WORDCRAFT DICTIONARY, N-Ph
Note:
clickable items link to Wordcraft Archives, which may have further notes
nacelle the streamlined outer casing of an aircraft engine.
nadir the lowest point: the nadir of
their fortunes (opposite of zenith)
naοf; naοf a naοve person, in either of two senses: 1. natural and unaffected; and 2.
lacking the judgment to be aware of
dangers) (technically
a naοve male, but in practice the word is
genderless)
namaste a Hindu expression on meeting or parting, usually while holding
the palms together vertically in front of the bosom
namby-pamby eponym: weak, foolish or
silly: She probably regarded us as a bunch of namby-pamby liberals.
napier a maker or seller of
table linen; the servant in charge of the linen a great house (obsolete)
Napier's Bones eponym: a set of graduated rods used to
perform multiplication quickly. It was an early calculator. See here.
narcissism eponym: excessive love or admiration of oneself
nares nostrils
narrowcasting the practice of
"specialty" cable channels (or other media) geared to a specific
group of viewers, such as physicians, businesspeople, or teenagers
nascent (also here) coming into existence (or having recently come
into existence), and beginning to develop
natant floating or
swimming in water [Wordcrafter note: I think it has the implication of 'lying
flat'.]
nativity a horoscope for
the time of one's birth (among other meanings, of course)
natron toponym: a mineral salt, consisting of
hydrated sodium carbonate [baking soda]; used to desiccate bodies for
mummification
navvy a laborer in the
excavation and construction of a road or railway
nebbish an innocuous, ineffectual
unfortunate; a "loser"
nebula astronomy: a gas-mass or dust-mass within a galaxy. figurative:
something ill-defined or insubstantial; a hazy mass or cloud.
necromancy (also here, here and here) 1.
witchcraft or black magic 2. predicting the future by communicating with
the dead [Note: dictionary at mancy lists 54 form of divination]
Interesting etymology: from Greek necro = "dead". When the Latin word came to mean
"black arts", the spelling changed to nigromantia
(Latin niger "black,"), and
came into Middle English with the nigro- "black" root. Modern
spelling is from attempts to correct this back to the original "dead"
meaning.
necropsy an autopsy (some sources say one performed on an
animal)
nectar any delicious wine
or other drink (now esp. a kind of sweetened fruit juice)
negative pregnant
a denial (negation) of one thing that implies (is pregnant with) affirmation of
another: I don't still beat my wife
negus eponym: wine and hot water with sugar
and lemon juice and nutmeg
nelipot one going barefoot (note: this 'word' is suspect)
nemesis eponym: one who inflicts retribution or vengeance
neoconservative of or advocating a
new or revived form of conservatism
neologism a newly coined
word or expression;
the act of so coining. (Also applies to coining new phrases or meanings)
neophobia fear or dislike of
anything new or unfamiliar [often used for a childs refusal to try a new food,
particularly vegetables!]
neophyte (also here) a person who is new
to a subject or activity; a beginner, a novice (also, a novice in a
religious order, or a newly ordained priest)
neoteny the retention of
juvenile features in an adult animal (or sometimes used to mean: the
characteristic of having a relatively long period of development)
neoteric
(of an author or other person): of recent times; modern; also, having a
modern outlook
(of beliefs, practices, or other things): modern, recent, new
Also used as a noun. Not necessarily
complimentary; Freq. with disparaging connotations, says OED;
objectionably novel, newfangled.
nepenthe 1. a drug mentioned in the Odyssey as
a remedy for grief; hence 2. something that induces forgetfulness of
sorrow or eases pain.
nephoscope a grid-like instrument for measuring
clouds' altitude, direction, and velocity of movement
neritic of ocean depths to
about 200 meters; sublittoral
Nero eponym: a
person resembling Nero, esp. in displaying cruelty, tyranny, or profligacy
nescient lacking knowledge or awareness;
ignorant
nestcock obs. a househusband; a man who stays at home and manages the
house while his wife goes to work
nestor; Nestor eponym: a venerable and wise
old man; a patriarch in a field
nettle to goad or provoke, as by constant criticism; also, to
annoy, disturb, esp. by minor irritations
neurasthenia a psychological
disorder characterized by chronic fatigue and weakness with vague physical
symptoms (headache, muscle pain, etc.); originally attributed to weakness or
exhaustion of the nerves. Now considered an outdated diagnosis but is it
anything other than what we now call chronic fatigue syndrome?
neuron a nerve cell
New York minute (used only in the
phrase in a New York minute) immediately; at once; in a heartbeat
nexility pithiness,
compactness of speech
nickel-and-dime involving only a small amount: a
nickel-and-dime job; but more particularly: to destroy by underfunding
nickname (etymology) an additional name given to a person. from eke-name
nictitate to wink
nidgetty trifling or fussy
nidicolous remaining in the nest after
hatching until grown or nearly grown
nidify; nidificate to make a nest
niding a coward; a dastard; a term of
utmost opprobrium. (also written nithing)
niggardly grudging and petty; meanly small: left the waiter a niggardly tip.
(Though this word has nothing to do with the so-called "N-word," one
does well to avoid it due to the ignorance of many readers or listeners.)
niggle a small injury claimed by
a sportsman
niggling troublesome or irritating in a petty way
Nightingale eponym: a nurse, esp. one of the older generation (Nightingale
ward a hospital ward with two long rows of beds and a central station
for the nurse in charge)
nihil obstat official approval [From usage in Roman
Catholic church]
nihilism (also nihilist; nihilistic) 1. doctrine that social
institutions are so bad that destruction is desirable for its own sake,
independent of any constructive program 2. rejection of all moral
or religious values
nikkei see issei
nimgimmer a physician or surgeon, particularly those who cure venereal
disease
nimiety superfluity; excess
niminy-piminy affectedly delicate or refined;
mincing
nimmer a pilferer; a petty thief
nimrodΉ eponym: a mighty hunter
nimrod² [bizarre etymology] slang: an silly or
insensitive jerk who is a petty annoyance [from Bugs Bunny]
nimtopsical drunk
ninety-nine used by physicians to detect
areas of the lungs that have become solidified, as from pneumonia. When the
patient speaks or whispers, the sound is loudest in these areas, and the
loudness can be noticed by stethoscope or by a palm on the patients back.
ningimmer a physician or surgeon, particularly those who cure the
venereal disease
ninnyhammer a simpleton; a silly person
nisei see issei
niveous resembling snow; snowy; also,
snow-white. (Note: There's an odd schism in how the lexicographers handle
this word. AHD gives "resembling snow; snowy", but omits the
specific definition as "white". Most on-line dictionaries are similar
but the thesauri even the one at AHD's site consistently list niveous as a synonym for
"white". )
nixie a female water sprite of
Germanic folklore (masc. = nix);
also, an undeliverable letter, addressed wrong or illegibly.
no wuckers Australian slang: a polite shortened form of the
spoonerism no wucking furries
nob Brit. informal:
a person of wealth or high social position
nocent 1. causing harm; 2.
guilty
noeclexis the practice of selecting a
partner based on intelligence and character without regard for physical
attractiveness
nolens volens whether willing or
not [Latin "unwilling-willing"]
nom de
guerre an
assumed name under which a person engages in combat.
nom de
plume an
author's pseudonym or pen-name
nombril heraldry; more properly, 'nombril point': the center point
of the bottom half of an escutcheon; that is, midway between the fesse point
and the bottom point
nomen see cognomen
non nobis 1. interjection,
expressing gratitude or thanksgiving (also 'non nobis, Domine'). from
the next meaning 2. a hymn of that title, used in popular entertainment.
(Each meaning often ironic.)
nonagenarian a person between
90 and 99 years old (also adj.)
nonce word a word created by the author for a specific occasion, not expecting
it to be used again
nonpluss to perplex; to bewilder; to put at a loss of what to do
nook a secluded,
sheltered spot; or, in the same vein, a small, separate section of a
larger room (also, the inner corner formed by two meeting walls)
nook and cranny (as in every
nook and cranny) every part of something.
noop Scot: the sharp point of
the elbow
norks Australian slang: breasts
normalcy normality (note: this is
a perfectly good word, not a coinage or misstatement)
nosology the branch of
medical science concerned with the classification of diseases
[nosos disease]
nothing
but net (from
basketball) figurative: perfectly done; without even the permissible
degree of error
nous
1. chiefly
British: good sense; shrewdness 2. philosophy: reason
and knowledge as opposed to sense perception (in neo-platonism: the image of the absolute good)
novena a prayer service
lasting nine days, or weekly for nine weeks
novendial a religious ceremony lasting for nine days; a funeral
ceremony on the ninth day after the burial
novennial of a nine-year
period
nuchal of the nape of the neck
nudiustertian pertaining to the day before
yesterday (OED); the very latest, as fashion (Wordcrafter)
nugatory 1.
trifling; insignificant 2. of no force; inoperative or ineffectual
nullibiety; nullibicity the state of being nowhere at all (contrast ubiety;
see Archies)
nullipara a woman who has never given birth
numerate (adj.) able to think and express
oneself effectively in quantitative terms (verb: to count;
enumerate). [counterpart of 'literate']
numinous supernatural, mysterious; also,
suffused the presence of a god; spiritual, divine; inspiring awe and
reverence
nuncheon a drink or snack taken between
meals, esp. in the afternoon
nutation [from Latin for 'to nod'] astronomy: periodic increases
and decreases in the "tilt" of an orbit. medical: uncontrolled
nodding
nutria the fur or skin of the
coypu; also, the animal itself
obdurate stubbornly persistent in
wrongdoing; also; showing unfeeling resistance to tender feelings
obeisance an attitude of deference or
homage; a gesture, such as a curtsy, expressing that attitude
objet d'art a small decorative or artistic
piece; a curio
objurgate to scold or rebuke sharply; berate
oblation the act of offering something to
a deity; also, a charitable offering or gift.
obloquy (also here) strong abusive public condemnation; the disgrace brought about
by it
obnubilate to becloud; to
obscure
obol a coin, of small amount, in ancient
obreptitious making false statement to obtain
something
obscurant 1. obscuring the vision (adj:
tending to do so ) [contrast obscurantist 1)]. 2. one opposing
new ideas or social or political reform (adj: so opposed)
obscurantist 1. deliberately written to be obscure to the
understanding (adj: so written) [contrast obscurant 1)]. 2. sense 2 of obscurant, above
obsequious servilely obedient
or attentive; fawning [One source say to think of kiss-ass.]
obsidian eponym: a dark
volcanic glass, formed by the rapid cooling of lava
obstipate to constipate
severely
obstreperous 1. noisily
and stubbornly defiant 2. aggressively boisterous
obtrude (of a thought or a person)
to thrust itself (or himself), unwelcome, upon a person's company or attention.
oceanography the study of bodies
of salt water, including their biology and geology; contrast limnology
oceanology (formerly
synonymous with oceanography) the technology and economics concerned
with human use of the ocean."
oche the line behind
which darts players stand when throwing
Ockham's razor; Occam's
razor eponym: general principle
to prefer the simpler of two competing explanations
October surprise
an unexpected newsworthy act, or revelation, that is deliberately timed to hit
the news just before an election so as to maximize its impact on the election
octoroon offspring of a quadroon and a white [one-eighth black]. see mulatto
octothorpe the # sign, as on the
telephone
oculus a round window, usually a small
one (Latin oculus = eye)
oda the dormitory of
the sultan's seraglio
odds and
sods (
odious hateful; unequivocally
detestable
odium general or widespread hatred or disgust
odyssey eponym: a long voyage (physical or spiritual) marked by many
changes of fortune
oedipal eponym: of the Oedipus complex: a boy's unconscious sexual
desire for his mother
oersted eponym: the
unit in which magnetic-field intensity is measured
oeuvre a writer's or artist's
body of work
OG brewing: original
gravity. The specific gravity of wort before fermentation and thus a measure of
the probable alcoholic content of the final drink
oinomancy divination by the lees of wine [dictionary at mancy lists 54 form of divination]
olamic eternal; infinite [from the Hebrew olam, "world"]
oleaginous greasy, oily; hence offensively ingratiating
olecranon "The large process on the
upper end of the ulna that projects behind the elbow joint and forms the point
of the elbow."
oligarchy a state governed by a small group of people; also, the
group
olio 1. a highly
seasoned stew of meat, vegetables, and chickpeas 2. a miscellaneous
mixture
olisbos a dildo [from
Greek 'to slip, glide']
olivander (more commonly, olivaster) olive-colored (particularly as to
complexion); with an easily-tanned or Mediterranean skin
Oliver's skull (etymology)
a chamber pot
olla-podrida see olio
omadhaun a fool, an idiot,
a mentally backward person [Irish]
omasum one of four parts
of a cow's stomach; see abomasum
omphalos the navel; also, a
central part or focal point
omphaloskepsis meditation while gazing at one's
navel
omphelomancy divination by the navel [dictionary at mancy
lists 54 form of divination]
onanism eponym: masturbation (also:
coitus interruptus; an interesting pairing of meanings!)
onchyomancy divination by the nails [dictionary at mancy
lists 54 form of divination]
oneiromancy divination by dreams [dictionary at mancy
lists 54 form of divination]
onomancy divination by names [dictionary at mancy
lists 54 form of divination]
onomasticon 1. a list
or collection of proper names 2. a list or collection of specialized
terms, as those used in a particular field or subject area
onomastics the study of names
onomatopoeia formation of words in imitation of sounds they
relate to, such as buzz or murmur. (adj. onomatopoeic or onomatopoetic)
oolong a dark Chinese tea that
has been partially fermented before drying
operculum zoology: a lid or cover; also:
the lid closing the aperture of various
species of shells, such as the common whelk
ophidian like a snake
ophiophagous feeding on snakes
opitulation act of helping
opposition c.1395, as an astrological term
for two heavenly bodies exactly across from one another in the sky. The meaning
"contrast, antagonism" first attested 1581; sense of "political
party opposed to the one in power" is from 1704.
orangeman eponym: a Protestant Irishman
orangutan (etymology) from Malay for "man of the forest". It
may be that the Europeans misunderstood the term, and that the Javanese used it
refer to savage human tribes living in the forests.
ordnance 1. mounted guns; cannon 2.
munitions; military supplies
orgulous prideful; haughty
orifice a hole opening
into a bodily cavity
ornithomancy divination by birds [dictionary at mancy
lists 54 form of divination]
orographic relating to
mountains; esp., associated with or induced by mountains: orographic
rainfall
orotund 1. (of the
voice) resonant and impressive. 2. (of writing or style) pompous
Orphean eponym: hauntingly beautiful or enchanting (literary)
orrery eponym: a clockwork model of the solar system
ort a scrap or morsel
of food left at a meal
orthodoxy beliefs, ideas or
activities considered traditional, normal and acceptable by most people
orthoepy correct pronunciation of words
(The antonym is cacoepy incorrect pronunciation)
orthography the conventional spelling system of a language
Orwellian eponym: evoking Orwell's picture of a future totalitarian
state
Oscar (eponym, and
tradename) each of the annual movie awards of the
oscine like a songbird
osculate to kiss; also, to touch or contact (as geometric figures)
ossify (trans. or intrans.) to make into bone;
hence, to cease developing, and become rigidly set in conventional
patterns
ossuary a place for bones of the dead
ostler see hostler
ostracize (also here)
to expel from a community or group; to cast out from social,
political, or private favor
Othello eponym: trade-name for a certain board
game (generically, reversi),
after the sudden reversals of fortune
otiose 1. ineffective; futile 2.
lazy 3. useless; serving no useful purpose
oubliette a dungeon reached
only by a trap door it its ceiling
outrι conspicuously unconventional,
eccentric, or bizarre [pronounce the
vowel sounds and accent as in 'today']
overpainting
(in art conservation) when the restorer gets carried away and paints on top of original
paint passages, instead of just where a piece of paint is missing
overstory the tallest trees in a forest,
also called the canopy
ovine like a sheep
owlish
1. like an owl,
especially in seeming solemn and wise 2. (of glasses or eyes) resembling the large
round eyes of an owl
oxter the armpit (oxter
pipes bagpipes)
oxymoron a contradiction in terms [The
term is itself an oxymoron: oxy- sharp + moron, stupid]
oxythymous quick-tempered; easily riled
oytser from Yiddish: 1.
a treasure, or 2. (ironic) far from a treasure. My child is an
angel, an oytser to me. Her child? That brat. God save me from such an
oytser!
Ozymandian eponym: huge, grandiose,
but ultimately devoid of meaning
pac man defense a stratagem, to prevent a hostile
takeover, by which the target company tries to acquire the bidder
pace (Latin) with due deference to; used to acknowledge politely
someone with whom the writer disagrees
pagan (etymology) from Latin for
villager, rustic. Tied to "nature worship" because
conservative villagers clung to the old nature gods after the Christianization
of Roman towns and cities. (alternate reason for that tie: 'villager' was Roman
military-slang for an incompetent soldier, and the early church, with its
military image, picked up this concept for "those outside the Church
Militant".)
pahoehoe lava with a smooth,
glassy or rippled surface
paint-by-numbers depreciative:
merely mechanical or formulaic (rather than imaginative, original, or natural)
palace revolution overthrow of a ruler by those who are already in the ruling
group
palfrey a docile horse
ridden especially by women
palimpsest a manuscript on which more than one text has been written atop an
earlier one which, incompletely erased, is visible; also, an object or a
place whose older layers or aspects are apparent beneath its surface
palindrome a word or phrase that reads the
same backward as forward
palladianΉ,² 1.
relating to wisdom or study 2. of the neoclassical major architectural
style that was extremely popular in 18th century
palliate 1. to
mitigate 2. to extenuate [i.e., 1. to make (pain or disease) less
severe 2. to make fault or crime seem less severe, with excuses and
apologies]
pallid 1. of abnormally pale or
wan complexion 2. lacking intensity of color or luminousness 3.
[metaphorically] lacking radiance or vitality; dull: pallid prose
palooka slang: an incompetent or easily defeated athlete (esp.
a prizefighter); also, a stupid or clumsy person.
palter 1. to equivocate or prevaricate 2.
(palter with) to trifle with.
paludal 1. relating
to swamps and marshes; palustrine. 2. malarial
palustrine relating to swamps
and marshes
panache dashing or flamboyant in style
panama hat toponym: (picture here)
a mans wide-brimmed hat of straw-like material
pandemic affecting a large part of the
population over a wide geographical area; epidemic over a wide geographical
area (contrast endemic, epidemic)
pandemonium 1. an utterly lawless,
riotous place or assemblage; also, (by extension) wild uproar or noise. 2.
the great hall or council chamber of demons or evil spirits. Coined by John
Milton in "Paradise Lost" (1667) from Gk. pan- "all" + L.L.
dζmonium "evil spirit". Transferred sense "place of uproar"
is from 1779.
pandit a wise or learned man in
pandora's box a source of many unforeseen
troubles
panegyric (also here) an oration or
eulogy in praise of some person or achievement
Panglossian eponym: blindly
optimistic; of the view that this is the best of all possible worlds
panjandrum; grand panjandrum an important person, or a
pompously self-important person
panoply a splendid or impressive array
Pantagruelian eponym: coarsely and extravagantly satirical
pantile a roofing tile with a S-shape; laid so that curves overlap
pantograph a mechanical
device for copying plans, diagrams, etc., on any desired scale. A stylus,
tracing over the original, drives a pen that produces the copy.
papabile [pl. papabili]
a viable candidate to be elected pope, or for other high office
paparazzi (etymology) from the surname of a character in Fellini's 1959 film "La Dolce
Vita."
Papierkrieg German:
obsessively complicated paperwork, seemingly (or actually) designed to make you
give up in frustration
parable (also here) rhetoric: a story told to convey moral or religious lesson; an allegory
parabola a certain geometrical curve (a thrown
ball travels in a parabola as it rises and then falls to the ground)
paradiddle drumming: a pattern of four basic beats,
alternating sticks. One of the 26 rudiments of drumming.
paradigmΉ linguistic sense: a list of word forms (a nominal paradigm is usually called a declension and a verbal paradigm a conjugation)
paradigm² something that serves as a model, example, or pattern
paralambdacism a speech disorder involving
underuse of the l-sound (contrast lambdacism)
paralogism an illogical
argument, a fallacy, esp. one which the reasoner is unconscious of or
believes to be logical (contrast sophism)
paramagnetic very weakly attracted by a
magnet, but not retaining any permanent magnetism (contrast ferromagnetic; see Curry point)
paramo a high, bleak
plateau or district, with stunted trees, and cold, damp atmosphere, as in the
paranoia any unjustified,
excessive fear of the actions or motives of others (medical sense: a
persistent delusional system, usually on the theme of persecution or
exaggerated personal importance)
paranymph 1. a best man, or
groomsman, or a bridesmaid (term is gender-neutral) 2. one who woos or
solicits for another; an advocate, spokesman, or orator, who speaks in behalf
of another.
paraphernalia miscellaneous
articles, especially the equipment needed for a particular activity
paraphilia sexual perversions;
sexual behavior generally considered unacceptable by society
paraplegia paralysis of the
legs, the lower body [The sufferer is a paraplegic.]
parapraxis a Freudian slip; a
minor error, such as a slip of the tongue, thought to reveal a repressed motive
paraschite (or pararschiste) person hired to cut a body, for
mummification
paraselene see parhelion
parasite (etymology) from Greek for "one eating at another's
table"
paraverbal being nonverbal communication
pardoner one licensed to sell
papal pardons (theoretically to raise funds for the church)
paresthesia an abnormal sensation, as
prickling, itching, etc.
Pareto Principle (eponym), or 80/20 rule often, 80% of the result comes from
20% of the work or other input
parhelion a bright spot in
the sky, often in pairs on either side of the sun, thus forming a "triple
sun". Caused by atmospheric ice crystals. (A parhelion is also
called a sun-dog. The same phenomenon with the
moon is called a paraselene or moon
dog.)
parishion parishioner; a member of a parish. This word died out in the 16th
century, but it is an answer to the quiz, "Name 3 words ending in shion:
cushion, fashion, and ____." See also hushion, fushion.
Park Avenue the world of those who are
ultra-rich in both money and social standing
Parkinson's Law eponym: the principle, Work expands so as
to fill the time available for its completion.
Parnassus 1. the world of poetry or
poets: a rhymester striving to enter
parody a literary
composition imitating (and esp. one satirizing) another work. Also,
by extension: a poor or feeble imitation; a travesty
paronomasia punning. more specifically, the
form of pun based on using two different words of same or similar sound.
(contrast antanaclasis, syllepsis, zeugma)
parricide the killing of [or
the killer of] ones own parent usually the father or other near relative
parsimonious excessively
sparing or frugal
parthenian virginal
parthenogenesis the ability of unfertilized eggs to develop into
embryos without sperm. Very common in snails and water fleas, but not in higher
vertebrates.
parturient in labor; about to
give birth (parturition the action of giving
birth; childbirth)
paruresis "bashful kidney"
pashmina mountain goats in the
pasquinade eponym: a
satire or lampoon, esp. one ridiculing a specific person. verb: to
ridicule with a pasquinade
passacaglia an old Italian or Spanish dance tune in Ύ measure, like a
chaconne but slower
passe-partout a master key. by extension:
something that allows one to pass or go at will
passerine (of birds) with feet adapted to perching (technically, of a
particular order of perching birds)
pasteurize [eponym] to partially sterilize
(esp. milk or other liquid) by heat to destroy germs without a major chemical
change in the substance
pastille a troche; that is, a medicated lozenge
used to soothe the throat
pastinaceous having to do with
parsnips
patella the bone on the knee [from Latin for "pan," its shape]
patent troll a company that purchases a patent simply to sue
another, claiming infringement
pathoctonus the ebbing of passion; self-restraint (The Word Lover's
Dictionary)
patois a regional dialect, especially without a literary
tradition
patronymic adj. and noun: of a name derived from
one's father or paternal ancestor
pavilion (originally, a butterfly) a
large and ornate tent. But more commonly applied structures of greater
permanence, as a light roofed structure (picnic pavilion), a solid but
temporary structure (a pavilion at the World's Fair), a sports/entertainment
arena, or a building within a complex (as a hospital).
pavlovian eponym: being or expressing a conditioned or predictable
reaction; automatic
pavonine with the iridescence of a
peacock's tail. (also, "peacock-like", in the manner of such
words as canine, feline, etc.)
pawl [pronounced like pall]
a hinged
bar whose free end engages the teeth of a ratchet wheel, allowing it to
turn in one direction only
pawn a person without real power,
used (manipulated) by others for their own purposes [term evolved from the game
of chess]
paxwax the neck tendon (properly, the nuchal ligament)
peccadillo a small sin or fault
pecksniffian eponym: hypocritically
benevolent; sanctimonious.
peculation embezzlement
pecunious abounding in money; wealthy;
rich
pedant a person who overrates, or over-displays,
book-learning or technical knowledge
pedantic exaggeratedly, unseasonably, or absurdly learned
pedigree literally "foot of a
crane". On a genealogical chart, the group of lines branching from a
person to his or her descendants looks rather like the footprint of a crane.
peeping Tom eponym: a voyeur
pelagic relating to open
ocean or sea
pellucid transparently clear, either literally (as with glass) or
figuratively (as with prose writing)
pelota 1. the game
of jai alai 2. the ball used
peloton competitive cycling: a
densely packed group of riders, sheltering in each others' draft. In a
mass-start race, most riders ride in one large peloton for most of the race.
pendulous hanging down;
drooping
penetrance the likelihood that a gene will lead to a trait or disease. (That
is, the frequency with which a genotype will manifest itself in a phenotype.)
pensile hanging loosely; suspended: pendulous; the pensile nest of the
Baltimore oriole
pentimento a visible trace of the artists
earlier version, showing through when the upper layers of the paint have become
translucent with age. (In effect, the painting behind the painting, showing
where the artist changed his mind and changed his work.)
penultimate next-to-last
penumbra 1.
a partial shadow (blocked from some but not all light sources and their
parts) between regions of complete shadow and complete illumination
2. figurative
extension:
a. an adjoining region in which something
shades off into lessened intensely [the penumbra of the downtown]
b. something that partially covers, surrounds,
or obscures
peony shell fireworks: a spherical burst firework,
in which the stars do not leave a trail
perambulate to walk or travel from place
to place
percipient adj.: 1. perceiving 2.
having perception; discerning; discriminating (noun: one who receives a telepathic impulse or message)
perdurable extremely durable and
long-lasting; also, permanent; everlasting
perdure to continue, endure; to persist;
to last forever
peregrinate to travel, esp. on
foot. peregrination travel, esp. by foot; a
wandering
perfecta a bet where the
bettor must name the top two finishers, in order (also called exacta)
pergola a frame structure with a
latticework roof, to support climbing plants
periclitate to endanger
periscian an inhabitant of either of
the polar regions
peristerophily love of, or collecting of, pigeons [not in OED; in Mrs. Bryne
and some other private dictionaries]
peroration the concluding part of an oration; especially, a final summing up of an argument. perorate to so conclude a speech; also, to speak at great length, esp. in a grandiloquent manner
perse dark grayish blue
perseity medieval philosophy: the quality of having substance
independently of any real object
persiflage friendly banter or frivolous
conversation (persifleur one who indulges in
persiflage; a banterer) [From
French, but there it means to mock, to ridicule. The root is siffler, to
hiss, akin to sibilant.]
perspicacious having penetrating mental
discernment, keen understanding (contrast perspicuous)
perspicuous clearly expressed; easy to
understand (contrast perspicacious)
peruse to read thoroughly [but often misused to mean
"to glance over; to skim"]
petcock a small valve on the bottom (e.g., of an automobile
radiator), to drain or relieve pressure
peter pan eponym: an adult who hangs on to adolescent interests and
attitudes
Peter Pan collar eponym: a small, flat collar with rounded ends
meeting in front
Peter Principle eponym; coinage: the principle that
those in a hierarchy are promoted until they reach the level at which they are
no longer competent (at which point promotion ceases). Thus each position is
eventually filled by an incompetent.
peterman a safebreaker
petitio principii the logical fallacy of assuming in the premises what
one wishes to prove in the conclusion
petrel a type of seabird
petticoat government rule by, or undue predominance or influence of women in
domestic, political, or public life
pettifoggery quibbling; argument over petty
points
phaeton eponym: a touring car
phalacrosis typical
male pattern baldness
phantasmagoria a fantastic sequence of haphazardly associative imagery, as in a dreams; a bizarre or fantastic combination, collection, or assemblage
pharisee a self-righteous or
sanctimonious person
phat excellent; first-rate: phat
fashion; a phat rapper. (AHD says, "origin unknown".
Wordcrafter humbly suggests that it is well understood to have arisen as an
acronym for Pretty Hot and Tempting [or Tasty.)
phatic relating to speech used to share
feelings or to establish a sociable mood, rather than to communicate
information or ideas. "How are you? Lovely day, isn't it?"
phenotype an organism's observable physical characteristics, as determined by
both genes and environment influences. (contrast genotype)
philander eponym: to carry on a love affair, without serious
intentions (said of a male)
philippic (also here) eponym: a bitter, violent speech
of denunciation, scathing and insulting
philistine a person hostile or indifferent to culture and the
arts
phillumenist a collector of
matchbox or matchbook labels
philodox a person fond of opinions, esp.
his or her own
philography the collecting of
autographs, esp. those of famous persons
philology the study of the
structure, historical development, and relationships of a language or languages
Philomel eponym: a nightingale (But at least one good source says that
in Ovid, Philomena became the swallow.)
philosophaster a pretender to philosophy
philtre; philter a love potion (some sources also say verb: to enchant with
or as if with a philtre.)
philtrum the vertical
groove from the base of the nose to the upper lip
phlegm 1.
sluggishness of temperament 2. calm self-possession; equanimity (more
common is the medical sense: thick, sticky, stringy respiratory mucus, as
during a cold)
phlegmatic calm and sluggish, showing little emotion
phocine like a seal
phonotactics the area of phonology (study of a language's sound
system) concerned with analyzing the permitted sound sequences of a language
phreatic of or relating to
groundwater
phronesis wisdom in determining ends
and the means of attaining them
phryne a spectacular legal stunt (Wordcrafter definition, as used by
Ayn Rand; no dictionary lists this word)
phthisis a progressively wasting or consumptive condition; esp.
pulmonary tuberculosis
physic; physick a medicine or
drug, especially a cathartic (for constipation) (also,
the art of medicine)
