


Words: pizza
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] an Italian dish consisting of a flat round bread base with cheese, tomatoes, vegetables, meat, etc. on top:\na ham and mushroom pizza * Is there any pizza left?


Words: pizzazz
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) a lively and exciting quality or style:\nWe need someone with youth, glamour and pizzazz.


Words: pizzicato
Meaning:
adjective, adverb\n(music) played using the fingers instead of a BOW to pull at the strings of a musical instrument such as a violin


Words: placard
Meaning:
noun\na large written or printed notice that is put in a public place or carried on a stick in a march:\nThey were carrying placards and banners demanding that he resign.


Words: placate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to make sb feel less angry about sth\nSYN PACIFY:\na placating smile * The concessions did little to placate the students.


Words: placatory
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) designed to make sb feel less angry by showing that you are willing to satisfy or please them:\na placatory remark / smile / gesture


Words: place
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  position / point / area\n  1  [C] a particular position, point or area:\nIs this the place where it happened? * This would be a good place for a picnic. * I can’t be in two places at once.\n  city / town / building\n  2  [C] a particular city, town, building, etc:\nI can’t remember all the places we visited in Thailand. * I used to live in York and I’m still fond of the place. * The police searched the place. * We were looking for a place to eat. * Let’s get out of this place!\n  3  [C] (especially in compounds or phrases) a building or an area of land used for a particular purpose:\na meeting place * The town has many excellent eating places. * churches and other places of worship * He can usually be contacted at his place of work.\nsee also RESTING PLACE\n  area on surface\n  4  [C] a particular area on a surface, especially on a person’s body:\nHe broke his arm in three places. * The paint was peeling off the wall in places.\n  in book / speech, etc.\n  5  [C] a point in a book, speech, piece of music, etc., especially one that sb has reached at a particular time:\nShe had marked her place with a bookmark. * Excuse me, I seem to have lost my place. * The audience laughed in all the right places. * This is one of the few places in his work where he mentions his childhood.\n  seat\n  6  [C] a position, seat, etc., especially one that is available for or being used by a person or vehicle:\nCome and sit here-I’ve saved you a place. * I don’t want to lose my place in the line. * Would you like to change places with me so you can see better? * I’ve set a place for you at the table.\n  role / importance\n  7  [sing.] ~ (in sth) the role or importance of sb/sth in a particular situation, usually in relation to others:\nHe is assured of his place in history. * Accurate reporting takes second place to lurid detail. * My father believed that people should know their place (= behave according to their social position). * It’s not your place (= your role) to give advice. * Anecdotes have no place in (= are not acceptable in) an academic essay.\n  at university / school\n  8  [C] an opportunity to take part in sth, especially to study at a school or university or on a course:\nShe’s been offered a place at Bath to study Business. * There are very few places left on the course.\n  in sports team\n  9  [C] the position of being a member of a sports team:\nShe has won a place in the Olympic team. * He lost his place in the first team.\n  correct position\n  10  [C] the natural or correct position for sth:\nIs there a place on the form to put your address? * Put it back in its place when you’ve finished with it.\n  safe area\n  11  [C] (usually with a negative) a suitable or safe area for sb to be:\nThese streets are no place for a child to be out alone at night.\n  home\n  12  [sing.] a house or flat/apartment; a person’s home:\nWhat about dinner at my place? * I’m fed up with living with my parents, so I’m looking for a place of my own. * I thought I’d better clean the place up.\n  in race / competition\n  13  [C, usually sing.] a position among the winning competitors in a race or competition:\nHe finished in third place.\n  mathematics\n  14  [C] the position of a figure after a DECIMAL POINT:\nThe number is correct to three decimal places.\n  street / square\n  15  (Place) [sing.] (abbreviation Pl.) used as part of a name for a short street or square:\n66 Portland Place\n IDIOMS \n  all over the place (BrE also all over the shop) (AmE also all over the lot) (informal)\n1 everywhere:\nNew restaurants are appearing all over the place.\n2 not neat or tidy; not well organized:\nYour calculations are all over the place (= completely wrong).\n  change / swap places (with sb) (usually used in negative sentences) to be in sb else’s situation:\nI’m perfectly happy-I wouldn’t change places with anyone.\n  fall / slot into place if sth complicated or difficult to understand falls or slots into place, it becomes organized or clear in your mind:\nThen I found his diary and it all began to fall into place.\n  give place to sb/sth (formal) to be replaced by sb/sth:\nHouses and factories gave place to open fields as the train gathered speed.\n  be going places to be getting more and more successful in your life or career:\na young architect who’s really going places\n  if I was / were in your place used to introduce a piece of advice you are giving to sb:\nIf I were in your place, I’d resign immediately.\n  in the first place used at the end of a sentence to talk about why sth was done or whether it should have been done or not:\nI still don’t understand why you chose that name in the first place. * I should never have taken that job in the first place.\n  in the first, second, etc. place used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce the different points you are making in an argument:\nWell, in the first place he has all the right qualifications.\n  in my, your, etc. place in my, your, etc. situation:\nI wouldn’t like to be in your place.\n  in place | into place\n1 in the correct position; ready for sth:\nCarefully lay each slab in place. * The receiver had already clicked into place.\n2 working or ready to work:\nAll the arrangements are now in place for their visit. * How long has the import ban been in place?\n  in place of sb/sth | in sb’s / sth’s place instead of sb/sth:\nYou can use milk in place of cream in this recipe. * He was unable to come to the ceremony, but he sent his son to accept the award in his place.\n  out of place\n1 not in the correct place:\nSome of these files seem to be out of place.\n2 not suitable for a particular situation:\nHer remarks were out of place. * I felt completely out of place among all these successful people.\n  a place in the sun a position of privilege or advantage\n  put yourself in sb else’s / sb’s place to imagine that you are in sb else’s situation:\nOf course I was upset-just put yourself in my place.\n  put sb in their place to make sb feel stupid or embarrassed for showing too much confidence:\nAt first she tried to take charge of the meeting but I soon put her in her place.\n  take place to happen, especially after previously being arranged or planned:\nThe film festival takes place in October. * We may never discover what took place that night. -> HAPPEN\n  take sb’s / sth’s place | take the place of sb/sth to replace sb/sth:\nShe couldn’t attend the meeting so her assistant took her place. * Computers have taken the place of typewriters in most offices.\n  take your place\n1 to go to the physical position that is necessary for an activity:\nTake your places for dinner.\n2 to take or accept the status in society that is correct or that you deserve\nmore at HAIR, HEART, PRIDE n., ROCK n.\n    verb\n  in position\n  1  [VN +adv./prep.] to put sth in a particular place, especially when you do it carefully or deliberately:\nHe placed his hand on her shoulder. * A bomb had been placed under the seat. * The parking areas in the town are few, but strategically placed.\n  in situation\n  2  [VN +adv./prep.] (more formal than put) to put sb/yourself in a particular situation:\nto place sb in command / under arrest * She was placed in the care of an uncle. * His resignation placed us in a difficult position. * The job places great demands on me. * He has placed himself above party politics.\n  attitude\n  3  [VN] ~ sth (on sth / doing sth) used to express the attitude sb has towards sb/sth:\nGreat emphasis is placed on education. * They place a high value on punctuality.\n  recognize\n  4  [VN] (usually used in negative sentences) to recognize sb/sth and be able to identify them/it:\nI’ve seen her before but I just can’t place her. * His accent was impossible to place.\n  bet / order / advertisement\n  5  [VN] to give instructions about sth or make a request for sth to happen:\nto place a bet / an order * We placed an advertisement for a cleaner in the local paper.\n  find home / job\n  6  [VN] ~ sb (in sth) | ~ sb (with sb/sth) to find a suitable home, job, etc. for sb:\nThe children were placed with foster parents. * The agency placed about 2 000 secretaries last year.\n  give rank\n  7  [VN +adv./prep.] to decide that sb/sth has a particular position or rank compared with other people or things:\nI would place her among the top five tennis players in the world. * Nursing attracts people who place relationships high on their list of priorities.\n  in race\n  8  used to describe a person, a team or a horse, etc. finishing in a particular position in a race:\n[VN-ADJ] He was placed fifth in last Saturday’s race. * [VN] (BrE) My horse has been placed several times (= it was among the first three or four to finish the race). * [V] (AmE) His horse placed in the last race (= it was among the first three to finish the race, usually in second place).\n IDIOMS \n  be well, ideally, uniquely, better, etc. placed for sth / to do sth\n1 to be in a good, very good, etc. position or have a good, very good, etc. opportunity to do sth:\nEngineering graduates are well placed for a wide range of jobs. * The company is ideally placed to take advantage of the new legislation.\n2 to be situated in a pleasant or convenient place:\nThe hotel is well placed for restaurants, bars and clubs.\nmore at PEDESTAL, PREMIUM n., RECORD n.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \nplace / space / room\nPlace, space, and room all describe an area in a room, building, vehicle, etc. which can be occupied by somebody or something.\nPlace is a countable noun. It is used to talk about a particular area where you can sit, work, sleep, etc: I’m looking for a place to stay. * Will you save me a place in the classroom?\nIn BrE place cannot be used with no or any, but in AmE it can. There is nowhere to park. (BrE, AmE) * There’s no place to park (AmE only) * I couldn’t find anywhere to stay. (BrE, AmE) * I couldn’t find any place to stay.(AmE only)\nSpace and room are used as uncountable nouns to talk about an empty area: The wardrobe takes up too much room. * There isn’t enough space for another chair.\n______________________________


Words: placebo
Meaning:
noun\n(plural placebos) a substance that has no physical effects, given to patients who do not need medicine but think that they do, or used when testing new drugs:\nthe placebo effect (= the effect of taking a placebo and feeling better)


Words: placed
Meaning:
adjective\n[after noun] (BrE) (of a horse, in a race) finishing among the winners (usually second or third)


Words: placement
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the act of finding sb a suitable job or place to live:\na job placement service * placement with a foster family\n  2  [U, C] (BrE) a job, often as part of a course of study, where you get some experience of a particular kind of work:\nThe third year is spent on placement in selected companies. * The course includes a placement in Year 3.\n  3  [U] the act of placing sth somewhere:\nThis procedure ensures correct placement of the catheter.


Words: placenta
Meaning:
(usually the placenta) noun\n(anatomy) the material that comes out of a woman or female animal’s body after a baby has been born, and which was necessary to feed and protect the baby\nSYN AFTERBIRTH


Words: placid
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a person or an animal) not easily excited or irritated:\na placid baby / horse\nOPP HIGH-SPIRITED\n  2  calm and peaceful, with very little movement:\nthe placid waters of the lake\n    placidly adverb:\n’Of course,’ said Helen placidly. * The river sparkled placidly in the sun.\n    placidity  noun [U]


Words: placing
Meaning:
noun\nthe position of sb/sth in a race or a competition or in a list arranged in order of success:\nHe needs a high placing in today’s qualifier to reach the final. * Chart placings are determined by the number of records sold. * a top-ten placing


Words: plagiarism
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (disapproving) an act of plagiarizing sth; sth that has been plagiarized:\nThere were accusations of plagiarism. * a text full of plagiarisms\n    plagiarist  noun


Words: plagiarize
Meaning:
(BrE also plagiarise)  verb\n(disapproving) to copy another person’s ideas, words or work and pretend that they are your own:\n[VN] He was accused of plagiarizing his colleague’s results. [also V]


Words: plague
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  (also the plague) [U] = BUBONIC PLAGUE:\nan outbreak of plague\n  2  [C] any infectious disease that kills a lot of people:\nthe new plague of Aids\n  3  [C] ~ of sth large numbers of an animal or insect that come into an area and cause great damage:\na plague of locusts / rats\n IDIOMS  see AVOID\n    verb [VN] ~ sb/sth (with sth)\n  1  to cause pain or trouble to sb/sth over a period of time:\nto be plagued by doubts / jealousy * Financial problems are plaguing the company. * The team has been plagued by injury this season.\n  2  to annoy sb or create problems, especially by asking for sth, demanding attention, etc:\nRock stars have to get used to being plagued by autograph hunters.


Words: plaid
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U] a thick fabric with a pattern of lines and squares of different colours and widths, especially a TARTAN pattern\n \n  2  [C] a long piece of woollen plaid worn over the shoulders as part of the Scottish national dress


Words: plain
Meaning:
adjective, noun, adverb \n \n    adjective (plainer, plainest)\n \n  1  easy to see or understand:\nHe made it plain that we should leave. * She made her annoyance plain. * The facts were plain to see.\n \n  2  not trying to trick anyone; honest and direct:\nThe plain fact is that nobody really knows. * a politician with a reputation for plain speaking * (especially AmE) a plain, straightforward sort of man\n \n  3  not decorated or complicated; simple:\na plain but elegant dress * plain food / cooking * The interior of the church was plain and simple. * plain yogurt (= without sugar or fruit)\ncompare FANCY\n  4  without marks or a pattern on it:\ncovers in plain or printed cotton * Write on plain paper (= without lines).\n  5  [only before noun] used to emphasize that sth is very ordinary, not special in any way:\nYou don’t need any special skills for this job, just plain common sense.\n  6  (especially of a woman) not beautiful or attractive\n    plainness noun [U]\n IDIOMS \n  be plain sailing (AmE also clear sailing) to be simple and free from trouble\n  in plain English simply and clearly expressed, without using technical language:\na document written in plain English * If you could put it in plain English I might be able to understand.\n  (as) plain as a pikestaff | (as) plain as day | (as) plain as the nose on your face very obvious\n    noun (also plains [pl.]) a large area of flat land:\nthe flat coastal plain of Thassos * the Great Plains\n    adverb (informal) used to emphasize how bad, stupid, etc. sth is:\nplain stupid / wrong


Words: plain chocolate
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) dark brown chocolate with a slightly bitter taste, made without milk being added\ncompare MILK CHOCOLATE


Words: plain clothes
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] ordinary clothes, not uniform, when worn by police officers on duty:\nofficers in plain clothes\n    plain-clothes adjective [only before noun]:\nplain-clothes police officers


Words: plainly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in a way that is easy to see, hear, understand or believe\nSYN CLEARLY:\nThe sea was plainly visible in the distance. * The lease plainly states that all damage must be paid for. * She had no right to interfere in what was plainly a family matter. * Plainly (= obviously) something was wrong.\n  2  using simple words to say sth in a direct and honest way:\nHe told her plainly that he thought she was making a big mistake. * To put it plainly, he’s a crook.\n  3  in a simple way, without decoration:\nShe was plainly dressed and wore no make-up. * plainly cooked food


Words: plaint
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE, law) a complaint made against sb in a court of law\n  2  (literary) a sad cry or sound


Words: plaintiff
Meaning:
(BrE less frequent complainant) noun\n(law) a person who makes a formal complaint against sb in a court of law:\nThe court upheld the plaintiff’s claim for damages. * The plaintiff must prove that the defendant was negligent.\ncompare DEFENDANT


Words: plaintive
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) sounding sad, especially in a weak complaining way\nSYN MOURNFUL:\na plaintive cry / voice\n    plaintively adverb:\n’What about me?’ she asked plaintively.


Words: plait
Meaning:
(BrE) (also braid AmE, BrE) noun, verb \n    noun\n a long piece of sth, especially hair, that is divided into three parts and woven together:\nShe wore her hair in plaits. * Her hair was tied back in a long thick plait.\n    verb [VN] to twist three or more long pieces of hair, rope, etc. together to make one long piece:\na basket with plaited handles


Words: plan
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  intention\n \n  1  ~ (for sth) | ~ (to do sth) something that you intend to do or achieve:\nDo you have any plans for the summer? * There are no plans to build new offices. * Your best plan would be to go by car. * There’s been a change of plan. * We can’t change our plans now.\n \n  arrangement\n \n  2  ~ (for sth) | ~ (to do sth) a set of things to do in order to achieve sth, especially one that has been considered in detail in advance:\nBoth sides agreed to a detailed plan for keeping the peace. * The government has announced plans to create one million new training places. * a development / business / peace plan * a five-point / three-year plan * We need to make plans for the future. * a plan of action / campaign * Let’s hope everything will go according to plan.\nsee also MASTER PLAN\n \n  map\n  3  a detailed map of a building, town, etc:\na plan of the museum * a street plan of the city\n  drawing\n  4  [especially pl.] ~ (for / of sth) (technical) a detailed drawing of a machine, building, etc. that shows its size, shape and measurements:\nThe architect is drawing up plans for the new offices. * Plans for our extension have been submitted for approval.\ncompare ELEVATION (4), GROUND PLAN\n  5  a diagram that shows how sth will be arranged:\na seating plan (= showing where each person will sit, for example at a dinner) * a floor plan (= showing how furniture is arranged)\n  money\n  6  (especially in compounds) a way of investing money for the future:\na savings plan\n    verb (-nn-)\n  make arrangements\n  1  ~ (sth) (for sth) to make detailed arrangements for sth you want to do in the future:\n[VN] to plan a trip / an expedition * A meeting has been planned for early next year. * Everything went exactly as planned. * We planned the day down to the last detail. * [V] to plan for the future * [V wh-] I’ve been planning how I’m going to spend the day. * [V that] They planned that the two routes would connect.\n  intend / expect\n  2  ~ (on sth / on doing sth) to intend or expect to do sth:\n[V] We hadn’t planned on going anywhere this evening. * [V to inf] They plan to arrive some time after three. * [VN] We’re planning a trip to France in the spring-are you interested?\n  design\n  3  [VN] to make a design or an outline for sth:\nto plan an essay / a garden * a well-planned campaign\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  plan sth<->out to plan carefully and in detail sth that you are going to do in the future:\nPlan out your route before you go. * She has her career all planned out.


Words: plane
Meaning:
noun, adjective, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  (BrE also aeroplane) (AmE also airplane) a flying vehicle with wings and one or more engines:\nShe left by plane for Berlin. * a plane crash * I caught the next plane to Dublin. * The plane took off an hour late. * The plane landed at Geneva. * They boarded the plane and flew to Chicago.\n \n  2  (geometry) any flat or level surface, or an imaginary flat surface through or joining material objects:\nthe horizontal / vertical plane * We may describe uniquely any point in a plane by an ordered pair of numbers, called coordinates.\n \n  3  a level of thought, existence or development:\nto reach a higher plane of achievement * They seem to exist on a different spiritual plane.\n \n  4  a tool with a blade set in a flat surface, used for making the surface of wood smooth by shaving very thin layers off it\n    adjective [only before noun] (technical) completely flat; level:\na plane surface\n    verb\n  1  to make a piece of wood smoother or flatter with a plane:\n[VN] Plane the surface down first. * [VN-ADJ] Then plane the wood smooth.\n  2  [V] (of a bird) to fly without moving the wings, especially high up in the air:\nGulls swooped and planed overhead.\n  3  [V] (of a boat, etc.) to move quickly across water, only just touching the surface:\nThe boat planed past in clouds of spray.


Words: plane tree
Meaning:
noun\na tree with spreading branches and broad leaves, that is often found in towns in northern countries


Words: planeload
Meaning:
noun\nthe number of people or the amount of goods that can be carried in a plane:\ntwo planeloads of refugees


Words: planet
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] a large round object in space that moves around a star (such as the sun) and receives light from it:\nthe planets of our solar system * the planet Earth / Venus / Mars\n \n  2  (the planet) [sing.] used to mean ’the world’, especially when talking about the environment:\nthe battle to save the planet\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  to be on another planet | what planet is sb on? (spoken, humorous) used to suggest that sb’s ideas are not realistic or practical:\nHe thinks being a father is easy. What planet is he on?


Words: planetarium
Meaning:
noun\n(plural planetariums) a building with a curved ceiling to represent the sky at night, with moving images of the planets and stars, used to educate and entertain people


Words: planetary
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (technical) relating to a planet or planets:\nplanetary activity / motion * a planetary system


Words: plangent
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (formal) (of sounds) loud, with a strong beat\n  2  (literary) (of sounds or images) expressing sadness:\nthe plangent sound of the harpsichord


Words: plank
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a long narrow flat piece of wood that is used for making floors, etc:\na plank of wood * a wooden plank\n \n  2  a main point in the policy of an organization, especially a political party:\nThe central plank of the bill was rural development.\n \n IDIOMS  see THICK adj., WALK v.


Words: plankton
Meaning:
noun\n[U+sing./pl. v.] the very small forms of plant and animal life that live in seas, rivers, lakes, etc.


Words: planner
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also town planner) a person whose job is to plan the growth and development of a town:\nA meeting was held with the architects and planners to finalize plans for the new shopping complex.\n  2  a person who makes plans for a particular area of activity:\ncurriculum / economic / media planners\n  3  a book, computer program, etc. that contains dates and is used for recording information, arranging meetings, etc:\na year planner * a journey planner * a personal budget planner


Words: planning
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the act or process of making plans for sth:\ncurriculum / financial planning\nsee also FAMILY PLANNING\n  2  = TOWN PLANNING


Words: planning permission
Meaning:
noun\n[U] official permission to build a new building or change one that already exists:\nto apply for planning permission * to get / give planning permission


Words: plant
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  living thing\n \n  1  [C] a living thing that grows in the earth and usually has a stem, leaves and roots, especially one that is smaller than a tree or bush:\nAll plants need light and water. * flowering / garden / indoor plants * a tomato / potato plant * the animal and plant life of the area\nsee also BEDDING PLANT, HOUSE PLANT, POT PLANT, RUBBER PLANT\n \n  factory\n \n  2  [C] a factory or place where power is produced or an industrial process takes place:\na nuclear reprocessing plant * Japanese car plants * a chemical / manufacturing plant\nsee also SEWAGE PLANT\n  machinery\n  3  [U] the large machinery that is used in industrial processes:\nThe company has been investing in new plant and equipment.\n  sth illegal\n  4  [C, usually sing.] (informal) something that sb has deliberately placed among another person’s clothes or possessions in order to make them appear guilty of a crime:\nHe claimed that the drugs found in his house were a plant.\n  person\n  5  [C] a person who joins a group of criminals or enemies in order to get and secretly report information about their activities\n    verb [VN]\n  seeds / plants\n  1  to put plants, seeds, etc. in the ground to grow:\nto plant and harvest rice * Plant these shrubs in full sun.\n  2  ~ sth (with sth) to cover or supply a garden/yard, area of land, etc. with plants:\na densely planted orange grove * The field had been ploughed and planted with corn.\n  put in position\n  3  [+adv./prep.] to place sth or yourself firmly in a particular place or position:\nThey planted a flag on the summit. * He planted himself squarely in front of us. * Demonstrators planted themselves right in front of the convoy of trucks.\n  bomb\n  4  to hide sth such as a bomb in a place where it will not be found\n  sth illegal\n  5  ~ sth (on sb) to hide sth, especially sth illegal, in sb’s clothing, possessions etc. so that when it is found it will look as though they committed a crime:\nHe claims that the drugs were planted on him.\n  person\n  6  ~ sb (in sth) to send sb to join a group, etc., especially in order to make secret reports on its members:\nThe police had planted an informer in the gang.\n  thought / idea\n  7  ~ sth (in sth) to make sb think or believe sth, especially without them realizing that you gave them the idea:\nHe planted the first seeds of doubt in my mind.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  plant sth<->out to put plants in the ground so that they have enough room to grow:\nPlant the seedlings out at 20cm intervals.


Words: plantain
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] a fruit like a large BANANA, but less sweet, that is cooked and eaten as a vegetable\n  2  [C] a wild plant with small green flowers and broad flat leaves that spread out close to the ground


Words: plantation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a large area of land, especially in a hot country, where crops such as coffee, sugar, rubber, etc. are grown:\na banana plantation * plantation workers / owners\n  2  a large area of land that is planted with trees to produce wood:\nconifer / forestry plantations


Words: planter
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  an attractive container to grow a plant in\n \n  2  a person who owns or manages a PLANTATION in a tropical country:\na tea planter\n \n  3  a machine that plants seeds, etc.


Words: planting
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] an act of planting sth; sth that has just been planted:\nThe Tree Council promotes tree planting. * These bushes are fairly recent plantings.


Words: plaque
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a flat piece of stone, metal, etc., usually with a name and dates on, attached to a wall in memory of a person or an event:\nA bronze plaque marks the house where the poet was born.\n  2  [U] a soft substance that forms on teeth and encourages the growth of harmful bacteria:\nRemove plaque by brushing your teeth regularly.\ncompare SCALE


Words: plasma
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (biology or medical) the colourless liquid part of blood, in which the blood cells, etc. float\n  2  (physics) a gas that contains approximately equal numbers of positive and negative electric CHARGES and is present in the sun and most stars


Words: plaster
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [U] a substance made of LIME, water and sand, that is put on walls and ceilings to give them a smooth hard surface:\nan old house with crumbling plaster and a leaking roof\n \n  2  (also less frequent plaster of Paris) [U] a white powder that is mixed with water and becomes very hard when it dries, used especially for making copies of statues or holding broken bones in place:\na plaster bust of Julius Caesar * (BrE) She broke her leg a month ago and it’s still in plaster.\n \n  3  (also sticking plaster) (both BrE) (also Band-Aid AmE, BrE) [C, U] material that can be stuck to the skin to protect a small wound or cut; a piece of this\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to cover a wall, etc. with plaster:\nThe walls need plastering before we can start decorating.\n  2  ~ sb/sth in / with sth to cover sb/sth with a wet or sticky substance:\nShe plastered herself in suntan lotion. * We were plastered from head to foot with mud.\n  3  [+adv./prep.] to make your hair flat and stick to your head:\nHis wet hair was plastered to his head.\n  4  [+adv./prep.] to completely cover a surface with pictures or POSTERS:\nShe had plastered her bedroom wall with photos of him. * She had photos of him plastered all over her bedroom wall. * The next day their picture was plastered all over the newspapers.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  plaster over sth to cover sth such as a crack or an old wall with plaster:\nThe original brickwork has been plastered over.


Words: plaster cast
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (also cast) a case made of PLASTER OF PARIS that covers a broken bone and protects it\n \n  2  a copy of sth that is made from PLASTER OF PARIS:\nThey took a plaster cast of the teeth for identification purposes.


Words: plasterboard
Meaning:
(also dry wall) noun\n[U] a building material made of sheets of cardboard with plaster between them, used for inside walls and ceilings


Words: plasterwork
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the dry PLASTER on ceilings when it has been formed into shapes and patterns for decoration:\nelaborate plasterwork


Words: plastic
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  [U, C, usually pl.] a light strong material that is produced by chemical processes and can be formed into shapes when heated. There are many different types of plastic, used to make different objects and fabrics:\nThe pipes should be made of plastic. * a sheet of clear plastic * the plastic industry\n  2  (plastics) [U] the science of making plastics\n  3  [U] (informal) a way of talking about CREDIT CARDS:\nDo they take plastic?\n    adjective\n  1  made of plastic:\na plastic bag / cup / toy\n  2  (of a material or substance) easily formed into different shapes:\nClay is a plastic substance.\n  3  (disapproving) that seems artificial; false; not real or sincere:\nTV game show hosts with their banal remarks and plastic smiles * The flight attendants served up plastic food with little taste or texture.


Words: plastic arts
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (technical) art forms that involve making models or representing things so that they seem solid:\nThe plastic arts include sculpture, pottery and painting.


Words: Plasticine
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) a soft substance like clay that is made in different colours, used especially by children for making models


Words: plate
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  food\n \n  1  [C] a flat, usually round, dish that you put food on:\nsandwiches on a plate * a pile of dirty plates * dinner / side plates\n \n  2  [C] the amount of food that you can put on a plate:\na plate of sandwiches * two large plates of pasta\ncompare PLATEFUL\n \n  3  [C] (especially AmE) a whole main course of a meal, served on one plate:\nTry the seafood plate.\n  for strength\n  4  [C] a thin flat piece of metal, used especially to join or strengthen sth:\nThe tanks were mainly constructed of steel plates. * She had a metal plate inserted in her arm.\n  for information\n  5  [C] a flat piece of metal with some information on it, for example sb’s name:\nA brass plate beside the door said ’Dr Alan Tate’.\nsee also NAMEPLATE\n  on vehicle\n  6  [usually pl.] the pieces of metal or plastic at the front and back of a vehicle with numbers and letters on it\ncompare L-PLATE\nsee also LICENSE PLATE, NUMBER PLATE\n  silver / gold\n  7  [U] ordinary metal that is covered with a thin layer of silver or gold:\nThe cutlery is plate, not solid silver.\nsee also GOLD PLATE, SILVER PLATE, TINPLATE\n  8  [U] dishes, bowls, etc. that are made of silver or gold:\nthe family plate\n  on animal\n  9  [C] (biology) one of the thin flat pieces of horn or bone that cover and protect an animal:\nthe armadillo’s protective shell of bony plates\n  geology\n  10  [C] one of the very large pieces of rock that form the earth’s surface and move slowly:\nthe Pacific / Indian plate * Earthquakes are caused by two tectonic plates bumping into each other.\nsee also PLATE TECTONICS\n  printing / photography\n  11  [C] a photograph that is used as a picture in a book, especially one that is printed on a separate page on high quality paper:\nThe book includes 55 colour plates. * See plate 4.\n  12  [C] a sheet of metal, plastic, etc. that has been treated so that words or pictures can be printed from it:\na printing plate\n  13  [C] a thin sheet of glass, metal, etc. that is covered with chemicals so that it reacts to light and can form an image, used in larger or older cameras\n  in mouth\n  14  [C] a thin piece of plastic that fits inside your mouth, that has artificial teeth attached to it, or wire, etc. to make the teeth straight\ncompare BRACE, DENTURES\n  in baseball\n  15  [sing.] (AmE) = HOME PLATE\n  in church\n  16  (usually the plate) [sing.] a flat dish that is used to collect money from people in a church\nsee also BOOKPLATE, BREASTPLATE, FOOTPLATE, HOTPLATE\n IDIOMS \n  have enough / a lot / too much on your plate (informal) to have a lot of work or problems, etc. to deal with\nmore at HAND v.\n    verb [VN] [usually passive]\n  1  to cover a metal with a thin layer of another metal, especially gold or silver:\na silver ring plated with gold\nsee also GOLD-PLATED, SILVER PLATE\n  2  to cover sth with sheets of metal or another hard substance:\nThe walls of the vault were plated with steel.\nsee also ARMOUR-PLATED


Words: plate glass
Meaning:
noun\n[U] very clear glass of good quality, made in thick sheets, used for doors, windows of shops/stores, etc.


Words: plate tectonics
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (geology) the movements of the large sheets of rock (called PLATES) that form the earth’s surface; the scientific study of these movements


Words: plateau
Meaning:
1  an area of flat land that is higher than the land around it\n \n  2  a time of little or no change after a period of growth or progress:\nInflation has reached a plateau.


Words: platelet
Meaning:
noun\na very small blood cell, shaped like a disc. Platelets help to CLOT the blood when a person bleeds.


Words: platform
Meaning:
noun\n \n  at train station\n \n  1  the raised flat area beside the track at a train station where you get on or off the train: (BrE) What platform does it go from? * (BrE) The train now standing at platform 1 is for Leeds. * The train drew into the platform.\ncompare TRACK\n \n  for performers\n \n  2  a flat surface raised above the level of the ground or floor, used by public speakers or performers so that the audience can see them:\nComing onto the platform now is tonight’s conductor, Jane Glover. * Representatives of both parties shared a platform (= they spoke at the same meeting).\n \n  for equipment\n  3  a raised level surface for example one that equipment stands on or is operated from:\nan oil / gas platform * a launch platform (= for spacecraft) * a viewing platform giving stunning views over the valley\n  politics / opinions\n  4  [usually sing.] the aims of a political party and the things that they say they will do if they are elected to power:\nThey are campaigning on an anti-immigration platform. * They fought the election on a platform of low taxes.\n  5  an opportunity or a place for sb to express their opinions publicly or make progress in a particular area:\nShe used the newspaper column as a platform for her feminist views.\n  computing\n  6  the type of computer system or the SOFTWARE that is used:\nan IBM platform * a multimedia platform\n  shoes\n  7  a high thick sole of a shoe:\nplatform shoes\n  on bus\n  8  (BrE) the open part at the back of a DOUBLE-DECKER bus where you get on or off\n______________________________\n BRITISH / AMERICAN \nplatform / track\nIn British stations the platforms, where passengers get on and off trains, have different numbers: The Edinburgh train is waiting at platform 4.\nIn stations in the USA, it is the track that the train travels along that has a number: The train for Chicago is on track 9.\n______________________________


Words: plating
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  a thin covering of a metal, especially silver or gold, on another metal:\ngold plating\n  2  a layer of coverings, especially of metal plates:\narmour plating


Words: platinum
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (Symbol Pt) a chemical element. Platinum is a silver-grey precious metal, used in making expensive jewellery and in industry.


Words: platinum blonde
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a woman whose hair is a very pale silver colour, especially because it has been coloured with chemicals; this colour of hair\n    platinum blonde adjective


Words: platitude
Meaning:
noun\n(written, disapproving) a comment or statement that has been made very often before and is therefore not interesting:\na political speech full of platitudes and empty promises\n    platitudinous  adjective (formal):\nshallow feelings and platitudinous remarks


Words: platonic
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a relationship) friendly but not involving sex:\nplatonic love * Their relationship is strictly platonic.


Words: platter
Meaning:
noun\na large plate that is used for serving food:\na silver platter * I’ll have the fish platter (= several types of fish and other food served on a large plate).\n IDIOMS  see SILVER n.


Words: platypus
Meaning:
(also duck-billed platypus) noun\nan Australian animal that is covered in fur and has a beak like a duck, WEBBED feet (= with skin between the toes) and a flat tail. Platypuses lay eggs but give milk to their young.


Words: plausible
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of an excuse or explanation) reasonable and likely to be true:\nHer story sounded perfectly plausible. * The only plausible explanation is that he forgot.\nOPP IMPLAUSIBLE\n  2  (disapproving) (of a person) good at sounding honest and sincere, especially when trying to trick people:\nShe was a plausible liar.\n    plausibility  noun [U]:\nThis new evidence lends plausibility to the theory that she was murdered.\n    plausibly  adverb:\nHe argued very plausibly that the claims were true.


Words: play
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  of children\n  1  ~ (with sb/sth) to do things for pleasure, as children do; to enjoy yourself, rather than work:\n[V] A group of kids were playing with a ball in the street. * You’ll have to play inside today. * I haven’t got anybody to play with! * There’s a time to work and a time to play. * [VN] Let’s play a different game.\n  2  [no passive] ~ (at doing) sth to pretend to be or do sth for amusement:\n[VN] Let’s play pirates. * [V] They were playing at being cowboys.\n  trick\n  3  [VN] ~ a trick / tricks (on sb) to trick sb for amusement\n  sports / games\n  4  ~ (sth) (with / against sb) | ~ sb (at sth) to be involved in a game; to compete against sb in a game:\n[VN] to play football / chess / cards * Have you played her at squash yet? * France are playing Wales tomorrow. * [V] He plays for Cleveland. * France are playing against Wales on Saturday. * Evans played very well.\n  5  to take a particular position in a sports team:\n[V] Who’s playing on the wing? * [V-N] I’ve never played right back before.\n  6  [VN] to include sb in a sports team:\nI think we should play Matt on the wing.\n  7  [VN] to make contact with the ball and hit or kick it in the way mentioned:\nShe played the ball and ran forward. * He played a backhand volley.\n  8  [VN] (in CHESS) to move a piece in CHESS, etc:\nShe played her bishop.\n  9  (in card games) to put a card face upwards on the table, showing its value:\n[VN] to play your ace / a trump * [V] He played out of turn!\n  music\n  10  ~ (sth) (on sth) | ~ sth (to sb) | ~ sb sth to perform on a musical instrument; to perform music:\n[VN] to play the piano / violin / flute * He played a tune on his harmonica. * [VN, VNN] Play that new piece to us. * Play us that new piece. * [V] In the distance a band was playing.\n  11  ~ sth (for sb) | ~ sb sth to make a tape, CD, etc. produce sound: [VN, VNN] Play their new CD for me, please. * Play me their new CD, please. * [V] My favourite song was playing on the radio.\n  act / perform\n  12  [VN] to act in a play, film/movie, etc.; to act the role of sb:\nThe part of Elizabeth was played by Cate Blanchett. * He had always wanted to play Othello.\n  13  to pretend to be sth that you are not:\n[V-ADJ] I decided it was safer to play dead. * [V-N] She enjoys playing the wronged wife.\n  14  [V] ~ (to sb) to be performed:\nA production of ’Carmen’ was playing to packed houses.\n  have effect\n  15  [VN] ~ a part / role (in sth) to have an effect on sth:\nThe media played an important part in the last election.\n  situation\n  16  [VN +adv./prep.] (written) to deal with a situation in the way mentioned:\nHe played the situation carefully for maximum advantage.\n  of light / a smile\n  17  [V +adv./prep.] (written) to move or appear quickly and lightly, often changing direction or shape:\nSunlight played on the surface of the lake.\n  of fountain\n  18  [V] (written) when a FOUNTAIN plays, it produces a steady stream of water:\nTwo huge fountains were playing outside the entrance.\n IDIOMS \n  Most idioms containing play are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example play the game is at game.\n  have money, time, etc. to play with (informal) to have plenty of money, time, etc. for doing sth\n  what is sb playing at? used to ask in an angry way about what sb is doing:\nWhat do you think you are playing at?\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  play about / around (with sb/sth)\n1 to behave or treat sth in a careless way:\nDon’t play around with my tools!\n2 (informal) to have a sexual relationship with sb, usually with sb who is not your usual partner:\nHer husband is always playing around.\n  play along (with sb/sth) to pretend to agree with sb/sth:\nI decided to play along with her idea.\n  play at sth / at doing sth (often disapproving) to do sth without being serious about it or putting much effort into it\n  play sth<->back (to sb) to play music, film, etc. that has been recorded on a tape, video, etc:\nPlay that last section back to me again.\nrelated noun PLAYBACK\n  play sth<->down to try to make sth seem less important than it is\nSYN DOWNPLAY\nOPP PLAY UP\n  play A off against B (BrE) (AmE play A off B) to put two people or groups in competition with each other, especially in order to get an advantage for yourself:\nShe played her two rivals off against each other and got the job herself.\nrelated noun PLAY-OFF\n  play on (sport) to continue to play; to start playing again:\nThe home team claimed a penalty but the referee told them to play on.\n  play on / upon sth to take advantage of sb’s feelings, etc.\nSYN EXPLOIT:\nAdvertisements often play on people’s fears.\n  play sth<->out (written) when an event is played out, it happens\nSYN ENACT:\nTheir love affair was played out against the backdrop of war.\n  play yourself / itself out (written) to become weak and no longer useful or important\n  play up | play sb up (informal, especially BrE) to cause sb problems or pain:\nThe kids have been playing up all day. * My shoulder is playing me up today.\n  play sth<->up to try to make sth seem more important than it is\nSYN OVERPLAY\nOPP PLAY DOWN\n  play with yourself (informal) to MASTURBATE\n    noun\n  children\n  1  [U] things that people, especially children, do for pleasure rather than as work:\nthe happy sounds of children at play * the importance of learning through play * a play area\n  in theatre\n  2  [C] a piece of writing performed by actors in a theatre or on television or radio:\nto put on (= perform) a play * a play by Shakespeare * a radio play\nsee also MORALITY PLAY, MYSTERY PLAY, PASSION PLAY\n  in sport\n  3  [U] the playing of a game:\nRain stopped play. * There was some excellent play in yesterday’s match. * The spectators were asked to be quiet during play.\nsee also FAIR PLAY, FOUL PLAY\n  4  [C] (AmE) an action or move in a game:\na defensive / passing play\n  in rope\n  5  [U] the possibility of free and easy movement:\nWe need more play in the rope.\n  activity / influence\n  6  [U] the activity or operation of sth; the influence of sth on sth else:\nthe free play of market forces * The financial crisis has brought new factors into play. * Personal feelings should not come into play when you are making business decisions.\n  of light / a smile\n  7  [U] (literary) a light, quick movement that keeps changing:\nthe play of sunlight on water\n IDIOMS \n  in / out of play (sport) (of a ball) inside/outside the area allowed by the rules of the game:\nShe just managed to keep the ball in play.\n  make a play for sb/sth (especially AmE) to try to obtain sth; to do things that are intended to produce a particular result:\nShe was making a play for the sales manager’s job.\n  make great / much play of sth to emphasize the importance of a particular fact:\nHe made great play of the fact that his uncle was a duke.\n  a play on words the humorous use of a word or phrase that can have two different meanings\nSYN PUN\nmore at CALL v., CHILD, STATE n.


Words: play-acting
Meaning:
noun\n[U] behaviour that seems to be honest and sincere when in fact the person is pretending\n    play-act verb:\n[V] He thought she was play-acting but in fact she had really hurt herself.


Words: play-by-play
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] (AmE) a report on what is happening in a sports game, given as the game is being played


Words: play-off
Meaning:
noun\na match/game, or a series of them, between two players or teams with equal points or scores to decide who the winner is:\nThey lost to Chicago in the play-offs.


Words: playable
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a piece of music or a computer game) easy to play\n  2  (of a sports field) in a good condition and suitable for playing on\nOPP UNPLAYABLE


Words: playback
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C, usually sing.] the act of playing music, showing a film/movie or listening to a telephone message that has been recorded before; a recording that you listen to or watch again


Words: played out
Meaning:
adjective\n[not before noun] (informal) no longer having any influence or effect:\nThis country’s world role is just about played out.


Words: player
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a person who takes part in a game or sport:\na tennis / rugby / chess player * a game for four players * a midfield player * We’ve lost two key players through injury.\n \n  2  (written) a company or person involved in a particular area of business or politics:\nThe company has emerged as a major player in the London property market.\n \n  3  (in compounds) a machine for reproducing sound or pictures that have been recorded on cassettes, discs, etc:\na CD / cassette / record player\n \n  4  (usually in compounds) a person who plays a musical instrument:\na trumpet player\n  5  (old-fashioned) (especially in names) an actor:\nPhoenix Players present ’Juno and the Paycock’.


Words: playful
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  full of fun; wanting to play:\na playful puppy\n  2  (of a remark, an action, etc.) made or done in fun; not serious:\nHe gave her a playful punch on the arm.\n    playfully  adverb\n    playfulness noun [U]


Words: playground
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  an outdoor area where children can play, especially at a school or in a park\nsee also ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND\n \n  2  a place where a particular type of people go to enjoy themselves:\nThe resort is a playground of the rich and famous.


Words: playgroup
Meaning:
(also playschool) (both BrE) noun\n[C, U] a place where children who are below school age go regularly to play together and to learn through playing:\nJack goes to playgroup three mornings a week.\ncompare NURSERY SCHOOL


Words: playhouse
Meaning:
noun\n  1  used in names of theatres:\nthe Liverpool Playhouse\n  2  (BrE also Wendy house) a model of a house large enough for children to play in


Words: playing
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the way in which sb plays sth, especially a musical instrument:\nThe orchestral playing is superb.\n  2  [C] the act of playing a piece of music:\nrepeated playings of the National Anthem


Words: playing card
Meaning:
(also card) noun\nany one of a set of 52 cards with numbers and pictures printed on one side, which are used to play various card games: (BrE) a pack of (playing) cards * (AmE) a deck of (playing) cards


Words: playing field
Meaning:
noun\na large area of grass, usually with lines marked on it, where people play sports and games:\nthe school playing fields\n IDIOMS  see LEVEL adj.


Words: playpen
Meaning:
noun\na frame with wooden bars or NETTING that encloses a small area in which a baby or small child can play safely


Words: plaything
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person or thing that you treat like a toy, without really caring about them:\nShe was an intelligent woman who refused to be a rich man’s plaything.\n  2  (old-fashioned) a toy:\nThe teddy bear was his favourite plaything.


Words: playtime
Meaning:
noun [U, C]\n  1  (especially BrE) a time at school when teaching stops for a short time and children can play:\nThe children always go outside at playtime.\n  2  a time for playing and having fun:\nWith so much homework to do, her playtime is now very limited.


Words: playwright
Meaning:
noun\na person who writes plays for the theatre, television or radio \nSYN DRAMATIST\ncompare SCREENWRITER, SCRIPTWRITER


Words: plaza
Meaning:
noun (especially AmE)\n  1  a public outdoor square especially in a town where Spanish is spoken:\nShooting broke out in the main plaza in front of the presidential palace.\n  2  a small shopping centre, sometimes also with offices:\na downtown shopping plaza


Words: plc
Meaning:
(also PLC)  abbreviation\n(BrE) public limited company (used after the name of a company or business):\nLloyd’s Bank plc


Words: plea
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (formal) ~ (for sth) an urgent emotional request:\nShe made an impassioned plea for help. * a plea to industries to stop pollution * He refused to listen to her tearful pleas.\n  2  (law) a statement made by sb or for sb who is accused of a crime:\na plea of guilty / not guilty * to enter / offer a guilty plea\n  3  ~ of sth (law) a reason given to a court of law for doing or not doing sth:\nHe was charged with murder, but got off on a plea of insanity.


Words: plea bargaining
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (law) an arrangement in a court of law by which a person admits to being guilty of a smaller crime in the hope of receiving less severe punishment for a more serious crime\ncompare cop a plea at COP v., turn King’s / Queen’s evidence at EVIDENCE\n    plea bargain noun:\nHe reached a plea bargain with the authorities.


Words: plead
Meaning:
1  ~ (with sb) (for sth) to ask sb for sth in a very strong and serious way:\n[V] She pleaded with him not to go. * I was forced to plead for my child’s life. * pleading eyes * [V to inf] He pleaded to be allowed to see his mother one more time. * [V speech] ’Do something!’ she pleaded.\n  2  to state in a court of law that you are guilty or not guilty of a crime:\n[V-ADJ] to plead guilty / not guilty * [V] How do you plead? (= said by the judge at the start of the trial) * The accused was deemed unfit to plead. * [VN] [no passive] He advised his client to plead insanity (= say that he / she was mentally ill and therefore not responsible for his / her actions).\n  3  [VN] to present a case to a court of law:\nThey hired a top lawyer to plead their case.\n  4  ~ sth (for sth) to give sth as an explanation or excuse for sth: [VN] [no passive] He pleaded family problems for his lack of concentration. [also V that]\n  5  ~ (for sb/sth) to argue in support of sb/sth:\n[VN] She appeared on television to plead the cause of political prisoners everywhere. * [V] The United Nations has pleaded for a halt to the bombing.


Words: pleading
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] an act of asking for sth that you want very much, in an emotional way:\nHe refused to give in to her pleadings.\n  2  [C, usually pl.] (law) a formal statement of sb’s CASE (= their claims and the arguments they use to support them) in a court of law\nsee also SPECIAL PLEADING


Words: pleadingly
Meaning:
adverb\nin an emotional way that shows that you want sth very much but are not certain that sb will give it to you:\nHe looked pleadingly at her. * ’Can I come too?’ she said, pleadingly.


Words: pleasant
Meaning:
adjective (pleasanter, pleasantest)\n HELP NOTE  more pleasant and most pleasant are more common\n  1  enjoyable, pleasing or attractive:\na pleasant climate / evening / place * What a pleasant surprise! * to live in pleasant surroundings * music that is pleasant to the ear * a pleasant environment to work in * It was pleasant to be alone again.\n  2  ~ (to sb) friendly and polite:\na pleasant young man * a pleasant smile / voice / manner * Please try to be pleasant to our guests.\nOPP UNPLEASANT\n    pleasantly adverb:\na pleasantly cool room * I was pleasantly surprised by my exam results. * ’Can I help you?’ he asked pleasantly.\n    pleasantness noun [U]:\nShe remembered the pleasantness of the evening.


Words: pleasantry
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] (plural pleasantries) (formal) a friendly remark made in order to be polite:\nAfter exchanging the usual pleasantries, they got down to serious discussion.


Words: please
Meaning:
exclamation, verb \n    exclamation\n  1  used as a polite way of asking for sth or telling sb to do sth:\nPlease sit down. * Two coffees, please. * Quiet please! * Please could I leave early today?\n  2  used to add force to a request or statement:\nPlease don’t leave me here alone. * Please, please don’t forget. * Please, I don’t understand what I have to do.\n  3  used as a polite way of accepting sth:\n’Would you like some help?’ ’Yes, please.’ * ’Coffee?’ ’Please.’\n  4  (Please!) (informal, often humorous) used to ask sb to stop behaving badly:\nChildren, please! I’m trying to work. * John! Please!\n  5  (Please, Pl-ease)  used when you are replying to sb who has said sth that you think is stupid:\nOh, please! You cannot be serious.\n    verb\n  1  to make sb happy:\n[VN] You can’t please everybody. * He’s a difficult man to please. * There’s just no pleasing some people (= some people are impossible to please). * I did it to please my parents. * [V] She’s always very eager to please. [also VN to inf] \nOPP DISPLEASE\n  2  [V] often used after as or what, where, etc. to mean ’to want’, ’to choose’ or ’to like’ to do sth:\nYou may stay as long as you please. * She always does exactly as she pleases. * I’m free now to live wherever I please.\n IDIOMS \n  if you please\n1 (old-fashioned, formal) (spoken) used when politely asking sb to do sth:\nTake a seat, if you please.\n2 (old-fashioned, especially BrE) used to say that you are annoyed or surprised at sb’s actions:\nAnd now, if you please, he wants me to rewrite the whole thing!\n  please the eye to be very attractive to look at\n  please God used to say that you very much hope or wish that sth will happen:\nPlease God, don’t let him be dead.\n  please yourself (spoken) used to tell sb that you are annoyed with them and do not care what they do:\n’I don’t think I’ll bother finishing this.’ ’Please yourself.’\n  please yourself | do as you please to be able to do whatever you like:\nThere were no children to cook for, so we could just please ourselves.


Words: pleased
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (with sb/sth) | ~ that ... feeling happy about sth:\nShe was very pleased with her exam results. * The boss should be pleased with you. * I’m really pleased that you’re feeling better. * I’m pleased to hear about your news. * You’re coming? I’m so pleased. * He did not look too pleased when I told him.\n  2  ~ to do sth happy or willing to do sth:\nWe are always pleased to be able to help. * I was pleased to hear you’ve been promoted. * Aren’t you pleased to see me? * (spoken, especially BrE) Pleased to meet you (= said when you are introduced to sb) * (written) Thank you for your invitation which I am very pleased to accept. * (written) I am pleased to inform you that the book you ordered has arrived.\n IDIOMS \n  (as) pleased as Punch (BrE) very pleased:\nNow he’s passed his driving test, he’s as pleased as Punch.\n  far from pleased | none too pleased not pleased; angry:\nShe was none too pleased at having to do it all again.\n  only too pleased (to do sth) very happy or willing to do sth:\nWe’re only too pleased to help.\n  pleased with yourself (often disapproving) too proud of sth you have done:\nHe was looking very pleased with himself.


Words: pleasing
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to sb/sth) that gives you pleasure or satisfaction:\na pleasing design / effect * The new building was pleasing to the eye.\n    pleasingly adverb:\nShe had a pleasingly direct manner.


Words: pleasurable
Meaning:
adjective\ngiving pleasure \nSYN ENJOYABLE:\na pleasurable activity / experience / sensation * We do everything we can to make your trip pleasurable.


Words: pleasure
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] ~ (in sth / in doing sth) | ~ (of sth / of doing sth) a state of feeling or being happy or satisfied \nSYN ENJOYMENT:\nto read for pleasure * He takes no pleasure in his work. * She had the pleasure of seeing him look surprised. * (formal) It gives me great pleasure to introduce our guest speaker. * (written) We request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of our daughter Lisa. * Caring for a sick relative is a task that brings both pleasure and pain. * She took pleasure in shocking her parents.\n  2  [U] the activity of enjoying yourself, especially in contrast to working:\nAre you in Paris on business or pleasure?\n  3  [C] a thing that makes you happy or satisfied:\nthe pleasure and pains of everyday life * the simple pleasures of the countryside * It’s a pleasure to meet you. * ’Thanks for doing that.’ ’It’s a pleasure.’ * Swimming is one of my greatest pleasures. * Chocolate is one of life’s little pleasures.\ncompare DISPLEASURE\n IDIOMS \n  at your / sb’s pleasure (formal) as you want; as sb else wants:\nThe land can be sold at the owner’s pleasure.\n  with pleasure (formal) used as a polite way of accepting or agreeing to sth:\n’May I sit here?’ ’Yes, with pleasure.’


Words: pleat
Meaning:
noun\na permanent fold in a piece of fabric, made by sewing the top or side of the fold:\na shirt with narrow pleats at the front


Words: plebeian
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  connected with ordinary people or people of the lower social classes\n  2  (disapproving) lacking in culture or education:\nplebeian tastes\n    noun (usually disapproving) a person from a lower social class (used originally in ancient Rome)\ncompare PATRICIAN


Words: plebiscite
Meaning:
noun\n~ (on sth) (politics) a vote by the people of a country or a region on an issue that is very important:\nto hold a plebiscite on the country’s future system of government


Words: plebs
Meaning:
noun\n(usually the plebs) [pl.] (informal) an offensive way of referring to ordinary people, especially those of the lower social classes


Words: plectrum
Meaning:
noun\n(plural plectrums or plectra ) a small piece of metal, plastic, etc. used for PLUCKING the strings of a guitar or similar instrument


Words: pledge
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  ~ (to do sth) a serious promise:\na pledge of help / support / loyalty * Will the government honour its election pledge not to raise taxes? * Management has given a pledge that there will be no job losses this year.\n  2  a sum of money or sth valuable that you leave with sb to prove that you will do sth or pay back money that you owe\n IDIOMS \n  sign / take the pledge (old-fashioned) to make a promise never to drink alcohol\n    verb\n  1  ~ sth (to sb/sth) to formally promise to give or do sth:\n[VN] Japan has pledged $100 million in humanitarian aid. * The government pledged their support for the plan. * We all had to pledge allegiance to the flag (= state that we are loyal to our country). * [V to inf] The group has pledged to continue campaigning. * [V (that)] The group has pledged that they will continue campaigning.\n  2  ~ sb / yourself (to sth) to make sb or yourself formally promise to do sth:\n[VN] They were all pledged to secrecy. * [VN to inf] The government has pledged itself to root out corruption.\n  3  [VN] to leave sth with sb as a pledge (2)\n  4  (AmE) to promise to become a junior member of a FRATERNITY or SORORITY:\n[V] Do you think you’ll pledge this semester? * [VN] My brother pledged Sigma NU.


Words: plenary
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun] (formal)\n  1  (of meetings, etc.) to be attended by everyone who has the right to attend:\nThe new committee holds its first plenary session this week.\n  2  without any limit; complete:\nThe Council has plenary powers to administer the agreement.\n    noun (plural plenaries) a plenary meeting


Words: plenipotentiary
Meaning:
noun\n(plural plenipotentiaries) (technical) a person who has full powers to take action, make decisions, etc. on behalf of their government, especially in a foreign country:\nHe was promoted from minister plenipotentiary to full ambassador.\n    plenipotentiary adjective:\nplenipotentiary powers


Words: plentiful
Meaning:
(also plenteous) adjective\navailable or existing in large amounts or numbers:\na plentiful supply of food * In those days jobs were plentiful.\n    plentifully  adverb:\nEvidence is plentifully available. * She kept them plentifully supplied with gossip.


Words: plenty
Meaning:
pronoun, adverb, noun, determiner \n    pronoun ~ (of sth) a large amount; as much or as many as you need:\nplenty of eggs / money / time * ’Do we need more milk?’ ’No, there’s plenty in the fridge.’ * They always gave us plenty to eat. * We had plenty to talk about. -> MANY, MUCH\n    adverb\n  1  ~ more (of) (sth) a lot:\nWe have plenty more of them in the warehouse. * There’s plenty more paper if you need it.\n  2  ~ big, long, etc. enough (to do sth) (informal) more than big, long, etc. enough:\nThe rope was plenty long enough to reach the ground.\n  3  (AmE) a lot; very:\nWe talked plenty about our kids. * You can be married and still be plenty lonely.\n    noun [U] (formal) a situation in which there is a large supply of food, money, etc:\nEveryone is happier in times of plenty. * We had food and drink in plenty.\n    determiner (AmE or informal) a lot of:\nThere’s plenty room for all of you!


Words: plethora
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (formal) an amount that is greater than is needed or can be used\nSYN EXCESS:\nThe report contained a plethora of detail.


Words: pleurisy
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a serious illness that affects the inner covering of the chest and lungs, causing severe pain in the chest or sides


Words: pliable
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  easy to bend without breaking:\nThe plant has long pliable stems.\n  2  (of people) easy to influence or control:\nHe’d always thought of her as pliable.


Words: pliant
Meaning:
adjective (written)\n  1  (of a person or their body) soft and giving way to sb, especially in a sexual way:\nher pliant body / lips * She lay pliant in his arms.\n  2  (sometimes disapproving) willing to accept change; easy to influence or control:\nHe was deposed and replaced by a more pliant successor. * The government wanted to make the press more pliant.\n    pliancy  noun [U]\n    pliantly adverb


Words: pliers
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] a tool made of two pieces of metal with handles, used for holding things firmly and twisting and cutting wire:\na pair of pliers


Words: plight
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [sing.] a difficult and sad situation:\nthe plight of the homeless * The African elephant is in a desperate plight.\n    verb\n IDIOMS \n  plight your troth (old use or humorous) to make a promise to a person saying that you will marry them; to marry sb


Words: plimsoll
Meaning:
(also gym shoe, pump) (all BrE) noun\na light simple sports shoe made of CANVAS (= strong cotton fabric) with a rubber sole:\na pair of plimsolls


Words: plod
Meaning:
verb\n(-dd-) [+adv./prep.] to walk slowly with heavy steps, especially because you are tired:\n[V] Our horses plodded down the muddy track. * We plodded on through the rain. * [VN] I watched her plodding her way across the field.\n    plod noun [sing.]\n    plodding adjective:\nplodding donkeys * (figurative, disapproving) The production was plodding and unimaginative.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  plod along / on to make very slow progress, especially with difficult or boring work


Words: plonk
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (especially BrE) (AmE usually plunk) [VN] (informal)\n  1  [+adv./prep.] to put sth down on sth, especially noisily or carelessly:\nHe plonked the books down on the table. * Just plonk your bag anywhere.\n  2  ~ (yourself) (down) to sit down heavily or carelessly:\nHe just plonked himself down and turned on the TV.\n    noun (informal, especially BrE)\n  1  [U] cheap wine that is not of good quality:\na bottle of the local plonk\n  2  [C, usually sing.] a low sound like that of sth heavy falling and hitting a surface:\nShe sat down with a plonk.


Words: plop
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [usually sing.] a short sound like that of a small object dropping into water:\nThe stone fell with a plop into the river.\n    verb (-pp-)\n  1  [V +adv./prep.] to fall, making a plop:\nThe frog plopped back into the water. * A tear plopped down onto the page she was reading.\n  2  [VN] to drop sth into sth, especially a liquid, so that it makes a plop:\nCan you just plop some ice in my drink?\n  3  [VN, V] ~ (yourself) (down) to sit or lie down heavily or in a relaxed way


Words: plosive
Meaning:
noun\n(phonetics) a speech sound made by stopping the flow of air coming out of the mouth and then suddenly releasing it, for example / t / and / p / in top\ncompare FRICATIVE\n    plosive adjective


Words: plot
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C, U] the series of events which form the story of a novel, play, film/movie, etc:\na conventional plot about love and marriage * The book is well organized in terms of plot.\n  2  [C] ~ (to do sth) a secret plan made by a group of people to do sth wrong or illegal:\na murder plot * The rebels hatched a plot to overthrow the government. * Police uncovered a plot against the president.\n  3  [C] a small piece of land that is used or intended for a special purpose:\nShe bought a small plot of land to build a house on. * a vegetable plot\n IDIOMS \n  lose the plot (BrE, informal) to lose your ability to understand or deal with what is happening\n  the plot thickens used to say that a situation is becoming more complicated and difficult to understand\n    verb (-tt-)\n  1  ~ (with sb) (against sb) to make a secret plan to harm sb, especially a government or its leader:\n[V] They were accused of plotting against the state. * [VN] Military officers were suspected of plotting a coup. * She spends every waking hour plotting her revenge. * [V to inf] They were plotting to overthrow the government.\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (on sth) to mark sth on a map, for example the position or course of sth:\nThe earthquake centres had been plotted on a world map. * He plotted a new route across the Atlantic.\n  3  [VN] ~ sth (on sth) to make a diagram or CHART from some information:\nWe carefully plotted each patient’s response to the drug on a chart.\n  4  [VN] ~ sth (on sth) to mark points on a GRAPH and draw a line or curve connecting them:\nFirst, plot the temperature curve on the graph.\n  5  [VN] to write the plot of a novel, play, etc:\na tightly-plotted thriller


Words: plotter
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who makes a secret plan to harm sb\n  2  a device that turns data from a computer into a GRAPH, usually on paper


Words: plough
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE plow)  noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a large piece of farming equipment with one or several curved blades, pulled by a TRACTOR or by animals. It is used for digging and turning over soil, especially before seeds are planted.\nsee also SNOWPLOUGH\n \n  2  (the Plough) (BrE) (AmE the Big Dipper) [sing.] a group of seven bright stars that can only be seen from the northern half of the world\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  under the plough (BrE, formal) (of land) used for growing crops, not for keeping animals on\n    verb to dig and turn over a field or other area of land with a plough:\n[VN] ploughed fields [also V] \n IDIOMS \n  plough a lonely, your own, etc, furrow (literary) to do things that other people do not do, or be interested in things that other people are not interested in\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  plough sth<->back (in / into sth) | plough sth<->back in\n1 to turn over growing crops, grass, etc. with a plough and mix them into the soil to improve its quality\n2 to put money made as profit back into a business in order to improve it:\nThe money was all ploughed back into the company.\n  plough into sb/sth (especially of a vehicle or its driver) to crash violently into sth especially because you are driving too fast or not paying enough attention:\nA truck ploughed into the back of the bus.\n  plough sth into sth to invest a large amount of money in a company or project:\nThe government has ploughed more than $20 billion into building new schools.\n  plough on (with sth) to continue doing sth that is difficult or boring:\nNo one was listening to her, but she ploughed on regardless.\n  plough (your way) through sth\n1 to force a way through sth:\nShe ploughed her way through the waiting crowds.\n2 (of a vehicle or an aircraft) to go violently through sth, out of control:\nThe plane ploughed through the trees.\n3 to make slow progress through sth difficult or boring especially a book, a report, etc:\nI had to plough through dozens of legal documents.\n  plough sth<->up\n1 to turn over a field or other area of land with a plough to change it from grass, for example, to land for growing crops\n2 to break up the surface of the ground by walking or driving across it again and again:\nThe paths get all ploughed up by motorbikes. * Heavy traffic had ploughed up the surface of the track.


Words: ploughman
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE plowman)  noun\n(plural ploughmen ) a man whose job is guiding a plough, especially one pulled by animals


Words: ploughshare
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE plowshare)  (AmE also share) noun\nthe broad curved blade of a PLOUGH\n \n IDIOMS  see SWORD


Words: ploy
Meaning:
noun\n~ (to do sth) words or actions that are carefully planned to get an advantage over sb else:\na clever marketing ploy * It was all a ploy to distract attention from his real aims.


Words: pluck
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  hair\n  1  [VN] ~ sth (out) to pull out hairs with your fingers or with TWEEZERS:\nShe plucked out a grey hair. * expertly plucked eyebrows\n  chicken, etc.\n  2  [VN] to pull the feathers off a dead bird, for example a chicken, in order to prepare it for cooking\n  musical instrument\n  3  (AmE also pick) to play a musical instrument, especially a guitar, by pulling the strings with your fingers:\n[VN] to pluck the strings of a violin * [V] He picked up the guitar and plucked at the strings.\n  remove sb / sth\n  4  [VN] ~ sb (from sth) (written) to remove sb from a place or situation, especially one that is unpleasant or dangerous:\nPolice plucked a drowning girl from the river yesterday. * Survivors of the wreck were plucked to safety by a helicopter. * She was plucked from obscurity to instant stardom.\n  5  [VN] ~ sth (from sth) (written) to take hold of sth and remove it by pulling it:\nHe plucked the wallet from the man’s grasp.\n  fruit / flower\n  6  [VN] ~ sth (from sth) (old-fashioned or literary) to pick a fruit, flower, etc. from where it is growing:\nI plucked an orange from the tree.\n IDIOMS \n  pluck sth out of the air to say a name, number, etc. without thinking about it, especially in answer to a question:\nI just plucked a figure out of the air and said: ’Would ｣1 000 seem reasonable to you?’\n  pluck up courage (to do sth) to make yourself do sth even though you are afraid to do it:\nI finally plucked up the courage to ask her for a date.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pluck at sth to hold sth with the fingers and pull it gently, especially more than once:\nThe child kept plucking at his mother’s sleeve. * (figurative) The wind plucked at my jacket.\n    noun [U] (old-fashioned, informal) courage and determination:\nIt takes a lot of pluck to do what she did.


Words: plucky
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal) having a lot of courage and determination:\nThe plucky youngster had four operations during her long battle against the illness.


Words: plug
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  electrical equipment\n \n  1  a small plastic object with two or three metal pins, that connects a piece of electrical equipment to the main supply of electricity:\na three-pin plug * I’ll have to change the plug on my hairdryer.\n \n  2  (informal, especially BrE) a small opening in a wall, by which you connect a piece of electrical equipment to the main supply of electricity \nSYN SOCKET:\nCan I use this plug for my iron?\n \n  3  a small object that connects a wire from one piece of electrical equipment to an opening in another:\nthe plug from the computer to the printer\n  in engine\n  4  = SPARK PLUG\n  in bath / sink\n  5  a thick round piece of plastic or rubber that you put in the hole in a bath or a SINK to stop the water flowing out:\nShe pulled out the plug and let the water drain away.\n  in hole\n  6  a round piece of material that fits into a hole and blocks it:\nShe took the plug of cotton wool from her ear.\nsee also EARPLUG\n  7  (AmE) = STOPPER\n  for screw\n  8  a small plastic tube that you put into a hole in a wall so that it will hold a screw\n  for book / movie\n  9  (informal) praise or attention that sb gives to a new book, film/movie, etc. in order to encourage people to buy or see it:\nHe managed to get in a plug for his new book.\n IDIOMS  see PULL v.\n    verb (-gg-) [VN]\n  fill hole\n  1  ~ sth (up) to fill a hole with a substance or piece of material that fits tightly into it:\nHe plugged the hole in the pipe with an old rag.\n  provide sth missing\n  2  to provide sth that has been missing from a particular situation and is needed in order to improve it:\nA cheaper range of products was introduced to plug the gap at the lower end of the market.\n  book / movie\n  3  to give praise or attention to a new book, film/movie, etc. in order to encourage people to buy it or see it \nSYN PROMOTE:\nShe came on the show to plug her latest album.\n  shoot\n  4  (old-fashioned, AmE, informal) to shoot sb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  plug away (at sth) to continue working hard at sth, especially sth that you find difficult\n  plug sth<->in | plug sth into sth to connect a piece of electrical equipment to the main supply of electricity or to another piece of electrical equipment:\nIs the printer plugged in?\nOPP UNPLUG\n  plug sth into sth\n1 = TO PLUG STH IN\n2 to connect a computer to a computer system:\nAll our computers are plugged into the main network.\n  plug into sth\n1 (of a piece of electrical equipment) to be able to be connected to the main supply of electricity or to another piece of electrical equipment:\nThe VCR plugs into the back of the television.\n2 to become involved with a particular activity or group of people:\nThe company has doubled its profits since plugging into lucrative overseas markets.


Words: plughole
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE drain) noun\na hole in a bath, SINK, etc. where the water flows away and into which a plug fits\n IDIOMS \n  go down the plughole (BrE) = (go) down the drain at DRAIN n.


Words: plum
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a soft round fruit with smooth red or purple skin, sweet flesh and a flat stone/pit inside:\na plum tree\n \n  2  [U, C] a dark reddish-purple colour\n    adjective (BrE) (of a job, etc.) considered very good and worth having:\nShe’s landed a plum job at the BBC.


Words: plumb
Meaning:
verb, adverb \n    verb [VN] (literary) to try to understand or succeed in understanding sth mysterious\nSYN FATHOM:\nShe spent her life plumbing the mysteries of the human psyche. * He had clearly plumbed the general sense of the message.\n IDIOMS \n  plumb the depths of sth to be or to experience an extreme example of sth unpleasant:\nHis latest novel plumbs the depths of horror and violence. * It was at that stage in her life when she plumbed the depths of despair. * The team’s poor performances plumbed new depths last night when they lost 10-2.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  plumb sth<->in (especially BrE) to connect a WASHING MACHINE, toilet, etc. to the water supply in a building\n    adverb\n  1  (used before prepositions) exactly:\nHe was standing plumb in the middle of the road.\n  2  (old-fashioned, AmE, informal) completely:\nHe’s plumb crazy.


Words: plumb line
Meaning:
noun\na piece of thick string with a weight attached to one end, used to find the depth of water or to test whether a wall, etc. is straight


Words: plumbing
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the system of pipes, etc. that supply water to a building:\nThe builders are putting in the plumbing and electrics. * the household plumbing system\n  2  the work of a plumber:\nthe tools used in plumbing * plumbing jobs / work


Words: plume
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a cloud of sth that rises and curves upwards in the air:\na plume of smoke * A radioactive plume could reach the city within hours.\n  2  a large feather:\na black hat with an ostrich plume\n  3  a group of feathers or long thin pieces of material tied together and often used as a decoration:\nThe red plume on the horse’s head was nodding to the rhythm of its steps.\nsee also NOM DE PLUME


Words: plummet
Meaning:
verb\n[V] to fall suddenly and quickly from a high level or position\nSYN PLUNGE:\nShare prices plummeted to an all-time low. * Her spirits plummeted at the thought of meeting him again. * The jet plummeted into a row of houses.


Words: plummy
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (BrE, informal, usually disapproving) (of a voice) having a sound that is typical of upper-class English people:\na plummy accent\n  2  like a PLUM in colour, taste, etc:\na wine with a plummy taste


Words: plump
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective (plumper, plumpest)\n  1  having a soft, round body; slightly fat:\na short, plump woman * a plump body / face / figure\n  2  looking soft, full and attractive to use or eat:\nplump cushions * plump tomatoes\n    plumpness noun [U] \n    verb [VN] ~ sth (up) to make sth larger, softer and rounder:\nHe leaned forward while the nurse plumped up his pillows.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  plump for sb/sth (informal) to choose sb/sth from a number of people or things, especially after thinking carefully


Words: plunder
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb to steal things from a place, especially using force during a time of war:\n[V] The troops crossed the country, plundering and looting as they went. * [VN] The abbey had been plundered of its valuables. * Only a small amount of the money that he plundered from his companies has been recovered.\ncompare PILLAGE\n    noun [U]\n  1  the act of plundering\n  2  things that have been stolen, especially during a war, etc:\nThe army returned loaded down with plunder.\ncompare PILLAGE


Words: plunge
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [+adv./prep.] to move or make sb/sth move suddenly forwards and/or downwards:\n[V] She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. * The train left the track and plunged down the embankment. * [VN] The earthquake plunged entire towns over the edge of the cliffs.\n  2  [V] (of prices, temperatures, etc.) to decrease suddenly and quickly\nSYN PLUMMET:\nStock markets plunged at the news of the coup. * This year profits plunged by 40%.\n  3  [V +adv./prep.] (of a road, surface, etc.) to slope steeply:\nThe track plunged down into the valley.\n  4  [V] to move up and down suddenly and violently:\nThe horse plunged and reared. * (figurative) His heart plunged (= because of a strong emotion).\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  plunge in | plunge into sth\n1 to jump into sth, especially with force:\nThe pool was declared open and eager swimmers plunged in.\n2 to start doing sth in an enthusiastic way, especially without thinking carefully about what you are doing:\nShe was about to plunge into her story when the phone rang. * He’s always plunging in at the deep end (= becoming involved in difficult situations without being well enough prepared).\n  plunge sth in | plunge sth into sth to push sth quickly and with force into sth else:\nBring the water to the boil and plunge the vegetables in. * She plunged the knife deep into his chest.\n  plunge into sth\n1 = PLUNGE IN\n2 to experience sth unpleasant:\nThe country plunged deeper into recession.\n  plunge sb/sth into sth to make sb/sth experience sth unpleasant:\nThe news plunged them into deep depression. * There was a flash of lightning and the house was plunged into darkness.\n    noun [usually sing.]\n  1  a sudden movement downwards or away from sth:\nThe calm water ends there and the river begins a headlong plunge.\n  2  ~ (in sth) a sudden decrease in an amount or the value of sth:\na dramatic plunge in profits * a sharp plunge in the stock markets * This increase reversed an earlier price plunge.\n  3  ~ into sth the act of becoming involved in a situation or activity:\nThe company is planning a deeper plunge into the commercial market.\n  4  an act of jumping or DIVING into water; a quick swim:\nHe took the plunge into the deep end. * She went for a plunge.\n IDIOMS \n  take the plunge (informal) to decide to do sth important or difficult, especially after thinking about it for a long time:\nThey finally decided to take the plunge and get married.


Words: plunger
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a part of a piece of equipment that can be pushed down\n \n  2  a piece of equipment used for clearing kitchen and bathroom pipes, that consists of a rubber cup fixed to a handle


Words: plunk
Meaning:
verb [VN] (informal)\n  1  [+adv./prep.] (AmE) = PLONK:\nHe plunked the package down on the desk.\n  2  to play a guitar, a keyboard, etc. with your fingers and produce a quick, harsh sound\n    plunk noun:\nthe plunk, plunk of the banjo\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  plunk down sth to pay money for sth, especially a large amount


Words: plural
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (grammar) (abbreviation pl.) a form of a noun or verb that refers to more than one person or thing:\nThe plural of ’child’ is ’children’. * The verb should be in the plural.\ncompare SINGULAR\n    adjective\n  1  (grammar) (abbreviation pl.) connected with or having the plural form:\nMost plural nouns in English end in ’s’.\n  2  relating to more than one:\na plural society (= one with more than one RACIAL, religious, etc. group)


Words: pluralism
Meaning:
noun [U] (formal)\n  1  the existence of many different groups of people in one society, for example people of different races or of different political or religious beliefs:\ncultural / political pluralism\n  2  the belief that it is possible and good for different groups of people to live together in peace in one society\n  3  (usually disapproving) the fact of having more than one job or position at the same time, especially in the Church


Words: pluralist
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (also pluralistic )\n  1  (of a society) having many different groups of people and different political parties in it:\na pluralist democracy / system\n  2  (philosophy) not based on a single set of principles or beliefs:\na pluralist approach to politics\n    noun\n  1  a person who believes that it is possible and good for different groups of people to live together in peace in our society\n  2  a person who has more than one job or position at the same time, especially in the Church


Words: plurality
Meaning:
noun (plural pluralities)\n  1  [C, usually sing.] (formal) a large number:\na plurality of influences\n  2  [C, usually sing.] (politics) (especially AmE) the number of votes given to one person, political party, etc. when this number is less than 50% but more than any other single person, etc. receives:\nIn order to be elected, a candidate needs only a plurality of the votes cast.\ncompare MAJORITY\n  3  [U] (grammar) the state of being plural


Words: plus
Meaning:
preposition, noun, adjective, conjunction \n    preposition\n  1  used when the two numbers or amounts mentioned are being added together:\nTwo plus five is seven. * The cost is ｣22, plus ｣1 for postage. * Membership is 350 dollars per year plus tax.\n  2  as well as sth/sb; and also:\nWe have to fit five of us plus all our gear in the car.\nOPP MINUS\n IDIOMS \n  plus or minus used when the number mentioned may actually be more or less by a particular amount:\nThe margin of error was plus or minus three percentage points.\n    noun\n  1  (informal) an advantage; a good thing:\nKnowledge of French is a plus in her job. * There were a lot of pluses in the performance.\n  2  (also plus sign) the symbol( + ), used in mathematics:\nHe put a plus instead of a minus.\nOPP MINUS\n    adjective\n  1  used after a number to show that the real number or amount is more than the one mentioned:\nThe work will cost ｣10 000 plus.\n  2  above zero:\nThe temperature is plus four degrees.\nOPP MINUS\n  3  [only before noun] used to describe an aspect of sth that you consider to be a good thing:\nOne of the hotel’s plus points is that it is very central. * On the plus side, all the staff are enthusiastic. * The plus side of working at home is that you can be more flexible.\nOPP MINUS\n  4  [not before noun] (used in a system of marks / grades) slightly higher than the mark/grade A, B, etc:\nI got B plus (B+) in the test.\nOPP MINUS\n    conjunction (informal) used to add more information\nSYN FURTHERMORE:\nI’ve got too much on at work. Plus my father is not well.


Words: plus fours
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (BrE) wide loose trousers/pants that end just below the knees, where they fit closely, and that used to be worn, for example, by men playing golf:\na pair of plus fours


Words: plush
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun [U] a silk or cotton fabric with a thick soft surface made of a mass of threads:\nred plush armchairs\n    adjective (informal) very comfortable; expensive and of good quality:\na plush hotel


Words: plutocracy
Meaning:
noun (plural plutocracies)\n  1  [U] government by the richest people of a country\n  2  [C] a country governed by the richest people in it


Words: plutonium
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (Symbol Pu) a chemical element. Plutonium is RADIOACTIVE and is used in nuclear weapons and in producing nuclear energy.


Words: ply
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (plies, plying, plied, plied)\n  1  (literary) (of ships, buses, etc.) to travel regularly along a particular route or between two particular places: [V, +adv./prep.] Ferries ply across a narrow strait to the island. * The train plies twice a day between Paris and Madrid. * [VN] canals plied by gondolas and steam boats * ships plying the route between Tripoli and Malta\n  2  [VN] (formal) to use a tool, especially in a skilful way:\nThe tailor delicately plied his needle.\n IDIOMS \n  ply your trade (written) to do your work or business:\nThis is the restaurant where he plied his trade as a cook. * Drug dealers openly plied their trade in front of children.\n  ply for hire / trade / business (BrE) to look for customers, passengers, etc. in order to do business:\ntaxis plying for hire outside the theatre\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  ply sb with sth\n1 to keep giving sb large amounts of sth, especially food and/or drink:\nShe plied us with tea and cake.\n2 to keep asking sb questions:\nHe plied me with questions from the moment he arrived.\n    noun [U] (especially in compounds) a measurement of wool, rope, wood, etc. that tells you how thick it is:\nfour-ply knitting yarn


Words: plywood
Meaning:
noun\n[U] board made by sticking thin layers of wood on top of each other:\nsheets of plywood * plywood furniture


Words: PMS
Meaning:
, AmE, BrE) noun\n[U] physical and emotional problems such as pain and feeling depressed that many women experience before their PERIOD (= flow of blood) each month. PMS/PMT are abbreviations for ’premenstrual syndrome/tension’:\nSymptoms of PMS include breast tenderness and a craving for sweet food.


Words: pneumatic
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n \n  1  filled with air:\na pneumatic tyre\n \n  2  worked by air under pressure:\npneumatic tools


Words: pneumatic drill
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE jackhammer) noun\na large powerful tool, worked by air pressure, used especially for breaking up road surfaces


Words: PO box
Meaning:
(also post office box) noun\nused as a kind of address, so that mail can be sent to a post office where it is kept until it is collected:\nRadio Netherlands, PO Box 222, Hilversum


Words: po-faced
Meaning:
adjective\n(BrE, informal, disapproving) looking very serious and as though you do not approve of sb/sth


Words: poach
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [VN] to cook food, especially fish, gently in a small amount of liquid:\npoached salmon\n  2  [VN] to cook an egg gently in nearly boiling water after removing its shell\n  3  to illegally hunt birds, animals or fish on sb else’s property or without permission:\n[VN] The elephants are poached for their tusks. [also V]\n  4  ~ (sb/sth) (from sb/sth) to take and use sb/sth that belongs to sb/sth else, especially in a secret, dishonest or unfair way:\n[VN] The company poached the contract from their main rivals. * Several of our employees have been poached by a rival firm. * [V] I hope I’m not poaching on your territory (= doing sth that is actually your responsibility).


Words: poacher
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who illegally hunts birds, animals, or fish on sb’s else’s property\n  2  a special pan for POACHING eggs\n  3  (also goal poacher) (especially in football) a player who waits near the opposite team’s goal in order to try to score if they get the ball\n IDIOMS \n  poacher turned gamekeeper (BrE) a person who has changed from one situation or attitude to the opposite one, especially sb who used to oppose people in authority but is now in a position of authority


Words: pock-marked
Meaning:
adjective\ncovered with hollow marks or holes:\na pock-marked face * The district is pock-marked with caves.


Words: pocked
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving holes or hollow marks on the surface:\nThe surface of the moon is pocked with craters.


Words: pocket
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  in clothing\n \n  1  a small piece of material like a small bag sewn into or onto a piece of clothing so that you can carry things in it:\na coat pocket * I put the note in my pocket. * Turn out your pockets (= empty your pockets). * Take your hands out of your pockets! * a pocket dictionary (= one that is small enough to fit in your pocket)\n \n  small container\n \n  2  a small bag or container fastened to sth so that you can put things in it, for example, in a car door or in a handbag:\nInformation about safety procedures is in the pocket in front of you (= on a plane).\n \n  money\n \n  3  [usually sing.] used to talk about the amount of money that you have to spend:\nWe have holidays to suit every pocket. * He had no intention of paying for the meal out of his own pocket. * The Foundation is reputed to have very deep pockets (= to have a lot of money). * The libel case was a huge drain on her pocket.\n  small group / area\n  4  a small group or area that is different from its surroundings:\nThere are still a few isolated pockets of resistance to the new regime. * a pocket of air * Geologists have found a few remaining pockets of iron ore.\nsee also AIR POCKET\n  in billiards, etc.\n  5  any of the holes or nets around the edges of the table used in the games of BILLIARDS, POOL or SNOOKER, which you have to hit the ball into\n IDIOMS \n  be in sb’s pocket to be controlled or strongly influenced by sb\n  be / live in each other’s pockets (BrE) if two people are in each other’s pockets, they are too close to each other or spend too much time with each other\n  have sb in your pocket to have influence or power over sb, for example, a police officer or a politician, especially by threatening them or by offering them money\n  to have sth in your pocket to be certain to win sth\n  in / out of pocket (especially BrE) having gained/lost money as a result of sth:\nThat one mistake left him thousands of pounds out of pocket.\nmore at BURN v., DIP v., HAND n., LINE v., PICK v.\n    verb [VN]\n  put into pocket\n  1  to put sth into your pocket:\nShe paid for the drink and pocketed the change without counting it.\n  money\n  2  to take or keep sth, especially an amount of money, that does not belong to you:\nHe regularly charges passengers more than the normal fare and pockets the difference.\n  3  to earn or win an amount of money:\nLast year, she pocketed over $1 million in advertising contracts. * She pocketed ｣500 for coming second.\n  in billiards, etc.\n  4  (in the games of BILLIARDS, POOL and SNOOKER) to hit a ball into a pocket\nSYN POT


Words: pocket money
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (especially BrE) (also allowance especially in AmE) a small amount of money that parents give their children, usually every week or every month\n  2  a small amount of money that you can spend on things you need or want\ncompare SPENDING MONEY


Words: pocket veto
Meaning:
noun\n(in the US) a method by which the President can stop a new law from being introduced by not signing it and keeping it until a SESSION of Congress has finished


Words: pocketbook
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (AmE) used to refer to the financial situation of a person or country. (In the past it was a small flat case for carrying papers or money.):\nMany foreign goods are too expensive for American pocketbooks. * The increase is likely to hit the pocketbooks of consumers. * Voters care about pocketbook issues such as jobs and inflation.\n \n  2  (especially BrE) a small book for writing in\nSYN NOTEBOOK\n \n  3  (old-fashioned, AmE) = HANDBAG


Words: pod
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a long thin case filled with seeds that develops from the flowers of some plants, especially peas and beans:\na pea pod * a vanilla pod\n  2  a long narrow container that is hung under an aircraft and used to carry fuel, equipment, weapons, etc.\n  3  part of a spacecraft or a boat that can be separated from the main part


Words: podgy
Meaning:
(BrE) (also pudgy AmE, BrE) adjective\n(informal, usually disapproving) slightly fat:\npodgy arms / hands


Words: podium
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small platform that a person stands on when giving a speech or CONDUCTING an orchestra, etc.\n  2  (AmE) = LECTERN


Words: poem
Meaning:
noun\na piece of writing in which the words are chosen for their sound and the images they suggest, not just for their obvious meanings. The words are arranged in separate lines, usually with a repeated rhythm, and sometimes the lines RHYME at the end.


Words: Poet Laureate
Meaning:
(also Laureate) noun\n  1  (especially in Britain) a person who has been officially chosen to write poetry for the country’s important occasions and is paid by the government or by the king or queen\n  2  (especially AmE) a person whose poetry is considered to be the best, or most typical of their country or region.


Words: poetic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [only before noun] connected with poetry; being poetry:\npoetic language * Byron’s Poetical Works\n  2  (approving) like or suggesting poetry, especially because it is imaginative and shows deep feeling:\nThere is a poetic quality to her playing.\n    poetically  adverb


Words: poetic licence
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the freedom to change facts, the normal rules of language, etc. in a special piece of writing or speech in order to achieve a particular effect:\nHe used a little poetic licence to embroider a good story.


Words: poetry
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] a collection of poems; poems in general\nSYN VERSE:\nepic / lyric / pastoral poetry * T.S. Eliot’s poetry * a poetry reading\ncompare PROSE\n  2  [U, sing.] (approving) a beautiful and graceful quality:\nThere was poetry in all her gestures.


Words: pogrom
Meaning:
noun\nthe organized killing of large numbers of people, especially because of their race or religion (originally the killing of Jews in Russia)


Words: poignant
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving a strong effect on your feelings, especially in a way that makes you feel sad \nSYN MOVING:\na poignant image / moment / memory * Her face was a poignant reminder of the passing of time.\n    poignancy  noun [U]:\nthe poignancy of parting and separation * Of particular poignancy was the photograph of their son with his sisters, taken the day before he died.\n    poignantly  adverb


Words: poinsettia
Meaning:
noun\na tropical plant with large red or pink leaves that grow to look like flowers, often grown indoors in pots


Words: point
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  opinion / fact\n  1  [C] a thing that sb says or writes giving their opinion or stating a fact:\nShe made several interesting points in the article. * I take your point (= understand and accept what you are saying). * He’s just saying that to prove a point (= to show his idea is right). * OK, you’ve made your point!\nsee also TALKING POINT\n  main idea\n  2  [C] (usually the point) the main or most important idea in sth that is said or done:\nThe point is you shouldn’t have to wait so long to see a doctor. * I wish he would get to the point (= say it quickly). * I’ll come straight to the point: we need more money. * Do you see my point (= understand)? * I think I missed the point (= did not understand). * You have a point (= your idea is right)-it would be better to wait till this evening. * ’There won’t be anywhere to park.’ ’Oh, that’s a (good) point.’ (= I had not thought of that) * It just isn’t true. That’s the whole point (= the only important fact). * ’He’s been married before.’ ’That’s beside the point.’ (= not important) * I know it won’t cost very much but that’s not the point (= not the important thing).\n  purpose\n  3  [U, sing.] the purpose or aim of sth:\nWhat’s the point of all this violence? * There’s no point in getting angry. * I don’t see the point of doing it all again. * The point of the lesson is to compare the two countries.\n  detail\n  4  [C] a particular detail or fact:\nHere are the main points of the news. * Can you explain that point again?\n  quality\n  5  [C] a particular quality or feature that sb/sth has:\nTact is not one of her strong points. * Read the manual to learn the program’s finer points (= small details). * Living in Scotland has its good points but the weather is not one of them. * One of the hotel’s plus points (= good features) is that it is very central.\nsee also SELLING POINT\n  time\n  6  [C] a particular time or stage of development:\nThe climber was at / on the point of death when they found him. * We were on the point of giving up. * Many people suffer from mental illness at some point in their lives. * We had reached the point when there was no money left. * At this point in time we just have to wait. * At this point I don’t care what you decide to do.\nsee also HIGH POINT, LOW POINT, SATURATION POINT, STARTING POINT, STICKING POINT, TURNING POINT\n  place\n  7  [C] a particular place or area:\nI’ll wait for you at the meeting point in the arrivals hall. * the point at which the river divides * Draw a line from point A to point B. * No parking beyond this point.\nsee also FOCAL POINT, JUMPING-OFF POINT, THREE-POINT TURN, VANISHING POINT, VANTAGE POINT\n  direction\n  8  [C] one of the marks of direction around a COMPASS:\nthe points of the compass (= N, S, E, W, etc.)\n  in competition\n  9  [C] (abbreviation pt) an individual unit that adds to a score in a game or sports competition:\nto win / lose a point * Australia finished 20 points ahead. * They won on points (= by scoring more points rather than by completely defeating their opponents).\nsee also BROWNIE POINT, MATCH POINT\n  measurement\n  10  [C] a mark or unit on a scale of measurement:\nThe party’s share of the vote fell by ten percentage points.\nsee also BOILING POINT, FREEZING POINT, MELTING POINT\n  punctuation\n  11  [C] a small dot used in PUNCTUATION, especially the dot that separates a whole number from the part that comes after it:\ntwo point six (2.6) * a decimal point * We broadcast on ninety-five point nine (95.9) FM.\n  sharp end\n  12  [C] the sharp thin end of sth:\nthe point of a pencil / knife / pin\nsee also BALLPOINT, GUNPOINT, KNIFEPOINT\n  land\n  13  (also Point) a narrow piece of land that stretches into the sea:\nThe ship sailed around the point. * Pagoda Point\n  of light / colour\n  14  [C] a very small dot of light or colour:\nThe stars were points of light in the sky.\n  for electricity\n  15  [C] (BrE) a place in a wall, etc. where a piece of equipment can be connected to electricity:\na power / shaver / telephone point\n  in ballet\n  16  (points) [pl.] = POINTE\n  on railway track\n  17  (points) [pl.] (BrE) (AmE switch [C]) a piece of track at a place where a railway/railroad line divides that can be moved to allow a train to change tracks\n  size of letters\n  18  [U] a unit of measurement for the size of letters in printing or on a computer screen, etc:\nChange the text to 10 point.\n IDIOMS \n  if / when it comes to the point used when you have to decide sth or say what you really think:\nWhen it comes to the point, he always changes his mind.\n  in point of fact used to say what is true in a situation:\nIn point of fact, she is their adopted daughter.\n  make a point of doing sth to be or make sure you do sth because it is important or necessary:\nI made a point of closing all the windows before leaving the house.\n  more to the point used to say that sth is more important than sth else:\nI couldn’t do the job-I’ve never been to Spain and, more to the point, I don’t speak Spanish.\n  point of contact a place where you go or a person that you speak to when you are dealing with an organization:\nThe receptionist is the first point of contact most people have with the clinic.\n  a point of departure\n1 a place where a journey starts\n2 (formal) an idea, a theory or an event that is used to start a discussion, an activity, etc.\n  a point of honour a thing that sb considers to be very important for their honour or reputation\n  the point of no return the time when you must continue with what you have decided to do, because it is not possible to get back to an earlier situation\n  point taken used to say that you accept that sb else is right when they have disagreed with you or criticized you:\nPoint taken. Let’s drop the subject.\n  to the point expressed in a simple, clear way without any extra information or feelings:\nThe letter was short and to the point.\n  to the point of (doing) sth to a degree that can be described as sth:\nHe was rude to the point of being aggressive.\n  up to a (certain) point to some extent; to some degree but not completely:\nI agree with you up to a point.\nmore at BELABOUR, CASE n., FINE adj., LABOUR v., MOOT adj., SCORE v., SORE adj., STRETCH v.\n    verb\n  show with finger\n \n  1  [no passive] ~ (at / to / towards sb/sth) to stretch out your finger or sth held in your hand towards sb/sth in order to show sb where a person or thing is:\n[V] ’That’s my mother,’ she said, pointing at a photo on the wall. * It’s rude to point! * He pointed to the spot where the house used to stand. * ’What’s your name?’ he asked, pointing at the child with his pen. * She pointed in my direction. * [VN] She pointed her finger in my direction.\n \n  aim\n \n  2  [VN] ~ sth (at sb/sth) to aim sth at sb/sth:\nHe pointed the gun at her head. * A hundred camera lenses were being pointed at her.\n \n  face direction\n \n  3  [V +adv./prep.] to face in or be directed towards a particular direction:\nThe telescope was pointing in the wrong direction. * The signpost pointed straight ahead. * A compass needle points north.\n  lead to\n  4  [+adv./prep.] to lead to or suggest a particular development or logical argument:\n[V] The evidence seems to point in that direction. * [VN] The fans are looking to the new players to point the way to victory.\n  show the way\n  5  [VN +adv./prep.] to show sb which way to go:\nI wonder if you could point me in the right direction for the bus station. * A series of yellow arrows pointed the way to reception.\n  wall\n  6  [VN] to put MORTAR between the bricks of a wall:\nThe house needs pointing before winter.\n IDIOMS \n  point a / the finger (at sb) to accuse sb of doing sth:\nThe article points an accusing finger at the authorities.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  point sb/sth<->out (to sb) to stretch your finger out towards sb/sth in order to show sb which person or thing you are referring to:\nI’ll point him out to you next time he comes in. * The guide pointed out various historic monuments.\n  point out (to sb) | point sth<->out (to sb) to mention sth in order to give sb information about it or make them notice it:\nShe tried in vain to point out to him the unfairness of his actions. * He pointed out the dangers of driving alone. * [+ that] I should point out that not one of these paintings is original. * [+ speech] ’It’s not very far,’ she pointed out.\n  point to sth\n1 to mention sth that you think is important and/or the reason why a particular situation exists:\nThe board of directors pointed to falling productivity to justify their decision. * Pointing to the results of a recent survey, he claimed voters were most interested in education and unemployment.\n2 to suggest that sth is true or likely:\nAll the signs point to a successful year ahead. * The evidence before us points clearly to his innocence.\n  point sth<->up (formal) to emphasize sth so that it becomes more noticeable:\nThe conference merely pointed up divisions in the party.


Words: point duty
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) the job of controlling traffic that is done by a police officer standing in the middle of the road:\nto be on point duty


Words: point man
Meaning:
noun\na soldier who goes in front of the others to look for danger: (figurative, AmE) the President’s point man on education (= the person who is responsible for it)


Words: point of order
Meaning:
noun\n(plural points of order) (formal) a question about whether the rules of behaviour in a formal discussion or meeting are being followed correctly:\nto raise a point of order * On a point of order, Mr. Chairman, can associate members vote on this subject?


Words: point of reference
Meaning:
noun\n(plural points of reference) something that you already know that helps you understand a situation or explain sth to sb


Words: point of sale
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] the place where a product is sold:\nMore information on healthy foods should be provided at the point of sale.


Words: point of use
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] the place where a product or a service is actually used:\nMedical care is still free at the point of use.


Words: point of view
Meaning:
noun (plural points of view)\n  1  the particular attitude or opinion that sb has about sth:\nWhy can’t you ever see my point of view? * There are a number of different points of view on this issue. * From my point of view (= as far as I was concerned) the party was a complete success.\n  2  a particular way of considering or judging a situation \nSYN ANGLE:\nThese statistics are important from an ecological point of view. * From the point of view of higher education, the cuts will be a disaster. * The book is written from the father’s point of view.


Words: point-blank
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (of a shot) fired with the gun touching or very close to the person or thing it is aimed at:\nThe officer was shot dead at point-blank range.\n  2  (of sth that is said) very definite and direct and not very polite:\na point-blank refusal\n    point-blank adverb:\nShe fired point-blank at his chest. * He refused point-blank to be photographed.


Words: point-to-point
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a race on horses that goes over a marked course across fields and has fences or walls for the horses to jump over


Words: pointed
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having a sharp end:\na pointed chin * pointed teeth * the pointed arches used in medieval buildings * a pointed instrument\nsee also POINTY\n  2  aimed in a clear and often critical way against a particular person or their behaviour:\na pointed comment / remark * His words were a pointed reminder of her position.


Words: pointedly
Meaning:
adverb\nin a way that is clearly intended to show what you mean or to express criticism:\nShe yawned and looked pointedly at her watch. * When he sees me, he pointedly ignores me.


Words: pointer
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (informal) a piece of advice:\nHere are some pointers on how to go about the writing task.\n  2  ~ (to sth) a sign that sth exists; a sign that shows how sth may develop in the future:\nThe surge in car sales was regarded as an encouraging pointer to an improvement in the economy.\n  3  a thin strip of metal that points to the numbers on a DIAL on a piece of equipment for measuring sth\n  4  a stick used to point to things on a map or picture on a wall\n  5  (computing) a small symbol, for example an arrow that marks a point on a computer screen\n  6  a large dog used in hunting, trained to stand still with its nose pointing towards the birds being hunted


Words: pointillism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a style of painting that was developed in France in the late 19th century in which very small dots of colour are used to build up the picture\n    pointillist  adjective\n    pointillist noun:\nSeurat, the French pointillist


Words: pointing
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) the MORTAR that is put in the spaces between the bricks or stones in a wall; the method of filling in the spaces with MORTAR:\nCheck the pointing is in good condition.


Words: pointless
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving no purpose; not worth doing:\nWe searched until we knew it would be pointless to continue. * Trying to foresee the future is a pointless exercise.\n    pointlessly adverb:\nHe argued pointlessly with his parents.\n    pointlessness noun [U]:\nthe pointlessness of war


Words: poise
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U]\n  1  a calm and confident manner with control of your feelings or behaviour:\nHis performance was full of maturity and poise. * She seemed embarrassed for a moment but quickly recovered her poise.\n  2  the ability to move or stand in a graceful way with good control of your body\n    verb to be or hold sth steady in a particular position, especially above sth else: [V, +adv./prep.] The hawk poised in mid-air ready to swoop. * [VN to inf] He was poising himself to launch a final attack. * [VN +adv./prep.] She poised the javelin in her hand before the throw.


Words: poised
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [not before noun] ~ (on, above, over, etc. sth) | ~ (to do sth) in a position that is completely still but is ready to move at any moment:\nTina was tense, her hand poised over the telephone. * He stopped writing and looked at me, pen poised. * The cat crouched in the grass, poised to jump.\n  2  [not before noun] ~ (in, on, above, etc. sth) in a position that is balanced but likely to change in one direction or another:\nThe dancer was poised on one foot. * The cup was poised on the edge of the chair. * (figurative) The world stood poised between peace and war.\n  3  [not before noun] ~ for sth | ~ to do sth completely ready for sth or to do sth\nSYN SET:\nThe economy is poised for recovery. * The British team is poised to win the title. * Kate is poised to become the highest-paid supermodel in the fashion world.\n  4  having a calm and confident manner and in control of your feelings and behaviour:\nHe is a remarkably poised young man.


Words: poison
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [C, U]\n  1  a substance that causes death or harm if it is swallowed or absorbed into the body:\nSome mushrooms contain a deadly poison. * How did he die? Was it poison? * The dog was killed by rat poison (= poison intended to kill rats). * to hunt with poison arrows * bombs containing poison gas\n  2  an idea, a feeling, etc. that is extremely harmful:\nthe poison of racial hatred\n IDIOMS \n  what’s your poison? (spoken, humorous) used to ask sb what alcoholic drink they would like\n    verb [VN] \n  1  ~ sb (with sth) to harm or kill a person or an animal by giving them poison:\nIn the last chapter, she poisons herself with arsenic. * Thousands are at risk of being poisoned by fumes from faulty heaters.\n  2  to put poison in or on sth:\na poisoned arrow * Someone had been poisoning his food. * Large sections of the river have been poisoned by toxic waste from factories. * Exhaust fumes are poisoning our cities.\n  3  (written) to have a bad effect on sth:\nHis comment served only to poison the atmosphere still further. * She succeeded in poisoning their minds against me.\n IDIOMS \n  a poisoned chalice (especially BrE) a thing which seems attractive when it is given to sb but which soon becomes unpleasant:\nHe inherited a poisoned chalice when he took over the job as union leader.


Words: poison pill
Meaning:
noun\n(informal, business) a form of defence used by a company to prevent, or to reduce the effect of, a TAKEOVER BID that they do not want, for example by selling some of their important possessions


Words: poisoning
Meaning:
noun [U, C]\n  1  the fact or state of having swallowed or absorbed poison:\na series of deaths caused by carbon monoxide poisoning * At least 10 000 children are involved in accidental poisonings every year.\n  2  the act of killing or harming sb/sth by giving them poison:\nThe police suspected poisoning. * The rats were controlled by poisoning.\nsee also BLOOD POISONING, FOOD POISONING


Words: poisonous
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  causing death or illness if swallowed or absorbed into the body\nSYN TOXIC:\npoisonous chemicals / plants * This gas is highly poisonous. * The leaves of certain trees are poisonous to cattle.\n  2  (of animals and insects) producing a poison that can cause death or illness if the animal or insect bites you\nSYN VENOMOUS:\npoisonous snakes * a tiny spider with a poisonous bite\n  3  extremely unpleasant or unfriendly:\na poisonous person * the poisonous atmosphere in the office


Words: poke
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [VN] ~ sb/sth (with sth) to quickly push your fingers or another object into sb/sth:\nShe poked him in the ribs with her elbow. * She poked her elbow into his ribs. * I’m sick of being poked and prodded by doctors. * She got up and poked the fire (= to make it burn more strongly).\n  2  [VN +adv./prep.] to push sth somewhere or move it in a particular direction with a small quick movement:\nHe poked his head around the corner to check that nobody was coming. * Someone had poked a message under the door. * Don’t poke her eye out with that stick!\n  3  [V +adv./prep.] if an object is poking out of, through, etc. sth, you can see a part of it that is no longer covered by sth else:\nThe end of the cable was left poking out of the wall. * A bony elbow poked through a hole in his sweater. * Clumps of grass poked up through the snow.\n  4  [VN +adv./prep.] ~ a hole in sth (with sth) to make a hole in sth by pushing your finger or another object into it:\nThe kids poked holes in the ice with sticks.\n  5  [VN] (slang, !!!) (of a man) to have sex with sb\n IDIOMS \n  poke fun at sb/sth to say unkind things about sb/sth in order to make other people laugh at them:\nHer novels poke fun at the upper class. * She’s always poking fun at herself.\nmore at NOSE n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  poke about / around (informal) to look for sth, especially sth that is hidden among other things that you have to move:\nThe police spent the day poking around in his office but found nothing. * (figurative) We’ve had journalists poking around and asking a lot of questions.\n  poke at sth to push a pointed object, your finger, etc. at sth repeatedly with small quick movements:\nHe poked at the spaghetti with a fork.\n    noun\n  1  [C, usually sing.] the action of quickly pushing your fingers or another object into sb/sth:\nto give the fire a poke * He gave me a poke in the ribs to wake me up.\n  2  [U] (BrE) power in a car:\nI prefer something with a bit more poke.\n IDIOMS \n  have a poke around (informal) to look carefully around a place to see what you can find; to try to find out information about sb/sth:\nHis mother often goes into his room and has a good old poke around.\n  take a poke at sb/sth (old-fashioned, AmE, informal) to make an unkind remark about sb/sth; to laugh at sb/sth\nmore at PIG n.


Words: poker
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U] a card game for two or more people, in which the players bet on the values of the cards they hold\n \n  2  [C] a metal stick for moving or breaking up coal in a fire


Words: poker-faced
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal) with an expression on your face that does not show what you are thinking or feeling:\nOur passports were checked by poker-faced officials. * a poker-faced expression\n    poker face noun:\nHe maintained a poker face.


Words: poky
Meaning:
adjective (informal)\n  1  (of a room or a building) too small; without much space:\na poky little room\n  2  (also pokey) (both AmE) extremely slow and annoying


Words: polar
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  connected with, or near the North or South Pole:\nthe polar regions * polar ice * polar explorers\n  2  (technical) connected with the POLES (= the positive and negative ends) of a MAGNET:\npolar attraction\n  3  (formal) used to describe sth that is the complete opposite of sth else:\nThe parents’ position is often the polar opposite of the child’s.


Words: polarity
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  ~ (between A and B) (formal) the situation when two tendencies, opinions, etc. oppose each other:\nthe growing polarity between the left and right wings of the party\n  2  [U, C] (physics) the condition of having two POLES with opposite qualities:\nthe polarity of a magnet


Words: polarize
Meaning:
(BrE also polarise)  verb\n  1  to separate or make people separate into two groups with completely opposite opinions:\n[V] Public opinion has polarized on this issue. * [VN] The issue has polarized public opinion.\n  2  [VN] (physics) to make waves of light, etc. VIBRATE in a single direction\n  3  [VN] (physics) to give polarity to sth:\nto polarize a magnet\n    polarization, polarisation  noun [U, C]


Words: Polaroid
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] (also Polaroid camera) a camera that can produce a photograph within a few seconds\n \n  2  [C] a photograph that has been taken with a Polaroid camera\n \n  3  [U] a transparent substance that is put on SUNGLASSES and car windows to make the sun seem less bright:\nPolaroid sunglasses\n \n  4  (Polaroids) [pl.] (also Polaroid sunglasses) SUNGLASSES that have a layer of Polaroid on them


Words: pole
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a long thin straight piece of wood or metal, especially one with the end placed in the ground, used as a support:\na tent / telegraph pole * a ski pole\nsee also BARGEPOLE, FLAGPOLE, TOTEM POLE\n \n  2  either of the two points at the opposite ends of the line on which the earth or any other planet turns:\nthe North / South Pole\n \n  3  (physics) either of the two ends of a MAGNET, or the positive or negative points of an electric battery\n \n  4  either of two opposite or contrasting extremes:\nTheir opinions were at opposite poles of the the debate.\n IDIOMS \n  be poles apart to be widely separated; to have no interests that you share:\nHer own friends were poles apart from his.\n  up the pole (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) crazy\nmore at TOUCH v.\n    verb [VN, V +adv./prep.] to move a boat by pushing on the bottom of a river, etc. with a pole


Words: poleaxe
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE poleax)  verb [VN] \n  1  to hit sb very hard so that they fall down and cannot stand up again\n  2  [usually passive] to surprise or shock you so much that you do not know what to say or do


Words: polecat
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small European wild animal with a long thin body, dark brown fur and a strong unpleasant smell\n  2  (AmE) = SKUNK


Words: polemic
Meaning:
noun (formal)\n  1  [C] a speech or a piece of writing that argues very strongly for or against sth/sb\n  2  [U] (also polemics [pl.]) the practice or skill of arguing strongly for or against sth/sb:\nHer speech was memorable for its polemic rather than its substance.


Words: polemical
Meaning:
(also less frequent polemic) adjective\n(formal) involving strong arguments for or against sth, often in opposition to the opinion of others:\na polemical attack


Words: police
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (often the police) [pl.] an official organization whose job is to make people obey the law and to prevent and solve crime; the people who work for this organization:\nA man was arrested by the police and held for questioning. * Get out of the house or I’ll call the police. * Police suspect a local gang. * a police car / enquiry / warning * Hundreds of police in riot gear struggled to control the violence.\nsee also SECRET POLICE\n    verb [VN] \n  1  (of the police, army, etc.) to go around a particular area to make sure that nobody is breaking the law there:\nThe border will be policed by UN officials.\n  2  (of a committee, etc.) to make sure that a particular set of rules is obeyed:\nThe profession is policed by its own regulatory body. * The government has called on newspapers to police themselves.


Words: police constable
Meaning:
(also constable) noun\n(abbreviation PC) (in Britain and some other countries) a police officer of the lowest rank:\nPolice Constable Jordan


Words: police state
Meaning:
noun\n(disapproving) a country where people’s freedom, especially to travel and to express political opinions, is controlled by the government, with the help of the police


Words: police station
Meaning:
(AmE also station house) noun\nthe office of a local police force:\nThe suspect was taken to the nearest police station for questioning.


Words: policing
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the activity of keeping order in a place with police:\ncommunity policing\n  2  the activity of controlling an industry, an activity, etc. to make sure that people obey the rules:\nthe policing of legislation


Words: policy
Meaning:
noun (plural policies)\n  1  [C, U] ~ (on sth) a plan of action agreed or chosen by a political party, a business, etc:\nthe present government’s policy on education * The company has adopted a firm policy on shoplifting. * US foreign / domestic policy * They have had a significant change in policy on paternity leave. * a policy document\n  2  [C, U] (formal) a principle that you believe in that influences how you behave; a way in which you usually behave:\nShe is following her usual policy of ignoring all offers of help. * (saying) Honesty is the best policy.\n  3  [C] a written statement of a contract of insurance:\nCheck the terms of the policy before you sign.


Words: polio
Meaning:
noun\n[U] an infectious disease that affects the central nervous system and can cause temporary or permanent PARALYSIS (= loss of control or feeling in part or most of the body)


Words: polish
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U, C] a substance used when rubbing a surface to make it smooth and shiny:\nfurniture / floor / shoe / silver polish * wax polish\nsee also FRENCH POLISH, NAIL POLISH\n  2  [sing.] an act of polishing sth:\nI give it a polish now and again.\n  3  [sing.] the shiny appearance of sth after it has been polished\n  4  [U] a high quality of performance achieved with great skill:\nShe played the cello with the polish of a much older musician.\n  5  [U] high standards of behaviour; being polite:\nShe thought that her husband’s family lacked polish.\n IDIOMS  see SPIT n.\n    verb\n  1  ~ sth (up) (with sth) to make sth smooth and shiny by rubbing it with a piece of fabric, often with polish on it:\n[VN] Polish shoes regularly to protect the leather. * He polished his glasses with a handkerchief. * She polished the apple on her sleeve. [also V] \nsee also FRENCH POLISH\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (up) to make changes to sth in order to improve it:\nThe statement was carefully polished and checked before release. * The hotel has polished up its act (= improved its service) since last year.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  polish sb<->off (informal, especially AmE) to kill sb\n  polish sth<->off (informal) to finish sth, especially food, quickly:\nHe polished off the remains of the apple pie.


Words: polished
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  shiny as a result of polishing\n  2  elegant, confident and/or highly skilled:\npolished manners * She gave a polished performance on the piano.


Words: politburo
Meaning:
noun\n(plural politburos) the most important committee of a Communist party, with the power to decide on policy, especially in the former USSR


Words: polite
Meaning:
adjective (politer, politest)\n HELP NOTE  more polite and most polite are also common\n  1  having or showing good manners and respect for the feelings of others\nSYN COURTEOUS:\nPlease be polite to our guests. * We were all too polite to object.\nOPP IMPOLITE\n  2  socially correct but not always sincere:\nI don’t know how to make polite conversation. * The performance was greeted with polite applause.\n  3  [only before noun] from a class of society that believes it is better than others:\n’Bum’ is not a word we use in polite company.\n    politely adverb:\nThe receptionist smiled politely.\n    politeness noun [U]:\nHe stood up out of politeness and offered her his seat.


Words: politic
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) (of actions) based on good judgement\nSYN WISE, PRUDENT:\nIt seemed politic to say nothing.\nsee also BODY POLITIC


Words: political
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  connected with the state, government or public affairs:\na monarch without political power * He was a political prisoner (= one who was imprisoned because he was thought to be harmful to the state).\n  2  connected with the different groups working in politics, especially their policies and the competition between them:\na political debate / party / leader * What are your political sympathies?\n  3  (of people) interested in or active in politics:\nShe became very political at university. * I’m not a political animal (= person).\n  4  concerned with power, status, etc. within an organization, rather than with matters of principle:\nI suspect that he was dismissed for political reasons.\nsee also POLITICALLY


Words: political correctness
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (sometimes disapproving) the principle of avoiding language and behaviour that may offend particular groups of people:\nFor reasons of political correctness we have been asked to withdraw our advertisement from the national press.


Words: political geography
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the way in which the world is divided into different countries, especially as a subject of study


Words: politically
Meaning:
adverb\nin a way that is connected with politics:\na politically sensitive issue * politically motivated crimes * It makes sense politically as well as economically.


Words: politically correct
Meaning:
adjective\n(abbreviation PC) used to describe language or behaviour that deliberately tries to avoid offending particular groups of people


Words: politician
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also AmE informal pol) a person whose job is concerned with politics, especially as an elected member of parliament, etc.\n  2  (disapproving) a person who is good at using different situations in an organization to try to get power or advantage for himself or herself


Words: politicize
Meaning:
(BrE also politicise)  verb [VN] [often passive]\n  1  to make sth a political issue:\nthe highly politicized issue of unemployment\n  2  to make sb/sth become more involved in politics:\nThe rural population has become increasingly politicized in recent years.\n    politicization, politicisation  noun [U]:\nthe politicization of education


Words: politics
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U+sing./pl. v.] the activities involved in getting and using power in public life, and being able to influence decisions that affect a country or a society:\nparty politics * local politics * He’s thinking of going into politics (= trying to become a Member of Parliament, Congress, etc.) * a major figure in British politics\n  2  [U+sing./pl. v.] (disapproving) matters concerned with getting or using power within a particular group or organization:\nI don’t want to get involved in office politics. * the internal politics of the legal profession * sexual politics (= concerning relationships of power between the sexes)\n  3  [pl.] a person’s political views or beliefs:\nHis politics are extreme.\n  4  [U] = POLITICAL SCIENCE:\na degree in Politics\n  5  [sing.] a system of political beliefs; a state of political affairs:\nA politics of the future has to engage with new ideas.


Words: polity
Meaning:
noun (plural polities) (technical)\n  1  [C] a society as a politically organized state\n  2  [U] the form or process of government


Words: polka
Meaning:
noun\na fast dance for two people together that was popular in the 19th century; a piece of music for this dance


Words: polka dot
Meaning:
noun\none of many dots that together form a pattern, especially on fabric:\na polka-dot tie\ncompare SPOT


Words: poll
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  (also opinion poll) [C] the process of questioning people who are representative of a larger group in order to get information about the general opinion:\nto carry out / conduct a poll * A recent poll suggests some surprising changes in public opinion. * A nationwide poll revealed different food preferences in the North and the South.\n  2  [C] (also the polls [pl.]) the process of voting at an election; the process of counting the votes:\nThe final result of the poll will be known tomorrow. * Their defeat at the polls came as a big shock. * Thursday is traditionally the day when Britain goes to the polls (= when elections are held). * Polls close (= voting ends) at 9 p.m.\n  3  [sing.] the number of votes given in an election:\nLabour is ahead in the poll. * They gained 20% of the poll.\nsee also DEED POLL, EXIT POLL, STRAW POLL\n    verb\n  1  to receive a particular number of votes in an election:\n[VN] They polled 39% of the vote in the last election. * [V] The Republicans have polled well (= received many votes) in recent elections.\n  2  [VN] [usually passive] to ask a large number of members of the public what they think about sth:\nOver 50% of those polled were against the proposed military action.


Words: pollard
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [usually passive] (technical) to cut off the branches at the top of the tree so that the lower branches will grow more thickly


Words: pollen
Meaning:
noun\n[U] fine powder, usually yellow, that is formed in flowers, and carried to other flowers of the same kind by the wind or by insects, to make those flowers produce seeds


Words: pollen count
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] a number that shows the amount of pollen in the air, used to warn people whose health is affected by it:\nHay fever sufferers should check the pollen count every day.


Words: pollinate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to put POLLEN into a flower or plant so that it produces seeds:\nflowers pollinated by bees / the wind\n    pollination  noun [U]


Words: polling
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the activity of voting:\nPolling has been heavy since 8 a.m.\n  2  the act of asking questions as part of an opinion POLL


Words: polling booth
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually voting booth) noun\na small, partly enclosed place in a POLLING STATION where people vote by marking a card, etc.


Words: polling station
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually polling place) noun\na building where people go to vote in an election


Words: pollster
Meaning:
noun\na person who makes or asks the questions in an OPINION POLL:\nPollsters predicted a victory for the government.


Words: pollute
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] ~ sth (by / with sth) to add dirty or harmful substances to land, air, water, etc. so that it is no longer pleasant or safe to use:\nthe exhaust fumes that are polluting our cities * The river has been polluted with toxic waste from local factories. * (figurative) a society polluted by racism


Words: pollution
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the process of making air, water, soil, etc. dirty; the state of being dirty:\nair / water pollution * to reduce levels of environmental pollution\n  2  substances that make air, water, soil, etc. dirty:\nbeaches covered with pollution\n  3  noise / light ~ harmful or annoying levels of noise, or of artificial light at night


Words: polo
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a game in which two teams of players riding on horses try to hit a ball into a goal using long wooden hammers (called MALLETS)\nsee also WATER POLO


Words: polo neck
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE turtleneck) noun\na high round collar made when the neck of a piece of clothing is folded over; a piece of clothing with a polo neck:\nYou can wear a polo neck with that jacket. * a polo-neck sweater


Words: polyandry
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (technical) the custom of having more than one husband at the same time\n    polyandrous  adjective


Words: polyanthus
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a small garden plant with round brightly coloured flowers, several of which grow at the end of each stem


Words: polyester
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a strong artificial fabric, often mixed with other fabrics and used especially for making clothes:\na cotton and polyester shirt


Words: polygamy
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (technical) the custom of having more than one wife at the same time\ncompare BIGAMY, MONOGAMY\n    polygamous  adjective:\na polygamous marriage / society


Words: polygon
Meaning:
noun\n(geometry) a flat shape with at least three straight sides and angles, and usually five or more\n    polygonal  adjective


Words: polymer
Meaning:
noun\n(chemistry) a natural or artificial compound consisting of large MOLECULES (= groups of atoms) that are made from combinations of small simple MOLECULES


Words: polyp
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (medical) a small lump that grows inside the body, especially in the nose, that is caused by disease but is usually harmless\n  2  a small and very simple sea creature with a body shaped like a tube


Words: polyphony
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (music) the combination of several different patterns of musical notes sung together to form a single piece of music\nSYN COUNTERPOINT\n    polyphonic  adjective


Words: polystyrene
Meaning:
(also Styrofoam especially in AmE) noun\n[U] a very light soft plastic that is usually white, used especially for making containers that prevent heat loss:\npolystyrene cups / mugs


Words: polysyllable
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) a word of several (usually more than three) syllables\n    polysyllabic  adjective


Words: polytechnic
Meaning:
(also BrE informal poly) noun\n(in Britain in the past) a college for higher education, especially in scientific and technical subjects. Most polytechnics are now called, and have the same status as, universities.


Words: polytheism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the belief that there is more than one god\ncompare MONOTHEISM\n    polytheistic  adjective


Words: polythene
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE polyethylene) noun\n[U] a strong thin plastic material, used especially for making bags or for wrapping things:\na polythene bag * polythene sheeting


Words: polyunsaturated
Meaning:
adjective\n(of many vegetable fats and some animal fats) having a chemical structure which does not encourage the harmful development of CHOLESTEROL:\npolyunsaturated margarine\nsee also SATURATED, UNSATURATED


Words: polyurethane
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a type of plastic material used in making paints, glues, etc:\npolyurethane gloss (= a paint that dries with a hard shiny surface)


Words: pomander
Meaning:
noun\na round container filled with dried flowers, leaves, etc. that is used to give a pleasant smell to rooms or clothes


Words: pommel
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  the higher front part of a SADDLE on a horse\n \n  2  the round part on the end of the handle of a SWORD


Words: pomp
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the impressive clothes, decorations, music, etc. and traditional customs that are part of an official occasion or ceremony:\nall the pomp and ceremony of a royal wedding\n IDIOMS \n  pomp and circumstance formal and impressive ceremony


Words: pompom
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a small woollen ball used for decoration, especially on a hat\nSYN BOBBLE\n \n  2  (especially in the US) a large round bunch of strips of plastic, tied to a handle, used by CHEERLEADERS


Words: pompous
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) showing that you think you are more important than other people, especially by using long and formal words:\na pompous official * His speech sounded very pompous and self-congratulatory.\n    pomposity  noun [U]:\nThe prince’s manner was informal, without a trace of pomposity.\n    pompously adverb


Words: ponce
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (BrE, informal)\n  1  a man who controls one or several prostitutes and the money that they earn\nSYN PIMP\n  2  an offensive word for a man whose appearance and behaviour seem similar to a woman’s, or who is thought to be HOMOSEXUAL\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  ponce about / around (usually used in the progressive tenses) (BrE, informal) to waste time when you are doing sth so that you achieve nothing; to do silly things in a way that looks ridiculous


Words: poncho
Meaning:
noun\n(plural ponchos) a type of coat without sleeves, made from one large piece of fabric with a hole in the middle for the head to go through


Words: pond
Meaning:
noun\na small area of still water, especially one that is artificial:\na fish pond\n IDIOMS \n  across the pond (informal) on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean from Britain/the US\nmore at BIG adj.


Words: ponder
Meaning:
verb\n~ (about / on / over sth) (written) to think about sth carefully for a period of time\nSYN CONSIDER:\n[V] She pondered over his words. * They were left to ponder on the implications of the announcement. * [VN] The senator pondered the question for a moment. * We intend to ponder all the alternatives before acting. * [V wh-] They are pondering whether the money could be better used elsewhere. [also V speech]


Words: ponderous
Meaning:
adjective (written)\n  1  (disapproving) (of speech and writing) too slow and careful; serious and boring:\nHe spoke in a slow ponderous voice.\n  2  moving slowly and heavily; able to move only slowly:\nShe watched the cow’s ponderous progress.\n    ponderously adverb\n    ponderousness noun [U]


Words: pong
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal) a strong unpleasant smell:\nWhat’s that pong?\n    pong verb:\n[V] That cheese pongs!


Words: pontificate
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb  on sth) (disapproving) to give your opinions about sth in a way that shows that you think you are right\n    noun  the official position or period in office of a POPE


Words: pontoon
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a temporary floating platform built across several boats or hollow structures, especially one used for tying boats to\n  2  [C] a boat or hollow structure that is one of several used to support a floating platform or bridge:\na pontoon bridge\n  3  [U] (BrE) = BLACKJACK


Words: pony
Meaning:
noun (plural ponies)\n  1  a type of small horse\nsee also SHETLAND PONY\n  2  (BrE, slang) ｣25\n IDIOMS  see SHANK


Words: ponytail
Meaning:
noun\na bunch of hair tied at the back of the head so that it hangs like a horse’s tail\ncompare PIGTAIL


Words: poo
Meaning:
(also pooh)  (both BrE) noun\n[U, C] (also poop [U] AmE, BrE) a child’s word for the solid waste that is passed through the bowels\nSYN FAECES:\ndog poo * I want to do a poo!\n    poo (also pooh) verb [V]


Words: poodle
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a dog with thick, curly hair that is sometimes cut into special shapes\n  2  (BrE, informal) a person who is too willing to do what sb else tells them to do:\nHe has made himself appear a poodle of the Prime Minister.


Words: poof
Meaning:
noun, exclamation \n    noun (also poofter ) (BrE, !!!, slang) an offensive word for a HOMOSEXUAL man\n    exclamation used when talking about sth disappearing suddenly:\nHe walked through-and vanished. Poof! Like that.


Words: pooh
Meaning:
exclamation, noun, verb \n    exclamation (especially BrE)\n  1  used to express disgust at a bad smell:\nIt stinks! Pooh!\n  2  used to say that you think sb’s idea, suggestion, etc. is not very good or that you do not believe what sb has said:\n’I might lose my job for this.’ ’Oh, pooh, nobody will care.’\n    noun, verb = POO


Words: pooh-pooh
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (informal) to say that a suggestion, an idea, etc. is not true or not worth thinking about:\nThey are pooh-poohing suggestions of a split in the party. * She had always pooh-poohed the idea of getting married.


Words: pool
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  for swimming\n \n  1  [C] = SWIMMING POOL:\nDoes the hotel have a pool? * relaxing by the pool\n \n  of water\n \n  2  [C] a small area of still water, especially one that has formed naturally:\nfreshwater pools * a rock pool (= between rocks by the sea)\n \n  of liquid / light\n \n  3  [C] ~ (of sth) a small amount of liquid or light lying on a surface:\nThe body was lying in a pool of blood. * a pool of light\n  group of things / people\n  4  [C] ~ (of sth) a supply of things or money that is shared by a group of people and can be used when needed:\na pool of cars used by the firm’s salesmen * a pool car\n  5  [C] ~ (of sth) a group of people available for work when needed:\na large pool of software engineers * a pool of cheap labour * a typing pool (= a group of people who share a company’s typing work)\n  game\n  6  [U] a game for two people played with 16 coloured balls on a table, often in pubs and bars. Players use CUES (= long sticks) to try to hit the balls into pockets at the edge of the table:\na pool table / hall * to shoot (= play) pool\ncompare BILLIARDS, SNOOKER\n  football\n  7  (the pools) = FOOTBALL POOLS:\nHe does the pools every week. * a pools winner\nsee also GENE POOL\n    verb [VN] to collect money, information, etc. from different people so that it can be used by all of them:\nThe students work individually, then pool their ideas in groups of six. * Police forces across the country are pooling resources in order to solve this crime.


Words: poop
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  (also poop deck) [C] the raised part at the back end of a ship\ncompare STERN\n  2  [U] (informal, especially AmE) = POO:\ndog poop on the sidewalk\n    verb (AmE, informal)\n  1  [V] to pass solid waste from the bowels:\nThe dog just pooped in the kitchen!\n  2  [VN] ~ sb (out) to make sb very tired:\nThat walk really pooped me out!\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  poop out to stop working or functioning


Words: pooper scooper
Meaning:
(also poop scoop) noun\n(informal) a tool used by dog owners for removing their dog’s solid waste from the streets


Words: poor
Meaning:
adjective (poorer, poorest)\n  having little money\n  1  having very little money; not having enough money for basic needs:\nThey were too poor to buy shoes for the kids. * We aim to help the poorest families. * It’s among the poorer countries of the world.\nOPP RICH\n  2  (the poor) noun [pl.] people who have very little money:\nThey provided food and shelter for the poor.\nOPP RICH\n  unfortunate\n  3  [only before noun] (especially spoken) deserving pity and sympathy:\nHave you heard about poor old Harry? His wife’s left him. * It’s hungry-the poor little thing. * ’I have stacks of homework to do.’ ’Oh, you poor thing.’\n  not good\n  4  not good; of a quality that is low or lower than expected:\nthe party’s poor performance in the election * to be in poor health / condition * It was raining heavily and visibility was poor. * poor food / light / soil * to have a poor opinion of sb (= to not think well of sb)\n  5  (of a person) not good or skilled at sth:\na poor swimmer * a poor judge of character * She’s a good teacher but a poor manager. * a poor sailor (= sb who easily gets sick at sea)\n  having little of sth\n  6  ~ in sth having very small amounts of sth:\na country poor in natural resources * soil poor in nutrients\nOPP RICH\n IDIOMS \n  be / come a poor second, third, etc. (especially BrE) to finish a long way behind the winner in a race, competition, etc.\n  the poor man’s sb / sth a person or thing that is similar to but of a lower quality than a particular famous person or thing:\nSparkling white wine is the poor man’s champagne.\nmore at ACCOUNT n.


Words: poor relation
Meaning:
noun\nsomething that is not treated with as much respect as other similar things because it is not thought to be as good, important or successful:\nThe short story is often considered to be a sort of poor relation to the novel.


Words: poorly
Meaning:
adverb, adjective \n    adverb in a way that is not satisfactory\nSYN BADLY:\na poorly attended meeting (= at which there are not many people) * poorly designed * The job is relatively poorly paid. * Our candidate fared poorly in the election (= did not get many votes). * The movie is poorly acted. * Health care in the capital compares poorly with that in the rest of the country.\n    adjective [not usually before noun] (BrE, informal) ill:\nShe felt poorly. * According to a hospital spokesman, his condition is said to be poorly, but stable.


Words: pop
Meaning:
noun, verb, adjective, adverb \n    noun\n  music\n \n  1  (also pop music) [U] modern popular music of the sort that has been popular since the 1950s, usually with a strong rhythm and simple tunes:\nrock, pop and soul\n \n  father\n \n  2  [sing.] (informal, especially AmE) used as a word for ’father’, especially as a form of address:\nHi, Pop!\n \n  sound\n \n  3  [C] a short sharp explosive sound:\nThe cork came out of the bottle with a loud pop.\n  drink\n  4  [U] (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) a sweet FIZZY drink (= with bubbles) that is not alcoholic\n    verb (-pp-)\n  make sound\n  1  to make a short explosive sound; to cause sth to make this sound:\n[V] the sound of corks popping * Flashbulbs were popping all around them. [also VN]\n  2  to burst, or make sth burst, with a short explosive sound:\n[VN] She jumped as someone popped a balloon behind her. [also V]\n  go quickly\n  3  [V +adv./prep.] (BrE, informal) to go somewhere quickly, suddenly or for a short time:\nI’ll pop over and see you this evening. * Why don’t you pop in (= visit us) for a drink next time you’re in the area?\n  put quickly\n  4  [VN +adv./prep.] (informal, especially BrE) to put sth somewhere quickly, suddenly or for a short time:\nHe popped his head around the door and said hello. * I’ll pop the books in (= deliver them) on my way home.\n  appear suddenly\n  5  [V +adv./prep.] to suddenly appear especially when not expected:\nThe window opened and a dog’s head popped out. * An idea suddenly popped into his head. * (computing) The menu pops up when you click twice on the mouse.\n  of ears\n  6  [V] if your ears pop, the pressure in them suddenly changes when going up or down in a plane, etc.\n  of eyes\n  7  [V] if your eyes pop or pop out, they suddenly open fully because you are surprised or excited:\nHer eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw them.\n  take drugs\n  8  [VN] (informal) to take a lot of a drug, regularly:\nShe’s been popping pills for months.\n IDIOMS \n  pop your clogs (BrE, humorous) to die\n  pop the question (informal) to ask sb to marry you\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pop off (informal) to die\n  pop sth<->on (BrE, informal)\n1 to put on a piece of clothing:\nI’ll just pop on a sweater and meet you outside.\n2 to turn on a piece of electrical equipment\n    adjective [only before noun]\n  music / style\n  1  connected with modern popular music:\na pop band / concert / group / singer / song / star / video\n  2  made in a modern popular style:\npop culture\n    adverb\n IDIOMS \n  go pop (BrE) to burst or explode with a sudden short sound:\nThe balloon went pop. * If you eat any more, you’ll go pop!


Words: pop art
Meaning:
(also Pop Art) noun\n[U] a style of art, developed in the 1960s, that was based on popular culture and that used material such as advertisements, film/movie images, etc.


Words: pop-eyed
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal) having eyes that are wide open, especially because you are very surprised, excited or frightened:\nShe was pop-eyed with excitement.


Words: pop-up
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (of a book, etc.) containing a picture that stands up when the pages are opened:\na pop-up birthday card\n  2  (of an electric toaster) that pushes the bread quickly upwards when it is ready\n  3  (of a computer MENU, etc.) that can be brought to the screen quickly while you are working on another document:\na pop-up menu / window


Words: popcorn
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a type of food, made from grains of MAIZE that are heated until they burst, forming light whitish balls that are then covered with salt or sugar


Words: pope
Meaning:
(often the Pope) noun\nthe leader of the Roman Catholic Church, who is also the Bishop of Rome:\nthe election of a new pope * Pope John Paul * a visit from the Pope\nsee also PAPACY, PAPAL


Words: popish
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (!!!, offensive) used by some people to describe sb/sth that is connected with Roman Catholicism


Words: poppet
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal, spoken) used to talk to or about sb you like or love, especially a child:\nWhat a poppet she is! * Don’t cry, poppet.


Words: poppy
Meaning:
noun\n(plural poppies) a wild or garden plant, with a large delicate flower that is usually red, and small black seeds. OPIUM is obtained from one type of poppy:\npoppy fields / seeds


Words: populace
Meaning:
(usually the populace) noun\n[sing.+sing./pl. v.] (formal) all the ordinary people of a particular country or area:\nHe had the support of large sections of the local populace. * The populace at large is / are opposed to sudden change.


Words: popular
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (with sb) liked or enjoyed by a large number of people:\na hugely / immensely popular singer * This is one of our most popular designs. * Skiing has become very popular recently. * These policies are unlikely to prove popular with middle-class voters. * I’m not very popular with my parents (= they are annoyed with me) at the moment. * (spoken, ironic) ’Our dog got into the neighbour’s garden again!’ ’You’ll be popular.’\nOPP UNPOPULAR\n  2  [only before noun] (sometimes disapproving) suited to the taste and knowledge of ordinary people:\npopular music / culture / fiction * the popular press * The band’s success is largely due to the popular appeal of the lead singer.\n  3  [only before noun] (of ideas, beliefs and opinions) shared by a large number of people:\na popular misconception * Contrary to popular belief, women cause fewer road accidents than men. * Popular opinion was divided on the issue. * By popular demand, the tour has been extended by two weeks.\n  4  [only before noun] connected with the ordinary people of a country:\nThe party still has widespread popular support. * a share of the popular vote * popular power / pressure


Words: popularity
Meaning:
noun\n[U] ~ (with / among sb) the state of being liked, enjoyed or supported by a large number of people:\nthe increasing popularity of cycling * to win / lose popularity with the students * Her novels have gained in popularity over recent years. * Their music still enjoys widespread popularity among teenagers.


Words: popularize
Meaning:
(BrE also popularise)  verb [VN] (written)\n  1  to make a lot of people know about sth and enjoy it:\nThe programme did much to popularize little-known writers. * The travel company led the way in popularizing winter sports for all ages.\n  2  to make a difficult subject easier to understand for ordinary people:\nHe spent his life popularizing natural history.\n    popularization, popularisation  noun [U]


Words: popularly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  by a large number of people\nSYN COMMONLY:\na popularly held belief * the UN Conference on Environment and Development, popularly known as the ’Earth Summit’\n  2  by the ordinary people of a country\nSYN DEMOCRATICALLY:\na popularly elected government


Words: populate
Meaning:
verb [VN] [often passive]\n  1  to live in an area and form its population \nSYN INHABIT:\na heavily / densely / sparsely / thinly populated country * The island is populated largely by sheep. * the tribes that populated the region at the turn of the century * (figurative) the amazing characters that populate her novels\n  2  to move people or animals to an area to live there:\nThe French began to populate the island in the 15th century.


Words: population
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C+sing./pl. v., U] all the people who live in a particular area, city or country; the total number of people who live there:\nOne third of the world’s population consumes / consume two thirds of the world’s resources. * The entire population of the town was at the meeting. * countries with ageing populations * Muslims make up 55% of the population. * an increase in population * areas of dense / sparse population (= where many / not many people live) * The population is increasing at about 6% per year. * Nigeria has a population of nearly 100 million. * to control population growth * population density\n  2  [C+sing./pl. v.] a particular group of people or animals living in a particular area:\nthe adult / working / rural population of the country * The prison population (= the number of people in prison) is continuing to rise. * Oil spillages are disastrous for fish populations.


Words: populism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a type of politics that claims to represent the opinions and wishes of ordinary people\n    populist  noun:\na party of populists\n    populist adjective [usually before noun]:\na populist leader


Words: populous
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) where a large number of people live:\none of America’s most populous states * the populous coastal region


Words: porcelain
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a hard white shiny substance made by baking clay and used for making delicate cups, plates and ornaments; objects that are made of this:\na porcelain figure * a collection of oriental porcelain * The design is copied from Japanese porcelains of the fourteenth century.


Words: porch
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a small area at the entrance to a building, such as a house or a church, that is covered by a roof and often has walls\n \n  2  (AmE) = VERANDA


Words: porcupine
Meaning:
noun\nan animal covered with long stiff parts like needles (called QUILLS), which it can raise to protect itself when it is attacked


Words: pore
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun one of the very small holes in your skin that sweat can pass through; one of the similar small holes in the surface of a plant or a rock:\na blocked pore\nsee also POROUS\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pore over sth to look at or read sth very carefully:\nHis lawyers are poring over the small print in the contract.


Words: pork
Meaning:
noun\n[U] meat from a pig that has not been CURED (= preserved using salt or smoke):\nroast pork * pork chops * a leg of pork\ncompare BACON, GAMMON, HAM (1)


Words: pork barrel
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (AmE, slang) local projects that are given a lot of government money in order to win votes; the money that is used:\npork-barrel projects / spending / politics


Words: pork scratchings
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (BrE) crisp pieces of pig skin that are fried and eaten cold, often sold in packets as a SNACK


Words: porky
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (plural porkies) (also porky pie) (BrE, slang) a statement that is not true; a lie:\nto tell porkies\n    adjective (informal, disapproving) (of people) fat


Words: pornographic
Meaning:
(also informal porno) adjective\n[usually before noun] (disapproving) intended to make people feel sexually excited by showing naked people or sexual acts, usually in a way that many other people find offensive:\npornographic movies / magazines


Words: pornography
Meaning:
(also informal porn) noun\n[U] (disapproving) books, videos, etc. that describe or show naked people and sexual acts in order to make people feel sexually excited, especially in a way that many other people find offensive:\nchild pornography * the distribution of pornography * measures to tighten the laws on pornography


Words: porous
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving many small holes that allow water or air to pass through slowly:\nporous material / rocks / surfaces * He added sand to the soil to make it more porous.


Words: porphyry
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a type of hard red stone that contains red and white CRYSTALS, and that can be polished and made into ornaments


Words: porpoise
Meaning:
noun\na sea animal that looks like a large fish with a pointed mouth. Porpoises are similar to DOLPHINS but smaller.


Words: porridge
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually oatmeal) noun [U] a type of soft thick white food made by boiling OATS in milk or water, eaten hot, especially for breakfast


Words: port
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] a town or city with a harbour, especially one where ships load and unload goods:\nfishing ports * Rotterdam is a major port.\n \n  2  [C, U] (abbreviation Pt.) a place where ships load and unload goods or shelter from storms:\na naval port * The ship spent four days in port. * They reached port at last. * port of entry (= a place where people or goods can enter a country)\nsee also AIRPORT, FREE PORT, HELIPORT, SEAPORT\n \n  3  [U] a strong sweet wine, usually dark red, that is made in Portugal. It is usually drunk at the end of a meal.\n \n  4  [C] a glass of port\n  5  [U] the side of a ship or aircraft that is on the left when you are facing forward:\nthe port side / engine\ncompare STARBOARD\n IDIOMS \n  any port in a storm (saying) if you are in great trouble, you take any help that is offered


Words: port of call
Meaning:
noun (plural ports of call)\n  1  a port where a ship stops during a journey:\nLas Palmas has become the traditional port of call for yachts on their way to the Caribbean.\n  2  (informal) a place where you go or stop for a short time, especially when you are going to several places:\nMy first port of call in town was the bank.


Words: portable
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective that is easy to carry or to move:\na portable TV * The equipment is lightweight, portable and easy to store. * (figurative) a portable loan / pension (= that can be moved if you change banks, jobs, etc.) * portable software\n    portability  noun [U]:\nThe new light cover increases this model’s portability.\n    noun a small type of machine that is easy to carry, especially a computer or a television:\nThe kids are upstairs watching the portable (= television).


Words: Portakabin
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a small building that can be moved from place to place by a vehicle, designed to be used as a temporary office, etc.


Words: portal
Meaning:
noun\n[often pl.] (formal or literary) a large, impressive gate or entrance to a building:\nThe castle’s portals have opened to many famous guests.


Words: portend
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (formal) to be a sign or warning of sth that is going to happen in the future, especially sth bad or unpleasant


Words: portent
Meaning:
noun\n(literary) a sign or warning of sth that is going to happen in the future, especially when it is sth unpleasant\nSYN OMEN:\nThe event proved to be a portent of the disaster that was to come. * We shall try to reach an agreement but the portents are not good.


Words: portentous
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (literary) important as a sign or a warning of sth that is going to happen in the future, especially when it is sth unpleasant:\na portentous dream / sign\n  2  (formal, disapproving) very serious and intended to impress people:\na portentous remark / voice\n    portentously adverb:\nShe frowned portentously to add weight to her suggestion.\n    portentousness noun [U]


Words: porter
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a person whose job is carrying people’s bags and other loads\n \n  2  (especially BrE) a person whose job is to move patients from one place to another in a hospital\n \n  3  (BrE) a person whose job is to be in charge of the entrance to a hotel, large building, college, etc:\nthe night porter * The hotel porter will get you a taxi.\ncompare DOORMAN\n \n  4  (AmE) a person whose job is helping passengers on a train, especially in a SLEEPING CAR


Words: portfolio
Meaning:
noun (plural portfolios)\n  1  a thin flat case used for carrying documents, drawings, etc.\n  2  a collection of photographs, drawings, etc. that you use as an example of your work, especially when applying for a job:\nShe spent most of last year getting her portfolio together.\n  3  (finance) a set of shares owned by a particular person or organization:\nan investment / share portfolio * a portfolio manager\n  4  (formal, especially BrE) the particular area of responsibility of a government minister:\nthe defence portfolio * a ministerial portfolio * She resigned her portfolio. * He was asked to join as a minister without portfolio (= one without responsibility for a particular government department).\n  5  the range of products or services offered by a particular company or organization:\na portfolio of wines / courses


Words: portico
Meaning:
noun\n(plural porticoes or porticos) (formal) a roof that is supported by columns, especially one that forms the entrance to a large building:\nGuests gathered under the classical portico of the hotel.


Words: portion
Meaning:
noun\n  1  one part of sth larger:\na substantial / significant portion of the population * Only a small portion of the budget is spent on books. * The central portion of the bridge collapsed. * You give this portion of the ticket to the inspector and keep the other. * She could recite large portions of Shakespeare.\n  2  an amount of food that is large enough for one person:\na generous portion of meat * She cut the cake into six small portions. * You should eat several portions of fruit a day. * Do you serve children’s portions? * This particular type of fish has less than 200 calories per portion.\n  3  [usually sing.] a part of sth that is shared with other people:\nYou must accept a portion of the blame for this crisis.


Words: portmanteau
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (plural portmanteaus or portmanteaux) (old-fashioned) a large heavy suitcase that opens into two parts\n    adjective [only before noun] consisting of a number of different items that are combined into a single thing:\na portmanteau course * ’Depression’ is a portmanteau condition.


Words: portmanteau word
Meaning:
noun\na word that is invented by combining the beginning of one word and the end of another and keeping the meaning of each. For example motel is a portmanteau word that is a combination of motor and hotel.


Words: portrait
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  a painting, drawing or photograph of a person, especially of the head and shoulders:\nHe had his portrait painted in uniform. * a full-length portrait * a portrait painter\nsee also SELF-PORTRAIT\n  2  a detailed description of sb/sth:\na portrait of life at the French court\n    adjective (computing) (of a page of a document) printed so that the top of the page is one of the shorter sides\ncompare LANDSCAPE


Words: portraitist
Meaning:
noun\na person who makes portraits:\na royal portraitist (= who makes pictures of the king or queen, etc.)


Words: portray
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to show sb/sth in a picture; to describe sb/sth in a piece of writing\nSYN DEPICT:\nThe painting portrays the duke’s third wife. * He was one of the first to portray animals from the New World. * His war poetry vividly portrays life in the trenches.\n  2  ~ sb/sth (as sb/sth) to describe or show sb/sth in a particular way, especially when this does not give a complete or accurate impression of what they are like:\nThroughout the trial, he portrayed himself as the victim.\n  3  to act a particular role in a film/movie or play:\nHer father will be portrayed by Sean Connery.


Words: portrayal
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] the act of showing or describing sb/sth in a picture, play, book, etc.; a particular way in which this is done:\nThe article examines the portrayal of gay men in the media. * He is best known for his chilling portrayal of Hannibal Lecter.


Words: pose
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [VN] to create a threat, problem, etc. that has to be dealt with:\nto pose a threat / challenge / danger / risk * The task poses no special problems.\n  2  [VN] ~ a question (formal) to ask a question, especially one that needs serious thought\n  3  [V] ~ (for sb/sth) to sit or stand in a particular position in order to be painted, drawn or photographed:\nThe delegates posed for a group photograph. * They posed briefly for photographs before driving off.\n  4  [V] ~ as sb to pretend to be sb in order to deceive other people:\nThe gang entered the building posing as workmen.\n  5  [V] (usually used in the progressive tenses) (disapproving) to dress or behave in a way that is intended to impress other people:\nI saw him out posing in his new sports car.\n    noun\n  1  a particular position in which sb stands, sits, etc., especially in order to be painted, drawn or photographed:\na stiff / dramatic pose * He adopted a relaxed pose for the camera. * I can’t hold this pose much longer!\n  2  (disapproving) a way of behaving that is not sincere and is only intended to impress other people:\nThis show of concern is just a pose.\n IDIOMS  see STRIKE v.


Words: poser
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (informal) a difficult question or problem\n  2  (also poseur) (disapproving) a person who behaves or dresses in a way that is intended to impress other people and is not sincere:\nHe’s such a poser on the dance floor.


Words: posh
Meaning:
adjective (posher, poshest) (informal)\n  1  elegant and expensive:\na posh hotel / restaurant * You look very posh in your new suit.\n  2  (BrE, sometimes disapproving) typical of or used by people who belong to a high social class:\na posh accent / voice * They live in the posh part of town. * Her parents are very posh. * They pay for their children to go to a posh school.\n    posh adverb (BrE):\nto talk posh


Words: posit
Meaning:
verb\n(formal) to suggest or accept that sth is true so that it can be used as the basis for an argument or discussion\nSYN POSTULATE:\n[VN] Most religions posit the existence of life after death. [also V that]


Words: position
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  place\n  1  [C] the place where sb/sth is situated:\nFrom his position on the cliff top, he had a good view of the harbour. * Where would be the best position for the lights? * These plants will grow well in a sheltered position. * The hotel stands in an elevated position looking out over the lake.\n  2  [U] the place where sb/sth is meant to be; the correct place:\nIs everybody in position? * He took up his position by the door. * She was learning to change her hand from first to third position (= on the strings of a violin).\n  way of sitting / standing\n  3  [C, U] the way in which sb is sitting or standing or the way in which sth is arranged:\na sitting / kneeling / lying position * Keep the box in an upright position. * Make sure that you are working in a comfortable position. * My arms were aching so I shifted (my) position slightly. * The soldiers had to stand for hours without changing position.\n  situation\n  4  [C, usually sing.] ~ (to do sth) the situation that sb is in, especially when it affects what they can and cannot do:\nto be in a position of power / strength / authority * What would you do in my position? * This put him and his colleagues in a difficult position. * The company’s financial position is not certain. * I’m afraid I am not in a position to help you.\n  opinion\n  5  [C] ~ (on sth) an opinion on or an attitude towards a particular subject:\nto declare / reconsider / shift / change your position * the party’s position on education reforms * She has made her position very clear. * My parents always took the position that early nights meant healthy children.\n  level of importance\n  6  [C, U] a person or organization’s level of importance when compared with others:\nthe position of women in society * the company’s dominant position in the world market * Wealth and position (= high social status) were not important to her.\n  job\n  7  [C] (formal) a job:\nHe held a senior position in a large company. * I should like to apply for the position of Sales Director.\n  in race / competition\n  8  [C] a place in a race, competition, or test, when compared to others:\nUnited’s 30 win moved them up to third position.\n  in sport\n  9  [C] the place where sb plays and the responsibilities they have in some team games:\nWhat position does he play?\n  in war\n  10  [C, usually pl.] a place where a group of people involved in fighting have put men and guns:\nThey attacked the enemy positions at dawn.\n    verb [VN]   [usually +adv./prep.] to put sb/sth in a particular position:\nLarge television screens were positioned at either end of the stadium. * She quickly positioned herself behind the desk. * Position your hands correctly on the shaft of the club. * The company is now well positioned to compete in foreign markets.\n    positioning noun [U]


Words: position paper
Meaning:
noun\na written report from an organization or a government department that explains or recommends a particular course of action


Words: positional
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (technical or sport) connected with the position of sb/sth:\nThe team has made some positional changes because two players are injured.


Words: positive
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  feeling hopeful\n  1  ~ (about sth) thinking about what is good in a situation; feeling confident and hopeful:\na positive attitude / outlook * the power of positive thought * She tried to be more positive about her new job. * On the positive side, profits have increased. * The report ended on a positive note.\nOPP NEGATIVE\n  effective / useful\n  2  directed at dealing with sth or producing a successful result:\nWe must take positive steps to deal with the problem. * It will require positive action by all in the industry.\nOPP NEGATIVE\n  3  expressing agreement or support:\nWe’ve had a very positive response to the idea.\nOPP NEGATIVE\n  4  good or useful:\nto make a positive contribution to a discussion * His family have been a very positive influence on him. * Overseas investment has had a positive effect on exports.\nOPP NEGATIVE\n  sure / definite\n  5  [not before noun] ~ (about sth) | ~ (that ...) (of a person) completely sure that sth is correct or true:\nI can’t be positive about what time it happened. * She was positive that he had been there. * ’Are you sure?’ ’Positive.’\n  6  [only before noun] (informal) complete and definite:\nHe has a positive genius for upsetting people. * It was a positive miracle that we survived.\n  7  giving clear and definite proof or information:\nWe have no positive evidence that she was involved. * (formal) This is proof positive that he stole the money.\n  scientific test\n  8  showing clear evidence that a particular substance or medical condition is present:\na positive pregnancy test * The athlete tested positive for steroids. * to be HIV positive\nOPP NEGATIVE\n  number / quantity\n  9  greater than zero\nOPP NEGATIVE\n  electricity\n  10  (technical) containing or producing the type of electricity that is carried by a PROTON:\na positive charge * the positive terminal of a battery\nOPP NEGATIVE\n    noun\n  good quality\n  1  [C, U] a good or useful quality or aspect:\nTake your weaknesses and translate them into positives. * To manage your way out of recession, accentuate the positive.\n  in photography\n  2  [C] (technical) a developed photographic film showing light and dark areas and colours as they actually were, especially one printed from a NEGATIVE\n  result of test\n  3  [C] the result of a test or an experiment that shows that a substance or condition is present\nOPP NEGATIVE


Words: positive discrimination
Meaning:
(BrE) (also affirmative action AmE, BrE) noun\n[U] the practice or policy of making sure that a particular number of jobs, etc. are given to people from groups that are often treated unfairly because of their race, sex, etc.


Words: positive vetting
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (BrE) the process of checking everything about a person’s background and character when they apply for a job in which they will have to deal with secret information, especially in the CIVIL SERVICE


Words: positively
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  used to emphasize the truth of a statement, especially when this is surprising or when it contrasts with a previous statement:\nSome diets may be positively dangerous. * The instructions were not just confusing, they were positively misleading. * Tonight’s performance is positively the last time the band will appear together.\n  2  in a way that shows you are thinking of the good things about a situation, not the bad:\nVery few of those interviewed spoke positively about their childhood. * Thinking positively is one way of dealing with stress.\nOPP NEGATIVELY\n  3  in a way that shows you approve of, or agree with sth/sb:\nInvestors reacted positively to news of the takeover.\nOPP NEGATIVELY\n  4  in a way that leaves no possibility of doubt\nSYN CONCLUSIVELY:\nHer attacker has now been positively identified by police.\n  5  (technical) in a way that contains or produces the type of electricity that is opposite to that carried by an ELECTRON:\npositively charged protons\nOPP NEGATIVELY


Words: positivism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a system of philosophy based on things that can be seen or proved, rather than on ideas\n    positivist  noun\n    positivist adjective:\na positivist approach


Words: posse
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (informal) a group of people who are similar in some way:\na little posse of helpers\n  2  (in the US in the past) a group of people who were brought together by a SHERIFF (= an officer of the law) in order to help him catch a criminal


Words: possess
Meaning:
verb (not used in the progressive tenses)\n  1  [VN] (formal) to have or own sth:\nHe was charged with possessing a shotgun without a licence. * I’m afraid this is the only suitcase I possess. * The gallery possesses a number of the artist’s early works. * Belgium was the first European country to possess a fully-fledged rail network.\n  2  [VN] (formal) to have a particular quality or feature:\nI’m afraid he doesn’t possess a sense of humour. * He credited her with a maturity she did not possess.\n  3  [VN] [usually passive] (literary) (of a feeling, an emotion, etc.) to have a powerful effect on sb and control the way that they think, behave, etc:\nA terrible fear possessed her.\n  4  [VN to inf] (used in negative sentences and questions) to make sb do sth that seems strange or unreasonable:\nWhat possessed him to say such a thing?


Words: possessed
Meaning:
adjective\n[not before noun] ~ (by sth) (of a person or their mind) controlled by an evil spirit:\nShe has convinced herself that she is possessed by the devil.\n IDIOMS \n  be possessed of sth (formal) to have a particular quality or feature:\nShe was possessed of exceptional powers of concentration.\n  like a man / woman possessed | like one possessed with a lot of force or energy:\nHe flew out of the room like a man possessed.


Words: possession
Meaning:
noun\n  having / owning\n  1  [U] (formal) the state of having or owning sth:\nThe manuscript is just one of the treasures in their possession. * The gang was caught in possession of stolen goods. * The possession of a passport is essential for foreign travel. * On her father’s death, she came into possession of (= received) a vast fortune. * You cannot legally take possession of the property (= start using it after buying it) until three weeks after the contract is signed.\nsee also VACANT POSSESSION\n  2  [C, usually pl.] something that you own or have with you at a particular time\nSYN BELONGINGS:\npersonal possessions * The ring is one of her most treasured possessions. * Please make cure you have all your possessions with you when leaving the plane.\n  in sport\n  3  [U] the state of having control of the ball:\nto win / get / lose possession of the ball * The home team had most of the possession in the first half.\n  law\n  4  [U] the state of having illegal drugs or weapons with you at a particular time:\nShe was charged with possession.\n  country\n  5  [C] (formal) a country that is controlled or governed by another country:\nThe former colonial possessions are now independent states.\n  by the devil\n  6  [U] the situation when sb’s mind is believed to be controlled by the devil or by an evil spirit\n IDIOMS  see FIELD n.


Words: possessive
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  ~ (of / about sb/sth) demanding total attention or love; not wanting sb to be independent:\nSome parents are too possessive of their children.\n  2  ~ (of / about sth) not liking to lend things or share things with others:\nJimmy’s very possessive about his toys.\n  3  (grammar) showing that sth belongs to sb/sth:\npossessive pronouns (= yours, his, etc.)\n    possessively adverb:\n’That’s mine!’ she said possessively.\n    possessiveness noun [U]:\nI couldn’t stand his jealousy and possessiveness.\n    noun (grammar)\n  1  [C] an adjective, a pronoun or a form of a word that expresses the fact that sth belongs to sb/sth:\n’Ours’ and ’their’ are possessives.\n  2  (the possessive) noun [sing.] the special form of a word that expresses belonging\ncompare GENITIVE


Words: possessor
Meaning:
noun\n(formal or humorous) a person who owns or has sth\nSYN OWNER:\nHe is now the proud possessor of a driving licence. * She has that star quality that makes its possessor the focus of attention.


Words: possibility
Meaning:
noun (plural possibilities)\n  1  [U, C] ~ (of sth / of doing sth) | ~ (that ...) the fact that sth might exist or happen, but is not certain to:\nThere is now no possibility that she will make a full recovery. * He refused to rule out the possibility of a tax increase. * It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that we’ll all meet again one day. * Bankruptcy is a real possibility if sales don’t improve. * What had seemed impossible now seemed a distinct possibility.\nOPP IMPOSSIBILITY\n  2  [C, often pl.] one of the different things that you can do in a particular situation\nSYN OPTION:\nto explore / consider / investigate a wide range of possibilities * to exhaust all the possibilities * Selling the house is just one possibility that is open to us. * The possibilities are endless.\n  3  [C, usually pl.] something that gives you a chance to achieve sth\nSYN OPPORTUNITY:\nThe course offers a range of exciting possibilities for developing your skills. * Career possibilities for women are much greater than they were fifty years ago.\n  4  (possibilities) [pl.] if sth has possibilities, it can be improved or made successful\nSYN POTENTIAL:\nThe house is in a bad state of repair but it has possibilities. * He was the first to see the possibilities of the plan.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \npossibility / occasion / opportunity / chance\nOccasion, opportunity and chance all mean a time when it is possible to do something. Possibility and chance are used to suggest that something might happen.\nOccasion suggests a time that is right or suitable for an activity: A wedding is an occasion for celebration.\nOpportunity and chance suggest it is possible for you to do something because the circumstances are good or lucky at the time: I had the opportunity to spend a year in Paris while I was a student. * I hope you get the chance to relax this weekend.\nPossibility. Note that you cannot say a/ the possibility to do sth: _I_ _h_a_d_ _t_h_e_ _p_o_s_s_i_b_i_l_i_t_y_ _t_o_ _s_p_e_n_d_ _a_ _y_e_a_r_ _i_n_ _P_a_r_i_s_ _w_h_i_l_e_ _I_ _w_a_s_ _a_ _s_t_u_d_e_n_t. Possibility means the fact that something might happen or be true and is used with of or that: There is a possibility that I might go to Paris to study for a year. Chance can also be used in this way: I have a good chance of being promoted.\n______________________________


Words: possible
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [not usually before noun] that can be done or achieved:\nIt is possible to get there by bus. * Would it be possible for me to leave a message for her? * This wouldn’t have been possible without you. * Try to avoid losing your temper if at all possible (= if you can). * Use public transport whenever possible (= when you can). * It’s just not physically possible to finish all this by the end of the week. * We spent every possible moment on the beach. * The doctors did all that was humanly possible to save him. * Expansion was made possible by the investment of government money.\nOPP IMPOSSIBLE\n  2  that might exist or happen but is not certain to:\na possible future president * the possible side effects of the drug * Frost is possible, although unlikely, at this time of year. * It’s just possible that I gave them the wrong directions. * With the possible exception of the Beatles, no other band has become so successful so quickly. * ’Do you think he’ll resign?’ ’Anything’s possible where he’s concerned.’ * ’You might be wrong, of course!’ ’It’s possible, but I doubt it.’\n  3  reasonable or acceptable in a particular situation:\nThere are several possible explanations. * Please suggest possible ways in which you would improve the existing program.\n  4  used after adjectives to emphasize that sth is the best, worst, etc. of its type:\nIt was the best possible surprise anyone could have given me. * Don’t leave your packing until the last possible moment.\n IDIOMS \n  as quickly, much, soon, etc. as possible as quickly, much, soon, etc. as you can:\nWe will get your order to you as soon as possible. * Try to give as much detail as possible in your answer.\nmore at WORLD\n    noun a person or a thing that is suitable for a particular job, purpose, etc. and might be chosen:\nOut of all the people interviewed, there are only five possibles.


Words: possibly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  used to say that sth might exist, happen or be true, but you are not certain\nSYN PERHAPS:\nThis is possibly their worst performance ever. * She found it difficult to get on with her, possibly because of the difference in their ages. * ’Will you be around next week?’ ’Possibly.’ * ’I’m sure he didn’t mean to be rude.’ ’Quite possibly (= you may be right), but the damage has been done.’\n  2  (spoken) used to emphasize that you are surprised, annoyed, etc. about sth:\nYou can’t possibly mean that! * How could you possibly think that I had anything to do with it!\n  3  (spoken) used to ask sb politely to do sth:\nCould you possibly open that window for me?\n  4  used to say that sb will do or has done as much as they can in order to make sth happen:\nI will come as soon as I possibly can. * They tried everything they possibly could to improve the situation. * We don’t want these rumours to spread if we can possibly avoid it.\n  5  (especially spoken) used with negatives, especially ’can’t’ and ’couldn’t’, to say strongly that you cannot do sth or that sth cannot or could not happen or be done:\nI can’t possibly tell you that! * You can’t possibly carry all those bags. * ’Let me buy it for you.’ ’That’s very kind of you, but I couldn’t possibly (= accept).’


Words: possum
Meaning:
noun\n= OPOSSUM\n IDIOMS \n  play possum (informal) to pretend to be asleep or not aware of sth, in order to trick sb


Words: post
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  letters\n \n  1  (BrE) (also mail AmE, BrE) [U] the official system used for sending and delivering letters, packages, etc:\nI’ll send the original to you by post. * I’ll put the information in the post to you tomorrow. * My application got lost in the post.\n \n  2  (BrE) (also mail AmE, BrE) [U] letters, packages, etc. that are sent and delivered:\nThere was a lot of post this morning. * Have you opened your post yet?\n \n  3  (BrE) [U, sing.] an occasion during the day when letters, etc. are collected or delivered:\nto catch / miss the post * The parcel came in this morning’s post. * Payment should be sent by return of post (= immediately). * Do you get a second post here?\n \n  job\n  4  [C] a job, especially an important one in a large organization:\nan academic / administrative / government post * to take up a post * to resign (from) a post * We will be creating 15 new posts next year. * The company has been unable to fill the post. * He has held the post for three years. * She was offered a key post in the new government.\n  for soldier / guard\n  5  [C] the place where sb, especially a soldier, does their job:\na police / customs / military post * a command / an observation post * The guards were ordered not to leave their posts. * Three soldiers were shot dead at a border post.\nsee also THE LAST POST, STAGING POST, TRADING POST\n  wood / metal\n  6  [C] (often in compounds) a piece of wood or metal that is set in the ground in an upright position, especially to support sth or to mark a position:\ncorner posts (= that mark the corners of a sports field) * The team’s ’net’ was a piece of string tied to two posts.\nsee also BEDPOST, GATEPOST, LAMP POST, SIGNPOST\n  end of race\n  7  (the post) [sing.] the place where a race finishes, especially in horse racing\nsee also FIRST-PAST-THE-POST, WINNING POST\n  football\n  8  [C, usually sing.] = GOALPOST:\nThe ball hit the post and bounced in.\n IDIOMS  see DEAF, PILLAR\n    verb\n  letters\n  1  (BrE) (AmE mail) ~ sth (off) (to sb) | ~ sb sth to send a letter, etc. to sb by post/mail:\n[VN] Have you posted off your order yet? * [VN, VNN] Is it OK if I post the cheque to you next week? * Is it OK if I post you the cheque next week?\ncompare MAIL\n  2  [VN] (BrE) (AmE mail) to put a letter, etc. into a POSTBOX:\nCould you post this letter for me?\n  sth through hole\n  3  [VN] to put sth through a hole into a container:\nLet yourself out and post the keys through the letter box.\n  sb for job\n  4  [VN] [usually passive] to send sb to a place for a period of time as part of their job:\nShe’s been posted to Washington for two years. * Most employees get posted abroad at some stage.\n  soldier / guard\n  5  [VN +adv./prep.] to put sb, especially a soldier, in a particular place so that they can guard a building or area:\nGuards have been posted along the border. * A police officer was posted outside the door to make sure the suspect didn’t leave the building.\n  public notice\n  6  [VN] [often passive] to put a notice, etc. in a public place so that people can see it:\nA copy of the letter was posted on the noticeboard. * The results will be posted on the Internet.\n  give information\n  7  (especially AmE) to announce sth publicly or officially, especially financial information or a warning:\n[VN] The company posted a $1.1 billion loss. * A snow warning was posted for Ohio. * [VN-ADJ] The aircraft and its crew were posted missing.\n  pay money to court\n  8  [VN] ~ bail / (a) bond (especially AmE) to pay money to a court of law so that a person accused of a crime can go free until their trial:\nShe was released after posting $100 cash bond and her driver’s license.\n IDIOMS \n  keep sb posted (about / on sth) to regularly give sb the most recent information about sth and how it is developing:\nI’ll keep you posted on his progress.\n______________________________\n BRITISH / AMERICAN \npost / mail\nNouns\nIn BrE the official system used for sending and delivering letters, parcels/packages, etc. is usually called the post. In AmE it is usually called the mail: I’ll put an application form in the post/mail for you today. * Send your fee by post/mail to this address. Mail is sometimes used in BrE in such expressions as the Royal Mail. Post occurs in AmE in such expressions as the US Postal Service.\nIn BrE post is also used to mean the letters, parcels/packages, etc. that are delivered to you. Mail is the usual word in AmE and is sometimes also used in BrE: Was there any post/mail this morning? * I sat down to open my post/mail.\nVerbs\nCompare: I’ll post the letter when I go out. (BrE) and I’ll mail the letter when I go out. (AmE)\nCompounds\nNote these words: postman (BrE), mailman/mail carrier (both AmE); postbox (BrE), mailbox (AmE). Some compounds are used in both BrE and AmE: post office, postcard, mail order.\nElectronic\nMail, not post, is always used in connection with electronic messages: e-mail, voicemail.\n______________________________


Words: post hoc
Meaning:
adjective\n(from Latin, formal) (of an argument, etc.) stating that one event is the cause of another because it happened first:\na post hoc analysis / explanation


Words: post office
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] a place where you can buy stamps, send letters, etc:\nWhere’s the main post office? * You can buy your stamps at the post office. * a post office counter\n \n  2  (the Post Office) [sing.] (abbreviation PO) the national organization in many countries that is responsible for collecting and delivering letters, etc:\nHe works for the Post Office.\n \n  3  [U] (AmE) = POSTMAN’S KNOCK


Words: post-
Meaning:
prefix\n(in nouns, verbs and adjectives) after:\na postgraduate * a post-Impressionist * the post-1945 period\ncompare ANTE-, PRE-


Words: post-date
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to write a date on a cheque that is later than the actual date so that the cheque cannot be CASHED (= exchanged for money) until that date:\na post-dated cheque\ncompare BACKDATE\n  2  to happen, exist or be made at a later date than sth else in the past\nOPP PRE-DATE


Words: post-free
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (BrE) used to describe sth that you can send by post without having to pay anything\n    post-free adverb:\nInformation will be sent post-free to any interested readers.


Words: post-industrial
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (of a place or society) no longer relying on heavy industry (= the production of steel, large machinery, etc.):\nthe importance of information technology in post-industrial societies


Words: Post-it
Meaning:
(also Post-it note) noun\na small piece of coloured, sticky paper that you use for writing a note on, and that can be easily removed


Words: post-mortem
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also post-mortem examination) ~ (on sb) a medical examination of the body of a dead person in order to find out how they died\nSYN AUTOPSY:\nto do / conduct / carry out a post-mortem * The post-mortem on the child revealed that she had been poisoned.\n  2  ~ (on sth) a discussion or an examination of an event after it has happened, especially in order to find out why it failed:\nto hold a post-mortem on the party’s election defeat


Words: post-natal
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] connected with the period after the birth of a child:\npost-natal care / depression\ncompare ANTENATAL, PRENATAL


Words: post-operative
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (medical) connected with the period after a medical operation:\npost-operative complications / pain / care * patients in the post-operative period


Words: post-paid
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] that you can send free because the charge has already been paid:\na post-paid envelope\n    post-paid adverb


Words: post-traumatic stress disorder
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (medical) a medical condition in which a person suffers mental and emotional problems resulting from an experience that shocked them very much


Words: post-war
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] existing, happening or made in the period after a war, especially the Second World War:\nthe post-war years * in post-war Europe * post-war reconstruction


Words: postage
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the cost of sending a letter, etc. by post:\nan increase in postage rates * How much was the postage on that letter? * (BrE) All prices include postage and packing. * (AmE) All prices include postage and handling.


Words: postal
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  connected with the official system for sending and delivering letters, etc:\nyour full postal address * postal charges / rates / services / workers * the postal service / system\n  2  (especially BrE) involving things that are sent by post:\npostal applications / bookings


Words: postal order
Meaning:
(BrE) (also money order AmE, BrE) noun\n(abbreviation PO) an official document that you can buy at a bank or a post office and send to sb so that they can exchange it for money


Words: postal service
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a system of collecting and delivering letters, etc:\na good postal service\n  2  (the Postal Service) (AmE) = POST OFFICE (2)


Words: postal vote
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE absentee ballot) noun\na vote in an election that you can send when you cannot be present


Words: postbag
Meaning:
noun (BrE)\n \n  1  (also mailbag) [usually sing.] all the letters received by a newspaper, a radio station, or an important person at a particular time or about a particular subject:\nWe had a huge postbag on the subject from our readers.\n \n  2  = MAILBAG (1)


Words: postbox
Meaning:
(also letter box) (both BrE) (AmE mailbox) noun\na public box, for example in the street, that you put letters into when you send them\ncompare PILLAR BOX


Words: postcard
Meaning:
(also card) noun\na card used for sending messages by post without an envelope, especially one that has a picture on one side:\ncolourful postcards of California * Send us a postcard from Venice! * Send your answers on a postcard to the above address.\nsee also PICTURE POSTCARD


Words: postcode
Meaning:
(also postal code) (both BrE) (AmE Zip code) noun\na group of letters and/or numbers that are used as part of an address so that post/mail can be separated into groups and delivered more quickly:\nHer postcode is CB11 3AD


Words: postdoctoral
Meaning:
adjective\nconnected with advanced research or study that is done after a PHD has been completed:\na postdoctoral student / fellow * postdoctoral research


Words: poste restante
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE general delivery) noun\n[U] an arrangement in which a post office keeps a person’s mail until they go to collect it, used especially when sb is travelling


Words: poster
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a large notice, often with a picture on it, that is put in a public place to advertise sth:\nelection posters * a poster campaign (= an attempt to educate people about sth by using posters) * a wanted poster (= with a picture of a person that the police are looking for) * They put up a poster advertising the concert.\n \n  2  a large picture that is printed on paper and put on a wall as decoration:\nposters of her favourite pop stars


Words: posterior
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun] (technical) situated behind sth or at the back of sth\nOPP ANTERIOR\n    noun (humorous) the part of your body that you sit on; your bottom


Words: posterity
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) all the people who will live in the future:\nTheir music has been preserved for posterity. * Posterity will remember him as a great man.


Words: postgraduate
Meaning:
(especially BrE) noun a person who already holds a first degree and who is doing advanced study or research; a GRADUATE student:\npostgraduate students * a postgraduate course -> STUDENT


Words: posthumous
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] happening, done, published, etc. after a person has died:\na posthumous award for bravery * A posthumous collection of her work has just been published.\n    posthumously adverb


Words: posting
Meaning:
noun\n(especially BrE) an act of sending sb to a particular place to do their job, especially for a limited period of time:\nan overseas posting * a two-year posting in / to Athens


Words: postman
Meaning:
noun\n(plural postmen ) (also informal postie) (especially BrE) a person whose job is to collect and deliver letters, etc.\nsee also MAILMAN


Words: postman’s knock
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE post office) noun\n[U] a children’s game in which imaginary letters are exchanged for kisses


Words: postmark
Meaning:
noun\n\nan official mark placed over the stamp on a letter, etc. that shows when and where it was posted and makes it impossible to use the stamp again:\nThe envelope had an Atlanta postmark.\n \n    postmark verb [VN] [usually passive]:\nThe card was postmarked Tokyo 9th March. * an anonymous letter postmarked in Chicago


Words: postmodernism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a style and movement in art, architecture, literature, etc. in the late 20th century that reacts against modern styles, for example by mixing features from traditional and modern styles\ncompare MODERNISM\n    postmodernist noun\n    postmodernist adjective [usually before noun]:\npostmodernist culture / writing / cinema


Words: postpone
Meaning:
verb\n~ sth (to / until sth) to arrange for an event, etc. to take place at a later time or date:\n[VN] The game has already been postponed three times. * We’ll have to postpone the meeting until next week. * They have agreed to postpone repayment of the loan to a future unspecified date. * [V -ing] It was an unpopular decision to postpone building the new hospital.\ncompare CANCEL\n    postponement noun [U, C]:\nRiots led to the postponement of local elections.


Words: postscript
Meaning:
noun ~ (to sth)\n  1  (abbreviation PS) an extra message that you add at the end of a letter after your signature\n  2  extra facts or information about a story, an event, etc. that is added after it has finished:\nNews of the award comes as a fitting postscript to a long and successful career.


Words: postulate
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb  (formal) to suggest or accept that sth is true so that it can be used as the basis for a theory, etc.\nSYN POSIT:\n[VN] They postulated a 500-year lifespan for a plastic container. [also V that] \n    noun  (formal) a statement that is accepted as true, that forms the basis of a theory, etc.


Words: postural
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) connected with the way you hold your body when sitting or standing:\nbad postural habits


Words: posture
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U, C] the position in which you hold your body when standing or sitting:\na comfortable / relaxed posture * upright / sitting / supine postures * Back pains can be the result of bad posture.\n  2  [C, usually sing.] your attitude to a particular situation or the way in which you deal with it:\nThe government has adopted an aggressive posture on immigration.\n    verb [V] ~ (as sth) (formal) to pretend to be sth that you are not by saying and doing things in order to impress or deceive people


Words: posturing
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (disapproving) behaviour that is not natural or sincere but is intended to attract attention or to have a particular effect:\npolitical posturing


Words: pot
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  for cooking\n \n  1  [C] a deep round, usually metal, container used for cooking things in:\npots and pans\n \n  container\n \n  2  [C] (especially BrE) a container made of glass, clay or plastic, used for storing food in:\na pot of jam / honey * a yogurt pot\n \n  3  [C] (especially in compounds) a container of various kinds, made for a particular purpose:\na coffee pot * a pepper pot * a teapot * Is there any more tea in the pot?\nsee also CHAMBER POT, CHIMNEY POT, FLOWERPOT, LOBSTER POT, MELTING POT, POTTED\n  4  [C] the amount contained in a pot:\nThey drank a pot of coffee.\n  5  [C] a bowl, etc. that is made by a POTTER\n  money\n  6  (the pot) [sing.] (especially AmE) the total amount of money that is bet in a card game\n  7  (the pot) [sing.] (especially AmE) all the money given by a group of people in order to do sth together, for example to buy food\nsee also KITTY\n  drug\n  8  [U] (informal) = MARIJUANA:\npot smoking\n  shot\n  9  [C] = POTSHOT:\nHe took a pot at the neighbour’s cat with his air rifle.\n  in billiards, etc.\n  10  [C] (in the game of BILLIARDS, POOL or SNOOKER) the act of hitting a ball into one of the pockets around the edge of the table\n  stomach\n  11  [C] (informal) = POT BELLY\n IDIOMS \n  go to pot (informal) to be spoiled because people are not working hard or taking care of things\n  the pot calling the kettle black (saying, informal) used to say that you should not criticize sb for a fault that you have yourself\n  pot luck when you take pot luck, you choose sth or go somewhere without knowing very much about it, but hope that it will be good, pleasant, etc:\nIt’s pot luck whether you get good advice or not. * You’re welcome to stay to supper, but you’ll have to take pot luck (= eat whatever is available).\nsee also POTLUCK\n  pots of money (BrE, informal) a very large amount of money\nmore at GOLD n., MELTING POT, QUART\n    verb (-tt-) [VN]\n  plant\n  1  to put a plant into a FLOWERPOT filled with soil\n  in billiards, etc.\n  2  (in the games of BILLIARDS, POOL and SNOOKER) to hit a ball into one of the pockets (= holes at the corners and edges of the table)\nSYN POCKET:\nHe potted the black to take a 73 lead.\n  shoot\n  3  to kill an animal or a bird by shooting it\nsee also POTTED


Words: pot-bellied
Meaning:
adjective\n(of people and animals) having a large stomach that sticks out\n    pot belly (also informal pot) noun


Words: pot-pourri
Meaning:
noun (from French)\n  1  [U, C] a mixture of dried flowers and leaves used for making a room smell pleasant\n  2  [sing.] a mixture of various things that were not originally intended to form a group:\na pot-pourri of tunes


Words: potassium
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (Symbol K) a chemical element. Potassium is a soft silver-white metal that exists mainly in compounds which are used in industry and farming.


Words: potato
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural potatoes) a round white vegetable with a brown or red skin that grows underground as the root of a plant also called a potato :\nWill you peel the potatoes for me? * (BrE) mashed potato * (AmE) mashed potatoes * roast / boiled / baked / fried potatoes\nsee also COUCH POTATO, HOT POTATO, JACKET, SWEET POTATO\n \n IDIOMS  see MEAT


Words: potency
Meaning:
noun [U, C] (plural potencies)\n  1  the power that sb/sth has to affect your body or mind:\nthe potency of desire * If you keep a medicine too long, it may lose its potency. * a low potency drug\n  2  the ability of a man to have sex


Words: potent
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having a strong effect on your body or mind:\na potent drug * a very potent alcoholic brew * a potent argument / reason\n  2  powerful:\na potent weapon / force\nsee also IMPOTENT\n    potently adverb


Words: potentate
Meaning:
noun\n(literary, often disapproving) a ruler who has a lot of power, especially when this is not restricted by a parliament, etc.


Words: potential
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun] that can develop into sth or be developed in the future\nSYN POSSIBLE:\npotential customers * a potential source of conflict * the potential benefits of European integration * a potential prime minister * First we need to identify actual and potential problems.\n    potentially  adverb:\na potentially dangerous situation\n    noun\n  1  [U] ~ (for / for doing sth) the possibility of sth happening or being developed or used:\nthe potential for change * The European marketplace offers excellent potential for increasing sales.\n  2  [U] qualities that exist and can be developed:\nAll children should be encouraged to realize their full potential. * She has great potential as an artist. * He has the potential to become a world-class musician. * The house has a lot of potential.\n  3  [U, C] (physics) the difference in VOLTAGE between two points in an electric field or CIRCUIT


Words: potentiality
Meaning:
noun\n(plural potentialities) (formal) a power or a quality that exists and is capable of being developed:\nWe often underestimate our potentialities.


Words: pothole
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a large rough hole in the surface of a road that is formed by traffic and bad weather\n  2  a deep hole that is formed in rock, especially by the action of water


Words: potion
Meaning:
noun\n(literary) a drink of medicine or poison; a liquid with magic powers:\na magic / love potion * (humorous) I’ve tried all sorts of drugs, creams, pills and potions.


Words: potshot
Meaning:
(also pot) noun\n(informal) a shot that sb fires without aiming carefully:\nSomebody took a potshot at him as he drove past. * (figurative) The newspapers took constant potshots at (= criticized) the president.


Words: potted
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  planted in a pot:\npotted plants / palms\n  2  (BrE) (of a book, or a story) in a short simple form:\na potted history of England\n  3  (BrE) potted meat or fish has been cooked and preserved in a small container


Words: potter
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (BrE) (AmE putter) [V +adv./prep.] to do things or move without hurrying, especially when you are doing sth that you enjoy and that is not important:\nI spent the day pottering around the house.\n    noun a person who makes clay pots by hand


Words: potter’s wheel
Meaning:
noun\na piece of equipment with a flat disc that goes around, on which potters put wet clay in order to shape it into pots


Words: pottery
Meaning:
noun (plural potteries)\n  1  [U] pots, dishes, etc. made with clay that is baked in an oven, especially when they are made by hand:\nRoman pottery * a piece of pottery\n  2  [U] the clay that some dishes and pots are made of:\na jug made of blue-glazed pottery * a pottery casserole dish\n  3  [U] the skill of making pots and dishes from clay, especially by hand:\na pottery class\n  4  [C] a place where clay pots and dishes are made


Words: potting shed
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a small building where seeds and young plants are grown in pots before they are planted outside


Words: potty
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (BrE, informal, becoming old-fashioned)\n  1  crazy:\nThe kids are driving me potty!\n  2  ~ about sb/sth liking sb/sth a lot:\nShe’s potty about you!\n    noun (plural potties) (informal) a bowl that very young children use when they are too small to use a toilet\ncompare CHAMBER POT


Words: potty-train
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to teach a small child to use a potty or toilet\n    potty-trained adjective\n    potty-training noun [U]


Words: pouch
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small bag, usually made of leather, and often carried in a pocket or attached to a belt:\na tobacco pouch * She kept her money in a pouch around her neck.\n  2  a large bag for carrying letters, especially official ones\n  3  a pocket of skin on the stomach of some female animals, such as KANGAROOS, in which they carry their young\n  4  a pocket of skin in the cheeks of some animals, such as HAMSTERS, in which they store food


Words: pouffe
Meaning:
(also pouf)  (both BrE) (AmE hassock) noun\na large thick cushion used as a seat or for resting your feet on


Words: poultice
Meaning:
noun\na soft substance spread on a cloth, sometimes heated, and put on the skin to reduce pain or swelling:\nto apply a poultice


Words: poultry
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [pl.] chickens, ducks and GEESE, kept for their meat or eggs:\nto keep poultry * poultry farming\n  2  [U] meat from chickens, ducks and GEESE:\nEat plenty of fish and poultry.


Words: pounce
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (on / upon sb/sth) to move suddenly forwards in order to attack or catch sb/sth:\nThe lion crouched ready to pounce. * The muggers pounced on her as she got out of the car. * Owen pounced on the loose ball and scored.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pounce on / upon sth to quickly notice sth that sb has said or done, especially in order to criticize it\nSYN SEIZE ON / UPON:\nHis comments were pounced upon by the press.


Words: pound
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  money\n \n  1  [C] (also technical pound sterling) (Symbol ｣) the unit of money in Britain, worth 100 pence:\na ten-pound note * a pound coin * I’ve spent ｣25 on food today. * What would you do if you won a million pounds? * Total losses were estimated at over three million pounds.\nsee also STERLING\n \n  2  [C] the unit of money of several other countries\n \n  3  (the pound) [sing.] (finance) the value of the British pound compared with the value of the money of other countries:\nthe strength / weakness of the pound (against other currencies) * The pound closed slightly down at $1.534. * The pound fell sharply to a record low against the yen. * a run on the pound\n \n  weight\n  4  [C] (abbreviation lb) a unit for measuring weight, equal to 0.454 of a kilogram:\nhalf a pound of butter * They cost two dollars a pound. * I’ve lost six and a half pounds since I started my diet.\n  for cars\n  5  [C] a place where motor vehicles that have been parked illegally are kept until their owners pay to get them back\n  for dogs\n  6  [C] a place where dogs that have been found in the street without their owners are kept until their owners claim them\n IDIOMS \n  (have, get, want, etc.) your pound of flesh the full amount that sb owes you, even if this will cause them trouble or suffering:\nYou’re determined to have your pound of flesh, aren’t you?\n ORIGIN  From Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, in which the moneylender Shylock demanded a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body if he could not pay back the money he borrowed.\nmore at PENNY, PREVENTION\n    verb\n  hit\n  1  ~ (away) (at / against / on sth) to hit sth/sb hard many times, especially in a way that makes a lot of noise:\n[V] Heavy rain pounded on the roof. * All she could hear was the sound of waves pounding against the cliffs. * Someone was pounding at the door. * The factory’s machinery pounded away day and night. * [VN] She pounded him with her fists.\n  walk noisily\n  2  [V +adv./prep.] to move with noisy steps:\nShe pounded along the corridor after him.\n  of heart / blood\n  3  [V] to beat quickly and loudly:\nHer heart was pounding with excitement. * The blood was pounding (= making a beating noise) in his ears. * Her head began to pound. * a pounding headache\n  break into pieces\n  4  [VN] ~ sth (to / into sth) to hit sth many times in order to break it into smaller pieces:\nThe seeds were pounded to a fine powder.\n  attack with bombs\n  5  [VN] to attack an area with a large number of bombs over a period of time:\nThe area is still being pounded by rebel guns.\n  of music\n  6  [V] ~ (out) to be played loudly:\nRock music was pounding out from the jukebox.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pound sth<->out to play music loudly on a musical instrument:\nNobody pounds out a tune on the piano quite like her.


Words: poundage
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (technical) a charge that is made for every pound in weight of sth, or for every ｣1 in value\n  2  (informal) weight:\nto carry extra poundage


Words: pounder
Meaning:
noun (in compounds)\n  1  something that weighs the number of pounds mentioned:\na three-pounder (= a fish, for example, that weighs 3lb)\n  2  a gun that fires a SHELL that weighs the number of pounds mentioned:\nan eighteen-pounder


Words: pounding
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a very loud repeated noise, such as the sound of sth hitting sth else hard; the sound or the feeling of your heart beating strongly:\nWe were awoken by a pounding at the door. * There was a pounding in his head.\n  2  an occasion when sth is hit hard or attacked and severely damaged:\nThe boat took a pounding in the gale. * (figurative) The team took a pounding (= were badly defeated).


Words: pour
Meaning:
verb\n \n  1  [VN]   [usually +adv./prep.] to make a liquid or other substance flow from a container in a continuous stream, especially by holding the container at an angle:\nPour the sauce over the pasta. * She poured boiling water down the sink. * Although I poured it carefully, I still managed to spill some. * Pour away as much fat as possible from the roasting pan.\n \n  2  [V +adv./prep.] (of liquid, smoke, light, etc.) to flow quickly in a continuous stream:\nTears poured down his cheeks. * Thick black smoke was pouring out of the roof. * Blood was pouring from the wound. * The sweat was pouring off her. * Light poured in.\n \n  3  ~ (sth) (out) to serve a drink by letting it flow from a container into a cup or glass:\n[VN] Will you pour the coffee? * I was in the kitchen, pouring out drinks. * [VN, VNN] I’ve poured a cup of tea for you. * I’ve poured you a cup of tea. * [V] Shall I pour?\n \n  4  [V] when rain pours down or when it’s pouring with rain, rain is falling heavily:\nThe rain continued to pour down. * It’s pouring outside. * It’s pouring with rain.\n  5  [V +adv./prep.] to come or go somewhere continuously in large numbers:\nLetters of complaint continue to pour in. * Commuters came pouring out of the station.\n IDIOMS \n  pour oil on troubled water(s) to try to settle a disagreement or dispute\nmore at COLD adj., HEART, RAIN v., SCORN n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pour sth into sth to provide a large amount of money for sth:\nThe government has poured millions into the education system.\n  pour out when feelings or sb’s words pour out they are expressed, usually after they have been kept hidden for some time:\nWave after wave of pent-up emotion poured out. * The whole story then came pouring out.\n  pour sth<->out to express your feelings or give an account of sth, especially after keeping them or it secret or hidden:\nShe poured out her troubles to me over a cup of coffee.\nrelated noun OUTPOURING


Words: pout
Meaning:
verb\n\nif you pout, pout your lips or if your lips pout, you push out your lips, to show you are annoyed or to look sexually attractive:\n[V] He pouted angrily. * Her lips pouted invitingly. * [VN] models pouting their lips for the camera [also V speech]  \n \n    pout noun:\nHer lips were set in a pout of annoyance.


Words: poverty
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the state of being poor:\nconditions of abject / extreme poverty * to alleviate / relieve poverty * Many elderly people live in poverty.\n  2  [U, sing.] a lack of sth; poor quality:\nThere is a poverty of colour in her work.


Words: poverty trap
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] a situation in which sb stays poor even when they get a job because the money they receive from the government is reduced


Words: powder
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U, C] a dry mass of very small fine pieces or grains:\nchilli powder * lumps of chalk crushed to (a) fine white powder * The snow was like powder. * A wide range of cleaning fluids and powders is available. * The mustard is sold in powder form. * powder skiing (= on fine dry snow)\nsee also BAKING POWDER, CURRY POWDER, SOAP POWDER, TALCUM POWDER, WASHING POWDER\n  2  [U] a very fine, soft, dry substance that you can put on your face to make it look smooth and dry:\nI only use lipstick and a little powder.\n  3  [U] = GUNPOWDER\n IDIOMS \n  keep your powder dry (old-fashioned) to remain ready for a possible emergency\n  take a powder (AmE, informal) to leave suddenly; to run away\n    verb [VN] to put powder on sth:\nShe powdered her face and put on her lipstick.\n IDIOMS \n  powder your nose (old-fashioned) a polite way of referring to the fact that a woman is going to the toilet/bathroom:\nI’m just going to powder my nose.


Words: powder keg
Meaning:
noun\na dangerous situation that may suddenly become very violent:\nWe’re sitting on a powder keg of racial tension in the city.


Words: powder room
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a polite word for a women’s toilet/bathroom in a public building\n  2  (AmE) a small room in a house, containing a WASHBASIN and a toilet, usually for guests to use\nSYN HALF-BATH


Words: powdered
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of a substance that is naturally liquid) dried and made into powder:\npowdered milk\n  2  crushed and made into a powder:\npowdered chalk\n  3  covered with powder:\nher powdered cheeks


Words: power
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  control\n  1  [U] ~ (over sb/sth) | ~ (to do sth) the ability to control people or things:\nThe aim is to give people more power over their own lives. * He has the power to make things very unpleasant for us. * to have sb in your power (= to be able to do what you like with sb)\n  2  [U] political control of a country or an area:\nto take / seize / lose power * The present regime has been in power for two years. * The party came to power at the last election. * They are hoping to return to power. * a power struggle between rival factions within the party\nsee also BALANCE OF POWER\n  ability\n  3  [U] (in people) the ability or opportunity to do sth:\nIt is not within my power (= I am unable or not in a position) to help you. * I will do everything in my power to help you.\n  4  [U] (also powers) [pl.] a particular ability of the body or mind:\nHe had lost the power of speech. * The drug may affect your powers of concentration. * He had to use all his powers of persuasion.\n  5  (powers) [pl.] all the abilities of a person’s body or mind:\nSufferers from the disease have failing mental powers and poor memories. * At 26, he is at the height of his powers and ranked fourth in the world.\n  authority\n  6  [U, C, usually pl.] ~ (to do sth) the right or authority of a person or group to do sth:\nThe Secretary of State has the power to approve the proposals. * The powers of the police must be clearly defined. * The president has the power of veto over all new legislation. * Police in riot gear used their powers under the Public Order Act to move on 300 protesters.\nsee also POWER OF ATTORNEY\n  country\n  7  [C] a country with a lot of influence in world affairs, or with great military strength:\nworld powers * an allied / enemy power\nsee also SUPERPOWER\n  influence\n  8  [U] (in compounds) strength or influence in a particular area of activity:\nmilitary / economic power * air / sea power (= military strength in the air / at sea) * purchasing / earning power * Their efforts to exercise collective bargaining power against multinational companies have failed.\n  9  [U] the influence of a particular thing or group within society:\nthe power of television / the media * parent power\n  energy\n  10  [U] the strength or energy contained in sth:\nThe ship was helpless against the power of the storm. * It was a performance of great power. * They were impressed by the power of her arguments.\nsee also FIREPOWER, STAYING POWER\n  11  [U] energy that can be collected and used to operate a machine, to make electricity, etc:\nnuclear / wind / solar power * engine power\nsee also HORSEPOWER -> STRENGTH\n  electricity\n  12  [U] the public supply of electricity:\nThey’ve switched off the power. * a power failure\n  mathematics\n  13  [C, usually sing.] the number of times that an amount is to be multiplied by itself:\n4 to the power of 3 is 4ｳ (= 4 ﾗ 4 ﾗ 4 = 64).\n  of lens\n  14  [U] the amount by which a LENS can make objects appear larger:\nthe power of a microscope / telescope\n  good / evil spirit\n  15  [C] a good or evil spirit that controls the lives of others:\nthe powers of darkness (= the forces of evil) * She believed in the existence of a benevolent power.\n IDIOMS \n  do sb a power of good (old-fashioned, informal) to be very good for sb’s physical or mental health:\nA break would do us all a power of good.\n  more power to sb’s elbow (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) used to express support or encouragement for sb to do sth\n  the (real) power behind the throne the person who really controls an organization, a country, etc. in contrast to the person who is legally in charge:\nThe president’s wife was suspected of being the real power behind the throne.\n  the powers that be (often ironic) the people who control an organization, a country, etc:\nThe powers that be are still trying to decide what should be done.\nmore at CORRIDOR, SWEEP v.\n    verb\n  supply energy\n  1  [VN] [usually passive] to supply a machine or vehicle with the energy that makes it work:\nThe aircraft is powered by a jet engine. * The plant generates enough energy to power a town of 6 000 people. * The mill’s machinery is powered by waterwheels.\n  move quickly\n  2  [+adv./prep.] to move or move sth very quickly and with great power in a particular direction:\n[V] He powered through the water. * [VN] She powered her way into the lead. * He powered his header past the goalie.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  power sth<->up to prepare a machine to start working by supplying it with electricity, etc.


Words: power base
Meaning:
noun\nthe area or the people that provide the main support for a politician or a political party:\nHis power base is in the south of the country.


Words: power cut
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE power outage) noun\nan interruption in the supply of electricity; a period of time when this happens


Words: power dressing
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a style of dressing in which people in business wear formal and expensive clothes to emphasize how important they and their jobs are


Words: power of attorney
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (plural powers of attorney) (law) the right to act as the representative of sb in business or financial matters; a document that gives sb this right


Words: power politics
Meaning:
noun\n[U+sing./pl. v.] a situation in which a country tries to achieve its aims by using or threatening to use its military or economic power against another country


Words: power station
Meaning:
(BrE) (also power plant AmE, BrE) noun\na building or group of buildings where electricity is produced:\na coal-fired power station * a nuclear power station


