P


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)
In the context of negotiations, causing pain refers to employing tactics or strategies that put pressure on the other party to make concessions or agree to terms they might otherwise resist.  The term does not imply physical harm but rather strategic discomfort or stress that nudges the negotiation in one's favor. (Grok)
See:  counterpart, negotiation

palaver (noun and verb)
noun:
Prolonged and tedious fuss or discussion. (OD)
Lengthy and unproductive discussion. (NOA)
Idle talk. (MW)
Idle chatter. (AHD)
Talk; especially idle chatter. (CDC)
Empty nonsense or useless talk. (VC)
Talking or discussion that goes on for too long and is not important. (CD)
Prolonged and idle talk; chatter.  The term can have a slightly negative connotation, suggesting talk that is unnecessary or unproductive. (Grok)
verb:
Talk unnecessarily and at length. (OD)
Talk unproductively and at length. (NOA)
To talk profusely or idly. (MW)
To talk idly or at length. (AHD)
To talk, especially idly or flatteringly. (CDC)
Have a lengthy discussion, usually between people of different backgrounds. (VC)
To talk unnecessarily at length or to engage in idle or trivial conversation. (Grok)

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. (NOA)
Alleviating the symptoms of a disease or disorder, especially one that is terminal, when a cure is not available. (AHD)
Of a drug or medical treatment, reducing pain without curing the cause of the pain.  Making a problem seem less serious but not solving the problem or making it disappear. (CD)
Serving to lessen the severity of pain, disease, etc. without curing or removing; alleviate; mitigate; ease; relieving without curing. (CDC)
Moderating pain or sorrow by making it easier to bear.  Relieves, soothes, alleviates, but isn’t expected to cure. (VC)
palliative care:  Form of health care that seeks to improve the quality of life of patients with terminal disease through the prevention and relief of suffering. (EB)

Grok on non-medical usage:
The term palliative can be used outside of medical contexts to describe something that provides temporary relief or makes a situation more bearable without addressing the underlying problem.  For example:

Social or Economic Contexts:  Governments or organizations might implement palliative measures to ease immediate hardships, like financial aid or temporary shelters, without solving the root causes of poverty or homelessness.

Environmental Contexts:  Actions taken to mitigate the immediate effects of environmental damage without addressing the cause, like cleaning up after a pollution event rather than stopping the pollution at its source.

Educational Contexts:  Temporary solutions or programs that help students cope with immediate educational challenges but do not reform the educational system itself.

In these uses, palliative refers to actions or solutions that are soothing or comforting but not curative or fundamentally transformative.

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)
See:  ensaymada, putok

pantechnicon (noun)
Great Britain
Originally, a large van for transporting furniture; a removal van.  Later, more generally:  Any large truck or container lorry, now the usual sense. (OED)
A large van for transporting furniture. (NOA)
A large vehicle used for carrying furniture and other things when you move to a different house. (CD)
A large van, especially one used for furniture removals. (CDC)
A van for transporting or removing furniture. (AHD)
A large moving van, especially one used for moving furniture. (VC)

paper tiger (noun)
China
A person or thing that appears threatening but is ineffectual. (NOA)
A person, country, etc., that appears powerful or threatening but is actually weak or ineffective. (OED)
One that is outwardly powerful or dangerous but inwardly weak or ineffectual. (MW)
One that is seemingly dangerous and powerful but is in fact timid and weak. (AHD)
Something, such as an enemy or foreign country, that seems very strong and dangerous but is really weak and not harmful. (CD)
A nation, institution, etc., that appears powerful but is in fact weak or insignificant.  A person, nation, etc. that seems to pose a threat but is actually ineffective or powerless. (CDC)

parapet (noun)
A low protective wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony. (NOA)
A low protective wall or railing along the edge of a raised structure such as a roof or balcony. (AHD)
A low wall or railing to protect the edge of a platform, roof, or bridge. (MW)
A low wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, etc. (CD)
See:  crenellations, portcullis

paroxysm (noun)
A sudden outburst of emotion or action. (AHD)
A sudden attack or violent expression of a particular emotion or activity.  A paroxysm of weeping. (NOA)
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)
An uncontrollable outburst.  A sudden outburst as of laughter, rage, or sneezing; fit; spasm. (CDC)
A violent attack or outburst of emotion or activity.  Frequently with of. (OED)

parthenogenesis (noun)
Reproduction from an ovum without fertilization. (NOA)
Reproduction by development of an unfertilized usually female gamete. (MW)
A form of reproduction in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new individual. (AHD)
A type of reproduction, production of young plants or animals, in which living things develop from eggs that have not been fertilized. (CD)
A type of reproduction, occurring in some insects and flowers, in which the unfertilized ovum develops directly into a new individual.  Human conception without fertilization by a male; virgin birth. (CDC)
Note:  From Christopher Hitchens, referring to the virgin birth:  "The picture is even further altered when we know that the word translated as virgin, namely almah, means only a young woman.  In any case, parthenogenesis is not possible for human mammals, and even if this law were to be relaxed in just one case, it would not prove that the resulting infant had any divine power.  Thus, and as usual, religion arouses suspicion by trying to prove too much." (God is Not Great, 2007, page 115).

pauciloquent (adjective)
That uses few words in speech or conversation; laconic. (OED)
Using few words in speech or conversation. (CDC)
Refers to someone who uses few words; it describes speech that is brief or concise.  Essentially, it means being economical with words. (Grok)
Using few words in speech or conversation.  It describes someone who is concise and does not talk a lot. (Gemini)
An adjective that describes someone who speaks briefly or uses very few words. (ChatGPT)
Uttering few words; brief in speech. (WUD)
See:  laconic, taciturn
See:  Note on Terms to Describe Using Few Words

pedestrian (adjective)
Undistinguished; ordinary. (AHD)
Commonplace, unimaginative. (MW)
Lacking wit or imagination. (VC)
Lacking inspiration or excitement; dull. (NOA)
Not interesting; showing very little imagination. (CD)
Dull; commonplace.  Lacking interest or imagination; prosaic; ordinary. (CDC)
Of writing, prosaic, dull; uninspired, undistinguished.  Also, of people and things, commonplace, ordinary. (OED)

pejorative (adjective and noun)
adjective:
Depreciatory, contemptuous.  Linguistics, giving or acquiring a less favorable meaning or connotation. (OED)
Expressing contempt or disapproval. (NOA)
Disparaging; belittling. (AHD)
Having negative connotations, especially, tending to disparage or belittle; depreciatory. (MW)
Expressing disapproval, or suggesting that something is not good or is of no importance.  Insulting, disapproving. (CD)
Of words, expressions, etc., having an unpleasant or disparaging connotation.  Disparaging or derogatory. (CDC)
Expressing disapproval.  A disapproving expression or a term of abuse.  Disapproving or disparaging. (VC)
noun:
A word or expression which by its form or context expresses or implies contempt for the thing named; a derogatory word or form. (OED)
A word expressing contempt or disapproval. (NOA)
A disparaging or belittling word or expression. (AHD)
A word or phrase that has negative connotations or that is intended to disparage or belittle; a pejorative word or phrase. (MW)
A pejorative word, expression, etc. (CDC)
Terms of abuse; words you use when you want to call someone a bad name. (VC)

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)
A narrow strip of wood or cloth that is fastened above a window or door and hides the top of the curtains. (CD)
Valance:  A short drapery, decorative board, or metal strip mounted especially across the top of a window to conceal structural fixtures. (AHD)
A short valance or small cornice for concealing curtain fixtures. (MW)
A decorative framework to conceal curtain fixtures at the top of a window casing. (VC)
An ornamental drapery or board fixed above a window to conceal the curtain rail.  A decorative cornice or valance for concealing the fixtures of curtains or drapes. (CDC)
A narrow border of cloth or wood, fitted across the top of a door or window to conceal curtain fittings.  Pelmet skirt:  A very short skirt, especially one which reaches no lower than the top of the thigh. (OED)

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. (NOA)
The first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures; the Torah. (AHD)
The first five books of Jewish and Christian Scriptures. (MW)
The first five books of the Old Testament regarded as a unity. (CDC)
The first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit. (VC)
The first five books of the Old Testament and Hebrew Scriptures, taken together as a group.  The books of the Pentateuch are traditionally ascribed to Moses, and hence are sometimes called the five books of Moses.  In extended use, something comprising five parts; especially a volume consisting of five books or sections; now rare. (OED)

perfidy (noun)
Deceitfulness; untrustworthiness. (NOA)
Deceitfulness, untrustworthiness; breach of faith or of a promise; betrayal of trust; treachery. (OED)
Behavior that is not loyal. (CD)
The deliberate breaking of faith; betrayal of trust; treachery. (CDC)
The quality or state of being faithless or disloyal; treachery.  An act or instance of disloyalty. (MW)
Deliberate breach of faith; calculated violation of trust; treachery.  The act or an instance of treachery. (AHD)
An act of deliberate betrayal.  Betrayal of a trust.  Deceitfulness or treachery.  In order for perfidy to happen, there has to have first been a sense of faith in place, which was then broken or betrayed. (VC)
perfidious (adjective)
perfidiously (adverb)
perfidiousness (noun)

performative jargon (neologism, noun)
Grok:  The use of complex, technical, or specialized language not for the purpose of clear communication, but rather to impress, confuse, or assert authority over others. (Grok)
ChatGPT:  Refers to language that is used more for show than for actual meaning or function.  It often consists of buzzwords, trendy phrases, or technical terms that make the speaker sound knowledgeable, progressive, or authoritative without adding real clarity or substance.  This type of language is common in corporate settings, academia, activism, and tech culture.  It can sometimes be used intentionally to impress, exclude, or signal belonging to a particular group.  Other times, it’s just a habit picked up from industry trends.  While jargon can be useful within specialized fields, it becomes performative when it prioritizes appearance over clear communication. (ChatGPT)
Gemini:  Performative jargon is a term used to describe language that is used to impress or intimidate others, rather than to communicate clearly.  It is often characterized by the use of complex or technical terms that are not necessary for the situation, and by a lack of clarity or conciseness.  Performative jargon can be used in a variety of settings, such as business, academia, and politics.  It can be used to make the speaker appear more intelligent or knowledgeable than they actually are, or to exclude others from the conversation. (Gemini)

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)
Going from place to place usually as part of your job.  Examples:  She worked as a peripatetic journalist for most of her life.  He had a peripatetic career as a salesman. (BD)
Traveling around to different places, usually because you work in more than one place. (CD)
Employed in two or more educational establishments and traveling from one to another. (CDC)
Of a teacher, not attached to a particular school, etc., but going from place to place to give specialist training.  Also, of, relating to, or characterized by this type of teaching. (OED)
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. (NOA)
Of a thing, action, intent, etc., causing or likely to cause harm, especially in a gradual or insidious manner; dangerous, destructive; evil.  Also in weakened use, having a harmful influence; undesirable.  Of a person, intending or causing harm, especially insidiously; having a deleterious influence; villainous, wicked. (OED)
Tending to cause death or serious injury; deadly.  Causing great harm; destructive. (AHD)
Highly injurious or destructive; deadly. (MW)
Having a very harmful effect or influence. (CD)
Wicked or malicious.  Causing grave harm; deadly.  Causing great injury, destruction, or ruin; fatal. (CDC)
Exceedingly harmful.  Working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way.  Harmful and subtle. (VC)

peroration (noun)
The concluding part of a speech, typically intended to inspire enthusiasm in the audience. (NOA)
A concluding part of a speech or written discourse which sums up the content; a rhetorical conclusion, especially one intended to rouse the audience. (OED)
The last part of a speech, especially when the speaker repeats the main points of their argument and tries to make the audience enthusiastic. (CD)
The concluding part of a discourse and especially an oration. (MW)
The conclusion of a speech or discourse, in which points made previously are summed up or recapitulated, especially with greater emphasis.  The concluding part of a speech, in which there is a summing up and emphatic recapitulation. (CDC)
The concluding section of an oration. (VC)
The concluding part of an oration; especially, a final summing up and enforcement of an argument. (WUD)

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)
The theory that employees within an organization will advance to their highest level of competence and then be promoted to and remain at a level at which they are incompetent. (AHD)
An observation:  In a hierarchy employees tend to rise to the level of their incompetence. (MW)
The theory that people are promoted, given more important and difficult jobs, in an organization until they reach a level where they cannot do their job well.  The theory that employees will continue to be promoted in an organization until they reach a level where they do not have the skills or experience to do their job properly. (CD)
Note:  Grok summary.

pettifog (verb)
Argue over petty things.  To argue over small, unimportant issues. (VC)
Quibble about petty points.  Practice legal deception or trickery. (NOA)
To engage in legal chicanery.  To quibble over insignificant details; cavil, bicker.  To plead with legal chicanery. (MW)
To bicker or quibble over trifles or unimportant matters.  To carry on a petty, shifty, or unethical law business.  To practice chicanery of any sort. (CDC)
To act as a pettifogger; to plead or conduct a petty case in a minor court of law, especially with recourse to legal chicanery.  Hence, in extended use:  to wrangle or quibble about petty points (now the usual sense). (OED)
pettifogging (adjective):  Placing undue emphasis on petty details; petty or trivial. (NOA)
pettifoggery (noun):  The fact of giving too much attention to small details that are not important, or behavior that involves this.  The use by a lawyer or lawyers of methods that may deceive people. (CD)

pettifogger (noun)
Shyster; a lawyer whose methods are petty, underhanded, or disreputable.  One given to quibbling over trifles. (MW)
A lawyer whose practice involves petty matters or who lacks sound legal judgment or skills. (AHD)
A lawyer who deals in petty cases; an attorney whose methods are mean and tricky; an inferior lawyer. (WUD)
An inferior legal practitioner, especially one who deals with petty cases or employs dubious practices. (NOA)
Someone who gives too much attention to small details that are not important.  A lawyer who uses methods that may deceive people. (CD)
Originally, an inferior legal practitioner who dealt with petty cases.  Hence, a lawyer who engages in petty quibbling and caviling, or who employs dubious or underhanded legal practices; a lawyer who abuses the law.  Usually derogatory.  A petty practitioner in any activity, a beginner, novice; especially one who makes false claims to skill or knowledge, a charlatan, pretender. (OED)
A disputant who quibbles; someone who raises annoying petty objections.  A person, especially a lawyer or politician, who uses unscrupulous or unethical methods.  A sneaky, underhanded lawyer. (VC)
A petty small-rate lawyer. (JDO)

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. (NOA)
Originally from ancient Greek history, a line or array of battle; specifically, a body of heavy-armed infantry drawn up in close order, with shields touching and long spears overlapping.  Now also more widely, any compact body of troops, police, etc.  A number or set of persons, etc., banded together for a common purpose, especially in support of or in opposition to some cause; a united front; also, the union so formed. (OED)
A compact or close-knit body of people.  A formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears. (AHD)
A troop of men closely embodied. (JDO)
An ancient Greek and Macedonian battle formation of hoplites presenting long spears from behind a wall of overlapping shields.  Any closely ranked unit or mass of people.  A number of people united for a common purpose. (CDC)
A body of heavily armed infantry in ancient Greece formed in close deep ranks and files.  A body of troops in close array.  An organized body of persons. (MW)
A large group of people standing very close to each other, usually for the purposes of defense or attack. (CD)
in phalanx:  Unitedly, in combination. (OED)

piffle (noun and verb)
noun:
Nonsense. (NOA)
Foolish or empty talk; nonsense, drivel. (OED)
Trivial nonsense. (MW)
Foolish or futile talk or ideas; nonsense. (AHD)
Words or ideas that are false or silly; nonsense. (BD)
verb:
To talk or act feebly or futilely. (AHD)
To talk or act in a trivial, inept, or ineffective way. (MW)
Speak about unimportant matters rapidly and incessantly. (VC)
To talk or behave feebly.  Talk, writing, action, etc. regarded as insignificant or nonsensical. (CDC)
To talk or behave in an ineffectual way; to talk nonsense, to witter. (OED)
See:  Note on Terms for Describing Nonsense

pillock (noun)
A stupid person. (NOA)
A stupid or silly person. (CD)
A stupid or annoying person. (CDC)
A stupid or foolish person. (CHM)
A person who is not very bright. (VC)
A stupid person; a fool, an idiot. (OED)
See:  Note on Terms for Foolish, Silly, and Stupid

Pinoy and Pinay (adjective and noun, capitalized)
Philippines
Pinoy:
Shortened/casual name for the people of the Philippines in the Filipino language. (Tagalog.com)
Relating to the Philippines or the Filipinos.  Also, a person of Filipino origin or descent; a Filipino. (NOA)
A usually male native or inhabitant of the Philippines; a person of Filipino descent.  Also used as an adjective. (OED)
Pinay:
A woman of Filipino origin or descent; a Filipina. (NOA)
A female native or inhabitant of the Philippines; a girl or woman of Filipino descent. (OED)
Shortened/casual name for female people of the Philippines in the Filipino language. (Tagalog.com)
Note:  Personally, I have only heard the term Pinoy.  It is used as gender-neutral, referring to men, women, and the combination.  And of course, as an adjective.  Supposedly from the last four letters of Filipino and Filipina, plus y.

plonk (noun)
Cheap wine of inferior quality. (NOA)
Cheap or inferior wine. (MW)
Cheap wine, especially wine that is not of good quality. (CD)
Alcoholic drink, usually wine, especially of inferior quality. (CDC)
Cheap or second-rate wine. (Green's)
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. (NOA)
An intense fear or dislike of beards. (MD)
The irrational fear or extreme dislike of beards. (ChatGPT)
Strong dislike of beards; irrational aversion to beardedness. (OED)

pogonotrophy (noun)
The cultivation or growing of a beard. (OED)
Beard growing. (MW)
The cultivation or growing of a beard. (Gemini)
Refers to the cultivation or growth of a beard. (Grok)
The act or practice of growing, grooming, or maintaining a beard. (ChatGPT)

polemic and polemics (noun)
polemic:
A strong verbal or written attack on someone or something.
An aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions or principles of another.  An aggressive controversialist; disputant. (MW)
A controversial argument, especially one refuting or attacking a specific opinion or doctrine.  A person engaged in or inclined to controversy, argument, or refutation. (AHD)
A piece of writing or a speech in which a person strongly attacks or defends a particular opinion, person, idea, or set of beliefs.  A piece of writing or a speech in which a person argues forcefully for or against someone or something. (CD)
polemics:
The practice of engaging in controversial debate or dispute. (OD)
The art or practice of disputation or controversy. (MW)
The art or practice of argumentation or controversy. (AHD)
ChatGPT:  A strong verbal or written attack on someone or something.  It is often used to describe an argument or controversy involving opposing viewpoints, typically in politics, philosophy, or religion.  The term can also refer to the practice or skill of engaging in controversial debate. (ChatGPT)
Grok:
Polemic and polemics are related terms often used in discussions about argumentation and debate:
Polemic:
A strong verbal or written attack on someone or something, often characterized by controversial arguments intended to defend or assert a specific viewpoint.  It is a form of argumentative communication where the speaker or writer takes a stance against an opposing view or idea.
Polemics:
The practice or art of engaging in polemical arguments.  This term can refer to the collective body of polemical works or the general activity of arguing in this manner.
In both cases, the words imply a sense of controversy, debate, and often, a confrontational style of discourse.  They are rooted in the Greek word polemos, meaning war, highlighting the combative nature of this form of argumentation. (Grok)
polemicist (noun):  A person who engages in controversial debate. (OD)
polemical (adjective)

politic (adjective)
Shrewdly tactful. (MW)
Of an action, seeming sensible and judicious under the circumstances. (NOA)
Shrewd or prudent in practical matters; tactful; diplomatic. (CDC)
Showing sound or pragmatic judgment; prudent; judicious. (AHD)
Wise and showing the ability to make the right decisions; practical. (CD)
Marked by artful prudence, expedience, and shrewdness.  Smoothly agreeable and courteous with a degree of sophistication.  Smooth and diplomatic, polite and agreeable. (VC)

pollo (noun)
Spanish:  Chicken.
Mexican slang:  A laborer who pays to be smuggled or guided over the border into the U.S. illegally. (CDC)
An illegal Mexican immigrant. (Green's)
See:  coyote

portcullis (noun)
A grating of iron hung over the gateway of a fortified place and lowered between grooves to prevent passage. (MW)
A strong, heavy grating that can be lowered down grooves on each side of a gateway to block it. (NOA)
A strong gate made of bars with points at the bottom that hangs above the entrance to a castle and in the past was brought down to the ground in order to close the entrance against enemies. (CD)
A grating of iron or wooden bars or slats, suspended in the gateway of a fortified place and lowered to block passage. (AHD)
An iron or wooden grating suspended vertically in grooves in the gateway of a castle or fortified town and able to be lowered so as to bar the entrance.  A heavy iron grating suspended by chains and lowered between grooves to bar the gateway of a castle or fortified town. (CDC)
Gate consisting of an iron or wooden grating that hangs in the entry to a castle or fortified town; can be lowered to prevent passage.  A heavy castle door or gate made of metal strips that form a grid. (VC)
Note:  Portcullis can be used metaphorically to represent an obstruction, barrier, or closure.

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, as in 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.  For instance, pray don't apologize. (AHD)
Used to add urgency, solicitation, or deference to a request.  Now often deliberately archaic, and frequently used to add ironic politeness to a question or request. (OED)
An archaic or formal way of saying please.  It is used to make a polite request or entreaty.  This usage of pray dates back to older forms of English where it was common to use pray to express politeness or deference.  As in pray continue. (Grok)
Asking or requesting politely or with emphasis.  As in pray silence for the King. (Grok)
Note:  Also this nuance, as the OED points out, today often uttered with quaint politeness or cold irony. (CHM)

precept (noun)
A general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought. (NOA)
A rule or principle prescribing a particular course of action or conduct. (AHD)
A rule for action or behavior, especially one based on moral consideration. (CD)
A command or principle intended especially as a general rule of action.  Commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching. (MW)
A rule or principle for action.  A guide or rule for morals; maxim.  A direction, especially for a technical operation.  A commandment or direction meant as a rule of action or conduct.  A rule of moral conduct; maxim.  A rule or direction, as in technical matters. (CDC)
A general command or injunction; a rule for action or conduct, especially a rule for moral conduct, a maxim; specifically a divine command.  A rule or instruction on the practical aspects of a subject; any of the guidelines relating to the performance of a technical operation. (OED)
Rule of personal conduct.  A doctrine that is taught.  A rule or direction, often with some religious basis, dictating a way you should act or behave. (VC)
Any commandment, instruction, or order intended as an authoritative rule of action; esp., a command respecting moral conduct; an injunction; a rule. (WUD)
A rule authoritatively given; a mandate; a commandment; a direction. (JDO)

prescience (noun)
The fact of knowing something before it takes place; foreknowledge. (NOA)
Knowledge of actions or events before they occur; foresight. (AHD)
Foreknowledge of events; human anticipation of the course of events; foresight. (MW)
Knowledge of events before they take place; foreknowledge.  Apparent knowledge of things before they happen or come into being. (CDC)
The ability to know or correctly suggest what will happen in the future. (CD)
Knowledge of events before they happen; foreknowledge. (OED)
The power to foresee the future.  The word prescience might look like pre+science, but it really comes from the Latin word praescientia, which means fore-knowledge, or knowledge you know before anyone else.  Do not assume it is a crystal ball kind of power that lets someone with prescience see the future.  It is more like a state of mind or level of expertise that allows for excellent foresight and planning. (VC)
Knowledge of events before they take place; foresight. (WUD)
Foreknowledge; knowledge of future things. (JDO)
prescient (adjective):  Having or showing knowledge of events before they take place. (NOA)
presciently (adverb)

pretense (noun)
A way of behaving that is intended to deceive people. (CD)
An attempt to make something that is not the case appear true.  A false display of feelings, attitudes, or intentions. (NOA)
A claim made or implied; especially one not support by fact. (MW)
A false appearance or action intended to deceive.  Something imagined or pretended. (AHD)
A claim, especially an unsupported one, as to some distinction or accomplishment; pretension.  A false claim or profession.  A false show of something. (CDC)
The act of giving a false appearance.  Pretending with intention to deceive.  A false or unsupportable quality. (VC)
The act of holding out, or offering, to others something false or feigned; presentation of what is deceptive or hypocritical; deception by showing what is unreal and concealing what is real; false show; simulation. (WUD)
An assertion, allegation, or statement as to fact, now especially one that is false; a fiction.  A false, feigned, or hypocritical profession or show, especially of a quality, emotion, etc. (OED)
See:  dissimulation, taqiyya

preternatural (adjective)
More than is usual or natural. (CD)
Surpassing the ordinary or normal. (VC)
Beyond what is normal or natural. (NOA)
Surpassing what is normal or usual; extraordinary. (AHD)
Exceeding what is natural or regular; extraordinary. (MW)
Differing from or beyond what is normally found in or expected from nature; abnormal. (CDC)
Outside the ordinary course of nature; differing from or surpassing what is natural; unnatural. (OED)
Beyond or different from what is natural, or according to the regular course of things, but not clearly supernatural or miraculous; strange; inexplicable; extraordinary; uncommon; irregular; abnormal. (WUD)
Different from what is natural; irregular. (JDO)
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

pronto (telephone greeting)
Italian
Italians answer the telephone with pronto because it means ready in Italian.  When the telephone was first introduced in Italy, the word pronto was adopted as a way to signal that the person answering was ready to listen or speak.  This usage reflects the readiness to engage in conversation, similar to how hello is used in English, but with an emphasis on preparedness for the interaction.  The term has stuck over time and is now a standard greeting when answering the phone in Italy. (Grok)
Although the origins of pronto being used in this instance are a bit murky, it is thought to have originated in the era of switchboards and telephone operators.  When someone would call someone else, the person operating the switchboard would have to connect the caller to the recipient.  To make sure that the line was working and the recipient was ready to accept the call, the operator would ask Pronto?  And the recipient would reply, Pronto, signaling that they were set to take the call.  This tradition, like most things of this nature, stuck, and became a habit passed down over time.  So now, whenever you call an Italian, expect to hear them say pronto, which means simply that they are ready to listen to what you have to say. (AmericanInItaly.com)

propitiate (verb)
Win or regain the favor of, a god, spirit, or person, by doing something that pleases them. (NOA)
To please and make calm a god or person who is annoyed with you. (CD)
To gain or regain the goodwill or favor of; appease. (AHD)
To gain or regain the favor or goodwill of; appease. (MW)
To appease or make well disposed; conciliate.  To cause to become favorably inclined; win or regain the good will of. (CDC)
Make peace with.  To appease someone or make them happy by doing a particular thing. (VC)
To make well-disposed or favorably inclined; to win or regain the favor of; to appease, conciliate. (OED)
To appease to render favorable; to make propitious; to conciliate. (WUD)
To induce to favor; to gain; to conciliate; to make propitious. (JDO)
repropitiate (verb):  To make renewed propitiation for a person or a sin; to restore a person to favor. (OED)
propitiation (noun):  The action of propitiating someone; appeasement, conciliation; atonement, expiation; an instance of this.  That which is offered or sacrificed for the purpose of appeasement or expiation. (OED)
propitious (adjective):  Of God, the fates, etc., disposed to be favorable; gracious; merciful, lenient.  Of an omen or sign, of favorable import; regarded as indicative of the favorable disposition of God, the fates, etc.; auspicious.  Later more generally, boding well, promising.  Presenting favorable conditions; well-suited, conducive; advantageous, opportune. Frequently with for, to. (OED)
propitiatory (adjective)
Christopher Hitchens:  "Several whole chapters are given over to the minutest stipulations about the lavish, immense ceremonies of sacrifice and propitiation that the Lord expects of his newly adopted people...." (God is Not Great, 2007, Page 101)

prosaic (adjective)
Without interest, imagination, and excitement.  Ordinary and not especially interesting or unusual. (CD)
Dull, unimaginative.  Everyday, ordinary (MW)
Lacking in imagination and spirit; dull. (AHD)
Lacking imaginativeness or originality.  Commonplace; unromantic. (OD)
Lacking imagination.  Commonplace, dull, and ordinary. (CDC)
Lacking wit or imagination.  Not challenging; dull and lacking excitement.  Not fanciful or imaginative.  Ordinary or dull. (VC)
Dull or commonplace matters, considerations, observations, etc.  Of language or writing, having the character, style, or diction of prose as opposed to poetry; plainly or simply worded; lacking in poetic expression, feeling, or imagination.  Of a person or thing, unpoetic, unromantic; dull, flat, unexciting; commonplace, mundane. (OED)
Dull; uninteresting; commonplace; unimaginative; prosy. (WUD)

proximate (adjective)
Especially of the cause of something, losest in relationship; immediate.  Closest in space or time.  Nearly accurate; approximate. (NOA)
Immediately preceding or following, as in a chain of events, causes, or effects.  Very near; close; soon forthcoming; imminent. (MW)
Closest in time, place, relationship, etc. to something. (CD)
Direct or immediate.  Very near or next, as in space, time, or order. (AHD)
Next or nearest in space, order, time, etc.  Very near; close.  Immediately preceding or following in a series.  A less common word for approximate.  Nearly accurate. (CDC)
Very close in space or time.  Closest in degree or order, space or time, especially in a chain of causes and effects. (VC)
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. (NOA)
The scientific study of elections. (MW)
The study of political elections. (AHD)
The study of elections and voting statistics. (CD)
The statistical and sociological study of elections.  The statistical evaluation of election returns or of political polls. (CDC)
The branch of sociology that studies election trends, as by opinion polls. (VC)
The study of public elections; statistical analysis of trends in voting; now usually, the prediction of electoral results based on analysis of sample polls, voting patterns, etc. (OED)
Note:  VC says that this is a branch of sociology.  Is it not more likely a branch of political science?  Here is Grok on the question.

purchase (noun)
A hold or position on something for applying power advantageously, or the advantage gained by such application. (NOA)
A firm hold that allows someone or something to be pulled or lifted without sliding or falling. (CD)
A hold or position that allows the application of power, as in moving something.  A device, such as a pulley, used to obtain mechanical advantage.  A means or advantage that allows the increase of power or influence. (AHD)
A firm hold or grip that makes movement possible.  Sometimes used figuratively. (BD)
A firm foothold, grasp, etc, as for climbing or levering something.  A means of achieving some influence, advantage, etc. (CDC)
Firm contact or grip; a hold or position for advantageously exerting or applying power; mechanical advantage; leverage.  Also, figurative. (OED)
To gain a hold or grip on something, particularly in a physical sense. (Grok)
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 limit of someone's responsibility, interest, or activity. (CD)
The scope of the influence or concerns of something. (NOA)
The range of interest or activity that can be anticipated. (VC)
The extent or range of activity, function, power, or competence; scope. (AHD)
The scope of operation or concern of something.  The extent or range of control, activity, or concern; province. (CDC)
Limit or sphere of authority; scope; extent. (WUD)
The scope or limits of anything (such as a document, inquiry, scheme, subject, occupation, etc.); remit; intent. (OED)
See:  brief, remit
See:  Note on Terms of Responsibilities

pusillanimous (adjective)
Showing a lack of courage or determination; timid. (NOA)
Weak and cowardly; not brave; frightened of taking risks. (CD)
Lacking courage; cowardly. (AHD)
Lacking courage and resolution; marked by contemptible timidity. (MW)
Characterized by a lack of courage or determination.  Timid, cowardly, or irresolute; fainthearted.  Proceeding from or showing a lack of courage. (CDC)
Lacking in courage and strength and resolution; contemptibly fearful. (VC)
Weak and afraid of danger; cowardly. (BD)
Of a person, lacking in courage or strength of purpose; faint-hearted, craven, cowardly.  Of a quality, action, etc., resulting from or manifesting a lack of courage or determination. (OED)
Destitute of a manly or courageous strength and firmness of mind; of weak spirit; mean-spirited; spiritless; cowardly.  Evincing, or characterized by, weakness of mind, and want of courage; feeble. (WUD)
Mean-spirited; narrow-minded; cowardly. (JDO)

putok or star bread (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)
See:  ensaymada, pandesal

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