pretext
N. excuse.
prevail
V. induce; triumph over.
prevalent
ADJ. widespread; generally accepted.
prevaricate
V. Iie.
prey
N. target of a hunt; victim.
privation
N. hardship; want.
probe
V. explore with tools.
problematic
ADJ. doubtful; unsettled; questionable; perplexing.
proclivity
N. inclination; natural tendency.
procrastinate
V. postpone; delay or put off.
prod
V. poke; stir up; urge.
prodigal
ADJ. wasteful; reckless with money.
prodigious
ADJ. marvelous; enormous.
prodigy
N. marvel; highly gifted child.
profane
V. violate; desecrate; treat unworthily.
profound
ADJ. deep; not superficial.
profusion
N. (1) abundant quantity; (2) lavish expenditure.
prognosis
N. forecasted course of a disease; prediction.
proletarian
N. member of the working class; blue collar person.
proliferation
N. rapid growth; spread; multiplication.
prolific
ADJ. abundantly fruitful.
prologue
N. introduction (to a poem or play).
prolong
V. make longer; draw out; lengthen.
prominent
ADJ. conspicuous; notable; sticking out.
promote
V. help to flourish; advance in rank; publicize.
prompt
V. (1) bring about or cause an action or feeling; (2) cue someone to speak.
prone
ADJ. (1) inclined to; (2) prostrate.
propagate
V. multiply; spread.
propensity
N. natural inclination.
prophetic
ADJ. foretelling the future.
propitiate
V. appease.
propitious
ADJ. favorable; fortunate; advantageous.
proponent
N. supporter; backer; opposite of opponent.
propriety
N. fitness; correct conduct.
prosaic
ADJ. dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact; factual.
proselytize
V. convert to a religion or belief.
prosperity
N. good fortune; financial success; physical well-being.
protégé
N. person receiving protection and support from a patron.
protocol
N. diplomatic etiquette.
prototype
N. original work used as a model by others.
protract
V. prolong.
protrude
V. stick out.
provident
ADJ. displaying foresight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies.
provincial
ADJ. (1) pertaining to a province; (2) limited in outlook; unsophisticated.
provisional
ADJ. tentative.
provocative
ADJ. arousing anger or interest; annoying.
prowess
N. extraordinary ability; military bravery.
proximity
N. nearness.
proxy
N. authorized agent.
prudent
ADJ. cautious; careful.