P

View by: All |Definitions only | Smart Words
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Perfunctory

(Adjective)

Meaning:Done in a careless manner; mechanical; without enthusiasm
Looks Like:Per_factory (Each_ factory)
Imagine This:The toy factory inspector has to inspect thousands of toys everyday, it is so routine that he does the job just for the sake of it.
Other Forms:Perfunctoriness (noun); Perfunctorily (adv.)

Perspicacity

(Noun)

Meaning:Quickness of understanding; mental clear-sightedness
Looks Like:Per_speck_of_city
Imagine This:The bomber pilot has the quick mind that even at 50,000 feet he can spot each speck of the city clearly and drop the bombs accurately.
Other Forms:Perspicacious (adj.); Perspicaciously (adv.)

Peruse

(Verb)

Meaning:To read with care and attention
Looks Like:Per_use;Pursue (seek after)
Remember This:In the hospital, every time a nurse uses a syringe, they have to be very attentive to make sure it is sterilized and disposed after each use.
Before the college grad went on to pursue his master’s degree he had to study carefully and in detail in order to get good grades so that he would be accepted to the graduate schools.
Other Forms:Perusal (noun)

Pervade

(Verb)

Meaning:To spread out to every part
Looks Like:Persuade
Imagine This:When the ants invaded the picnic table they spread out all over the food.
During World War II, the mayor persuaded the folks to leave and spread out into the countryside before the enemy arrived.
Other Forms:Pervasion (noun); Pervasiveness (noun); Pervasively (adv.)

Petulant

(Adjective)

Meaning:Irritable, ill tempered
Sounds Like:Pet_you_lent
Imagine This:There is a “pet-you-lent� shop where you can rent a pet of your choice for a fee.Since the pets switches from home to home, they do not get the proper treatment and love compared to the ordinary pets.As a result, the pets in the shop are always ill tempered!