SAT Master Word list #31

pathological

ADJ. related to the study of disease; diseased or markedly abnormal.

pathos

N. tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings.

patronize

V. (1) support; (2) act superior toward; (3) be a customer of.

pecuniary

ADJ. pertaining to money.

pedagogy

N. teaching; art of education.

pedantic

ADJ. showing off learning; bookish.

pedestrian

ADJ. ordinary; unimaginative.

peerless

ADJ. having no equal; incomparable.

penchant

N. strong inclination; liking.

penitent

ADJ. repentant.

pensive

ADJ. dreamily thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative.

penury

N. severe poverty; stinginess.

perceptive

ADJ. insightful; aware; wise.

peremptory

ADJ. demanding and leaving no choice.

perennial

N. something that is continuing or recurrent.

perfunctory

ADJ. superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm.

peripheral

ADJ. (1) outer; (2) of minor importance.

permeable

ADJ. penetrable; porous; allowing liquids or gas to pass through.

permeate

V. pass through; spread.

pernicious

ADJ. very destructive.

perpetrate

V. commit an offense.

perpetual

ADJ. everlasting.

perpetuate

V. make something last; preserve from extinction.

persevere

V. persist; endure; strive.

perspicacious

ADJ. having insight; penetrating; astute.

pertinent

ADJ. to the point; relevant.

perturb

V. disturb greatly.

peruse

V. read with care.

pervasive

ADJ. pervading; spread throughout every part.

perverse

ADJ. stubbornly wrongheaded; wicked and perverted.

pessimism

N. belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess.

petrify

V. turn to stone.

petty

ADJ. trivial; unimportant; very small.

petulant

ADJ. touchy; peevish.

phenomena

N. PL. observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation.

philanthropist

N. lover of mankind; doer of good.

philistine

N. narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested in material gain.

phlegmatic

ADJ. calm; not easily disturbed.

phobia

N. morbid fear.

physiological

ADJ. pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms.

piety

N. religious devotion; godliness.

pious

ADJ. devout; religious.

pique

V. provoke or arouse; annoy.

pitfall

N. hidden danger; concealed trap.

pithy

ADJ. concise; meaningful; substantial; meaty.

pivotal

ADJ. crucial; key; vital.

placate

V. pacify; conciliate.

placid

ADJ. peaceful; calm.

plagiarize

V. steal another’s ideas and pass them off as one’s own.

platitude

N. trite remark; commonplace statement.