Alphabetical word directory
English words starting with P
Showing words 601–720 of 4,254. Choose a word to read its meaning, etymology and origin.
pathogen
nA microorganism, such as a bacterium or virus, that can cause disease.
pathogenesis
nThe process by which a disease develops, from its initial cause to its final effects on the body.
pathogenetic
adjRelating to the origin and development of a disease.
pathogenic
adjCapable of causing disease.
pathogenicity
nThe ability of a microorganism to cause disease.
pathognomonic
adjSpecifically characteristic or distinctive of a particular disease or condition.
pathologic
adjRelating to or caused by disease.
pathological
adjRelating to or caused by a physical or mental disease.
pathologically
advIn a way that relates to or is caused by a physical or mental disease.
pathologist
nA doctor who specializes in examining cells, tissues, and body fluids to diagnose diseases and understand their causes.
pathology
nThe scientific study of the causes and effects of diseases, especially the branch of medicine that deals with the laboratory examination of samples of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic purposes.
pathophysiology
nThe functional changes that accompany a particular disease or syndrome.
pathos
nA quality in a situation, person, or work of art that evokes feelings of pity, sympathy, or sadness.
pathway
na track that is made by or for people walking, especially one through the countryside
patience
nThe ability to stay calm and not become annoyed when dealing with problems or with difficult people, or when something takes a long time.
patient
adjAble to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.
patient-controlled
adj(of a medical device or system, especially for pain relief) designed to be operated by the person receiving treatment, typically allowing them to self-administer a dose of medication within safe, pre-set limits.
patient-focused
adjConcentrating on the needs, preferences, and well-being of the patient as the central priority.
patient-physician
nThe relationship or interaction between a person receiving medical care and the doctor providing it.
patiently
advIn a way that shows the ability to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.
patina
na thin layer that forms on the surface of some metals, especially copper or bronze, usually green or brown, that is caused by a chemical reaction over a long period of time.
patio
nA paved outdoor area adjoining a house, used for dining or recreation.
patisserie
nA shop where French pastries and cakes are sold.
patois
nA form of a language, especially French, spoken by the common people in a particular region, differing from the standard language.
patriarch
nthe male head of a family or tribe.
patriarchal
adjrelating to or characteristic of a system, society, or government controlled by men, especially fathers or older men.
patriarchate
nthe office, jurisdiction, or residence of a patriarch, especially in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
patriarchy
na system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it.
patrician
na person of high social rank; an aristocrat.
patrilateral
adjRelating to or connected with the father's side of a family.
patrilineage
nDescent through the male line; a line of descent from a male ancestor.
patrilineal
adjrelating to or based on relationship to the father or descent through the male line.
patrilocal
adjrelating to or denoting a custom in marriage where the couple lives with or near the husband's family or tribe.
patrimonial
adjrelating to or inherited from one's father or male ancestor.
patrimony
nproperty inherited from one's father or male ancestor.
patriot
na person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.
patriotic
adjhaving or expressing a great love of your country
patriotically
advin a way that shows love for and loyalty to one's country
patriotism
nlove for your country and a desire to support and defend it
patristic
adjRelating to the early Christian theologians or the study of their writings.
patristics
nThe branch of Christian theology that deals with the study of the early Christian theologians known as the Church Fathers and their writings.
patrol
vTo go around an area or building at regular times to guard it and check for trouble.
patroller
nA person or vehicle that moves regularly around an area to guard or observe it.
patrolman
na police officer who patrols a specific area or beat.
patrolwoman
na female police officer who patrols a specific area on foot or in a vehicle.
patron
nA person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, or cause.
patron-client
noun phraseA social, economic, or political relationship in which a person of higher status (patron) provides protection, resources, or opportunities to a person of lower status (client) in return for loyalty, support, or services.
patronage
nThe support, especially financial, that is given to a person or organization by a patron.
patroness
nA woman who gives money and support to an artist, organization, or charity.
patronise
vTo behave in a way that is kind and helpful but that shows you think you are more intelligent or important than other people.
patronize
vto be a regular customer of a business or to use a service
patronizing
adjshowing that you think you are better or more intelligent than someone else, often by speaking or behaving in a way that seems kind but is actually insulting.
patronizingly
advin a manner that shows a superior or condescending attitude towards others, as if treating them as less intelligent or important.
patronymic
adjDerived from the name of a father or male ancestor.
patsy
na person who is easily cheated, deceived, or blamed for something, especially one who is set up to take the blame for others.
patter
vTo make a series of quick, light, tapping sounds.
pattern
na repeated decorative design
patterned
adjHaving a decorative design or arrangement of shapes and colors.
patterning
nthe forming of fixed or regular arrangements of things, especially in a way that is repeated.
patting
v(present participle of pat) to touch someone or something gently and repeatedly with a flat hand, usually in a friendly or affectionate way.
patty
nA small, flat cake of minced or finely chopped food, especially meat.
paucity
nThe fact that there is too little of something; scarcity.
paunch
na large or protruding belly; a potbelly.
paunchy
adjHaving a large or protruding belly; potbellied.
pauper
na very poor person.
pauperization
nthe act or process of making someone very poor; the state of being made very poor.
pause
nA temporary stop in action or speech.
pave
vTo cover a surface with flat stones, bricks, or concrete to make a solid, level area for walking or driving on.
paved
adjCovered with a hard, level surface, typically made of stone, concrete, or asphalt.
pavement
na hard surface of a road or path, especially one made of flat stones or concrete.
paver
na person who lays paving stones or asphalt
pavid
adjtrembling with fear; timid; fearful.
pavilion
na decorative building or temporary structure used for public entertainment or exhibitions.
paving
na surface made of flat stones, bricks, or concrete.
pavlovian
adjRelating to or characteristic of the theories of Ivan Pavlov, especially the concept of conditioning where a reflex response becomes associated with a previously unrelated stimulus.
paw
nthe foot of an animal that has claws or nails, such as a cat, dog, or bear
pawn
nOne of the 16 chess pieces of each color, of the lowest value, that move forward one square at a time but capture diagonally.
pawnbroker
nA person who lends money at interest on the security of personal property that is deposited with them.
pawnshop
nA shop where a pawnbroker operates, lending money at interest on the security of personal property which is left as a pledge.
pawpaw
na north american tree with purple flowers and edible yellow fruit.
pax
na period of general peace, especially one imposed by a powerful state or authority.
pay
vTo give money to someone for goods, services, or to settle a debt.
pay-as-you-go
adjRelating to a system in which you pay for a service at the time you use it, rather than in advance or by subscription.
pay-for-performance
nA system of compensation where payment is directly linked to measurable results or achievements.
pay-per-view
nA system in which you pay to watch a particular television programme, especially a film or a sports event, at the time it is shown.
pay-to-play
adjRequiring payment in order to participate or gain access.
pay-tv
nA system of television broadcasting in which viewers must pay a subscription or fee to receive the signal and watch the channels.
payable
adj(of a bill of exchange or promissory note) requiring payment on a certain date; due.
payback
nAn act of revenge or retaliation for a wrong or injury.
paycheck
nA check given to an employee in payment of salary or wages.
payday
nthe day on which someone receives their pay, especially wages
payee
nA person to whom money is paid or is to be paid.
payer
nA person or organization that pays or is responsible for paying something, especially a bill or tax.
paying
v(present participle of pay) Giving someone money for work done, goods received, or a debt owed.
payload
nThe part of a vehicle's load, especially an aircraft or rocket, that earns revenue or serves the primary purpose of the mission, as distinct from the equipment or personnel required to operate it.
paymaster
nA person or organization that pays another, especially an employer or the treasurer of a group who pays wages or salaries.
payment
nAn amount of money that is paid or received.
payoff
nthe result of a set of actions, or an explanation at the end of something
payola
nThe practice of bribing someone, especially in the music or broadcasting industry, in exchange for the promotion of a product or service.
payor
nA person or entity that makes a payment, especially one who is legally obligated to do so.
payout
na large payment of money, especially as compensation or a prize.
payphone
nA public telephone that is operated by coins or a credit card.
payroll
nA list of a company's employees and the amount of money they are to be paid.
payroll-tax
nA tax levied by a government directly on the wages and salaries of employees, typically withheld by the employer.
PC
nA personal computer, a small computer designed for use by one person at a time.
PDA
nA small handheld computer that functions as a personal organizer, typically including features such as a calendar, address book, and note-taking capability.
pe
nThe 17th letter of the modern English alphabet.
pea
na small, round, green seed that grows in a pod and is eaten as a vegetable
pea-green
adjOf a bright yellowish-green color like that of a fresh pea.
pea-size
adjVery small; of a size comparable to that of a pea.
pea-sized
adjVery small; about the size of a pea.
peace
na state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended
peace-building
nThe process of promoting peace, reconciliation, and stability in a region or society, especially after a conflict.
peace-loving
adjHaving or showing a desire to avoid conflict and to live in peace; not aggressive or warlike.
peaceable
adjinclined to avoid conflict or argument; not quarrelsome.
peaceably
advIn a peaceful manner; without disturbance or violence.
peaceful
adjFree from disturbance; tranquil.
peacefully
advin a quiet and calm way, without violence or disturbance.
peacefulness
nthe state of being quiet and calm
peacekeeper
na person or group that works to prevent conflict or violence, especially a soldier or police officer serving in an international force.