Pp
P , p /piː / (P's, p's )
1 N‑VAR P is the sixteenth letter of the English alphabet.
2 p is an abbreviation for pence or penny . □ They cost 5p each. □ …plans to increase income tax by 1p.
3 You write p. before a number as an abbreviation for 'page'. The plural form is 'pp.' □ See p. 246 for Thom Bean's response. □ …see Chapter 4 (pp. 109-13).
pa /pɑː / (pas ) N‑COUNT Some people address or refer to their father as pa . [INFORMAL ] □ Pa used to be in the army.
PA ◆◇◇ /piː e I / (PAs )
1 N‑COUNT A PA is the same as a personal assistant . [BUSINESS ]
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to the PA or the PA system in a place, you are referring to the public address system. □ A voice came booming over the PA.
p.a. p.a. is a written abbreviation for per annum . □ …dentists with an average net income of £48,000 p.a.
pace ◆◇◇ /pe I s/ (paces , pacing , paced )
1 N‑SING The pace of something is the speed at which it happens or is done. □ [+ of ] Many people were not satisfied with the pace of change. □ …people who prefer to live at a slower pace. □ Interest rates would come down as the recovery gathered pace.
2 N‑SING Your pace is the speed at which you walk. □ He moved at a brisk pace down the rue St Antoine.
3 N‑COUNT A pace is the distance that you move when you take one step. □ He'd only gone a few paces before he stopped again.
4 VERB If you pace a small area, you keep walking up and down it, because you are anxious or impatient. □ [V n] As they waited, Kravis paced the room nervously. □ [V prep/adv] He found John pacing around the flat, unable to sleep. □ [V ] She stared as he paced and yelled.
5 VERB If you pace yourself when doing something, you do it at a steady rate. □ [V pron-refl] It was a tough race and I had to pace myself.
6 PHRASE If something keeps pace with something else that is changing, it changes quickly in response to it. □ [+ with ] Farmers are angry because the rise fails to keep pace with inflation.
7 PHRASE If you keep pace with someone who is walking or running, you succeed in going as fast as them, so that you remain close to them. □ [+ with ] With four laps to go, he kept pace with the leaders.
8 PHRASE If you do something at your own pace , you do it at a speed that is comfortable for you. □ The computer will give students the opportunity to learn at their own pace.
9 PHRASE If you put someone through their paces or make them go through their paces , you get them to show you how well they can do something. □ The British coach is putting the boxers through their paces.
10 at a snail's pace → see snail
paced /pe I st/ ADJ [adv ADJ ] If you talk about the way that something such as a film or book is paced , you are referring to the speed at which the story is told. □ This excellent thriller is fast paced and believable.
pace|maker /pe I sme I kə r / (pacemakers )
1 N‑COUNT A pacemaker is a device that is placed inside someone's body in order to help their heart beat in the right way. □ She was fitted with a pacemaker after suffering serious heart trouble.
2 N‑COUNT A pacemaker is a competitor in a race whose task is to start the race very quickly in order to help the other runners achieve a very fast time. Pacemakers usually stop before the race is finished.
pace|setter /pe I ssetə r / (pacesetters ) also pace-setter
1 N‑COUNT A pacesetter is someone who is in the lead during part of a race or competition and therefore decides the speed or standard of the race or competition for that time. □ Their victory keeps them five points behind the pacesetters. □ Hammond was the early pace-setter.
2 N‑COUNT A pacesetter is a person or a company that is considered to be the leader in a particular field or activity. □ [+ for ] They were the pacesetter for political change in the region.
pacey /pe I si/ → see pacy
pa|cif|ic /pəs I f I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A pacific person, country, or course of action is peaceful or has the aim of bringing about peace. [FORMAL ] □ The Liberals were traditionally seen as the more pacific party.
Pa|cif|ic
1 N‑PROPER The Pacific or the Pacific Ocean is a very large sea to the west of North and South America, and to the east of Asia and Australia. □ …an island in the Pacific.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Pacific is used to describe things that are in or that relate to the Pacific Ocean. □ …the tiny Pacific island of Pohnpei.
paci|fi|er /pæ s I fa I ə r / (pacifiers ) N‑COUNT A pacifier is a rubber or plastic object that you give to a baby to suck so that he or she feels comforted. [AM ] in BRIT, use dummy
paci|fism /pæ s I f I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Pacifism is the belief that war and violence are always wrong.
paci|fist /pæ s I f I st/ (pacifists )
1 N‑COUNT A pacifist is someone who believes that violence is wrong and refuses to take part in wars.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone has pacifist views, they believe that war and violence are always wrong.
paci|fy /pæ s I fa I / (pacifies , pacifying , pacified )
1 VERB If you pacify someone who is angry, upset, or not pleased, you succeed in making them calm or pleased. □ [V n] Is this a serious step, or is this just something to pacify the critics?
2 VERB If the army or the police pacify a group of people, they use force to overcome their resistance or protests. □ [V n] Government forces have found it difficult to pacify the rebels. ● paci|fi|ca|tion /pæ s I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the pacification of the country.
pack ◆◆◇ /pæ k/ (packs , packing , packed )
1 VERB When you pack a bag, you put clothes and other things into it, because you are leaving a place or going on holiday. □ [V n] When I was 17, I packed my bags and left home. □ [V ] I packed and said goodbye to Charlie. ● pack|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ She left Frances to finish her packing.
2 VERB When people pack things, for example in a factory, they put them into containers or parcels so that they can be transported and sold. □ [V n] They offered me a job packing goods in a warehouse. □ [V n + in ] Machines now exist to pack olives in jars. □ [V -ed] …sardines packed in oil. ● pack|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ His onions cost 9p a lb wholesale; packing and transport costs 10p.
3 VERB If people or things pack into a place or if they pack a place, there are so many of them that the place is full. □ [V + into ] Hundreds of thousands of people packed into the mosque. □ [V n] Seventy thousand people will pack the stadium.
4 N‑COUNT A pack of things is a collection of them that is sold or given together in a box or bag. □ The club will send a free information pack. □ [+ of ] …a pack of playing cards.
5 N‑COUNT A pack is a bag containing your possessions that you carry on your back when you are travelling. □ I hid the money in my pack.
6 N‑COUNT You can refer to a group of people who go around together as a pack , especially when it is a large group that you feel threatened by. □ [+ of ] …a pack of journalists eager to question him.
7 N‑COUNT A pack of wolves or dogs is a group of them that hunt together.
8 N‑COUNT A pack of playing cards is a complete set of playing cards. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use deck 9 → see also packed , packing
10 PHRASE If you say that an account is a pack of lies , you mean that it is completely untrue. □ You told me a pack of lies.
11 PHRASE If you send someone packing , you make them go away. [INFORMAL ] □ I decided I wanted to live alone and I sent him packing.
▸ pack in
1 PHRASAL VERB If you pack something in , you stop doing it. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] I'd just packed in a job the day before. □ [V n P ] Pack it in. Stop being spiteful.
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone packs in things or people, they fit a lot of them into a limited space or time. □ [V P n] Prisons are having to pack in as many inmates as possible. □ [be V -ed P ] It's kind of a referendum, though a lot of issues are packed in. [Also V n P ] ● PHRASE If a play, film or event packs them in , lots of people go to see it. [INFORMAL ] □ 'Blow your head!' is still packing them in at Camden's Jazz Café every Friday night.
▸ pack into
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone packs a lot of something into a limited space or time, they fit a lot into it. □ [V n P n] I have tried to pack a good deal into a few words.
2 PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If people or things are packed into a place, so many of them are put in there that the place becomes very full. □ [be V -ed P n] Some 700 people were packed into a hotel room.
▸ pack off PHRASAL VERB If you pack someone off somewhere, you send them there to stay for a period of time. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n + to ] She had mixed feelings about packing off her 13-year-old to boarding school. □ [V n P + to ] I finally succeeded in packing her off to bed. [Also V n P ]
▸ pack up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you pack up or if you pack up your things, you put your possessions or the things you have been using in a case or bag, because you are leaving. □ [V P ] They packed up and went home. □ [V P n] He began packing up his things. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If a machine or a part of the body packs up , it stops working. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] In the end it was his stomach and lungs that packed up.
pack|age ◆◆◇ /pæ k I dʒ/ (packages , packaging , packaged )
1 N‑COUNT A package is a small parcel. □ I tore open the package. □ …a package addressed to Miss Claire Montgomery.
2 N‑COUNT A package is a small container in which a quantity of something is sold. Packages are either small boxes made of thin cardboard, or bags or envelopes made of paper or plastic. [mainly AM ] □ [+ of ] …a package of doughnuts. □ It is listed among the ingredients on the package. in BRIT, usually use packet 3 N‑COUNT A package is a set of proposals that are made by a government or organization and which must be accepted or rejected as a group. □ [+ of ] …a package of measures aimed at improving child welfare.
4 VERB [usu passive] When a product is packaged , it is put into containers to be sold. □ [be V -ed] The beans are then ground and packaged for sale as ground coffee. □ [V -ed] Packaged foods have to show a list of ingredients.
5 VERB [usu passive] If something is packaged in a particular way, it is presented or advertised in that way in order to make it seem attractive or interesting. □ [be V -ed] A city has to be packaged properly to be attractive to tourists. □ [be V -ed + as ] …entertainment packaged as information.
6 N‑COUNT [usu N n] A package tour, or in British English a package holiday, is a holiday arranged by a travel company in which your travel and your accommodation are booked for you.
pa ck|age deal (package deals ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A package deal is a set of offers or proposals which is made by a government or an organization, and which must be accepted or rejected as a whole.
pack|ag|ing /pæ k I dʒ I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Packaging is the container or covering that something is sold in. □ It is selling very well, in part because the packaging is so attractive.
pa ck ani|mal (pack animals ) N‑COUNT A pack animal is an animal such as a horse or donkey that is used to carry things on journeys.
packed /pæ kt/
1 ADJ A place that is packed is very crowded. □ From 3.30 until 7pm, the shop is packed. □ [+ with ] The streets were packed with men, women and children.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] Something that is packed with things contains a very large number of them. □ [+ with ] The Encyclopedia is packed with clear illustrations and over 250 recipes.
pa cked lu nch (packed lunches ) N‑COUNT A packed lunch is food, for example sandwiches, which you take to work, to school, or on a trip and eat as your lunch. [BRIT ] in AM, use box lunch
pa cked ou t ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a place is packed out , it is very full of people. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ There are 350 cinemas in Paris and most are packed out. in AM, use packed
pack|er /pæ kə r / (packers ) N‑COUNT A packer is a worker whose job is to pack things into containers. □ Norma Jones worked as a packer in a local chemical factory.
pack|et /pæ k I t/ (packets )
1 N‑COUNT A packet is a small container in which a quantity of something is sold. Packets are either small boxes made of thin cardboard, or bags or envelopes made of paper or plastic. [mainly BRIT ] □ Cook the rice according to instructions on the packet. □ …a crisp packet. ● N‑COUNT A packet of something is an amount of it contained in a packet. □ [+ of ] Use half a packet of noodles per person. [in AM, usually use pack , package ]
2 N‑COUNT A packet is a small flat parcel. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ of ] …a packet of photographs.
3 N‑SING You can refer to a lot of money as a packet . [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ It'll cost you a packet. in AM, use bundle 4 → see also pay packet , wage packet
pa ck|et swi tch|ing also packet-switching N‑UNCOUNT Packet switching is a method of sending computer data on phone lines which automatically divides the data into short pieces in order to send it and puts it together again when it is received. [COMPUTING ]
pa ck ice N‑UNCOUNT Pack ice is an area of ice that is floating on the sea. It is made up of pieces of ice that have been pushed together.
pack|ing /pæ k I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Packing is the paper, plastic, or other material which is put round things that are being sent somewhere.
2 → see also pack
pa ck|ing box (packing boxes ) N‑COUNT A packing box is the same as a packing case . [mainly AM ]
pa ck|ing case (packing cases ) N‑COUNT A packing case is a large wooden box in which things are put so that they can be stored or taken somewhere. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use packing box
pa ck|ing house (packing houses ) N‑COUNT A packing house is a company that processes and packs food, especially meat, to be sold. [AM ]
pact ◆◇◇ /pæ kt/ (pacts ) N‑COUNT A pact is a formal agreement between two or more people, organizations, or governments to do a particular thing or to help each other. □ [+ with ] Stalin signed a non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany in 1939. SYNONYMS pact NOUN
agreement: The two countries signed an agreement to jointly launch satellites.
deal: The two sides tried and failed to come to a deal.
treaty: …the Treaty of Rome, which established the European Community.
protocol: …the Montreal Protocol to phase out use and production of CFCs.
pacy /pe I si/ (pacier , paciest ) also pacey
1 ADJ You use pacy to describe someone, especially a sports player, who has the ability to move very quickly. [BRIT ] □ …United's pacey new striker.
2 ADJ If you describe a story or a film as pacy , you mean that it is exciting because the events happen very quickly one after another. [BRIT ] □ Set in contemporary Dublin, this pacy thriller features kidnapping, mayhem and murder.
pad /pæ d/ (pads , padding , padded )
1 N‑COUNT A pad is a fairly thick, flat piece of a material such as cloth or rubber. Pads are used, for example, to clean things, to protect things, or to change their shape. □ [+ of ] He withdrew the needle and placed a pad of cotton-wool over the spot. □ …a scouring pad.
2 N‑COUNT A pad of paper is a number of pieces of paper which are fixed together along the top or the side, so that each piece can be torn off when it has been used. □ [+ of ] She wrote on a pad of paper. □ Have a pad and pencil ready and jot down some of your thoughts.
3 VERB When someone pads somewhere, they walk there with steps that are fairly quick, light, and quiet. □ [V prep/adv] Freddy speaks very quietly and pads around in soft velvet slippers. □ [V n] I often bumped into him as he padded the corridors.
4 N‑COUNT A pad is a platform or an area of flat, hard ground where helicopters take off and land or rockets are launched. □ …a little round helicopter pad. □ …a landing pad on the back of the ship.
5 → see also launch pad
6 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The pads of a person's fingers and toes or of an animal's feet are the soft, fleshy parts of them. □ [+ of ] Tap your cheeks all over with the pads of your fingers.
7 VERB If you pad something, you put something soft in it or over it in order to make it less hard, to protect it, or to give it a different shape. □ [V n + with ] Pad the back of a car seat with a pillow. □ [V n] I can tell you I always padded my bras. ● pad|ded ADJ □ …a padded jacket. □ [+ with ] …back-rests padded with camel's wool.
8 → see also padding
▸ pad out PHRASAL VERB If you pad out a piece of writing or a speech with unnecessary words or pieces of information, you include them in it to make it longer and hide the fact that you have not got very much to say. □ [V P n + with ] The reviewer padded out his review with a lengthy biography of the author. [Also V n P ]
pa d|ded ce ll (padded cells ) N‑COUNT A padded cell is a small room with padded walls in a mental hospital or prison, where a person who may behave violently can be put so that they do not hurt themselves.
pad|ding /pæ d I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Padding is soft material which is put on something or inside it in order to make it less hard, to protect it, or to give it a different shape. □ …the foam rubber padding on the headphones. □ Players must wear padding to protect themselves from injury.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Padding is unnecessary words or information used to make a piece of writing or a speech longer. □ …the kind of subject that politicians put in their speeches for a bit of padding.
pad|dle /pæ d ə l/ (paddles , paddling , paddled )
1 N‑COUNT A paddle is a short pole with a wide flat part at one end or at both ends. You hold it in your hands and use it as an oar to move a small boat through water. □ We might be able to push ourselves across with the paddle.
2 VERB If you paddle a boat, you move it through water using a paddle. □ [V n] …the skills you will use to paddle the canoe. □ [V prep/adv] …paddling around the South Pacific in a kayak.
3 VERB If you paddle , you walk or stand in shallow water, for example at the edge of the sea, for pleasure. □ [V ] Wear sandals when you paddle. □ [V prep] …a lovely little stream that you can paddle in. ● N‑SING Paddle is also a noun. □ Ruth enjoyed her paddle.
pa d|dle boat (paddle boats ) N‑COUNT A paddle boat or a paddle steamer is a large boat that is pushed through the water by the movement of large wheels that are attached to its sides.
pa d|dling pool (paddling pools ) N‑COUNT A paddling pool is a shallow artificial pool for children to paddle in. [BRIT ] in AM, use wading pool
pad|dock /pæ dək/ (paddocks )
1 N‑COUNT A paddock is a small field where horses are kept. □ The family kept horses in the paddock in front of the house.
2 N‑COUNT In horse racing or motor racing, the paddock is the place where the horses or cars are kept just before each race.
pad|dy /pæ di/ (paddies ) N‑COUNT A paddy or a paddy field is a field that is kept flooded with water and is used for growing rice. □ …the paddy fields of China.
pad|lock /pæ dlɒk/ (padlocks , padlocking , padlocked )
1 N‑COUNT A padlock is a lock which is used for fastening two things together. It consists of a block of metal with a U-shaped bar attached to it. One end of the bar is released by turning a key in the lock. □ They had put a padlock on the door of his flat.
2 VERB If you padlock something, you lock it or fasten it to something else using a padlock. □ [V n] Eddie parked his cycle against a lamp post and padlocked it. [Also V n + to ]
pa|dre /pɑː dre I / (padres ) N‑COUNT A padre is a Christian priest, especially one who works with the armed forces. [INFORMAL ] □ Could I speak to you in private a moment, padre.
paean /piː ən/ (paeans ) N‑COUNT A paean is a piece of music, writing, or film that expresses praise, admiration, or happiness. [LITERARY ] □ [+ to ] …a paean to deep, passionate love.
pae|dia|tri|cian /piː diətr I ʃ ə n/ (paediatricians ) in AM, use pediatrician N‑COUNT A paediatrician is a doctor who specializes in treating sick children.
pae|di|at|rics /piː diæ tr I ks/ The spelling pediatrics is used in American English. The forms paediatric and pediatric are used as modifiers. N‑UNCOUNT Paediatrics is the area of medicine that is concerned with the treatment of children's illnesses.
pae|do|phile /piː dəfa I l/ (paedophiles ) in AM, use pedophile N‑COUNT A paedophile is a person, usually a man, who is sexually attracted to children.
pae|do|philia /piː dəf I liə/ in AM, use pedophilia N‑UNCOUNT Paedophilia is sexual activity with children or the condition of being sexually attracted to children.
pa|el|la /pa I e lə/ (paellas ) N‑VAR Paella is a dish cooked especially in Spain, which consists of rice mixed with small pieces of vegetables, fish, and chicken.
paeo|ny /piː əni/ → see peony
pa|gan /pe I gən/ (pagans )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Pagan beliefs and activities do not belong to any of the main religions of the world and take nature and a belief in many gods as a basis. They are older, or are believed to be older, than other religions.
2 N‑COUNT [oft N n] In former times, pagans were people who did not believe in Christianity and who many Christians considered to be inferior people. □ The new religion was eager to convert the pagan world.
pa|gan|ism /pe I gən I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Paganism is pagan beliefs and activities. □ The country swayed precariously between Christianity and paganism.
page ◆◆◆ /pe I dʒ/ (pages , paging , paged )
1 N‑COUNT A page is one side of one of the pieces of paper in a book, magazine, or newspaper. Each page usually has a number printed at the top or bottom. □ Where's your book? Take it out and turn to page 4. □ [+ of ] …the front page of the Guardian. □ [+ of ] …1,400 pages of top-secret information.
2 N‑COUNT The pages of a book, magazine, or newspaper are the pieces of paper it consists of. □ [+ of ] He turned the pages of his notebook. □ Over the page you can read all about the six great books on offer.
3 N‑COUNT You can refer to an important event or period of time as a page of history. [LITERARY ] □ [+ in ] …a new page in the country's political history.
4 VERB If someone who is in a public place is paged , they receive a message, often over a speaker, telling them that someone is trying to contact them. □ [be V -ed] He was paged repeatedly as the flight was boarding. □ [have n V -ed] I'll have them paged and tell them you're here.
5 N‑COUNT A page is a young person who takes messages or does small jobs for members of the United States Congress or state legislatures. [AM ]
pag|eant /pæ dʒənt/ (pageants )
1 N‑COUNT A pageant is a colourful public procession, show, or ceremony. Pageants are usually held out of doors and often celebrate events or people from history.
2 N‑COUNT A pageant or a beauty pageant is a competition in which young women are judged to decide which one is the most beautiful.
pag|eant|ry /pæ dʒəntri/ N‑UNCOUNT People use pageantry to refer to the colourful and formal things that are done for special official or royal occasions, for example the wearing of special clothes and the playing of special music. □ …all the pageantry of an official state visit.
page|boy /pe I dʒbɔ I / (pageboys ) also page-boy N‑COUNT A pageboy is a small boy who accompanies the bride at a wedding. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use page
pag|er /pe I dʒə r / (pagers ) N‑COUNT A pager is a small electronic device which you can carry around with you and which gives you a number or a message when someone is trying to contact you. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use beeper
pa ge-tu rn|er (page-turners ) N‑COUNT You can refer to an exciting novel, such as a thriller, as a page-turner . □ It's an extraordinarily compelling page-turner that also happens to be a major work of literature.
pa|go|da /pəgoʊ də/ (pagodas ) N‑COUNT A pagoda is a tall building which is used for religious purposes, especially by Buddhists, in China, Japan, and South-East Asia. Pagodas are usually very highly decorated.
pah /pæ / EXCLAM Pah is used in writing to represent the sound someone makes when showing disgust or contempt.
paid /pe I d/
1 Paid is the past tense and past participle of pay .
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Paid workers, or people who do paid work, receive money for the work that they do. □ Apart from a small team of paid staff, the organisation consists of unpaid volunteers.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] If you are given paid holiday, you get your wages or salary even though you are not at work. □ …10 days' paid holiday for house hunting.
4 ADJ [adv ADJ ] If you are well paid , you receive a lot of money for the work that you do. If you are badly paid , you do not receive much money. □ …a well-paid accountant. □ Fruit-picking is boring, badly paid and very hard work.
5 PHRASE If an unexpected event puts paid to someone's hopes, chances, or plans, it completely ends or destroys them. [mainly BRIT ] □ …a series of airforce strikes that put paid to the General's hopes of fighting on.
pai d-up also paid up
1 ADJ [ADJ n] If a person or country is a paid-up member of a group, they are an enthusiastic member or are recognized by most people as being a member of it. □ Despite a past in an inner-city comprehensive, I am a fully paid-up member of the middle classes now.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone is a paid-up member of a political party or other organization, they have paid the money needed to become an official member. □ …a fully paid-up member of the Labour Party.
pail /pe I l/ (pails ) N‑COUNT A pail is a bucket, usually made of metal or wood. [mainly AM , also BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ]
pain ◆◆◇ /pe I n/ (pains , pained )
1 N‑VAR Pain is the feeling of great discomfort you have, for example when you have been hurt or when you are ill. □ …back pain. □ …a bone disease that caused excruciating pain. □ [+ in ] I felt a sharp pain in my lower back. □ …chest pains. ● PHRASE If you are in pain , you feel pain in a part of your body, because you are injured or ill. □ She was writhing in pain, bathed in perspiration.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Pain is the feeling of unhappiness that you have when something unpleasant or upsetting happens. □ …grey eyes that seemed filled with pain.
3 VERB [no cont] If a fact or idea pains you, it makes you feel upset and disappointed. □ [V n] This public acknowledgment of Ted's disability pained my mother. □ [V n to-inf] It pains me to think of you struggling all alone.
4 PHRASE In informal English, if you call someone or something a pain or a pain in the neck , you mean that they are very annoying or irritating. Expressions such as a pain in the arse and a pain in the backside in British English, or a pain in the ass and a pain in the butt in American English, are also used, but most people consider them offensive. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
5 PHRASE If someone is at pains to do something, they are very eager and anxious to do it, especially because they want to avoid a difficult situation. □ Mobil is at pains to point out that the chances of an explosion at the site are remote.
6 PHRASE If someone is ordered not to do something on pain of or under pain of death, imprisonment, or arrest, they will be killed, put in prison, or arrested if they do it. □ We were forbidden, under pain of imprisonment, to use our native language.
7 PHRASE If you take pains to do something or go to great pains to do something, you try hard to do it, because you think it is important to do it. □ Social workers went to great pains to acknowledge men's domestic rights. □ I had taken great pains with my appearance.
pai n bar|ri|er N‑SING If you say that a sports player has gone through the pain barrier , you mean that he or she is continuing to make a great effort in spite of being injured or exhausted. [BRIT , JOURNALISM ] □ England's World Cup hero is determined to play through the pain barrier.
pained /pe I nd/ ADJ If you have a pained expression or look, you look upset, worried, or slightly annoyed.
pain|ful ◆◇◇ /pe I nfʊl/
1 ADJ [oft ADJ to-inf] If a part of your body is painful , it hurts because it is injured or because there is something wrong with it. □ Her glands were swollen and painful. ● pain|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ His tooth had started to throb painfully again.
2 ADJ If something such as an illness, injury, or operation is painful , it causes you a lot of physical pain. □ …a painful back injury. ● pain|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He cracked his head painfully against the cupboard.
3 ADJ [oft ADJ to-inf] Situations, memories, or experiences that are painful are difficult and unpleasant to deal with, and often make you feel sad and upset. □ Remarks like that brought back painful memories. □ She finds it too painful to return there without him. ● pain|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …their old relationship, which he had painfully broken off.
4 ADJ [oft ADJ to-inf] If a performance or interview is painful , it is so bad that it makes you feel embarrassed for the people taking part in it. [INFORMAL ] □ The interview was painful to watch. SYNONYMS painful ADJ
1
sore: My chest is still sore from the surgery.
tender: My tummy felt very tender.
excruciating: I was in excruciating pain and one leg wouldn't move.
3
distressing: It is very distressing to see your baby attached to tubes and monitors.
unpleasant: The symptoms can be uncomfortable, unpleasant and serious.
upsetting: Childhood illness can be upsetting for children and parents alike.
pain|ful|ly /pe I nfʊli/
1 ADV You use painfully to emphasize a quality or situation that is undesirable. [EMPHASIS ] □ Things are moving painfully slowly. □ …a painfully shy young man.
2 → see also painful
pain|killer /pe I nk I lə r / (painkillers ) N‑COUNT A painkiller is a drug which reduces or stops physical pain.
pain|less /pe I nləs/
1 ADJ Something such as a treatment that is painless causes no physical pain. □ Acupuncture treatment is gentle, painless, and, invariably, most relaxing. □ …a quick and painless death. ● pain|less|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …a technique to eliminate unwanted facial hair quickly and painlessly.
2 ADJ If a process or activity is painless , there are no difficulties involved, and you do not have to make a great effort or suffer in any way. □ House-hunting is in fact relatively painless in this region. ● pain|less|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …a game for children which painlessly teaches essential pre-reading skills.
pains|taking /pe I nste I k I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A painstaking search, examination, or investigation is done extremely carefully and thoroughly. □ Forensic experts carried out a painstaking search of the debris. ● pains|taking|ly ADV □ Broken bones were painstakingly pieced together and reshaped.
paint ◆◆◇ /pe I nt/ (paints , painting , painted )
1 N‑VAR Paint is a coloured liquid that you put onto a surface with a brush in order to protect the surface or to make it look nice, or that you use to produce a picture. □ …a pot of red paint. □ They saw some large letters in white paint. □ …water-based artist's paints.
2 N‑SING On a wall or object, the paint is the covering of dried paint on it. □ The paint was peeling on the window frames.
3 VERB If you paint a wall or an object, you cover it with paint. □ [V n] They started to mend the woodwork and paint the walls. □ [V n colour] I made a guitar and painted it red. □ [V -ed] …painted furniture. [Also V ]
4 VERB If you paint something or paint a picture of it, you produce a picture of it using paint. □ [V n] He is painting a huge volcano. □ [V n] Why do people paint pictures? □ [V ] I had come here to paint.
5 VERB When you paint a design or message on a surface, you put it on the surface using paint. □ [V n prep] …a machine for painting white lines down roads. □ [V -ed] The recesses are decorated with gold stars, with smaller stars painted along the edges.
6 VERB If a woman paints her lips or nails, she puts a coloured cosmetic on them. □ [V n] She propped the mirror against her handbag and began to paint her lips. □ [V n colour] She painted her fingernails bright red.
7 VERB If you paint a grim or vivid picture of something, you give a description of it that is grim or vivid. □ [V n] The report paints a grim picture of life there.
8 → see also gloss paint , oil paint , painting , poster paint , war paint
paint|box /pe I ntbɒks/ (paintboxes ) N‑COUNT A paintbox is a small flat plastic or metal container with a number of little blocks of paint inside which can be made wet and used to paint a picture.
paint|brush /pe I ntbrʌʃ/ (paintbrushes ) also paint brush , paint-brush N‑COUNT A paintbrush is a brush which you use for painting.
paint|er /pe I ntə r / (painters )
1 N‑COUNT A painter is an artist who paints pictures.
2 N‑COUNT A painter is someone who paints walls, doors, and some other parts of buildings as their job.
paint|er|ly /pe I ntə r li/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Painterly means relating to or characteristic of painting or painters. □ …his painterly talents. □ The film has a painterly eye.
paint|ing ◆◆◇ /pe I nt I ŋ/ (paintings )
1 N‑COUNT A painting is a picture which someone has painted. □ [+ of ] …a large oil-painting of Queen Victoria.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Painting is the activity of painting pictures. □ …two hobbies she really enjoyed, painting and gardening.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Painting is the activity of painting doors, walls, and some other parts of buildings. □ …painting and decorating.
pai nt strip|per (paint strippers ) N‑VAR Paint stripper is a liquid which you use in order to remove old paint from things such as doors or pieces of furniture.
paint|work /pe I ntwɜː r k/ N‑UNCOUNT The paintwork of a building, room, or vehicle is the covering of paint on it, or the parts of it that are painted. □ The paintwork, the wardrobes and the bedside cupboards were coffee-cream.
pair ◆◆◇ /peə r / (pairs , pairing , paired )
1 N‑COUNT A pair of things are two things of the same size and shape that are used together or are both part of something, for example shoes, earrings, or parts of the body. □ [+ of ] …a pair of socks. □ …trainers that cost up to 90 pounds a pair. □ [+ of ] 72,000 pairs of hands clapped in unison to the song.
2 N‑COUNT Some objects that have two main parts of the same size and shape are referred to as a pair , for example a pair of trousers or a pair of scissors . □ [+ of ] …a pair of faded jeans. □ [+ of ] …a pair of binoculars.
3 N‑SING You can refer to two people as a pair when they are standing or walking together or when they have some kind of relationship with each other. □ [+ of ] John and Jeremy are a pair of friends who work together at a law firm.
4 VERB [usu passive] If one thing is paired with another, it is put with it or considered with it. □ [be V -ed + with ] The trainees will then be paired with experienced managers. ● pair|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the pairing of these two fine musicians.
5 → see also au pair
6 PHRASE If you say that someone is or has a safe pair of hands , you mean that they are reliable and will not make any serious mistakes. [BRIT , JOURNALISM ] □ He has now held five cabinet posts and remains a safe pair of hands.
▸ pair off PHRASAL VERB When people pair off or are paired off , they form a pair, often in order to become girlfriend and boyfriend. □ [V n P + with ] I knew she wouldn't be able to resist pairing me off with someone. □ [V P ] The squad members paired off to find places to eat and sleep. [Also V P + with ]
▸ pair up PHRASAL VERB If people pair up or are paired up , they form a pair, especially in order to do something together. □ [V P + with ] They asked us to pair up with the person next to us and form teams. □ [V P ] Men and women pair up to dance. □ [be V -ed P ] When they are in a burning building, firefighters are paired up. [Also V n P + with ] COLLOCATIONS pair NOUN
1
adjective + pair : identical, matching
3
adjective + pair : odd, unlikely
pair + be + adjective : inseparable
pair|ing /peə r I ŋ/ (pairings ) N‑COUNT Two people, especially sports players, actors, or musicians, who are working together as a pair can be referred to as a pairing . □ [+ of ] …John Etheridge and Nigel Kennedy, an enticing pairing of ace guitarist and maverick fiddler.
pais|ley /pe I zli/ (paisleys ) N‑VAR Paisley is a special pattern of curving shapes and colours, used especially on fabric. □ He was elegantly dressed in a grey suit, blue shirt and paisley tie.
pa|jam|as /pədʒɑː məz/ → see pyjamas
Pa|ki|stani /pɑː k I stɑː ni/ (Pakistanis )
1 ADJ Pakistani means belonging or relating to Pakistan, or to its people or culture.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] A Pakistani is a Pakistani citizen, or a person of Pakistani origin.
pal /pæ l/ (pals ) N‑COUNT [usu with poss] Your pals are your friends. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ]
pal|ace ◆◇◇ /pæ l I s/ (palaces )
1 N‑COUNT [oft in names, N n] A palace is a very large impressive house, especially one which is the official home of a king, queen, or president. □ …Buckingham Palace. □ They entered the palace courtyard.
2 N‑SING When the members of a royal palace make an announcement through an official spokesperson, they can be referred to as the Palace . □ The Palace will not comment on questions about the family's private life.
palae|on|tol|ogy /pæ liɒntɒ lədʒi, [AM ] pe I l-/ also paleontology N‑UNCOUNT Palaeontology is the study of fossils as a guide to the history of life on Earth. ● palae|on|tolo|gist (palaeontologists ) N‑COUNT □ …just as a palaeontologist can reconstruct a dinosaur from one of its toes.
pal|at|able /pæ lətəb ə l/
1 ADJ If you describe food or drink as palatable , you mean that it tastes pleasant. [FORMAL ] □ …flavourings and preservatives, designed to make the food look more palatable.
2 ADJ If you describe something such as an idea or method as palatable , you mean that people are willing to accept it. □ …a palatable way of sacking staff.
pal|ate /pæ l I t/ (palates )
1 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] Your palate is the top part of the inside of your mouth.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to someone's palate as a way of talking about their ability to judge good food or drink. □ …fresh pasta sauces to tempt more demanding palates.
pa|la|tial /pəle I ʃ ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A palatial house, hotel, or office building is very large and impressive. □ …a palatial Hollywood mansion.
pa|la|ver /pəlɑː və r , -læ v-/ N‑UNCOUNT Palaver is unnecessary fuss and bother about the way something is done. [INFORMAL ] □ We don't want all that palaver, do we?
pale ◆◇◇ /pe I l/ (paler , palest , pales , paling , paled )
1 ADJ If something is pale , it is very light in colour or almost white. □ Migrating birds filled the pale sky. □ As we age, our skin becomes paler. ● ADJ Pale is also a combining form. □ …a pale-blue sailor dress.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone looks pale , their face looks a lighter colour than usual, usually because they are ill, frightened, or shocked. □ She looked pale and tired. ● pale|ness N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] □ …his paleness when he realized that he was bleeding.
3 VERB If one thing pales in comparison with another, it is made to seem much less important, serious, or good by it. □ [V ] When someone you love has a life-threatening illness, everything else pales in comparison. □ [V prep] …a soap opera against which other soaps pale into insignificance.
4 PHRASE If you think that someone's actions or behaviour are not acceptable, you can say that they are beyond the pale . □ This sort of thing really is quite beyond the pale. [Also + of ]
pale|on|tol|ogy /pæ liɒntɒ lədʒi, [AM ] pe I l-/ → see palaeontology
Pal|es|tin|ian /pæ l I st I niən/ (Palestinians )
1 ADJ Palestinian means belonging or relating to the region between the River Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea which used to be called Palestine, or to the Arabs who come from this region.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] A Palestinian is an Arab who comes from the region that used to be called Palestine.
pal|ette /pæ l I t/ (palettes )
1 N‑COUNT A palette is a flat piece of wood or plastic on which an artist mixes paints.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can refer to the range of colours that are used by a particular artist or group of artists as their palette . □ David Fincher paints from a palette consisting almost exclusively of grey and mud brown.
pa l|ette knife (palette knives ) N‑COUNT A palette knife is a knife with a broad, flat, flexible blade, used in cookery and in oil painting.
pali|mo|ny /pæ l I moʊni/ N‑UNCOUNT Palimony is money that a person pays to a partner they have lived with for a long time and are now separated from. Compare alimony .
pal|in|drome /pæ l I ndroʊm/ (palindromes ) N‑COUNT A palindrome is a word or a phrase that is the same whether you read it backwards or forwards, for example the word 'refer'.
pali|sade /pæ l I se I d/ (palisades ) N‑COUNT A palisade is a fence of wooden posts which are driven into the ground in order to protect people from attack.
pall /pɔː l/ (palls , palled )
1 VERB [no cont] If something palls , it becomes less interesting or less enjoyable after a period of time. □ [V ] Already the allure of meals in restaurants had begun to pall.
2 N‑COUNT If a pall of smoke hangs over a place, there is a thick cloud of smoke above it. □ [+ of ] A pall of oily black smoke drifted over the cliff-top.
3 PHRASE If something unpleasant casts a pall over an event or occasion, it makes it less enjoyable than it should be. □ The unrest has cast a pall over what is usually a day of national rejoicing.
pall|bearer /pɔː lbeərə r / (pallbearers ) N‑COUNT At a funeral, a pallbearer is a person who helps to carry the coffin or who walks beside it.
pal|let /pæ l I t/ (pallets )
1 N‑COUNT A pallet is a narrow mattress filled with straw which is put on the floor for someone to sleep on.
2 N‑COUNT A pallet is a hard, narrow bed. □ He was given only a wooden pallet with a blanket.
3 N‑COUNT A pallet is a flat wooden or metal platform on which goods are stored so that they can be lifted and moved using a forklift truck. □ The warehouse will hold more than 90,000 pallets storing 30 million Easter eggs.
pal|lia|tive /pæ liət I v, [AM ] -e I t-/ (palliatives )
1 N‑COUNT A palliative is a drug or medical treatment that relieves suffering without treating the cause of the suffering.
2 N‑COUNT A palliative is an action that is intended to make the effects of a problem less severe but does not actually solve the problem. [FORMAL ] □ The loan was a palliative, not a cure, for ever-increasing financial troubles.
pal|lid /pæ l I d/
1 ADJ Someone or something that is pallid is pale in an unattractive or unnatural way. □ …helpless grief on pallid faces.
2 ADJ You can describe something such as a performance or book as pallid if it is weak or not at all exciting. □ …a pallid account of the future of transport.
pal|lor /pæ lə r / N‑SING If you refer to the pallor of someone's face or skin, you mean that it is pale and unhealthy. □ [+ of ] The deathly pallor of her skin had been replaced by the faintest flush of color.
pal|ly /pæ li/ ADJ If you are pally with someone, you are friendly with them. [INFORMAL ]
palm /pɑː m/ (palms , palming , palmed )
1 N‑VAR A palm or a palm tree is a tree that grows in hot countries. It has long leaves growing at the top, and no branches.
2 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] The palm of your hand is the inside part. □ [+ of ] Dornberg slapped the table with the palm of his hand. □ He wiped his sweaty palm.
3 PHRASE If you have someone or something in the palm of your hand , you have control over them. □ Johnson thought he had the board of directors in the palm of his hand.
▸ palm off PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone has palmed something off on you, you feel annoyed because they have made you accept it although it is not valuable or is not your responsibility. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n P + on ] I couldn't keep palming her off on friends. □ [be V -ed P + with ] Joseph made sure that he was never palmed off with inferior stuff.
▸ palm off with PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If you say that you are palmed off with a lie or an excuse, you are annoyed because you are told something in order to stop you asking any more questions. [mainly BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [be V -ed P + with ] Mark was palmed off with a series of excuses.
palm|cord|er /pɑː mkɔː r də r / (palmcorders ) N‑COUNT A palmcorder is a small video camera that you can hold in the palm of your hand.
palm|is|try /pɑː m I stri/ N‑UNCOUNT Palmistry is the practice and art of trying to find out what people are like and what will happen in their future life by examining the lines on the palms of their hands.
pa lm oil N‑UNCOUNT Palm oil is a yellow oil which comes from the fruit of certain palm trees and is used in making soap and sometimes as a fat in cooking.
Pa lm Su n|day N‑UNCOUNT Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter. It is the day when Christians remember Jesus Christ's arrival in Jerusalem a few days before he was killed.
palo|mi|no /pæ ləmiː noʊ/ (palominos ) N‑COUNT A palomino is a horse which is yellowish or cream in colour and has a white tail.
pal|pable /pæ lpəb ə l/ ADJ You describe something as palpable when it is obvious or intense and easily noticed. □ The tension between Amy and Jim is palpable. ● pal|pably /pæ lpəbli/ ADV □ The scene was palpably intense to watch.
pal|pi|tate /pæ lp I te I t/ (palpitates , palpitating , palpitated )
1 VERB If someone's heart palpitates , it beats very fast in an irregular way, because they are frightened or anxious. □ [V ] He felt suddenly faint, and his heart began to palpitate.
2 VERB If something palpitates , it shakes or seems to shake. [LITERARY ] □ [V -ing] She lay on the bed, her eyes closed and her bosom palpitating. [Also V ]
pal|pi|ta|tion /pæ lp I te I ʃ ə n/ (palpitations ) N‑VAR When someone has palpitations , their heart beats very fast in an irregular way. □ Caffeine can cause palpitations and headaches.
pal|sy /pɔː lzi/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Palsy is a loss of feeling in part of your body.
2 → see also cerebral palsy
pal|try /pɔː ltri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A paltry amount of money or of something else is one that you consider to be very small. □ …a paltry fine of £150.
pam|pas /pæ mpəs, -əz/ N‑SING The pampas is the large area of flat, grassy land in South America.
pam|per /pæ mpə r / (pampers , pampering , pampered ) VERB If you pamper someone, you make them feel comfortable by doing things for them or giving them expensive or luxurious things, sometimes in a way which has a bad effect on their character. □ [V n] Why don't you let your mother pamper you for a while? □ [V pron-refl] Pamper yourself with our luxury gifts. ● pam|pered ADJ □ …today's pampered superstars.
pam|phlet /pæ mflət/ (pamphlets ) N‑COUNT A pamphlet is a very thin book, with a paper cover, which gives information about something.
pam|phlet|eer /pæ mflət I ə r / (pamphleteers ) N‑COUNT A pamphleteer is a person who writes pamphlets, especially about political subjects.
pan ◆◇◇ /pæ n/ (pans , panning , panned )
1 N‑COUNT A pan is a round metal container with a long handle, which is used for cooking things in, usually on top of a cooker or stove. □ Heat the butter and oil in a large pan.
2 VERB [usu passive] If something such as a film or a book is panned by journalists, they say it is very bad. [INFORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] His first high-budget movie, called 'Brain Donors', was panned by the critics.
3 VERB If you pan a film or television camera or if it pans somewhere, it moves slowly round so that a wide area is filmed. □ [V prep/adv] The camera panned along the line of players. □ [V n] A television camera panned the stadium. [Also V ]
4 VERB If someone pans for gold, they use a shallow metal container to try to find small pieces of gold from a river. □ [V + for ] People came westward in the 1800s to pan for gold. □ [V n] Every year they panned about a ton and a half of gold.
▸ pan out PHRASAL VERB If something, for example a project or some information, pans out , it produces something useful or valuable. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] None of Morgan's proposed financings panned out.
PREFIX pan-
is added to the beginning of adjectives and nouns to form other adjectives and nouns that describe something as being connected with all places or people of a particular kind. For example, a pan-European defence system is designed to protect all of the countries in Europe.
pana|cea /pæ nəsiː ə/ (panaceas ) N‑COUNT If you say that something is not a panacea for a particular set of problems, you mean that it will not solve all those problems. □ [+ for ] The proposal is not a panacea for Britain's economic problems.
pa|nache /pənæ ʃ/ N‑UNCOUNT If you do something with panache , you do it in a confident, stylish, and elegant way. □ The BBC Symphony Orchestra played with great panache.
pana|ma hat /pæ nəmɑː hæ t/ (panama hats ) N‑COUNT A panama hat or a panama is a hat, worn especially by men, that is woven from the leaves of a palm-like plant and worn when it is sunny.
pan|cake /pæ nke I k/ (pancakes )
1 N‑COUNT A pancake is a thin, flat, circular piece of cooked batter made from milk, flour, and eggs. Pancakes are often rolled up or folded and eaten hot with a sweet or savoury filling inside. In America, pancakes are usually eaten for breakfast, with butter and maple syrup.
2 flat as a pancake → see flat
Pa n|cake Day N‑UNCOUNT Pancake Day is the popular name for Shrove Tuesday . [BRIT ]
pa n|cake ro ll (pancake rolls ) N‑COUNT A pancake roll is an item of Chinese food consisting of a small roll of thin crisp pastry filled with vegetables and sometimes meat.
pan|cre|as /pæ ŋkriəs/ (pancreases ) N‑COUNT Your pancreas is an organ in your body that is situated behind your stomach. It produces insulin and substances that help your body digest food.
pan|cre|at|ic /pæ ŋkriæ t I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Pancreatic means relating to or involving the pancreas. □ …pancreatic juices.
pan|da /pæ ndə/ (pandas ) N‑COUNT A panda or a giant panda is a large animal rather like a bear, which has black and white fur and lives in the bamboo forests of China.
pa n|da car (panda cars ) N‑COUNT A panda car is a police car. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
pan|dem|ic /pænde m I k/ (pandemics ) N‑COUNT A pandemic is an occurrence of a disease that affects many people over a very wide area. [FORMAL ] □ They feared a new cholera pandemic.
pan|de|mo|nium /pæ nd I moʊ niəm/ N‑UNCOUNT If there is pandemonium in a place, the people there are behaving in a very noisy and uncontrolled way. □ There was pandemonium in court as the judge gave his summing up.
pan|der /pæ ndə r / (panders , pandering , pandered ) VERB If you pander to someone or to their wishes, you do everything that they want, often to get some advantage for yourself. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + to ] He has offended the party's traditional base by pandering to the rich and the middle classes.
Pandora /pændɔː rə/ PHRASE If someone or something opens Pandora's box or opens a Pandora's box , they do something that causes a lot of problems to appear that did not exist or were not known about before.
p & p also p and p You use p & p as a written abbreviation for 'postage and packing', when stating the cost of packing goods in a parcel and sending them through the post to a customer. [BRIT , BUSINESS ] □ The guide costs £9.95 (inc. p & p).
pane /pe I n/ (panes ) N‑COUNT A pane of glass is a flat sheet of glass in a window or door.
pan|egyr|ic /pæ n I dʒ I r I k/ (panegyrics ) N‑COUNT A panegyric is a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something. [FORMAL ] □ [+ on ] …Prince Charles's panegyric on rural living.
pan|el ◆◇◇ /pæ n ə l/ (panels )
1 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A panel is a small group of people who are chosen to do something, for example to discuss something in public or to make a decision. □ [+ of ] He assembled a panel of scholars to advise him. □ The advisory panel disagreed with the decision.
2 N‑COUNT A panel is a flat rectangular piece of wood or other material that forms part of a larger object such as a door. □ …the frosted glass panel set in the centre of the door.
3 N‑COUNT [n N ] A control panel or instrument panel is a board or surface which contains switches and controls to operate a machine or piece of equipment. □ The equipment was extremely sophisticated and was monitored from a central control-panel.
pan|elled /pæ n ə ld/ in AM, use paneled 1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A panelled room has decorative wooden panels covering its walls. □ …a large, comfortable, panelled room. □ The cheerful room was panelled in pine. ● COMB -panelled combines with nouns to form adjectives that describe the way a room or wall is decorated or the way a door or window is made. □ …a wood-panelled dining room.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A panelled wall, door, or window does not have a flat surface but has square or rectangular areas set into its surface. □ The panelled walls were covered with portraits.
pan|el|ling /pæ nəl I ŋ/ in AM, use paneling N‑UNCOUNT Panelling consists of boards or strips of wood covering a wall inside a building. □ …an apartment with oak beams and rosewood panelling.
pan|el|list /pæ nəl I st/ (panellists ) in AM, use panelist N‑COUNT A panellist is a person who is a member of a panel and speaks in public, especially on a radio or television programme.
pa n-frie d ADJ Pan-fried food is food that has been cooked in hot fat or oil in a frying pan.
pang /pæ ŋ/ (pangs ) N‑COUNT [n N ] A pang is a sudden strong feeling or emotion, for example of sadness or pain. □ [+ of ] For a moment she felt a pang of guilt about the way she was treating him.
pan|han|dle /pæ nhænd ə l/ (panhandles , panhandling , panhandled )
1 N‑COUNT A panhandle is a narrow strip of land joined to a larger area of land. [AM ] □ …the Texas panhandle.
2 VERB If someone panhandles , they stop people in the street and ask them for food or money. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ [V ] Many of these street people seemed to support themselves by panhandling and doing odd jobs. □ [V + for ] There was also a guy panhandling for quarters. [Also V n] in BRIT, usually use beg ● pan|han|dling N‑UNCOUNT □ Sergeant Rivero says arrests for panhandling take place every day.
pan|han|dler /pæ nhændlə r / (panhandlers ) N‑COUNT A panhandler is a person who stops people in the street and asks them for food or money. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] in BRIT, usually use beggar
pan|ic ◆◇◇ /pæ n I k/ (panics , panicking , panicked )
1 N‑VAR Panic is a very strong feeling of anxiety or fear, which makes you act without thinking carefully. □ An earthquake hit the capital, causing panic among the population. □ I phoned the doctor in a panic, worried about the pain in my chest.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] Panic or a panic is a situation in which people are affected by a strong feeling of anxiety. □ There was a moment of panic in Britain as it became clear just how vulnerable the nation was. □ [+ about ] I'm in a panic about getting everything done in time. □ The policy announcement caused panic buying of petrol.
3 VERB If you panic or if someone panics you, you suddenly feel anxious or afraid, and act quickly and without thinking carefully. □ [V ] Guests panicked and screamed when the bomb exploded. □ [V n] The unexpected and sudden memory briefly panicked her. □ [be V -ed + into ] He will not be panicked into a hasty decision. [Also V n into n] SYNONYMS panic NOUN 1
alarm: She sat up in alarm.
fear: I was sitting on the floor shivering with fear.
terror: I shook with terror whenever I was about to fly in an aeroplane.
hysteria: Several were hurt in the panic. 'It was mass hysteria,' said Walker.
pan|icky /pæ n I ki/ ADJ A panicky feeling or panicky behaviour is characterized by panic. □ Many women feel panicky travelling home at night alone.
pa nic-stricken ADJ If someone is panic-stricken or is behaving in a panic-stricken way, they are so anxious or afraid that they may act without thinking carefully. □ Panic-stricken travellers fled for the borders.
pa|ni|ni /pəniː niː / (paninis ) N‑COUNT A panini is a type of Italian bread, usually served hot with a variety of fillings. □ …a panini with smoked salmon and cream cheese.
pan|ni|er /pæ niə r / (panniers )
1 N‑COUNT A pannier is one of two bags or boxes for carrying things in, which are fixed on each side of the back wheel of a bicycle or motorbike.
2 N‑COUNT A pannier is a large basket or bag, usually one of two that are put over an animal and used for carrying loads.
pano|ply /pæ nəpli/ N‑SING A panoply of things is a wide range of them, especially one that is considered impressive. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] He was attended, as are all heads of state, by a full panoply of experts.
pano|ra|ma /pæ nərɑː mə, -ræ mə/ (panoramas )
1 N‑COUNT A panorama is a view in which you can see a long way over a wide area of land, usually because you are on high ground. □ [+ of ] Horton looked out over a panorama of fertile valleys and gentle hills.
2 N‑COUNT A panorama is a broad view of a state of affairs or of a constantly changing series of events. □ [+ of ] The play presents a panorama of the history of communism.
pano|ram|ic /pæ nəræ m I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you have a panoramic view, you can see a long way over a wide area. □ The terrain's high points provide a panoramic view of Los Angeles.
pan|sy /pæ nzi/ (pansies )
1 N‑COUNT A pansy is a small brightly coloured garden flower with large round petals.
2 N‑COUNT If someone describes a man as a pansy , they mean that he is a homosexual. [INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE , OLD-FASHIONED ]
pant /pæ nt/ (pants , panting , panted )
1 VERB If you pant , you breathe quickly and loudly with your mouth open, because you have been doing something energetic. □ [V ] She climbed rapidly until she was panting with the effort.
2 → see also pants
pan|ta|loons /pæ ntəluː nz/ N‑PLURAL Pantaloons are long trousers with very wide legs, gathered at the ankle.
pan|theism /pæ nθi I zəm/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Pantheism is the religious belief that God is in everything in nature and the universe.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Pantheism is a willingness to worship and believe in all gods.
pan|theis|tic /pæ nθi I st I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Pantheistic religions involve believing that God is in everything in nature and the universe.
pan|the|on /pæ nθiɒn/ (pantheons ) N‑COUNT You can refer to a group of gods or a group of important people as a pantheon . [WRITTEN ] □ [+ of ] …the birthplace of Krishna, another god of the Hindu pantheon.
pan|ther /pæ nθə r / (panthers ) N‑COUNT A panther is a large wild animal that belongs to the cat family. Panthers are usually black.
panties /pæ ntiz/ N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Panties are short, close-fitting underpants worn by women or girls. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use knickers , pants
pan|to /pæ ntoʊ/ (pantos ) N‑VAR A panto is the same as a pantomime . [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ …a Christmas panto.
pan|to|mime /pæ ntəma I m/ (pantomimes )
1 N‑COUNT A pantomime is a funny musical play for children. Pantomimes are usually based on fairy stories and are performed at Christmas. [BRIT ]
2 N‑SING If you say that a situation or a person's behaviour is a pantomime , you mean that it is silly or exaggerated and that there is something false about it. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ of ] They were made welcome with the usual pantomime of exaggerated smiles and gestures.
pan|try /pæ ntri/ (pantries ) N‑COUNT A pantry is a small room or large cupboard in a house, usually near the kitchen, where food is kept.
pants /pæ nts/
1 N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Pants are a piece of underwear which have two holes to put your legs through and elastic around the top to hold them up round your waist or hips. [BRIT ] □ I put on my bra and pants. in AM, usually use underpants 2 N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Pants are a piece of clothing that covers the lower part of your body and each leg. [AM ] □ He wore brown corduroy pants and a white cotton shirt. in BRIT, use trousers 3 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that something is pants , you mean that it is very poor in quality. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ The place is pants, yet so popular.
4 PHRASE If someone bores, charms, or scares the pants off you, for example, they bore, charm, or scare you a lot. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ You'll bore the pants off your grandchildren.
5 PHRASE If you fly by the seat of your pants or do something by the seat of your pants , you use your instincts to tell you what to do in a new or difficult situation rather than following a plan or relying on equipment.
6 to wear the pants → see wear USAGE pants
Don’t say ‘
a pants
’ or ‘
a shorts
’. You can say a pair of pants
or a pair of shorts
. □
Make sure you pack a pair of shorts
.
pan|ty|hose /pæ ntihoʊz/ also panty hose N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Pantyhose are nylon tights worn by women. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use tights
pap /pæ p/ N‑UNCOUNT If you describe something such as information, writing, or entertainment as pap , you mean that you consider it to be of no worth, value, or serious interest. [DISAPPROVAL ]
papa /pəpɑː , [AM ] pɑː pə/ (papas ) N‑COUNT Some people refer to or address their father as papa . [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ He was so much older than me, older even than my papa.
pa|pa|cy /pe I pəsi/ also Papacy N‑SING The papacy is the position, power, and authority of the Pope, including the period of time that a particular person holds this position. □ Throughout his papacy, John Paul has called for a second evangelization of Europe.
pa|pal /pe I p ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Papal is used to describe things relating to the Pope. □ …the doctrine of papal infallibility.
pa|pa|raz|zo /pæ pəræ tsoʊ/ (paparazzi /pæ pəræ tsi/) N‑COUNT [usu pl] The paparazzi are photographers who follow famous people around, hoping to take interesting or shocking photographs of them that they can sell to a newspaper. □ The paparazzi pursue Armani wherever he travels.
pa|pa|ya /pəpa I ə/ (papayas ) N‑COUNT A papaya is a fruit with a green skin, sweet yellow flesh, and small black seeds. Papayas grow on trees in hot countries such as the West Indies.
pa|per ◆◆◆ /pe I pə r / (papers , papering , papered )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Paper is a material that you write on or wrap things with. The pages of this book are made of paper. □ He wrote his name down on a piece of paper for me. □ She sat at the table with pen and paper. □ …a sheet of pretty wrapping paper. □ …a paper bag.
2 N‑COUNT A paper is a newspaper. □ I'll cook and you read the paper.
3 N‑COUNT You can refer to newspapers in general as the paper or the papers . □ You can't believe everything you read in the paper.
4 N‑PLURAL [usu with poss] Your papers are sheets of paper with writing or information on them, which you might keep in a safe place at home. □ Her papers included unpublished articles and correspondence.
5 N‑PLURAL [usu poss N ] Your papers are official documents, for example your passport or identity card, which prove who you are or which give you official permission to do something. □ They have arrested four people who were trying to leave the country with forged papers.
6 N‑COUNT A paper is a long, formal piece of writing about an academic subject. □ He just published a paper in the journal Nature, analyzing the fires.
7 N‑COUNT A paper is an essay written by a student. [mainly AM ] □ …the ten common errors that appear most frequently in student papers.
8 → see also term paper
9 N‑COUNT A paper is a part of a written examination in which you answer a number of questions in a particular period of time. □ We sat each paper in the Hall.
10 N‑COUNT A paper prepared by a government or a committee is a report on a question they have been considering or a set of proposals for changes in the law. □ [+ on ] …a new government paper on climate change.
11 → see also Green Paper , White Paper
12 ADJ [ADJ n] Paper agreements, qualifications, or profits are ones that are stated by official documents to exist, although they may not really be effective or useful. □ We're looking for people who have experience rather than paper qualifications.
13 VERB If you paper a wall, you put wallpaper on it. □ [V n] We papered all four bedrooms. □ [V -ed] The room was strange, the walls half papered, half painted.
14 PHRASE If you put your thoughts down on paper , you write them down. □ It is important to get something down on paper.
15 PHRASE If something seems to be the case on paper , it seems to be the case from what you read or hear about it, but it may not really be the case. □ On paper, their country is a multi-party democracy.
16 PHRASE If you say that a promise, an agreement, or a guarantee is not worth the paper it's written on , you mean that although it has been written down and seems to be official, it is in fact worthless because what has been promised will not be done. [DISAPPROVAL ]
▸ paper over PHRASAL VERB If people paper over a disagreement between them, they find a temporary solution to it in order to give the impression that things are going well. □ [V P n] …his determination to paper over the cracks in his party and avoid confrontation.
paper|back /pe I pə r bæk/ (paperbacks ) N‑COUNT [oft in N ] A paperback is a book with a thin cardboard or paper cover. Compare hardback . □ She said she would buy the book when it comes out in paperback.
paper|boy /pe I pə r bɔ I / (paperboys ) also paper boy N‑COUNT A paperboy is a boy who delivers newspapers to people's homes.
pa |per clip (paper clips ) also paper-clip , paperclip N‑COUNT A paper clip is a small piece of bent wire that is used to fasten papers together.
paper|girl /pe I pə r gɜː r l/ (papergirls ) also paper girl N‑COUNT A papergirl is a girl who delivers newspapers to people's homes.
pa |per knife (paper knives ) also paper-knife N‑COUNT A paper knife is a tool shaped like a knife, which is used for opening envelopes.
paper|less /pe I pə r ləs/ ADJ [ADJ n] Paperless is used to describe business or office work which is done by computer or phone, rather than by writing things down. □ Paperless trading can save time and money. □ …the paperless office.
pa |per mo n|ey N‑UNCOUNT Paper money is money which is made of paper. Paper money is usually worth more than coins.
pa |per round (paper rounds ) N‑COUNT A paper round is a job of delivering newspapers to houses along a particular route. Paper rounds are usually done by children before or after school. [BRIT ] in AM, use paper route
pa |per route (paper routes ) N‑COUNT A paper route is the same as a paper round . [AM ]
pa |per shop (paper shops ) N‑COUNT A paper shop is a shop that sells newspapers and magazines, and also things such as tobacco, sweets, and cards. [BRIT ]
pa per-thi n also paper thin ADJ If something is paper-thin , it is very thin. □ Cut the onion into paper-thin slices.
pa |per ti |ger (paper tigers ) N‑COUNT If you say that an institution, a country, or a person is a paper tiger , you mean that although they seem powerful they do not really have any power.
pa |per trail N‑SING Documents which provide evidence of someone's activities can be referred to as a paper trail . [mainly AM ] □ Criminals are very reluctant to leave a paper trail.
paper|weight /pe I pə r we I t/ (paperweights ) N‑COUNT A paperweight is a small heavy object which you place on papers to prevent them from being disturbed or blown away.
paper|work /pe I pə r wɜː r k/ N‑UNCOUNT Paperwork is the routine part of a job which involves writing or dealing with letters, reports, and records. □ A pile of paperwork demanded my attention.
pa|pery /pe I pəri/ ADJ Something that is papery is thin and dry like paper. □ Leave each garlic clove in its papery skin.
papier-mâché /pæ pie I mæ ʃe I , [AM ] pe I pə r məʃe I / N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Papier-mâché is a mixture of pieces of paper and glue. It can be made, while still damp, into objects such as bowls, ornaments, and models. □ …papier-mâché bowls.
pa|pist /pe I p I st/ (papists ) also Papist N‑COUNT Some Protestants refer to Catholics as Papists . [OFFENSIVE ]
pap|ri|ka /pəpriː kə, pæ pr I kə/ N‑UNCOUNT Paprika is a red powder used for flavouring meat and other food.
pa p smea r (pap smears ) also pap test N‑COUNT A pap smear is a medical test in which cells are taken from a woman's cervix and analysed to see if any cancer cells are present. [AM ] in BRIT, use smear
pa|py|rus /pəpa I rəs/ (papyri )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Papyrus is a tall water plant that grows in Africa.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Papyrus is a type of paper made from papyrus stems that was used in ancient Egypt, Rome, and Greece.
3 N‑COUNT A papyrus is an ancient document that is written on papyrus.
par /pɑː r /
1 PHRASE If you say that two people or things are on a par with each other, you mean that they are equally good or bad, or equally important. □ Parts of Glasgow are on a par with the worst areas of London and Liverpool for burglaries.
2 N‑UNCOUNT In golf, par is the number of strokes that a good player should take to get the ball into a hole or into all the holes on a particular golf course. □ He was five under par after the first round.
3 PHRASE If you say that someone or something is below par or under par , you are disappointed in them because they are below the standard you expected. □ Duffy's primitive guitar playing is well below par.
4 PHRASE [usu with neg] If you say that someone or something is not up to par , you are disappointed in them because they are below the standard you expected. □ His performance was not up to par.
5 PHRASE If you feel below par or under par , you feel tired and unable to perform as well as you normally do.
6 PHRASE If you say that something that happens is par for the course , you mean that you are not pleased with it but it is what you expected to happen. □ He said long hours are par for the course.
para /pæ rə/ (paras ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] A para is a paratrooper . [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ …some guys just out of the paras.
para. /pæ rə/ (paras ) Para. is a written abbreviation for paragraph . □ See Chapter 9, para. 1.2.
para|ble /pæ rəb ə l/ (parables ) N‑COUNT A parable is a short story, which is told in order to make a moral or religious point, like those in the Bible. □ [+ of ] …the parable of the Good Samaritan.
pa|rabo|la /pəræ bələ/ (parabolas ) N‑COUNT A parabola is a type of curve such as the path of something that is thrown up into the air and comes down in a different place. [TECHNICAL ]
para|bol|ic /pæ rəbɒ l I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A parabolic object or curve is shaped like a parabola. □ …a parabolic mirror.
pa|ra|ceta|mol /pæ rəsiː təmɒl/ (paracetamol ) N‑VAR Paracetamol is a mild drug which reduces pain and fever. [BRIT ] □ I often take paracetamol at work if I get a bad headache.
para|chute /pæ rəʃuːt/ (parachutes , parachuting , parachuted )
1 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A parachute is a device which enables a person to jump from an aircraft and float safely to the ground. It consists of a large piece of thin cloth attached to your body by strings. □ They fell 41,000 ft. before opening their parachutes.
2 VERB If a person parachutes or someone parachutes them somewhere, they jump from an aircraft using a parachute. □ [V prep/adv] He was a courier for the Polish underground and parachuted into Warsaw. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] He was parachuted in.
3 VERB To parachute something somewhere means to drop it somewhere by parachute. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] Supplies were parachuted into the mountains.
4 VERB If a person parachutes into an organization or if they are parachuted into it, they are brought in suddenly in order to help it. □ [V into ] …a consultant who parachutes into corporations and helps provide strategic thinking. □ [be V -ed + into ] There was intense speculation 18 months ago that the former foreign secretary might be parachuted into the Scottish Parliament.
para|chut|ing /pæ rəʃuːt I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Parachuting is the activity or sport of jumping from an aircraft with a parachute. □ His hobby is freefall parachuting.
para|chut|ist /pæ rəʃuːt I st/ (parachutists ) N‑COUNT A parachutist is a person who jumps from an aircraft using a parachute. □ He was an experienced parachutist who had done over 150 jumps.
pa|rade /pəre I d/ (parades , parading , paraded )
1 N‑COUNT A parade is a procession of people or vehicles moving through a public place in order to celebrate an important day or event. □ A military parade marched slowly and solemnly down Pennsylvania Avenue.
2 VERB When people parade somewhere, they walk together in a formal group or a line, usually with other people watching them. □ [V prep/adv] More than four thousand soldiers, sailors and airmen paraded down the Champs Elysees.
3 N‑VAR [oft on N ] Parade is a formal occasion when soldiers stand in lines to be seen by an officer or important person, or march in a group. □ He had them on parade at six o'clock in the morning.
4 VERB [usu passive] If prisoners are paraded through the streets of a town or on television, they are shown to the public, usually in order to make the people who are holding them seem more powerful or important. □ [be V -ed prep] Five leading fighter pilots have been captured and paraded before the media.
5 VERB [usu passive] If you say that someone parades a person, you mean that they show that person to others only in order to gain some advantage for themselves. □ [be V -ed] Children are paraded on television alongside the party leaders to win votes.
6 VERB If people parade something, they show it in public so that it can be admired. □ [V n] Valentino is keen to see celebrities parading his clothes at big occasions.
7 VERB If someone parades , they walk about somewhere in order to be seen and admired. □ [V prep/adv] I love to put on a bathing suit and parade on the beach. □ [V prep/adv] They danced and paraded around.
8 VERB If you say that something parades as or is paraded as a good or important thing, you mean that some people say that it is good or important but you think it probably is not. □ [V n + as ] He paraded his cut in interest rates as a small victory. □ [V + as ] …all the fashions that parade as modern movements in art.
9 N‑COUNT If you talk about a parade of people or things, you mean that there is a series of them that seems never to end. □ [+ of ] When I ask Nick about his childhood, he remembers a parade of baby-sitters. □ [+ of ] …an endless parade of advertisements.
10 N‑COUNT A parade is a short row of shops, usually set back from the main street. [BRIT ]
11 N‑COUNT Parade is used as part of the name of a street. □ …Queens Hotel, Clarence Parade, Southsea.
12 → see also hit parade , identity parade
pa |rade ground (parade grounds ) N‑COUNT A parade ground is an area of ground where soldiers practise marching and have parades.
para|digm /pæ rəda I m/ (paradigms )
1 N‑VAR A paradigm is a model for something which explains it or shows how it can be produced. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …a new paradigm of production.
2 N‑COUNT A paradigm is a clear and typical example of something. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] He had become the paradigm of the successful man.
para|dig|mat|ic /pæ rəd I gmæ t I k/ ADJ You can describe something as paradigmatic if it acts as a model or example for something. [FORMAL ] □ Their great academic success was paraded as paradigmatic.
para|dise /pæ rəda I s/ (paradises )
1 N‑PROPER According to some religions, paradise is a wonderful place where people go after they die, if they have led good lives. □ The Koran describes paradise as a place containing a garden of delight.
2 N‑VAR You can refer to a place or situation that seems beautiful or perfect as paradise or a paradise . □ …one of the world's great natural paradises.
3 N‑COUNT You can use paradise to say that a place is very attractive to a particular kind of person and has everything they need for a particular activity. □ The Algarve is a golfer's paradise.
4 → see also fool's paradise
para|dox /pæ rədɒks/ (paradoxes )
1 N‑COUNT You describe a situation as a paradox when it involves two or more facts or qualities which seem to contradict each other. □ The paradox is that the region's most dynamic economies have the most primitive financial systems.
2 N‑VAR A paradox is a statement in which it seems that if one part of it is true, the other part of it cannot be true. □ Although I'm so successful I'm really rather a failure. That's a paradox, isn't it?
para|doxi|cal /pæ rədɒ ks I k ə l/ ADJ If something is paradoxical , it involves two facts or qualities which seem to contradict each other. □ Some sedatives produce the paradoxical effect of making the person more anxious. ● para|doxi|cal|ly /pæ rədɒ ks I kli/ ADV [usu ADV with cl/group, ADV with v] □ Paradoxically, acceptance of this apparent injustice is the beginning of empowerment.
par|af|fin /pæ rəf I n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Paraffin is a strong-smelling liquid which is used as a fuel in heaters, lamps, and engines. [mainly BRIT ] □ …a paraffin lamp. in AM, use kerosene 2 N‑UNCOUNT Paraffin wax, or in American English paraffin , is a white wax obtained from petrol or coal. It is used to make candles and in beauty treatments.
para|glide /pæ rəgla I d/ (paraglides , paragliding , paraglided ) VERB If a person paraglides , they jump from an aircraft or off a hill or tall building while wearing a special parachute which allows them to control the way they float to the ground. □ [V prep] They planned to paraglide from Long Mountain. [Also V ] ● para|glid|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Hang gliding and paragliding are allowed from the top of Windy Hill.
para|glid|er /pæ rəgla I də r / (paragliders )
1 N‑COUNT A paraglider is a special type of parachute that you use for paragliding.
2 N‑COUNT A paraglider is a person who paraglides.
para|gon /pæ rəgɒn/ (paragons ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a paragon , you mean that they are perfect or have a lot of a good quality. □ [+ of ] We don't expect candidates to be paragons of virtue.
para|graph /pæ rəgrɑːf, -græf/ (paragraphs ) N‑COUNT A paragraph is a section of a piece of writing. A paragraph always begins on a new line and contains at least one sentence. □ The length of a paragraph depends on the information it conveys.
para|keet /pæ rəkiːt/ (parakeets ) also parrakeet N‑COUNT A parakeet is a type of small parrot which is brightly coloured and has a long tail.
para|le|gal /pæ rəliː g ə l/ (paralegals ) N‑COUNT A paralegal is someone who helps lawyers with their work but is not yet completely qualified as a lawyer. [AM ]
par|al|lax /pæ rəlæks/ (parallaxes ) N‑VAR Parallax is when an object appears to change its position because the person or instrument observing it has changed their position. [TECHNICAL ]
par|al|lel /pæ rəlel/ (parallels , parallelling , parallelled ) in AM, use paralleling , paralleled 1 N‑COUNT If something has a parallel , it is similar to something else, but exists or happens in a different place or at a different time. If it has no parallel or is without parallel , it is not similar to anything else. □ [+ to ] Readers familiar with English history will find a vague parallel to the suppression of the monasteries. □ It's an ecological disaster with no parallel anywhere else in the world.
2 N‑COUNT If there are parallels between two things, they are similar in some ways. □ Detailed study of folk music from a variety of countries reveals many close parallels. □ [+ between ] Friends of the dead lawyer were quick to draw a parallel between the two murders. [Also + to/with ]
3 VERB If one thing parallels another, they happen at the same time or are similar, and often seem to be connected. □ [V n] Often there are emotional reasons paralleling the financial ones. □ [V n] His remarks paralleled those of the president.
4 ADJ Parallel events or situations happen at the same time as one another, or are similar to one another. □ …parallel talks between the two countries' Foreign Ministers. □ [+ with ] Their instincts do not always run parallel with ours. [Also + to ]
5 ADJ If two lines, two objects, or two lines of movement are parallel , they are the same distance apart along their whole length. □ …seventy-two ships, drawn up in two parallel lines. □ [+ with ] Farthing Lane's just above the High Street and parallel with it. [Also + to ]
6 N‑COUNT A parallel is an imaginary line round the Earth that is parallel to the equator. Parallels are shown on maps. □ …the area south of the 38th parallel.
7 PHRASE Something that occurs in parallel with something else occurs at the same time as it. □ [+ with ] Davies has managed to pursue his diverse interests in parallel with his fast-moving career. [Also + to ]
pa r|al|lel ba rs N‑PLURAL Parallel bars consist of a pair of horizontal bars on posts, which are used for doing physical exercises.
par|al|lel|ism /pæ rəlel I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT When there is parallelism between two things, there are similarities between them. [FORMAL ] □ [+ between ] The last thing we should do is make any parallelism between the murderers and their victims.
par|al|lelo|gram /pæ rəle ləgræm/ (parallelograms ) N‑COUNT A parallelogram is a four-sided shape in which each side is parallel to the side opposite it.
pa r|al|lel pa rk (parallel parks , parallel parking , parallel parked ) VERB If you parallel park a vehicle or parallel park somewhere, you drive the vehicle into a position behind another vehicle in order to park it there. □ Sit back, relax and let your car parallel park itself.
pa r|al|lel pro |cess|ing N‑UNCOUNT In computing, parallel processing is a system in which several instructions are carried out at the same time instead of one after the other. [COMPUTING ]
para|lyse /pæ rəla I z/ (paralyses , paralysing , paralysed ) in AM, use paralyze 1 VERB If someone is paralysed by an accident or an illness, they have no feeling in their body, or in part of their body, and are unable to move. □ [be V -ed] Her married sister had been paralysed in a road accident. □ [V n] …a virus which paralysed his legs. ● para|lysed ADJ □ The disease left him with a paralysed right arm.
2 VERB If a person, place, or organization is paralysed by something, they become unable to act or function properly. □ [be V -ed] For weeks now the government has been paralysed by indecision. □ [V n] The strike has virtually paralysed the island. ● para|lysed ADJ □ [+ with ] He was absolutely paralysed with shock. ● para|lys|ing ADJ [ADJ n] □ …paralysing shyness.
pa|raly|sis /pəræ ləs I s/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Paralysis is the loss of the ability to move and feel in all or part of your body. □ [+ of ] …paralysis of the leg.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Paralysis is the state of being unable to act or function properly. □ [+ of ] The paralysis of the leadership leaves the army without its supreme command.
para|lyt|ic /pæ rəl I t I k/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Paralytic means suffering from or related to paralysis. □ …paralytic disease.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is paralytic is very drunk. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ By the end of the evening they were all absolutely paralytic.
para|med|ic /pæ rəme d I k, [AM ] -med I k/ (paramedics ) N‑COUNT A paramedic is a person whose training is similar to that of a nurse and who helps to do medical work. □ We intend to have a paramedic on every ambulance within the next three years.
para|medi|cal /pæ rəme d I k ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Paramedical workers and services help doctors and nurses in medical work. □ …doctors and paramedical staff.
pa|ram|eter /pəræ m I tə r / (parameters ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Parameters are factors or limits which affect the way that something can be done or made. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] That would be enough to make sure we fell within the parameters of our loan agreement.
para|mili|tary /pæ rəm I l I tri, [AM ] -teri/ (paramilitaries )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A paramilitary organization is organized like an army and performs either civil or military functions in a country. □ Searches by the army and paramilitary forces have continued today. ● N‑COUNT [usu pl] Paramilitaries are members of a paramilitary organization. □ Paramilitaries and army recruits patrolled the village.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A paramilitary organization is an illegal group that is organized like an army. □ …a law which said that all paramilitary groups must be disarmed. ● N‑COUNT [usu pl] Paramilitaries are members of an illegal paramilitary organization. □ Loyalist paramilitaries were blamed for the shooting.
para|mount /pæ rəmaʊnt/ ADJ Something that is paramount or of paramount importance is more important than anything else. □ The child's welfare must be seen as paramount.
par|amour /pæ rəmʊə r / (paramours ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Someone's paramour is their lover. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
para|noia /pæ rənɔ I ə/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone suffers from paranoia , you think that they are too suspicious and afraid of other people. □ The mood is one of paranoia and expectation of war.
2 N‑UNCOUNT In psychology, if someone suffers from paranoia , they wrongly believe that other people are trying to harm them, or believe themselves to be much more important than they really are.
para|noi|ac /pæ rənɔ I æk/ ADJ Paranoiac means the same as paranoid . [FORMAL ]
para|noid /pæ rənɔ I d/ (paranoids )
1 ADJ If you say that someone is paranoid , you mean that they are extremely suspicious and afraid of other people. □ [+ about ] I'm not going to get paranoid about it. □ …a paranoid politician who saw enemies all around him.
2 ADJ Someone who is paranoid suffers from the mental illness of paranoia. □ …paranoid delusions. □ …a paranoid schizophrenic. ● N‑COUNT A paranoid is someone who is paranoid.
para|nor|mal /pæ rənɔː r m ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A paranormal event or power, for example the appearance of a ghost, cannot be explained by scientific laws and is thought to involve strange, unknown forces. □ Science may be able to provide some explanations of paranormal phenomena. ● N‑SING You can refer to paranormal events and matters as the paranormal . □ We have been looking at the shadowy world of the paranormal.
para|pet /pæ rəp I t/ (parapets )
1 N‑COUNT A parapet is a low wall along the edge of something high such as a bridge or roof.
2 PHRASE If you say that someone puts their head above the parapet , you mean they take a risk. If you say they keep their head below the parapet , you mean they avoid taking a risk. [BRIT ]
para|pher|na|lia /pæ rəfə r ne I liə/
1 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to a large number of objects that someone has with them or that are connected with a particular activity as paraphernalia . □ …a large courtyard full of builders' paraphernalia.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you disapprove of the things and events that are involved in a particular system or activity, and you think they are unnecessary, you can refer to them as paraphernalia . [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] The public don't necessarily want the paraphernalia of a full hearing.
para|phrase /pæ rəfre I z/ (paraphrases , paraphrasing , paraphrased )
1 VERB If you paraphrase someone or paraphrase something that they have said or written, you express what they have said or written in a different way. □ [V n] Parents, to paraphrase Philip Larkin, can seriously damage your health. □ [V ] I'm paraphrasing but this is honestly what he said.
2 N‑COUNT A paraphrase of something written or spoken is the same thing expressed in a different way.
para|plegia /pæ rəpliː dʒə/ N‑UNCOUNT Paraplegia is the condition of being unable to move the lower half of your body. [MEDICAL ]
para|plegic /pæ rəpliː dʒ I k/ (paraplegics ) N‑COUNT A paraplegic is someone who cannot move the lower half of their body, for example because of an injury to their spine. ● ADJ Paraplegic is also an adjective. □ A passenger was injured so badly he will be paraplegic for the rest of his life.
para|psy|chol|ogy /pæ rəsa I kɒ lədʒi/ N‑UNCOUNT Parapsychology is the study of strange mental abilities that seem to exist but cannot be explained by accepted scientific theories.
para|quat /pæ rəkwæt/ N‑UNCOUNT Paraquat is a very poisonous substance that is used to kill weeds. [TRADEMARK ]
para|site /pæ rəsa I t/ (parasites )
1 N‑COUNT A parasite is a small animal or plant that lives on or inside a larger animal or plant, and gets its food from it.
2 N‑COUNT If you disapprove of someone because you think that they get money or other things from other people but do not do anything in return, you can call them a parasite . [DISAPPROVAL ] WORD HISTORY parasite
Parasite comes from Greek parasitos , meaning 'someone who eats at someone else's table'.
para|sit|ic /pæ rəs I t I k/ also parasitical
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Parasitic diseases are caused by parasites. □ Will global warming mean the spread of tropical parasitic diseases?
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Parasitic animals and plants live on or inside larger animals or plants and get their food from them. □ …tiny parasitic insects.
3 ADJ If you describe a person or organization as parasitic , you mean that they get money or other things from people without doing anything in return. [DISAPPROVAL ]
para|sol /pæ rəsɒl, [AM ] -sɔːl/ (parasols ) N‑COUNT A parasol is an object like an umbrella that provides shade from the sun.
para|troop|er /pæ rətruːpə r / (paratroopers ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Paratroopers are soldiers who are trained to be dropped by parachute into battle or into enemy territory.
para|troops /pæ rətruːps/ The form paratroop is used as a modifier. N‑PLURAL Paratroops are soldiers who are trained to be dropped by parachute into battle or into enemy territory. □ British paratroops began to drop from the sky.
par|boil /pɑː r bɔ I l/ (parboils , parboiling , parboiled ) VERB If you parboil food, especially vegetables, you boil it until it is partly cooked. □ [V n] Roughly chop and parboil the potatoes.
par|cel /pɑː r s ə l/ (parcels )
1 N‑COUNT A parcel is something wrapped in paper, usually so that it can be sent to someone by post. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ of ] …parcels of food and clothing. □ He had a large brown paper parcel under his left arm. in AM, usually use package 2 N‑COUNT A parcel of land is a piece of land. □ [+ of ] These small parcels of land were purchased for the most part by local people.
3 PHRASE If you say that something is part and parcel of something else, you are emphasizing that it is involved or included in it. [EMPHASIS ] □ Payment was part and parcel of carrying on insurance business within the U.K…
pa r|cel bomb (parcel bombs ) N‑COUNT A parcel bomb is a small bomb which is sent in a parcel through the post and which is designed to explode when the parcel is opened. [BRIT ]
parched /pɑː r tʃt/
1 ADJ If something, especially the ground or a plant, is parched , it is very dry, because there has been no rain. □ …a hill of parched brown grass.
2 ADJ If your mouth, throat, or lips are parched , they are unpleasantly dry.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that you are parched , you mean that you are very thirsty. [INFORMAL ]
parch|ment /pɑː r tʃmənt/ (parchments )
1 N‑UNCOUNT In former times, parchment was the skin of a sheep or goat that was used for writing on. □ …old manuscripts written on parchment.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Parchment is a kind of thick yellowish paper. □ …an old lamp with a parchment shade. □ Cover with a sheet of non-stick baking parchment.
par|don /pɑː r d ə n/ (pardons , pardoning , pardoned )
1 CONVENTION You say ' Pardon? ' or ' I beg your pardon? ' or, in American English, ' Pardon me? ' when you want someone to repeat what they have just said because you have not heard or understood it. [SPOKEN , FORMULAE ] □ 'Will you let me open it?'—'Pardon?'—'Can I open it?'.
2 CONVENTION People say ' I beg your pardon? ' when they are surprised or offended by something that someone has just said. [SPOKEN , FEELINGS ] □ 'Would you get undressed, please?'—'I beg your pardon?'—'Will you get undressed?'
3 CONVENTION You say ' I beg your pardon ' or ' I do beg your pardon ' as a way of apologizing for accidentally doing something wrong, such as disturbing someone or making a mistake. [SPOKEN , FORMULAE ] □ I was impolite and I do beg your pardon.
4 CONVENTION Some people say ' Pardon me ' instead of 'Excuse me' when they want to politely get someone's attention or interrupt them. [mainly BRIT , SPOKEN , FORMULAE ] □ Pardon me, are you finished, madam? in AM, use excuse me 5 CONVENTION You can say things like ' Pardon me for asking ' or ' Pardon my frankness ' as a way of showing you understand that what you are going to say may sound rude. [SPOKEN , POLITENESS ] □ That, if you'll pardon my saying so, is neither here nor there.
6 CONVENTION Some people say things like ' If you'll pardon the expression ' or ' Pardon my French ' just before or after saying something which they think might offend people. [SPOKEN , FORMULAE ] □ It's enough to make you wet yourself, if you'll pardon the expression.
7 VERB [usu passive] If someone who has been found guilty of a crime is pardoned , they are officially allowed to go free and are not punished. □ [be V -ed] Hundreds of political prisoners were pardoned and released. ● N‑COUNT Pardon is also a noun. □ He was granted a presidential pardon.
par|don|able /pɑː r dənəb ə l/ ADJ You describe someone's action or attitude as pardonable if you think it is wrong but you understand why they did that action or have that attitude. □ 'I have', he remarked with pardonable pride, 'done what I set out to do.'
pare /peə r / (pares , paring , pared )
1 VERB When you pare something, or pare part of it off or away , you cut off its skin or its outer layer. □ [V n + from ] Pare the brown skin from the meat with a very sharp knife. □ [V n with adv] He took out a slab of cheese, pared off a slice and ate it hastily. □ [V -ed] …thinly pared lemon rind.
2 → see also paring
3 VERB If you pare something down or back , or if you pare it, you reduce it. □ [be V -ed adv] The number of Ministries has been pared down by a third. □ [V n with adv] The luxury tax won't really do much to pare down the budget deficit. □ [V n] Local authorities must pare their budgets.
pa red-down ADJ If you describe something as pared-down , you mean that it has no unnecessary features, and has been reduced to a very simple form. □ Her style is pared-down and simple.
par|ent ◆◆◆ /peə rənt/ (parents )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Your parents are your mother and father. □ Children need their parents. □ When you become a parent, the things you once cared about seem to have less value.
2 → see also foster parent , one-parent family , single parent
3 ADJ [ADJ n] An organization's parent organization is the organization that created it and usually still controls it. □ Each unit including the parent company has its own, local management.
par|ent|age /peə rənt I dʒ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft of adj N ] Your parentage is the identity and origins of your parents. For example, if you are of Greek parentage , your parents are Greek. □ She's a Londoner of mixed parentage (English and Jamaican).
pa|ren|tal /pəre nt ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Parental is used to describe something that relates to parents in general, or to one or both of the parents of a particular child. □ Medical treatment was sometimes given to children without parental consent.
pa|re n|tal lea ve N‑UNCOUNT Parental leave is time away from work, usually without pay, that parents are allowed in order to look after their children. [BUSINESS ] □ Parents are entitled to 13 weeks' parental leave.
pa|ren|thesis /pəre nθəs I s/ (parentheses /pəre nθəsiːz/)
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Parentheses are a pair of curved marks that you put around words or numbers to indicate that they are additional, separate, or less important. (This sentence is in parentheses.)
2 N‑COUNT A parenthesis is a remark that is made in the middle of a piece of speech or writing, and which gives a little more information about the subject being discussed.
3 PHRASE You say in parenthesis to indicate that you are about to add something before going back to the main topic.
par|en|the|ti|cal /pæ rənθe t I k ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A parenthetical remark or section is put into something written or spoken but is not essential to it. □ Fox was making a long parenthetical remark about his travels on the border of the country. ● par|en|the|ti|cal|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ Well, parenthetically, I was trying to quit smoking at the time. □ And what, we may ask parenthetically, does it mean?
par|ent|hood /peə rənthʊd/ N‑UNCOUNT Parenthood is the state of being a parent. □ She may feel unready for the responsibilities of parenthood.
par|ent|ing /peə rənt I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Parenting is the activity of bringing up and looking after your child. □ Parenting is not fully valued by society. □ …parenting classes.
pa rent-tea cher as|so|cia|tion (parent-teacher associations ) N‑COUNT A parent-teacher association is the same as a PTA .
par ex|cel|lence /pɑː r e ksəlɑːns, [AM ] -lɑː ns/ ADJ [n ADJ ] You say that something is a particular kind of thing par excellence in order to emphasize that it is a very good example of that kind of thing. [EMPHASIS ] □ He has been a meticulous manager, a manager par excellence. ● ADV [ADV after v] Par excellence is also an adverb. □ He is par excellence the Catholic film-maker.
pa|ri|ah /pəra I ə/ (pariahs ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a pariah , you mean that other people dislike them so much that they refuse to associate with them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ His landlady had treated him like a dangerous criminal, a pariah.
par|ing /peə r I ŋ/ (parings ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Parings are thin pieces that have been cut off things such as a fingernails, fruit, or vegetables. □ …nail parings. □ …vegetable parings.
par|ish /pæ r I ʃ/ (parishes )
1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A parish is a village or part of a town which has its own church and priest. □ …the parish of St Mark's, Lakenham. □ …a 13th-century parish church.
2 N‑COUNT [usu N n] A parish is a small country area in England which has its own elected council. □ …elected representatives, such as County and Parish Councillors.
pa|rish|ion|er /pər I ʃənə r / (parishioners ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] A priest's parishioners are the people who live in his or her parish, especially the ones who go to his or her church.
Pa|ris|ian /pær I ziən/ (Parisians )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Parisian means belonging or relating to Paris. □ …Parisian fashion.
2 N‑COUNT A Parisian is a person who comes from Paris.
par|ity /pæ r I ti/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If there is parity between two things, they are equal. [FORMAL ] □ Women have yet to achieve wage or occupational parity in many fields.
2 N‑VAR If there is parity between the units of currency of two countries, the exchange rate is such that the units are equal to each other. [TECHNICAL ] □ [+ with ] The government was ready to let the pound sink to parity with the dollar if necessary.
park ◆◆◇ /pɑː r k/ (parks , parking , parked )
1 N‑COUNT A park is a public area of land with grass and trees, usually in a town, where people go in order to relax and enjoy themselves. □ …Regent's Park. □ They stopped and sat on a park bench.
2 VERB When you park a vehicle or park somewhere, you drive the vehicle into a position where it can stay for a period of time, and leave it there. □ [V ] Greenfield turned into the next side street and parked. □ [V n] He found a place to park the car. □ [V prep/adv] Ben parked across the street. □ [V -ed] …rows of parked cars.
3 → see also double-park
4 N‑COUNT You can refer to a place where a particular activity is carried out as a park . □ …a science and technology park. □ …a business park.
5 N‑VAR A private area of grass and trees around a large country house is referred to as a park . [BRIT ] □ …a 19th-century manor house in six acres of park and woodland.
6 → see also parked , amusement park , ballpark , car park , national park , safari park , theme park
par|ka /pɑː r kə/ (parkas ) N‑COUNT A parka is a jacket or coat which has a thick lining and a hood with fur round the edge.
parked /pɑː r kt/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are parked somewhere, you have parked your car there. □ My sister was parked down the road. □ We're parked out front.
park|ing /pɑː r k I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Parking is the action of moving a vehicle into a place in a car park or by the side of the road where it can be left. □ In many towns parking is allowed only on one side of the street. □ I knew I'd never find a parking space in the Square.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Parking is space for parking a vehicle in. □ Cars allowed, but parking is limited.
pa rk|ing gar|age (parking garages ) N‑COUNT A parking garage is a building where people can leave their cars. [AM ] □ …a multi-level parking garage. in BRIT, use car park , multi-storey car park
pa rk|ing light (parking lights ) N‑COUNT The parking lights on a vehicle are the small lights at the front that help other drivers to notice the vehicle and to judge its width. [AM ] in BRIT, use sidelights
pa rk|ing lot (parking lots ) N‑COUNT A parking lot is an area of ground where people can leave their cars. [AM ] □ A block up the street I found a parking lot. in BRIT, use car park
pa rk|ing me|ter (parking meters ) N‑COUNT A parking meter is a device which you have to put money into when you park in a parking space.
pa rk|ing tick|et (parking tickets ) N‑COUNT A parking ticket is a piece of paper with instructions to pay a fine, and is put on your car when you have parked it somewhere illegally.
pa rk-keeper (park-keepers ) also park keeper N‑COUNT A park-keeper is a person whose job is to look after a park. [mainly BRIT ]
park|land /pɑː r klænd/ N‑UNCOUNT Parkland is land with grass and trees on it. □ Its beautiful gardens and parkland are also open to the public.
par|kour /pɑː r kʊə r / N‑UNCOUNT Parkour is the activity of running through areas in a town, using skilful movements to jump over walls and other objects. □ He runs a parkour club for local kids.
park|way /pɑː r kwe I / (parkways ) N‑COUNT A parkway is a wide road with trees and grass on both sides. [mainly AM ]
par|lance /pɑː r ləns/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu in N ] You use parlance when indicating that the expression you are using is normally used by a particular group of people. [FORMAL ] □ The phrase is common diplomatic parlance for spying.
par|ley /pɑː r li/ (parleys , parleying , parleyed )
1 N‑VAR A parley is a discussion between two opposing people or groups in which both sides try to come to an agreement. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
2 VERB When two opposing people or groups parley , they meet to discuss something in order to come to an agreement. [HUMOROUS or INFORMAL ] □ [V ] …a place where we meet and parley. □ [V + with ] I don't think you've ever tried parleying with Gleed, have you?
par|lia|ment ◆◆◇ /pɑː r ləmənt/ (parliaments ) also Parliament
1 N‑COUNT ; N‑PROPER The parliament of some countries, for example Britain, is the group of people who make or change its laws, and decide what policies the country should follow. □ Parliament today approved the policy, but it has not yet become law.
2 → see also Houses of Parliament , Member of Parliament
3 N‑COUNT A particular parliament is a particular period of time in which a parliament is doing its work, between two elections or between two periods of holiday. □ The legislation is expected to be passed in the next parliament.
par|lia|men|tar|ian /pɑː r ləmenteə riən/ (parliamentarians )
1 N‑COUNT Parliamentarians are Members of a Parliament; used especially to refer to a group of Members of Parliament who are dealing with a particular task. □ He's been meeting with British parliamentarians and government officials.
2 N‑COUNT A parliamentarian is a Member of Parliament who is an expert on the rules and procedures of Parliament and takes an active part in debates. □ He is a veteran parliamentarian whose views enjoy widespread respect.
par|lia|men|ta|ry ◆◇◇ /pɑː r ləme ntəri/ ADJ [ADJ n] Parliamentary is used to describe things that are connected with a parliament or with Members of Parliament. □ He used his influence to make sure she was not selected as a parliamentary candidate.
par|lour /pɑː r lə r / (parlours ) in AM, use parlor N‑COUNT [n N ] Parlour is used in the names of some types of shops which provide a service, rather than selling things. □ …a funeral parlour. □ …a notorious massage parlour.
pa r|lour game (parlour games ) in AM, use parlor game N‑COUNT A parlour game is a game that is played indoors by families or at parties, for example a guessing game.
par|lour|maid /pɑː r lə r me I d/ (parlourmaids ) in AM, use parlormaid N‑COUNT In former times, a parlourmaid was a female servant in a private house whose job involved serving people at table.
par|lous /pɑː r ləs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If something is in a parlous state, it is in a bad or dangerous condition. [FORMAL ] □ …the parlous state of our economy.
Par|me|san /pɑː r m I zæn/ also parmesan N‑UNCOUNT Parmesan or Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese with a strong flavour which is often used in Italian cooking.
pa|ro|chial /pəroʊ kiəl/ ADJ If you describe someone as parochial , you are critical of them because you think they are too concerned with their own affairs and should be thinking about more important things. [DISAPPROVAL ]
pa|ro|chi|al|ism /pəroʊ kiəl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Parochialism is the quality of being parochial in your attitude. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ We have been guilty of parochialism, of resistance to change.
paro|dy /pæ rədi/ (parodies , parodying , parodied )
1 N‑VAR A parody is a humorous piece of writing, drama, or music which imitates the style of a well-known person or represents a familiar situation in an exaggerated way. □ [+ of ] 'The Scarlet Capsule' was a parody of the popular 1959 TV series 'The Quatermass Experiment'.
2 VERB When someone parodies a particular work, thing, or person, they imitate it in an amusing or exaggerated way. □ [V n] …a sketch parodying the British class system.
3 N‑COUNT When you say that something is a parody of a particular thing, you are criticizing it because you think it is a very poor example or bad imitation of that thing. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] The first trial was a parody of justice.
pa|role /pəroʊ l/ (paroles , paroling , paroled )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If a prisoner is given parole , he or she is released before the official end of their prison sentence and has to promise to behave well. □ Although sentenced to life, he will become eligible for parole after serving 10 years. ● PHRASE If a prisoner is on parole , he or she is released before the official end of their prison sentence and will not be sent back to prison if their behaviour is good. □ If released, he will continue to be on parole for eight more years.
2 VERB [usu passive] If a prisoner is paroled , he or she is given parole. □ [be V -ed] He faces at most 12 years in prison and could be paroled after eight years.
par|ox|ysm /pæ rəks I zəm/ (paroxysms )
1 N‑COUNT A paroxysm of emotion is a sudden, very strong occurrence of it. □ [+ of ] He exploded in a paroxysm of rage.
2 N‑COUNT A paroxysm is a series of sudden, violent, uncontrollable movements that your body makes because you are coughing, laughing, or in great pain. □ [+ of ] He broke into a paroxysm of coughing.
par|quet /pɑː r ke I , [AM ] -ke I / N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Parquet is a floor covering made of small rectangular blocks of wood fitted together in a pattern. □ …the polished parquet floors.
par|ra|keet → see parakeet
par|rot /pæ rət/ (parrots , parroting , parroted )
1 N‑COUNT A parrot is a tropical bird with a curved beak and brightly-coloured or grey feathers. Parrots can be kept as pets. Some parrots are able to copy what people say.
2 VERB If you disapprove of the fact that someone is just repeating what someone else has said, often without really understanding it, you can say that they are parroting it. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] Generations of students have learnt to parrot the standard explanations.
pa rrot-fashion also parrot fashion ADV [ADV after v] If you learn or repeat something parrot-fashion , you do it accurately but without really understanding what it means. [BRIT ] □ Pupils often had to stand to attention and repeat lessons parrot fashion.
par|ry /pæ ri/ (parries , parrying , parried )
1 VERB If you parry a question or argument, you cleverly avoid answering it or dealing with it. □ [V n] In an awkward press conference, Mr King parried questions on the allegations.
2 VERB If you parry a blow from someone who is attacking you, you push aside their arm or weapon so that you are not hurt. □ [V n] I did not want to wound him, but to restrict myself to defence, to parry his attacks. □ [V ] I parried, and that's when my sword broke.
parse /pɑː r z/ (parses , parsing , parsed ) VERB In grammar, if you parse a sentence, you examine each word and clause in order to work out what grammatical type each one is. [TECHNICAL ]
par|si|mo|ni|ous /pɑː r s I moʊ niəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Someone who is parsimonious is very unwilling to spend money. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
par|si|mo|ny /pɑː r s I məni, [AM ] -moʊ ni/ N‑UNCOUNT Parsimony is extreme unwillingness to spend money. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Due to official parsimony, only the one machine was built.
pars|ley /pɑː r sli, [AM ] -zli/ N‑UNCOUNT Parsley is a small plant with flat or curly leaves that are used for flavouring or decorating savoury food. □ …parsley sauce.
pars|nip /pɑː r sn I p/ (parsnips ) N‑COUNT A parsnip is a long cream-coloured root vegetable.
par|son /pɑː r s ə n/ (parsons ) N‑COUNT A parson is a priest in the Church of England with responsibility for a small local area. Parson can also be used to refer to any clergyman in some other churches. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
par|son|age /pɑː r sən I dʒ/ (parsonages ) N‑COUNT A parsonage is the house where a parson lives. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
part
➊ NOUN USES, QUANTIFIER USES, AND PHRASES
➋ VERB USES
➊ part ◆◆◆ /pɑː r t/ (parts )
→ Please look at category 19 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 N‑COUNT A part of something is one of the pieces, sections, or elements that it consists of. □ [+ of ] I like that part of Cape Town. □ [+ of ] Respect is a very important part of any relationship.
2 N‑COUNT A part for a machine or vehicle is one of the smaller pieces that is used to make it. □ [+ for ] …spare parts for military equipment.
3 QUANT Part of something is some of it. □ [+ of ] It was a very severe accident and he lost part of his foot. □ [+ of ] Mum and he were able to walk part of the way together.
4 ADV [ADV n, ADV adj] If you say that something is part one thing, part another, you mean that it is to some extent the first thing and to some extent the second thing. □ The television producer today has to be part news person, part educator.
5 N‑COUNT You can use part when you are talking about the proportions of substances in a mixture. For example, if you are told to use five parts water to one part paint, the mixture should contain five times as much water as paint. □ Use turpentine and linseed oil, three parts to two.
6 N‑COUNT A part in a play or film is one of the roles in it which an actor or actress can perform. □ [+ in ] Alf Sjoberg offered her a large part in the play he was directing. □ He was just right for the part.
7 N‑SING Your part in something that happens is your involvement in it. □ [+ in ] If only he could conceal his part in the accident.
8 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] If something or someone is part of a group or organization, they belong to it or are included in it. □ [+ of ] I was a part of the team and wanted to remain a part of the team.
9 N‑COUNT The part in someone's hair is the line running from the front to the back of their head where their hair lies in different directions. [AM ] in BRIT, use parting 10 → see also private parts
11 PHRASE If something or someone plays a large or important part in an event or situation, they are very involved in it and have an important effect on what happens. □ [+ in ] These days work plays an important part in a single woman's life.
12 PHRASE If you take part in an activity, you do it together with other people. □ [+ in ] Thousands of students have taken part in demonstrations.
13 PHRASE When you are describing people's thoughts or actions, you can say for her part or for my part , for example, to introduce what a particular person thinks or does. [FORMAL ] □ For my part, I feel elated and close to tears.
14 PHRASE If you talk about a feeling or action on someone's part , you are referring to something that they feel or do. □ There is no need for any further instructions on my part.
15 PHRASE For the most part means mostly or usually. □ Professors, for the most part, are firmly committed to teaching, not research.
16 PHRASE You use in part to indicate that something exists or happens to some extent but not completely. [FORMAL ] □ The levels of blood glucose depend in part on what you eat and when you eat.
17 PHRASE If you say that something happened for the best part or the better part of a period of time, you mean that it happened for most of that time. □ He had been in Israel for the best part of twenty-four hours.
18 part and parcel → see parcel
➋ part ◆◇◇ /pɑː r t/ (parts , parting , parted )
→ Please look at category 6 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 VERB If things that are next to each other part or if you part them, they move in opposite directions, so that there is a space between them. □ [V ] Her lips parted as if she were about to take a deep breath. □ [V n] He crossed to the window of the sitting-room and parted the curtains.
2 VERB If you part your hair in the middle or at one side, you make it lie in two different directions so that there is a straight line running from the front of your head to the back. □ [V n] Picking up a brush, Joanna parted her hair. □ [V -ed] His hair was slicked back and neatly parted.
3 VERB When two people part , or if one person parts from another, they leave each other. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] He gave me the envelope and we parted. □ [V + from ] He has confirmed he is parting from his Swedish-born wife Eva.
4 VERB If you are parted from someone you love, you are prevented from being with them. □ [be V -ed] I don't believe Lotte and I will ever be parted. □ [be V -ed + from ] A stay in hospital may be the first time a child is ever parted from its parents. [Also V n from n]
5 → see also parting
6 to part company → see company
▸ part with PHRASAL VERB If you part with something that is valuable or that you would prefer to keep, you give it or sell it to someone else. □ [V P n] Buyers might require further assurances before parting with their cash.
PREFIX part-
forms words that refer to something that is partly but not completely a particular thing. For example, part-baked bread is not completely baked.
par|take /pɑː r te I k/ (partakes , partaking , partook , partaken )
1 VERB If you partake of food or drink, you eat or drink some of it. [FORMAL ] □ [V + of ] They were happy to partake of our feast, but not to share our company.
2 VERB If you partake in an activity, you take part in it. [FORMAL ] □ [V + in ] You will probably be asked about whether you partake in very vigorous sports.
pa rt ex|cha nge also part-exchange N‑UNCOUNT [oft in N ] If you give an old item in part exchange for something you are buying, the seller accepts the old item as part of the payment, so you do not have to give them as much money. [BRIT ] □ The dealer said it could not take my old car in part-exchange.
par|tial /pɑː r ʃ ə l/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use partial to refer to something that is not complete or whole. □ …a partial ban on the use of cars in the city. □ …partial blindness.
2 ADJ If you are partial to something, you like it. □ [+ to ] He's partial to sporty women with blue eyes. ● par|tial|ity /pɑː r ʃiæ l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ for ] He has a great partiality for chocolate biscuits.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] Someone who is partial supports a particular person or thing, for example in a competition or dispute, instead of being completely fair. □ I might be accused of being partial. ● par|tial|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ She is criticized by some others for her one-sidedness and partiality.
par|tial|ly /pɑː r ʃəli/ ADV If something happens or exists partially , it happens or exists to some extent, but not completely. □ Lisa is deaf in one ear and partially blind.
par|tici|pant /pɑː r t I s I pənt/ (participants ) N‑COUNT The participants in an activity are the people who take part in it. □ 40 of the course participants are offered employment with the company.
par|tici|pate ◆◇◇ /pɑː r t I s I pe I t/ (participates , participating , participated ) VERB If you participate in an activity, you take part in it. □ [V + in ] They expected him to participate in the ceremony. □ [V -ing] …special contracts at lower rates for participating corporations. ● par|tici|pa|tion /pɑː r t I s I pe I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ in ] …participation in religious activities.
par|tici|pa|tive /pɑː r t I s I pət I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Participative management or decision-making involves the participation of all the people engaged in an activity or affected by certain decisions. [FORMAL ] □ …a participative management style.
par|tici|pa|tory /pɑː r t I s I pe I təri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A participatory system, activity, or role involves a particular person or group of people taking part in it. □ Fishing is said to be the most popular participatory sport in the U.K.
par|ti|cipi|al /pɑː r t I s I piəl/ ADJ In grammar, participial means relating to a participle.
par|ti|ci|ple /pɑː r t I s I p ə l/ (participles ) N‑COUNT In grammar, a participle is a form of a verb that can be used in compound tenses of the verb. There are two participles in English: the past participle, which usually ends in '-ed', and the present participle, which ends in '-ing'.
par|ti|cle /pɑː r t I k ə l/ (particles )
1 N‑COUNT A particle of something is a very small piece or amount of it. □ [+ of ] There is a particle of truth in his statement. □ …food particles.
2 N‑COUNT In physics, a particle is a piece of matter smaller than an atom, for example an electron or a proton. [TECHNICAL ]
3 N‑COUNT In grammar, a particle is a preposition such as 'into' or an adverb such as 'out' which can combine with a verb to form a phrasal verb.
pa r|ti|cle ac|ce l|era|tor (particle accelerators ) N‑COUNT A particle accelerator is a machine used for research in nuclear physics which can make particles that are smaller than atoms move very fast.
pa r|ti|cle phys|ics N‑UNCOUNT Particle physics is the study of the qualities of atoms and molecules and the way they behave and react.
par|ticu|lar ◆◆◇ /pə r t I kjʊlə r /
1 ADJ [ADJ n] You use particular to emphasize that you are talking about one thing or one kind of thing rather than other similar ones. [EMPHASIS ] □ I remembered a particular story about a postman who was a murderer. □ I have to know exactly why it is I'm doing a particular job.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If a person or thing has a particular quality or possession, it is distinct and belongs only to them. □ I have a particular responsibility to ensure I make the right decision.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use particular to emphasize that something is greater or more intense than usual. [EMPHASIS ] □ Particular emphasis will be placed on oral language training.
4 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is particular , you mean that they choose things and do things very carefully, and are not easily satisfied. □ [+ about ] Ted was very particular about the colors he used.
5 → see also particulars
6 PHRASE You use in particular to indicate that what you are saying applies especially to one thing or person. □ The situation in rural areas in particular is worrying. □ Why should he notice her car in particular?
7 PHRASE You use nothing in particular or nobody in particular to mean nothing or nobody important or special. □ Drew made some remarks to nobody in particular and said goodbye. SYNONYMS particular ADJ
1
specific: There are several specific problems to be dealt with.
exact: I don't remember the exact words.
precise: He was not clear on the precise nature of his mission.
2
special: Just to see him was something special.
exceptional: …children with exceptional ability.
notable: With a few notable exceptions, doctors are a pretty sensible lot.
remarkable: It was a remarkable achievement.
4
fussy: He is not fussy about what he eats.
demanding: Ricky was a very demanding child.
exacting: Privately they seem to have the same exacting standards.
fastidious: He was fastidious about his appearance.
par|ticu|lar|ity /pə r t I kjʊlæ r I ti/ (particularities )
1 N‑VAR The particularity of something is its quality of being different from other things. The particularities of something are the features that make it different. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] What is lacking is an insight into the particularity of our societal system. □ [+ of ] Time inevitably glosses over the particularities of each situation.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Particularity is the giving or showing of details. [FORMAL ]
par|ticu|lar|ize /pə r t I kjʊləra I z/ (particularizes , particularizing , particularized ) in BRIT, also use particularise VERB If you particularize something that you have been talking about in a general way, you give details or specific examples of it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Mr Johnson particularizes the general points he wants to make. □ [V -ed] A farmer is entitled to a certain particularized tax treatment. [Also V ]
par|ticu|lar|ly ◆◆◇ /pə r t I kjʊlə r li/
1 ADV You use particularly to indicate that what you are saying applies especially to one thing or situation. □ Keep your office space looking good, particularly your desk. □ I often do absent-minded things, particularly when I'm worried.
2 ADV Particularly means more than usual or more than other things. [EMPHASIS ] □ Progress has been particularly disappointing. □ I particularly liked the wooden chests and chairs. SYNONYMS particularly ADV 1
especially: Re-apply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you have been swimming.
specifically: We haven't specifically targeted school children.
in particular: Why should he notice her car in particular?
par|ticu|lars /pə r t I kjʊləz/ N‑PLURAL The particulars of something or someone are facts or details about them which are written down and kept as a record. □ The nurses at the admission desk asked her for particulars.
par|ticu|late /pɑː r t I kjʊlət/ (particulates ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] Particulates are very small particles of a substance, especially those that are produced when fuel is burned. [TECHNICAL ] □ …the particulate pollution in our atmosphere.
part|ing /pɑː r t I ŋ/ (partings )
1 N‑VAR Parting is the act of leaving a particular person or place. A parting is an occasion when this happens. □ It was a dreadfully emotional parting.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Your parting words or actions are the things that you say or do as you are leaving a place or person. □ Her parting words left him feeling empty and alone.
3 N‑COUNT The parting in someone's hair is the line running from the front to the back of their head where their hair lies in different directions. [BRIT ] in AM, use part
4 PHRASE When there is a parting of the ways , two or more people or groups of people stop working together or travelling together. □ If a resolution cannot be worked out, a peaceful parting of the ways is possible.
pa rt|ing shot (parting shots ) N‑COUNT If someone makes a parting shot , they make an unpleasant or forceful remark at the end of a conversation, and then leave so that no-one has the chance to reply. □ He turned to face her for his parting shot. 'You're one coldhearted woman, you know that?'
par|ti|san /pɑː r t I zæ n, [AM ] -zən/ (partisans )
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is partisan strongly supports a particular person or cause, often without thinking carefully about the matter. □ He is clearly too partisan to be a referee.
2 N‑COUNT Partisans are ordinary people, rather than soldiers, who join together to fight enemy soldiers who are occupying their country. □ He was rescued by some Italian partisans.
par|ti|san|ship /pɑː r t I zæ nʃ I p, [AM ] -zən-/ N‑UNCOUNT Partisanship is support for a person or group without fair consideration of the facts and circumstances. □ His politics were based on loyal partisanship.
par|ti|tion /pɑː r t I ʃ ə n/ (partitions , partitioning , partitioned )
1 N‑COUNT A partition is a wall or screen that separates one part of a room or vehicle from another. □ …new offices divided only by glass partitions.
2 VERB If you partition a room, you separate one part of it from another by means of a partition. □ [V n] Bedrooms have again been created by partitioning a single larger room. □ [V -ed] He sat on the two-seater sofa in the partitioned office.
3 VERB If a country is partitioned , it is divided into two or more independent countries. □ [be V -ed] Korea was partitioned in 1945. □ [V n] Britain was accused of trying to partition the country 'because of historic enmity'. □ [V -ed] The island has been partitioned since the mid-seventies. ● N‑UNCOUNT Partition is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …fighting which followed the partition of India.
part|ly ◆◇◇ /pɑː r tli/ ADV You use partly to indicate that something happens or exists to some extent, but not completely. □ It's partly my fault. □ He let out a long sigh, mainly of relief, partly of sadness. □ I feel partly responsible for the problems we're in.
part|ner ◆◆◇ /pɑː r tnə r / (partners , partnering , partnered )
1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your partner is the person you are married to or are having a romantic or sexual relationship with. □ Wanting other friends doesn't mean you don't love your partner. □ …his choice of marriage partner.
2 N‑COUNT Your partner is the person you are doing something with, for example dancing with or playing with in a game against two other people. □ My partner for the event was the marvellous American player. □ …a partner in crime.
3 N‑COUNT The partners in a firm or business are the people who share the ownership of it. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ in ] He's a partner in a Chicago law firm.
4 N‑COUNT The partner of a country or organization is another country or organization with which they work or do business. □ Spain has been one of the country's major trading partners.
5 VERB If you partner someone, you are their partner in a game or in a dance. □ [V n] He had partnered the famous Russian ballerina. □ [be V -ed + by/with ] He will be partnered by the defending champion. □ [V n + to ] She partnered him to a 6-1 first-set success. COLLOCATIONS partner NOUN
1
noun + partner : marriage
adjective + partner : civil, sexual; ideal, perfect, potential; former, long-term
verb + partner : find, seek
3
noun + partner : business
adjective + partner : junior, managing, senior; equal, full
part|ner|ship ◆◇◇ /pɑː r tnə r ʃ I p/ (partnerships ) N‑VAR Partnership or a partnership is a relationship in which two or more people, organizations, or countries work together as partners. □ [+ between ] …the partnership between Germany's banks and its businesses. COLLOCATIONS partnership NOUN
adjective + partnership : close, effective, solid, successful; joint, public-private, strategic
verb + partnership : create, develop, forge, form SYNONYMS partnership NOUN
cooperation: A deal with Japan could open the door to economic cooperation with East Asia.
association: …the company's six-year association with retailer J.C. Penney Co.
alliance: The two parties were still too much apart to form an alliance.
pa rt of spee ch (parts of speech ) N‑COUNT A part of speech is a particular grammatical class of word, for example noun, adjective, or verb.
par|took /pɑː r tʊ k/ Partook is the past tense of partake .
par|tridge /pɑː r tr I dʒ/ (partridges ) N‑COUNT A partridge is a wild bird with brown feathers, a round body, and a short tail. ● N‑UNCOUNT Partridge is the flesh of this bird eaten as food. □ …a main course of partridge.
pa rt-ti me The adverb is also spelled part time . ADJ If someone is a part-time worker or has a part-time job, they work for only part of each day or week. □ Many businesses are cutting back by employing lower-paid part-time workers. □ I'm part-time. I work three days a week. ● ADV [ADV after v] Part-time is also an adverb. □ I want to work part-time.
pa rt-ti mer (part-timers ) N‑COUNT A part-timer is a person who works part-time. □ Customer service departments are often staffed by part-timers.
pa rt wa y also part-way ADV [ADV after v] Part way means part of the way or partly. □ Local authorities will run out of money part way through the financial year. □ She was on the hillside, part way up. □ It might go part way to repaying the debt.
par|ty ◆◆◆ /pɑː r ti/ (parties , partying , partied )
1 N‑COUNT A party is a political organization whose members have similar aims and beliefs. Usually the organization tries to get its members elected to the government of a country. □ …a member of the Labour party. □ …India's ruling party. □ …opposition parties. □ …her resignation as party leader.
2 N‑COUNT A party is a social event, often in someone's home, at which people enjoy themselves doing things such as eating, drinking, dancing, talking, or playing games. □ The couple met at a party. □ We threw a huge birthday party. □ Most teenagers like to go to parties.
3 → see also dinner party , garden party , hen party , stag party
4 VERB If you party , you enjoy yourself doing things such as going out to parties, drinking, dancing, and talking to people. □ [V ] They come to eat and drink, to swim, to party. Sometimes they never go to bed.
5 N‑COUNT A party of people is a group of people who are doing something together, for example travelling together. □ They became separated from their party. □ [+ of ] …a party of sightseers.
6 → see also search party , working party
7 N‑COUNT One of the people involved in a legal agreement or dispute can be referred to as a particular party . [LEGAL ] □ It has to be proved that they are the guilty party.
8 → see also third party
9 PHRASE Someone who is a party to or is party to an action or agreement is involved in it, and therefore partly responsible for it. □ Crook had resigned his post rather than be party to such treachery. SYNONYMS party NOUN 2
get-together: …a get-together I had at my home.
celebration: …his eightieth birthday celebrations.
do: A friend is having a do in Stoke.
party-goer /pɑː r tigoʊə r / (party-goers ) also partygoer N‑COUNT A party-goer is someone who likes going to parties or someone who is at a particular party. □ At least half the partygoers were under 15.
pa r|ty li ne N‑SING The party line on a particular issue is the official view taken by a political party, which its members are expected to support. □ They ignored the official party line.
pa r|ty piece (party pieces ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Someone's party piece is something that they often do to entertain people, especially at parties, for example singing a particular song or saying a particular poem. [INFORMAL ]
pa r|ty po|li ti|cal ADJ [ADJ n] Party political matters relate to political parties. [BRIT ] □ The debate is being conducted almost exclusively on party political lines.
pa r|ty po|liti|cal broa d|cast (party political broadcasts ) N‑COUNT A party political broadcast is a short broadcast on radio or television made by a political party, especially before an election. It explains their views and often criticizes other political parties. [BRIT ]
pa r|ty po li|tics
1 N‑UNCOUNT Party politics is political activity involving political parties. □ He thinks the Archbishop has identified himself too closely with party politics.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If politicians are accused of playing party politics , they are being accused of saying or doing something in order to make their party seem good or another party seem bad, rather than for a better reason. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Usually when Opposition MPs question Ministers they are just playing party politics.
par|ty poop|er /pɑː r ti puːpə r / (party poopers ) N‑COUNT You describe someone as a party pooper when you think that they spoil other people's fun and their enjoyment of something. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ I hate to be a party pooper, but I am really tired.
pa r|ty spi r|it N‑UNCOUNT If you talk about someone being in the party spirit , you mean that they are in the mood to enjoy a party or to have fun. □ It's that time of year when everyone gets in the party spirit.
par|venu /pɑː r vənjuː, [AM ] -nuː/ (parvenus ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a parvenu , you think that although they have acquired wealth or high status they are not very cultured or well-educated. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
pas de deux pas de deux is both the singular and the plural form; both forms are pronounced /pɑː də dɜː / and the plural form can also be pronounced /pɑː də dɜː z/. N‑COUNT In ballet, a pas de deux is a dance sequence for two dancers.
pash|mi|na /pæʃmiː nə/ (pashminas )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Pashmina is very fine, soft wool made from the hair of goats. □ …pashmina scarves.
2 N‑COUNT A pashmina is a type of shawl made from pashmina.
pass ◆◆◆ /pɑː s, pæ s/ (passes , passing , passed )
1 VERB To pass someone or something means to go past them without stopping. □ [V n] As she passed the library door, the phone began to ring. □ [V ] Jane stood aside to let her pass. □ [V -ing] I sat in the garden and watched the passing cars.
2 VERB When someone or something passes in a particular direction, they move in that direction. □ [V prep/adv] He passed through the doorway into Ward B. □ [V prep/adv] As the car passed by, I saw them point at me and laugh.
3 VERB If something such as a road or pipe passes along a particular route, it goes along that route. □ [V prep/adv] After going over the Col de Vars, the route passes through St-Paul-sur-Ubaye. □ [V n] The road passes a farmyard.
4 VERB If you pass something through, over, or round something else, you move or push it through, over, or round that thing. □ [V n prep/adv] 'I don't understand,' the Inspector mumbled, passing a hand through his hair.
5 VERB If you pass something to someone, you take it in your hand and give it to them. □ [V n + to ] Ken passed the books to Sergeant Parrott. □ [V n n] Pass me that bottle.
6 VERB If something passes or is passed from one person to another, the second person then has it instead of the first. □ [V + to ] His mother's small estate had passed to him after her death. □ [be V -ed + to ] These powers were eventually passed to municipalities. □ [be V -ed + from ] …a genetic trait, which can be passed from one generation to the next.
7 VERB If you pass information to someone, you give it to them because it concerns them. □ [V n + to ] Officials failed to pass vital information to their superiors. ● PHRASAL VERB Pass on means the same as pass . □ [V n P ] I do not know what to do with the information if I cannot pass it on. □ [V P n + to ] From time to time he passed on confidential information to him. □ [V P n] He has written a note asking me to pass on his thanks. [Also V n P + to ]
8 VERB If you pass the ball to someone in your team in a game such as football, basketball, hockey, or rugby, you kick, hit, or throw it to them. □ [V n adv/prep] Your partner should then pass the ball back to you. □ [V prep/adv] I passed back to Brendan. ● N‑COUNT Pass is also a noun. □ [+ to ] She rolled a short pass to Ashleigh.
9 VERB When a period of time passes , it happens and finishes. □ [V ] He couldn't imagine why he had let so much time pass without contacting her. □ [V ] Several minutes passed before the girls were noticed.
10 VERB If you pass a period of time in a particular way, you spend it in that way. □ [V n v-ing/adv] The children passed the time playing in the streets. □ [V n] To pass the time they sang songs and played cards.
11 VERB If you pass through a stage of development or a period of time, you experience it. □ [V + through ] The country was passing through a grave crisis.
12 VERB If an amount passes a particular total or level, it becomes greater than that total or level. □ [V n] They became the first company in their field to pass the £2 billion turn-over mark.
13 VERB If someone or something passes a test, they are considered to be of an acceptable standard. □ [V n] Kevin has just passed his driving test. □ [V ] I didn't pass.
14 N‑COUNT A pass in an examination, test, or course is a successful result in it. □ [+ in ] An A-level pass in Biology is preferred for all courses.
15 VERB If someone in authority passes a person or thing, they declare that they are of an acceptable standard or have reached an acceptable standard. □ [V n] Several popular beaches were found unfit for bathing although the government passed them. □ [V n adj] The medical board would not pass him fit for General Service.
16 VERB When people in authority pass a new law or a proposal, they formally agree to it or approve it. □ [V n] They passed a resolution declaring the republic fully independent.
17 VERB When a judge passes sentence on someone, he or she says what their punishment will be. □ [V n] Passing sentence, the judge said it all had the appearance of a con trick.
18 VERB If you pass comment or pass a comment, you say something. □ [V n] I don't really know so I could not pass comment on that.
19 VERB If someone or something passes for or passes as something that they are not, they are accepted as that thing or mistaken for that thing. □ [V + for/as ] Children's toy guns now look so realistic that they can often pass for the real thing. □ [V + for/as ] …a woman passing as a man.
20 VERB If someone passes water or passes urine, they urinate. □ [V n] A sensitive bladder can make you feel the need to pass water frequently.
21 N‑COUNT A pass is a document that allows you to do something. □ [+ into/for ] I got myself a pass into the barracks.
22 N‑COUNT A pass is a narrow path or route between mountains. □ The monastery is in a remote mountain pass.
23 → see also passing
24 PHRASE If someone makes a pass at you, they try to begin a romantic or sexual relationship with you. [INFORMAL ] □ Nancy wasn't sure if Dirk was making a pass at her.
25 to pass the buck → see buck
26 to pass judgment → see judgment
▸ pass away PHRASAL VERB You can say that someone passed away to mean that they died, if you want to avoid using the word 'die' because you think it might upset or offend people. □ [V P ] He unfortunately passed away last year.
▸ pass by PHRASAL VERB If you pass by something, you go past it or near it on your way to another place. □ [V P n] I see them pass by my house every day. □ [V P ] They were injured when a parked car exploded as their convoy passed by.
▸ pass off PHRASAL VERB If an event passes off without any trouble, it happens and ends without any trouble. □ [V P adv/prep] The main demonstration passed off peacefully.
▸ pass off as PHRASAL VERB If you pass something off as another thing, you convince people that it is that other thing. □ [V n P P n] He passed himself off as a senior psychologist. □ [V P n P n] I've tried to pass off my accent as a convent school accent. □ [be V -ed P P n] In some cases goat has been passed off as lamb.
▸ pass on
1 PHRASAL VERB If you pass something on to someone, you give it to them so that they have it instead of you. □ [V n P + to ] The Queen is passing the money on to a selection of her favourite charities. □ [V n P ] There is a risk of passing the virus on. □ [V P n + to ] The late Earl passed on much of his fortune to his daughter. □ [V P n] Tenants remain liable if they pass on their lease.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you pass on costs or savings to someone else, you make them pay for your costs or allow them to benefit from your savings. □ [V P n] They pass on their cost of borrowing and add to it their profit margin. □ [V n P + to ] I found we could make some saving and it is right to pass the savings on to the customer. [Also V n P , V P n + to ]
3 PHRASAL VERB You can say that someone passed on to mean that they died, if you want to avoid using the word 'die' because you think it might upset or offend people. □ [V P ] He passed on at the age of 72.
4 → see also pass
▸ pass out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you pass out , you faint or collapse. □ [V P ] He felt sick and dizzy and then passed out.
2 PHRASAL VERB When a police, army, navy, or air force cadet passes out , he or she completes his or her training. [BRIT ] □ [V P ] He passed out in November 1924 and was posted to No 24 Squadron.
▸ pass over
1 PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If someone is passed over for a job or position, they do not get the job or position and someone younger or less experienced is chosen instead. □ [be V -ed P + for ] She claimed she was repeatedly passed over for promotion. □ [be V -ed P ] They've been rejected, disappointed, ignored, passed over.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you pass over a topic in a conversation or speech, you do not talk about it. □ [V P n] He largely passed over the government's record. □ [be V -ed P ] They seem to think her crimes should be passed over in silence.
▸ pass up PHRASAL VERB If you pass up a chance or an opportunity, you do not take advantage of it. □ [V P n] The official urged the government not to pass up the opportunity that has now presented itself. □ [V n P ] 'I can't pass this up.' She waved the invitation.
pass|able /pɑː səb ə l, pæ s-/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If something is a passable effort or of passable quality, it is satisfactory or quite good. □ Stan puffed out his thin cheeks in a passable imitation of his dad. ● pass|ably /pɑː səbli, pæ s-/ ADV [usu ADV adj/adv, oft ADV after v] □ She has always been quick to pick things up, doing passably well in school.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a road is passable , it is not completely blocked, and people can still use it. □ The airport road is passable today for the first time in a week.
pas|sage ◆◇◇ /pæ s I dʒ/ (passages )
1 N‑COUNT A passage is a long narrow space with walls or fences on both sides, which connects one place or room with another. □ Harry stepped into the passage and closed the door behind him.
2 N‑COUNT A passage in a book, speech, or piece of music is a section of it that you are considering separately from the rest. □ [+ from ] He reads a passage from Milton. □ …the passage in which Blake spoke of the world of imagination.
3 N‑COUNT A passage is a long narrow hole or tube in your body, which air or liquid can pass along. □ …blocked nasal passages.
4 N‑COUNT A passage through a crowd of people or things is an empty space that allows you to move through them. □ [+ through ] He cleared a passage for himself through the crammed streets.
5 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] The passage of someone or something is their movement from one place to another. □ [+ of ] Germany had not requested Franco's consent for the passage of troops through Spain.
6 N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] The passage of someone or something is their progress from one situation or one stage in their development to another. □ [+ from/to ] …the passage from school to college.
7 N‑SING The passage of a period of time is its passing. □ [+ of ] …an asset that increases in value with the passage of time.
8 N‑COUNT A passage is a journey by ship. □ [+ from ] We'd arrived the day before after a 10-hour passage from Swansea.
9 N‑UNCOUNT If you are granted passage through a country or area of land, you are given permission to go through it. □ [+ to/from ] He would be given safe passage to and from the capital. SYNONYMS passage NOUN 1
corridor: They walked down the corridor.
hallway: The living room was at the end of a long hallway.
passageway: There's an underground passageway that connects the five buildings.
passage|way /pæ s I dʒwe I / (passageways ) N‑COUNT A passageway is a long narrow space with walls or fences on both sides, which connects one place or room with another. □ Outside, in the passageway, I could hear people moving about.
pass|book /pɑː sbʊk, pæ s-/ (passbooks ) N‑COUNT A passbook is a small book recording the amount of money you pay in or take out of a savings account at a bank or building society. [BRIT ]
pas|sé /pæse I / ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone describes something as passé , they think that it is no longer fashionable or that it is no longer effective. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Punk is passé.
pas|sen|ger ◆◇◇ /pæ s I ndʒə r / (passengers )
1 N‑COUNT A passenger in a vehicle such as a bus, boat, or plane is a person who is travelling in it, but who is not driving it or working on it. □ [+ in ] Mr Fullemann was a passenger in the car when it crashed. □ …a flight from Milan with more than forty passengers on board.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Passenger is used to describe something that is designed for passengers, rather than for drivers or goods. □ I sat in the passenger seat. □ …a passenger train. SYNONYMS passenger NOUN 1
traveller: Many air travellers suffer puffy ankles and feet during long flights.
commuter: The number of commuters to London has dropped by 100,000.
pa sser-by (passers-by ) also passerby N‑COUNT A passer-by is a person who is walking past someone or something. □ A passer-by described what he saw moments after the car bomb had exploded.
pas|sim /pæ s I m/ ADV In indexes and notes, passim indicates that a particular name or subject occurs frequently throughout a particular piece of writing or section of a book. □ …The Theories of their Relation (London, 1873), p. 8 and passim.
pass|ing /pɑː s I ŋ, pæ s-/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A passing fashion, activity, or feeling lasts for only a short period of time and is not worth taking very seriously. □ Hamnett does not believe environmental concern is a passing fad.
2 N‑SING [with poss] The passing of something such as a time or system is the fact of its coming to an end. □ It was an historic day, yet its passing was not marked by the slightest excitement.
3 N‑SING [with poss] You can refer to someone's death as their passing , if you want to avoid using the word 'death' because you think it might upset or offend people. □ His passing will be mourned by many people.
4 N‑SING The passing of a period of time is the fact or process of its going by. □ [+ of ] The passing of time brought a sense of emptiness.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] A passing mention or reference is brief and is made while you are talking or writing about something else. □ It was just a passing comment, he didn't go on about it.
6 → see also pass
7 PHRASE If you mention something in passing , you mention it briefly while you are talking or writing about something else. □ The army is only mentioned in passing.
pas|sion ◆◇◇ /pæ ʃ ə n/ (passions )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Passion is strong sexual feelings towards someone. □ [+ for ] …my passion for a dark-haired, slender boy named James. □ …the expression of love and passion.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Passion is a very strong feeling about something or a strong belief in something. □ He spoke with great passion.
3 N‑COUNT If you have a passion for something, you have a very strong interest in it and like it very much. □ [+ for ] She had a passion for gardening.
pas|sion|ate /pæ ʃənət/
1 ADJ A passionate person has very strong feelings about something or a strong belief in something. □ …his passionate commitment to peace. □ I'm a passionate believer in public art. □ [+ about ] He is very passionate about the project. ● pas|sion|ate|ly ADV □ I am passionately opposed to the death penalty.
2 ADJ A passionate person has strong romantic or sexual feelings and expresses them in their behaviour. □ …a beautiful, passionate woman of twenty-six. ● pas|sion|ate|ly ADV □ He was passionately in love with her.
pa s|sion fruit (passion fruit ) N‑VAR A passion fruit is a small, round, brown fruit that is produced by certain types of tropical flower.
pas|sion|less /pæ ʃ ə nləs/ ADJ If you describe someone or something as passionless , you mean that they do not have or show strong feelings. □ …a passionless academic. □ …their late and apparently passionless marriage.
pas|sive /pæ s I v/
1 ADJ If you describe someone as passive , you mean that they do not take action but instead let things happen to them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ His passive attitude made things easier for me. ● pas|sive|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ He sat there passively, content to wait for his father to make the opening move. ● pas|sivi|ty /pæs I v I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the passivity of the public under the military occupation.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A passive activity involves watching, looking at, or listening to things rather than doing things. □ They want less passive ways of filling their time.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Passive resistance involves showing opposition to the people in power in your country by not co-operating with them and protesting in non-violent ways. □ When police arrived, the protesters used passive resistance to continue their protest.
4 N‑SING In grammar, the passive or the passive voice is formed using 'be' and the past participle of a verb. The subject of a passive clause does not perform the action expressed by the verb but is affected by it. For example, in 'He's been murdered', the verb is in the passive. Compare active .
pa s|sive smo k|ing N‑UNCOUNT Passive smoking involves breathing in the smoke from other people's cigarettes because you happen to be near them. □ …the dangers of passive smoking.
Pass|over /pɑː soʊvə r , pæ s-/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] Passover is a Jewish festival that begins in March or April and lasts for seven or eight days. Passover begins with a special meal that reminds Jewish people of how God helped their ancestors escape from Egypt.
pass|port /pɑː spɔː r t, pæ s-/ (passports )
1 N‑COUNT Your passport is an official document containing your name, photograph, and personal details, which you need to show when you enter or leave a country. □ You should take your passport with you when changing money. □ …a South African businessman travelling on a British passport.
2 N‑COUNT If you say that a thing is a passport to success or happiness, you mean that this thing makes success or happiness possible. □ [+ to ] Victory would give him a passport to the riches he craves.
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