po -abbr

  1. by mouth; orally

Po -symbol

  1. polonium

PO -abbr

  1. petty officer
  2. postal order
  3. post office
  4. purchase order

poach ['pōch] -vt

  1. to cook in simmering liquid
  2. to encroach upon esp. for the purpose of taking something
  3. to trespass for the purpose of stealing game
  4. to take game or fish illegally
  5. to trespass on
    • a field poach ed too frequently by the amateur -- Times Lit. Supp.
  6. to take (game or fish) by illegal methods
  7. to appropriate (something) as one's own
  8. to attract (as an employee or customer) away from a competitor

poach·er ['pō-chər] -n

  1. one that trespasses or steals
  2. one who kills or takes wild animals (as game or fish) illegally

poacher -n

  1. a covered pan containing a plate with depressions or shallow cups in each of which an egg can be cooked over steam rising from boiling water in the bottom of the pan
  2. a baking dish in which food (as fish) can be poached

POB -abbr

  1. post office box

po·bla·no [pō-'blä-nō] -n

  1. a large usu. mild heart-shaped chili pepper esp. when fresh and dark green

po'·boy ['pō-,bȯi] -n

  1. submarine

po·chard ['pō-chərd] -n

  1. any of various rather heavy-bodied diving ducks (esp. genus Aythya) with a large head and with feet and legs placed far back under the body

pock ['päk] -n

  1. a pustule in an eruptive disease (as smallpox)
  2. a spot suggesting such a pustule
  3. to mark with or as if with pocks : pit

pock·et ['pä-kət] -n

  1. a small bag carried by a person : purse
  2. a small bag that is sewed or inserted in a garment so that it is open at the top or side
    • coat pocket
  3. supply of money : means
  4. : receptacle, container: as
  5. an opening at the corner or side of a billiard table
  6. a superficial pouch in some animals
  7. : a small often isolated area or group
    • pocket s of unemployment
    :
  8. a cavity containing a deposit (as of gold, water, or gas)
  9. air pocket
  10. a place for a batten made by sewing a strip on a sail
  11. blind alley
  12. the position of a contestant in a race hemmed in by others
  13. an area formed by blockers from which a football quarterback attempts to pass
  14. the concave area at the base of the finger sections of a baseball glove or mitt in which the ball is normally caught

pocket ['pä-kə-tə-bəl] -vt, adj

  1. to put or enclose in or as if in one's pocket
    • pocket ed the change
  2. to appropriate to one's own use : steal
  3. to refuse assent to (a bill) by a pocket veto
  4. to put up with : accept
  5. to set aside : suppress
    • pocket ed his pride
  6. to hem in
  7. to drive (a ball) into a pocket of a pool table
  8. to cover or supply with pockets
  9. small enough to be carried in the pocket
  10. small, miniature
    • a pocket park
  11. of or relating to money
  12. carried in or paid from one's own pocket

pocket battleship -n

  1. a small German battleship built so as to come within treaty limitations of tonnage and armament

pocket billiards -n pl but usu sing in constr

  1. pool

pock·et·book ['pä-kət-,bu̇k] -n

  1. a small esp. paperback book that can be carried in the pocket
  2. a flat typically leather folding case for money or personal papers that can be carried in a pocket or handbag
  3. purse
  4. handbag
  5. financial resources : income
  6. economic interests

pocketbook -adj

  1. relating to or involving economic interests

pocket borough -n

  1. an English constituency controlled before parliamentary reform by a single person or family

pocket edition -n

  1. pocketbook
  2. a miniature form of something

pocket gopher -n

  1. gopher

pock·et·knife ['pä-kət-,nīf] -n

  1. a knife that has one or more blades that fold into the handle and that can be carried in the pocket

pocket money -n

  1. money for small personal expenses

pocket mouse -n

  1. any of various nocturnal burrowing rodents (family Heteromyidae) that resemble mice, live in arid parts of western No. America, and have long hind legs and tail and fur-lined cheek pouches

pock·etsize ['pä-kət-,sīz] -adj

  1. of a size convenient for carrying in the pocket
  2. small

pocket veto -n, vt

  1. an indirect veto of a legislative bill by an executive through retention of the bill unsigned until after adjournment of the legislature

pock·mark ['päk-,märk] -n

  1. a mark, pit, or depressed scar caused by smallpox or acne
  2. an imperfection or depression like a pockmark

pockmark -vt

  1. to cover with or as if with pockmarks : pit

pocky ['pä-kē] -adj

  1. covered with pocks

po·co ['pō-(,)kō, 'pȯ-] -adv

  1. to a slight degree : somewhat used to qualify a direction in music
    • poco allegro

po·co a po·co ['pō-kō-(,)ä-'pō-(,)kō, 'pȯ-kō-(,)ä-'pȯ-] -adv

  1. little by little : gradually used as a direction in music

po·co·cu·ran·te ['pō-kō-kyu̇-'ran-tē, -ku̇-] -adj, n

  1. indifferent, nonchalant

po·co·sin [pə-'kō-sᵊn] -n

  1. an upland swamp of the coastal plain of the southeastern U.S.

pod ['päd] -n

  1. a bit socket in a brace
  2. a straight groove or channel in the barrel of an auger
  3. a dry dehiscent pericarp or fruit that is composed of one or more carpels
  4. legume
  5. an anatomical pouch
  6. a grasshopper egg case
  7. a tapered and roughly cylindrical body of ore or mineral
  8. : a usu. protective container or housing: as
  9. a streamlined compartment (as for fuel) under the wings or fuselage of an aircraft
  10. a compartment (as for personnel, a power unit, or an instrument) on a ship or craft
  11. to produce pods
  12. a number of animals (as whales) clustered together

POD -abbr

  1. payable on death
  2. pay on delivery

po·dag·ra [pə-'da-grə] -n

  1. a painful condition of the big toe caused by gout

pod·cast ['päd-,kast] -n, vb

  1. a program (as of music or talk) made available in digital format for automatic download over the Internet

pod corn -n

  1. an Indian corn that has each individual kernel enclosed in a husk

po·de·sta [,pō-də-'stä] -n

  1. a chief magistrate in a medieval Italian municipality

podgy ['pä-jē] -adj

  1. pudgy

po·di·a·try [pə-'dī-ə-trē, pō-] -n, adj

  1. the medical care and treatment of the human foot called also chiropody

po·di·um ['pō-dē-əm] -n

  1. : a low wall serving as a foundation or terrace wall: as
  2. one around the arena of an ancient amphitheater serving as a base for the tiers of seats
  3. the masonry under the stylobate of a temple
  4. a dais esp. for an orchestral conductor
  5. lectern

podo·phyl·lin [,pä-də-'fi-lən] -n

  1. a resin obtained from podophyllum and used in medicine as a caustic

podo·phyl·lum [-'fi-ləm] -n

  1. the dried rhizome and rootlet of the mayapple that is used as a caustic or as a source of the more effective podophyllin

Po·dunk ['pō-,dəŋk] -n

  1. a small, unimportant, and isolated town

pod·zol ['päd-,zȯl] -n, adj

  1. any of a group of zonal soils that develop in a moist climate esp. under coniferous or mixed forest and have an organic mat and a thin organic-mineral layer above a light gray leached layer resting on a dark horizon that is marked by illuviation and enriched with amorphous clay

pod·zol·i·za·tion [,päd-,zȯ-lə-'zā-shən] -n, vb

  1. a process of soil formation esp. in humid regions involving principally leaching of the upper layers with accumulation of material in lower layers and development of characteristic horizons
  2. the development of a podzol

POE -abbr

  1. port of embarkation
  2. port of entry

po·em ['pō-əm, -im, 'pōm also 'pȯ(-)im, 'pō-,em] -n

  1. a composition in verse
  2. something suggesting a poem (as in expressiveness, lyricism, or formal grace)
    • the house we stayed in...was itself a poem -- H. J. Laski

po·e·sy ['pō-ə-zē, -sē] -n

  1. a poem or body of poems
  2. poetry
  3. artificial or sentimentalized poetic writing
  4. poetic inspiration

po·et ['pō-ət, -it also 'pȯ(-)it] -n

  1. one who writes poetry : a maker of verses
  2. one (as a creative artist) of great imaginative and expressive capabilities and special sensitivity to the medium

po·et·as·ter ['pō-ə-,tas-tər] -n

  1. an inferior poet

po·et·ess ['pō-ə-təs, 'pō-i- also 'pȯ(-)i-] -n

  1. a girl or woman who is a poet

po·et·ic [pō-'e-tik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of poets or poetry
  2. given to writing poetry
  3. written in verse
  4. having or expressing the qualities of poetry (as though aesthetic or emotional impact)
    • her poetic beauty

po·et·i·cal [-ti-kəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. poetic
  2. being beyond or above the truth of history or nature : idealized
    • had poetical ideas about love

po·et·i·cism [pō-'e-tə-,si-zəm] -n

  1. an archaic, trite, or strained expression in poetry

po·et·i·cize [-,sīz] -vt

  1. to give a poetic quality to

poetic justice -n

  1. an outcome in which vice is punished and virtue rewarded usu. in a manner peculiarly or ironically appropriate

poetic license -n

  1. license

po·et·ics [pō-'e-tiks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. a treatise on poetry or aesthetics
  2. poetic theory or practice
  3. a particular theory of poetry or sometimes other literary forms
    • a feminist poetics
  4. poetic feelings or utterances

po·et·ize ['pō-ə-,tīz] -vb, n

  1. to compose poetry
  2. poeticize

poet laureate -n

  1. a poet honored for achievement
  2. a poet appointed for life by an English sovereign as a member of the royal household and formerly expected to compose poems for court and national occasions
  3. a poet appointed annually by the U.S. Library of Congress as a consultant and typically involved in the promotion of poetry
  4. one regarded by a country or region as its most eminent or representative poet

po·et·ry ['pō-ə-trē, -i-trē also 'pȯ(-)i-trē] -n

  1. metrical writing : verse
  2. the productions of a poet : poems
  3. writing that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience in language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound, and rhythm
  4. something likened to poetry esp. in beauty of expression
  5. poetic quality or aspect
    • the poetry of dance

pofaced ['pō-,fāst] -adj

  1. having an assumed solemn, serious, or earnest expression or manner : piously or hypocritically solemn

pog·o·nip ['pä-gə-,nip] -n

  1. a dense winter fog containing frozen particles that is formed in deep mountain valleys of the western U.S.

po·go·noph·o·ran [,pō-gə-'nä-fə-rən] -n, adj

  1. any of a phylum (Pogonophora) of marine wormlike animals of uncertain systematic relationships that live in chitinous tubes on the floor of deep seas, have obscure segmentation, and lack a mouth and digestive tract

po·go stick ['pō-(,)gō-] -n

  1. a pole with a strong spring at the bottom and two footrests on which a person stands and moves along with a series of jumps

po·grom ['pō-grəm, 'pä-; pō-'gräm, pə-] -n

  1. an organized massacre of helpless people
  2. such a massacre of Jews

pogrom -vt

  1. to massacre or destroy in a pogrom

po·grom·ist ['pō-grə-mist, 'pä-; pō-'grä-, pə-] -n

  1. one who organizes or takes part in a pogrom

po·gy ['pō-gē] -n

  1. menhaden

poi ['pȯi] -n

  1. a Hawaiian food of taro root cooked, pounded, and kneaded to a paste and often allowed to ferment

poi·gnance ['pȯi-nyən(t)s sometimes 'pȯi(g)-nən(t)s] -n

  1. poignancy

poi·gnan·cy ['pȯi-nyən(t)-sē sometimes 'pȯi(g)-nən(t)-sē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being poignant
  2. an instance of poignancy

poi·gnant ['pȯi-nyənt sometimes 'pȯi(g)-nənt] -adj, adv

  1. pungently pervasive
    • a poignant perfume
  2. painfully affecting the feelings : piercing
  3. deeply affecting : touching
  4. designed to make an impression : cutting
    • poignant satire
  5. pleasurably stimulating
  6. being to the point : apt

poi·ki·lo·therm [pȯi-'kē-lə-,thərm, -'ki-] -n, adj

  1. an organism (as a frog) with a variable body temperature that tends to fluctuate with and is similar to or slightly higher than the temperature of its environment : a cold-blooded organism

poi·lu [pwäl-'yü, pwä-'lü; 'pwäl-,yü, 'pwä-,lü; pwä-'lᵫ] -n

  1. a French soldier
  2. a front-line soldier in World War I

poin·ci·ana [,pȯin(t)-sē-'a-nə, ,p(w)än(t)-] -n

  1. any of several ornamental tropical trees or shrubs (genera Caesalpiniaand Delonix) of the legume family formerly placed in their own genus ( Poinciana)

poin·set·tia [pȯin-'se-tē-ə, ÷pȯint-, ÷-'se-tə] -n

  1. any of several spurges (genus Euphorbia) with flower clusters subtended by showy involucral bracts
  2. a showy Mexican and Central American plant ( E. pulcherrima) with tapering usu. scarlet bracts that suggest petals and surround small yellow flowers

point ['pȯint] -n

  1. an individual detail : item
  2. a distinguishing detail
    • tact is one of her strong point s
  3. the most important essential in a discussion or matter
    • missed the whole point of the joke
  4. cogency
  5. physical condition
  6. an end or object to be achieved : purpose
    • did not see what point there was in continuing the discussion
  7. a geometric element that has zero dimensions and a location determinable by an ordered set of coordinates
  8. a narrowly localized place having a precisely indicated position
    • walked to a point 50 yards north of the building
  9. a particular place : locality
    • have come from distant point s
  10. an exact moment
    • at this point I was interrupted
  11. a time interval immediately before something indicated : verge
    • at the point of death
  12. a particular step, stage, or degree in development
    • had reached the point where nothing seemed to matter anymore
  13. a definite position in a scale
  14. the terminal usu. sharp or narrowly rounded part of something : tip
  15. : a weapon or tool having such a part and used for stabbing or piercing: as
  16. arrowhead
  17. spearhead
  18. the contact or discharge extremity of an electric device (as a spark plug or distributor)
  19. an electric outlet
  20. a projecting usu. tapering piece of land or a sharp prominence
  21. the tip of a projecting body part
  22. tine
  23. the extremities or markings of the extremities of an animal esp. when of a color differing from the rest of the body
  24. a railroad switch
  25. the head of the bow of a stringed instrument
  26. a short musical phrase
  27. a phrase in contrapuntal music
  28. a very small mark
  29. punctuation mark
  30. period
  31. decimal point
  32. a lace for tying parts of a garment together used esp. in the 16th and 17th centuries
  33. one of usu. 11 divisions of a heraldic shield that determines the position of a charge
  34. one of the 32 equidistant spots of a compass card for indicating direction
  35. the difference of 11 degrees between two such successive points
  36. a direction indicated by a compass point
    • from all point s of the compass
  37. a small detachment ahead of an advance guard or behind a rear guard
  38. needlepoint
  39. lace made with a bobbin
  40. one of 12 spaces marked off on each side of a backgammon board
  41. : a unit of measurement: as
  42. a unit of counting in the scoring of a game or contest
  43. a unit used in evaluating the strength of a bridge hand
  44. a unit of academic credit
  45. a unit used in quoting prices (as of stocks, bonds, and commodities)
  46. a percentage of the face value of a loan often added as a placement fee or service charge
  47. a percentage of the profits of a business venture (as a motion-picture production)
  48. a unit of about inch used esp. to measure the size of type
  49. : the action of pointing: as
  50. the rigidly intent attitude of a hunting dog marking game for a gunner
  51. the action in dancing of extending one leg and arching the foot so that only the tips of the toes touch the floor
  52. a position of a player in various games (as lacrosse)
  53. the player of such a position
  54. a number thrown on the first roll of the dice in craps which the player attempts to repeat before throwing a seven
  55. credit accruing from creating a good impression
    • scored point s for hard work
  56. to furnish with a point : sharpen
    • point ing a pencil with a knife
  57. to give added force, emphasis, or piquancy to
    • point up a remark
  58. to scratch out the old mortar from the joints of (as a brick wall) and fill in with new material
  59. to mark the pauses or grammatical divisions in : punctuate
  60. to separate (a decimal fraction) from an integer by a decimal point usu. used with off
  61. to mark (as Hebrew words) with diacritics (as vowel points)
  62. to indicate the position or direction of esp. by extending a finger
    • point the way home
  63. to direct someone's attention to
    • point the way to new knowledge -- Elizabeth Hall
    usu. used with out or up
    • point out a mistake
    • point s up the difference
  64. to indicate the presence and place of (game) by a point
  65. to cause to be turned in a particular direction
    • point a gun
    • point ed the boat upstream
  66. to extend (a leg) and arch (the foot) in executing a point in dancing
  67. to indicate the fact or probability of something specified
    • everything point s to a bright future
  68. to indicate the position or direction of something esp. by extending a finger
    • point at the map
  69. to direct attention
    • can point with pride to their own traditions
  70. to point game
    • a dog that point s well
  71. to lie extended, aimed, or turned in a particular direction
    • a directional arrow that point ed to the north
  72. to execute a point in dancing
  73. to sail close to the wind
  74. to train for a particular contest

pointandclick -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being a computer interface that allows the activation of a file or function by selection with a pointing device (as a mouse)

pointandshoot -adj

  1. having or using preset or automatically adjusted controls (as for focus or shutter speed)
    • a pointandshoot camera

pointblank ['pȯint-'blaŋk] -adj, adv

  1. marked by no appreciable drop below initial horizontal line of flight
  2. so close to a target that a missile fired will travel in a straight line to the mark
  3. direct, blunt
    • a pointblank refusal

point count -n

  1. a method of evaluating the strength of a hand in bridge by counting points for each high card and usu. for long or short suits
  2. the value of a hand so evaluated

point d'ap·pui [,pwaⁿ(n)-da-'pwē] -n

  1. foundation, base

pointde·vice [,pȯint-di-'vīs] -adj, adv

  1. marked by punctilious attention to detail : meticulous

pointe ['pwaⁿ(n)t] -n

  1. a ballet position in which the body is balanced on the extreme tip of the toe

point·ed ['pȯin-təd] -adj, adv, n

  1. having a point
  2. being an arch with a pointed crown
  3. marked by the use of a pointed arch
    • pointed architecture
  4. being to the point : pertinent
  5. aimed at a particular person or group
  6. conspicuous, marked
    • pointed indifference
  7. having points that contrast in color with the basic coat color
    • a pointed cat

pointed -adj

  1. set, fixed

poin·telle [,pȯin-'tel] -n

  1. an openwork design (as in knitted fabric) typically in the shape of chevrons
  2. a fabric with this design

point·er ['pȯin-tər] -n

  1. the two stars in the Big Dipper a line through which points to the North Star
  2. one that points out
  3. a rod used to direct attention
  4. a computer memory address that contains another address (as of desired data)
  5. a large strong slender smooth-haired gundog that hunts by scent and indicates the presence of game by pointing
  6. one that furnishes with points
  7. a useful suggestion or hint : tip

point estimate -n

  1. the single value assigned to a parameter in point estimation

point estimation -n

  1. estimation in which a single value is assigned to a parameter

point guard -n

  1. a guard in basketball who is chiefly responsible for running the offense

poin·til·lism ['pwaⁿ(n)-tē-,yi-zəm, 'pȯin-tə-,li-zəm] -n

  1. the theory or practice in art of applying small strokes or dots of color to a surface so that from a distance they blend together

poin·til·lis·tic [,pwaⁿ(n)-tē-'yis-tik, ,pȯin-tə-'lis-] -adj

  1. composed of many discrete details or parts
  2. of, relating to, or characteristic of pointillism or pointillists

point lace -n

  1. needlepoint

point·less ['pȯint-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. devoid of meaning : senseless
    • a pointless remark
  2. devoid of effectiveness : flat
    • pointless attempts to be funny

point man -n

  1. a soldier who goes ahead of a patrol
  2. one who is in the forefront
  3. a principal spokesman or advocate
    • the point man for the President's economic policy

point mutation -n

  1. a gene mutation involving the substitution, addition, or deletion of a single nucleotide base

point of accumulation

  1. limit point

point of departure

  1. a starting point esp. in a discussion

point of honor

  1. a matter seriously affecting one's honor

point of inflection

  1. inflection point

point of no return

  1. the point in the flight of an aircraft beyond which the remaining fuel will be insufficient for a return to the starting point with the result that the craft must proceed
  2. a critical point at which turning back or reversal is not possible

pointofpurchase -adj

  1. of or relating to the place (as a supermarket aisle) where a decision to purchase is made
    • pointofpurchase displays

pointofservice -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being a health-care insurance plan that allows enrollees to seek care from a physician affiliated with the service provider at a fixed co-payment or to choose a nonaffiliated physician and pay more abbr. POS

point of view

  1. a position or perspective from which something is considered or evaluated : standpoint

point person -n

  1. point man

point set topology -n

  1. a branch of topology concerned with the properties and theory of topological spaces and metric spaces developed with emphasis on set theory

pointshav·ing ['point-,shā-viŋ] -n

  1. an attempt (as by a member of the team favored to win) to influence the final score of a game so that the predicted winner wins by less than the point spread

point source -n

  1. a source of radiation (as light) that is concentrated at a point and considered as having no spatial extension
  2. an identifiable confined source (as a smokestack or wastewater treatment plant) from which a pollutant is discharged or emitted

point spread -n

  1. the number of points by which an oddsmaker expects a favorite to defeat an underdog

pointtopoint -n

  1. a cross-country steeplechase

pointy ['pȯin-tē] -adj

  1. coming to a rather sharp point
  2. having parts that stick out sharply here and there

pointyhead ['pȯin-tē-,hed] -n, adj

  1. intellectual

poise ['pȯiz] -vb

  1. balance
  2. to hold or carry in equilibrium
    • carried a water jar poised on her head
  3. to hold supported or suspended without motion in a steady position
    • poised her fork and gave her guest a knowing look -- Louis Bromfield
  4. to hold or carry (the head) in a particular way
  5. to put into readiness : brace
  6. to become drawn up into readiness
  7. hover
  8. a stably balanced state : equilibrium
    • a poise between widely divergent impulses -- F. R. Leavis
  9. easy self-possessed assurance of manner : gracious tact in coping or handling
  10. the pleasantly tranquil interaction between persons of poise
    • no angry outbursts marred the poise of the meeting
  11. a particular way of carrying oneself : bearing, carriage
  12. a centimeter-gram-second unit of viscosity equal to the viscosity of a fluid that would require a shearing force of one dyne to impart to a one-square-centimeter area of an arbitrary layer of the fluid a velocity of one centimeter per second relative to another layer separated from the first by a distance of one centimeter

poised -adj

  1. : having poise:
  2. marked by balance or equilibrium
  3. marked by easy composure of manner or bearing

poi·sha ['pȯi-shə] -n

  1. the paisa of Bangladesh

poi·son ['pȯi-zᵊn] -n

  1. a substance that through its chemical action usu. kills, injures, or impairs an organism
  2. something destructive or harmful
  3. an object of aversion or abhorrence
  4. a substance that inhibits the activity of another substance or the course of a reaction or process
    • a catalyst poison

poison ['pȯiz-niŋ, 'pȯi-zᵊn-iŋ] -vt, n

  1. to injure or kill with poison
  2. to treat, taint, or impregnate with or as if with poison
  3. to exert a baneful influence on : corrupt
    • poison ed their minds
  4. to inhibit the activity, course, or occurrence of
    • on the night when he poison ed my rest -- Charles Dickens
  5. poisonous, venomous
    • a poison plant
    • a poison tongue
  6. impregnated with poison : poisoned
    • a poison arrow

poison dart frog -n

  1. any of several small brightly colored frogs (family Dendrobatidae) of tropical Central and So. America that produce poisonous secretions sometimes used by native peoples to poison dart or arrow tips called also poison arrow frog

poison gas -n

  1. a poisonous gas or a liquid or a solid giving off poisonous vapors designed (as in chemical warfare) to kill, injure, or disable by inhalation or contact

poison hemlock -n

  1. a large European biennial poisonous herb ( Conium maculatum) of the carrot family that is naturalized in the U.S. and has finely divided leaves and small white flowers

poison ivy -n

  1. a climbing plant ( Toxicodendron radicanssyn. Rhus radicans) of the cashew family that is esp. common in the eastern and central U.S., that has ternate leaves, greenish flowers, and white berries, and that produces an acutely irritating oil causing a usu. intensely itching skin rash
  2. any of several plants closely related to poison ivy
  3. a skin rash caused by poison ivy

poison oak -n

  1. : any of several plants related to poison ivy and producing an oil with similar irritating properties: as
  2. a bushy plant ( Toxicodendron diversilobumsyn. Rhus diversiloba) of the Pacific coast
  3. a bushy plant ( Toxicodendron toxicariumsyn. Rhus toxicodendron) chiefly of the southeastern U.S.
  4. poison ivy

poi·son·ous ['pȯiz-nəs, 'pȯi-zᵊn-əs] -adj, adv

  1. destructive, harmful
  2. having the properties or effects of poison : venomous
  3. spiteful, malicious

poisonpen -adj

  1. written with malice and spite and usu. anonymously
    • a poisonpen letter

poison pill -n

  1. a financial tactic or provision used by a company to make an unwanted takeover prohibitively expensive or less desirable

poison sumac -n

  1. a swamp shrub ( Toxicodendron vernixsyn. Rhus vernix) chiefly of the eastern U.S. and Canada that has pinnate leaves, greenish flowers, and greenish white berries and produces an irritating oil called also poison dogwood

poi·son·wood ['pȯi-zᵊn-,wu̇d] -n

  1. a tree ( Metopium toxiferum) of the cashew family that is native to Florida and the West Indies and has compound leaves, greenish paniculate flowers, and orange-yellow fruits and produces a severely irritating sap

Pois·son distribution [pwä-'sōⁿ-] -n

  1. a probability density function that is often used as a mathematical model of the number of outcomes obtained in a suitable interval of time and space, that has its mean equal to its variance, that is used as an approximation to the binomial distribution, and that has the formis the mean and xtakes on nonnegative integral values

Poisson's ratio -n

  1. the ratio of transverse to longitudinal strain in a material under tension

poke ['pōk] -n

  1. bag, sack
  2. wallet
  3. purse
  4. prod, jab
    • poked him in the ribs
  5. to urge or stir by prodding or jabbing
    • poked and scolded by the old folks -- Upton Sinclair
  6. to cause to prod : thrust
    • poked a stick at the snake
  7. pierce, stab
  8. to produce by or as if by piercing, stabbing, or jabbing
    • poke a hole
    • poked holes in his heavily footnoted argument -- David Stoll
  9. hit, punch
    • poked him in the nose
  10. to deliver (a blow) with the fist
  11. to hit (a blooper) in baseball
  12. to cause to project
    • poked her head out of the window
  13. to make (one's way) by poking
    • poked his way through the ruins
  14. to interpose or interject in a meddlesome manner
    • asked him not to poke his nose into other people's business
  15. to make a prodding, jabbing, or thrusting movement esp. repeatedly
  16. to strike out at something
  17. to look about or through something without system : rummage
    • poking around in the attic
  18. meddle
  19. to move or act slowly or aimlessly
    • just poked around and didn't accomplish much
  20. to become stuck out or forward : protrude
  21. a quick thrust : jab
  22. a blow with the fist : punch
  23. a projecting brim on the front of a woman's bonnet
  24. a cutting remark : dig
  25. pokeweed

poke·ber·ry ['pōk-,ber-ē] -n

  1. the berry of the pokeweed
  2. pokeweed

pok·er ['pō-kər] -n

  1. one that pokes
  2. a metal rod for stirring a fire

po·ker ['pō-kər] -n

  1. any of several card games in which a player bets that the value of his or her hand is greater than that of the hands held by others, in which each subsequent player must either equal or raise the bet or drop out, and in which the player holding the highest hand at the end of the betting wins the pot

poker face ['pō-kər-,fāst] -n, adj

  1. an inscrutable face that reveals no hint of a person's thoughts or feelings

poke·weed ['pōk-,wēd] -n

  1. a coarse American perennial herb ( Phytolacca americanaof the family Phytolaccaceae, the pokeweed family) with racemose white flowers, dark purple juicy berries, a poisonous root, and young shoots sometimes used as potherbs

po·key ['pō-kē] -n

  1. jail

poky ['pō-kē] -adj, adv, n

  1. small and cramped
  2. shabby, dull
  3. annoyingly slow

pol ['päl] -n

  1. politician

Pol -abbr

  1. Poland

Po·la·bi·an [pō-'lä-bē-ən, -'lā-] -n

  1. a member of a Slavic people formerly dwelling in the basin of the Elbe and on the Baltic coast of Germany
  2. the extinct West Slavic language of the Polabians

Po·lack ['pō-,läk, -,lak] -n

  1. a native or inhabitant of Poland
  2. a person of Polish birth or descent

Po·land Chi·na ['pō-lən(d)-'chī-nə] -n

  1. any of a U.S. breed of large white-marked black swine

po·lar ['pō-lər] -adj

  1. of or relating to a geographic pole or the region around it
  2. coming from or having the characteristics of such a region
  3. passing over a celestial body's north and south poles
    • a satellite in a polar orbit
  4. traveling in a polar orbit
    • a polar satellite
  5. of or relating to one or more poles (as of a magnet)
  6. serving as a guide
    • a polar principle
    • a polar theory
  7. diametrically opposite
    • polar positions on the issue
  8. exhibiting polarity
  9. having a dipole or characterized by molecules having dipoles
    • a polar solvent
  10. resembling a pole or axis around which all else revolves : pivotal
    • polar events
  11. of, relating to, or expressed in polar coordinates
    • polar equations
  12. of or relating to a polar coordinate system

polar -n

  1. a straight line related to a point
  2. the straight line joining the points of contact of the tangents from a point exterior to a conic section

polar bear -n

  1. a large creamy-white carnivorous bear ( Ursus maritimussyn. Thalarctos maritimus) that inhabits arctic regions

polar body -n

  1. a cell that separates from an oocyte during meiosis and that contains a nucleus produced in the first or second meiotic division and very little cytoplasm

polar circle -n

  1. either of the two parallels of latitude each at a distance from a pole of the earth equal to about 23 degrees 27 minutes

polar coordinate -n

  1. either of two numbers that locate a point in a plane by its distance from a fixed point on a line and the angle this line makes with a fixed line

polar front -n

  1. the boundary between the cold air of a polar region and the warmer air of lower latitudes

po·lar·im·e·ter [,pō-lə-'ri-mə-tər] -n, adj

  1. an instrument for determining the amount of polarization of light or the proportion of polarized light in a partially polarized ray
  2. a polariscope for measuring the amount of rotation of the plane of polarization esp. by liquids

Po·lar·is [pə-'ler-əs, -'lär-, -'la-rəs] -n

  1. north star

po·lar·i·scope [pō-'la-rə-,skōp] -n, adj

  1. an instrument for studying the properties of or examining substances in polarized light
  2. polarimeter

po·lar·ise ['pō-lə-,rīz] -vb, n, adj

(variant of polarize)

  1. to cause (as light waves) to vibrate in a definite pattern
  2. to give physical polarity to
  3. to break up into opposing factions or groupings
    • a campaign that polarized the electorate
  4. concentrate
    • recreate a cohesive rock community by polarizing ...an amorphous, fragmented audience -- Ellen Willis
  5. to become polarized

po·lar·i·ty [pō-'ler-ə-tē, pə-, -'la-rə-] -n

  1. the quality or condition inherent in a body that exhibits opposite properties or powers in opposite parts or directions or that exhibits contrasted properties or powers in contrasted parts or directions : the condition of having poles
  2. attraction toward a particular object or in a specific direction
  3. the particular state either positive or negative with reference to the two poles or to electrification
  4. diametrical opposition
  5. an instance of such opposition

polarity therapy -n

  1. a holistic discipline that seeks to achieve physical and emotional health through a system of touch, diet, exercise, and self-awareness designed to balance energy flows in the body

po·lar·i·za·tion [,pō-lə-rə-'zā-shən] -n

  1. : the action of polarizing or state of being or becoming polarized: as
  2. the action or process of affecting radiation and esp. light so that the vibrations of the wave assume a definite form
  3. the state of radiation affected by this process
  4. an increase in the resistance of an electrolytic cell often caused by the deposition of gas on one or both electrodes
  5. magnetization
  6. division into two opposites
  7. concentration about opposing extremes of groups or interests formerly ranged on a continuum

po·lar·ize ['pō-lə-,rīz] -vb, n, adj

  1. to cause (as light waves) to vibrate in a definite pattern
  2. to give physical polarity to
  3. to break up into opposing factions or groupings
    • a campaign that polarized the electorate
  4. concentrate
    • recreate a cohesive rock community by polarizing ...an amorphous, fragmented audience -- Ellen Willis
  5. to become polarized

polar nucleus -n

  1. either of the two nuclei of a seed plant embryo sac that are destined to form endosperm

po·lar·og·ra·phy [,pō-lə-'rä-grə-fē] -n, adj, adv

  1. a method of qualitative or quantitative analysis based on current-voltage curves obtained during electrolysis of a solution with a steadily increasing electromotive force

Po·lar·oid ['pō-lə-,rȯid] -trademark

  1. used esp. for a light-polarizing material used esp. in eyeglasses and lamps to prevent glare or for a camera that produces developed pictures

po·lar·on ['pō-lə-,rän] -n

  1. a conducting electron in an ionic crystal together with the induced polarization of the surrounding lattice

pol·der ['pōl-dər] -n

  1. a tract of low land (as in the Netherlands) reclaimed from a body of water (as the sea)

pole ['pōl] -n

  1. a long slender usu. cylindrical object (as a length of wood)
  2. a shaft which extends from the front axle of a wagon between wheelhorses and by which the wagon is drawn : tongue
  3. a long staff of wood, metal, or fiberglass used in the pole vault
  4. a varying unit of length
  5. one equal to a rod (16 feet or about 5 meters)
  6. a tree with a breast-high diameter of from 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 centimeters)
  7. the inside front row position on the starting line for a race
  8. to act upon with a pole
  9. to impel or push with a pole
  10. to propel a boat with a pole
  11. to use ski poles to gain speed
  12. either extremity of an axis of a sphere and esp. of the earth's axis
  13. either of two related opposites
  14. a point of guidance or attraction
  15. either of the two terminals of an electric cell, battery, generator, or motor
  16. one of two or more regions in a magnetized body at which the magnetic flux density is concentrated
  17. either of two morphologically or physiologically differentiated areas at opposite ends of an axis in an organism or cell
  18. the fixed point in a system of polar coordinates that serves as the origin
  19. the point of origin of two tangents to a conic section that determine a polar

Pole ['pōl] -n

  1. a native or inhabitant of Poland
  2. a person of Polish descent

pole·ax ['pōl-,aks] -n

  1. a battle-ax with a short handle and often a hook or spike opposite the blade
  2. one with a long handle used as an ornamental weapon
  3. an ax used in slaughtering cattle

poleax -vt

  1. to attack, strike, or fell with or as if with a poleax

pole bean -n

  1. a cultivated bean that is usu. trained to grow upright on supports

pole·cat ['pōl-,kat] -n

  1. any of several carnivorous mammals (as of the genera Mustelaor Vormela) of the weasel family
  2. a brown to black European mammal ( M. putorius) from which the domesticated ferret is derived
  3. skunk

pole dancing -n, n or vi

  1. usu. solo dancing performed while using a fixed vertical pole as a prop

poleis ['pä-ləs] -n

(variant of polis)

  1. a Greek city-state
  2. a state or society esp. when characterized by a sense of community

pole·less ['pōl-ləs] -adj

  1. having no pole

po·lem·ic [pə-'le-mik] -n

  1. an aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions or principles of another
  2. the art or practice of disputation or controversy usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr.
  3. an aggressive controversialist : disputant

po·lem·i·cal [-mi-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or being a polemic : controversial
  2. engaged in or addicted to polemics : disputatious

po·lem·i·cize [-'le-mə-,sīz] -vi

  1. to engage in controversy : deliver a polemic

po·le·mist [pə-'le-mist, 'pä-lə-mist] -n

  1. one skilled in or given to polemics

pol·e·mize ['pä-lə-,mīz] -vi

  1. polemicize

pol·e·mo·ni·um [,pä-lə-'mō-nē-əm] -n

  1. jacob's ladder

po·len·ta [pō-'len-tə, pə-, -,tä] -n

  1. mush made of chestnut meal, cornmeal, semolina, or farina

pol·er ['pō-lər] -n

  1. one that poles
  2. one that poles a boat

pole·star ['pōl-,stär] -n

  1. north star
  2. a directing principle : guide
  3. a center of attraction

pole vault -n, vi

  1. a vault with the aid of a pole
  2. a field event consisting of a vault for height over a crossbar

pole·ward ['pōl-wərd] -adv or adj

  1. toward or in the direction of a pole of the earth
    • as the sun moves poleward
    • poleward variation in temperature

po·lice [pə-'lēs] -vt

  1. govern
  2. to control, regulate, or keep in order by use of police
  3. to make clean and put in order
  4. to supervise the operation, execution, or administration of to prevent or detect and prosecute violations of rules and regulations
  5. to exercise such supervision over the policies and activities of
  6. to perform the functions of a police force in or over

police -n

  1. the internal organization or regulation of a political unit through exercise of governmental powers esp. with respect to general comfort, health, morals, safety, or prosperity
  2. control and regulation of affairs affecting the general order and welfare of any unit or area
  3. the system of laws for effecting such control
  4. the department of government concerned primarily with maintenance of public order, safety, and health and enforcement of laws and possessing executive, judicial, and legislative powers
  5. the department of government charged with prevention, detection, and prosecution of public nuisances and crimes
  6. police force
  7. police officers
  8. a private organization resembling a police force
    • campus police
  9. the members of a private police organization
  10. the action or process of cleaning and putting in order
  11. military personnel detailed to perform this function
  12. one attempting to regulate or censor a specified field or activity
    • the fashion police

police action -n

  1. a localized military action undertaken without formal declaration of war by regular armed forces against persons held to be violators of international peace and order

police court -n

  1. a court of record that has jurisdiction over various minor offenses (as breach of the peace) and the power to bind over for trial in a superior court or for a grand jury persons accused of more serious offenses

police dog -n

  1. a dog trained to assist police (as in drug detection)
  2. german shepherd

police force -n

  1. a body of trained officers entrusted by a government with maintenance of public peace and order, enforcement of laws, and prevention and detection of crime

po·lice·man [pə-'lēs-mən] -n

  1. a member of a police force
  2. one held to resemble a policeman
    • making the United States the policeman for the whole wide world -- R. B. Long

police officer -n

  1. a member of a police force

police power -n

  1. the inherent power of a government to exercise reasonable control over persons and property within its jurisdiction in the interest of the general security, health, safety, morals, and welfare except where legally prohibited

police procedural -n

  1. a mystery story written from the point of view of the police investigating the crime

police reporter -n

  1. a reporter regularly assigned to cover police news (as crimes and arrests)

police state -n

  1. a political unit characterized by repressive governmental control of political, economic, and social life usu. by an arbitrary exercise of power by police and esp. secret police in place of regular operation of administrative and judicial organs of the government according to publicly known legal procedures

police station -n

  1. the headquarters of the police for a locality

po·lice·wom·an [pə-'lēs-,wu̇-mən] -n

  1. a woman who is a member of a police force

pol·i·cy ['pä-lə-sē] -n

  1. prudence or wisdom in the management of affairs
  2. management or procedure based primarily on material interest
  3. a definite course or method of action selected from among alternatives and in light of given conditions to guide and determine present and future decisions
  4. a high-level overall plan embracing the general goals and acceptable procedures esp. of a governmental body

policy -n

  1. a writing whereby a contract of insurance is made
  2. a daily lottery in which participants bet that certain numbers will be drawn from a lottery wheel
  3. number

pol·i·cy·hold·er ['pä-lə-sē-,hōl-dər] -n

  1. the owner of an insurance policy

policy science -n

  1. a social science dealing with the making of high-level policy (as in a government or business)

po·lio ['pō-lē-,ō] -n

  1. poliomyelitis

po·lio·my·eli·tis [,pō-lē-(,)ō-,mī-ə-'lī-təs] -n

  1. an acute infectious disease caused by the poliovirus and characterized by fever, motor paralysis, and atrophy of skeletal muscles often with permanent disability and deformity and marked by inflammation of nerve cells in the anterior gray matter in each lateral half of the spinal cord called also infantile paralysis

po·lio·vi·rus ['pō-lē-(,)ō-,vī-rəs] -n

  1. an enterovirus (species Poliovirus) occurring in three distinct serotypes that cause poliomyelitis

po·lis ['pä-ləs] -n

  1. a Greek city-state
  2. a state or society esp. when characterized by a sense of community

po·lisci ['pä-lē-'sī] -n

  1. political science

pol·ish ['pä-lish] -vb, n

  1. to make smooth and glossy usu. by friction : burnish
  2. to smooth, soften, or refine in manners or condition
  3. to bring to a highly developed, finished, or refined state : perfect
  4. to become smooth or glossy by or as if by friction

polish -n

  1. a smooth glossy surface : luster
  2. freedom from rudeness or coarseness : culture
  3. a state of high development or refinement
  4. the action or process of polishing
  5. a preparation that is used to produce a gloss and often a color for the protection and decoration of a surface
    • furniture polish
    • nail polish

Pol·ish ['pō-lish] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Poland, the Poles, or Polish

Polish -n

  1. the Slavic language of the Poles

polish off -vt

  1. to finish off or dispose of rapidly or completely

polit -abbr

  1. political

po·lit·bu·ro ['pä-lət-,byu̇r-(,)ō, 'pō-lət-, pə-'lit-] -n

  1. the principal policy-making and executive committee of a Communist party

po·lite [pə-'līt] -adj, adv, n

  1. of, relating to, or having the characteristics of advanced culture
  2. marked by refined cultural interests and pursuits esp. in arts and belles lettres
  3. showing or characterized by correct social usage
  4. marked by an appearance of consideration, tact, deference, or courtesy
  5. marked by a lack of roughness or crudities
    • polite literature

po·li·tesse [,pä-li-'tes, ,pȯ-] -n

  1. formal politeness : decorousness

pol·i·tic ['pä-lə-,tik] -adj

  1. political
  2. characterized by shrewdness in managing, contriving, or dealing
  3. sagacious in promoting a policy
  4. shrewdly tactful

po·lit·i·cal [pə-'li-ti-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to government, a government, or the conduct of government
  2. of, relating to, or concerned with the making as distinguished from the administration of governmental policy
  3. of, relating to, involving, or involved in politics and esp. party politics
  4. organized in governmental terms
    • political units
  5. involving or charged or concerned with acts against a government or a political system
    • political prisoners

political action committee -n

  1. a group formed (as by an industry or an issue-oriented organization) to raise and contribute money to the campaigns of candidates likely to advance the group's interests

political economy -n

  1. economics
  2. the theory or study of the role of public policy in influencing the economic and social welfare of a political unit

po·lit·i·cal·ize [pə-'li-ti-kə-,līz] -vt, n

  1. politicize

politically correct -adj, n

  1. conforming to a belief that language and practices which could offend political sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be eliminated

political science -n

  1. a social science concerned chiefly with the description and analysis of political and esp. governmental institutions and processes

pol·i·ti·cian [,pä-lə-'ti-shən] -n

  1. a person experienced in the art or science of government
  2. one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government
  3. a person engaged in party politics as a profession
  4. a person primarily interested in political office for selfish or other narrow usu. short-sighted reasons

po·lit·i·cise [pə-'li-tə-,sīz] -vt, n

(variant of politicize)

  1. to give a political tone or character to
    • an attempt to politicize the civil service

po·lit·i·cize [pə-'li-tə-,sīz] -vt, n

  1. to give a political tone or character to
    • an attempt to politicize the civil service

pol·i·tick ['pä-lə-,tik] -vi, n

  1. to engage in often partisan political discussion or activity

po·lit·i·co [pə-'li-ti-,kō] -n

  1. politician

pol·i·tics ['pä-lə-,tiks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. the art or science of government
  2. the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy
  3. the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government
  4. political actions, practices, or policies
  5. political affairs or business
  6. competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership (as in a government)
  7. political life esp. as a principal activity or profession
  8. political activities characterized by artful and often dishonest practices
  9. the political opinions or sympathies of a person
  10. the total complex of relations between people living in society
  11. relations or conduct in a particular area of experience esp. as seen or dealt with from a political point of view
    • office politics
    • ethnic politics

pol·i·ty ['pä-lə-tē] -n

  1. political organization
  2. a specific form of political organization
  3. a politically organized unit
  4. the form or constitution of a politically organized unit
  5. the form of government of a religious denomination

pol·ka ['pōl-kə, 'pō-kə] -n, vi

  1. a lively couple dance of Bohemian origin in duple time with a basic pattern of hop-step-close-step
  2. a lively originally Bohemian dance tune in time

pol·ka dot ['pō-kə-,dät] -n, adj

  1. a dot in a pattern of regularly distributed dots in textile design

poll ['pōl] -n

  1. head
  2. the top or back of the head
  3. nape
  4. the broad or flat end of a striking tool (as a hammer)
  5. the casting or recording of the votes of a body of persons
  6. a counting of votes cast
  7. the place where votes are cast or recorded usu. used in pl.
    • at the poll s
  8. the period of time during which votes may be cast at an election
  9. the total number of votes recorded
    • a heavy poll
  10. a questioning or canvassing of persons selected at random or by quota to obtain information or opinions to be analyzed
  11. a record of the information so obtained
  12. to cut off or cut short the hair or wool of : crop, shear
  13. to cut off or cut short (as wool)
  14. to cut off or back the top of (as a tree)
  15. pollard
  16. to cut off or cut short the horns of (cattle)
  17. to receive and record the votes of
  18. to request each member of to declare a vote individually
    • poll the assembly
  19. to receive (as votes) in an election
  20. to question or canvass in a poll
  21. to test (as several computer terminals sharing a single line) in sequence for messages to be transmitted
  22. to cast one's vote at a poll

pol·lack ['pä-lək] -n

  1. a commercially important No. Atlantic food fish ( Pollachius virens) related to and resembling the cods but darker
  2. a commercially important northern Pacific food fish ( Theragra chalcogramma) of the cod family that closely resembles the pollack called also walleye pollack

pol·lard ['pä-lərd] -n

  1. a tree cut back to the trunk to promote the growth of a dense head of foliage

pollard -vt

  1. to make a pollard of (a tree)

polled ['pōld] -adj

  1. having no horns

pol·len ['pä-lən] -n

  1. a mass of microspores in a seed plant appearing usu. as a fine dust
  2. a dusty bloom on the body of an insect

pollen basket -n

  1. a smooth area on each hind tibia of a bee that is edged by a fringe of stiff hairs and serves to collect and transport pollen called also corbicula

pollen grain -n

  1. one of the granular microspores that occur in pollen and give rise to the male gametophyte of a seed plant

pol·len·iz·er ['pä-lə-,nī-zər] -n

  1. a plant that is a source of pollen
  2. pollinator

pollen mother cell -n

  1. a cell that is derived from the hypodermis of the pollen sac and that gives rise by meiosis to four cells each of which develops into a pollen grain

pollen sac -n

  1. one of the pouches of a seed plant anther in which pollen is formed

pollen tube -n

  1. a tube that is formed by a pollen grain and conveys the sperm nuclei to the embryo sac of an angiosperm or the archegonium of a gymnosperm

pol·lex ['pä-,leks] -n

  1. the first digit of the forelimb : thumb

pollin- -comb form

  1. pollen
    • pollin ate

pol·li·nate ['pä-lə-,nāt] -vt

  1. to carry out the pollination of
  2. to mark or smudge with pollen

pol·li·na·tion [,pä-lə-'nā-shən] -n

  1. the transfer of pollen from an anther to the stigma in angiosperms or from the microsporangium to the micropyle in gymnosperms

pol·li·na·tor ['pä-lə-,nā-tər] -n

  1. : one that pollinates: as
  2. an agent (as an insect) that pollinates flowers
  3. pollenizer

pol·lin·i·um [pä-'li-nē-əm] -n

  1. a coherent mass of pollen grains often with a stalk bearing an adhesive disk that clings to insects

pol·li·no·sis [,pä-lə-'nō-səs] -n

  1. hay fever

poll·ster ['pōl-stər] -n

  1. one that conducts a poll or compiles data obtained by a poll

poll tax -n

  1. a tax of a fixed amount per person levied on adults and often linked to the right to vote

pol·lut·ant [pə-'lü-tᵊnt] -n

  1. something that pollutes

pol·lute [pə-'lüt] -vt, n, adj

  1. to make ceremonially or morally impure : defile
  2. debase
    • using language to deceive or mislead pollute s language -- Linda C. Lederman
  3. to make physically impure or unclean : befoul, dirty
  4. to contaminate (an environment) esp. with man-made waste

pol·lu·tion [pə-'lü-shən] -n

  1. the action of polluting esp. by environmental contamination with man-made waste
  2. the condition of being polluted
  3. pollutant

Pol·lux ['pä-ləks] -n

  1. one of the Dioscuri
  2. a first-magnitude star in the constellation Gemini

Pol·ly·an·na [,pä-lē-'a-nə] -n, adj

  1. a person characterized by irrepressible optimism and a tendency to find good in everything

pol·ly·wog ['pä-lē-,wäg, -,wȯg] -n

  1. tadpole

po·lo ['pō-(,)lō] -n

  1. a game played by teams of players on horseback using mallets with long flexible handles to drive a wooden ball through goalposts
  2. water polo
  3. polo shirt

polo coat -n

  1. a tailored overcoat that is made esp. of tan camel's hair and often has stitched edges and a half-belt on the back

po·lo·naise [,pä-lə-'nāz, ,pō-] -n

  1. an elaborate short-sleeved overdress with a fitted waist and a draped cutaway overskirt
  2. a stately Polish processional dance popular in 19th century Europe
  3. music for this dance in moderate time

po·loneck ['pō-(,)lō-,nek] -n

  1. turtleneck

Po·lo·nia [pə-'lō-nē-ə, -nyə] -n

  1. people of Polish descent living outside Poland

po·lo·ni·um [pə-'lō-nē-əm] -n

  1. a radioactive metallic element that is similar chemically to tellurium and bismuth, occurs esp. in pitchblende and radium-lead residues, and emits an alpha particle to form an isotope of lead

Po·lo·ni·us [pə-'lō-nē-əs] -n

  1. a garrulous courtier and father of Ophelia and Laertes in Shakespeare's Hamlet

polo shirt -n

  1. a close-fitting pullover often knit shirt with short or long sleeves and turnover collar or banded neck

pol·ter·geist ['pōl-tər-,gīst] -n

  1. a noisy usu. mischievous ghost held to be responsible for unexplained noises (as rappings)

pol·troon [päl-'trün] -n

  1. a spiritless coward : craven

poltroon -adj

  1. characterized by complete cowardice

pol·troon·ery [-'trü-nə-rē, -'trün-rē] -n

  1. mean pusillanimity : cowardice

poly ['pä-lē] -n

  1. a polymerized plastic or something made of this
  2. a polyester fiber, fabric, or garment

poly- -comb form

  1. many : several : much : multi-
    • poly chotomous
    • poly gyny
  2. containing an indefinite number more than one of a (specified) substance
    • poly sulfide
  3. polymeric : polymer of a (specified) monomer
    • poly ethylene
    • poly adenylic acid

poly(A) [,pä-lē-'ā] -n

  1. RNA or a segment of RNA that is composed of a polynucleotide chain consisting entirely of adenylic acid residues and that codes for polylysine when functioning as messenger RNA in protein synthesis

poly·acryl·amide [,pä-lē-ə-'kri-lə-,mīd] -n

  1. a polyamide of acrylic acid

poly·ac·ry·lo·ni·trile [,pä-lē-,a-krə-lō-'nī-trəl, -,trēl] -n

  1. a polymer of acrylonitrile used often as fibers

poly·ad·e·nyl·ic acid [,pä-lē-,a-də-'ni-lik-] -n

  1. poly(a)

poly·al·co·hol [,pä-lē-'al-kə-,hȯl] -n

  1. an alcohol (as a diol) that contains more than one hydroxyl group

poly·am·ide [,pä-lē-'a-,mīd, -məd] -n

  1. a compound characterized by more than one amide group
  2. a polymeric amide (as nylon)

poly·amine ['pä-lē-ə-,mēn, ,pä-lē-'a-,mēn] -n

  1. a compound characterized by more than one amino group

poly·am·ory [,pä-lē-'a-mə-rē] -n, adj

  1. the state or practice of having more than one open romantic relationship at a time

poly·an·dry ['pä-lē-,an-drē] -n, adj

  1. the state or practice of having more than one husband or male mate at one time

poly·an·tha [,pä-lē-'an(t)-thə] -n

  1. any of numerous dwarf hybrid roses characterized by many large clusters of small flowers

poly·an·thus [-'an(t)-thəs] -n

  1. any of various hybrid primroses
  2. a narcissus ( Narcissus tazetta) having small white or yellow flowers arranged in umbels and having a spreading perianth

poly·atom·ic [-ə-'tä-mik] -adj

  1. containing more than one and esp. more than two atoms
    • polyatomic molecules

poly·bro·mi·nat·ed biphenyl [,pä-lē-'brō-mə-,nā-təd-] -n

  1. any of several compounds that are similar to polychlorinated biphenyls in environmental toxicity and in structure but that have various hydrogen atoms replaced by bromine rather than chlorine called also PBB

poly·bu·ta·di·ene [-,byü-tə-'dī-,ēn, -,dī-'] -n

  1. a synthetic rubber that has a high resistance to wear and is used esp. in the manufacture of tires

poly·car·bon·ate [-'kär-bə-,nāt, -nət] -n

  1. any of various tough transparent thermoplastics characterized by high impact strength and high softening temperature

poly·cen·tric [-'sen-trik] -adj

  1. : having more than one center (as of development or control): as
  2. having several centromeres
    • polycentric chromosomes
  3. characterized by polycentrism

poly·cen·trism [-'sen-,tri-zəm] -n

  1. the existence of many centers of Communist ideological thought
  2. the existence of a number of autonomous national Communist movements

poly·chaete ['pä-lē-,kēt] -n, adj

  1. any of a class (Polychaeta) of chiefly marine annelid worms (as clam worms) usu. with paired segmental appendages, separate sexes, and a free-swimming trochophore larva

poly·chlo·ri·nat·ed biphenyl [,pä-lē-'klȯr-ə-,nā-təd-] -n

  1. any of several compounds that are produced by replacing hydrogen atoms in biphenyl with chlorine, have various industrial applications, and are toxic environmental pollutants which tend to accumulate in animal tissues called also PCB

poly·chot·o·mous [-'kä-tə-məs] -adj, n

  1. dividing or marked by division into many parts, branches, or classes

poly·chro·mat·ic [-krō-'ma-tik] -adj

  1. showing a variety or a change of colors : multicolored
  2. being or relating to radiation that is composed of more than one wavelength

poly·chro·mato·phil·ic [-krō-,ma-tə-'fi-lik] -adj, n

  1. stainable with more than one type of stain and esp. with both acid and basic dyes
    • polychromatophilic erythroblasts

poly·chrome ['pä-lē-,krōm] -adj, vt, n

  1. relating to, made with, or decorated in several colors
    • polychrome pottery

poly·cis·tron·ic [,pä-lē-sis-'trä-nik] -adj

  1. containing the genetic information of a number of cistrons
    • polycistronic messenger RNA

poly·clin·ic [-'kli-nik] -n

  1. a clinic or hospital treating diseases of many sorts

poly·clon·al [-'klō-nəl] -adj

  1. produced by, involving, or being cells derived from two or more cells of different ancestry or genetic constitution
    • polyclonal antibody synthesis
    • polyclonal activation of T cells

poly·con·den·sa·tion [-,kän-,den-'sā-shən, -dən-] -n

  1. a chemical condensation leading to the formation of a compound of high molecular weight

poly·con·ic projection [,pä-lē-'kä-nik-] -n

  1. a map projection consisting of a composite series of concentric cones each of which before being unrolled has been placed over a sphere so as to be tangent to a different parallel of latitude

poly·crys·tal·line [-'kris-tə-lən] -adj, n

  1. consisting of crystals variously oriented
  2. composed of more than one crystal

poly·cy·clic [,pä-lē-'sī-klik, -'si-] -adj

  1. having more than one cyclic component
  2. having two or more rings in the molecule

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon -n

  1. any of a class of hydrocarbon molecules that have multiple carbon rings, and that include carcinogenic substances and environmental pollutants abbr. PAH

poly·cys·tic [-'sis-tik] -adj

  1. having or involving more than one cyst
    • polycystic kidneys
    • a polycystic disease

polycystic kidney disease -n

  1. either of two hereditary diseases characterized by gradually enlarging bilateral cysts of the kidney which lead to reduced renal functioning or renal failure

polycystic ovary syndrome -n

  1. a variable disease that is marked by amenorrhea, hirsutism, obesity, infertility, and ovarian enlargement and is usu. initiated by an elevated level of luteinizing hormone, androgen, or estrogen which results in an abnormal cycle of gonadotropin release by the pituitary gland called also polycystic ovarian syndrome

poly·cy·thae·mia [-(,)sī-'thē-mē-ə] -n, adj

(variant of polycythemia)

  1. a condition marked by an abnormal increase in the number of circulating red blood cells
  2. polycythemia vera

poly·cy·the·mia [-(,)sī-'thē-mē-ə] -n, adj

  1. a condition marked by an abnormal increase in the number of circulating red blood cells
  2. polycythemia vera

polycythemia ve·ra [-'vir-ə] -n

  1. polycythemia of unknown cause that is marked by increase in total blood volume and accompanied by nosebleed, distension of the circulatory vessels, and enlargement of the spleen called also erythremia

poly·dac·tyl [-'dak-tᵊl] -adj

  1. having or causing polydactyly

poly·dac·ty·ly [-'dak-tə-lē] -n

  1. the condition of having more than the normal number of fingers or toes

poly·dip·sia [-'dip-sē-ə] -n, adj

  1. excessive or abnormal thirst

poly·dis·perse [-dis-'pərs] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or characterized by or as particles of varied sizes in the dispersed phase of a disperse system

poly·elec·tro·lyte [,pä-lē-ə-'lek-trə-,līt] -n

  1. a substance of high molecular weight (as a protein) that is an electrolyte

poly·em·bry·o·ny [-'em-brē-ə-nē, -(,)em-'brī-] -n, adj

  1. the condition of having several embryos
  2. the production of two or more embryos from one ovule or egg

poly·ene ['pä-lē-,ēn] -n, adj

  1. an organic compound containing many double bonds
  2. one having the double bonds in a long aliphatic hydrocarbon chain

poly·es·ter ['pä-lē-,es-tər, ,pä-lē-'] -n

  1. any of a group of polymers that consist basically of repeated units of an ester and are used esp. in making fibers or plastics
  2. a product (as a fiber or fabric) composed of polyester

polyester -adj

  1. characterized by inelegant or unsophisticated middle-class taste
    • polyester suburbs
    • polyester folks

poly·es·trous [,pä-lē-'es-trəs] -adj

  1. having more than one period of estrus in a year

poly·eth·yl·ene [-'e-thə-,lēn] -n

  1. a polymer of ethylene
  2. any of various partially crystalline lightweight thermoplastics (CH 2CH 2) x that are resistant to chemicals and moisture, have good insulating properties, and are used esp. in packaging and insulation

polyethylene glycol -n

  1. any of a series of polymers H(OCH 2CH 2) n OH where nis greater than three that vary from viscous liquids to waxy solids and are used esp. as lubricants and in medical and biotechnological applications abbr. PEG

po·lyg·a·la [pə-'li-gə-lə] -n

  1. milkwort

poly·gam·ic [,pä-lē-'ga-mik] -adj

  1. polygamous

po·lyg·a·mous [pə-'li-gə-məs] -adj

  1. relating to or practicing polygamy
  2. having more than one mate at one time
    • baboons are polygamous
  3. bearing both hermaphrodite and unisexual flowers on the same plant

po·lyg·a·my [-mē] -n, vi

  1. marriage in which a spouse of either sex may have more than one mate at the same time
  2. the state of being polygamous

poly·gene ['pä-lē-,jēn] -n, adj

  1. any of a group of nonallelic genes that collectively control the inheritance of a quantitative character or modify the expression of a qualitative character

poly·gen·e·sis [,pä-lē-'je-nə-səs] -n

  1. development from more than one source

poly·ge·net·ic [-jə-'ne-tik] -adj

  1. polyphyletic
  2. having many distinct sources

poly·glot ['pä-lē-,glät] -n

  1. one who is polyglot
  2. a book containing versions of the same text in several languages
  3. the Scriptures in several languages
  4. a mixture or confusion of languages or nomenclatures

polyglot -adj

  1. speaking or writing several languages : multilingual
  2. composed of numerous linguistic groups
    • a polyglot population
  3. containing matter in several languages
    • a polyglot sign
  4. composed of elements from different languages
  5. widely diverse (as in ethnic or cultural origins)
    • a polyglot cuisine

poly·glot·ism [-,glä-,ti-zəm] -n

  1. the use of many languages : the ability to speak many languages

poly·gon ['pä-lē-,gän] -n, adj, adv

  1. a closed plane figure bounded by straight lines
  2. a closed figure on a sphere bounded by arcs of great circles

po·lyg·o·num [pə-'li-gə-nəm] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Polygonum) of herbs of the buckwheat family with a prominent tubular sheath around the base of each petiole, thickened nodes, and flowers that are solitary and axillary or in spiked racemes called also knotweed

poly·graph ['pä-lē-,graf] -n, adj

  1. an instrument for recording variations of several different pulsations (as of physiological variables) simultaneously

po·lyg·ra·pher ['pä-lē-,gra-fər, pə-'li-grə-fər] -n

  1. one who operates a polygraph

po·lyg·ra·phist ['pä-lē-,gra-fist, pə-'li-grə-fist] -n

  1. polygrapher

po·lyg·y·nous [pə-'li-jə-nəs] -adj

  1. relating to or practicing polygyny
    • polygynous species of birds

po·lyg·y·ny [-nē] -n

  1. the state or practice of having more than one wife or female mate at a time

polyhedral angle -n

  1. a portion of space partly enclosed by three or more planes whose intersections meet in a vertex

poly·he·dron [,pä-lē-'hē-drən] -n, adj

  1. a solid formed by plane faces

poly·he·dro·sis [,pä-lē-hē-'drō-səs] -n

  1. any of numerous diseases that affect specific insect larvae or decapod crustaceans, that are caused by double-stranded DNA viruses of a family ( Baculoviridae) or by reoviruses of a genus ( Cypovirus), and that are characterized by dissolution of tissues and accumulation of virus-containing granules in the resultant fluid

poly·his·tor [,pä-lē-'his-tər] -n, adj

  1. polymath

poly·hy·droxy [-hī-'dräk-sē] -adj

  1. containing more than one hydroxyl group in the molecule

Poly·hym·nia [,pä-lē-'him-nē-ə] -n

  1. the Greek Muse of sacred song

poly I:C [,pä-lē-'ī-'sē] -n

  1. a synthetic 2-stranded RNA that induces interferon formation and is composed of one strand consisting entirely of cytosine-containing nucleotides and one strand consisting entirely of inosine-containing nucleotides

poly·iso·prene [,pä-lē-'ī-sə-,prēn] -n

  1. a polymer of isoprene occurring naturally in rubber and gutta-percha and also produced synthetically

poly·ke·tide [,pä-lē-'kē-,tīd] -n

  1. any of a large class of diverse compounds that are characterized by more than two carbonyl groups connected by single intervening carbon atoms, that are produced esp. by certain bacteria and fungi, and that include various substances (as erythromycin and lovastatin) having antibiotic, anticancer, cholesterol-lowering, or immunosuppressive effects

poly·ly·sine [,pä-lē-'lī-,sēn] -n

  1. a protein whose polypeptide chain consists entirely of lysine residues

poly·math ['pä-lē-,math] -n, adj

  1. a person of encyclopedic learning

poly·mer ['pä-lə-mər] -n, adj

  1. a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units

po·ly·mer·ase [pə-'lim-ə-rās; 'pä-lə-mə-,rās, -,rāz] -n

  1. any of several enzymes that catalyze the formation of DNA or RNA from precursor substances in the presence of preexisting DNA or RNA acting as a template

polymerase chain reaction -n

  1. an in vitro technique for rapidly synthesizing large quantities of a given DNA segment that involves separating the DNA into its two complementary strands, using DNA polymerase to synthesize two-stranded DNA from each single strand, and repeating the process abbr. PCR

po·ly·mer·i·sa·tion [pə-,li-mə-rə-'zā-shən, ,pä-lə-mə-rə-] -n

(variant of polymerization)

  1. a chemical reaction in which two or more molecules combine to form larger molecules that contain repeating structural units
  2. reduplication of parts in an organism

po·ly·mer·i·za·tion [pə-,li-mə-rə-'zā-shən, ,pä-lə-mə-rə-] -n

  1. a chemical reaction in which two or more molecules combine to form larger molecules that contain repeating structural units
  2. reduplication of parts in an organism

po·ly·mer·ize [pə-'li-mə-,rīz, 'pä-lə-mə-] -vb

  1. to subject to polymerization
  2. to undergo polymerization

poly·meth·yl methacrylate ['pä-lē-,me-thəl-] -n

  1. a thermoplastic resin of polymerized methyl methacrylate which is characterized by its optical clarity

poly·morph ['pä-lē-,mȯrf] -n

  1. a polymorphic organism
  2. one of the several forms of such an organism
  3. any of the crystalline forms of a polymorphic substance

poly·mor·phism [,pä-lē-'mȯr-,fi-zəm] -n, adj, adv

  1. : the quality or state of existing in or assuming different forms: as
  2. existence of a species in several forms independent of the variations of sex
  3. existence of a gene in several allelic forms
  4. a variation in a specific DNA sequence
  5. existence of a molecule (as an enzyme) in several forms in a single species
  6. the property of crystallizing in two or more forms with distinct structure

poly·mor·pho·nu·cle·ar [-,mȯr-fə-'nü-klē-ər, -'nyü-] -adj, n

  1. having the nucleus complexly lobed

poly·mor·phous [-'mȯr-fəs] -adj, adv

  1. having, assuming, or occurring in various forms, characters, or styles : polymorphic
    • a polymorphous rash
    • polymorphous sexuality

polymorphous perverse -adj

  1. relating to or exhibiting infantile sexual tendencies in which the genitals are not yet identified as the sole or principal sexual organs nor coitus as the goal of erotic activity

poly·myo·si·tis [,pä-lē-,mī-ə-'sī-təs] -n

  1. inflammation of several muscles at once
  2. an inflammatory muscle disease of unknown cause that affects skeletal muscles chiefly closest to the trunk and is characterized esp. by muscle weakness and muscle and joint pain

poly·myx·in [,pä-lē-'mik-sən] -n

  1. any of several toxic antibiotics obtained from a soil bacterium ( Bacillus polymyxa) and active against gram-negative bacteria

Poly·ne·sian [,pä-lə-'nē-zhən, -shən] -n, adj

  1. a member of any of the indigenous peoples of Polynesia
  2. a group of Austronesian languages spoken in Polynesia

poly·neu·ri·tis [,pä-lē-nu̇-'rī-təs, -nyu̇-] -n

  1. neuritis of several peripheral nerves at the same time

Poly·ni·ces [,pä-lə-'nī-sēz] -n

  1. a son of Oedipus for whom the Seven against Thebes mount their expedition

poly·no·mi·al [,pä-lə-'nō-mē-əl] -n

  1. a mathematical expression of one or more algebraic terms each of which consists of a constant multiplied by one or more variables raised to a nonnegative integral power (as a bx cx 2 )

polynomial -adj

  1. relating to, composed of, or expressed as one or more polynomials
    • polynomial functions
    • polynomial equations

poly·nu·cle·ar [,pä-lē-'nü-klē-ər, -'nyü-, ÷-kyə-lər] -adj

  1. chemically polycyclic esp. with respect to the benzene ring used chiefly of aromatic hydrocarbons that are important as pollutants and possibly as carcinogens

polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon -n

  1. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

poly·nu·cle·o·tide [-'nü-klē-ə-,tīd, -'nyü-] -n

  1. a polymeric chain of nucleotides

po·lyn·ya [,pä-lən-'yä] -n

  1. an area of open water in sea ice

poly·ole·fin [,pä-lē-'ō-lə-fən] -n

  1. a polymer of an alkene (as polyethylene)

poly·oma·vi·rus [,pä-lē-'ō-mə-,vī-rəs] -n

  1. any virus of a family ( Polyomaviridaeand esp. genus Polyomavirus) of double-stranded DNA viruses that induce tumors in specific mammals

poly·on·y·mous [,pä-lē-'ä-nə-məs] -adj

  1. having or known by various names

pol·yp ['pä-ləp] -n, adj

  1. a coelenterate (as a coral) that has typically a hollow cylindrical body closed and attached at one end and opening at the other by a central mouth surrounded by tentacles armed with nematocysts
  2. a growth projecting from a mucous membrane (as of the colon or vocal cords)

poly·pep·tide [,pä-lē-'pep-,tīd] -n, adj

  1. a molecular chain of amino acids

poly·pet·al·ous [-'pe-tə-ləs] -adj

  1. having or consisting of separate petals

poly·pha·gia [-'fā-j(ē-)ə] -n

  1. excessive appetite or eating

po·lyph·a·gous [pə-'li-fə-gəs] -adj, n

  1. feeding on or utilizing many kinds of food

poly·phar·ma·cy [,pä-li-'fär-mə-sē] -n

  1. the practice of administering or using multiple medications esp. concurrently (as in the treatment of a single disease or of several coexisting conditions)

poly·phase ['pä-lē-,fāz] -adj

  1. having or producing two or more phases
    • a polyphase machine
    • a polyphase current

poly·pha·sic [,pä-lē-'fā-zik] -adj

  1. consisting of two or more phases

Poly·phe·mus [,pä-lə-'fē-məs] -n

  1. a Cyclops whom Odysseus blinds in order to escape from his cave

poly·phe·nol [,pä-lē-'fē-,nōl, -fi-'] -n, adj

  1. a polyhydroxy phenol
  2. an antioxidant phytochemical

poly·phil·o·pro·gen·i·tive [-,fi-lə-prō-'je-nə-tiv] -adj

  1. extremely prolific : philoprogenitive

poly·phone ['pä-lē-,fōn] -n

  1. a symbol or sequence of symbols having more than one phonemic value (as ain English)

poly·phon·ic [,pä-lē-'fä-nik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or marked by polyphony
  2. being a polyphone

polyphonic prose -n

  1. a freely rhythmical prose employing characteristic devices of verse (as alliteration and assonance)

po·lyph·o·ny [pə-'li-fə-nē] -n

  1. a style of musical composition employing two or more simultaneous but relatively independent melodic lines : counterpoint

poly·phy·let·ic [,pä-lē-(,)fī-'le-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or derived from different ancestral stocks
  2. relating to or being a taxonomic group that includes members (as genera or species) from different ancestral lineages

pol·yp·ide ['pä-lə-,pīd] -n

  1. one of the individual zooids of a bryozoan colony

poly·ploid ['pä-lē-,plȯid] -adj, n

  1. having or being a chromosome number that is a multiple greater than two of the monoploid number

po·lyp·nea [pä-'lip-nē-ə, pə-] -n

  1. rapid or panting respiration

poly·po·dy ['pä-lə-,pō-dē] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Polypodium) of chiefly epiphytic ferns with creeping rhizomes
  2. either of two ferns ( P. vulgareof Eurasia and P. virginianumof No. America) with relatively narrow entire segments

poly·pro·pyl·ene [,pä-lē-'prō-pə-,lēn] -n

  1. any of various thermoplastic plastics or fibers that are polymers of propylene

po·lyp·tych ['pä-ləp-,tik, pə-'lip-tik] -n

  1. an arrangement of four or more panels (as of a painting) usu. hinged and folding together

poly·rhythm ['pä-lē-,ri-thəm] -n, adj, adv

  1. the simultaneous combination of contrasting rhythms in music

poly·ri·bo·nu·cle·o·tide [,pä-lē-,rī-bō-'nü-klē-ə-,tīd, -'nyü-] -n

  1. a polynucleotide in which the mononucleotides are ribonucleotides

poly·ri·bo·some [-'rī-bə-,sōm] -n, adj

  1. a cluster of ribosomes linked together by a molecule of messenger RNA and forming the site of protein synthesis

poly·sac·cha·ride [-'sa-kə-,rīd] -n

  1. a carbohydrate that can be decomposed by hydrolysis into two or more molecules of monosaccharides
  2. one (as cellulose, starch, or glycogen) containing many monosaccharide units and marked by complexity

po·ly·se·mous [,pä-lē-'sē-məs, pə-'li-sə-məs] -adj, n

  1. having multiple meanings

poly·some ['pä-lē-,sōm] -n

  1. polyribosome

poly·sor·bate [,pä-lē-'sȯr-,bāt] -n

  1. any of several emulsifiers used in the preparation of some pharmaceuticals or foods

po·lys·ti·chous [pə-'lis-ti-kəs] -adj

  1. arranged in several rows

poly·sty·rene [,pä-lē-'stī-,rēn] -n

  1. a polymer of styrene
  2. a rigid transparent thermoplastic that has good physical and electrical insulating properties and is used esp. in molded products, foams, and sheet materials

poly·sul·fide [-'səl-,fīd] -n

  1. a sulfide containing two or more atoms of sulfur in the molecule

poly·syl·lab·ic [-sə-'la-bik] -adj, adv

  1. having more than one and usu. more than three syllables
  2. characterized by words of many syllables

poly·syl·la·ble ['pä-lē-,si-lə-bəl, ,pä-lē-'] -n

  1. a polysyllabic word

poly·syn·ap·tic [,pä-lē-sə-'nap-tik] -adj, adv

  1. involving two or more synapses in the central nervous system
    • polysynaptic reflexes

poly·syn·de·ton [-'sin-də-,tän] -n

  1. repetition of conjunctions in close succession (as in we have ships and men and money)

poly·tech·nic [-'tek-nik] -adj

  1. relating to or devoted to instruction in many technical arts or applied sciences

polytechnic -n

  1. a polytechnic school

poly·tene ['pä-lē-,tēn] -adj, n

  1. relating to, being, or having chromosomes each of which consists of many strands with the corresponding chromomeres in contact

poly·the·ism ['pä-lē-(,)thē-,i-zəm] -n, adj or n, adj

  1. belief in or worship of more than one god

poly·thene ['pä-lə-,thēn] -n

  1. polyethylene

poly·to·nal·i·ty [,pä-lē-tō-'na-lə-tē] -n, adj, adv

  1. the simultaneous use of two or more musical keys

poly·typ·ic [,pä-lē-'ti-pik] -adj

  1. represented by several or many types or subdivisions
    • a polytypic species of organism

poly·un·sat·u·rat·ed [,pä-lē-,ən-'sa-chə-,rā-təd] -adj

  1. having many double or triple bonds in a molecule

poly·ure·thane [,pä-lē-'yu̇r-ə-,thān] -n

  1. any of various polymers that contain NHCOO linkages and are used esp. in flexible and rigid foams, elastomers, and resins (as for coatings)

poly·uria [-'yu̇r-ē-ə] -n

  1. excessive secretion of urine

poly·va·lent [-'vā-lənt also pə-'li-və-lənt] -adj, n

  1. having a chemical valence greater usu. than two
  2. effective against, sensitive toward, or counteracting more than one toxin, microorganism, or antigen
    • polyvalent vaccines

poly·vi·nyl [,pä-lē-'vī-nᵊl] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being a polymerized vinyl compound, resin, or plastic often used in combination

polyvinyl chloride -n

  1. a polymer of vinyl chloride used esp. for electrical insulation, films, and pipes abbr. PVC

poly·wa·ter ['pä-lē-,wȯ-tər, -,wä-] -n

  1. water condensed into a glass capillary tube and formerly held to be a stable form with special properties

Pom ['päm] -n

  1. pommy

pom·ace ['pə-məs, 'pä-] -n

  1. the dry or pulpy residue of material (as fruit, seeds, or fish) from which a liquid (as juice or oil) has been pressed or extracted
  2. something crushed to a pulpy mass

po·ma·ceous [pō-'mā-shəs] -adj

  1. of or relating to apples
  2. resembling a pome

po·made [pō-'mād, -'mäd] -n, vt

  1. a perfumed ointment
  2. a fragrant hair dressing

po·man·der ['pō-,man-dər, pō-'] -n

  1. a mixture of aromatic substances enclosed in a perforated bag or box and used to scent clothes and linens or formerly carried as a guard against infection
  2. a clove-studded orange or apple used for the same purposes
  3. a box or hollow fruit-shaped ball for holding pomander

po·ma·tum [pō-'mā-təm, -'mä-] -n

  1. pomade

pome ['pōm] -n

  1. a fleshy fruit (as an apple or pear) consisting of an outer thickened fleshy layer and a central core with usu. five seeds enclosed in a capsule

pome·gran·ate ['pä-mə-,gra-nət; 'päm-,gra-nət, 'pəm-] -n

  1. a several-celled reddish berry that is about the size of an orange with a thick leathery skin and many seeds with pulpy crimson arils of tart flavor
  2. a widely cultivated tropical Asian tree ( Punica granatumof the family Punicaceae) bearing pomegranates

pom·e·lo ['pä-mə-,lō] -n

  1. grapefruit
  2. a very large thick-rinded usu. pear-shaped citrus fruit differing from the closely related grapefruit esp. in its loose rind and often coarse dry pulp
  3. a large widely cultivated tropical tree ( Citrus maximasyn. C. grandis) of southeast Asia that bears pomelos

Pom·er·a·nian [,pä-mə-'rā-nē-ən, -nyən] -n, adj

  1. any of a breed of long-haired compact toy dogs with a soft dense undercoat
  2. a native or inhabitant of Pomerania

pom·fret ['päm-frət, 'pəm-] -n

  1. any of a family (Bramidae) of usu. deep-bodied spiny-finned oceanic fishes some of which are used for food
  2. a silvery deep-bodied marine food fish ( Pampus argenteusof the family Stramateidae) of Asia

pom·mee [pä-'mā, ,pə-] -adj

  1. having the end of each arm terminating in a ball or disk

pom·mel ['pə-məl, 'pä-] -n

  1. the knob on the hilt of a sword or saber
  2. the protuberance at the front and top of a saddle
  3. either of a pair of removable rounded or U-shaped handles used on the top of a pommel horse
  4. pummel

pommel horse -n

  1. a gymnastics apparatus for swinging and balancing feats that consists of a padded rectangular or cylindrical form with two pommels on the top and that is supported in a horizontal position above the floor
  2. an event in which the pommel horse is used

Pom·my ['pä-mē] -n

  1. briton
  2. an English immigrant

Po·mo ['pō-(,)mō] -n

  1. a member of a group of American Indian peoples of northern California
  2. any of the family of languages spoken by the Pomo

po·mol·o·gy [pō-'mä-lə-jē] -n, adj

  1. the science and practice of growing fruit

pomp ['pämp] -n

  1. a show of magnificence : splendor
    • every day begins...in a pomp of flaming colours -- F. D. Ommanney
  2. a ceremonial or festival display (as a train of followers or a pageant)
  3. ostentatious display : vainglory
  4. an ostentatious gesture or act

pom·pa·dour ['päm-pə-,dȯr] -n, adj

  1. a man's style of hairdressing in which the hair is combed into a high mound in front
  2. a woman's style of hairdressing in which the hair is brushed into a loose full roll around the face
  3. hair dressed in a pompadour

pom·pa·no ['päm-pə-,nō, 'pəm-] -n

  1. a carangid food fish ( Trachinotus carolinus) of the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
  2. any of several related fishes
  3. a small bluish or greenish butterfish ( Peprilus simillimus) of the Pacific coast of No. America

pompom ['päm-,päm] -n

  1. an ornamental ball or tuft used esp. on clothing, caps, or costumes
  2. a handheld usu. brightly colored fluffy ball flourished by cheerleaders
  3. an automatic antiaircraft gun of 20 to 40 millimeters mounted esp. on ships

pom·pon ['päm-,pän] -n

  1. pom-pom
  2. a chrysanthemum or dahlia with small rounded flower heads

pom·pos·i·ty [päm-'pä-sə-tē] -n

  1. pompous demeanor, speech, or behavior
  2. a pompous gesture, habit, or act

pomp·ous ['päm-pəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. excessively elevated or ornate
    • pompous rhetoric
  2. having or exhibiting self-importance : arrogant
    • a pompous politician
  3. relating to or suggestive of pomp : magnificent

ponce ['pän(t)s] -n

  1. pimp
  2. a male homosexual

pon·cho ['pän-(,)chō] -n

  1. a blanket with a slit in the middle so that it can be slipped over the head and worn as a sleeveless garment
  2. a waterproof garment resembling a poncho and having an integral hood

pond ['pänd] -n

  1. a body of water usu. smaller than a lake
    • a fishing pond
    sometimes used with the to refer informally or facetiously to the Atlantic Ocean
  2. to block (as a stream) to create a pond
  3. to collect in or form a pond

pon·der ['pän-dər] -vb, n

  1. to weigh in the mind : appraise
    • ponder ed their chances of success
  2. to think about : reflect on
    • ponder ed the events of the day
  3. to think or consider esp. quietly, soberly, and deeply

pon·der·a·ble ['pän-d(ə-)rə-bəl] -adj

  1. significant enough to be worth considering : appreciable

pon·der·o·sa pine [,pän-də-'rō-sə-, -zə-] -n

  1. a tall pine ( Pinus ponderosa) of western No. America with long needles usu. in groups of two or three
  2. its strong reddish straight-grained wood

pon·der·ous ['pän-d(ə-)rəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. of very great weight
  2. unwieldy or clumsy because of weight and size
  3. oppressively or unpleasantly dull : lifeless
    • ponderous prose

pond lily -n

  1. water lily

pond scum -n

  1. any of various algae (esp. spirogyra) or cyanobacteria
  2. a mass of tangled filaments of algae or cyanobacteria in stagnant waters

pond skater -n

  1. water strider

pond·weed ['pänd-,wēd] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Potamogetonof the family Potamogetonaceae, the pondweed family) of aquatic plants with jointed usu. rooting stems, floating or submerged leaves, and spikes of greenish flowers

pone ['pōn] -n

  1. corn pone

pon·gee [,pän-'jē, 'pän-,] -n

  1. a thin soft fabric of Chinese origin woven from raw silk
  2. an imitation of this fabric in cotton or a synthetic fiber (as of polyester or rayon)

pon·gid ['pän-jəd, 'päŋ-gəd] -n, adj

  1. any of a family (Pongidae) of apes that includes the chimpanzee, gorilla, and orangutan

pon·iard ['pän-yərd] -n

  1. a dagger with a usu. slender blade of triangular or square cross section

poniard -vt

  1. to pierce or kill with a poniard

pons ['pänz] -n

  1. a broad mass of chiefly transverse nerve fibers in the mammalian brain stem lying ventral to the cerebellum at the anterior end of the medulla oblongata

pons asi·no·rum ['pänz-,a-sə-'nȯr-əm] -n

  1. a critical test of ability or understanding
  2. stumbling block

pons Va·ro·lii [-və-'rō-lē-,ī, -lē-,ē] -n

  1. pons

pon·ti·fex ['pän-tə-,feks] -n

  1. a member of the council of priests in ancient Rome

pon·tiff ['pän-təf] -n

  1. pontifex
  2. bishop
  3. pope

pon·tif·i·cal [pän-'ti-fi-kəl] -n

  1. episcopal attire
  2. the insignia of the episcopal order worn by a prelate when celebrating a pontifical mass usu. used in pl.
  3. a book containing the forms for sacraments and rites performed by a bishop

pontifical [-k(ə-)lē] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to a pontiff or pontifex
  2. celebrated by a prelate of episcopal rank with distinctive ceremonies
    • pontifical mass
  3. pompous
  4. pretentiously dogmatic

pon·tif·i·cate [pän-'ti-fi-kət, -,kāt] -n

  1. the state, office, or term of office of a pontiff
  2. to officiate as a pontiff
  3. to celebrate pontifical mass
  4. to speak or express opinions in a pompous or dogmatic way

pon·til ['pän-tᵊl] -n

  1. punty called also pontil rod

pon·tine ['pän-,tīn] -adj

  1. of or relating to the pons

Pont l'·veque [,pōⁿ-lā-'vek] -n

  1. a soft surface-ripened cheese firmer, yellower, and having less surface mold than Camembert

pon·toon [pän-'tün] -n

  1. a flat-bottomed boat (as a lighter)
  2. a flat-bottomed boat or portable float used in building a floating temporary bridge
  3. a float esp. of a seaplane

pontoon -n

  1. blackjack

po·ny ['pō-nē] -n

  1. a small horse
  2. one of any of several breeds of very small stocky animals noted for their gentleness and endurance
  3. a bronco, mustang, or similar horse of the western U.S.
  4. racehorse usu. used in pl.
  5. : something smaller than standard: as
  6. a small beer glass
  7. a small liqueur glass typically holding one ounce
  8. a literal translation of a foreign language text
  9. one used surreptitiously by students in preparing or reciting lessons

pony express -n

  1. a rapid postal and express system that operated across the western U.S. in 186061 by relays of horses and riders

po·ny·tail ['pō-nē-,tāl] -n, adj

  1. a hairstyle in which the hair is pulled together and banded usu. at the back of the head so as to resemble a pony's tail

pony up -vb

  1. to pay (money) esp. in settlement of an account
  2. pay

Pon·zi scheme ['pän-zē-] -n

  1. an investment swindle in which some early investors are paid off with money put up by later ones in order to encourage more and bigger risks

pon·zu ['pän-(,)zü] -n

  1. a tangy sauce made with citrus juice, rice wine vinegar, and soy sauce and used esp. on seafood

pooch ['püch] -vb

  1. bulge
  2. dog

pood ['püd, 'püt] -n

  1. a Russian unit of weight equal to about 36.11 pounds (16.38 kilograms)

poo·dle ['pü-dᵊl] -n

  1. any of a breed of intelligent dogs that have a curly dense solid-colored coat and that are grouped into standard, miniature, and toy sizes which are often considered separate breeds
  2. a fabric with a nubby or coarsely looped surface that resembles a poodle's coat called also poodle cloth

poof ['püf, 'pu̇f] -interj

  1. used to express disdain or dismissal or to suggest instantaneous occurrence
  2. a male homosexual

poof·ter ['püf-tər, 'pu̇f-] -n

  1. poof

pooh ['pü, 'pu̇] -interj

  1. used to express contempt or disapproval

poohbah ['pü-,bä, -,bȯ] -n

  1. a person holding many public or private offices
  2. a person in high position or of great influence

poohpooh ['pü-(,)pü, pü-'] -vb

  1. to express contempt or impatience
  2. to express contempt for or make light of : play down, dismiss

pool ['pül] -n

  1. a small and rather deep body of usu. fresh water
  2. a quiet place in a stream
  3. a body of water forming above a dam
  4. something resembling a pool
    • a pool of light
  5. a small body of standing liquid
  6. a continuous area of porous sedimentary rock that yields petroleum or gas
  7. swimming pool
  8. to form a pool
  9. to accumulate or become static (as in the veins of a bodily part)
  10. an aggregate stake to which each player of a game has contributed
  11. all the money bet by a number of persons on a particular event
  12. a game played on an English billiard table in which each of the players stakes a sum and the winner takes all
  13. any of various games of billiards played on an oblong table having 6 pockets with usu. 15 object balls
  14. an aggregation of the interests or property of different persons made to further a joint undertaking by subjecting them to the same control and a common liability
  15. : a readily available supply: as
  16. the whole quantity of a particular material present in the body and available for function or the satisfying of metabolic demands
  17. a body product (as blood) collected from many donors and stored for later use
  18. a group of people available for some purpose
    • a shrinking pool of applicants
    • typing pool
  19. gene pool
  20. a group of journalists from usu. several news organizations using pooled resources (as television equipment) to produce shared coverage esp. of events to which access is restricted
  21. to combine (as resources) in a common pool or effort

pool·room ['pül-,rüm, -,ru̇m] -n

  1. a room in which bookmaking is carried on
  2. a room for the playing of pool

pool·side [-,sīd] -n

  1. the area surrounding a swimming pool

poolside -adv or adj

  1. at or near the side of a pool

poop ['püp] -n

  1. stern
  2. an enclosed superstructure at the stern of a ship above the main deck
  3. to break over the stern of
  4. to ship (a sea or wave) over the stern
  5. defecate
  6. feces
  7. to put out of breath
  8. to tire out
  9. to become exhausted
    • poop out
  10. information, scoop

poop deck -n

  1. a partial deck above a ship's main afterdeck

poop·erscoop·er ['pü-pər-,skü-pər] -n

  1. a device used for picking up the excrement of a pet (as a dog) for disposal

poor ['pu̇r, 'pȯr] -adj, n

  1. lacking material possessions
  2. of, relating to, or characterized by poverty
  3. less than adequate : meager
  4. small in worth
  5. exciting pity
    • you poor thing
  6. inferior in quality or value
  7. humble, unpretentious
  8. mean, petty
  9. lean, emaciated
  10. barren, unproductive used of land
  11. indifferent, unfavorable
  12. lacking a normal or adequate supply of something specified often used in combination
    • oil- poor countries

poor box -n

  1. a box (as in a church) for alms for the poor

poor boy ['pō-,bȯi] -n

(variant of po'boy)

  1. submarine

Poor Clare [-'kler] -n

  1. a member of an austere order of nuns founded by St. Clare under the direction of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy, in 1212

poor farm -n

  1. a farm maintained at public expense for the support and employment of needy persons

poor·house [-,hau̇s] -n

  1. a place maintained at public expense to house needy or dependent persons

poor law -n

  1. a law providing for or regulating the public relief or support of the poor

poor·ly ['pu̇r-lē, 'pȯr-] -adv

  1. in a poor condition or manner
  2. in an inferior or imperfect way : badly
    • sang poorly
  3. somewhat ill : indisposed

poormouth ['pu̇r-,mau̇th, 'pȯr-, -,mau̇th] -vi

  1. to plead poverty as a defense or excuse
  2. to speak disparagingly of

poor mouth -n

  1. an exaggerated claim of poverty

poorspir·it·ed [-'spir-ə-təd] -adj, adv, n

  1. lacking zest, confidence, or courage

poor white -n

  1. white trash

pop ['päp] -vb

  1. to strike or knock sharply : hit
  2. to push, put, or thrust suddenly and often deftly
    • pop s a grape into her mouth
    • popped in a CD
  3. to cause to explode or burst open
    • popped some popcorn
    • pop the trunk
  4. to fire at : shoot
  5. to take (pills) esp. frequently or habitually
  6. to open with a pop
    • pop a cold beer
  7. to go, come, or appear suddenly often used with up
    • images popping up on the screen
    • pop in for a visit
  8. to escape or break away from something (as a point of attachment) usu. suddenly or unexpectedly
  9. to make or burst with a sharp sound
    • a balloon popped
  10. to protrude from the sockets
    • eyes popping with amazement
  11. to shoot with a firearm
  12. to hit a pop fly often used with up or out
  13. a sharp explosive sound
  14. a shot from a gun
  15. soda pop
  16. pop fly
  17. power to hit a baseball hard
    • a hitter with some pop in his bat
  18. a drink or shot of alcohol
  19. like or with a pop : suddenly often used interjectionally
  20. father
  21. : popular
    • pop music
    : as
  22. of or relating to popular music
    • pop singer
  23. of or relating to the popular culture disseminated through the mass media
    • pop psychology
    • pop grammarians
    • pop society
  24. of or relating to pop art
    • pop painter
  25. having, using, or imitating themes or techniques characteristic of pop art
    • pop movie
  26. popular music
  27. pop art
  28. pop culture
  29. population

POP -abbr

  1. point of purchase

pop art -n

  1. art in which commonplace objects (as road signs, hamburgers, comic strips, or soup cans) are used as subject matter and are often physically incorporated in the work

pop·corn ['päp-,kȯrn] -n

  1. an Indian corn ( Zea mays praecox) whose kernels on exposure to heat burst open to form a white starchy mass
  2. the kernels esp. after popping

popcorn -adj

  1. having widespread appeal but usu. offering little artistic merit or intellectual stimulation
    • popcorn movies

pope ['pōp] -n

  1. a prelate who as bishop of Rome is the head of the Roman Catholic Church
  2. one that resembles a pope (as in authority)
  3. the Eastern Orthodox or Coptic patriarch of Alexandria
  4. a priest of an Eastern church

pop·ery ['pō-p(ə-)rē] -n

  1. roman catholicism

pop eye ['päp-,ī] -n, adj

  1. an eye staring and bulging (as from excitement)

pop fly -n

  1. a high fly ball in baseball

pop·gun ['päp-,gən] -n

  1. a toy gun that usu. shoots a cork and produces a popping sound

pop·in·jay ['pä-pən-,jā] -n

  1. a strutting supercilious person

pop·ish ['pō-pish] -adj

  1. roman catholic

pop·lar ['pä-plər] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Populus) of slender catkin-bearing quick-growing deciduous trees (as an aspen or cottonwood) of the willow family
  2. the wood of a poplar
  3. tulip tree

pop·lin ['pä-plən] -n

  1. a strong fabric in plain weave with crosswise ribs

pop·li·te·al [,pä-plə-'tē-əl also pä-'pli-tē-əl] -adj

  1. of or relating to the back part of the leg behind the knee joint

pop off -vi

  1. to die unexpectedly
  2. to leave suddenly
  3. to talk thoughtlessly and often loudly or angrily

popover ['päp-,ō-vər] -n

  1. a hollow quick bread shaped like a muffin and made from a thin batter of eggs, milk, and flour

poppa ['pä-pə, chiefly Brit pə-'pä] -n

(variant of papa)

  1. father

pop·per ['pä-pər] -n

  1. one that pops
  2. a utensil for popping corn
  3. a vial of amyl nitrite or butyl nitrite used illicitly as an inhalational aphrodisiac

pop·pet ['pä-pət] -n

  1. doll
  2. marionette
  3. dear
  4. an upright support or guide of a machine that is fastened at the bottom only
  5. a valve that rises perpendicularly to or from its seat

pop·pied ['pä-pēd] -adj

  1. growing or overgrown with poppies
  2. drowsy

pop·ple ['pä-pəl] -n

  1. poplar

popple -n

  1. a choppy sea

pop·py ['pä-pē] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Papaverof the family Papaveraceae, the poppy family) of chiefly annual or perennial herbs with milky juice, showy regular flowers, and capsular fruits including the opium poppy and several forms cultivated as ornamentals
  2. an extract or decoction of poppy used medicinally
  3. a strong reddish orange

pop·py·cock ['pä-pē-,käk] -n

  1. empty talk or writing : nonsense

pop·py·head [-,hed] -n

  1. a raised ornament often in the form of a finial generally used on the tops of the upright ends of seats in Gothic churches

poppy seed -n

  1. the seed of a poppy used chiefly as a topping or flavoring for baked goods

pop quiz -n

  1. an unscheduled or unannounced quiz

Pop·si·cle ['päp-,si-kəl, -sə-] -trademark

  1. used for flavored and colored water frozen on a stick

poptop ['päp-,täp] -n

  1. a closure that can be pulled by hand to open a can

pop·u·lace ['pä-pyə-ləs] -n

  1. the common people : masses
  2. population

pop·u·lar ['pä-pyə-lər] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to the general public
  2. : suitable to the majority: as
  3. adapted to or indicative of the understanding and taste of the majority
    • a popular history of the war
  4. suited to the means of the majority : inexpensive
    • sold at popular prices
  5. frequently encountered or widely accepted
    • a popular theory
  6. commonly liked or approved
    • a very popular girl

popular front -n

  1. a coalition esp. of leftist political parties against a common opponent
  2. one sponsored and dominated by Communists as a device for gaining power

pop·u·lar·ise ['pä-pyə-lə-,rīz] -vb, n

(variant of popularize)

  1. to cater to popular taste
  2. : to make popular: as
  3. to cause to be liked or esteemed
  4. to present in generally understandable or interesting form

pop·u·lar·i·ty [,pä-pyə-'la-rə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being popular

pop·u·lar·ize ['pä-pyə-lə-,rīz] -vb, n

  1. to cater to popular taste
  2. : to make popular: as
  3. to cause to be liked or esteemed
  4. to present in generally understandable or interesting form

popular sovereignty -n

  1. a doctrine in political theory that government is created by and subject to the will of the people
  2. a pre-Civil War doctrine asserting the right of the people living in a newly organized territory to decide by vote of their territorial legislature whether or not slavery would be permitted there

pop·u·late ['pä-pyə-,lāt] -vt

  1. to have a place in : occupy, inhabit
  2. to furnish or provide with inhabitants : people
  3. to provide with members

pop·u·la·tion [,pä-pyə-'lā-shən] -n, adj

  1. the whole number of people or inhabitants in a country or region
  2. the total of individuals occupying an area or making up a whole
  3. the total of particles at a particular energy level used esp. of atoms in a laser
  4. the act or process of populating
  5. a body of persons or individuals having a quality or characteristic in common
  6. the organisms inhabiting a particular locality
  7. a group of interbreeding organisms that represents the level of organization at which speciation begins
  8. a group of individual persons, objects, or items from which samples are taken for statistical measurement

population explosion -n

  1. a pyramiding of numbers of a biological population
  2. the recent great increase in human numbers resulting from increased survival and exponential population growth

pop·u·list ['pä-pyə-list] -n, adj

  1. a member of a political party claiming to represent the common people
  2. a member of a U.S. political party formed in 1891 primarily to represent agrarian interests and to advocate the free coinage of silver and government control of monopolies
  3. a believer in the rights, wisdom, or virtues of the common people

populist -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characterized by populism
  2. popular
  3. popular

pop·u·lous ['pä-pyə-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. densely populated
  2. having a large population
  3. numerous
  4. filled to capacity

popup ['päp-,əp] -n

  1. pop fly
  2. a component or device that pops up
  3. a pop-up book
  4. a pop-up window on a computer screen
  5. of, relating to, or having a component or device that pops up
    • a popup book
  6. appearing suddenly on a computer screen
    • a popup window

por -abbr

  1. portrait

por·bea·gle ['pȯr-,bē-gəl] -n

  1. a viviparous mackerel shark ( Lamna nasus) chiefly of the No. Atlantic and southwestern Pacific oceans with a pointed snout and crescent-shaped tail

por·ce·lain ['pȯr-s(ə-)lən] -n, adj

  1. a hard, fine-grained, sonorous, nonporous, and usu. translucent and white ceramic ware that consists essentially of kaolin, quartz, and a feldspathic rock and is fired at a high temperature called also hard-paste porcelain true porcelain
  2. soft-paste porcelain

porcelain enamel -n

  1. a fired-on opaque glassy coating on metal

por·ce·lain·ize ['pȯr-s(ə-)lə-,nīz] -vt

  1. to fire a glassy coating on (as steel)

porch ['pȯrch] -n

  1. a covered area adjoining an entrance to a building and usu. having a separate roof
  2. portico

por·cine ['pȯr-,sīn] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or suggesting swine : piggish

por·ci·ni [pȯr-'chē-(,)nē] -n

  1. a large wild edible brownish boletus mushroom ( Boletus edulis) called also cepe

por·ci·no [pȯr-'chē-(,)nō] -n

  1. porcini

por·cu·pine ['pȯr-kyə-,pīn] -n

  1. any of various relatively large slow-moving chiefly herbivorous rodents having sharp erectile spines mingled with the hair and constituting an Old World terrestrial family (Hystricidae) and a New World chiefly arboreal family (Erethizontidae)

porcupine fish -n

  1. any of several bony fishes (family Diodontidae) that have sharp spines covering the body and inflate themselves into a sphere when threatened
  2. a spotted chiefly tropical fish ( Diodon hystrix) that is olive to brown above with white below

pore ['pȯr] -vi

  1. to gaze intently
  2. to read or study attentively usu. used with over
  3. to reflect or meditate steadily
  4. a minute opening esp. in an animal or plant
  5. one by which matter passes through a membrane
  6. a small interstice (as in soil) admitting absorption or passage of liquid

pore fungus -n

  1. a fungus (family Boletaceae or Polyporaceae) having the spore-bearing surface within tubes or pores

por·gy ['pȯr-gē] -n

  1. a blue-spotted silvery-red food fish ( Pagrus pagrusof the family Sparidae) of the eastern and western Atlantic
  2. any of various fishes (as a scup) of the same family
  3. any of various bony fishes (as a menhaden) of families other than that of the porgy

pork ['pȯrk] -n

  1. the fresh or salted flesh of swine when dressed for food
  2. government funds, jobs, or favors distributed by politicians to gain political advantage

pork barrel -n

  1. government projects or appropriations yielding rich patronage benefits
  2. pork

pork belly -n

  1. an uncured side of pork

pork·er ['pȯr-kər] -n

  1. hog
  2. a young pig fattened for table use as fresh pork
  3. one resembling a fattened pig : fatty

pork·pie hat ['pȯrk-,pī-] -n

  1. a hat with a low telescoped crown, flat top, and flexible brim

porky ['pȯr-kē] -adj

  1. resembling a pig : fat

por·ky ['pȯr-kē] -n

  1. porcupine

porn ['pȯrn] -n

  1. pornography

por·nog·ra·pher [pȯr-'nä-grə-fər] -n

  1. one who produces pornography

por·nog·ra·phy [-fē] -n, adj, adv

  1. the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement
  2. material (as books or a photograph) that depicts erotic behavior and is intended to cause sexual excitement
  3. the depiction of acts in a sensational manner so as to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction
    • the pornography of violence

porny ['pȯr-ne] -adj

  1. of, relating to, involved in, or being pornography

po·ros·i·ty [pə-'rä-sə-tē, pȯ-] -n

  1. the quality or state of being porous
  2. the ratio of the volume of interstices of a material to the volume of its mass
  3. pore

po·rous ['pȯr-əs] -adj, adv, n

  1. possessing or full of pores
  2. containing vessels
    • hardwood is porous
  3. permeable to fluids
  4. permeable to outside influences
  5. capable of being penetrated
    • porous national boundaries

por·phyr·ia [pȯr-'fir-ē-ə] -n

  1. any of several usu. hereditary abnormalities of porphyrin metabolism characterized by excretion of excess porphyrins in the urine

por·phy·rin ['pȯr-fə-rən] -n

  1. any of various compounds with a macrocyclic structure that consists essentially of four pyrrole rings joined by four CH groups
  2. one (as chlorophyll or hemoglobin) containing a central metal atom and usu. exhibiting biological activity

por·phy·rit·ic [,pȯr-fə-'ri-tik] -adj

  1. of or relating to porphyry
  2. having distinct crystals (as of feldspar) in a relatively fine-grained base

por·phy·rop·sin [,pȯr-fə-'räp-sən] -n

  1. a purple pigment in the retinal rods of freshwater fishes that resembles rhodopsin

por·phy·ry ['pȯr-f(ə-)rē] -n

  1. a rock consisting of feldspar crystals embedded in a compact dark red or purple groundmass
  2. an igneous rock of porphyritic texture

por·poise ['pȯr-pəs] -n

  1. any of a family (Phocoenidae) of small gregarious toothed whales
  2. a blunt-snouted usu. largely black whale ( Phocoena phocoena) of the No. Atlantic and No. Pacific that is five to eight feet (1.5 to 2.4 meters) long
  3. dolphin

porpoise -vi

  1. to leap or plunge like a porpoise
    • penguins...porpoise out of the water -- David Lewis
  2. to rise and fall repeatedly

por·rect [pə-'rekt, pä-] -adj

  1. extended forward
    • porrect antennae

por·ridge ['pȯr-ij, 'pär-] -n, adj

  1. a soft food made by boiling meal of grains or legumes in milk or water until thick

por·rin·ger [-ən-jər] -n

  1. a low usu. metal bowl with a single and usu. flat and pierced handle

port ['pȯrt] -n

  1. a place where ships may ride secure from storms : haven
  2. a harbor town or city where ships may take on or discharge cargo
  3. airport
  4. port of entry
  5. gate
  6. an opening (as in a valve seat or valve face) for intake or exhaust of a fluid
  7. the area of opening in a cylinder face of a passageway for the working fluid in an engine
  8. such a passageway
  9. a small opening in a container or vessel esp. for viewing or for the controlled passage of material
    • access port
  10. an opening in a vessel's side (as for admitting light or loading cargo)
  11. the cover for a porthole
  12. a hole in an armored vehicle or fortification through which guns may be fired
  13. a hardware interface by which a computer is connected to another device (as a printer, a mouse, or another computer)
  14. jack
  15. the manner of bearing oneself
  16. state
  17. the position in which a military weapon is carried at the command port arms
  18. to turn or put (a helm) to the left used chiefly as a command
  19. the left side of a ship or aircraft looking forward called also larboard
  20. a sweet fortified wine of rich taste and aroma made in Portugal
  21. a similar wine made elsewhere
  22. to translate (software) into a version for another computer or operating system
  23. portable
  24. portrait

Port -abbr

  1. Portugal

portabella [,pȯr-tə-'be-(,)lō] -n

(variant of portobello)

  1. a large dark mature cultivated mushroom noted for its meaty texture that is of the same variety of button mushroom as the cremini

por·ta·bil·i·ty [,pȯr-tə-'bi-lə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being portable
  2. the transferability of a worker's benefits from one pension fund to another when the worker changes jobs

por·ta·ble ['pȯr-tə-bəl] -adj, adv

  1. capable of being carried or moved about
    • a portable TV
  2. characterized by portability
    • a portable pension
  3. usable on many computers with little or no modification
    • portable software
  4. bearable

portable -n

  1. something that is portable

por·tage ['pȯr-tij, 3 is also pȯr-'täzh] -n

  1. the labor of carrying or transporting
  2. the cost of carrying : porterage
  3. the carrying of boats or goods overland from one body of water to another or around an obstacle (as a rapids)
  4. the route followed in making such a transfer
  5. to carry over a portage
  6. to move gear over a portage

por·tal ['pȯr-tᵊl] -n

  1. door, entrance
  2. a grand or imposing one
  3. the whole architectural composition surrounding and including the doorways and porches of a church
  4. the approach or entrance to a bridge or tunnel
  5. a communicating part or area of an organism
  6. the point at which something (as a pathogen) enters the body
  7. a site serving as a guide or point of entry to the World Wide Web and usu. including a search engine or a collection of links to other sites arranged esp. by topic

portal -adj

  1. of or relating to the transverse fissure on the underside of the liver where most of the vessels enter
  2. of, relating to, or being a portal vein or a portal system
    • portal circulation

portal system -n

  1. a system of veins that begins and ends in capillaries

portaltoportal -adj

  1. of or relating to the time spent by a worker in traveling between the entrance to an employer's property and the worker's actual job site (as in a mine)
    • portaltoportal pay

portal vein -n

  1. a vein that collects blood from one part of the body and distributes it in another through capillaries
  2. a vein carrying blood from the digestive organs and spleen to the liver

por·ta·men·to [,pȯr-tə-'men-(,)tō] -n

  1. a continuous gliding movement from one tone to another (as by the voice)

port arms -n

  1. a position in the manual of arms in which the rifle is held diagonally in front of the body with the muzzle pointing upward to the left
  2. a command to assume this position

por·ta·tive ['pȯr-tə-tiv] -adj

  1. portable

port·cul·lis [pȯrt-'kə-ləs] -n

  1. a grating of iron hung over the gateway of a fortified place and lowered between grooves to prevent passage

port de bras [,pȯr-də-'brä] -n

  1. the technique and practice of arm movement in ballet

Port du Sa·lut [,pȯr-də-sə-'lü, -sa-; -səl-'yü, -sal-] -n

  1. a semisoft pressed ripened cheese of usu. mild flavor originated by Trappist monks in France

Porte ['pȯrt] -n

  1. the government of the Ottoman empire

porte co·chere [,pȯrt-kō-'sher] -n

  1. a passageway through a building or screen wall designed to let vehicles pass from the street to an interior courtyard
  2. a roofed structure extending from the entrance of a building over an adjacent driveway and sheltering those getting in or out of vehicles

por·tend [pȯr-'tend] -vt

  1. to give an omen or anticipatory sign of
  2. indicate, signify

por·tent ['pȯr-,tent] -n

  1. something that foreshadows a coming event : omen, sign
  2. prophetic indication or significance
  3. marvel, prodigy

por·ten·tous [pȯr-'ten-təs] -adj, adv, n

  1. of, relating to, or constituting a portent
    • suspense, portentous foreshadowing, hints of sinister and violent mysteries -- Francine Prose
  2. eliciting amazement or wonder : prodigious
  3. being a grave or serious matter
    • portentous decisions
  4. self-consciously solemn or important : pompous
    • portentous declamation unsalted by the least trace of humor -- W. H. Pritchard
  5. ponderously excessive
    • that discipline's overwrought, portentous phrases -- R. M. Coles

por·ter ['pȯr-tər] -n

  1. a person stationed at a door or gate to admit or assist those entering

porter -n

  1. a person who carries burdens
  2. one employed to carry baggage for patrons at a hotel or transportation terminal
  3. a parlor-car or sleeping-car attendant who waits on passengers and makes up berths
  4. a heavy dark brown beer brewed from browned or charred malt
  5. a person who does routine cleaning (as in a hospital or office)
  6. to transport or carry as or as if by a porter
  7. to act as a porter

por·ter·age [-tə-rij] -n

  1. a porter's work
  2. the charge for it

por·ter·house ['pȯr-tər-,hau̇s] -n

  1. a house where malt liquor (as porter) is sold
  2. a large steak cut from the thick end of the short loin to contain a T-shaped bone and a large piece of tenderloin

port·fo·lio [pȯrt-'fō-lē-,ō] -n

  1. a hinged cover or flexible case for carrying loose papers, pictures, or pamphlets
  2. the office and functions of a minister of state or member of a cabinet
  3. the securities held by an investor : the commercial paper held by a financial house (as a bank)
  4. a set of pictures (as drawings or photographs) usu. bound in book form or loose in a folder
  5. a selection of a student's work (as papers and tests) compiled over a period of time and used for assessing performance or progress

port·hole ['pȯrt-,hōl] -n

  1. an opening (as a window) with a cover or closure esp. in the side of a ship or aircraft
  2. a port through which to shoot
  3. port

Por·tia ['pȯr-shə] -n

  1. the heroine in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

por·ti·co ['pȯr-ti-,kō] -n

  1. a colonnade or covered ambulatory esp. in classical architecture and often at the entrance of a building

por·tiere [pȯr-'tyer, -'tir; 'pȯr-tē-ər] -n

  1. a curtain hanging across a doorway

por·tion ['pȯr-shən] -n

  1. : an individual's part or share of something: as
  2. a share received by gift or inheritance
  3. dowry
  4. enough food esp. of one kind to serve one person at one meal
  5. an individual's lot, fate, or fortune : one's share of good and evil
  6. an often limited part of a whole

portion [-sh(ə-)niŋ] -vt

  1. to divide into portions : distribute
    • portion ed out the food equally
  2. to allot a dowry to : dower

por·tion·less [-shən-ləs] -adj

  1. having no portion
  2. having no dowry or inheritance

port·land cement ['pȯrt-lən(d)-] -n

  1. a hydraulic cement made by finely pulverizing the clinker produced by calcining to incipient fusion a mixture of clay and limestone or similar materials

port·ly ['pȯrt-lē] -adj, n

  1. dignified, stately
  2. heavy or rotund of body : stout

port·man·teau [pȯrt-'man-(,)tō] -n

  1. a large suitcase
  2. a word or morpheme whose form and meaning are derived from a blending of two or more distinct forms (as smogfrom smokeand fog)

portmanteau -adj

  1. combining more than one use or quality
  2. being a portmanteau
    • a portmanteau word

por·to·bel·lo [,pȯr-tə-'be-(,)lō] -n

  1. a large dark mature cultivated mushroom noted for its meaty texture that is of the same variety of button mushroom as the cremini

port of call

  1. an intermediate port where ships customarily stop for supplies, repairs, or transshipment of cargo
  2. a stop included on an itinerary

port of entry

  1. a place where foreign goods may be cleared through a customhouse
  2. a place where an alien may be permitted to enter a country

por·trait ['pȯr-trət, -,trāt] -n

  1. picture
  2. a pictorial representation of a person usu. showing the face
  3. a sculptured figure : bust
  4. a graphic portrayal in words

portrait -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being a document having the vertical dimension longer than the horizontal dimension

por·trait·ist [-trə-tist, -,trā-] -n

  1. a maker of portraits

por·trai·ture ['pȯr-trə-,chu̇r, -chər, -,tyu̇r, -,tu̇r] -n

  1. the making of portraits : portrayal
  2. portrait

por·tray [pȯr-'trā, pər-] -vt, n

  1. to make a picture of : depict
  2. to describe in words
  3. to play the role of : enact

por·tray·al [-'trā(-ə)l] -n

  1. the act or process or an instance of portraying : representation
  2. portrait

por·tress ['pȯr-trəs] -n

  1. : a woman who is a porter: as
  2. a doorkeeper in a convent or apartment building
  3. charwoman

Port Roy·al·ist [pȯrt-'rȯi-ə-list] -n

  1. a member or adherent of a 17th century French Jansenist lay community noted for its logicians and educators

Port Sa·lut [,pȯr-sə-'lü, -sa-; -səl-'yü, -sal-] -n

  1. port du salut

Por·tu·guese ['pȯr-chə-,gēz, -,gēs; ,pȯr-chə-'] -n, adj

  1. a native or inhabitant of Portugal
  2. one who is of Portuguese descent
  3. the Romance language of Portugal and Brazil

Portuguese manofwar -n

  1. any of a genus ( Physaliaof the family Physaliidae) of large tropical and subtropical pelagic siphonophores having a crested bladderlike float which bears the colony comprised of three types of zooids on the lower surface with one of the three having nematocyst-equipped tentacles

Portuguese water dog -n

  1. any of a breed of medium-sized robust dogs that have a large broad head and curly or wavy coat and are strong swimmers

por·tu·laca [,pȯr-chə-'la-kə] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Portulaca) of chiefly tropical succulent herbs of the purslane family
  2. a widely cultivated So. American plant ( P. grandiflora) with showy flowers and small conical leaves

portwine stain ['pȯrt-'wīn-] -n

  1. a reddish-purple superficial hemangioma of the skin commonly occurring as a birthmark

pos -abbr

  1. position
  2. positive

POS -abbr

  1. point-of-service

po·sa·da [pə-'sä-də] -n

  1. an inn in Spanish-speaking countries

pose ['pōz] -vb

  1. to set forth or offer for attention or consideration
    • let me pose a question
  2. to come to attention as : present
    • smoking pose s a health risk
  3. to put or set in place
  4. to place (as a model) in a studied attitude
  5. to assume a posture or attitude usu. for artistic purposes
  6. to affect an attitude or character usu. to deceive or impress
    • posed as a doctor to gain access to the ward
  7. a sustained posture
  8. one assumed for artistic effect
  9. an attitude, role, or characteristic assumed for effect
  10. puzzle, baffle

Po·sei·don [pə-'sī-dᵊn] -n

  1. the Greek god of the sea

pos·er ['pō-zər] -n

  1. a puzzling or baffling question

poser -n

  1. a person who poses

po·seur [pō-'zər, 'pō-zər] -n

  1. a person who pretends to be what he or she is not : an affected or insincere person

posh ['päsh] -adj, adv, n

  1. elegant, fashionable
    • a posh restaurant
  2. typical of or intended for the upper classes : highfalutin
    • posh accents

pos·it ['pä-zət] -vt

  1. to dispose or set firmly : fix
  2. to assume or affirm the existence of : postulate
  3. to propose as an explanation : suggest

po·si·tion [pə-'zi-shən] -n

  1. : an act of placing or arranging: as
  2. the laying down of a proposition or thesis
  3. an arranging in order
  4. a point of view adopted and held to
    • made my position on the issue clear
  5. the point or area occupied by a physical object : location
    • took her position at the head of the line
  6. a certain arrangement of bodily parts
    • rose to a standing position
  7. a market commitment in securities or commodities
  8. the inventory of a market trader
  9. relative place, situation, or standing
    • is now in a position to make decisions on his own
  10. social or official rank or status
  11. an employment for which one has been hired : job
    • a position with a brokerage firm
  12. a situation that confers advantage or preference

position [pə-'zi-sh(ə-)niŋ] -vt

  1. to put in a certain position
    • position ed the chairs around the room
    • position ed the company in the global market

po·si·tion·al [pə-'zi-sh(ə-)nəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or fixed by position
    • positional astronomy
  2. involving little movement
    • positional warfare
  3. dependent on position or environment or context
    • the front-articulated k in ke key and the back-articulated k in kul cool are positional variants

positional notation -n

  1. a system of expressing numbers in which the digits are arranged in succession, the position of each digit has a place value, and the number is equal to the sum of the products of each digit by its place value

position effect -n

  1. a genetic effect in which the expression of a gene is influenced by its interaction with usu. adjacent genes and which is modified when the spatial relationships of the genes change (as by translocation)

position paper -n

  1. a detailed report that recommends a course of action on a particular issue

pos·i·tive ['pä-zə-tiv, 'päz-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. formally laid down or imposed : prescribed
    • positive laws
  2. expressed clearly or peremptorily
    • her answer was a positive no
  3. fully assured : confident
    • positive it was her book
  4. of, relating to, or constituting the degree of comparison that is expressed in English by the unmodified and uninflected form of an adjective or adverb and denotes no increase or diminution
  5. independent of changing circumstances : unconditioned
    • an insurance policy with positive coverage
  6. relating to or constituting a motion or device that is definite, unyielding, constant, or certain in its action
    • a positive system of levers
  7. incontestable
    • positive proof
  8. unqualified
    • a positive disgrace
  9. not fictitious : real
    • positive social tensions
  10. active and effective in social or economic function rather than merely maintaining peace and order
    • a positive government
  11. indicating, relating to, or characterized by affirmation, addition, inclusion, or presence rather than negation, withholding, or absence
    • took the positive approach and struck a new deal rather than canceling the contract
  12. having rendition of light and shade similar in tone to the tones of the original subject
    • a positive photographic image
  13. contributing toward or characterized by increase or progression
    • take some positive action
    • positive cash flow
  14. directed or moving toward a source of stimulation
    • a positive taxis
  15. real and numerically greater than zero
    • 2 is a positive integer
  16. being, relating to, or charged with electricity of which the proton is the elementary unit and which predominates in a glass body after being rubbed with silk
  17. having more protons than electrons
    • a positive ion
  18. having higher electric potential and constituting the part from which the current flows to the external circuit
    • the positive terminal of a discharging storage battery
  19. being an electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube
  20. marked by or indicating acceptance, approval, or affirmation
    • received a positive response
  21. affirming the presence esp. of a condition, substance, or organism suspected to be present
    • a positive test for blood
  22. having a test result indicating the presence esp. of a condition, substance, or organism
    • HIV positive
  23. converging light rays and forming a real inverted image
  24. having a good effect : favorable
    • a positive role model
  25. marked by optimism
    • the positive point of view

positive -n

  1. : something positive: as
  2. the positive degree of comparison in a language
  3. a positive form of an adjective or adverb
  4. something of which an affirmation can be made : reality
  5. a positive photograph or a print from a negative
  6. a positive result (as of a test)
  7. a test yielding such a result

positive definite -adj

  1. having a positive value for all values of the constituent variables
    • positive definite quadratic forms
  2. having the characteristic roots real and positive

positive feedback -n

  1. feedback that tends to magnify a process or increase its output

positive law -n

  1. law established or recognized by governmental authority

pos·i·tiv·ism ['pä-zə-ti-,vi-zəm, 'päz-ti-] -n, adj or n, adj, adv

  1. a theory that theology and metaphysics are earlier imperfect modes of knowledge and that positive knowledge is based on natural phenomena and their properties and relations as verified by the empirical sciences
  2. logical positivism
  3. the quality or state of being positive

pos·i·tiv·i·ty [,pä-zə-'ti-və-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being positive
  2. something that is positive

pos·i·tron ['pä-zə-,trän] -n

  1. a positively charged particle having the same mass and magnitude of charge as the electron and constituting the antiparticle of the electron called also antielectron

positronemission tomography -n

  1. tomography in which a cross-sectional image of regional metabolism is obtained by a usu. color-coded representation of the distribution of gamma radiation given off in the collision of electrons in cells with positrons emitted by radionuclides incorporated into metabolic substances that have been administered (as by injection)

pos·i·tro·ni·um [,pä-zə-'trō-nē-əm] -n

  1. a short-lived system that consists of a positron and an electron bound together and is suggestive of a hydrogen atom

po·so·le [pō-'sō-(,)lā] -n

  1. a thick soup chiefly of Mexico and the U.S. Southwest made with pork, hominy, garlic, and chili

poss -abbr

  1. possessive
  2. possible

pos·se ['pä-sē] -n

  1. a large group often with a common interest
  2. a body of persons summoned by a sheriff to assist in preserving the public peace usu. in an emergency
  3. a group of people temporarily organized to make a search (as for a lost child)
  4. entourage

pos·sess [pə-'zes also -'ses] -vt, n

  1. to have and hold as property : own
  2. to have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
  3. to take into one's possession
  4. to enter into and control firmly : dominate
    • was possess ed by demons
  5. to bring or cause to fall under the influence, possession, or control of some emotional or intellectual response or reaction
    • melancholy possess es her
  6. to instate as owner
  7. to make the owner or holder used in passive construction to indicate simple possession
    • possess ed of riches
    • possess ed of knowledge and experience

pos·sessed [-'ze-səd-lē, -'zest-lē also -'se-səd- or -'sest-] -adj, adv, n

  1. influenced or controlled by something (as an evil spirit, a passion, or an idea)
  2. mad, crazed
  3. urgently desirous to do or have something
  4. held as a possession
  5. self-possessed, calm

pos·ses·sion [-'ze-shən also -'se-] -n, adj

  1. the act of having or taking into control
  2. control or occupancy of property without regard to ownership
  3. ownership
  4. control of the ball or puck
  5. an instance of having such control (as in football)
    • scored on their first two possession s
  6. something owned, occupied, or controlled : property
  7. domination by something (as an evil spirit, a passion, or an idea)
  8. a psychological state in which an individual's normal personality is replaced by another
  9. self-possession

pos·ses·sive [pə-'ze-siv also -'se-] -adj, adv, n

  1. of, relating to, or constituting a word, a word group, or a grammatical case that denotes ownership or a relation analogous to ownership
  2. manifesting possession or the desire to own or dominate

possessive -n

  1. a possessive word or word group
  2. the possessive case
  3. a word in the possessive case

possessive adjective -n

  1. a pronominal adjective expressing possession

possessive pronoun -n

  1. a pronoun that derives from a personal pronoun and denotes possession and analogous relationships

pos·ses·so·ry [pə-'ze-sə-rē, -'zes-rē also -'se-sə-rē or -'ses-rē] -adj

  1. of, arising from, or having the nature of possession
    • possessory rights
  2. having possession
  3. characteristic of a possessor : possessive

pos·set ['pä-sət] -n

  1. a hot drink of sweetened and spiced milk curdled with ale or wine

pos·si·bil·i·ty [,pä-sə-'bi-lə-tē] -n

  1. the condition or fact of being possible
  2. one's utmost power, capacity, or ability
  3. something that is possible
  4. potential or prospective value usu. used in pl.
    • the house had great possibilities

pos·si·ble ['pä-sə-bəl] -adj

  1. being within the limits of ability, capacity, or realization
    • a possible but difficult task
  2. being what may be conceived, be done, or occur according to nature, custom, or manners
    • the best possible care
    • the worst possible circumstance
  3. being something that may or may not occur
    • a possible surprise visit
  4. being something that may or may not be true or actual
    • possible explanation
  5. having an indicated potential
    • a possible housing site

pos·si·bly [-blē] -adv

  1. in a possible manner : by any possibility
    • that's all she could possibly do
  2. by merest chance : perhaps
    • possibly he will recover
  3. it is possible or imaginable : conceivably
    • a political libel which may possibly damage me -- G. B. Shaw

posslq -abbr

  1. persons of the opposite sex sharing living quarters

pos·sum ['pä-səm] -n

  1. opossum

post ['pōst] -n

  1. a piece (as of timber or metal) fixed firmly in an upright position esp. as a stay or support : pillar, column
  2. a pole or stake set up to mark or indicate something
  3. a pole that marks the starting or finishing point of a horse race
  4. a metallic fitting attached to an electrical device (as a storage battery) for convenience in making connections
  5. goalpost
  6. a football passing play in which the receiver runs downfield before turning towards the middle of the field
  7. the metal stem of a pierced earring
  8. to publish, announce, or advertise by or as if by use of a placard
  9. to denounce by public notice
  10. to enter on a public listing
  11. to forbid (property) to trespassers under penalty of legal prosecution by notices placed along the boundaries
  12. score
    • post ed a 70 in the final round
  13. to affix to a usual place (as a wall) for public notices : placard
  14. to publish (as a message) in an online forum (as an electronic bulletin board)
  15. courier
  16. one of a series of stations for keeping horses for relays
  17. the distance between any two such consecutive stations : stage
  18. a nation's organization for handling mail
  19. the mail handled
  20. a single dispatch of mail
  21. letter
  22. post office
  23. postbox
  24. something (as a message) that is published online
  25. to travel with post-horses
  26. to ride or travel with haste : hurry
  27. to rise from the saddle and return to it in rhythm with a horse's trot
  28. to dispatch in haste
  29. mail
    • post a letter
  30. to transfer or carry from a book of original entry to a ledger
  31. to make transfer entries in
  32. to make familiar with a subject : inform
    • kept her post ed on the latest gossip
  33. with post-horses : express
  34. the place at which a soldier is stationed
  35. a sentry's beat or station
  36. a station or task to which one is assigned
  37. the place at which a body of troops is stationed : camp
  38. a local subdivision of a veterans' organization
  39. one of two bugle calls sounded (as in the British army) at tattoo
  40. an office or position to which a person is appointed
  41. an area on a basketball court that is located just outside the free throw lane usu. near the basket
  42. the offensive position of a player occupying the post
  43. trading post, settlement
  44. a trading station on the floor of a stock exchange
  45. to station in a given place
    • guards were post ed at the doors
  46. to carry ceremoniously to a position
    • post ing the colors
  47. to assign to a unit, position, or location (as in the military or civil service)
  48. to put up (as bond)

post- -prefix

  1. after : subsequent : later
    • post date
  2. behind : posterior : following after
    • post lude
    • post consonantal
  3. subsequent to : later than
    • post operative
  4. posterior to
    • post orbital

post·age ['pōs-tij] -n

  1. the fee for postal service
  2. adhesive stamps or printed indicia representing postal fees

postagedue stamp -n

  1. a special adhesive stamp that is applied by a post office to mail bearing insufficient postage

postage meter -n

  1. a machine that prints postal indicia on pieces of mail, records the amount of postage, and subtracts it from a total paid amount for which the machine has been set

postagestamp -adj

  1. suggesting a postage stamp in size : very small
    • postagestamp yards

postage stamp -n

  1. a government adhesive stamp or imprinted stamp for use on mail as evidence of prepayment of postage

post·al ['pōs-tᵊl] -adj

  1. of or relating to the mails or the post office
  2. conducted by mail
    • postal chess
  3. insanely or murderously violent usu. used in the phrase go postal

postal card -n

  1. a card officially stamped and issued by the government for use in the mail
  2. postcard

postal order -n

  1. money order

postal service -n

  1. post office

postal union -n

  1. an association of governments that sets up uniform regulations and practices for international mail

post·ax·i·al [,pōst-'ak-sē-əl] -adj

  1. of or relating to the ulnar side of the vertebrate forelimb or the fibular side of the hind limb
  2. of or relating to the side of an animal or side of one of its limbs that is posterior to the axis of its body or limbs

post·bag ['pōs(t)-,bag] -n

  1. mailbag
  2. a single batch of mail : letters

post·bel·lum [,pōs(t)-'be-ləm] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the period following a war and esp. following the American Civil War

post·box ['pōs(t)-,bäks] -n

  1. mailbox
  2. a public mailbox

post·boy [-,bȯi] -n

  1. postilion

post·card ['pōs(t)-,kärd] -n, adj

  1. postal card
  2. a card on which a message may be written for mailing without an envelope and to which the sender must affix a stamp

postcard -adj

  1. picturesque, picture-postcard
    • a postcard village

post·ca·va [,pōs(t)-'kā-və] -n, adj

  1. the inferior vena cava of vertebrates higher than fishes

post chaise -n

  1. a carriage usu. having a closed body on four wheels and seating two to four persons

post·clas·si·cal [,pōs(t)-'kla-si-kəl] -adj

  1. of or relating to a period (as in art, literature, or civilization) following a classical one

post·code ['pōs(t)-,kōd] -n

  1. a code (as of numbers and letters) used similarly to the zip code esp. in the United Kingdom and Australia

postcom·mu·nion [,pōs(t)-kə-'myü-nyən] -n

  1. a liturgically variable prayer following the communion at Eucharist

post·con·sum·er [-kən-'sü-mər] -adj

  1. discarded by an end consumer
    • postconsumer waste
  2. having been used and recycled for reuse in another consumer product
    • postconsumer plastics

post·cra·ni·al [-'krā-nē-əl] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to the part of the body caudal to the head
    • postcranial skeleton

post·date [,pōs(t)-'dāt, 'pōs(t)-,] -vt

  1. to date with a date later than that of execution
    • postdate a check
  2. to assign (an event) to a date subsequent to that of actual occurrence
  3. to follow in time

post·di·lu·vi·an [,pōs(t)-də-'lü-vē-ən, -dī-] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to the period after the flood described in the Bible

post·doc ['pōs(t)-,däk] -n

  1. one engaged in postdoctoral study or research

postdoc -adj

  1. postdoctoral

post·doc·tor·al [,pōs(t)-'däk-t(ə-)rəl, 'pōst-,] -adj

  1. : being beyond the doctoral level:
  2. of or relating to advanced academic or professional work beyond a doctor's degree
    • a postdoctoral fellowship
  3. engaged in such work
    • postdoctoral scholars

post·emer·gence [,pōst-i-'mər-jən(t)s] -adj

  1. used or occurring in the stage between the emergence of a seedling and the maturity of a crop plant
    • postemergence herbicides
    • postemergence development

post·er ['pōs-tər] -n

  1. a swift traveler

poster -n

  1. a bill or placard for posting often in a public place
  2. one that is decorative or pictorial

poster boy -n

  1. a male poster child

poster child -n

  1. a child who has a disease and is pictured in posters to solicit funds for combating the disease
  2. a person having a public image that is identified with something (as a cause)

poster color -n

  1. an opaque watercolor paint with a gum- or glue-size binder sold usu. in jars called also poster paint

poste res·tante [,pōst-,res-'tänt] -n

  1. general delivery

poster girl -n

  1. a female poster child

pos·te·ri·or [pō-'stir-ē-ər, pä-] -adj, adv

  1. later in time : subsequent
  2. : situated behind: as
  3. caudal
  4. dorsal
  5. adaxial, superior
  6. the hinder parts of the body
  7. buttocks

posterior cruciate ligament -n

  1. a cruciate ligament of each knee that attaches the back of the tibia with the front of the femur and functions esp. to limit the backward motion of the tibia

pos·te·ri·or·i·ty [(,)pō-,stir-ē-'ȯr-ə-tē, (,)pä-, -'är-] -n

  1. the quality or state of being later or subsequent

pos·ter·i·ty [pä-'ster-ə-tē] -n

  1. the offspring of one progenitor to the furthest generation
  2. all future generations

pos·tern ['pōs-tərn, 'päs-] -n, adj

  1. a back door or gate
  2. a private or side entrance or way

pos·tero·lat·er·al [,päs-tə-rō-'la-t(ə-)rəl] -adj

  1. posterior and lateral in position or direction

poster session -n

  1. a presentation of information on a series of posters that may include drawings, photographs, charts, graphs, and textual data relating to a specific subject

post exchange -n

  1. a store at a military installation that sells merchandise and services to military personnel and authorized civilians

post·ex·il·ic [,pōst-(,)eg-'zi-lik] -adj

  1. of or relating to the period of Jewish history between the end of the exile in Babylon in 538 b.c.and a.d.1

post·face ['pōs(t)-fəs, -,fās; pȯs-'fäs] -n

  1. a brief article or note (as of explanation) placed at the end of a publication

post·fem·i·nist [,pōst-'fe-mə-nist] -adj

  1. of, relating to, occurring in, or being the period following widespread advocacy and acceptance of feminism

post·fix ['pōs(t)-,fiks] -adj

  1. characterized by placement of an operator after its operand or after its two operands if it is a binary operator

postfix notation -n

  1. reverse polish notation

postfree ['pōs(t)-'frē] -adj

  1. postpaid

post·gan·gli·on·ic [,pōs(t)-,gaŋ-glē-'ä-nik] -adj

  1. distal to a ganglion
  2. of, relating to, or being an axon arising from a cell body within an autonomic ganglion

post·grad ['pōs(t)-,grad] -adj, n

  1. postgraduate

post·grad·u·ate [,pōs(t)-'gra-jə-wət, -,wāt, -'graj-wət] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or engaged in formal studies after graduation : graduate

postgraduate -n

  1. a student continuing formal education after graduation from high school or college

post·haste ['pōst-'hāst] -n

  1. great haste

posthaste -adv

  1. with all possible speed
  2. speedy, immediate
    • requires your...posthaste appearance -- Shak.

post hoc ['pōst-'häk] -adj

  1. relating to or being the fallacy of arguing from temporal sequence to a causal relation
  2. formulated after the fact
    • a post hoc rationalization

post·hole ['pōst-,hōl] -n

  1. a hole dug for a post

post horn -n

  1. a simple straight or coiled brass or copper small wind instrument with cupped mouthpiece used esp. by guards of mail coaches of the 18th and 19th centuries

posthorse ['pōst-,hȯrs] -n

  1. a horse for use esp. by couriers or mail carriers

post·hu·mous ['päs-chə-məs also -tə-, -tyə-, -thə-; päst-'hyü-məs, 'pōst-, -'yü-] -adj, adv, n

  1. born after the death of the father
  2. published after the death of the author
  3. following or occurring after death
    • posthumous fame

post·hyp·not·ic [,pōst-hip-'nä-tik, -ip-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the period following a hypnotic trance

pos·tiche [pȯs-'tēsh] -n

  1. wig
  2. toupee

pos·tie ['pōs-tē] -n

  1. letter carrier

pos·til·ion [pō-'stil-yən, pə-] -n

  1. one who rides as a guide on the near horse of one of the pairs attached to a coach or post chaise esp. without a coachman

Post·im·pres·sion·ism [,pōst-im-'pre-shə-,ni-zəm] -n, adj or n, adj

  1. a theory or practice of art originating in France in the last quarter of the 19th century that in revolt against impressionism stresses variously volume, picture structure, or expressionism

post·ing ['pōs-tiŋ] -n

  1. the act of transferring an entry or item from a book of original entry to the proper account in a ledger
  2. the record in a ledger account resulting from the transfer of an entry or item from a book of original entry

posting -n

  1. appointment to a post or a command
  2. 3 post

postKant·ian [,pōs(t)-'kan-tē-ən, -'kän-] -adj

  1. of or relating to the idealist philosophers (as Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel) following Kant and developing some of his ideas

post·lap·sar·i·an [-,lap-'ser-ē-ən] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the time or state after the fall of humankind described in the Bible

post·lit·er·ate [-'li-tə-rət also -'li-trət] -adj

  1. relating to or occurring after the introduction of the electronic media

post·lude ['pōst-,lüd] -n

  1. a closing piece of music
  2. an organ voluntary at the end of a church service
  3. a closing phase (as of an epoch or a literary work)

post·man ['pōs(t)-mən, -,man] -n

  1. mailman

post·mark [-,märk] -n

  1. an official postal marking on a piece of mail
  2. a mark showing the post office and date of mailing

postmark -vt

  1. to put a postmark on

post·mas·ter [-,mas-tər] -n

  1. one who has charge of a post office
  2. one who has charge of a station for the accommodation of travelers or who supplies post-horses

postmaster general -n

  1. an official in charge of a national post office department or agency

post·men·o·paus·al [,pōs(t)-,me-nə-'pȯ-zəl, -,mē-] -adj, adv, n

  1. having undergone menopause
  2. occurring or administered after menopause

post me·ri·di·em [-mə-'ri-dē-əm, -,em] -adj

  1. being after noon abbr. PM

post·mil·le·nar·i·an·ism [-,mi-lə-'ner-ē-ə-,ni-zəm] -n, adj or n

  1. postmillennialism

post·mil·len·ni·al [-mə-'le-nē-əl] -adj

  1. coming after or relating to the period after the millennium
  2. holding or relating to postmillennialism

post·mil·len·ni·al·ism [-ə-,li-zəm] -n

  1. the theological doctrine that the second coming of Christ will occur after the millennium

post·mis·tress ['pōs(t)-,mis-trəs] -n

  1. a woman who is a postmaster

post·mod·ern [,pōs(t)-'mä-dərn, ÷-'mä-d(ə-)rən] -adj, n, adj or n

  1. of, relating to, or being an era after a modern one
    • postmodern times
    • a postmodern metropolis
  2. of, relating to, or being any of various movements in reaction to modernism that are typically characterized by a return to traditional materials and forms (as in architecture) or by ironic self-reference and absurdity (as in literature)
  3. of, relating to, or being a theory that involves a radical reappraisal of modern assumptions about culture, identity, history, or language
    • postmodern feminism

post·mor·tem [,pōs(t)-'mȯr-təm] -adj

  1. done, occurring, or collected after death
    • postmortem tissue specimens
  2. following the event

postmortem -n

  1. autopsy
  2. an analysis or discussion of an event after it is over

postmortem examination -n

  1. autopsy

post·na·sal drip ['pōst-,nā-zəl-] -n

  1. flow of mucous secretion from the posterior part of the nasal cavity onto the wall of the pharynx occurring usu. as a chronic accompaniment of an allergic state

post·na·tal [,pōs(t)-'nā-tᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. occurring or being after birth
  2. of or relating to an infant immediately after birth
    • postnatal care

post·nup·tial [-'nəp-shəl, -chəl, ÷-chə-wəl] -adj

  1. made or occurring after marriage or mating

post oak -n

  1. a white oak ( Quercus stellata) of the eastern and central U.S. having hard durable wood

post office -n

  1. a government department or agency handling the transmission of mail
  2. a local branch of a national post office handling the mail for a particular place or area
  3. a game in which a player acting as postmaster or postmistress may exact a kiss from one of the opposite sex as payment for the pretended delivery of a letter

postop ['pōst-'äp] -adj, adv

  1. postoperative

post·op·er·a·tive [,pōst-'ä-p(ə-)rə-tiv, -pə-,rā-] -adj, adv

  1. following a surgical operation
    • postoperative care
  2. having recently undergone a surgical operation
    • a postoperative patient

post·or·bit·al [-'ȯr-bə-tᵊl] -adj

  1. situated behind the eye socket

post·paid ['pōs(t)-'pād] -adj

  1. having the postage paid by the sender and not chargeable to the receiver

post·par·tum [,pōs(t)-'pär-təm] -adj, adv

  1. occurring in or being the period following parturition
    • postpartum depression
  2. being in or used in the postpartum period
    • postpartum mothers

postpolio syndrome -n

  1. a condition that affects former poliomyelitis patients long after recovery from the disease and that is characterized by muscle weakness, joint and muscle pain, and fatigue

post·pone [(,)pōs(t)-'pōn] -vt, adj, n

  1. to put off to a later time : defer
  2. to place later (as in a sentence) than the normal position in English
    • postpone an adjective
  3. to place later in order of precedence, preference, or importance

post·po·si·tion [,pōs(t)-pə-'zi-shən, 'pōs(t)-pə-,] -n, adj, adv

  1. the placing of a grammatical element after a word to which it is primarily related in a sentence
  2. such a word or particle esp. when functioning as a preposition

post·pos·i·tive [-'pä-zə-tiv, -'päz-tiv] -adj, adv

  1. placed after or at the end of another word

post·pran·di·al [pōs(t)-'pran-dē-əl] -adj, adv

  1. occurring after a meal

post·pro·duc·tion [,pōs(t)-prə-'dək-shən, 'pōs(t)-prə-,, -prō-] -n

  1. the period following filming or taping in which a motion picture or television show is readied for public presentation

post road -n

  1. a route over which mail is carried

post·script ['pōs(t)-,skript] -n

  1. a note or series of notes appended to a completed letter, article, or book

poststruc·tur·al·ism [,pōs(t)-'strək-chə-rə-,li-zəm, -'strək-shrə-] -n, adj or n

  1. a movement or theory (as deconstruction) that views the descriptive premise of structuralism as contradicted by reliance on borrowed concepts or differential terms and categories and sees inquiry as inevitably shaped by discursive and interpretive practices

post·sur·gi·cal [,pōs(t)-'sər-ji-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. postoperative

post·syn·ap·tic [,pōs(t)-sə-'nap-tik] -adj, adv

  1. occurring after synapsis
    • a postsynaptic chromosome
  2. of, occurring in, or being a nerve cell by which a wave of excitation is conveyed away from a synapse
    • a postsynaptic membrane

post·ten·sion [-'ten(t)-shən] -vt

  1. to apply tension to (reinforcing steel) after concrete has set

post·test ['pōs(t)-,test] -n

  1. a test given to students after completion of an instructional program or segment and often used in conjunction with a pretest to measure their achievement and the effectiveness of the program

post time -n

  1. the designated starting time of a horse race

post·tran·scrip·tion·al [,pōs(t)-tran(t)-'skrip-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -adj

  1. occurring, acting, or existing after genetic transcription

post·trans·fu·sion [-tran(t)s-'fyü-zhən] -adj

  1. caused by transfused blood
  2. occurring after blood transfusion
    • posttransfusion shock

post·trans·la·tion·al [-tran(t)s-'lā-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -adj

  1. occurring or existing after genetic translation

posttraumatic stress disorder -n

  1. a psychological reaction occurring after experiencing a highly stressing event (as wartime combat, physical violence, or a natural disaster) that is usu. characterized by depression, anxiety, flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the event abbr. PTSD called also post-traumatic stress syndrome

pos·tu·lan·cy ['päs-chə-lən(t)-sē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being a postulant
  2. the period during which a person remains a postulant

pos·tu·lant ['päs-chə-lənt] -n

  1. a person admitted to a religious order as a probationary candidate for membership
  2. a person on probation before being admitted as a candidate for holy orders in the Episcopal Church

pos·tu·late ['päs-chə-,lāt] -vt, n, adj

  1. demand, claim
  2. to assume or claim as true, existent, or necessary : depend upon or start from the postulate of
  3. to assume as a postulate or axiom (as in logic or mathematics)
  4. a hypothesis advanced as an essential presupposition, condition, or premise of a train of reasoning
  5. axiom

pos·tu·la·tor [-,lā-tər] -n

  1. an official who presents a plea for beatification or canonization in the Roman Catholic Church

post up -vi

  1. to take up a position against a defender in the post in basketball while standing with one's back to the basket
  2. to post up against (a defender) in basketball

pos·tur·al ['päs-chə-rəl] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or involving posture
  2. orthostatic

pos·ture ['päs-chər] -n

  1. the position or bearing of the body whether characteristic or assumed for a special purpose
    • erect posture
  2. the pose of a model or artistic figure
  3. state or condition at a given time esp. with respect to capability in particular circumstances
    • maintain a competitive posture in the market
  4. a conscious mental or outward behavioral attitude

posture [-chər-ər] -vb, n

  1. to cause to assume a given posture : pose
  2. to assume a posture
  3. to strike a pose for effect
  4. to assume an artificial or pretended attitude : attitudinize

post·vo·cal·ic [,pōs(t)-vō-'ka-lik, -və-] -adj

  1. immediately following a vowel

post·war ['pōs(t)-,wär] -adj

  1. occurring or existing after a war
  2. occurring or existing after World War II

po·sy ['pō-zē] -n

  1. a brief sentiment, motto, or legend
  2. bouquet, nosegay
  3. flower

pot ['pät] -n

  1. a usu. rounded metal or earthen container used chiefly for domestic purposes (as in cooking or for holding liquids or growing plants)
  2. any of various technical or industrial vessels or enclosures resembling or likened to a household pot
    • the pot of a still
  3. potful
    • a pot of coffee
  4. an enclosed framework of wire, wood, or wicker for catching fish or lobsters
  5. a large amount (as of money)
  6. the total of the bets at stake at one time
  7. one round in a poker game
  8. the common fund of a group
  9. potshot
  10. potbelly
  11. ruin
    • gone to pot
  12. a shot in snooker in which a ball is pocketed
  13. : a vessel for urination and defecation: as
  14. toilet
  15. potty
  16. to place in a pot
  17. to pack or preserve (as cooked and chopped meat) in a sealed pot, jar, or can often with aspic
  18. to shoot with a potshot
  19. to make or shape (earthenware) as a potter
  20. to embed (as electronic components) in a container with an insulating or protective material (as plastic)
  21. to take a potshot
  22. marijuana
  23. potential
  24. potentiometer

po·ta·ble ['pō-tə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. suitable for drinking

potable -n

  1. a liquid that is suitable for drinking
  2. an alcoholic beverage

po·tage [pȯ-'täzh] -n

  1. a thick soup

pot ale -n

  1. the residue of fermented wort left in a still after the distillation of whiskey or alcohol and used for animal feed

pot·ash ['pät-,ash] -n

  1. potassium carbonate esp. from wood ashes
  2. potassium or a potassium compound esp. as used in agriculture or industry

po·tas·sic [pə-'ta-sik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or containing potassium

po·tas·si·um [pə-'ta-sē-əm] -n

  1. a silver-white soft light low-melting monovalent metallic element of the alkali metal group that occurs abundantly in nature esp. combined in minerals

potassiumargon -adj

  1. being or relating to a method of dating paleontological or geological materials based on the radioactive decay of potassium to argon that has taken place in a specimen

potassium bromide -n

  1. a crystalline salt KBr with a saline taste that is used esp. as a sedative and in photography

potassium carbonate -n

  1. a white salt K 2CO 3that forms a strongly alkaline solution and is used in making glass and soap

potassium chlorate -n

  1. a crystalline salt KClO 3that is used as an oxidizing agent in matches, fireworks, and explosives

potassium chloride -n

  1. a crystalline salt KCl occurring as a mineral and in natural waters and used esp. as a fertilizer

potassium cyanide -n

  1. a very poisonous crystalline salt KCN used esp. in gold and silver extraction from ore

potassium dichromate -n

  1. a soluble salt K 2Cr 2O 7forming large orange-red crystals used esp. in dyeing, in photography, and as an oxidizing agent

potassium hydroxide -n

  1. a white deliquescent solid KOH that dissolves in water with much heat to form a strongly alkaline and caustic liquid and is used chiefly in making soap and as a reagent

potassium nitrate -n

  1. a crystalline salt KNO 3that occurs as a product of nitrification in arable soils, is a strong oxidizer, and is used esp. in making gunpowder, as a fertilizer, and in medicine

potassium permanganate -n

  1. a dark purple salt KMnO 4used as an oxidizer and disinfectant

potassium sorbate -n

  1. a potassium salt C 6H 7KO 2of sorbic acid used esp. as a food preservative

potassium sulfate -n

  1. a white crystalline compound K 2SO 4used esp. as a fertilizer

po·ta·tion [pō-'tā-shən] -n

  1. a usu. alcoholic drink or brew
  2. the act or an instance of drinking or inhaling
  3. the portion taken in one such act

po·ta·to [pə-'tā-(,)tō, -tə, dial pə-'dā-, bə-] -n

  1. sweet potato
  2. an erect So. American herb ( Solanum tuberosum) of the nightshade family widely cultivated for its edible starchy tuber
  3. the tuber of a potato called also Irish potato spud white potato

potato beetle -n

  1. colorado potato beetle

potato blight -n

  1. any of several destructive fungus diseases of the potato

potato bug -n

  1. colorado potato beetle

potato chip -n

  1. a thin slice of white potato that has been cooked until crisp and then usu. salted

potato leafhopper -n

  1. a small green white-spotted leafhopper ( Empoasca fabae) esp. of the eastern and southern U.S. that is a serious pest on many cultivated plants and esp. on the potato

potato pancake -n

  1. a fried flat cake of grated potato mixed with raw egg and usu. grated onion and spices

potato tu·ber·worm [-'tü-bər-,wərm, -'tyü-] -n

  1. a grayish-brown moth ( Phthorimaea operculella) whose larva mines the leaves and bores in the stems and tubers of the potato plant and often attacks other solanaceous plants (as tobacco and tomato)

potaufeu [,pät-ō-'fə(r), pȯ-tō-'fœ] -n

  1. a French boiled dinner of meat and vegetables

pot·bel·lied ['pät-,be-lēd] -adj

  1. having a potbelly

potbellied pig -n

  1. any of a breed of small pigs originating in southeastern Asia and having a straight tail, potbelly, swayback, and black, white, or black and white coat

potbellied stove -n

  1. a stove with a rounded or bulging body called also potbelly stove

pot·bel·ly ['pät-,be-lē] -n

  1. an enlarged, swollen, or protruding abdomen
  2. potbellied stove

pot·boil [-,bȯi(-ə)l] -vi

  1. to produce potboilers

pot·boil·er [-,bȯi-lər] -n

  1. a usu. inferior work (as of art or literature) produced chiefly for profit

potbound ['pät-,bau̇nd] -adj

  1. having roots so densely matted as to allow little or no space for further growth

pot·boy [-,bȯi] -n

  1. a boy who serves drinks in a tavern

pot cheese -n

  1. cottage cheese

po·teen [pə-'tēn, -'chēn, -'tyēn, -'thēn] -n

  1. whiskey illicitly distilled in Ireland

Po·tem·kin village [pə-'tem(p)-kən-] -n

  1. an impressive facade or show designed to hide an undesirable fact or condition

po·tence ['pō-tᵊn(t)s] -n

  1. potency

po·ten·cy ['pō-tᵊn(t)-sē] -n

  1. force, power
  2. the quality or state of being potent
  3. the ability or capacity to achieve or bring about a particular result
  4. potentiality

po·tent ['pō-tᵊnt] -adj, adv

  1. having or wielding force, authority, or influence : powerful
  2. achieving or bringing about a particular result : effective
  3. chemically or medicinally effective
    • a potent vaccine
  4. rich in a characteristic constituent
    • a potent drink
  5. able to copulate usu. used of the male

potent -adj

  1. having flat bars across the ends of the arms

po·ten·tate ['pō-tᵊn-,tāt] -n

  1. ruler, sovereign
  2. one who wields great power or sway

po·ten·tial [pə-'ten(t)-shəl] -adj, adv

  1. existing in possibility : capable of development into actuality
    • potential benefits
  2. expressing possibility
  3. of, relating to, or constituting a verb phrase expressing possibility, liberty, or power by the use of an auxiliary with the infinitive of the verb (as in it may rain)

potential -n

  1. something that can develop or become actual
    • a potential for violence
  2. promise
  3. any of various functions from which the intensity or the velocity at any point in a field may be readily calculated
  4. the work required to move a unit positive charge from a reference point (as at infinity) to a point in question
  5. potential difference

potential difference -n

  1. the difference in potential between two points that represents the work involved or the energy released in the transfer of a unit quantity of electricity from one point to the other

potential energy -n

  1. the energy that a piece of matter has because of its position or nature or because of the arrangement of parts

po·ten·ti·al·i·ty [pə-,ten(t)-shē-'a-lə-tē] -n

  1. the ability to develop or come into existence
  2. potential

po·ten·ti·ate [pə-'ten(t)-shē-,āt] -vt, n

  1. to make effective or active or more effective or more active
  2. to augment the activity of (as a drug) synergistically

po·ten·til·la [,pō-tᵊn-'ti-lə] -n

  1. cinquefoil

po·ten·ti·om·e·ter [pə-,ten(t)-shē-'ä-mə-tər] -n, adj

  1. an instrument for measuring electromotive forces
  2. voltage divider

pot·ful ['pät-,fu̇l] -n

  1. as much or as many as a pot will hold
  2. a large amount
    • makes a potful of money -- John Corry

pot hat -n

  1. a hat with a stiff crown
  2. derby

pot·head ['pät-,hed] -n

  1. a person who frequently smokes marijuana

poth·er ['pä-thər] -n

  1. confused or fidgety flurry or activity : commotion
  2. agitated talk or controversy usu. over a trivial matter
  3. a choking cloud of dust or smoke
  4. mental turmoil

pother ['pä-thə-riŋ, 'päth-riŋ] -vb

  1. to put into a pother
  2. to be in a pother

pot·herb ['pät-,ərb, -,hərb] -n

  1. a usu. leafy herb that is cooked for use as greens
  2. one (as mint) used to season food

pot holder -n

  1. a small cloth pad used for handling hot cooking utensils or containers

pot·hole ['pät-,hōl] -n, adj

  1. a circular hole formed in the rocky bed of a river by the grinding action of stones or gravel whirled round by the water
  2. a sizable rounded often water-filled depression in land
  3. a pot-shaped hole in a road surface
  4. a usu. minor difficulty or setback
    • hit a pothole in her comeback attempt

pot·hook [-,hu̇k] -n

  1. an S-shaped hook for hanging pots and kettles over an open fire
  2. a written character resembling a pothook

po·thos ['pō-,thäs] -n

  1. a southeast Asian climbing plant ( Epipremnum aureumsyn. Scindapsus aureus) of the arum family widely grown esp. as a houseplant for its leathery or waxy heart-shaped green leaves that are spotted or streaked with golden yellow or white

pot·house [-,hau̇s] -n

  1. tavern

pot·hunt·er [-,hən-tər] -n

  1. one who hunts game for food
  2. an amateur archaeologist

po·tion ['pō-shən] -n

  1. a mixture of liquids (as liquor or medicine)

pot·latch ['pät-,lach] -n

  1. a ceremonial feast of the American Indians of the northwest coast marked by the host's lavish distribution of gifts or sometimes destruction of property to demonstrate wealth and generosity with the expectation of eventual reciprocation
  2. a social event or celebration

potlatch -vt

  1. to give (as a gift) esp. with the expectation of a gift in return
  2. to hold or give a potlatch for (as a tribe or group)
  3. to hold or give a potlatch

pot lik·ker -n

(variant of pot liquor)

  1. the liquid left in a pot after cooking something

pot·line ['pät-,līn] -n

  1. a row of electrolytic cells used in the production of aluminum

pot liquor -n

  1. the liquid left in a pot after cooking something

pot·luck ['pät-'lək, 1b also -,lək] -n

  1. the regular meal available to a guest for whom no special preparations have been made
  2. a communal meal to which people bring food to share usu. used attributively
    • a potluck supper
  3. whatever is offered or available in given circumstances or at a given time

pot marigold -n

  1. a calendula ( Calendula officinalis) grown esp. for ornament

po·tom·e·ter [pō-'tä-mə-tər] -n

  1. an apparatus for measuring the rate of transpiration in a plant by determining the amount of water absorbed

pot·pie ['pät-'pī, -,pī] -n

  1. pastry-covered meat and vegetables cooked in a deep dish

pot·pour·ri [,pō-pu̇-'rē] -n

  1. a mixture of flowers, herbs, and spices that is usu. kept in a jar and used for scent
  2. a miscellaneous collection : medley
    • a potpourri of the best songs and sketches -- Current Biog.

pot roast -n

  1. a piece of beef cooked by braising usu. on top of the stove

POTS -abbr

  1. plain old telephone system; plain old telephone service

pot·sherd ['pät-,shərd] -n

  1. a pottery fragment usu. unearthed as an archaeological relic

pot·shot [-,shät] -n

  1. a shot taken from ambush or at a random or easy target
  2. a critical remark made in a random or sporadic manner

potshot -vb

  1. to take a potshot
  2. to attack or shoot with a potshot

pot sticker -n

  1. a crescent-shaped dumpling filled usu. with pork, steamed, and then fried

pot still -n

  1. a still used esp. in the distillation of Irish grain whiskey and Scotch malt whiskey in which the heat of the fire is applied directly to the pot containing the mash

pot·stone ['pät-,stōn] -n

  1. a more or less impure steatite used esp. in prehistoric times to make cooking vessels

pot·tage ['pä-tij] -n

  1. a thick soup of vegetables and often meat

potted -adj

  1. preserved in a pot, jar, or can
    • potted meat
  2. planted or grown in a pot
  3. briefly and superficially summarized
    • a dull, pedestrian potted history -- Times Lit. Supp.
  4. drunk

pot·ter ['pä-tər] -n

  1. one that makes pottery

potter ['pä-tər-ər] -vi, n, adv

  1. putter

potter's clay -n

  1. a plastic clay suitable for making pottery called also potter's earth

potter's field -n

  1. a public burial place for paupers, unknown persons, and criminals

potter's wheel -n

  1. a usu. horizontal disk revolving on a vertical spindle and carrying the clay being shaped by a potter

pot·tery ['pä-tə-rē] -n

  1. a place where clayware is made and fired
  2. the art or craft of the potter
  3. the manufacture of clayware
  4. clayware
  5. earthenware as distinguished from porcelain and stoneware and from brick and tile

pot·tle ['pä-tᵊl] -n

  1. a container holding a half gallon (1.9 liters)

pot·to ['pä-(,)tō] -n

  1. any of several African primates (genera Arctocebusand Perodicticus)
  2. a nocturnal slow-moving arboreal primate ( P. potto) with woolly brownish fur and a vestigial index finger

Pott's disease ['päts-] -n

  1. tuberculosis of the spine with destruction of bone resulting in curvature of the spine

pot·ty ['pä-tē] -adj

  1. trivial, insignificant
  2. slightly crazy
  3. snobbish

potty -n

  1. a small child's pot for urination or defecation
  2. potty-chair
  3. toilet, bathroom

pot·tychair [-,cher] -n

  1. a child's chair having an open seat under which a receptacle is placed for toilet training

pot·tymouthed [-,mau̇thd, -,mau̇tht] -adj, n

  1. given to the use of vulgar language

POTUS -abbr

  1. president of the United States

potzer ['pät-sər, 'pat-] -n

(variant of patzer)

  1. an inept chess player

pouch ['pau̇ch] -n, adj

  1. a small drawstring bag carried on the person
  2. a bag of small or moderate size for storing or transporting goods
  3. a lockable bag for first-class mail or diplomatic dispatches
  4. pocket
  5. packet
  6. an anatomical structure resembling a pouch
  7. to put or form into or as if into a pouch
  8. to transmit by pouch
  9. to bulge or stick out or down in a manner suggesting a pouch
    • pouch ing cheeks
  10. to transmit mail or dispatches by pouch

pouchy ['pau̇-chē] -adj

  1. having, tending to have, or resembling a pouch
    • pouchy insomniac eyes -- Graham Greene

pouf ['püf] -n, adj

  1. puff
  2. a bouffant or fluffy part of a garment or accessory
  3. ottoman

Pouil·lyFuis·se [pü-'yē-fwē-'sā] -n

  1. a dry white burgundy from an area west of Macon, France

Pouil·lyFu·me [pü-'yē-fü-'mā, -fᵫ-] -n

  1. a dry white wine from the Loire valley of France

pou·larde [pu̇-'lärd] -n

  1. a fattened pullet used esp. for roasting

poult ['pōlt] -n

  1. a young fowl
  2. a young turkey

poul·ter·er ['pōl-tər-ər] -n

  1. one that deals in poultry

poul·ter's measure ['pōl-tərz-] -n

  1. a meter in which lines of 12 and 14 syllables alternate

poul·tice ['pōl-təs] -n

  1. a soft usu. heated and sometimes medicated mass spread on cloth and applied to sores or other lesions

poultice -vt

  1. to apply a poultice to

poul·try ['pōl-trē] -n

  1. domesticated birds kept for eggs or meat

poul·try·man [-mən] -n

  1. one who raises domestic fowls esp. on a commercial scale for the production of eggs and meat
  2. one who deals in poultry or poultry products

pounce ['pau̇n(t)s] -n

  1. the claw of a bird of prey
  2. to swoop upon and seize something with or as if with talons
  3. to seize upon and make capital of something (as another's blunder or an opportunity)
  4. to make a sudden assault or approach
  5. the act of pouncing
  6. to dust, rub, finish, or stencil with pounce
  7. a fine powder formerly used to prevent ink from spreading
  8. a fine powder for making stenciled patterns

poun·cetbox ['pau̇n(t)-sət-] -n

  1. a box for carrying pomander

pound ['pau̇nd] -n

  1. any of various units of mass and weight
  2. a unit now in general use among English-speaking peoples equal to 16 avoirdupois ounces or 7000 grains or 0.4536 kilogram
  3. the basic monetary unit of the United Kingdom called also pound sterling
  4. any of numerous basic monetary units of other countries
  5. the basic monetary unit of Ireland from 1921 to 2001
  6. lira
  7. an enclosure for animals
  8. a public enclosure for stray or unlicensed animals
    • a dog pound
  9. a depot for holding impounded personal property until redeemed by the owner
    • a car pound
  10. a place or condition of confinement
  11. an enclosure within which fish are kept or caught
  12. the inner compartment of a fish trap or pound net
  13. to reduce to powder or pulp by beating
  14. to strike heavily or repeatedly
  15. to produce with or as if with repeated vigorous strokes usu. used with out
    • pound out a story on the typewriter
  16. to inculcate by insistent repetition : drive
    • day after day the facts were pound ed home to them -- Ivy B. Priest
  17. to move, throw, or carry forcefully and aggressively
    • pound the ball down the field
  18. to move along heavily or persistently
    • pound ed the pavement looking for work
  19. to drink or consume rapidly : slug
    • pound down some beers
  20. to strike heavy repeated blows
  21. pulsate, throb
    • my heart was pound ing
  22. to move with or make a heavy repetitive sound
  23. to work hard and continuously usu. used with away
  24. an act or sound of pounding

pound·age ['pau̇n-dij] -n

  1. a charge per pound of weight
  2. weight in pounds

poundage -n

  1. impoundment

pound·al ['pau̇n-dᵊl] -n

  1. a unit of force equal to the force that would give a free mass of one pound an acceleration of one foot per second per second

pound cake -n

  1. a rich butter cake made with a large proportion of eggs and shortening

pound·er ['pau̇n-dər] -n

  1. one that pounds
  2. a tool used for pounding

pounder -n

  1. a gun throwing a projectile of a specified weight used in combination
    • the ship was armed with six- pounders
  2. one having a usu. specified weight or value in pounds used in combination
    • caught a ten- pounder

poundfool·ish ['pau̇n(d)-'fü-lish] -adj

  1. imprudent in dealing with large sums or large matters

pound mile -n

  1. the transport of one pound of mail or express for one mile

pound net -n

  1. a fish trap consisting of a netting arranged into a directing wing and an enclosure with a narrow entrance

pound of flesh

  1. a payment or penalty exacted to fulfill a deal or punishment
    • loan sharks taking their pound of flesh

pound sign -n

  1. the symbol
  2. the symbol

pour ['pȯr] -vb, adj, n, adv

  1. to cause to flow in a stream
  2. to dispense from a container
    • pour ed drinks for everyone
  3. to supply or produce freely or copiously
    • pour ed money into the project
  4. to give full expression to : vent
    • pour ed out his feelings
  5. to move with a continuous flow
  6. to rain hard
  7. to move or come continuously : stream
    • complaints pour ed in
  8. to score easily or freely (as in basketball) used with in
    • pour ed in 30 points
  9. the action of pouring : stream
  10. an instance of pouring or an amount poured
  11. a heavy fall of rain : downpour

pour·boire [pu̇r-'bwär] -n

  1. tip, gratuity

pour·par·ler [,pu̇r-pär-'lā] -n

  1. a discussion preliminary to negotiations

pour·point ['pu̇r-,pȯint, -,pwant] -n

  1. a padded and quilted doublet

pour point -n

  1. the lowest temperature at which a substance flows under specified conditions

pousseca·fe [,püs-(,)ka-'fā] -n

  1. an after-dinner drink consisting of several liqueurs of different colors and specific gravities poured so as to remain in separate layers

pous·sette [pü-'set] -vi

  1. to swing in a semicircle with hands joined with one's partner in a country-dance

pout ['pau̇t] -vb

  1. to show displeasure by thrusting out the lips or wearing a sullen expression
  2. sulk
  3. protrude
  4. to cause to protrude
    • pout ed her lips
  5. a protrusion of the lips expressive of displeasure
  6. a fit of pique
  7. any of several large-headed fishes (as a bullhead or eelpout)

pout·er ['pau̇-tər] -n

  1. any of several breeds of domestic pigeons characterized by erect carriage and an inflatable crop
  2. one that pouts

pouty ['pau̇-tē] -adj

  1. sulky
  2. expressive of displeasure

POV -abbr

  1. point of view

pov·er·ty ['pä-vər-tē] -n

  1. the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions
  2. renunciation as a member of a religious order of the right as an individual to own property
  3. scarcity, dearth
  4. debility due to malnutrition
  5. lack of fertility

poverty line -n

  1. a level of personal or family income below which one is classified as poor according to governmental standards called also poverty level

pov·er·tystrick·en [-,stri-kən] -adj

  1. very poor : destitute

pow ['pō, 'pau̇] -n

  1. head, poll
  2. a sound of a blow or explosion

POW [,pē-(,)ō-'də-bəl-(,)yü, -bə-(,)yü; -'dəb-(,)yü] -n

  1. prisoner of war

pow·der ['pau̇-dər] -vb, n

  1. to sprinkle or cover with or as if with powder
  2. to reduce or convert to powder
  3. to hit very hard
  4. to become powder
  5. to apply cosmetic powder

powder [-ləs] -n, adj

  1. matter in a finely divided state : particulate matter
  2. a preparation in the form of fine particles esp. for medicinal or cosmetic use
  3. fine dry light snow
  4. any of various solid explosives used chiefly in gunnery and blasting

powder blue -n

  1. a pale blue

powder horn -n

  1. a flask for carrying gunpowder
  2. one made of the horn of an ox or cow

powder keg -n

  1. a small usu. metal cask for holding gunpowder or blasting powder
  2. something liable to explode

powder metallurgy -n

  1. a branch of science or an art concerned with the production of powdered metals or of metallic objects by compressing a powdered metal or alloy with or without other materials and heating without thoroughly melting to solidify and strengthen

powder monkey -n

  1. a person who carries or has charge of explosives (as in blasting operations)

powderpuff -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being a traditionally male activity or event done or played by women
    • a powderpuff football game

powder puff -n

  1. a small fluffy device (as a pad) for applying cosmetic powder

powder room -n

  1. a restroom for women
  2. a lavatory in the main living area of a house

pow·dery ['pau̇-də-rē] -adj

  1. resembling or consisting of powder
    • powdery snow
  2. easily reduced to powder : crumbling
  3. covered with or as if with powder

powdery mildew -n

  1. an ascomycetous fungus (family Erysiphaceae) producing abundant powdery conidia on the host
  2. a plant disease caused by a powdery mildew

pow·er ['pau̇(-ə)r] -n

  1. ability to act or produce an effect
  2. ability to get extra-base hits
  3. capacity for being acted upon or undergoing an effect
  4. legal or official authority, capacity, or right
  5. possession of control, authority, or influence over others
  6. one having such power
  7. a sovereign state
  8. a controlling group : establishment often used in the phrase the powers that be
  9. a force of armed men
  10. a large number or quantity
  11. physical might
  12. mental or moral efficacy
  13. political control or influence
  14. an order of angels
  15. the number of times as indicated by an exponent that a number occurs as a factor in a product
    • 5 to the third power is 125
  16. the product itself
    • 8 is a power of 2
  17. cardinal number
  18. a source or means of supplying energy
  19. electricity
  20. motive power
  21. the time rate at which work is done or energy emitted or transferred
  22. magnification
  23. scope
  24. the probability of rejecting the null hypothesis in a statistical test when a particular alternative hypothesis happens to be true

power -vt

  1. to supply with power and esp. motive power
  2. to give impetus to
  3. to move about by means of motive power
  4. to move with great speed or force
  5. operated mechanically or electrically rather than manually
    • a car with power locks
    • power tools
  6. of, relating to, or utilizing strength
    • plays a power game
  7. powerful
    • a power critic
  8. of, relating to, or being a meal at which influential people discuss business or politics
    • a power lunch

power base -n

  1. a base of political support

pow·er·boat ['pau̇(-ə)r-,bōt] -n, adj

  1. motorboat

power broker -n

  1. a person (as in politics) able to exert strong influence through control of votes or individuals

power chord -n

  1. a combination of two tones consisting of a root and its fifth that is often used in rock music

pow·erdive [-,dīv] -vi

  1. to make a power dive
  2. to cause to power-dive

power dive -n

  1. a dive of an airplane accelerated by the power of the engine

power forward -n

  1. a basketball forward whose size and strength are used primarily in controlling play near the basket

pow·er·ful ['pau̇(-ə)r-fəl] -adj, adv

  1. having great power, prestige, or influence
    • a powerful leader
  2. leading to many or important deductions
    • a powerful set of postulates

power function -n

  1. a function of a parameter under statistical test whose value for a particular value of the parameter is the probability of rejecting the null hypothesis if that value of the parameter happens to be true
  2. a function (as f(x) ax k ) that equals the product of a constant and a power of the independent variable

pow·er·house ['pau̇(-ə)r-,hau̇s] -n

  1. power plant
  2. a source of influence or inspiration
  3. : one having great power: as
  4. one having great drive, energy, or ability
    • a powerhouse rock band
  5. an athletic team characterized by strong aggressive play

pow·er·less [-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. devoid of strength or resources
    • powerless victims
  2. lacking the authority or capacity to act
    • was powerless to help

power mower -n

  1. a motor-driven lawn mower

power of attorney

  1. a legal instrument authorizing one to act as the attorney or agent of the grantor

power pack -n

  1. a unit for converting a power supply (as from a battery or household electrical circuit) to a voltage suitable for an electronic device

power plant -n

  1. an electric utility generating station
  2. an engine and related parts supplying the motive power of a self-propelled object (as a rocket or automobile)

power play -n

  1. a military, diplomatic, political, or administrative maneuver in which power is brought to bear
  2. a concentrated attack in football in which the ballcarrier is preceded by a mass of blockers
  3. a situation in ice hockey in which one team temporarily has more players on the ice than the other team because of a penalty

power politics -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. politics based primarily on the use of power (as military and economic strength) as a coercive force rather than on ethical precepts

power series -n

  1. an infinite series whose terms are successive integral powers of a variable multiplied by constants

power shovel -n

  1. a power-operated excavating machine consisting of a boom or crane that supports a lever arm with a large bucket at the end of it

power station -n

  1. power plant

power steering -n

  1. an automotive steering system with engine power used to amplify the torque applied at the steering wheel by the driver

power strip -n

  1. an electrical device consisting of a cord with a plug on one end and several sockets on the other

power structure -n

  1. a group of persons having control of an organization : establishment
  2. the hierarchical interrelationships existing within a controlling group

power sweep -n

  1. sweep

power takeoff -n

  1. a supplementary mechanism (as on a tractor) enabling the engine power to be used to operate nonautomotive apparatus (as a pump or saw)

power train -n

  1. the intervening mechanism by which power is transmitted from an engine to a propeller or axle that it drives
  2. this mechanism plus the engine
    • power train warranty

power up ['pau̇(-ə)r-,əp] -vt, n

  1. to cause to operate
    • power up the computer

power walk -vi

  1. to walk quickly for exercise esp. while carrying or wearing weights

pow·wow ['pau̇-,wau̇] -n

  1. an American Indian medicine man
  2. an American Indian ceremony (as for victory in war)
  3. an American Indian social gathering or fair usu. including competitive dancing
  4. a social get-together
  5. a meeting for discussion

powwow -vi

  1. to hold a powwow

pox ['päks] -n, adj

  1. a virus disease (as chicken pox) characterized by pustules or eruptions
  2. smallpox
  3. syphilis
  4. a disastrous evil : plague, curse
    • a pox on him
  5. to infect with a pox and esp. with syphilis

pox·vi·rus ['päks-,vī-rəs] -n

  1. any of a family ( Poxviridae) of brick-shaped or ovoid double-stranded DNA viruses that have a surface lipoprotein membrane covered with tubular or globular structures and that include the vaccinia virus and the causative agents of cowpox, myxomatosis of rabbits, and smallpox

pozole [pō-'sō-(,)lā] -n

(variant of posole)

  1. a thick soup chiefly of Mexico and the U.S. Southwest made with pork, hominy, garlic, and chili

poz·zo·la·na [,pät-sə-'lä-nə] -n, adj

  1. finely divided siliceous or siliceous and aluminous material that reacts chemically with slaked lime at ordinary temperature and in the presence of moisture to form a strong slow-hardening cement