pain or cause pain (negotiation concept)
In a negotiation and transaction, a financial loss that the counterparts are unable to endure or are unwilling to accept. Or perhaps ultimately do accept, but only after all else fails. Pain is a harsh word, and may even be offensive to some who perhaps feel it turns negotiation and business into a blood sport. I appreciate this concern, but use pain only as a technical and financial term. (Adapted from: Jim Camp, Start With No)
See: counterpart, negotiation
palaver (noun and verb)
noun: Prolonged and tedious fuss or discussion. (OD)
verb: Talk unnecessarily and at length. (OD)
palliative (adjective)
Of a medicine or medical care: Relieving pain without dealing with the cause of the condition. Of an action: Intended to alleviate a problem without addressing the underlying cause. (OD)
pandesal (noun)
palaver (noun and verb)
noun: Prolonged and tedious fuss or discussion. (OD)
verb: Talk unnecessarily and at length. (OD)
palliative (adjective)
Of a medicine or medical care: Relieving pain without dealing with the cause of the condition. Of an action: Intended to alleviate a problem without addressing the underlying cause. (OD)
pandesal (noun)
Philippines
The most popular style of bread in the Philippines. The name comes from the Spanish word meaning "salt bread" and it originated during the 16th century era of Spanish colonization in the Philippines. Pandesal is known for its pillowy texture and signature breadcrumbs on top. The bread is subtly sweet and the crust has light golden brown color. Pandesal is best when served hot and freshly baked from the oven. Many enjoy eating pandesal dipped into hot coffee in the morning for breakfast. It can also be enjoyed with butter, cheese, jam, or as a sandwich, and enjoyed as a snack any time of the day. (TheSpruceEats.com)
pantechnicon (noun)
British: Originally, a large van for transporting furniture; a removal van. Later, more generally: Any large truck or container lorry (now the usual sense). (OED)
paper tiger (noun)
Originally a Chinese concept.
A person, country, etc., that appears powerful or threatening but is actually weak or ineffective. (OED)
parapet (noun)
A low protective wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony. (OD)
paroxysm (noun)
pantechnicon (noun)
British: Originally, a large van for transporting furniture; a removal van. Later, more generally: Any large truck or container lorry (now the usual sense). (OED)
paper tiger (noun)
Originally a Chinese concept.
A person, country, etc., that appears powerful or threatening but is actually weak or ineffective. (OED)
parapet (noun)
A low protective wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony. (OD)
paroxysm (noun)
A sudden attack or violent expression of a particular emotion or activity. A paroxysm of weeping. (NOA)
parthenogenesis (noun)
A sudden violent emotion or action. Outburst. A paroxysm of rage. (MW)
A sudden and powerful expression of strong feeling, especially one that you cannot control. (CD)
Reproduction from an ovum without fertilization. (OD)
Note: From Christopher Hitchens, God is Not Great, referring to the virgin birth.
pauciloquent (adjective)
That uses few words in speech or conversation; laconic. (OD)
Uttering few words; brief in speech. (MD)
See: laconic, taciturn
pedestrian (adjective)
Commonplace, unimaginative. (MW)
Lacking inspiration or excitement; dull. (OD)
Of writing: Prosaic, dull; uninspired, undistinguished. Also, of people and things: Commonplace, ordinary. (OED)
pejorative (adjective)
Expressing contempt or disapproval. (OD)
(noun) A word expressing contempt or disapproval. (OD)
A word or grammatical form expressing a negative connotation or a low opinion of someone or something, showing a lack of respect for someone or something. It is also used to express criticism, hostility, disregard, or disrespect. (Wikipedia)
pelmet (noun)
A narrow border of cloth or wood, fitted across the top of a door or window to conceal the curtain fittings. Also, British informal: A very short skirt. (OD)
pauciloquent (adjective)
That uses few words in speech or conversation; laconic. (OD)
Uttering few words; brief in speech. (MD)
See: laconic, taciturn
pedestrian (adjective)
Commonplace, unimaginative. (MW)
Lacking inspiration or excitement; dull. (OD)
Of writing: Prosaic, dull; uninspired, undistinguished. Also, of people and things: Commonplace, ordinary. (OED)
pejorative (adjective)
Expressing contempt or disapproval. (OD)
(noun) A word expressing contempt or disapproval. (OD)
A word or grammatical form expressing a negative connotation or a low opinion of someone or something, showing a lack of respect for someone or something. It is also used to express criticism, hostility, disregard, or disrespect. (Wikipedia)
pelmet (noun)
A narrow border of cloth or wood, fitted across the top of a door or window to conceal the curtain fittings. Also, British informal: A very short skirt. (OD)
Pentateuch (noun)
The first five books of the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). Traditionally ascribed to Moses, it is now held by scholars to be a compilation from texts of the 9th to 5th centuries BC.
perfidious (adjective)
Deceitful and untrustworthy. (OD)
Treacherous.
From the noun, perfidy: The quality or state of being faithless or disloyal; treachery. An act or instance of disloyalty. (MW)
perfidiously (adverb)
perfidiousness (noun)
peripatetic (adjective)
Traveling from place to place, in particular working or based in various places for relatively short periods. Of a teacher: Working in more than one school or college. (OD)
noun: A person who travels from place to place, especially a teacher who works in more than one school or college. (OD)
pernicious (adjective)
Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way. (OD)
peroration (noun)
The concluding part of a speech, typically intended to inspire enthusiasm in the audience. (OD)
perfidious (adjective)
Deceitful and untrustworthy. (OD)
Treacherous.
From the noun, perfidy: The quality or state of being faithless or disloyal; treachery. An act or instance of disloyalty. (MW)
perfidiously (adverb)
perfidiousness (noun)
peripatetic (adjective)
Traveling from place to place, in particular working or based in various places for relatively short periods. Of a teacher: Working in more than one school or college. (OD)
noun: A person who travels from place to place, especially a teacher who works in more than one school or college. (OD)
pernicious (adjective)
Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way. (OD)
peroration (noun)
The concluding part of a speech, typically intended to inspire enthusiasm in the audience. (OD)
Persia (country)
A former country in southwestern Asia, now called Iran. The ancient kingdom of Persia became the domain of the Achaemenid dynasty in the sixth century bc. Under Cyrus the Great, Persia became the center of a powerful empire that included western Asia, Egypt, and parts of eastern Europe; it was eventually overthrown by Alexander the Great in 330 bc. The country was conquered by Muslim Arabs between ad 633 and 651. It was renamed Iran in 1935. (NOA)
Peter Principle (management theory)
The principle that members of a hierarchy are promoted until they reach the level at which they are no longer competent. (OD)
pettifog (verb)
Quibble about petty points. (OD)
pettifogging (adjective): Placing undue emphasis on petty details; petty or trivial. (OD)
pettifoggery (noun)
pettifogger (noun)
Shyster; a lawyer whose methods are petty, underhanded, or disreputable. One given to quibbling over trifles. (MW)
An inferior legal practitioner, especially one who deals with petty cases or employs dubious practices. (OD)
phalanx (noun)
A body of troops or police officers standing or moving in close formation. A group of people or things of a similar type forming a compact body. In ancient Greece – A body of Macedonian infantry drawn up in close order with shields touching and long spears overlapping. (OD)
piffle (noun)
Peter Principle (management theory)
The principle that members of a hierarchy are promoted until they reach the level at which they are no longer competent. (OD)
pettifog (verb)
Quibble about petty points. (OD)
pettifogging (adjective): Placing undue emphasis on petty details; petty or trivial. (OD)
pettifoggery (noun)
pettifogger (noun)
Shyster; a lawyer whose methods are petty, underhanded, or disreputable. One given to quibbling over trifles. (MW)
An inferior legal practitioner, especially one who deals with petty cases or employs dubious practices. (OD)
phalanx (noun)
A body of troops or police officers standing or moving in close formation. A group of people or things of a similar type forming a compact body. In ancient Greece – A body of Macedonian infantry drawn up in close order with shields touching and long spears overlapping. (OD)
piffle (noun)
Foolish or empty talk; nonsense, drivel. (OED)
Trivial nonsense. (MW)
Also can be used as a verb.
See: balderdash, drivel, guff, malarkey, taradiddle
pillock (noun)
A stupid person; a fool, an idiot. (OED)
Pinoy (adjective and noun, capitalized)
pillock (noun)
A stupid person; a fool, an idiot. (OED)
Pinoy (adjective and noun, capitalized)
adjective: Relating to the Philippines or the Filipinos. (OD)
noun: A person of Filipino origin or descent; a Filipino. (OD)
plonk (noun)
Cheap wine of inferior quality. (OD)
See: hooch
plottage or plottage value (real estate term)
The increased usability and value resulting from the combining or consolidating of adjacent parcels into one larger parcel. Plottage is also referred to as assemblage, although the latter is more often used to describe the process of consolidation. The term is often used in eminent domain matters to designate the added value given to parcels that are contiguous.
(John Reilly, The Language of Real Estate, 2000)
The increase in value realized by combining adjacent parcels of land into one larger parcel. The process of combining the parcels is known as assemblage. Generally, the value of the whole parcel will be greater than the sum of the individual smaller parcels. (Wikipedia)
See: assemblage
pogonophobia (noun)
Extreme dislike of beards. (OD)
An intense fear or dislike of beards. (MD)
Strong dislike of beards; irrational aversion to beardedness. (OED)
pogonotrophy (noun)
The cultivation or growing of a beard. (OED)
polemic (noun)
A strong verbal or written attack on someone or something. Usually polemics: The practice of engaging in controversial debate or dispute. (OD)
An aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions or principles of another. The art or practice of disputation or controversy – usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction. An aggressive controversialist; disputant. (MW)
polemicist (noun): A person who engages in controversial debate. (OD)
polemical (adjective)
politic (adjective)
plonk (noun)
Cheap wine of inferior quality. (OD)
See: hooch
plottage or plottage value (real estate term)
The increased usability and value resulting from the combining or consolidating of adjacent parcels into one larger parcel. Plottage is also referred to as assemblage, although the latter is more often used to describe the process of consolidation. The term is often used in eminent domain matters to designate the added value given to parcels that are contiguous.
(John Reilly, The Language of Real Estate, 2000)
The increase in value realized by combining adjacent parcels of land into one larger parcel. The process of combining the parcels is known as assemblage. Generally, the value of the whole parcel will be greater than the sum of the individual smaller parcels. (Wikipedia)
See: assemblage
pogonophobia (noun)
Extreme dislike of beards. (OD)
An intense fear or dislike of beards. (MD)
Strong dislike of beards; irrational aversion to beardedness. (OED)
pogonotrophy (noun)
The cultivation or growing of a beard. (OED)
polemic (noun)
A strong verbal or written attack on someone or something. Usually polemics: The practice of engaging in controversial debate or dispute. (OD)
An aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions or principles of another. The art or practice of disputation or controversy – usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction. An aggressive controversialist; disputant. (MW)
polemicist (noun): A person who engages in controversial debate. (OD)
polemical (adjective)
politic (adjective)
Shrewdly tactful. (MW)
Shrewd or prudent in practical matters; tactful; diplomatic. (CDC)
pray (adverb)
Shrewd or prudent in practical matters; tactful; diplomatic. (CDC)
pray (adverb)
Entreat; implore. Often used as a function word in introducing a question, request, or plea. To make a request in a humble manner. (MW)
Used as a preface to polite requests or instructions (pray continue). (NOA)
A forceful way of saying please. (CD)
Used to add politeness to a command. (CDC)
Used to make a polite or urgent request or question (pray don't apologize). (AHD)
Also this nuance: Now (today) often uttered with quaint politeness or cold irony. (Chambers Dictionary)
precept (noun)
A general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought. (OD)
A rule for action or behavior, especially one based on moral consideration. (CD)
prescient (adjective)
Having or showing knowledge of events before they take place. (OD)
From prescience (noun): Foreknowledge of events; human anticipation of the course of events; foresight. (MW)
presciently (adverb)
pretense (noun)
An attempt to make something that is not the case appear true. A false display of feelings, attitudes, or intentions. (OD)
A claim made or implied; especially one not support by fact. (MW)
British: pretence
See: dissimulation, taqiya
preternatural (adjective)
Beyond what is normal or natural. (OD)
prescient (adjective)
Having or showing knowledge of events before they take place. (OD)
From prescience (noun): Foreknowledge of events; human anticipation of the course of events; foresight. (MW)
presciently (adverb)
pretense (noun)
An attempt to make something that is not the case appear true. A false display of feelings, attitudes, or intentions. (OD)
A claim made or implied; especially one not support by fact. (MW)
British: pretence
See: dissimulation, taqiya
preternatural (adjective)
Beyond what is normal or natural. (OD)
Surpassing what is normal or usual; extraordinary. (AHD)
preternaturally (adverb)
preternaturally (adverb)
pronouns, declaring or stating (social theory and practice)
The idea that one should state their personal preferred pronouns upon introduction and in written communication. Performing the ritual of pronoun declaration indicates to others that you believe in gender identity theory, the idea that gender may or may not match one's biological sex because gender is a social construct. (RM)
Note: The bien-pensants argue that we should not use preferred to describe these pronouns, because preferred implies that they are optional.
See: cisgender, gender dysphoria, neopronoun
propitiate (verb)
Win or regain the favour of (a god, spirit, or person) by doing something that pleases them. (OD)
propitiate (verb)
Win or regain the favour of (a god, spirit, or person) by doing something that pleases them. (OD)
propitiation (noun)
propitiatory (adjective)
prosaic (adjective)
Dull, unimaginative. Everyday, ordinary (MW)
Lacking imaginativeness or originality. Commonplace; unromantic. (OD)
proximate (adjective)
Especially of the cause of something: Closest in relationship; immediate. Closest in space or time. (OD)
Immediately preceding or following – As in a chain of events, causes, or effects. Very near; close. (MW)
Coming immediately before or after in a chain of causation, agency, reasoning, or other relation; immediate, short-term. Frequently in: proximate cause. As opposed to remote or ultimate. (OED)
propitiatory (adjective)
prosaic (adjective)
Dull, unimaginative. Everyday, ordinary (MW)
Lacking imaginativeness or originality. Commonplace; unromantic. (OD)
proximate (adjective)
Especially of the cause of something: Closest in relationship; immediate. Closest in space or time. (OD)
Immediately preceding or following – As in a chain of events, causes, or effects. Very near; close. (MW)
Coming immediately before or after in a chain of causation, agency, reasoning, or other relation; immediate, short-term. Frequently in: proximate cause. As opposed to remote or ultimate. (OED)
psephology (noun)
The statistical study of elections and trends in voting. (OD)
purchase (noun)
A firm hold that allows someone or something to be pulled or lifted without sliding or falling. (CD)
purchase (noun)
A firm hold that allows someone or something to be pulled or lifted without sliding or falling. (CD)
Somewhat formal: A firm grip, grasp, hold, or footing. (RM)
For instance, get a purchase (on or of) or gain a purchase.
purview (noun)
The range or limit of authority, competence, responsibility, concern, or intention. (MW)
The scope of the influence or concerns of something. (OD)
The scope or limits of anything (such as a document, inquiry, scheme, subject, occupation, etc.); remit; intent. (OED)
See: brief, remit
pusillanimous (adjective)
Showing a lack of courage or determination; timid. (OD)
putok (noun)
Philippines
Putok or star bread is a dense bread roll from the Philippines made with all-purpose flour, milk, and salt. It is typically dusted with coarse white sugar. It is a variant of pan de monja distinguished primarily by the crown or star-shaped top of the bread resulting from a cross-shaped cut on the dough prior to baking. The name literally means "explosion" or "fissure" in Tagalog. (Wikipedia)