P

pacific (adj)

soothing

hòa bình, bình yên, êm dịu

The chemistry professor's pacific demeanor helped the class remain calm after the experiment exploded

palatable (adj)

agreeable to the taste or sensibilities

hợp khẩu vị, ngon, dễ chịu

Despite the unpleasant smell, the exotic cheese was quite palatable

palette (adj)

a range of colors or qualities

bảng màu, sự đa dạng về màu sắc hoặc phẩm chất

The palette of colors utilized in the painting was equaled only by the range of intense emotions the piece evoked

palliate (v)

to reduce the severity of

làm giảm bớt, làm nhẹ bớt (nỗi đau, mức độ nghiêm trọng)

The doctor trusted that the new medication would palliate her patient's discomfort

pallid (adj)

lacking color

xanh xao, nhợt nhạt

Dr Van Helsing feared that Lucy's pallid complexion was due to an unexplained loss of blood

panacea (n)

a remedy for all ills or difficulties

thuốc trị bách bệnh, giải pháp vạn năng

Doctors wish there was a single panacea for every disease, but sadly there is not

paradigm (n)

an example that is a perfect pattern or model

mẫu hình, kiểu mẫu lý tưởng

Because the new SUV was so popular, it became the paradigm upon which all others were modeled

paradox (n)

an apparently contradictory statement that is perhaps true

sự nghịch lý, lời nghịch lý

The diplomat refused to acknowledge the paradox that negotiating a peace treaty would demand more resources than waging war

paragon (n)

a model of excellence or perfection

tuyệt mẫu, biểu mẫu của sự hoàn hảo

The mythical Helen of Troy was considered a paragon of female beauty

paramount (adj)

greatest in importance, rank, character

tối cao, quan trọng nhất

It was paramount that the bomb squad disconnect the blue wire before removing the fuse

pariah (n)

an outcast

người bị xã hội ruồng bỏ, người hạ đẳng

Following the discovery of his plagiarism, Professor Hurley was made a pariah in all academic circles

parody (n)

a satirical imitation

trò khôi hài bắt chước, tác phẩm nhại lại nhằm châm biếm

A hush fell over the classroom when the teacher returned to find Deborah acting out a parody of his teaching style

parsimony (n)

frugality, stinginess

tính tiết kiệm quá mức, tính bủn xỉn

Many relatives believed that my aunt's wealth resulted from her parsimony

partisan (n)

a follower, adherent

người theo một đảng phái, đảng viên, người ủng hộ nhiệt thành

The king did not believe that his rival could round up enough partisans to overthrow the monarchy

patent (adj)

readily seen or understood, clear

rõ ràng, rành mạch, hiển nhiên

The reason for Jim's abdominal pain was made patent after the doctor performed a sonogram

pathology (n)

a deviation from the normal

bệnh lý học, trạng thái bệnh lý (sự lệch khỏi mức bình thường)

Dr Hastings had difficulty identifying the precise nature of Brian's pathology

pathos (n)

an emotion of sympathy

sự cảm động, lòng thương cảm, sự bi ai

Martha filled with pathos upon discovering the scrawny, shivering kitten at her door

paucity (adj)

small in quantity

sự khan hiếm, số lượng ít ỏi

Gilbert lamented the paucity of twentieth century literature courses available at the college

pejorative (adj)

derogatory, uncomplimentary

có nghĩa miệt thị, khinh miệt

The evening's headline news covered an international scandal caused by a pejorative statement the famous senator had made in reference to a foreign leader

pellucid (adj)

easily intelligible, clear

trong suốt, rõ ràng, dễ hiểu

Wishing his book to be pellucid to the common man, Albert Camus avoided using complicated grammar when composing The Stranger

penchant (n)

a tendency, partiality, preference

thiên hướng, sự ưa thích, xu hướng

Jill's dinner parties quickly became monotonous on account of her penchant for Mexican dishes

penitent (adj)

remorseful, regretful

ăn năn, hối lỗi

The jury's verdict may have been more lenient if the criminal had appeared penitent for his gruesome crimes

penultimate (adj)

next to last

áp chót, kế cuối

Having smoked the penultimate cigarette remaining in the pack, Cybil discarded the last cigarette and resolved to quit smoking

penurious (adj)

miserly, stingy

túng thiếu, nghèo khổ hoặc keo kiệt, bủn xỉn

Stella complained that her husband's penurious ways made it impossible to live the lifestyle she felt she deserved

perfidious (adj)

disloyal, unfaithful

phản bội, xảo trá, không trung thành

After the official was caught selling government secrets to enemy agents, he was executed for his perfidious ways

perfunctory (adj)

showing little interest or enthusiasm

lấy lệ, chiếu lệ, hời hợt

The radio broadcaster announced the news of the massacre in a surprisingly perfunctory manner

permeate (v)

to spread throughout, saturate

thấm qua, lan tỏa khắp

Mrs Huxtable was annoyed that the wet dog's odor had permeated the furniture's upholstery

pernicious (adj)

extremely destructive or harmful

nguy hại, độc hại, cực kỳ phá hoại

The new government feared that the Communist sympathizers would have a pernicious influence on the nation's stability

perplex (v)

to confuse

làm lúng túng, làm bối rối, làm phức tạp

Brad was perplexed by his girlfriend's suddenly distant manner

perspicacity (adj)

shrewdness, perceptiveness

sự sáng suốt, tính sắc sảo

The detective was too humble to acknowledge that his perspicacity was the reason for his professional success

pert (adj)

flippant, bold

lấc cấc, to gan, táo tợn

My parents forgave Sandra's pert humor at the dinner table because it had been so long since they had last seen her

pertinacious (adj)

stubbornly persistent

ngoan cố, kiên trì một cách bướng bỉnh

Harry's parents were frustrated with his pertinacious insistence that a monster lived in his closetm; Then they opened the closet door and were eaten

perusal (n)

a careful examination, review

sự đọc kỹ, sự nghiên cứu kỹ lưỡng

The actor agreed to accept the role after a two-month perusal of the movie script

pervasive (adj)

having the tendency to spread throughout

tỏa khắp, tràn ngập

Stepping off the plane in Havana, I recognized the pervasive odor of sugar cane fields on fire

petulance (n)

rudeness, irritability

tính cáu kỉnh, sự nóng nảy, thô lỗ

The Nanny resigned after she could no longer tolerate the child's petulance

philanthropic (adj)

charitable, giving

thương người, từ thiện, nhân đạo

Many people felt that the billionaire's decision to donate her fortune to house the homeless was the ultimate philanthropic act

phlegmatic (adj)

uninterested, unresponsive

lãnh đạm, thản nhiên, phớt lờ

Monique feared her dog was ill after the animal's phlegmatic response to his favorite chew toy

pillage (v)

to seize or plunder, especially in war

cướp bóc, cướp phá (đặc biệt trong chiến tranh)

Invading enemy soldiers pillaged the homes scattered along the country's border

pinnacle (n)

the highest point

đỉnh cao, đỉnh chóp

Book reviewers declared that the author's new novel was extraordinary and probably the pinnacle of Western literature

pithy (adj)

concisely meaningful

súc tích, ngắn gọn mà đầy ý nghĩa

My father's long-winded explanation was a stark contrast to his usually pithy statements

pittance (n)

a very small amount, especially relating to money

tiền thù lao rẻ mạt, số tiền ít ỏi

Josh complained that he was paid a pittance for the great amount of work he did at the firm

placate (v)

to ease the anger of, soothe

làm xoa dịu, làm nguôi giận

The man purchased a lollipop to placate his irritable son

placid (adj)

calm, peaceful

điềm tĩnh, phẳng lặng, yên bình

The placid lake surface was as smooth as glass

platitude (n)

an uninspired remark, cliché

lời nói rập khuôn, tẻ nhạt, vô vị

After reading over her paper, Helene concluded that what she thought were profound insights were actually just platitudes

plaudits (n)

enthusiastic approval, applause

sự hoan nghênh nhiệt liệt, lời khen ngợi

The controversial new film received plaudits from even the harshest critics

plausible (adj)

believable, reasonable

hợp lý, có thể đáng tin

He studied all the data and then came up with a plausible theory that took all factors into account

plenitude (n)

an abundance

sự phong phú, dồi dào, đầy đủ

My grandmother was overwhelmed by the plenitude of tomatoes her garden yielded this season

plethora (n)

an abundance, excess

sự quá thừa thãi, trạng thái quá nhiều

The wedding banquet included a plethora of oysters piled almost three feet high

pliable (adj)

flexible

dễ uốn nắn, mềm dẻo, linh hoạt

Aircraft wings are designed to be somewhat pliable so they do not break in heavy turbulence

poignant (adj)

deeply affecting, moving

cảm động sâu sắc, nhói lòng, buốt nhói

My teacher actually cried after reading to us the poignant final chapter of the novel

polemic (n)

an aggressive argument against a specific opinion

cuộc tranh luận gay gắt, bài văn luận chiến

My brother launched into a polemic against my arguments that capitalism was an unjust economic system

portent (n)

an omen

điềm báo, điềm

When a black cat crossed my sister's path while she was walking to school, she took it as a portent that she would do badly on her spelling test

potable (adj)

suitable for drinking

có thể uống được

During sea voyages it is essential that ships carry a supply of potable water because salty ocean water makes anyone who drinks it sick

potentate (n)

one who has great power, a ruler

người có quyền thế lớn, kẻ thống trị

All the villagers stood along the town's main road to observe as the potentate's procession headed towards the capital

pragmatic (adj)

practical

thực tế, thực dụng

The politician argued that while increased security measures might not fit with the lofty ideals of the nation, they were a pragmatic necessity to ensure everyone's safety

precipice (n)

the face of a cliff, a steep or overhanging place

vách đá đứng, bờ vực hiểm trở

The mountain climber hung from a precipice before finding a handhold and pulling himself up

preclude (v)

to prevent

ngăn ngừa, ngăn chặn, loại trừ

My grandfather's large and vicious guard dog precluded anyone from entering the yard

precocious (adj)

advanced, developing ahead of time

sớm phát triển, sớm khôn, già dặn trước tuổi

Derek was so academically precocious that by the time he was 10 years old, he was already in the ninth grade

predilection (n)

a preference or inclination for something

sự ưa thích đặc biệt, thiên hướng

Francois has a predilection for eating scrambled eggs with ketchup, though I prefer to eat eggs without any condiments

preponderance (adj)

superiority in importance or quantity

sự vượt trội về số lượng hoặc tầm quan trọng

Britain's preponderance of naval might secured the nation's role as a military power

prepossessing (adj)

occupying the mind to the exclusion of other thoughts or feelings

gây ấn tượng tốt, cuốn hút, chiếm lấy tâm trí

His prepossessing appearance made it impossible for me to think of anything else

presage (n)

an omen

điềm báo trước, sự báo trước

When my uncle's old war injury ached, he interpreted it as a presage of bad weather approaching

prescient (adj)

to have foreknowledge of events

tiên tri, biết trước tương lai

Questioning the fortune cookie's prediction, Ray went in search of the old hermit who was rumored to be prescient

prescribe (v)

to lay down a rule

quy định, ra lệnh, kê đơn

The duke prescribed that from this point further all of the peasants living on his lands would have to pay higher taxes

presumptuous (adj)

disrespectfully bold

tự phụ, quá bạo dạn một cách thiếu tôn trọng

The princess grew angry after the presumptuous noble tried to kiss her, even though he was far below her in social status

pretense (n)

an appearance or action intended to deceive

sự giả vờ, cớ, sự làm bộ giả dối

Though he actually wanted to use his parents' car to go on a date, Nick borrowed his parents' car under the pretense of attending a group study session

primeval (adj)

original, ancient

nguyên thủy, thái cổ

The first primates to walk on two legs, called Australopithecus, were the primeval descendants of modern man

privation (n)

lacking basic necessities

sự thiếu thốn những nhu cầu cơ bản

After decades of rule by an oppressive government that saw nothing wrong with stealing from its citizens, the recent drought only increased the people's privation

probity (n)

virtue, integrity

tính trung thực, liêm khiết, đức độ

Because he was never viewed as a man of great probity, no one was surprised by Mr Samson's immoral behavior

proclivity (n)

a strong inclination toward something

khuynh hướng, xu hướng bẩm sinh (thường là xấu)

In a sick twist of fate, Harold's childhood proclivity for torturing small animals grew into a desire to become a surgeon

procure (v)

to obtain, acquire

kiếm được, thu được, đạt được

The FBI was unable to procure sufficient evidence to charge the gangster with racketeering

profane (adj)

lewd, indecent

bàng bổ, tục tĩu, ô uế

Jacob's profane act of dumping frogs in the holy water in the chapel at his boarding school resulted in his dismissal

profligate (adj)

dissolute, extravagant

phung phí, hoang tàng, đồi bại

The profligate gambler loved to drink, spend money, steal, cheat, and hang out with prostitutes

profuse (adj)

plentiful, abundant

dồi dào, nhiều, thừa thãi

The fans were profuse in their cheers for the star basketball player

promulgate (v)

to proclaim, make known

công bố, ban bố rộng rãi

The film professor promulgated that both in terms of sex appeal and political intrigue, Sean Connery's James Bond was superior to Roger Moore's

propagate (v)

to multiply, spread out

nhân giống, truyền bá, lan truyền

Rumors of Paul McCartney's demise propagated like wildfire throughout the world

propensity (n)

an inclination, preference

thiên hướng, xu hướng tính cách

Dermit has a propensity for dangerous activities such as bungee jumping

propitious (adj)

favorable

thuận lợi, tốt lành

The dark storm clouds visible on the horizon suggested that the weather would not be propitious for sailing

propriety (n)

the quality or state of being proper, decent

sự đúng mực, sự thích đáng, lịch sự

Erma's old-fashioned parents believed that her mini-skirt lacked the propriety expected of a "nice" girl

prosaic (adj)

plain, lacking liveliness

tầm thường, trần tục, thiếu tính sáng tạo/sinh động

Heather's prosaic recital of the poem bored the audience

proscribe (v)

to condemn, outlaw

bài xích, cấm đoán, trục xuất

The town council voted to proscribe the sale of alcohol on weekends

protean (adj)

able to change shape; displaying great variety

vạn năng, hay thay đổi hình dạng, đa dạng

Among Nigel's protean talents was his ability to touch the tip of his nose with his tongue

prowess (n)

extraordinary ability

năng lực phi thường, sự tinh thông

The musician had never taken a guitar lesson in his life, making his prowess with the instrument even more incredible

prudence (n)

cautious, circumspect

sự thận trọng, tính cẩn thận

After losing a fortune in a stock market crash, my father vowed to practice greater prudence in future investments

prurient (adj)

eliciting or possessing an extraordinary interest in sex

gợi dâm, có tính dâm ô

David's mother was shocked by the discovery of prurient reading material hidden beneath her son's mattress

puerile (adj)

juvenile, immature

trẻ con, khờ dại, nông nổi

The judge demanded order after the lawyer's puerile attempt to object by stomping his feet on the courtroom floor

pugnacious (adj)

quarrelsome, combative

hay gây gổ, hiếu chiến

Aaron's pugnacious nature led him to start several barroom brawls each month

pulchritude (n)

physical beauty

vẻ đẹp kiều diễm, nhan sắc

Several of Shakespeare's sonnets explore the pulchritude of a lovely young man

punctilious (adj)

eager to follow rules or conventions

kỹ tính, cầu kỳ, chú ý từng chi tiết nhỏ về quy tắc

Punctilious Bobby, hall monitor extraordinaire, insisted that his peers follow the rules

pungent (adj)

having a pointed, sharp quality—often used to describe smells

hăng, cay (mùi vị), sắc sảo, nhức nhối

The pungent odor in the classroom made Joseph lose his concentration during the test

punitive (adj)

involving punishment

nhằm trừng phạt

If caught smoking in the boys' room, the punitive result is immediate expulsion from school

putrid (adj)

rotten, foul

thối rữa, hư hỏng

Those rotten eggs smell putrid