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GRE Word List-P
This is a Complete List of GRE Word List-P.
Pachyderm: thick-skinned animal pacifist: one opposed to force; antimilitarist pacifism : opposition to war as a means of resolving disputes pacify: soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to padre: chaplain (in the armed forces) paean: song of praise or joy painstaking: taking pains; showing hard work; taking great care; very careful and through palatable :agreeable; pleasing to the taste palate :roof of the mouth; sense of the taste palatial :of or suitable for a palace; magnificent paleontology: study of prehistoric life or fossils palette:board on which painter mixes pigments(coloring matters) palimpsest :parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased pall :become boring; grow tiresome pallet: small poor bed palliate: ease pain (without curing); make less severe or offensive (a crime or illness) pallid :pale; wan palm :conceal in the palm of the hand; palm off: pass off palpable: tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious palpitate :throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble paltry :insignificant; petty; trifling; contemptible pan :criticize harshly panacea :cure-all; remedy for all diseases panache: flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on a helmet) pandemic: widespread; affecting the majority of people Pandemonium :wild tumult(commotion); wild noisy disorder pander: cater to (the low desires of others) panegyric: formal praise; encomium Pang: sudden sharp feeling of pain panoramic: denoting an unobstructed and comprehensive view panorama : unbroken view of a wide area pantomime: acting without dialogue papyrus :ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant parable: short simple story teaching a moral paradigm: model; example that serves as a model; pattern; list of all the inflectional forms of a word paradox: something apparently contradictory in nature (that may nonetheless be true); statement that looks false but is actually correct paragon: model of perfection parallel: similar; analogous; corresponding parallelism :state of being parallel; similarity; analogy parameter: limit; independent variable paramount :foremost in importance; supreme paramour :illicit lover paranoia: psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or persecution paranoid: paranoiac paraphernalia : equipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; personal belongings paraphrase: restate a passage in one’s own words while retaining thought of author parasite : animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant parched: extremely dry; very thirsty parch : make or become extremely dry (by exposure to heat) parchment: writing material made from the skin of a sheep or goat pare :cut away the outer covering or skin of (with a knife); trim pariah :social outcast parish :area in the care of a single priest and served by one main church parity: equality; close resemblance parlance: language; manner of speaking; idiom parley: conference (between opponents) parochial: narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes parody: humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty paroxysm :fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst parquet :floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter parry :ward off a blow; deflect parsimony :stinginess; excessive frugality partial :incomplete; favoring one side over another; having a liking for something partiality :state of being partial; inclination; favorable bias; special fondness; preference partisan: one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike of any others) partition :divide into parts parvenu :upstart; newly rich person passé :old-fashioned; past the prime pass :off present falsely; represent falsely to be passive: not active; acted upon; receiving an action without acting in return; accepting without resistance paste: smooth viscous mixture as of flour(powder made by crushing grain) and water (used as an adhesive) pastiche: imitation of another’s style in musical composition or in writing pastoral rural: of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor pastry :paste of flour and water (eaten when baked) patent :obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; of or protected by a patent pathetic: causing sadness, compassion, pity; touching pathological :pertaining to disease pathos :tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings patina :green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly taken by varnished painting patois: local or provincial dialect patriarch :father and ruler of a family or tribe patrician :noble; aristocratic patrimony: property inherited from a father patronize :support; act superior toward; treat in a condescending manner; be a customer of patron: o ne that supports; regular customer
paucity : scarcity; dearth pauper: very poor person peccadillo :slight offense or fault pecuniary :pertaining to money pedagogue :teacher pedagogy :teaching; art of education pedant :scholar who overemphasizes book learning, trivial details of learning, or technicalities pedantic :bookish; showing off learning; marked by an excessive ostentatious concern for book learning peddle :travel about selling (wares) pedestal :support or base as for a pillar or statue pedestrian :ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); going on foot pediatrician: physician specializing in children’s diseases pedigree: ancestry; lineage peer :one who has equal standing with another; nobleman peerless :having no equal; incomparable peevish: bad-tempered; irritable peeve: make angry pejorative : (of a word or phrase) suggesting that someone is of little value; negative in connotation; having a belittling effect pell-mell :in confusion; disorderly pellucid :transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand pen :fenced enclosure for animals; confining space penance :self-imposed punishment for sin penchant :strong inclination; strong liking (esp. for something that is disapproved of by other people) pendant: (pendent) hanging down from something; pending Pending: not yet decided or settled; impending pendulous: hanging; suspended penetrate: enter into; pierce; permeate; see through; grasp the inner significance of; understand penitent :repentant penology :study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation pensive :dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative penumbra :partial shadow (in an eclipse) penury: extreme poverty; stinginess penurious: very poor; stingy peon :landless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial worker perceptive :insightful; showing a good ability at perceiving and understanding; aware; wise; of perception percussion :striking one object against another sharply perdition :damnation; complete ruin; hell peregrination :journey peremptory : demanding and leaving no choice; imperative perennial : something long-lasting; perennial plant perfidious : treacherous; disloyal perfidy: treachery perforate :pierce; put a hole through perfunctory :done routinely and with little care; superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care perigee: point of moon’s orbit when it is nearest the earth perimeter :outer boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference peripatetic :walking about from place to place (to work); moving peripheral :of a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor importance; not central periphery :outside edge especially of a round surface; perimeter perjury :false testimony while under oath perjure : oneself: testify falsely under oath permeable : that can be permeated; penetrable; porous; allowing liquids or gas to pass through Permeate : spread or flow throughout; charge permissive : allowing much freedom; lenient pernicious : very harmful; deadly; very destructive peroration : conclusion of an oration; perorating perorate: conclude a speech; speak at great length perpetrate :commit an offense; do (something wrong) perpetual :everlasting perpetuate: make perpetual; make something last for a long time; preserve from extinction perquisite: (perk) any gain above stipulated salary persevere: continue steadily in spite of difficulties persist :continue in existence; last; continue in a course of action in spite of opposition personable :attractive (in personality or appearance) personify :represent (an inanimate object) as a person; be the embodiment or perfect example of perspicacious : (of someone) having insight; penetrating; astute perspicuity :clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity perspicuous : (of something) plainly expressed; easy to understand pert: (esp. of a girl or young woman) impertinent; forward; trim; jaunty pertinacious :holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent pertinent :suitable; to the point; relevant perturb :disturb greatly peruse :read through with care pervasive: spread throughout pervade: (of smells, ideas, feelings) spread throughout; charge; permeate perverse :purposely continuing to do something wrong; stubbornly wrongheaded; perverted perversion: corruption; turning from right to wrong pervert :corrupt; turn from right to wrong; misuse pessimism: belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess; tendency to take the gloomiest possible view of a situation pestilential : (pestilent) causing plague; tending to cause death pestilence: fatal epidemic disease (esp. bubonic plague) pestle: tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl or mortar petrify:turn to stone; cause to become stone like; stun or paralyze petty: trivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded; petty-minded petulant :touchy; peevish; ill-tempered phalanx: formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together pharisaical: pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic law (considering themselves very holy); hypocritical self-righteous person phenomena :observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation Phenomenon: observable fact; very unusual person, thing, or event; marvel; wonder Phenomenal: very unusual; extraordinary; of a phenomenon philanderer: faithless lover; flirt philanthropist: lover of mankind; doer of good philatelist : stamp-collector Philately: stamp collecting Philistine :narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested in material gain; uncultured person who is indifferent to artistic and cultural values; member of an ancient people in Palestine philology : study of language or words phlegmatic: calm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed phlegm: sticky mucus produced in the respiratory tract phobia: morbid fear phoenix :symbol of immortality or rebirth phylum :major classification, second to kingdom, of plants and animals; category ranking below a kingdom and above a class; division physiognomy: face (as showing the character and the mind); art of judging human character from facial features physiological :pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms piebald :of different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors (esp. in black and white) piecemeal: one part at a time; gradually; in stages
pied :piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored piety :devoutness; reverence for God pigment: coloring matter (usually powder to be mixed with water or oil) pilfer: steal things of small value; filch; snitch pillage: plunder pillory :punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule pinch :squeeze between the thumb and a finger, or other edges pine :long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline pinion :restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs pinnace :small boat pinnacle: peak; highest point; acme pious: devout; religious piquant :pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating pique :irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss in a contest) piscatorial: pertaining to fishing pitfall :hidden danger; concealed trap pith :core or marrow; sponge like substance in the center of stems; essence; substance pithy :concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty pittance :small amount (of money); small allowance or wage pivotal :of a pivot; central; critical; crucial placate :pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease placebo: harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill placid :peaceful; calm plagiarize: steal another’s ideas or writings and pass them off as one’s own plaintive :expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song plait: braid; intertwine; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together plane :carpenter’s tool for smoothing and leveling wood plaster :paste that hardens to a smooth solid and is used for coating walls plasticity :ability to be molded plastic: capable of being shaped or molded platitude: trite remark; commonplace statement platonic: purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire plaudit: praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or series) of applause plausible: conceivably true; having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious plebeian: common; vulgar; pertaining to the common people plebiscite: direct vote by the entire electorate (on an important issue) plenary: (of power) complete; full; fully attended by all qualified members plenitude :abundance; plenty; great amount; completeness; fullness plethora: excess; overabundance pliable :flexible; easily influenced; yielding; adaptable pliant: flexible; easily influenced plight :difficult condition; condition or state (esp. a bad state or condition); predicament ploy: stratagem to gain an advantage; tactic pluck: courage plucky: courageous; brave plumage :feathers of a bird plumb :exactly vertical plumber :one who installs and repairs pipes and plumbing(pipes) plume: feather, esp. large or showy one; something that rises into the air (like the shape of a feather) plummet :fall sharply; fall straight down plump :pleasantly fat; nicely rounded plutocracy:society ruled by the wealthy podiatrist :doctor who treats ailments of the feet; chiropodist podium :pedestal; raised platform poignancy: quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion poignant : touching; deeply moving poise :good judgment with composure; balance polar :of a pole; characterized by opposite extremes polarity:state of having two opposite qualities polarize: split into opposite extremes or camps polemic :attack or defense of an opinion; controversy or refutation; argument in support of point of view polemics: art of debate or controversy polemical(polemic) :aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious (rather than simply expressing opinions) politic :prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well devised polity: (particular form of) political organization; form of government of nation or state polygamist: one who has more than one spouse at a time polyglot: speaking several languages; multilingual pomposity: self-important behavior; acting like a stuffed shirt(pompous person) Pompous: self-important ponderous: having great weight; weighty; unwieldy; lacking lightness; dull pontifical: pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious Pontiff: pope; bishop pore : study industriously; ponder; scrutinize porous: full of pores; like a sieve porridge: soft food made by boiling oatmeal portend: foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of portent: sign; omen; forewarning portly :stout; corpulent pose :assume a particular posture; put forward; present; affect a particular attitude (to impress others) poseur :person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc., to impress others; person who poses posterity :descendants; future generations posthumous :after death (as of child born after father’s death or book published after author’s death); coming or occurring after one’s death postmortem :autopsy postulate :self-evident truth; something assumed without proof posture: assume an affected pose; act artificially potable: suitable for drinking; drinkable potent :powerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influential potentate :monarch; sovereign potential :expressing possibility; latent potion :dose (of liquids); liquid dose potpourri :heterogeneous mixture; medley; mixture of dried flower petals a pot (to give a pleasant smell to a room) poultice: soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body précis: abstract; concise summing up of main points; concise summary of a text practicable: feasible practical :based on experience; of or acquired through practice (rather than theory) pragmatic: practical (as opposed to idealistic); concerned with practical worth or impact of something pragmatist: practical person pragmatism: pragmatic way of dealing with things prance: move about in a spirited manner (proudly and confidently) prank: mischievous trick prate: talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly prattle: talk idly; babble preamble: introductory statement precarious :unsafe; lacking in stability; uncertain; risky precedent :preceding (in time, rank, etc.) precept :practical rule guiding conduct precinct :division of a city for election or police purposes; precincts: space that surrounds a building precipice :cliff; dangerous position precipitant: something that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form precipitate: hurl downward; throw headlong; hasten; cause to happen sooner; condense and fall as rain or snow; cause (a solid substance) to be separated from a solution precipitous: steep; overhasty; precipitate precise :exact preclude: make impossible; prevent; exclude; eliminate precocious :advanced in development precursor: forerunner; predecessor predator: predatory animal or bird; predatory person; creature that seizes and devours another animal predatory: living by preying on other organisms; plundering predecessor: former occupant of a post predetermine: determine in advance; predestine; settle or decide beforehand; influence markedly predicament :difficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma predilection :preference; partiality predispose: give an inclination toward (in advance); make susceptible to preeminent :outstanding; superior preempt :prevent in advance; head off(forestall); forestall by acting first; appropriate for oneself before others preen: make oneself tidy in appearance; feel self-satisfaction or pride; (of a bird) smooth or clean (feathers) with the beak prefatory: introductory; of a preface prefigure: be a sign of; foreshadow prehensile :capable of grasping or holding (esp. by wrapping around) prelate: church dignitary; priest of high position in the church (esp. bishop) prelude: introduction; introductory performance or event; forerunner premeditate: plan in advance premise: assumption; postulate; proposition upon which an argument is based premonition: forewarning; presentiment; foreboding premonitory: serving to warn preponderance: superiority of power, quantity Preponderate: be greater in power, weight, or importance prepossessing: attractive Preposterous : absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous prerogative : privilege; unquestionable right presage: foretell; be a warning or sign of presentiment: foreboding; omen prescience : ability to foretell the future; knowledge of actions before they occur presentiment : premonition; foreboding; feeling something will happen; anticipatory fear prestige : respect or admiration; impression produced by achievements or reputation prestigious: having prestige presume: take for granted; assume; act overconfidently; take liberties; presume on/upon presumptuous: going beyond what is right; excessively forward; arrogant; taking liberties pretend:feign; pretend to: claim to possess; make pretensions to pretension :pretentiousness; claim (without foundation) pretentious :ostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; overambitious preternatural: beyond what is normal in nature; supernatural pretext :excuse prevail: be widespread; triumph over; gain victory; prevail on: persuade; induce prevalent: widespread; generally accepted prevaricate: lie; hide the truth (by equivocating) prey: target of a hunt; victim prim: proper to the point of affectation; very precise and formal; exceedingly proper primal: first in rank or importance; being first in time; original primary: first in rank or importance; principal; earliest in time primate :group of mammals including humans prime :period of ideal or peak condition; earliest or beginning stage primogeniture: seniority by birth; state of being the first-born child; right of the eldest child (to inherit the entire property of one or both parents) primordial: existing at the beginning (of time); rudimentary primp: groom oneself with care; adorn oneself pristine: unspoiled; remaining in a pure state; characteristic of earlier times; primitive privation: lack of the basic necessities or comforts of life; hardship; want privy :secret; hidden; not public; made a participant in something secret prize: pry; move with a lever; value highly; esteem probe: explore with a probe or tools; investigate probity :uprightness; honesty; incorruptibility problematic: causing a problem; open to doubt; doubtful; unsettled; questionable Proclivity: inclination; natural tendency (esp. towards something bad) procrastinate: postpone; delay or put off procurement :obtaining procure: obtain by effort; obtain (a prostitute) for another prod :poke (with a pointed object); stir up; urge; goad to action prodigal: wasteful; reckless with money; profuse prodigious: enormous; marvelous; extraordinary prodigy: highly gifted child; person with exceptional talents; marvel; wonder profane: violate; desecrate (something holy); treat unworthily; be profane for profligate :wasteful (of money); dissipated; wildly immoral; dissolute profound:deep; not superficial; complete profusion :great amount; plenty; overabundance; excess; lavish expenditure profuse: plentiful; copious; giving or given abundantly; extravagant progenitor:ancestor progeny: children; offspring; descendants prognosis :forecasted course of a disease; prediction prognosticate: predict (according to present indications) prohibitive :so high as to prohibit purchase or use; tending to prevent the purchase or use of something; prohibiting projectile: missile; fired or thrown object (such as stone or bullet) proletarian: member of the working class; blue collar guy Proletariat: working class (who has to work for wages) proliferate: grow rapidly (in numbers); spread; multiply prolific: producing offspring or fruit in abundance; fertile; fecund; abundantly fruitful; producing abundant works prolixity: tedious wordiness; verbosity prolix: wordy; verbose; diffuse prologue: introduction (to a poem or play) prolong :lengthen; extend; draw out prominent: protruding(sticking out); conspicuous; notable; eminent promiscuous: mixed indiscriminately; indiscriminate; not choosing carefully; indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners promontory :headland promote :advance in rank; advance; help to flourish; advocate; help actively in forming; publicize or popularize prompt :cause; urge; provoke; provide a cue promulgate :announce; proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by official publication prone: inclined to; likely to (suffer); prostrate; lying with the front downward prong: pointed projecting part pronounced :distinct; very noticeable prop :support placed under or against something propagate: increase in number by producing young; multiply; spread propellant : (propellant) substance which propels or drives forward propensity: natural inclination prophetic :of a prophet or prophecy; having to do with predicting the future prophylactic :used to prevent disease prophylaxis: prevention of disease propinquity :nearness (in space or relationship); proximity; kinship propitiate :appease; conciliate; make peaceful propitious: favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate proponent: supporter; backer; opposite of opponent propound :put forth for consideration or analysis; set forth propriety: fitness; quality of being proper; correct conduct; conformity to prevailing customs and usages propulsive :driving forward prosaic :lacking in imagination; dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact(concerned with facts, not imagination or feelings) proscenium :part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage proscribe :prohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw proselytize: (induce someone to) convert to a religion or belief proselyte: new convert to a doctrine or religion prosody: art of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse prosper: become successful (esp. financially); thrive; grow well prosperity: good fortune and financial success; physical well-being prosperous: successful; rich; affluent; well-to-do; well-off prostrate :stretch out full on ground; make prostrate; enervate protégé :person receiving protection and support from a patron protagonist: leader or noticeable supporter of an idea; chief character in a play or story protean: able to take on many forms; versatile protocol :diplomatic etiquette; ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats; first copy of a treaty before its ratification prototype: original work used as a model by others protract :prolong; lengthen in time; draw out protrude: stick out; jut; project protuberance: protrusion; swelling; bulge provenance: place of origin; origin or source of something provender: dry food for livestock; fodder proverb: adage; someone or something well known for notoriety Proverbial: of a proverb providence: quality of being provident; divine care; god’s care Providence: god providential: of divine providence; fortunate provident: providing for future needs; displaying foresight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies provincial :pertaining to a province; limited in outlook; narrow; unsophisticated provision :act of providing; something provided; preparatory measure; provisions: necessary supplies (esp. food) provisional: tentative; temporary proviso: stipulation; condition in an agreement; provision provocative: arousing anger or sexual interest; annoying Provoke: incite to anger; cause (an unpleasant action or feeling) prowess: extraordinary ability; military bravery proximity: nearness proxy: authorized agent; authority to act for another prude: excessively modest or proper person (who is easily shocked by improper things, esp. of a sexual nature) prudish: excessively concerned with propriety prudent: cautious; careful; prudential prune: cut away; trim prurient: having or causing lustful desires and thoughts; arousing immoderate sexual desire pry inquire :impertinently (someone else’s private affairs); use leverage to raise or open something; prize pseudonym: pen name; fictitious name assumed by an author psyche: soul; mind psychiatrist:doctor who treats mental diseases psychic:of psyche; mental; of or possessing extraordinary mental powers psychopathic: pertaining to mental derangement Psychopath: person with an antisocial personality disorder psychosis: mental disorder psychosomatic :of the influence of the mind on the body (esp. with respect to disease) pterodactyl: extinct flying reptile pucker: gather into wrinkles or folds pudding :hot sweet dish puerile: childish; immature pugilist: boxer Pugilism: boxing pugnacity: combativeness; disposition to fight pugnacious: (of people) belligerent; combative in nature puissant: powerful; strong; potent pulchritude: beauty; comeliness pulmonary: pertaining to the lungs pulpit: raised platform used in preaching (in a church) pulsate:throb; beat regularly; vibrate regularly pulse: rhythmical throbbing of arteries; brief sudden change in a normally constant quantity pulverize: crush or grind into very small particles pummel: pommel; beat or pound with fists punctilious: minutely attentive (perhaps too much so) to fine points; stressing niceties of conduct or form punctiliousness: careful attention paid to every small exact detail pundit: authority on a subject; expert; learned person pungent: stinging; acrid; sharp in taste or smell; (of speech or writing) caustic punitive: punishing puny: tiny; weak; insignificant purchase: secure grasp or hold; firm grasp or footing purgatory: place of spiritual expiation; temporary state or place in which the souls must expiate their sins purge: remove or get rid of something or someone unwanted; eliminate; free from blame or guilt purport: intention; purpose; meaning purported: alleged; claimed; reputed or rumored purse: pucker; contract (lips) into wrinkles purveyor: furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer purvey: supply (e.g. food); furnish pushy: disagreeably aggressive pusillanimous: cowardly; lacking courage; fainthearted putative: supposed; reputed; generally regarded as such putrefy: make or become putrid putrescent: becoming putrid; putrefying putrid: decayed and foul-smelling; foul; rotten; decayed puzzle: baffle or confuse by a difficult problem; ponder over a problem in an effort to solve pyromaniac: person with an insane desire to set things on fire
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