[TOEFL iBT] Danh sách từ vựng – Vần P

PANACEA

A remedy for all ills – seeking a panacea to cure our social troubles.

Synonym: nostrum

PANEGYRIC

A speech or writing of extravagant praise – delivered a panegyric at his friend’s testimonial dinner.

Synonyms:eulogy, adulation, tribute, laudation (adj. laudatory), encomium

Antonyms:censure, disparagement, derogation, castigation, depreciation

PARADOX

A self -contradictory statement; something ‘that appears to be absurd and yet may be true -“Life is too important a matter to he taken seriously.” – a paradox by Oscar Wilde.

Synonym: anomaly

PARAPHRASE

To restate the meaning of a passage in other words – paraphrased the poem in a few lines of prose.

PARODY

(noun): A humorous imitation of an author’s style and mannerisms – wrote a parody on Kipling’s “Gunga Din.”

Synonym: burlesque

(verb): To write a parody – parodied the popular authors of the (lay to his audience’s amusement.

Synonym: Mimic

PECCADILLO

A petty fault-possesses one peccadillo among his many virtues.

Synonyms: frailty, foible, flaw, blemish

PECUNIARY

Pertaining to money – involved in pecuniary difficulties.

Synonyms; financial, fiscal, monetary

PEDANT

(adj.: PEDANTIC): One who proudly shows off his learning or who overrates his knowledge – like a pedant glorying in his scholarly trifles.

PENSIVE

Sadly thoughtful – softly sang his pensive song.

Synonyms: reflective, meditative, contemplative, musing

PEREMPTORY

Positive in expressing an opinion – gave a peremptory judgment.

Synonyms:decisive, resolute, imperious, positive, dogmatic

Antonyms:indecisive, tentative

PERTINACIOUS

Clinging doggedly to an opinion or purpose – pertinacious in his efforts.

Synonyms:obdurate, tenacious, persistent, persevering, intractable, inflexible

PERUSE

To read carefully – perused the important letter.

PERVERSE

Willfully bent on doing the wrong thing – a perverse lad, always disobeying his parents.

Synonyms:headstrong, froward, refractory, wayward, fractious

PETRIFY

To paralyze with horror, fear, or surprise – petrified by the enemy bombardment.

Synonyms:stupefy, stun, bewilder, amaze

PLAGIARISM

Adopting and reproducing, without acknowledgment, the writings or ideas of another and passing them off as one’s own – denied the charge of deliberate plagiarism.

PLATITUDE

A dull and commonplace remark – bored people by his pompous phrases and platitudes.

Synonyms:bromide, truism, axiom

PLEBEIAN

Pertaining to the common people; hence, common or vulgar – plebeian in his tastes and outlook.

Antonyms:patrician, aristocratic

PLEBISCITE

A direct vote by the people – The decision to confederate was ratified by plebiscite.

POIGNANT

(1) Gripping and moving the feelings powerfully – a poignant grief.

(2) Piercing, biting, pointed – a poignant cry; poignant wit.

PONDEROUS

Very heavy; clumsy; dull – a ponderous speech, extremely boring.

PRECARIOUS

Uncertain or risky – earning a precarious livelihood, providing no luxuries.

PRECIPITOUS

(1) Very steep – a precipitous cliff.

(2) Descending rapidly – a precipitous decline in popularity.

PRECOCIOUS

Remarkable for early mental development a precocious genius.

PREDATORY

(1) Inclined to plunder or rob; – predatory bands roaming the countryside.

(2) Preying on, others – predatory animals prowling about.

Synonyms: predacious, looting, pillaging

PREDILECTION

Partiality or preference for; a favorable opinion arrived at beforehand – a predilection for theatricals.

Synonyms: prepossession, proclivity, predisposition, penchant

Antonyms: aversion, antipathy, repugnance

PRELUDE

An introduction, forerunner, or preliminary step – a short prelude to the play.

Synonyms: preface, prologue, preamble.

Antonym: epilogue

PREROGATIVE

A privilege or power attaching to a position – It is a woman’s prerogative to refuse to tell her age.

Synonym: license

PRESTIGE

Esteem or influence accorded for recognized achievements or reputation – As Senator he enjoyed great prestige.

Synonym: distinction

PRECOCIOUS

Remarkable for early mental development a precocious genius.

PREDATORY

(1) Inclined to plunder or rob; – predatory bands roaming the countryside.

(2) Preying on, others – predatory animals prowling about.

Synonyms: predacious, looting, pillaging

PREDILECTION

Partiality or pr eference for; a favorable opinion arrived at beforehand – a predilection for theatricals.

Synonyms: prepossession, proclivity, predisposition, penchant

Antonyms: aversion, antipathy, repugnance

PRELUDE

An introduction, forerunner, or preliminary step – a short prelude to the play.

Synonyms: Preface, prologue. Preamble

Antonym: epilogue

PREROGATIVE

A privilege or power attaching to a position – It is a woman’s prerogative to refuse to tell her age.

Synonym: license

PRESTIGE

Esteem or influence accorded for recognized achievements or reputation – As Senator he enjoyed great prestige.

Synonym: distinction

PRESUMPTION

(1) Something taken for granted – acted on a reasonable presumption.

(2) Going beyond proper bounds; impudent boldness – His question was downright presumption.

Synonyms: effrontery, forwardness, arrogance

PREVARICATE

To disguise or conceal the truth to lie – prevaricated in order to avoid detection.

Synonyms: quibble, equivocate; (adj.) mendacious

Antonyms: (noun) veracity, verity; (adj.) forthright

PROCRASTINATE

To postpone or put off to another time – missed his opportunity by procrastinating too long.

Synonyms: defer, delay

PROGNOSTICATE

(noun: PROGNOSIS): To forecast – The Weather Bureau prognosticates daily.

Synonyms:presage, portend, augur, forebode

PROLETARIAT

The wage-earning class – a truckman, humble member of the proletariat.

PROMONTORY

A cliff – an imposing promontory along the coast.

Synonyms:headland, precipice

PROMULGATE

To publish or proclaim; to spread abroad The President promulgated a decree.

Synonym:disseminate

PROTUBERANT

Bulging or swelling out – a protuberant jaw.

Antonyms:receding, recessive

PROVISIONAL

Temporary; for the time being – a provisional plan until a permanent decision is reached.

Synonym:tentative

PROXIMITY

Nearness-worked in close proximity to his home.

Synonyms :propinquity, vicinity

Antonym:remoteness

PSEUDONYM

A false name assumed by a writer – concealed his identity by a pseudonym.

Synonyms:alias, pen name, nom de plume

PUNITIVE

Inflicting, or concerned with, punishment – took punitive measures against deserters.