pithy /p I θi/ (pithier , pithiest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] A pithy comment or piece of writing is short, direct, and full of meaning. [WRITTEN ] □ His pithy advice to young painters was, 'Above all, keep your colours fresh.' □ Many of them made a point of praising the film's pithy dialogue. ● pithi|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Emily Bronte said it best when she wrote pithily: 'Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.'
piti|able /p I tiəb ə l/ ADJ Someone who is pitiable is in such a sad or weak state that you feel pity for them. [WRITTEN ] □ Her grandmother seemed to her a pitiable figure. ● piti|ably /p I tiəbli/ ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ Their main grievance was that they had not received their pitiably low pay. □ She found Frances lying on the bed crying pitiably.
piti|ful /p I t I fʊl/
1 ADJ Someone or something that is pitiful is so sad, weak, or small that you feel pity for them. □ It was the most pitiful sight I had ever seen. ● piti|ful|ly ADV □ His legs were pitifully thin compared to the rest of his bulk.
2 ADJ If you describe something as pitiful , you mean that it is completely inadequate. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The choice is pitiful and the quality of some of the products is very low. ● piti|ful|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ Clearly that constitutes a pitifully inadequate return on my investment.
piti|less /p I tiləs/ ADJ Someone or something that is pitiless shows no pity or kindness. [LITERARY ] □ He saw the pitiless eyes of his enemy. ● piti|less|ly ADV □ She had scorned him pitilessly.
pit|man /p I tmən/ (pitmen ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Pitmen are coal miners . [AM , also BRIT , JOURNALISM ] □ Many of the older pitmen may never work again.
pi t stop (pit stops ) N‑COUNT In motor racing, if a driver makes a pit stop , he or she stops in a special place at the side of the track to get more fuel and to make repairs. □ He had to make four pit stops during the race.
pit|ta /p I tə/ (pittas ) The spelling pita is used in American English, pronounced /pi tə/. N‑VAR Pitta or pitta bread is a type of bread in the shape of a flat oval. It can be split open and filled with food such as meat and salad.
pit|tance /p I t ə ns/ (pittances ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you say that you receive a pittance , you are emphasizing that you get only a very small amount of money, probably not as much as you think you deserve. [EMPHASIS ] □ Her secretaries work tirelessly for a pittance.
pit|ted /p I t I d/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Pitted fruits have had their stones removed. □ …green and black pitted olives.
2 ADJ If the surface of something is pitted , it is covered with a lot of small, shallow holes. □ [+ with ] Everywhere building facades are pitted with shell and bullet holes. □ …the pitted surface of the moon.
pi|tui|tary gland /p I tjuː I tri glæ nd, [AM ] -tuː I teri/ (pituitary glands ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The pituitary gland or the pituitary is a gland that is attached to the base of the brain. It produces hormones which affect growth, sexual development, and other functions of the body. [TECHNICAL ]
pity /p I ti/ (pities , pitying , pitied )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you feel pity for someone, you feel very sorry for them. □ [+ for ] He felt a sudden tender pity for her. □ She knew that she was an object of pity among her friends.
2 → see also self-pity
3 VERB If you pity someone, you feel very sorry for them. □ [V n] I don't know whether to hate or pity him.
4 N‑SING If you say that it is a pity that something is the case, you mean that you feel disappointment or regret about it. [FEELINGS ] □ It is a great pity that all pupils in the city cannot have the same chances. □ It seemed a pity to let it all go to waste.
5 N‑UNCOUNT If someone shows pity , they do not harm or punish someone they have power over. □ One should avoid showing too much pity.
6 PHRASE If you take pity on someone, you feel sorry for them and help them. □ No woman had ever felt the need to take pity on him before.
pity|ing /p I ti I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A pitying look shows that someone feels pity and perhaps slight contempt. □ She gave him a pitying look; that was the sort of excuse her father would use. ● pity|ing|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ Stasik looked at him pityingly and said nothing.
piv|ot /p I vət/ (pivots , pivoting , pivoted )
1 N‑COUNT The pivot in a situation is the most important thing which everything else is based on or arranged around. □ [+ of ] Forming the pivot of the exhibition is a large group of watercolours.
2 VERB If something pivots , it balances or turns on a central point. □ [V prep/adv] The boat pivoted on its central axis and pointed straight at the harbour entrance. □ [V prep/adv] She pivots gracefully on the stage. □ [V n prep] He pivoted his whole body through ninety degrees.
3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A pivot is the pin or the central point on which something balances or turns. □ The pedal had sheared off at the pivot.
piv|ot|al /p I vət ə l/ ADJ A pivotal role, point or figure in something is one that is very important and affects the success of that thing. □ The Court of Appeal has a pivotal role in the English legal system.
pix /p I ks/ N‑PLURAL Pix is an informal way of spelling pics meaning 'photographs' or 'films'. □ …historic team pix showing Best, Charlton and Law.
pix|el /p I ks ə l/ (pixels ) N‑COUNT A pixel is the smallest area on a computer screen which can be given a separate colour by the computer. [COMPUTING ]
pixie /p I ksi/ (pixies ) N‑COUNT A pixie is an imaginary little creature like a fairy. Pixies have pointed ears and wear pointed hats.
piz|za /piː tsə/ (pizzas ) N‑VAR A pizza is a flat, round piece of dough covered with tomatoes, cheese, and other savoury food, and then baked in an oven. □ …the last piece of pizza. □ We went for a pizza together at lunch-time.
piz|zazz /p I zæ z/ also pzazz , pizazz N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone or something has pizzazz , you mean that they are very exciting, energetic, and stylish. [INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ …a young woman with a lot of energy and pizzazz.
piz|ze|ria /piː tsəriː ə/ (pizzerias ) N‑COUNT A pizzeria is a place where pizza is made, sold, and eaten.
piz|zi|ca|to /p I ts I kɑː toʊ/ (pizzicatos ) ADV [ADV after v] If a stringed instrument is played pizzicato , it is played by pulling the strings with the fingers rather than by using the bow. [TECHNICAL ] ● N‑COUNT [oft N n] Pizzicato is also a noun. □ …an extended pizzicato section.
pkt Pkt is used in recipes as a written abbreviation for packet .
pl also pl.
1 In addresses and on maps and signs, Pl is often used as a written abbreviation for Place . □ …27 Queensdale Pl, London W11, England.
2 In grammar, pl is often used as a written abbreviation for plural .
3 Pl. is sometimes used as a written abbreviation for please .
plac|ard /plæ kɑː r d/ (placards ) N‑COUNT A placard is a large notice that is carried in a march or displayed in a public place. □ The protesters sang songs and waved placards.
pla|cate /pləke I t, [AM ] ple I ke I t/ (placates , placating , placated ) VERB If you placate someone, you do or say something to make them stop feeling angry. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He smiled, trying to placate me. □ [V -ing] 'I didn't mean to upset you,' Agnew said in a placating voice. [Also V ]
placa|tory /pləke I təri, [AM ] ple I kətɔːri/ ADJ A placatory remark or action is intended to make someone stop feeling angry. [FORMAL ] □ When next he spoke he was more placatory. □ He raised a placatory hand. 'All right, we'll see what we can do.'
place ◆◆◆ /ple I s/ (places , placing , placed )
1 N‑COUNT A place is any point, building, area, town, or country. □ …Temple Mount, the place where the Temple actually stood. □ [+ of ] …a list of museums and places of interest. □ We're going to a place called Mont-St-Jean. □ …the opportunity to visit new places. □ The best place to catch fish on a canal is close to a lock. □ The pain is always in the same place.
2 N‑SING You can use the place to refer to the point, building, area, town, or country that you have already mentioned. □ Except for the remarkably tidy kitchen, the place was a mess.
3 N‑COUNT You can refer to somewhere that provides a service, such as a hotel, restaurant, or institution, as a particular kind of place . □ He found a bed-and-breakfast place. □ We discovered some superb places to eat.
4 PHRASE When something takes place , it happens, especially in a controlled or organized way. □ The discussion took place in a famous villa on the lake's shore. □ Elections will now take place on November the twenty-fifth.
5 N‑SING Place can be used after 'any', 'no', 'some', or 'every' to mean 'anywhere', 'nowhere', 'somewhere', or 'everywhere'. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ The poor guy obviously didn't have any place to go for Easter.
6 ADV [ADV after v] If you go places , you visit pleasant or interesting places. [mainly AM ] □ I don't have money to go places.
7 N‑COUNT You can refer to the position where something belongs, or where it is supposed to be, as its place . □ He returned the album to its place on the shelf. □ He returned to his place on the sofa.
8 N‑COUNT A place is a seat or position that is available for someone to occupy. □ He walked back to the table and sat at the nearest of two empty places.
9 N‑COUNT [with poss] Someone's or something's place in a society, system, or situation is their position in relation to other people or things. □ [+ of ] …the important place of Christianity in our national culture.
10 N‑COUNT [usu sing] Your place in a race or competition is your position in relation to the other competitors. If you are in first place, you are ahead of all the other competitors. □ [+ in ] He won third place in the Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants awards.
11 N‑COUNT If you get a place in a team, on a committee, or on a course of study, for example, you are accepted as a member of the team or committee or as a student on the course. □ [+ at ] I eventually got a place at York University. □ They should be in residential care but there are no places available.
12 N‑SING [oft N to-inf] A good place to do something in a situation or activity is a good time or stage at which to do it. □ It seemed an appropriate place to end somehow. □ [+ for ] This is not the place for a lengthy discussion.
13 N‑COUNT [usu sing, usu poss N ] Your place is the house or flat where you live. [INFORMAL ] □ Let's all go back to my place! □ He kept encouraging Rosie to find a place of her own.
14 N‑COUNT [usu sing, usu poss N ] Your place in a book or speech is the point you have reached in reading the book or making the speech. □ He lost his place in his notes.
15 N‑COUNT If you say how many decimal places there are in a number, you are saying how many numbers there are to the right of the decimal point. □ A pocket calculator only works to eight decimal places.
16 VERB If you place something somewhere, you put it in a particular position, especially in a careful, firm, or deliberate way. □ [V n prep/adv] Brand folded it in his handkerchief and placed it in the inside pocket of his jacket. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] Chairs were hastily placed in rows for the parents.
17 VERB To place a person or thing in a particular state means to cause them to be in it. □ [V n prep] Widespread protests have placed the President under serious pressure. □ [be V -ed prep] The remaining 30 percent of each army will be placed under U.N. control.
18 VERB You can use place instead of 'put' or 'lay' in certain expressions where the meaning is carried by the following noun. For example, if you place emphasis on something, you emphasize it, and if you place the blame on someone, you blame them. □ [V n + on/upon ] He placed great emphasis on the importance of family life and ties. □ [V n + in ] His government is placing its faith in international diplomacy.
19 VERB If you place someone or something in a particular class or group, you label or judge them in that way. □ [V n prep] You take a simple written and verbal test so you can be placed in the appropriate class.
20 VERB [usu passive] If a competitor is placed first, second, or last, for example, that is their position at the end of a race or competition. In American English, be placed often means 'finish in second position'. □ [be V -ed ord] I had been placed 2nd and 3rd a few times but had never won. □ [ord V -ed] Second-placed Auxerre suffered a surprising 2-0 home defeat to Nantes.
21 VERB If you place an order for a product or for a meal, you ask for it to be sent or brought to you. □ [V n] It is a good idea to place your order well in advance. □ [V n + for ] Before placing your order for a meal, study the menu.
22 VERB If you place an advertisement in a newspaper, you arrange for the advertisement to appear in the newspaper. □ [V n + in ] They placed an advertisement in the local paper for a secretary. [Also V n]
23 VERB If you place a phone call to a particular place, you give the telephone operator the number of the person you want to speak to and ask them to connect you. □ [V n] I'd like to place an overseas call.
24 VERB If you place a bet, you bet money on something. □ [V n + on ] For this race, though, he had already placed a bet on one of the horses. [Also V n]
25 VERB If an agency or organization places someone, it finds them a job or somewhere to live. □ [V n + in ] In 1861, they managed to place fourteen women in paid positions in the colonies. □ [V n] In cases where it proves difficult to place a child, the reception centre provides long-term care.
26 VERB If you say that you cannot place someone, you mean that you recognize them but cannot remember exactly who they are or where you have met them before. □ [V n] It was a voice he recognized, though he could not immediately place it.
27 → see also meeting place
28 PHRASE If something is happening all over the place , it is happening in many different places. □ Businesses are closing down all over the place.
29 PHRASE If things are all over the place , they are spread over a very large area, usually in a disorganized way. □ Our fingerprints are probably all over the place.
30 PHRASE If you say that someone is all over the place , you mean that they are confused or disorganized, and unable to think clearly or act properly. [mainly BRIT ] □ He was careful and diligent. I was all over the place.
31 PHRASE If you change places with another person, you start being in their situation or role, and they start being in yours. □ When he has tried to identify all the items, you can change places, and he can test you. [Also + with ]
32 PHRASE If you have been trying to understand something puzzling and then everything falls into place or clicks into place , you suddenly understand how different pieces of information are connected and everything becomes clearer. □ When the reasons behind the decision were explained, of course, it all fell into place.
33 PHRASE If things fall into place , events happen naturally to produce a situation you want. □ Once the decision was made, things fell into place rapidly.
34 PHRASE [oft cont] If you say that someone is going places , you mean that they are showing a lot of talent or ability and are likely to become very successful. □ You always knew Barbara was going places; she was different.
35 PHRASE People in high places are people who have powerful and influential positions in a government, society, or organization. □ He had friends in high places.
36 PHRASE If something is in place , it is in its correct or usual position. If it is out of place , it is not in its correct or usual position. □ Geoff hastily pushed the drawer back into place. □ Not a strand of her golden hair was out of place.
37 PHRASE If something such as a law, a policy, or an administrative structure is in place , it is working or able to be used. □ Similar legislation is already in place in Wales.
38 PHRASE If one thing or person is used or does something in place of another, they replace the other thing or person. □ Cooked kidney beans can be used in place of French beans.
39 PHRASE If something has particular characteristics or features in places , it has them at several points within an area. □ The snow along the roadside was six feet deep in places.
40 PHRASE If you say what you would have done in someone else's place , you say what you would have done if you had been in their situation and had been experiencing what they were experiencing. □ In her place I wouldn't have been able to resist it. □ What would you have done in my place, my dear?
41 PHRASE You say in the first place when you are talking about the beginning of a situation or about the situation as it was before a series of events. □ What brought you to Washington in the first place?
42 PHRASE You say in the first place and in the second place to introduce the first and second in a series of points or reasons. In the first place can also be used to emphasize a very important point or reason. □ In the first place you are not old and in the second place you are a very attractive man.
43 PHRASE If you say that it is not your place to do something, you mean that it is not right or appropriate for you to do it, or that it is not your responsibility to do it. □ He says that it is not his place to comment on government commitment to further funds.
44 PHRASE If someone or something seems out of place in a particular situation, they do not seem to belong there or to be suitable for that situation. □ I felt out of place in my suit and tie.
45 PHRASE If you say that someone has found their place in the sun , you mean that they are in a job or a situation where they will be happy and have everything that they want.
46 PHRASE If you place one thing above , before , or over another, you think that the first thing is more important than the second and you show this in your behaviour. □ He continued to place security above all other objectives.
47 PHRASE If you put someone in their place , you show them that they are less important or clever than they think they are. □ In a few words she had put him in his place.
48 PHRASE If you say that someone should be shown their place or be kept in their place , you are saying, often in a humorous way, that they should be made aware of their low status. □ …an uppity publican who needs to be shown his place.
49 PHRASE If one thing takes second place to another, it is considered to be less important and is given less attention than the other thing. □ My personal life has had to take second place to my career.
50 PHRASE If one thing or person takes the place of another or takes another's place , they replace the other thing or person. □ Optimism was gradually taking the place of pessimism. □ He eventually took Charlie's place in a popular Latin band.
51 pride of place → see pride
Place N‑COUNT Place is used as part of the name of a square or short street in a town. □ …15 Portland Place, London W1A 4DD.
pla|cebo /pləsiː boʊ/ (placebos ) N‑COUNT A placebo is a substance with no effects that a doctor gives to a patient instead of a drug. Placebos are used when testing new drugs or sometimes when a patient has imagined their illness.
pla|ce bo ef|fect (placebo effects ) N‑COUNT The placebo effect is the fact that some patients' health improves after taking what they believe is an effective drug but which is in fact only a placebo.
pla ce card (place cards ) N‑COUNT A place card is a small card with a person's name on it which is put on a table at a formal meal to indicate where that person is to sit.
-placed /-ple I st/
1 COMB -placed combines with adverbs to form adjectives which describe how well or badly someone is able to do a particular task. □ A member of the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice, Miss Rafferty is well-placed to comment. □ Fund managers are poorly-placed to monitor firms.
2 COMB -placed combines with adverbs to form adjectives which indicate how good or bad the position of a building or area is considered to be. □ The hotel is wonderfully-placed, only a minute's walk from the city centre.
place|man /ple I smən/ (placemen ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] If you refer to a public official as a placeman , you disapprove of the fact that they use their position for their own personal benefit or to provide political support for those who appointed them. [BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ] □ The President's placemen on the Supreme Court can block legislation including an amnesty for political prisoners.
pla ce mat (place mats ) also placemat N‑COUNT Place mats are mats that are put on a table before a meal for people to put their plates or bowls on.
place|ment /ple I smənt/ (placements )
1 N‑UNCOUNT The placement of something or someone is the act of putting them in a particular place or position. □ [+ of ] The treatment involves the placement of twenty-two electrodes in the inner ear.
2 N‑COUNT If someone who is training gets a placement , they get a job for a period of time which is intended to give them experience in the work they are training for. □ [+ with ] He had a six-month work placement with the Japanese government.
3 N‑UNCOUNT The placement of someone in a job, home, or school is the act or process of finding them a job, home, or school. □ [+ in ] The children were waiting for placement in a foster care home.
pla|cen|ta /pləse ntə/ (placentas ) N‑COUNT The placenta is the mass of veins and tissue inside the womb of a pregnant woman or animal, which the unborn baby is attached to. □ The infection can be passed on to the baby via the placenta.
pla ce set|ting (place settings )
1 N‑COUNT A place setting is an arrangement of knives, forks, spoons, and glasses that has been laid out on a table for the use of one person at a meal.
2 N‑COUNT A place setting of china or of knives, forks, and spoons is a complete set of all the things that one person might use at a meal. □ A seven-piece place setting costs about £45.
plac|id /plæ s I d/
1 ADJ A placid person or animal is calm and does not easily become excited, angry, or upset. □ She was a placid child who rarely cried. ● plac|id|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'No matter, we will pay the difference,' Helena said placidly.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A placid place, area of water, or life is calm and peaceful. □ …the placid waters of Lake Erie.
plac|ings /ple I s I ŋz/ N‑PLURAL The placings in a competition are the relative positions of the competitors at the end or at a particular stage of the competition. □ Northampton were third in the League placings.
pla|gia|rism /ple I dʒər I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Plagiarism is the practice of using or copying someone else's idea or work and pretending that you thought of it or created it. □ Now he's in real trouble. He's accused of plagiarism. ● pla|gia|rist (plagiarists ) N‑COUNT □ Colleagues call Oates an unlikely plagiarist.
pla|gia|rize /ple I dʒəra I z/ (plagiarizes , plagiarizing , plagiarized ) in BRIT, also use plagiarise VERB If someone plagiarizes another person's idea or work, they use it or copy it and pretend that they thought of it or created it. □ [V n] Moderates are plagiarizing his ideas in hopes of wooing voters. □ [V -ed + from ] The poem employs as its first lines a verse plagiarized from a billboard. [Also V ]
plague /ple I g/ (plagues , plaguing , plagued )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] Plague or the plague is a very infectious disease which usually results in death. The patient has a severe fever and swellings on his or her body. □ …a fresh outbreak of plague.
2 N‑COUNT A plague of unpleasant things is a large number of them that arrive or happen at the same time. □ [+ of ] The city is under threat from a plague of rats.
3 VERB If you are plagued by unpleasant things, they continually cause you a lot of trouble or suffering. □ [be V -ed + by ] She was plagued by weakness, fatigue, and dizziness. □ [V n] Fears about job security plague nearly half the workforce.
plaice /ple I s/ (plaice ) N‑VAR Plaice are a type of flat sea fish. ● N‑UNCOUNT Plaice is this fish eaten as food. □ …a fillet of plaice with sautéed rice and vegetables.
plaid /plæ d/ (plaids ) N‑VAR [oft N n] Plaid is material with a check design on it. Plaid is also the design itself. □ Eddie wore blue jeans and a plaid shirt.
plain ◆◇◇ /ple I n/ (plainer , plainest , plains )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A plain object, surface, or fabric is entirely in one colour and has no pattern, design, or writing on it. □ In general, a plain carpet makes a room look bigger. □ He wore a plain blue shirt, open at the collar.
2 ADJ Something that is plain is very simple in style. □ Bronwen's dress was plain but it hung well on her. ● plain|ly ADV [ADV -ed] □ He was very tall and plainly dressed.
3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a fact, situation, or statement is plain , it is easy to recognize or understand. □ It was plain to him that I was having a nervous breakdown. □ He's made it plain that he loves the game and wants to be involved still.
4 → see also plain-spoken
5 ADJ If you describe someone as plain , you think they look ordinary and not at all beautiful. □ …a shy, rather plain girl with a pale complexion.
6 N‑COUNT A plain is a large flat area of land with very few trees on it. □ Once there were 70 million buffalo on the plains.
7 ADV [ADV adj] You can use plain before an adjective in order to emphasize it. [EMPHASIS ] □ The food was just plain terrible. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Plain is also used before a noun. □ Is it love of publicity or plain stupidity on her part?
8 PHRASE If a police officer is in plain clothes , he or she is wearing ordinary clothes instead of a police uniform. □ Three officers in plain clothes told me to get out of the car.
9 plain sailing → see sailing COLLOCATIONS plain NOUN 6
adjective + plain : alluvial; arid, barren, dusty; coastal; fertile; grassy; rolling
noun + plain : flood
plai n cho co|late N‑UNCOUNT Plain chocolate is dark-brown chocolate that has a stronger and less sweet taste than milk chocolate. [BRIT ] in AM, use dark chocolate
plai n-clo thes also plainclothes
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Plain-clothes police officers wear ordinary clothes instead of a police uniform. □ He was arrested by plain-clothes detectives as he walked through the customs hall.
2 in plain clothes → see plain
plai n flou r N‑UNCOUNT Plain flour is flour that does not make cakes and biscuits rise when they are cooked because it has no chemicals added to it. [BRIT ] in AM, use all-purpose flour
plain|ly /ple I nli/
1 ADV You use plainly to indicate that you believe something is obviously true, often when you are trying to convince someone else that it is true. [EMPHASIS ] □ The judge's conclusion was plainly wrong. □ Plainly, a more objective method of description must be adopted.
2 ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] You use plainly to indicate that something is easily seen, noticed, or recognized. □ He was plainly annoyed. □ I could plainly see him turning his head to the right and left.
3 → see also plain
plai n-spo ken also plainspoken ADJ If you say that someone is plain-spoken , you mean that they say exactly what they think, even when they know that what they say may not please other people. [APPROVAL ] □ …a plain-spoken man full of scorn for pomp and pretense.
plaint /ple I nt/ (plaints ) N‑COUNT A plaint is a complaint or a sad cry. [LITERARY ] □ …a forlorn, haunting plaint.
plain|tiff /ple I nt I f/ (plaintiffs ) N‑COUNT A plaintiff is a person who brings a legal case against someone in a court of law.
plain|tive /ple I nt I v/ ADJ A plaintive sound or voice sounds sad. [LITERARY ] □ They lay on the firm sands, listening to the plaintive cry of the seagulls. ● plain|tive|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ 'Why don't we do something?' Davis asked plaintively.
plait /plæ t, [AM ] ple I t/ (plaits , plaiting , plaited )
1 VERB If you plait three or more lengths of hair, rope, or other material together, you twist them over and under each other to make one thick length. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] Joanna parted her hair, and then began to plait it into two thick braids. □ [V -ed] …a plaited leather belt. in AM, usually use braid 2 N‑COUNT A plait is a length of hair that has been plaited [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use braid
plan ◆◆◆ /plæ n/ (plans , planning , planned )
1 N‑COUNT [oft according to N ] A plan is a method of achieving something that you have worked out in detail beforehand. □ The three leaders had worked out a peace plan. □ [+ of ] …a detailed plan of action for restructuring the group. □ He maintains that everything is going according to plan.
2 VERB If you plan what you are going to do, you decide in detail what you are going to do, and you intend to do it. □ [V wh] If you plan what you're going to eat, you reduce your chances of overeating. □ [V to-inf] He planned to leave Baghdad on Monday. □ [V + for ] It would be difficult for schools to plan for the future. □ [V n] I had been planning a trip to the West Coast. □ [V -ed] A planned demonstration has been called off by its organisers.
3 N‑PLURAL [N to-inf] If you have plans , you are intending to do a particular thing. □ [+ for ] 'I'm sorry,' she said. 'I have plans for tonight.'
4 VERB When you plan something that you are going to make, build, or create, you decide what the main parts of it will be and do a drawing of how it should be made. □ [V n] We are planning a new kitchen.
5 N‑COUNT A plan of something that is going to be built or made is a detailed diagram or drawing of it. □ [+ of/for ] …when you have drawn a plan of the garden.
6 → see also planning
▸ plan on PHRASAL VERB If you plan on doing something, you intend to do it. □ [V P v-ing/n] They were planning on getting married.
plane ◆◆◇ /ple I n/ (planes , planing , planed )
1 N‑COUNT A plane is a vehicle with wings and one or more engines, which can fly through the air. □ He had plenty of time to catch his plane. □ Her mother was killed in a plane crash. □ …fighter planes.
2 N‑COUNT A plane is a flat, level surface which may be sloping at a particular angle. □ …a building with angled planes.
3 N‑SING If a number of points are in the same plane , one line or one flat surface could pass through them all. □ All the planets orbit the Sun in roughly the same plane, round its equator.
4 N‑COUNT A plane is a tool that has a flat bottom with a sharp blade in it. You move the plane over a piece of wood in order to remove thin pieces of its surface.
5 VERB If you plane a piece of wood, you make it smaller or smoother by using a plane. □ [V n] She watches him plane the surface of a walnut board. □ [V n adj] Again I planed the surface flush.
6 N‑COUNT A plane or a plane tree is a large tree with broad leaves which often grows in towns.
plane|load /ple I nloʊd/ (planeloads ) N‑COUNT A planeload of people or goods is as many people or goods as a plane can carry. □ [+ of ] The kingdom has so far sent only a few planeloads of basic relief supplies.
plan|et ◆◇◇ /plæ n I t/ (planets ) N‑COUNT A planet is a large, round object in space that moves around a star. The Earth is a planet. □ The picture shows six of the nine planets in the solar system.
plan|etar|ium /plæ n I teə riəm/ (planetariums ) N‑COUNT A planetarium is a building where lights are shone on the ceiling to represent the planets and the stars and to show how they appear to move.
plan|etary /plæ n I tri, [AM ] -teri/ ADJ [ADJ n] Planetary means relating to or belonging to planets. □ Within our own galaxy there are probably tens of thousands of planetary systems.
plan|gent /plæ ndʒ ə nt/ ADJ A plangent sound is a deep, loud sound, which may be sad. [LITERARY ] □ …plangent violins.
plank /plæ ŋk/ (planks )
1 N‑COUNT A plank is a long, flat, rectangular piece of wood. □ [+ of ] It was very strong, made of three solid planks of wood.
2 N‑COUNT The main plank of a particular group or political party is the main principle on which it bases its policy, or its main aim. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ of ] Encouraging people to shop locally is a central plank of his environment policy.
3 N‑COUNT Planks are exercises for strengthening your stomach and back muscles. They involve holding your body straight and horizontal with your hands or elbows and toes or knees on the floor. □ For over an hour, I did planks, squats, lunges and crunches.
plank|ing /plæ ŋk I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Planking is wood that has been cut into long flat pieces. It is used especially to make floors.
plank|ton /plæ ŋktən/ N‑UNCOUNT Plankton is a mass of tiny animals and plants that live in the surface layer of the sea. □ …its usual diet of plankton and other small organisms.
plan|ner /plæ nə r / (planners ) N‑COUNT Planners are people whose job is to make decisions about what is going to be done in the future. For example, town planners decide how land should be used and what new buildings should be built. □ …a panel that includes city planners, art experts and historians.
plan|ning ◆◇◇ /plæ n I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Planning is the process of deciding in detail how to do something before you actually start to do it. □ The trip needs careful planning. □ The new system is still in the planning stages.
2 → see also family planning
3 N‑UNCOUNT Planning is control by the local government of the way that land is used in an area and of what new buildings are built there. □ …a masterpiece of 18th-century town planning. SYNONYMS planning NOUN 1
organization: Several projects have been delayed by poor organization.
preparation: Behind any successful event lay months of preparation.
arrangement: The staff is working frantically on final arrangements for the summit.
pla n|ning ap|pli|ca|tion (planning applications ) N‑COUNT In Britain, a planning application is a formal request to a local authority for permission to build something new or to add something to an existing building.
pla n|ning per|mis|sion (planning permissions ) N‑VAR In Britain, planning permission is official permission that you must get from the local authority before building something new or adding something to an existing building.
plant ◆◆◆ /plɑː nt, plæ nt/ (plants , planting , planted )
1 N‑COUNT A plant is a living thing that grows in the earth and has a stem, leaves, and roots. □ Water each plant as often as required. □ …exotic plants.
2 → see also bedding plant , pot plant , rubber plant
3 VERB When you plant a seed, plant, or young tree, you put it into the ground so that it will grow there. □ [V n] He says he plans to plant fruit trees and vegetables. ● plant|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Extensive flooding in the country has delayed planting and many crops are still under water.
4 VERB When someone plants land with a particular type of plant or crop, they put plants, seeds, or young trees into the land to grow them there. □ [V n + with ] They plan to plant the area with grass and trees. □ [V n] Recently much of their energy has gone into planting a large vegetable garden. □ [V -ed] …newly planted fields.
5 N‑COUNT A plant is a factory or a place where power is produced. □ …Ford's British car assembly plants. □ The plant provides forty per cent of the country's electricity.
6 N‑UNCOUNT Plant is large machinery that is used in industrial processes. □ …investment in plant and equipment.
7 VERB If you plant something somewhere, you put it there firmly. □ [V n adv/prep] She planted her feet wide and bent her knees slightly. □ [V -ed adv/prep] …with his enormous feet planted heavily apart.
8 VERB To plant something such as a bomb means to hide it somewhere so that it explodes or works there. □ [V n] So far no one has admitted planting the bomb.
9 VERB [oft passive] If something such as a weapon or drugs is planted on someone, it is put among their possessions or in their house so that they will be wrongly accused of a crime. □ [be V -ed] He claimed that the evidence had been planted to incriminate him.
10 VERB If an organization plants someone somewhere, they send that person there so that they can get information or watch someone secretly. □ [V n] Journalists informed police, who planted an undercover detective to trap their target.
▸ plant out PHRASAL VERB When you plant out young plants, you plant them in the ground in the place where they are to be left to grow. □ [V P n] Plant out the spring cabbage whenever opportunities arise. [Also V n P ] SYNONYMS plant VERB 3
sow: Sow the seed in a warm place in February/March.
scatter: He began by scattering seed and putting in plants.
transplant: Farmers will be able to seed it directly, rather than having to transplant seedlings.
plan|tain /plæ nt I n/ (plantains )
1 N‑VAR A plantain is a type of green banana which can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
2 N‑VAR A plantain is a wild plant with broad leaves and a head of tiny green flowers on a long stem.
plan|ta|tion /plɑːnte I ʃ ə n, plæn-/ (plantations )
1 N‑COUNT A plantation is a large piece of land, especially in a tropical country, where crops such as rubber, coffee, tea, or sugar are grown. □ …banana plantations in Costa Rica.
2 N‑COUNT A plantation is a large number of trees that have been planted together. □ [+ of ] …a plantation of almond trees.
plant|er /plɑː ntə r , plæn-/ (planters )
1 N‑COUNT Planters are people who own or manage plantations in tropical countries.
2 N‑COUNT A planter is a container for plants that people keep in their homes.
pla nt pot (plant pots ) N‑COUNT A plant pot is a container that is used for growing plants. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use pot , planter
plaque /plæ k, plɑː k/ (plaques )
1 N‑COUNT A plaque is a flat piece of metal or stone with writing on it which is fixed to a wall or other structure to remind people of an important person or event. □ After touring the hospital, the princess unveiled a commemorative plaque.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Plaque is a substance containing bacteria that forms on the surface of your teeth. □ Deposits of plaque build up between the tooth and the gum.
plas|ma /plæ zmə/ N‑UNCOUNT Plasma is the clear liquid part of blood which contains the blood cells.
pla s|ma screen (plasma screens ) N‑COUNT A plasma screen is a type of thin television screen or computer screen that produces high-quality images.
plas|ter /plɑː stə r , plæ s-/ (plasters , plastering , plastered )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Plaster is a smooth paste made of sand, lime, and water which goes hard when it dries. Plaster is used to cover walls and ceilings and is also used to make sculptures. □ There were huge cracks in the plaster, and the green shutters were faded.
2 VERB If you plaster a wall or ceiling, you cover it with a layer of plaster. □ [V n] The ceiling he had just plastered fell in and knocked him off his ladder.
3 VERB If you plaster a surface or a place with posters or pictures, you stick a lot of them all over it. □ [V n + with ] They plastered the city with posters condemning her election. □ [be V -ed + with ] His room is plastered with pictures of Porsches and Ferraris.
4 VERB If you plaster yourself in some kind of sticky substance, you cover yourself in it. □ [V pron-refl + in ] She plastered herself from head to toe in high-factor sun lotion.
5 N‑COUNT A plaster is a strip of sticky material used for covering small cuts or sores on your body. [BRIT ] in AM, usually use Band-Aid 6 → see also plastered
7 PHRASE If you have a leg or arm in plaster , you have a cover made of plaster of Paris around your leg or arm, in order to protect a broken bone and allow it to mend. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use in a cast
plaster|board /plɑː stə r bɔː r d, plæ s-/ N‑UNCOUNT Plasterboard is cardboard covered with plaster which is used for covering walls and ceilings instead of using plaster.
pla s|ter cast (plaster casts )
1 N‑COUNT A plaster cast is a cover made of plaster of Paris which is used to protect a broken bone by keeping part of the body stiff.
2 N‑COUNT A plaster cast is a copy of a statue or other object, made from plaster of Paris. □ [+ of ] …a plaster cast of the Venus de Milo.
plas|tered /plɑː stə r d, plæ s-/
1 ADJ If something is plastered to a surface, it is sticking to the surface. □ [+ to ] His hair was plastered down to his scalp by the rain.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something or someone is plastered with a sticky substance, they are covered with it. □ [+ with/in ] My hands, boots and trousers were plastered with mud.
3 ADJ If a story or photograph is plastered all over the front page of a newspaper, it is given a lot of space on the page and made very noticeable. □ His picture was plastered all over the newspapers on the weekend.
plas|ter|er /plɑː stərə r , plæ s-/ (plasterers ) N‑COUNT A plasterer is a person whose job it is to cover walls and ceilings with plaster.
plas|ter of Paris /plɑː stər əv pæ r I s, plæ s-/ N‑UNCOUNT Plaster of Paris is a type of plaster made from white powder and water which dries quickly. It is used to make plaster casts.
plas|tic ◆◇◇ /plæ st I k/ (plastics )
1 N‑VAR [oft N n] Plastic is a material which is produced from oil by a chemical process and which is used to make many objects. It is light in weight and does not break easily. □ …a wooden crate, sheltered from wetness by sheets of plastic. □ A lot of the plastics that carmakers are using cannot be recycled. □ …a black plastic bag.
2 ADJ If you describe something as plastic , you mean that you think it looks or tastes unnatural or not real. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …plastic airline food.
3 N‑UNCOUNT If you use plastic or plastic money to pay for something, you pay for it with a credit card instead of using cash. [INFORMAL ] □ Using plastic to pay for an order is simplicity itself.
4 ADJ Something that is plastic is soft and can easily be made into different shapes. □ The mud is smooth, soft, and plastic as butter. ● plas|tic|ity /plæst I s I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the plasticity of the flesh.
pla s|tic bu l|let (plastic bullets ) N‑COUNT A plastic bullet is a large bullet made of plastic, which is intended to make people stop rioting, rather than to kill people.
pla s|tic ex|plo |sive (plastic explosives ) N‑VAR Plastic explosive is a substance which explodes and which is used in making small bombs.
Plas|ti|cine /plæ st I siːn/ N‑UNCOUNT Plasticine is a soft coloured substance like clay which children use for making models. [BRIT , TRADEMARK ]
pla s|tic su r|geon (plastic surgeons ) N‑COUNT A plastic surgeon is a doctor who performs operations to repair or replace skin which has been damaged, or to improve people's appearance.
pla s|tic su r|gery N‑UNCOUNT Plastic surgery is the practice of performing operations to repair or replace skin which has been damaged, or to improve people's appearance. □ She even had plastic surgery to change the shape of her nose.
pla s|tic wra p N‑UNCOUNT Plastic wrap is a thin, clear, stretchy plastic which you use to cover food to keep it fresh. [AM ] in BRIT, use clingfilm
plate ◆◇◇ /ple I t/ (plates )
1 N‑COUNT A plate is a round or oval flat dish that is used to hold food. □ Anita pushed her plate away; she had eaten virtually nothing. ● N‑COUNT A plate of food is the amount of food on the plate. □ [+ of ] …a huge plate of spaghetti.
2 N‑COUNT A plate is a flat piece of metal, especially on machinery or a building.
3 N‑COUNT A plate is a small, flat piece of metal with someone's name written on it, which you usually find beside the front door of an office or house.
4 N‑PLURAL On a road vehicle, the plates are the panels at the front and back which display the license number in the United States, and the registration number in Britain. □ …dusty-looking cars with New Jersey plates.
5 → see also license plate , number plate
6 N‑UNCOUNT Plate is dishes, bowls, and cups that are made of precious metal, especially silver or gold. □ …gold and silver plate, jewellery, and roomfuls of antique furniture.
7 N‑COUNT A plate in a book is a picture or photograph which takes up a whole page and is usually printed on better quality paper than the rest of the book. □ Fermor's book has 55 colour plates.
8 N‑COUNT In geology, a plate is a large piece of the Earth's surface, perhaps as large as a continent, which moves very slowly. [TECHNICAL ]
9 PHRASE If you have enough on your plate or have a lot on your plate , you have a lot of work to do or a lot of things to deal with. □ We have enough on our plate. There is plenty of work to be done on what we have.
10 PHRASE If you say that someone has things handed to them on a plate , you disapprove of them because they get good things easily. [mainly BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Even the presidency was handed to him on a plate.
plat|eau /plæ toʊ, [AM ] plætoʊ / (plateaus or plateaux , plateaus , plateauing , plateaued )
1 N‑COUNT A plateau is a large area of high and fairly flat land. □ A broad valley opened up leading to a high, flat plateau of cultivated land.
2 N‑COUNT If you say that an activity or process has reached a plateau , you mean that it has reached a stage where there is no further change or development. □ The U.S. heroin market now appears to have reached a plateau.
3 VERB If something such as an activity, process, or cost plateaus or plateaus out , it reaches a stage where there is no further change or development. □ [V out ] Evelyn's career is accelerating, and mine is plateauing out a bit. □ [V + at ] The shares plateaued at 153p.
plat|ed /ple I t I d/ ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] If something made of metal is plated with a thin layer of another type of metal, it is covered with it. □ [+ with ] …a range of jewellery, plated with 22-carat nickel-free gold.
-plated /-ple I t I d/
1 COMB Something made of metal that is plated is covered with a thin layer of another type of metal such as gold and silver. □ …a gold-plated watch.
2 → see also armour-plated , gold-plated , silver-plated
plate|ful /ple I tfʊl/ (platefuls ) N‑COUNT A plateful of food is an amount of food that is on a plate and fills it. □ [+ of ] …a plateful of chicken and rice.
pla te gla ss also plate-glass N‑UNCOUNT Plate glass is thick glass made in large, flat pieces, which is used especially to make large windows and doors.
plate|let /ple I tlət/ (platelets ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Platelets are a kind of blood cell. If you cut yourself and you are bleeding, platelets help to stop the bleeding. [TECHNICAL ]
pla te tec|to n|ics N‑UNCOUNT Plate tectonics is the way that large pieces of the Earth's surface move slowly around. [TECHNICAL ]
plat|form ◆◇◇ /plæ tfɔː r m/ (platforms )
1 N‑COUNT A platform is a flat, raised structure, usually made of wood, which people stand on when they make speeches or give a performance. □ Nick finished what he was saying and jumped down from the platform.
2 N‑COUNT A platform is a flat raised structure or area, usually one which something can stand on or land on. □ They found a spot on a rocky platform where they could pitch their tents.
3 N‑COUNT A platform is a structure built for people to work and live on when drilling for oil or gas at sea, or when extracting it.
4 N‑COUNT A platform in a railway station is the area beside the rails where you wait for or get off a train. □ The train was about to leave and I was not even on the platform.
5 N‑COUNT The platform of a political party is what they say they will do if they are elected. □ [+ of ] …a platform of political and economic reforms.
6 N‑COUNT If someone has a platform , they have an opportunity to tell people what they think or want. □ [+ for ] The demonstration provided a platform for a broad cross-section of speakers.
plat|ing /ple I t I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Plating is a thin layer of metal on something, or a covering of metal plates. □ The tanker began spilling oil the moment her outer plating ruptured.
plati|num /plæ t I nəm/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Platinum is a very valuable, silvery-grey metal. It is often used for making jewellery.
2 COLOUR Platinum hair is very fair, almost white. □ …a platinum blonde with thick eye shadow and scarlet lipstick.
plati|tude /plæ t I tjuːd, [AM ] -tuːd/ (platitudes ) N‑COUNT A platitude is a statement which is considered meaningless and boring because it has been made many times before in similar situations. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Why couldn't he say something original instead of spouting the same old platitudes?
pla|ton|ic /plətɒ n I k/ The spelling Platonic is also used for meaning 2 . 1 ADJ Platonic relationships or feelings of affection do not involve sex. □ She values the platonic friendship she has had with Chris for ten years.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Platonic means relating to the ideas of the Greek philosopher Plato. □ …the Platonic tradition of Greek philosophy.
pla|toon /plətuː n/ (platoons ) N‑COUNT A platoon is a small group of soldiers, usually one which is commanded by a lieutenant.
plat|ter /plæ tə r / (platters ) N‑COUNT A platter is a large, flat plate used for serving food. [mainly AM ] □ The food was being served on silver platters. ● N‑COUNT A platter of food is the amount of food on a platter.
plau|dits /plɔː d I tz/ N‑PLURAL If a person or a thing receives plaudits from a group of people, those people express their admiration for or approval of that person or thing. [FORMAL ] □ [+ for ] They won plaudits and prizes for their accomplished films.
plau|sible /plɔː z I b ə l/
1 ADJ An explanation or statement that is plausible seems likely to be true or valid. □ A more plausible explanation would seem to be that people are fed up with the Conservative government. ● plau|sibly /plɔː z I bli/ ADV [ADV with v] □ Having bluffed his way in without paying, he could not plausibly demand his money back. ● plau|sibil|ity /plɔː z I b I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the plausibility of the theory.
2 ADJ If you say that someone is plausible , you mean that they seem to be telling the truth and to be sincere and honest. □ He was so plausible that he conned everybody.
play ◆◆◆ /ple I / (plays , playing , played )
1 VERB When children, animals, or perhaps adults play , they spend time doing enjoyable things, such as using toys and taking part in games. □ [V ] They played in the little garden. □ [V + with ] Polly was playing with her teddy bear. ● N‑UNCOUNT Play is also a noun. □ …a few hours of play until the baby-sitter takes them off to bed.
2 VERB When you play a sport, game, or match, you take part in it. □ [V n] All they want to do is sit around playing computer games. □ [V n + with ] Alain was playing cards with his friends. □ [V n] I used to play basketball. □ [V + for ] I want to play for my country. □ [V ] He captained the team but he didn't actually play. ● N‑UNCOUNT Play is also a noun. □ Both sides adopted the Continental style of play.
3 VERB When one person or team plays another or plays against them, they compete against them in a sport or game. □ [V n] Northern Ireland will play Latvia. □ [V + against ] I've played against him a few times. ● N‑UNCOUNT Play is also a noun. □ Fischer won after 5 hours and 41 minutes of play.
4 VERB When you play the ball or play a shot in a game or sport, you kick or hit the ball. □ [V n] Think first before playing the ball. □ [V n adv] I played the ball back slightly.
5 VERB If you play a joke or a trick on someone, you deceive them or give them a surprise in a way that you think is funny, but that often causes problems for them or annoys them. □ [V n + on ] Someone had played a trick on her, stretched a piece of string at the top of those steps. □ [V n] I thought: 'This cannot be happening, somebody must be playing a joke'.
6 VERB If you play with an object or with your hair, you keep moving it or touching it with your fingers, perhaps because you are bored or nervous. □ [V + with ] She stared at the floor, idly playing with the strap of her handbag.
7 N‑COUNT A play is a piece of writing which is performed in a theatre, on the radio, or on television. □ [+ about ] The company put on a play about the homeless. □ It's my favourite Shakespeare play.
8 VERB If an actor plays a role or character in a play or film, he or she performs the part of that character. □ [V n] …Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, in which he played Hyde. □ [V n] His ambition is to play the part of Dracula.
9 V‑LINK You can use play to describe how someone behaves, when they are deliberately behaving in a certain way or like a certain type of person. For example, to play the innocent , means to pretend to be innocent, and to play deaf means to pretend not to hear something. □ [V n] Hill tried to play the peacemaker. □ [V adj] So you want to play nervous today?
10 VERB You can describe how someone deals with a situation by saying that they play it in a certain way. For example, if someone plays it cool , they keep calm and do not show much emotion, and if someone plays it straight , they behave in an honest and direct way. □ [V n adj/adv] Investors are playing it cautious, and they're playing it smart.
11 VERB If you play a musical instrument or play a tune on a musical instrument, or if a musical instrument plays , music is produced from it. □ [V n] Nina had been playing the piano. □ [V + for ] He played for me. □ [V n n] Place your baby in her seat and play her a lullaby. □ [V ] The guitars played. [Also V n for n]
12 VERB If you play a record or a CD, you put it into a machine and sound is produced. If a record or a CD is playing , sound is being produced from it. □ [V n] She played her records too loudly. □ [V ] There is classical music playing in the background. [Also V n n]
13 VERB If a musician or group of musicians plays or plays a concert, they perform music for people to listen or dance to. □ [V ] A band was playing. □ [V n] He will play concerts in Amsterdam and Paris.
14 PHRASE If you ask what someone is playing at , you are angry because you think they are doing something stupid or wrong. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ What on earth are you playing at?
15 PHRASE When something comes into play or is brought into play , it begins to be used or to have an effect. □ The real existence of a military option will come into play.
16 PHRASE If something or someone plays a part or plays a role in a situation, they are involved in it and have an effect on it. □ The U.N. would play a major role in monitoring a ceasefire. □ …the role played by diet in disease.
17 to play ball → see ball
18 to play your cards right → see card
19 to play it by ear → see ear
20 to play fair → see fair
21 to play second fiddle → see fiddle
22 to play the field → see field
23 to play with fire → see fire ➊
24 to play the fool → see fool
25 to play to the gallery → see gallery
26 to play into someone's hands → see hand ➊
27 to play hard to get → see hard
28 to play havoc → see havoc
29 to play host → see host
30 to play safe → see safe
31 to play for time → see time
32 to play truant → see truant
▸ play along PHRASAL VERB [no passive] If you play along with a person, with what they say, or with their plans, you appear to agree with them and do what they want, even though you are not sure whether they are right. □ [V P + with ] My mother has learnt to play along with the bizarre conversations begun by father. □ [V P ] He led the way to the lift. Fox played along, following him.
▸ play around
1 PHRASAL VERB If you play around , you behave in a silly way to amuse yourself or other people. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] Stop playing around and eat! □ [V P + with ] Had he taken the keys and played around with her car?
2 PHRASAL VERB If you play around with a problem or an arrangement of objects, you try different ways of organizing it in order to find the best solution or arrangement. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P + with ] I can play around with the pictures to make them more eye-catching.
▸ play at
1 PHRASAL VERB [no passive] If you say that someone is playing at something, you disapprove of the fact that they are doing it casually and not very seriously. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P n/v-ing] We were still playing at war–dropping leaflets instead of bombs.
2 PHRASAL VERB [no passive] If someone, especially a child, plays at being someone or doing something, they pretend to be that person or do that thing as a game. □ [V P n/v-ing] Ed played at being a pirate.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you do not know what someone is playing at , you do not understand what they are doing or what they are trying to achieve. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] She began to wonder what he was playing at.
▸ play back
1 PHRASAL VERB When you play back a tape or film, you listen to the sounds or watch the pictures after recording them. □ [V P n] He bought an answering machine that plays back his messages when he calls. □ [V -ed P ] Ted might benefit from hearing his own voice recorded and played back. □ [V n P ] I played the tape back.
2 → see also playback
▸ play down PHRASAL VERB If you play down something, you try to make people believe that it is not particularly important. □ [V P n] Western diplomats have played down the significance of the reports. □ [V n P ] Both London and Dublin are playing the matter down.
▸ play on PHRASAL VERB If you play on someone's fears, weaknesses, or faults, you deliberately use them in order to persuade that person to do something, or to achieve what you want. □ [V P n] …an election campaign which plays on the population's fear of change.
▸ play out PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If a dramatic event is played out , it gradually takes place. □ [be V -ed P ] Her union reforms were played out against a background of rising unemployment. [Also V P n]
▸ play up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you play up something, you emphasize it and try to make people believe that it is important. □ [V P n] The media played up the prospects for a settlement. □ [V P n, be V -ed P ] His Japanese ancestry has been played up by some of his opponents. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB [usu cont, no passive] If something such as a machine or a part of your body is playing up or is playing you up , it is causing problems because it is not working properly. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] The engine had been playing up. □ [V n P ] It was his back playing him up.
3 PHRASAL VERB When children play up , they are naughty and difficult to control. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] Patrick often plays up when he knows I'm in a hurry. SYNONYMS play VERB
1
amuse yourself: I need to amuse myself so I won't keep thinking about things.
enjoy yourself: I must say I am really enjoying myself at the moment.
2
compete: It is essential for all players who wish to compete that they earn computer ranking points.
challenge: We challenged a team who called themselves 'College Athletes'.
take on: I knew I couldn't take him on. NOUN 7
drama: He acted in radio dramas.
show: A daily one-hour news show can cost $250,000 to produce.
performance: We went to see Helen in a performance of 'Hamlet'. VERB 8
act: She confessed to her parents her desire to act.
portray: In 1975 he portrayed the king in a Los Angeles revival of 'Camelot'.
perform: This play was first performed in 411 BC.
pla y-act (play-acts , play-acting , play-acted ) VERB [usu cont] If someone is play-acting , they are pretending to have attitudes or feelings that they do not really have. □ [V ] The 'victim' revealed he was only play-acting.
pla y-acting N‑UNCOUNT Play-acting is behaviour where someone pretends to have attitudes or feelings that they do not really have. □ It was just a piece of play-acting.
play|back /ple I bæk/ (playbacks ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The playback of a recording is the operation of listening to the sound or watching the pictures recorded. □ [+ of ] The day includes a pre-release playback of the new album.
play|boy /ple I bɔ I / (playboys ) N‑COUNT You can refer to a rich man who spends most of his time enjoying himself as a playboy . □ Father was a rich playboy. □ …the playboy millionaire.
Play-Doh /ple I doʊ/ N‑UNCOUNT Play-Doh is a soft coloured substance like clay which children use for making models. [TRADEMARK ]
play|er ◆◆◆ /ple I ə r / (players )
1 N‑COUNT A player in a sport or game is a person who takes part, either as a job or for fun. □ …his greatness as a player. □ She was a good golfer and tennis player.
2 N‑COUNT You can use player to refer to a musician. For example, a piano player is someone who plays the piano. □ …a professional trumpet player.
3 N‑COUNT If a person, country, or organization is a player in something, they are involved in it and important in it. □ [+ in ] Big business has become a major player in the art market.
4 N‑COUNT A player is an actor. □ …a company of players. □ Oscar nominations went to all five leading players.
5 → see also CD player , record player , team player
pla yer-ma nager (player-managers ) N‑COUNT In football and some other sports, a player-manager is a person who plays for a team and also manages the team.
pla y|er pia |no (player pianos ) N‑COUNT A player piano is a type of mechanical piano. When you press the pedals, air is forced through holes in a roll of paper to press the keys and play a tune. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use pianola
play|ful /ple I fʊl/
1 ADJ A playful gesture or person is friendly or humorous. □ …a playful kiss on the tip of his nose. ● play|ful|ly ADV □ She pushed him away playfully. ● play|ful|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …the child's natural playfulness.
2 ADJ A playful animal is lively and cheerful. □ …a playful puppy.
play|ground /ple I graʊnd/ (playgrounds )
1 N‑COUNT A playground is a piece of land, at school or in a public area, where children can play.
2 → see also adventure playground
3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you describe a place as a playground for a certain group of people, you mean that those people like to enjoy themselves there or go on holiday there. □ [+ of ] …St Tropez, playground of the rich and famous.
play|group /ple I gruːp/ (playgroups ) also play group N‑COUNT A playgroup is an informal school for very young children, where they learn things by playing.
play|house /ple I haʊs/ (playhouses )
1 N‑COUNT A playhouse is a theatre. □ The Theatre Royal is one of the oldest playhouses in Britain.
2 N‑COUNT A playhouse is a small house made for children to play in. □ My father built me a playhouse.
pla y|ing card (playing cards ) N‑COUNT Playing cards are thin pieces of cardboard with numbers or pictures printed on them, which are used to play various games.
pla y|ing field (playing fields )
1 N‑COUNT A playing field is a large area of grass where people play sports. □ …the school playing fields.
2 PHRASE You talk about a level playing field to mean a situation that is fair, because no competitor or opponent in it has an advantage over another. □ We ask for a level playing field when we compete with foreign companies.
play|list /ple I l I st/ (playlists , playlisting , playlisted )
1 N‑COUNT A playlist is a list of songs, albums, and artists that a radio station broadcasts. □ Radio 1's playlist is dominated by top-selling youth-orientated groups.
2 VERB If a song, album, or artist is playlisted , it is put on a radio station's playlist. □ [V n] We've playlisted many new artists who got picked up down the line by others.
play|mate /ple I me I t/ (playmates ) N‑COUNT A child's playmate is another child who often plays with him or her. □ The young girl loved to play with her playmates.
pla y-off (play-offs ) also playoff
1 N‑COUNT A play-off is an extra game which is played to decide the winner of a sports competition when two or more people have got the same score. □ This was his second defeat in a play-off this year.
2 N‑COUNT You use play-offs to refer to a series of games between the winners of different leagues, to decide which teams will play for a championship. □ The winner will face the Oakland A's in the playoffs this weekend.
pla y on wo rds (plays on words ) N‑COUNT A play on words is the same as a pun .
pla y park (play parks ) N‑COUNT A play park is a children's playground.
play|pen /ple I pen/ (playpens ) N‑COUNT A playpen is a small structure which is designed for a baby or young child to play safely in. It has bars or a net round the sides and is open at the top.
play|room /ple I ruːm/ (playrooms ) N‑COUNT A playroom is a room in a house for children to play in.
play|school /ple I skuːl/ (playschools ) also play school N‑COUNT A playschool is an informal type of school for very young children where they learn things by playing. [mainly BRIT ]
Play|Sta|tion /ple I ste I ʃ ə n/ (PlayStations ) N‑VAR A PlayStation is a type of games console. [COMPUTING , TRADEMARK ] □ He spends most of his pocket money on PlayStation games.
play|thing /ple I θ I ŋ/ (playthings ) N‑COUNT A plaything is a toy or other object that a child plays with. □ …an untidy garden scattered with children's playthings.
play|time /ple I ta I m/ N‑UNCOUNT In a school for young children, playtime is the period of time between lessons when they can play outside. □ Any child who is caught will be kept in at playtime.
play|wright /ple I ra I t/ (playwrights ) N‑COUNT A playwright is a person who writes plays.
pla|za /plɑː zə, [AM ] plæ zə/ (plazas )
1 N‑COUNT A plaza is an open square in a city. □ Across the busy plaza, vendors sell hot dogs and croissant sandwiches.
2 N‑COUNT A plaza is a group of stores or buildings that are joined together or share common areas. [AM ]
plc /piː el siː / (plcs ) also PLC N‑COUNT [usu sing, usu n N ] In Britain, plc means a company whose shares can be bought by the public and is usually used after the name of a company. plc is an abbreviation for 'public limited company'. Compare Ltd . [BUSINESS ] □ …British Telecommunications plc.
plea /pliː / (pleas )
1 N‑COUNT [N to-inf] A plea is an appeal or request for something, made in an intense or emotional way. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ for ] Mr Nicholas made his emotional plea for help in solving the killing.
2 N‑COUNT [usu adj N , N of adj] In a court of law, a person's plea is the answer that they give when they have been charged with a crime, saying whether or not they are guilty of that crime. □ The judge questioned him about his guilty plea. □ We will enter a plea of not guilty.
3 N‑COUNT A plea is a reason which is given, to a court of law or to other people, as an excuse for doing something or for not doing something. □ [+ of ] The jury rejected his plea of insanity.
plea bar|gain (plea bargains , plea bargaining , plea bargained )
1 N‑COUNT In some legal systems, a plea bargain is an agreement that, if an accused person says they are guilty, they will be charged with a less serious crime or will receive a less severe punishment. □ A plea bargain was offered by the state assuring her that she would not go to prison.
2 VERB If an accused person plea bargains , they accept a plea bargain. □ [V ] More and more criminals will agree to plea-bargain. ● plea bar|gain|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …the introduction of a system of plea bargaining.
plead /pliː d/ (pleads , pleading , pleaded )
1 VERB If you plead with someone to do something, you ask them in an intense, emotional way to do it. □ [V + with ] The lady pleaded with her daughter to come back home. □ [V + for ] He was kneeling on the floor pleading for mercy. □ [V with quote] 'Do not say that,' she pleaded. □ [V to-inf] I pleaded to be allowed to go. [Also V , V that]
2 VERB When someone charged with a crime pleads guilty or not guilty in a court of law, they officially state that they are guilty or not guilty of the crime. □ [V adj] Morris had pleaded guilty to robbery.
3 VERB If you plead the case or cause of someone or something, you speak out in their support or defence. □ [V n] He appeared before the Committee to plead his case.
4 VERB If you plead a particular thing as the reason for doing or not doing something, you give it as your excuse. □ [V n] Mr Giles pleads ignorance as his excuse. □ [V that] It was no defence to plead that they were only obeying orders.
plead|ing /pliː d I ŋ/ (pleadings )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A pleading expression or gesture shows someone that you want something very much. □ …the pleading expression on her face. ● plead|ing|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ He looked at me pleadingly.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Pleading is asking someone for something you want very much, in an intense or emotional way. □ He simply ignored Sid's pleading.
3 → see also special pleading
pleas|ant ◆◇◇ /ple z ə nt/ (pleasanter , pleasantest )
1 ADJ [ADJ to-inf] Something that is pleasant is nice, enjoyable, or attractive. □ I've got a pleasant little apartment. □ It's always pleasant to do what you're good at doing. ● pleas|ant|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ We talked pleasantly of old times.
2 ADJ [oft ADJ to-inf] Someone who is pleasant is friendly and likeable. □ The woman had a pleasant face.
pleas|ant|ry /ple z ə ntri/ (pleasantries ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Pleasantries are casual, friendly remarks which you make in order to be polite. □ [+ about ] He exchanged pleasantries about his hotel and the weather.
please ◆◆◇ /pliː z/ (pleases , pleasing , pleased )
1 ADV You say please when you are politely asking or inviting someone to do something. [POLITENESS ] □ Can you help us please? □ Would you please open the door? □ Please come in. □ 'May I sit here?'—'Please do.' □ Can we have the bill please?
2 ADV You say please when you are accepting something politely. [FORMULAE ] □ 'Tea?'—'Yes, please.' □ 'You want an apple with your cheese?'—'Please.'
3 CONVENTION You can say please to indicate that you want someone to stop doing something or stop speaking. You would say this if, for example, what they are doing or saying makes you angry or upset. [FEELINGS ] □ Please, Mary, this is all so unnecessary.
4 CONVENTION You can say please in order to attract someone's attention politely. Children in particular say ' please ' to attract the attention of a teacher or other adult. [mainly BRIT , POLITENESS ] □ Please sir, can we have some more?
5 VERB If someone or something pleases you, they make you feel happy and satisfied. □ [V n] More than anything, I want to please you. □ [V ] Much of the food pleases rather than excites. □ [V n to-inf] It pleased him to talk to her.
6 PHRASE You use please in expressions such as as she pleases , whatever you please , and anything he pleases to indicate that someone can do or have whatever they want. □ Women should be free to dress and act as they please. □ Isabel can live where she pleases.
7 CONVENTION If you please is sometimes used as a very polite and formal way of attracting someone's attention or of asking them to do something. [POLITENESS ] □ Ladies and gentlemen, if you please. Miss Taylor's going to play for us.
8 CONVENTION You say ' please yourself ' to indicate in a rather rude way that you do not mind or care whether the person you are talking to does a particular thing or not. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ 'Do you mind if I wait?' I asked. Melanie shrugged: 'Please yourself.'
pleased ◆◇◇ /pliː zd/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are pleased , you are happy about something or satisfied with something. □ [+ at ] Felicity seemed pleased at the suggestion. □ I think he's going to be pleased that we identified the real problems. □ They're pleased to be going home. □ He glanced at her with a pleased smile.
2 ADJ If you say you will be pleased to do something, you are saying in a polite way that you are willing to do it. [POLITENESS ] □ We will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] You can tell someone that you are pleased with something they have done in order to express your approval. [FEELINGS ] □ [+ with ] I'm pleased with the way things have been going. □ [+ about ] I am very pleased about the result. □ We are pleased that the problems have been resolved. □ We were very pleased to hear this encouraging news.
4 ADJ When you are about to give someone some news which you know will please them, you can say that you are pleased to tell them the news or that they will be pleased to hear it. □ I'm pleased to say that he is now doing well.
5 ADJ In official letters, people often say they will be pleased to do something, as a polite way of introducing what they are going to do or inviting people to do something. [POLITENESS ] □ We will be pleased to delete the charge from the original invoice.
6 PHRASE If someone seems very satisfied with something they have done, you can say that they are pleased with themselves , especially if you think they are more satisfied than they should be. □ He was pleased with himself for having remembered her name.
7 CONVENTION You can say ' Pleased to meet you ' as a polite way of greeting someone who you are meeting for the first time. [FORMULAE ] SYNONYMS pleased ADJ 1
delighted: He said that he was delighted with the public response.
happy: I'm just happy to be back running.
contented: Whenever he returns to this place he is happy and contented.
thrilled (to bits): He's thrilled to bits at the news.
pleas|ing /pliː z I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ to-inf] Something that is pleasing gives you pleasure and satisfaction. □ This area of France has a pleasing climate in August. □ It's pleasing to listen to. [Also + to ] ● pleas|ing|ly ADV [usu ADV adj] □ The interior design is pleasingly simple.
pleas|ur|able /ple ʒərəb ə l/ ADJ Pleasurable experiences or sensations are pleasant and enjoyable. □ The most pleasurable experience of the evening was the wonderful fireworks display. ● pleas|ur|ably /ple ʒərəbli/ ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ They spent six weeks pleasurably together.
pleas|ure ◆◇◇ /ple ʒə r / (pleasures )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If something gives you pleasure , you get a feeling of happiness, satisfaction, or enjoyment from it. □ Watching sport gave him great pleasure. □ [+ in ] Everybody takes pleasure in eating. [Also + from ]
2 N‑UNCOUNT Pleasure is the activity of enjoying yourself, especially rather than working or doing what you have a duty to do. □ He mixed business and pleasure in a perfect and dynamic way. □ I read for pleasure.
3 N‑COUNT A pleasure is an activity, experience or aspect of something that you find very enjoyable or satisfying. □ Watching TV is our only pleasure. □ [+ of ] …the pleasure of seeing a smiling face.
4 CONVENTION If you meet someone for the first time, you can say, as a way of being polite, that it is a pleasure to meet them. You can also ask for the pleasure of someone's company as a polite and formal way of inviting them somewhere. [POLITENESS ] □ 'A pleasure to meet you, sir,' he said.
5 CONVENTION You can say ' It's a pleasure ' or ' My pleasure ' as a polite way of replying to someone who has just thanked you for doing something. [FORMULAE ] □ 'Thanks very much anyhow.'—'It's a pleasure.' SYNONYMS pleasure NOUN 1
enjoyment: …her enjoyment of the beauty of the countryside.
satisfaction: She felt a small glow of satisfaction.
bliss: It was a scene of such domestic bliss.
delight: The views are a constant source of surprise and delight.
happiness: I think mostly she was looking for happiness.
plea s|ure boat (pleasure boats ) N‑COUNT A pleasure boat is a large boat which takes people for trips on rivers, lakes, or on the sea for pleasure.
plea s|ure craft (pleasure craft ) N‑COUNT A pleasure craft is the same as a pleasure boat .
pleat /pliː t/ (pleats ) N‑COUNT A pleat in a piece of clothing is a permanent fold that is made in the cloth by folding one part over the other and sewing across the top end of the fold.
pleat|ed /pliː t I d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A pleated piece of clothing has pleats in it. □ …a short white pleated skirt.
pleb /ple b/ (plebs ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] If someone refers to people as plebs , they mean they are of a low social class or do not appreciate culture. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
ple|beian /pləbiː ən/ also plebian
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A person, especially one from an earlier period of history, who is plebeian comes from a low social class.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone describes something as plebeian , they think that it is unsophisticated and connected with or typical of people from a low social class. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a philosophy professor with a cockney accent and an alarmingly plebeian manner.
plebi|scite /ple b I sa I t, -s I t/ (plebiscites ) N‑COUNT A plebiscite is a direct vote by the people of a country or region in which they say whether they agree or disagree with a particular policy, for example whether a region should become an independent state.
pledge ◆◇◇ /ple dʒ/ (pledges , pledging , pledged )
1 N‑COUNT [usu N to-inf] When someone makes a pledge , they make a serious promise that they will do something. □ The meeting ended with a pledge to step up cooperation between the six states of the region. □ [+ of ] …a £1.1m pledge of support from the Spanish ministry of culture.
2 VERB When someone pledges to do something, they promise in a serious way to do it. When they pledge something, they promise to give it. □ [V to-inf] Mr Dudley has pledged to give any award to charity. □ [V n] Philip pledges support and offers to help in any way that he can. □ [V that] I pledge that by next year we will have the problem solved.
3 VERB If you pledge a sum of money to an organization or activity, you promise to pay that amount of money to it at a particular time or over a particular period. □ [V n] The French President is pledging $150 million in French aid next year. ● N‑COUNT Pledge is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …a pledge of forty-two million dollars a month.
4 VERB If you pledge yourself to something, you commit yourself to following a particular course of action or to supporting a particular person, group, or idea. □ [V pron-refl to-inf] He has pledged himself to assist Mr. Williams with money. □ [V n + to ] The treaties renounce the use of force and pledge the two countries to co-operation.
5 VERB If you pledge something such as a valuable possession or a sum of money, you leave it with someone as a guarantee that you will repay money that you have borrowed. □ [V n] He asked her to pledge the house as security for a loan. SYNONYMS pledge NOUN 1
promise: If you make a promise, you should keep it.
vow: I took my marriage vows and kept them.
oath: She took an oath of loyalty to the government.
guarantee: California's state Constitution includes a guarantee of privacy. COLLOCATIONS pledge NOUN 1
noun + pledge : election, manifesto, referendum
adjective + pledge : solemn
verb + pledge : make, sign; fulfil, honour
ple|na|ry /pliː nəri, ple n-/ (plenaries ) ADJ [ADJ n] A plenary session or plenary meeting is one that is attended by everyone who has the right to attend. [TECHNICAL ] □ The programme was approved at a plenary session of the committee last week. ● N‑COUNT Plenary is also a noun. □ There'll be another plenary at the end of the afternoon after the workshop.
pleni|po|ten|ti|ary /ple n I pəte nʃəri, [AM ] -ʃieri/ (plenipotentiaries ) also Plenipotentiary
1 N‑COUNT A plenipotentiary is a person who has full power to make decisions or take action on behalf of their government, especially in a foreign country. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] …the British Plenipotentiary to the U.N. conference.
2 ADJ [n ADJ ] An ambassador plenipotentiary or minister plenipotentiary has full power or authority to represent their country. [FORMAL ]
3 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone such as an ambassador has plenipotentiary powers , they have full power or authority to represent their country. [FORMAL ]
pleni|tude /ple n I tjuːd, [AM ] -tuːd/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Plenitude is a feeling that an experience is satisfying because it is full or complete. [FORMAL ] □ The music brought him a feeling of plenitude and freedom.
2 N‑SING If there is a plenitude of something, there is a great quantity of it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] What is the use of a book about interior design without a plenitude of pictures in color?
plen|ti|ful /ple nt I fʊl/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Things that are plentiful exist in such large amounts or numbers that there is enough for people's wants or needs. □ Fish are plentiful in the lake. □ …a plentiful supply of vegetables and salads and fruits. ● plen|ti|ful|ly ADV □ Nettle grows plentifully on any rich waste ground.
plen|ty ◆◇◇ /ple nti/
1 QUANT If there is plenty of something, there is a large amount of it. If there are plenty of things, there are many of them. Plenty is used especially to indicate that there is enough of something, or more than you need. □ [+ of ] There was still plenty of time to take Jill out for pizza. □ [+ of ] Most businesses face plenty of competition. □ [+ of ] Are there plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet? ● PRON Plenty is also a pronoun. □ I don't believe in long interviews. Fifteen minutes is plenty.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Plenty is a situation in which people have a lot to eat or a lot of money to live on. [FORMAL ] □ You are all fortunate to be growing up in a time of peace and plenty.
3 ADV [ADV adj/adv] You use plenty in front of adjectives or adverbs to emphasize the degree of the quality they are describing. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ The water looked plenty deep. □ The compartment is plenty big enough.
ple|num /pliː nəm/ (plenums ) N‑COUNT A plenum is a meeting that is attended by all the members of a committee or conference. [TECHNICAL ]
pletho|ra /ple θərə/ N‑SING A plethora of something is a large amount of it, especially an amount of it that is greater than you need, want, or can cope with. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] A plethora of new operators will be allowed to enter the market.
pleu|ri|sy /plʊə r I si/ N‑UNCOUNT Pleurisy is a serious illness in which a person's lungs are sore and breathing is difficult.
plex|us /ple ksəs/ → see solar plexus
pli|able /pla I əb ə l/ ADJ If something is pliable , you can bend it easily without cracking or breaking it. □ As your baby grows bigger, his bones become less pliable.
pli|ant /pla I ənt/
1 ADJ A pliant person can be easily influenced and controlled by other people. □ She's proud and stubborn, you know, under that pliant exterior.
2 ADJ If something is pliant , you can bend it easily without breaking it. □ …pliant young willows.
pli|ers /pla I ə r z/ N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Pliers are a tool with two handles at one end and two hard, flat, metal parts at the other. Pliers are used for holding or pulling out things such as nails, or for bending or cutting wire.
plight /pla I t/ (plights ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you refer to someone's plight , you mean that they are in a difficult or distressing situation that is full of problems. □ [+ of ] …the worsening plight of Third World countries plagued by debts.
plim|soll /pl I msoʊl/ (plimsolls ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Plimsolls are canvas shoes with flat rubber soles. People wear plimsolls for sports and leisure activities. [BRIT ] in AM, use sneakers
plinth /pl I nθ/ (plinths ) N‑COUNT A plinth is a rectangular block of stone on which a statue or pillar stands.
plod /plɒ d/ (plods , plodding , plodded )
1 VERB If someone plods , they walk slowly and heavily. □ [V adv/prep] Crowds of French and British families plodded around in yellow plastic macs.
2 VERB If you say that someone plods on or plods along with a job, you mean that the job is taking a long time. □ [V adv] He is plodding on with negotiations. □ [V adv] Aircraft production continued to plod along at an agonizingly slow pace.
plod|der /plɒ də r / (plodders ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a plodder , you have a low opinion of them because they work slowly and steadily but without showing enthusiasm or having new ideas. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He was quiet, conscientious, a bit of a plodder.
plonk /plɒ ŋk/ (plonks , plonking , plonked )
1 VERB If you plonk something somewhere, you put it or drop it there heavily and carelessly. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n prep/adv] She plonked the bags on the counter. in AM, use plunk 2 VERB If you plonk yourself somewhere, you sit down carelessly without paying attention to the people around you. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V pron-refl adv/prep] Steve plonked himself down on a seat and stayed motionless as the bus moved away. in AM, use plunk 3 N‑UNCOUNT Plonk is cheap or poor quality wine. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ]
4 N‑SING ; N‑COUNT A plonk is a heavy, hollow sound. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ of ] …the dry plonk of tennis balls.
plonk|er /plɒ ŋkə r / (plonkers ) N‑COUNT If someone calls a person, especially a man, a plonker , they think he is stupid. [BRIT , INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ]
plop /plɒ p/ (plops , plopping , plopped )
1 N‑COUNT A plop is a soft, gentle sound, like the sound made by something dropping into water without disturbing the surface much. □ Another drop of water fell with a soft plop.
2 VERB If something plops somewhere, it drops there with a soft, gentle sound. □ [V prep] The ice cream plopped to the ground.
plot ◆◇◇ /plɒ t/ (plots , plotting , plotted )
1 N‑COUNT [usu N to-inf] A plot is a secret plan by a group of people to do something that is illegal or wrong, usually against a person or a government. □ Security forces have uncovered a plot to overthrow the government. □ [+ against ] He was responding to reports of an assassination plot against him.
2 VERB If people plot to do something or plot something that is illegal or wrong, they plan secretly to do it. □ [V to-inf] Prosecutors in the trial allege the defendants plotted to overthrow the government. □ [V n] The military were plotting a coup. □ [V + against ] They are awaiting trial on charges of plotting against the state.
3 VERB When people plot a strategy or a course of action, they carefully plan each step of it. □ [V n] Yesterday's meeting was intended to plot a survival strategy for the party.
4 N‑VAR The plot of a film, novel, or play is the connected series of events which make up the story.
5 → see also sub-plot
6 N‑COUNT A plot of land is a small piece of land, especially one that has been measured or marked out for a special purpose, such as building houses or growing vegetables. □ The bottom of the garden was given over to vegetable plots.
7 VERB When someone plots something on a graph, they mark certain points on it and then join the points up. □ [V n] We plot about eight points on the graph.
8 VERB When someone plots the position or course of a plane or ship, they mark it on a map using instruments to obtain accurate information. □ [V n] We were trying to plot the course of the submarine.
9 VERB If someone plots the progress or development of something, they make a diagram or a plan which shows how it has developed in order to give some indication of how it will develop in the future. □ [V n] They used a computer to plot the movements of everyone in the building.
10 PHRASE If someone loses the plot , they become confused and do not know what they should do. [INFORMAL ] □ The Tories have lost the plot on law and order.
plot|line /plɒ tla I n/ (plotlines ) N‑COUNT The plotline of a book, film, or play is its plot and the way in which it develops. □ The plotline revolved around the fall of Chas, a minor London gangster.
plot|ter /plɒ tə r / (plotters )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] A plotter is a person who secretly plans with others to do something that is illegal or wrong, usually against a person or government. □ Coup plotters tried to seize power in Moscow.
2 N‑COUNT A plotter is a person or instrument that marks the position of something such as a ship on a map or chart.
plough /plaʊ / (ploughs , ploughing , ploughed ) in AM, use plow 1 N‑COUNT A plough is a large farming tool with sharp blades which is pulled across the soil to turn it over, usually before seeds are planted.
2 → see also snowplough
3 VERB When someone ploughs an area of land, they turn over the soil using a plough. □ [V n] They ploughed nearly 100,000 acres of virgin moorland. □ [V -ed] …a carefully ploughed field. ● plough|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ There is plenty of land around that needs ploughing.
4 to plough a furrow → see furrow
▸ plough back PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If profits are ploughed back into a business, they are used to increase the size of the business or to improve it. [BUSINESS ] □ [be V -ed P + into ] About 70 per cent of its profits are being ploughed back into the investment programme.
▸ plough into
1 PHRASAL VERB If something, for example a car, ploughs into something else, it goes out of control and crashes violently into it. □ [V P n] A young girl was seriously hurt when a car ploughed into her on a crossing.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you say that money is ploughed into something such as a business or a service, you are emphasizing that the amount of money which is invested in it or spent on it in order to improve it is very large. [BUSINESS , EMPHASIS ] □ [be V -ed P n/v-ing] Huge sums of private capital will be ploughed into the ailing industries of the east. □ [V n P n/v-ing] He claimed he ploughed all his money into his antique business.
▸ plough up PHRASAL VERB If someone ploughs up an area of land, they plough it, usually in order to turn it into land used for growing crops. □ [V P n] It would pay farmers to plough up the scrub and plant wheat.
plough|man /plaʊ mən/ (ploughmen ) N‑COUNT A ploughman is a man whose job it is to plough the land, especially with a plough pulled by horses or oxen.
plou gh|man's lu nch (ploughman's lunches ) N‑COUNT A ploughman's lunch or a ploughman's is a meal consisting of bread, cheese, salad, and pickle, usually eaten in a pub. [BRIT ]
plough|share /plaʊ ʃeə r / (ploughshares ) in AM, use plowshare PHRASE If you say that swords have been turned into ploughshares or beaten into ploughshares , you mean that a state of conflict between two or more groups of people has ended and a period of peace has begun. [JOURNALISM ]
plov|er /plʌ və r / (plovers ) N‑COUNT A plover is a bird with a rounded body, a short tail, and a short beak that is found by the sea or by lakes.
plow /plaʊ / (plows , plowing , plowed ) → see plough
plow|share /plaʊ ʃeə r / (plowshares ) → see ploughshare
ploy /plɔ I / (ploys ) N‑COUNT [oft adj N , N to-inf] A ploy is a way of behaving that someone plans carefully and secretly in order to gain an advantage for themselves. □ Christmas should be a time of excitement and wonder, not a cynical marketing ploy. [Also + of ]
pls Pls is a written abbreviation for please . □ Have you moved yet? Pls advise address, phone no.
pluck /plʌ k/ (plucks , plucking , plucked )
1 VERB If you pluck a fruit, flower, or leaf, you take it between your fingers and pull it in order to remove it from its stalk where it is growing. [WRITTEN ] □ [V n + from ] I plucked a lemon from the tree. □ [V n] He plucked a stalk of dried fennel.
2 VERB If you pluck something from somewhere, you take it between your fingers and pull it sharply from where it is. [WRITTEN ] □ [V n from n] Jill rose, plucking bits of straw from her clothes.
3 VERB If you pluck a guitar or other musical instrument, you pull the strings with your fingers and let them go, so that they make a sound. □ [V n] Nell was plucking a harp.
4 VERB If you pluck a chicken or other dead bird, you pull its feathers out to prepare it for cooking. □ [V n] She looked relaxed as she plucked a chicken.
5 VERB If you pluck your eyebrows , you pull out some of the hairs using tweezers. □ [V n] You've plucked your eyebrows at last!
6 VERB [usu passive] If someone unknown is given an important job or role and quickly becomes famous because of it, you can say that they have been plucked from obscurity or plucked from an unimportant position. [WRITTEN ] □ [be V -ed + from ] She was plucked from the corps de ballet to take on Juliet. □ [V n + from ] The agency plucked her from obscurity and turned her into one of the world's top models.
7 VERB [usu passive] If someone is rescued from a dangerous situation, you can say that they are plucked from it or are plucked to safety. □ [be V -ed + from ] A workman was plucked from the roof of a burning power station by a police helicopter. □ [be V -ed + to ] Ten fishermen were plucked to safety from life-rafts.
8 PHRASE If you pluck up the courage to do something that you feel nervous about, you make an effort to be brave enough to do it. □ It took me about two hours to pluck up courage to call.
9 PHRASE If you say that someone plucks a figure, name, or date out of the air , you mean that they say it without thinking much about it before they speak. □ Is this just a figure she plucked out of the air?
▸ pluck at PHRASAL VERB If you pluck at something, you take it between your fingers and pull it sharply but gently. □ [V P n] The boy plucked at Adam's sleeve.
plucky /plʌ ki/ (pluckier , pluckiest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone, for example a sick child, is described as plucky , it means that although they are weak, they face their difficulties with courage. [JOURNALISM , APPROVAL ] □ The plucky schoolgirl amazed doctors by hanging on to life for nearly two months.
plug /plʌ g/ (plugs , plugging , plugged )
1 N‑COUNT A plug on a piece of electrical equipment is a small plastic object with two or three metal pins which fit into the holes of an electric socket and connects the equipment to the electricity supply.
2 N‑COUNT A plug is an electric socket. [INFORMAL ]
3 N‑COUNT A plug is a thick, circular piece of rubber or plastic that you use to block the hole in a bath or sink when it is filled with water. □ She put the plug in the sink and filled it with cold water.
4 N‑COUNT A plug is a small, round piece of wood, plastic, or wax which is used to block holes. □ A plug had been inserted in the drill hole.
5 VERB If you plug a hole, you block it with something. □ [V n] Crews are working to plug a major oil leak.
6 VERB If someone plugs a commercial product, especially a book or a film, they praise it in order to encourage people to buy it or see it because they have an interest in it doing well. □ [V n] We did not want people on the show who are purely interested in plugging a book or film. ● N‑COUNT Plug is also a noun. □ Let's do this show tonight and it'll be a great plug, a great promotion.
7 → see also earplug , spark plug
8 PHRASE If someone in a position of power pulls the plug on a project or on someone's activities, they use their power to stop them continuing. □ The banks have the power to pull the plug on the project.
▸ plug in or plug into
1 PHRASAL VERB If you plug a piece of electrical equipment into an electricity supply or if you plug it in , you connect it to an electricity supply using a plug. □ [V P n] He went to plug in his phone for the night. □ [V n P ] I filled the kettle while she was talking and plugged it in. □ [V n P n] He took the machine from its bag and plugged it into the wall socket.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you plug one piece of electrical equipment into another or if you plug it in , you make it work by connecting the two. □ [V n P n] They plugged their guitars into amplifiers. □ [V P n] He plugged in his guitar.
3 PHRASAL VERB If one piece of electrical equipment plugs in or plugs into another piece of electrical equipment, it works by being connected by an electrical cord or lead to an electricity supply or to the other piece of equipment. □ [V P n] Car ionizers generally plug into the lighter socket. □ [V P ] They've found out where the other speaker plugs in.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you plug something into a hole, you push it into the hole. □ [V n P n] Her instructor plugged live bullets into the gun's chamber.
▸ plug into
1 PHRASAL VERB If you plug into a computer system, you are able to use it or see the information stored on it. □ [V P n] It is possible to plug into remote databases to pick up information.
2 → see also plug-in
plu g-and-pla y ADJ [ADJ n] Plug-and-play is used to describe computer equipment, for example a printer, that is ready to use immediately when you connect it to a computer. [COMPUTING ] □ … a plug-and-play USB camera.
plug|hole /plʌ ghoʊl/ (plugholes ) N‑COUNT A plughole is a small hole in a bath or sink which allows the water to flow away and into which you can put a plug. [BRIT ] in AM, use drain
plu g-in (plug-ins ) also plugin
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A plug-in machine is a piece of electrical equipment that is operated by being connected to an electricity supply or to another piece of electrical equipment by means of a plug. □ …a plug-in radio.
2 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A plug-in is something such as a piece of software that can be added to a computer system to give extra features or functions. [COMPUTING ] □ …a plug-in memory card.
plum /plʌ m/ (plums )
1 N‑COUNT A plum is a small, sweet fruit with a smooth red or yellow skin and a stone in the middle.
2 COLOUR Something that is plum or plum-coloured is a dark reddish-purple colour. □ …plum-coloured silk.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] A plum job, contract, or role is a very good one that a lot of people would like. [JOURNALISM ] □ Laura landed a plum job with a smart art gallery.
plum|age /pluː m I dʒ/ N‑UNCOUNT A bird's plumage is all the feathers on its body.
plumb /plʌ m/ (plumbs , plumbing , plumbed )
1 VERB If you plumb something mysterious or difficult to understand, you succeed in understanding it. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] She never abandoned her attempts to plumb my innermost emotions.
2 VERB When someone plumbs a building, they put in all the pipes for carrying water. □ [V n] She learned to wire and plumb the house herself.
3 PHRASE If someone plumbs the depths of an unpleasant emotion or quality, they experience it or show it to an extreme degree. □ [+ of ] They frequently plumb the depths of loneliness, humiliation and despair.
4 PHRASE If you say that something plumbs new depths , you mean that it is worse than all the things of its kind that have existed before, even though some of them have been very bad. □ Relations between the two countries have plumbed new depths. [Also + of ]
plumb|er /plʌ mə r / (plumbers ) N‑COUNT A plumber is a person whose job is to connect and repair things such as water and drainage pipes, baths, and toilets.
plumb|ing /plʌ m I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The plumbing in a building consists of the water and drainage pipes, baths, and toilets in it. □ The electrics and the plumbing were sound.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Plumbing is the work of connecting and repairing things such as water and drainage pipes, baths, and toilets. □ She learned the rudiments of brick-laying, wiring and plumbing.
plu mb line (plumb lines ) N‑COUNT A plumb line is a piece of string with a weight attached to the end that is used to check that something such as a wall is vertical or that it slopes at the correct angle.
plume /pluː m/ (plumes )
1 N‑COUNT A plume of smoke, dust, fire, or water is a large quantity of it that rises into the air in a column. □ [+ of ] The rising plume of black smoke could be seen all over Kabul.
2 N‑COUNT A plume is a large, soft bird's feather. □ …broad straw hats decorated with ostrich plumes.
plumed /pluː md/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Plumed means decorated with a plume or plumes. □ …a young man wearing a plumed hat.
plum|met /plʌ m I t/ (plummets , plummeting , plummeted )
1 VERB If an amount, rate, or price plummets , it decreases quickly by a large amount. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V ] In Tokyo share prices have plummeted for the sixth successive day. □ [V + to ] His popularity has plummeted to an all-time low in recent weeks. □ [V + from/to/by ] The shares have plummeted from 130p to 2.25p in the past year.
2 VERB If someone or something plummets , they fall very fast towards the ground, usually from a great height. □ [V prep] The jet burst into flames and plummeted to the ground.
plum|my /plʌ mi/ ADJ If you say that someone has a plummy voice or accent, you mean that they sound very upper-class. You usually use plummy to criticize the way someone speaks. [BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …precious, plummy-voiced radio announcers.
plump /plʌ mp/ (plumper , plumpest , plumps , plumping , plumped )
1 ADJ You can describe someone or something as plump to indicate that they are rather fat or rounded. □ Maria was small and plump with a mass of curly hair. □ …red pears, ripe peaches and plump nectarines. ● plump|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ There was a sturdy plumpness about her hips.
2 VERB If you plump a pillow or cushion, you shake it and hit it gently so that it goes back into a rounded shape. □ [V n] She panics when people pop in unexpectedly, rushing round plumping cushions. ● PHRASAL VERB Plump up means the same as plump . □ [V P n] 'You need to rest,' she told her reassuringly as she moved to plump up her pillows. [Also V n P ]
3 VERB If you plump for someone or something, you choose them, often after hesitating or thinking carefully. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V + for ] I think Tessa should plump for Malcolm, her long-suffering admirer.
plu m pu d|ding (plum puddings ) N‑COUNT Plum pudding is a special pudding eaten at Christmas which is made with dried fruit, spices, and suet. [AM , also BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ]
plu m to|ma |to (plum tomatoes ) N‑VAR Plum tomatoes are long egg-shaped tomatoes.
plun|der /plʌ ndə r / (plunders , plundering , plundered )
1 VERB If someone plunders a place or plunders things from a place, they steal things from it. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] They plundered and burned the market town of Leominster. □ [V n + of ] She faces charges of helping to plunder her country's treasury of billions of dollars. □ [V n + from ] This has been done by plundering £4 billion from the Government reserves. ● N‑UNCOUNT Plunder is also a noun. □ …a guerrilla group infamous for torture and plunder.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Plunder is property that is stolen. [LITERARY ] □ The thieves are often armed and in some cases have killed for their plunder.
plunge ◆◇◇ /plʌ ndʒ/ (plunges , plunging , plunged )
1 VERB If something or someone plunges in a particular direction, especially into water, they fall, rush, or throw themselves in that direction. □ [V prep/adv] At least 50 people died when a bus plunged into a river. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Plunge is also a noun. □ …a plunge into cold water.
2 VERB If you plunge an object into something, you push it quickly or violently into it. □ [V n into n] A soldier plunged a bayonet into his body. □ [V n with in ] I plunged in my knife and fork.
3 VERB If a person or thing is plunged into a particular state or situation, or if they plunge into it, they are suddenly in that state or situation. □ [V n + into ] The government's political and economic reforms threaten to plunge the country into chaos. □ [V -ed] Eddy finds himself plunged into a world of brutal violence. □ [V + into ] The economy is plunging into recession. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Plunge is also a noun. □ [+ into ] That peace often looked like a brief truce before the next plunge into war.
4 VERB If you plunge into an activity or are plunged into it, you suddenly get very involved in it. □ [V + into ] The two men plunged into discussion. □ [be V -ed + into ] The prince should be plunged into work. □ [V pron-refl + into ] Take the opportunity to plunge yourself into your career. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Plunge is also a noun. □ [+ into ] His sudden plunge into the field of international diplomacy is a major surprise.
5 VERB If an amount or rate plunges , it decreases quickly and suddenly. □ [V ] His weight began to plunge. □ [V + to ] The Pound plunged to a new low on the foreign exchange markets yesterday. □ [V + from/to ] Shares have plunged from £17 to £7.55. □ [V + by ] The bank's profits plunged by 87 per cent. □ [V amount] Its net profits plunged 73% last year. ● N‑COUNT Plunge is also a noun. □ Japan's banks are in trouble because of bad loans and the stock market plunge.
6 → see also plunging
7 PHRASE If you take the plunge , you decide to do something that you consider difficult or risky. □ If you have been thinking about buying shares, now could be the time to take the plunge.
plung|er /plʌ ndʒə r / (plungers ) N‑COUNT A plunger is a device for clearing waste pipes. It consists of a rubber cup on the end of a stick which you press down several times over the end of the pipe.
plung|ing /plʌ ndʒ I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] A dress or blouse with a plunging neckline is cut in a very low V-shape at the front.
plunk /plʌ ŋk/ (plunks , plunking , plunked )
1 VERB If you plunk something somewhere, you put it there without great care. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ [V n with down ] Melanie plunked her cosmetic case down on a chair. □ [V n + on ] She swept up a hat from where it had fallen on the ground, and plunked it on her hair. in BRIT, use plonk 2 VERB If you plunk yourself somewhere, or plunk down , you sit down heavily and clumsily. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ [V down ] I watched them go and plunked down on one of the small metal chairs. in BRIT, use plonk
plu|per|fect /pluː pɜː r f I kt/ N‑SING The pluperfect is the same as the past perfect .
plu|ral /plʊə rəl/ (plurals )
1 ADJ The plural form of a word is the form that is used when referring to more than one person or thing. □ 'Data' is the Latin plural form of 'datum'. □ …his use of the plural pronoun 'we'.
2 N‑COUNT The plural of a noun is the form of it that is used to refer to more than one person or thing. □ [+ of ] What is the plural of 'person'?
plu|ral|ism /plʊə rəl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT If there is pluralism within a society, it has many different groups and political parties. [FORMAL ] □ …as the country shifts towards political pluralism.
plu|ral|ist /plʊə rəl I st/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A pluralist society is one in which many different groups and political parties are allowed to exist. [FORMAL ] □ …an attempt to create a pluralist democracy.
plu|ral|ist|ic /plʊə rəl I st I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Pluralistic means the same as pluralist . [FORMAL ] □ Our objective is a free, open and pluralistic society.
plu|ral|ity /plʊəræ l I ti/ (pluralities )
1 QUANT If there is a plurality of things, a number of them exist. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Federalism implies a plurality of political authorities, each with its own powers.
2 QUANT If a candidate, political party, or idea has the support of a plurality of people, they have more support than any other candidate, party, or idea. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The Conservative party retained a plurality of the votes.
3 N‑COUNT A plurality in an election is the number of votes that the winner gets, when this is less than the total number of votes for all the other candidates. [AM ] □ He only got a plurality on November 3rd, just 49 percent.
4 N‑COUNT A plurality in an election is the difference in the number of votes between the candidate who gets the most votes and the candidate who comes second. [AM ] □ Franklin had won with a plurality in electoral votes of 449 to 82.
plus ◆◆◇ /plʌ s/ (pluses or plusses )
1 CONJ You say plus to show that one number or quantity is being added to another. □ Send a cheque for £18.99 plus £2 for postage and packing. □ They will pay about $673 million plus interest.
2 ADJ Plus before a number or quantity means that the number or quantity is greater than zero. □ The aircraft was subjected to temperatures of minus 65 degrees and plus 120 degrees.
3 plus or minus → see minus
4 CONJ You can use plus when mentioning an additional item or fact. [INFORMAL ] □ There's easily enough room for two adults and three children, plus a dog in the boot.
5 ADJ You use plus after a number or quantity to indicate that the actual number or quantity is greater than the one mentioned. □ There are only 35 staff to serve 30,000-plus customers.
6 Teachers use plus in grading work in schools and colleges. 'B plus' is a better grade than 'B', but it is not as good as 'A'.
7 N‑COUNT A plus is an advantage or benefit. [INFORMAL ] □ Experience of any career in sales is a big plus.
plu s-fou rs also plus fours N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Plus-fours are short wide trousers fastened below the knees which people used to wear when hunting or playing golf. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
plush /plʌ ʃ/ (plusher , plushest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as plush , you mean that it is very smart, comfortable, or expensive. □ …a plush, four-storey, Georgian house in Mayfair.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Plush is a thick soft material like velvet, used especially for carpets and to cover furniture. □ All the seats were in red plush.
plu s sign (plus signs ) N‑COUNT A plus sign is the sign + which is put between two numbers in order to show that the second number is being added to the first. It can also be put before a number to show that the number is greater than zero (+3), and after a number to indicate a number that is more than a minimum number or amount (18+).
plu|toc|ra|cy /pluːtɒ krəsi/ (plutocracies ) N‑COUNT A plutocracy is a country which is ruled by its wealthiest people, or a class of wealthy people who rule a country. [FORMAL ]
plu|to|crat /pluː təkræt/ (plutocrats ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a plutocrat , you disapprove of them because you believe they are powerful only because they are rich. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
plu|to|nium /pluːtoʊ niəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Plutonium is a radioactive element used especially in nuclear weapons and as a fuel in nuclear power stations.
ply /pla I / (plies , plying , plied )
1 VERB If you ply someone with food or drink, you keep giving them more of it. □ [V n + with ] Elsie, who had been told that Maria wasn't well, plied her with food.
2 VERB If you ply someone with questions, you keep asking them questions. □ [V n + with ] Giovanni plied him with questions with the intention of prolonging his stay.
3 VERB If you ply a trade, you do a particular kind of work regularly as your job, especially a kind of work that involves trying to sell goods or services to people outdoors. □ [V n] …the market traders noisily plying their wares. □ [V + for ] It's illegal for unmarked mini-cabs to ply for hire.
-ply /-pla I / COMB [ADJ n] You use -ply after a number to indicate how many pieces are twisted together to make a type of wool, thread, or rope. □ You need 3 balls of any 4-ply knitting wool.
ply|wood /pla I wʊd/ N‑UNCOUNT Plywood is wood that consists of thin layers of wood stuck together. □ …a sheet of plywood.
PM ◆◇◇ /piː e m/ (PMs )
1 N‑COUNT The PM is an abbreviation for the Prime Minister . [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ The PM pledged to make life better for the poorest families.
2 N‑COUNT A PM is a project manager . [BUSINESS ]
p.m. /piː e m/ also pm ADV p.m. is used after a number to show that you are referring to a particular time between 12 noon and 12 midnight. Compare a.m. □ The spa closes at 9:00 pm.
PMS /piː em e s/ N‑UNCOUNT PMS is an abbreviation for premenstrual syndrome .
PMT /piː em tiː / N‑UNCOUNT PMT is an abbreviation for premenstrual tension . [BRIT ]
pneu|mat|ic /njuːmæ t I k/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A pneumatic drill is operated by air under pressure and is very powerful. Pneumatic drills are often used for digging up roads. □ …the sound of a pneumatic drill hammering away.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Pneumatic means filled with air. □ …pneumatic tyres.
pneu|mo|nia /njuːmoʊ niə/ N‑UNCOUNT Pneumonia is a serious disease which affects your lungs and makes it difficult for you to breathe. □ She nearly died of pneumonia.
PO /piː oʊ / also P.O. PO is an abbreviation for post office or postal order .
poach /poʊ tʃ/ (poaches , poaching , poached )
1 VERB If someone poaches fish, animals, or birds, they illegally catch them on someone else's property. □ [V n] Many wildlife parks are regularly invaded by people poaching game. [Also V ] ● poach|er (poachers ) N‑COUNT □ Security cameras have been installed to guard against poachers. ● poach|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …the poaching of elephants for their tusks.
2 VERB If an organization poaches members or customers from another organization, they secretly or dishonestly persuade them to join them or become their customers. □ [V n] The company authorised its staff to poach customers from the opposition. □ [V n + from ] …allegations that it had poached members from other unions. ● poach|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ The union was accused of poaching.
3 VERB If someone poaches an idea, they dishonestly or illegally use the idea. □ [V n] The opposition parties complained that the government had poached their ideas.
4 VERB When you poach an egg, you cook it gently in boiling water without its shell. □ [V n] Poach the eggs for 4 minutes. □ [V -ed] He had a light breakfast of poached eggs and tea.
5 VERB If you poach food such as fish, you cook it gently in boiling water, milk, or other liquid. □ [V n] Poach the chicken until just cooked. □ [V -ed] …a pear poached in syrup. ● poach|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ You will need a pot of broth for poaching.
PO Box /piː oʊ bɒks/ also P.O. Box PO Box is used before a number as a kind of address. The Post Office keeps letters addressed to the PO Box until they are collected by the person who has paid for the service.
pocked /pɒ kt/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Pocked means the same as pockmarked . □ [+ with ] …a bus pocked with bullet holes.
pock|et ◆◇◇ /pɒ k I t/ (pockets , pocketing , pocketed )
1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N , n N ] A pocket is a kind of small bag which forms part of a piece of clothing, and which is used for carrying small things such as money or a handkerchief. □ He took his flashlight from his jacket pocket and switched it on. □ The man stood with his hands in his pockets.
2 N‑COUNT You can use pocket in a lot of different ways to refer to money that people have, get, or spend. For example, if someone gives or pays a lot of money, you can say that they dig deep into their pocket . If you approve of something because it is very cheap to buy, you can say that it suits people's pockets . □ …ladies' fashions to suit all shapes, sizes and pockets.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] You use pocket to describe something that is small enough to fit into a pocket, often something that is a smaller version of a larger item. □ …a pocket calculator. □ …my pocket edition of the Collins Spanish Dictionary.
4 N‑COUNT A pocket of something is a small area where something is happening, or a small area which has a particular quality, and which is different from the other areas around it. □ He survived the earthquake after spending 3 days in an air pocket. □ [+ of ] The army controls the city apart from a few pockets of resistance.
5 VERB If someone who is in possession of something valuable such as a sum of money pockets it, they steal it or take it for themselves, even though it does not belong to them. □ [V n] Dishonest importers would be able to pocket the VAT collected from customers.
6 VERB If you say that someone pockets something such as a prize or sum of money, you mean that they win or obtain it, often without needing to make much effort or in a way that seems unfair. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V n] He pocketed more money from this tournament than in his entire three years as a professional.
7 VERB If someone pockets something, they put it in their pocket, for example because they want to steal it or hide it. □ [V n] Anthony snatched his letters and pocketed them.
8 PHRASE If you say that someone is in someone else's pocket , you disapprove of the fact that the first person is willing to do whatever the second person tells them, for example out of weakness or in return for money. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The board of directors must surely have been in Johnstone's pocket.
9 PHRASE If you say that someone is lining their own or someone else's pockets , you disapprove of them because they are making money dishonestly or unfairly. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It is estimated that 5,000 bank staff could be lining their own pockets from customer accounts.
10 PHRASE If you are out of pocket , you have less money than you should have or than you intended, for example because you have spent too much or because of a mistake. □ Card fraud causes huge inconvenience and the experience can often leave you out of pocket.
11 → see also out-of-pocket
12 PHRASE If someone picks your pocket , they steal something from your pocket, usually without you noticing. □ They were more in danger of having their pockets picked than being shot at.
pocket|book /pɒ k I tbʊk/ (pocketbooks )
1 N‑COUNT You can use pocketbook to refer to people's concerns about the money they have or hope to earn. [AM , JOURNALISM ] □ People feel pinched in their pocketbooks and insecure about their futures.
2 N‑COUNT A pocketbook is a small bag which a woman uses to carry things such as her money and keys in when she goes out. [AM ] in BRIT, use handbag , bag 3 N‑COUNT A pocketbook is a small flat folded case, usually made of leather or plastic, where you can keep banknotes and credit cards. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use wallet
po ck|et knife (pocket knives ) also pocketknife N‑COUNT A pocket knife is a small knife with several blades which fold into the handle so that you can carry it around with you safely.
po ck|et mon|ey also pocket-money N‑UNCOUNT Pocket money is money which children are given by their parents, usually every week. [mainly BRIT ] □ We agreed to give her £6 a week pocket money. in AM, usually use allowance
po cket-sized also pocket-size ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as pocket-sized , you approve of it because it is small enough to fit in your pocket. [APPROVAL ] □ …a handy pocket-sized reference book.
pock|mark /pɒ kmɑː r k/ (pockmarks ) also pock mark N‑COUNT [usu pl] Pockmarks are small hollows on the surface of something. □ She has a poor complexion and pock marks on her forehead. □ The pockmarks made by her bullets are still on the wall.
pock|marked /pɒ kmɑː r kt/ also pock-marked ADJ If the surface of something is pockmarked , it has small hollow marks covering it. □ He had a pockmarked face. □ [+ with ] The living room is pockmarked with bullet holes.
pod /pɒ d/ (pods ) N‑COUNT A pod is a seed container that grows on plants such as peas or beans. □ …fresh peas in the pod. □ …hot red pepper pods.
pod|cast /pɒ dkɑːst/ (podcasts ) N‑COUNT A podcast is an audio file similar to a radio broadcast, that can be downloaded and listened to on a computer or MP3 player. □ … an online store offering tens of thousands of podcasts.
podgy /pɒ dʒi/ ADJ If you describe someone as podgy , you think that they are slightly fat. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] in AM, use pudgy
po|dia|trist /pəda I ətr I st/ (podiatrists ) N‑COUNT A podiatrist is a person whose job is to treat and care for people's feet. Podiatrist is a more modern term for chiropodist .
po|dia|try /pəda I ətri/ N‑UNCOUNT Podiatry is the professional care and treatment of people's feet. Podiatry is a more modern term for chiropody and also deals with correcting foot problems relating to the way people stand and walk.
po|dium /poʊ diəm/ (podiums ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A podium is a small platform on which someone stands in order to give a lecture or conduct an orchestra.
poem ◆◇◇ /poʊ I m/ (poems ) N‑COUNT A poem is a piece of writing in which the words are chosen for their beauty and sound and are carefully arranged, often in short lines which rhyme. SYNONYMS poem NOUN 1
verse: …a slim volume of verse.
rhyme: He was teaching Helen a little rhyme.
sonnet: We read one of Shakespeare's sonnets.
lyrics: …Kurt Weill's Broadway opera with lyrics by Langston Hughes.
poet ◆◇◇ /poʊ I t/ (poets ) N‑COUNT A poet is a person who writes poems. □ He was a painter and poet.
po|et|ess /poʊ I tes/ (poetesses ) N‑COUNT A poetess is a female poet. Most female poets prefer to be called poets.
po|et|ic /poʊe t I k/
1 ADJ Something that is poetic is very beautiful and expresses emotions in a sensitive or moving way. □ The pianist gave an exciting yet poetic performance. ● po|eti|cal|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ The speech was as poetically written as any he'd ever heard.
2 ADJ Poetic means relating to poetry. □ There's a very rich poetic tradition in Gaelic.
po|eti|cal /poʊe t I k ə l/ ADJ Poetical means the same as poetic . □ …a work of real merit and genuine poetical feeling.
po|e t|ic ju s|tice N‑UNCOUNT If you describe something bad that happens to someone as poetic justice , you mean that it is exactly what they deserve because of the things that person has done.
po|e t|ic li |cence N‑UNCOUNT If someone such as a writer or film director uses poetic licence , they break the usual rules of language or style, or they change the facts, in order to create a particular effect. □ All that stuff about catching giant fish was just a bit of poetic licence.
poet lau|reate /poʊ I t lɒ riət, [AM ] lɔː r-/ (poet laureates or poets laureate ) N‑COUNT The poet laureate is the official poet of a country. In Britain the poet laureate is paid by the government for the rest of their life. In the United States they are paid for a fixed period.
po|et|ry ◆◇◇ /poʊ I tri/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Poems, considered as a form of literature, are referred to as poetry . □ …Russian poetry. □ His first encounter with poetry had been the Tennyson given him by his father.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You can describe something very beautiful as poetry . □ His music is purer poetry than a poem in words. SYNONYMS poetry NOUN 1
verse: …a slim volume of verse.
rhyme: The plays are in rhyme.
po-faced /poʊ fe I st/ ADJ If you describe someone as po-faced , you think that they are being unnecessarily serious about something. [BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Coltrane took a rather po-faced view of this.
pog|rom /pɒ grəm, [AM ] pəgrɑː m/ (pogroms ) N‑COUNT A pogrom is organized, official violence against a group of people for racial or religious reasons.
poign|an|cy /pɔ I njənsi/ N‑UNCOUNT Poignancy is the quality that something has when it affects you deeply and makes you feel very sad. □ The film contains moments of almost unbearable poignancy.
poign|ant /pɔ I njənt/ ADJ Something that is poignant affects you deeply and makes you feel sadness or regret. □ …a poignant combination of beautiful surroundings and tragic history. ● poign|ant|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ Naomi's mothering experiences are poignantly described in her fiction.
poin|set|tia /pɔ I nse tiə/ (poinsettias ) N‑COUNT A poinsettia is a plant with groups of bright red or pink leaves that grows in Central and South America. Poinsettias are very popular in Britain and the United States, especially at Christmas.
point ◆◆◆ /pɔ I nt/ (points , pointing , pointed )
1 N‑COUNT You use point to refer to something that someone has said or written. □ We disagree with every point the Minister makes. □ The following tale will clearly illustrate this point.
2 N‑SING If you say that someone has a point , or if you take their point , you mean that you accept that what they have said is important and should be considered. □ 'If he'd already killed once, surely he'd have killed Sarah?' She had a point there.
3 N‑SING The point of what you are saying or discussing is the most important part that provides a reason or explanation for the rest. □ 'Did I ask you to talk to me?'—'That's not the point.' □ The American Congress and media mostly missed the point about all this.
4 N‑SING If you ask what the point of something is, or say that there is no point in it, you are indicating that a particular action has no purpose or would not be useful. □ [+ of ] What was the point of thinking about him? □ [+ in ] There was no point in staying any longer.
5 N‑COUNT A point is a detail, aspect, or quality of something or someone. □ The most interesting point about the village was its religion. □ Science was never my strong point at school.
6 N‑COUNT A point is a particular place or position where something happens. □ The pain originated from a point in his right thigh.
7 N‑SING [oft at N ] You use point to refer to a particular time, or to a particular stage in the development of something. □ We're all going to die at some point. □ At this point Diana arrived. □ It got to the point where he had to leave.
8 N‑COUNT The point of something such as a pin, needle, or knife is the thin, sharp end of it.
9 In spoken English, you use point to refer to the dot or mark in a decimal number that separates the whole numbers from the fractions. □ Inflation at nine point four percent is the worst for eight years.
10 N‑COUNT In some sports, competitions, and games, a point is one of the single marks that are added together to give the total score. □ They lost the 1977 World Cup final to Australia by a single point.
11 N‑COUNT The points of the compass are directions such as North, South, East, and West. □ Sightseers arrived from all points of the compass.
12 N‑PLURAL On a railway track, the points are the levers and rails at a place where two tracks join or separate. The points enable a train to move from one track to another. [BRIT ] □ …the rattle of the wheels across the points. in AM, use switches 13 N‑COUNT A point is an electric socket. [BRIT ] □ …too far away from the nearest electrical point.
14 VERB If you point at a person or thing, you hold out your finger towards them in order to make someone notice them. □ [V + at ] I pointed at the boy sitting nearest me. □ [V + to ] He pointed to a chair, signalling for her to sit.
15 VERB If you point something at someone, you aim the tip or end of it towards them. □ [V n + at ] David Khan pointed his finger at Mary. □ [V n + at ] A man pointed a gun at them and pulled the trigger.
16 VERB If something points to a place or points in a particular direction, it shows where that place is or it faces in that direction. □ [V prep/adv] An arrow pointed to the toilets. □ [V prep/adv] You can go anywhere and still the compass points north or south.
17 VERB If something points to a particular situation, it suggests that the situation exists or is likely to occur. □ [V + to ] Private polls and embassy reports pointed to a no vote.
18 VERB If you point to something that has happened or that is happening, you are using it as proof that a particular situation exists. □ [V + to ] George Fodor points to other weaknesses in the way the campaign has progressed.
19 VERB When builders point a wall, they put a substance such as cement into the gaps between the bricks or stones in order to make the wall stronger and seal it.
20 → see also pointed , breaking point , focal point , point of sale , point of view , power point , sticking point , vantage point
21 PHRASE If you say that something is beside the point , you mean that it is not relevant to the subject that you are discussing. □ Brian didn't like it, but that was beside the point.
22 PHRASE When someone comes to the point or gets to the point , they start talking about the thing that is most important to them. □ Was she ever going to get to the point?
23 PHRASE If you make your point or prove your point , you prove that something is true, either by arguing about it or by your actions or behaviour. □ I think you've made your point, dear. □ The tie-break proved the point.
24 PHRASE If you make a point of doing something, you do it in a very deliberate or obvious way. □ She made a point of spending as much time as possible away from Osborne House.
25 PHRASE If you are on the point of doing something, you are about to do it. □ He was on the point of saying something when the phone rang. □ She looked on the point of tears.
26 PHRASE Something that is to the point is relevant to the subject that you are discussing, or expressed neatly without wasting words or time. □ The description which he had been given was brief and to the point.
27 PHRASE If you say that something is true up to a point , you mean that it is partly but not completely true. □ 'Was she good?'—'Mmm. Up to a point.'
28 a case in point → see case ➊
29 in point of fact → see fact
30 to point the finger at someone → see finger
31 a sore point → see sore
▸ point out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you point out an object or place, you make people look at it or show them where it is. □ [V n P ] They kept standing up to take pictures and point things out to each other. □ [V P n] They'd already driven along the wharf so that she could point out her father's boat.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you point out a fact or mistake, you tell someone about it or draw their attention to it. □ [V P that] I should point out that these estimates cover just the hospital expenditures. □ [V P n] We all too easily point out our mothers' failings. [Also V n P ] SYNONYMS point NOUN
1
message: I think they got the message that this is wrong.
subject: It was I who first raised the subject of plastic surgery.
question: But the whole question of aid is a tricky political one.
4
purpose: The purpose of the occasion was to raise money for medical supplies.
aim: …a research programme that has largely failed to achieve its principal aims.
goal: The goal is to raise as much money as possible.
objective: His objective was to play golf and win. VERB 15
aim: He was aiming the rifle at Wade.
level: They levelled guns at one another.
direct: He directed the tiny beam of light at the roof.
poi nt-and-cli ck ADJ Point-and-click refers to the way a computer mouse can be used to do things quickly and easily on a computer. [COMPUTING ] □ …a simple point-and-click interface.
poi nt-bla nk
1 ADV [ADV after v] If you say something point-blank , you say it very directly or rudely, without explaining or apologizing. □ The army apparently refused point blank to do what was required of them. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Point-blank is also an adjective. □ …a point-blank refusal.
2 ADV [ADV after v] If someone or something is shot point-blank , they are shot when the gun is touching them or extremely close to them. □ He fired point-blank at Bernadette. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Point-blank is also an adjective. □ He had been shot at point-blank range in the back of the head.
point|ed /pɔ I nt I d/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is pointed has a point at one end. □ …a pointed roof. □ …pointed shoes.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Pointed comments or behaviour express criticism in a clear and direct way. □ I couldn't help but notice the pointed remarks slung in my direction. ● point|ed|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ They were pointedly absent from the news conference.
point|er /pɔ I ntə r / (pointers )
1 N‑COUNT A pointer is a piece of advice or information which helps you to understand a situation or to find a way of making progress. □ I hope at least my daughter was able to offer you some useful pointers.
2 N‑COUNT A pointer to something suggests that it exists or gives an idea of what it is like. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ to ] Sunday's elections should be a pointer to the public mood.
3 N‑COUNT A pointer is a long stick that is used to point at something such as a large chart or diagram when explaining something to people. □ She tapped on the world map with her pointer.
4 N‑COUNT The pointer on a measuring instrument is the long, thin piece of metal that points to the numbers.
point|ing /pɔ I nt I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Pointing is a way of filling in the gaps between the bricks or stones on the outside of a building so that the surface becomes sealed. □ He did the pointing in the stonework himself.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Pointing is the cement between the bricks or stones in a wall.
point|less /pɔ I ntləs/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that something is pointless , you are criticizing it because it has no sense or purpose. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Violence is always pointless. □ …pointless arguments. ● point|less|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Chemicals were pointlessly poisoning the soil. ● point|less|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] You cannot help wondering about the pointlessness of it all.
poi nt of o r|der (points of order ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] In a formal debate, a point of order is an official complaint that someone makes because the rules about how the debate is meant to be organized have been broken. [FORMAL ] □ A point of order was raised in parliament by Mr Ben Morris.
poi nt of re f|er|ence (points of reference ) N‑COUNT A point of reference is something which you use to help you understand a situation or communicate with someone. □ Do we still have any fixed point of reference in the teaching of English?
poi nt of sa le (points of sale )
1 N‑COUNT The point of sale is the place in a shop where a product is passed from the seller to the customer. The abbreviation POS is also used. [BUSINESS ]
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Point of sale is used to describe things which occur or are located or used at the place where you buy something. The abbreviation POS is also used. [BUSINESS ] □ …point-of-sale advertising.
poi nt of vie w ◆◇◇ (points of view )
1 N‑COUNT [oft with poss] You can refer to the opinions or attitudes that you have about something as your point of view . □ Thanks for your point of view, John. □ Try to look at this from my point of view.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you consider something from a particular point of view , you are using one aspect of a situation in order to judge that situation. □ Do you think that, from the point of view of results, this exercise was worth the cost?
pointy /pɔ I nti/ (pointier , pointiest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is pointy has a point at one end. [INFORMAL ] □ …a pointy little beard.
poise /pɔ I z/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] If someone has poise , they are calm, dignified, and self-controlled. □ It took a moment for Mark to recover his poise.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Poise is a graceful, very controlled way of standing and moving. □ Ballet classes are important for poise and grace.
poised /pɔ I zd/
1 ADJ If a part of your body is poised , it is completely still but ready to move at any moment. □ He studied the keyboard carefully, one finger poised.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ , usu ADJ to-inf] If someone is poised to do something, they are ready to take action at any moment. □ Britain was poised to fly medical staff to the country at short notice. □ [+ for ] U.S. forces are poised for a massive air, land and sea assault.
3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are poised , you are calm, dignified, and self-controlled. □ Rachel appeared poised and calm.
poi|son /pɔ I z ə n/ (poisons , poisoning , poisoned )
1 N‑VAR Poison is a substance that harms or kills people or animals if they swallow it or absorb it. □ Poison from the weaver fish causes paralysis, swelling, and nausea. □ Mercury is a known poison.
2 VERB If someone poisons another person, they kill the person or make them ill by giving them poison. □ [V n] The rumours that she had poisoned him could never be proved. ● poi|son|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ She was sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment for poisoning and attempted murder.
3 VERB If you are poisoned by a substance, it makes you very ill and sometimes kills you. □ [be V -ed + by ] Employees were taken to hospital yesterday after being poisoned by fumes. □ [V n] Toxic waste could endanger lives and poison fish. ● poi|son|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ His illness was initially diagnosed as food poisoning.
4 VERB If someone poisons a food, drink, or weapon, they add poison to it so that it can be used to kill someone. □ [V n] They considered poisoning his food. ● poi|soned ADJ □ He was terrified to eat, suspecting that the food was poisoned. □ …an umbrella tipped with a poisoned dart.
5 VERB To poison water, air, or land means to damage it with harmful substances such as chemicals. □ [V n] The land has been completely poisoned by chemicals. □ [V -ed] …dying forests, poisoned rivers and lakes.
6 VERB Something that poisons a good situation or relationship spoils it or destroys it. □ [be V -ed] The whole atmosphere has really been poisoned. □ [V n] …ill-feeling that will poison further talk of a common foreign policy.
poi|son|er /pɔ I zənə r / (poisoners ) N‑COUNT A poisoner is someone who has killed or harmed another person by using poison. □ Soon they were dead, victims of a mysterious poisoner.
poi |son gas N‑UNCOUNT Poison gas is a gas that is poisonous and is usually used to kill people in war or to execute criminals.
poi |son i vy N‑UNCOUNT Poison ivy is a wild plant that grows in North America and that causes a rash or skin problems if you touch it.
poi|son|ous /pɔ I z ə nəs/
1 ADJ Something that is poisonous will kill you or make you ill if you swallow or absorb it. □ …a large cloud of poisonous gas.
2 ADJ An animal that is poisonous produces a poison that will kill you or make you ill if the animal bites you. □ There are hundreds of poisonous spiders and snakes.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as poisonous , you mean that it is extremely unpleasant and likely to spoil or destroy a good relationship or situation. □ …poisonous comments.
poi son-pe n let|ter (poison-pen letters ) N‑COUNT A poison-pen letter is an unpleasant unsigned letter which is sent in order to upset someone or to cause trouble.
poi |son pi ll (poison pills ) N‑COUNT A poison pill refers to what some companies do to reduce their value in order to prevent themselves being taken over by another company. [BUSINESS ]
poke /poʊ k/ (pokes , poking , poked )
1 VERB If you poke someone or something, you quickly push them with your finger or with a sharp object. □ [V n] Lindy poked him in the ribs. ● N‑COUNT Poke is also a noun. □ John smiled at them and gave Richard a playful poke.
2 VERB If you poke one thing into another, you push the first thing into the second thing. □ [V n + into ] He poked his finger into the hole.
3 VERB If something pokes out of or through another thing, you can see part of it appearing from behind or underneath the other thing. □ [V + out of ] He saw the dog's twitching nose poke out of the basket. □ [V + through ] His fingers poked through the worn tips of his gloves.
4 VERB If you poke your head through an opening or if it pokes through an opening, you push it through, often so that you can see something more easily. □ [V n adv/prep] Julie tapped on my door and poked her head in. □ [V prep/adv] Raymond's head poked through the doorway.
5 to poke fun at → see fun
6 to poke your nose into something → see nose
pok|er /poʊ kə r / (pokers )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Poker is a card game that people usually play in order to win money. □ Lon and I play in the same weekly poker game.
2 N‑COUNT A poker is a metal bar which you use to move coal or wood in a fire in order to make it burn better.
po k|er fa ce (poker faces ) N‑COUNT A poker face is an expression on your face that shows none of your feelings. [INFORMAL ] □ In business a poker face can be very useful. □ She managed to keep a poker face.
po ker-fa ced ADJ If you are poker-faced , you have a calm expression on your face which shows none of your thoughts or feelings. [INFORMAL ] □ His expressions varied from poker-faced to blank. □ The officer listened, poker-faced.
poky /poʊ ki/ (pokier , pokiest ) The spelling pokey is also used, especially for meanings 1 and 3 . 1 ADJ A room or house that is poky is uncomfortably small. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …pokey little offices.
2 ADJ If you say that someone is poky , you are criticizing them for moving or reacting very slowly. [AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ 'Move!' she cried. 'Don't be so darn poky!'
3 N‑SING If someone is in the pokey , they are in prison. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ]
po|lar /poʊ lə r /
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Polar means near the North and South Poles. □ Warmth melted some of the polar ice. □ …polar explorers.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Polar is used to describe things which are completely opposite in character, quality, or type. [FORMAL ] □ In many ways, Brett and Bernard are polar opposites.
po |lar bear (polar bears ) N‑COUNT A polar bear is a large white bear which is found near the North Pole.
po|lar|ise /poʊ ləra I z/ → see polarize
po|lar|ity /poʊlæ r I ti/ (polarities ) N‑VAR If there is a polarity between two people or things, they are completely different from each other in some way. [FORMAL ] □ …the polarities of good and evil.
po|lar|ize /poʊ ləra I z/ (polarizes , polarizing , polarized ) in BRIT, also use polarise VERB If something polarizes people or if something polarizes , two separate groups are formed with opposite opinions or positions. □ [V n] Missile deployment did much to further polarize opinion in Britain. □ [V ] As the car rental industry polarizes, business will go to the bigger companies. ● po|lar|ized ADJ □ The electorate was polarized equally between two parties. ● po|lari|za|tion /poʊ ləra I ze I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ between ] …an increasing polarization between the wealthy and the poor in the city.
Po|lar|oid /poʊ lərɔ I d/ (Polaroids )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A Polaroid camera is a small camera that can take, develop, and print a photograph in a few seconds. [TRADEMARK ] □ Polaroid film is very sensitive.
2 N‑COUNT A Polaroid is a photograph taken with a Polaroid camera. □ I took a Polaroid of them so I could remember them when they were gone.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Polaroid sunglasses have been treated with a special substance in order to make the sun seem less bright.
pole ◆◇◇ /poʊ l/ (poles )
1 N‑COUNT A pole is a long thin piece of wood or metal, used especially for supporting things. □ The truck crashed into a telegraph pole. □ He reached up with a hooked pole to roll down the metal shutter.
2 N‑COUNT The earth's poles are the two opposite ends of its axis, its most northern and southern points. □ For six months of the year, there is hardly any light at the poles.
3 → see also North Pole , South Pole
4 N‑COUNT The two poles of a range of qualities, opinions, or beliefs are the completely opposite qualities, opinions, or beliefs at either end of the range. □ The two politicians represent opposite poles of the political spectrum.
5 PHRASE If you say that two people or things are poles apart , you mean that they have completely different beliefs, opinions, or qualities. [EMPHASIS ]
Pole (Poles ) N‑COUNT A Pole is a person who comes from Poland.
po le-axed also poleaxed ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone is pole-axed , they are so surprised or shocked that they do not know what to say or do. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ Sitting pole-axed on the sofa, he stared in astonishment at the spectacle before him.
pole|cat /poʊ lkæt/ (polecats ) N‑COUNT A polecat is a small, thin, fierce wild animal. Polecats have a very unpleasant smell.
po le danc|ing also pole-dancing N‑UNCOUNT Pole dancing is a type of entertainment in a bar or club in which a woman who is wearing very few clothes dances around a pole in a sexy way. ● pole danc|er (pole dancers ) N‑COUNT □ She is a pole dancer at London's famous Spearmint Rhino club.
po|lem|ic /pəle m I k/ (polemics ) N‑VAR A polemic is a very strong written or spoken attack on, or defence of, a particular belief or opinion. □ …a polemic against the danger of secret societies.
po|lemi|cal /pəle m I k ə l/ ADJ Polemical means arguing very strongly for or against a belief or opinion. □ Daniels is at his best when he's cool and direct, rather than combative and polemical. □ …Kramer's biting polemical novel.
po|lemi|cist /pəle m I s I st/ (polemicists ) N‑COUNT A polemicist is someone who is skilled at arguing very strongly for or against a belief or opinion. [FORMAL ]
po le po|si |tion (pole positions ) N‑UNCOUNT When a racing car is in pole position , it is in front of the other cars at the start of a race.
po le vault N‑SING The pole vault is an athletics event in which athletes jump over a high bar, using a long flexible pole to help lift themselves up.
po le vault|er (pole vaulters ) N‑COUNT A pole vaulter is an athlete who performs the pole vault.
po|lice ◆◆◆ /pəliː s/ (polices , policing , policed )
1 N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] The police are the official organization that is responsible for making sure that people obey the law. □ The police are also looking for a second car. □ Police say they have arrested twenty people following the disturbances. □ I noticed a police car shadowing us.
2 → see also secret police
3 N‑PLURAL Police are men and women who are members of the official organization that is responsible for making sure that people obey the law. □ More than one hundred police have ringed the area.
4 VERB If the police or military forces police an area or event, they make sure that law and order is preserved in that area or at that event. □ [V n] …the tiny U.N. observer force whose job it is to police the border. □ [V -ed] The march was heavily policed. ● po|lic|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …the policing of public places.
5 → see also community policing
6 VERB If a person or group in authority polices a law or an area of public life, they make sure that what is done is fair and legal. □ [V n] …Imro, the self-regulatory body that polices the investment management business. ● po|lic|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Policing of business courses varies widely. SYNONYMS police VERB
4
control: …measures to control illegal mining.
patrol: Prison officers continued to patrol the grounds within the jail.
guard: …the heavily guarded courtroom.
6
monitor: Officials had not been allowed to monitor the voting.
oversee: …the agreement to set up a commission to oversee the peace process.
supervise: University teachers have refused to supervise students' examinations.
po|li ce co n|sta|ble (police constables ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A police constable is a police officer of the lowest rank. [BRIT ] □ A police constable is handling all inquiries. □ …Police Constable David Casey. in AM, use police officer
po|li ce dog (police dogs ) N‑COUNT A police dog is a working dog which is owned by the police.
po|li ce force (police forces ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A police force is the police organization in a particular country or area. □ …the South Wales police force.
police|man ◆◇◇ /pəliː smən/ (policemen ) N‑COUNT A policeman is a man who is a member of the police force.
po|li ce of|fic|er ◆◇◇ (police officers ) N‑COUNT A police officer is a member of the police force. □ …a meeting of senior police officers.
po|li ce sta te (police states ) N‑COUNT A police state is a country in which the government controls people's freedom by means of the police, especially secret police. [DISAPPROVAL ]
po|li ce sta|tion (police stations ) N‑COUNT [oft in names] A police station is the local office of a police force in a particular area. □ Two police officers arrested him and took him to Kensington police station.
police|woman /pəliː swʊmən/ (policewomen ) N‑COUNT A policewoman is a woman who is a member of the police force.
poli|cy ◆◆◆ /pɒ l I si/ (policies )
1 N‑VAR A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions, especially in politics, economics, or business. □ …plans which include changes in foreign policy and economic reforms. □ …the U.N.'s policy-making body.
2 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] An official organization's policy on a particular issue or towards a country is their attitude and actions regarding that issue or country. □ [+ on ] …the government's policy on repatriation. □ [+ of ] …the corporation's policy of forbidding building on common land.
3 N‑COUNT [usu N n] An insurance policy is a document which shows the agreement that you have made with an insurance company. [BUSINESS ] □ You are advised to read the small print of household and motor insurance policies. COLLOCATIONS policy NOUN
1
noun + policy : energy, immigration, privacy
adjective + policy : economic, fiscal, foreign, monetary
verb + policy : change, develop, influence; tighten
2
noun + policy : government
verb + policy : adopt, implement, pursue, support
3
verb + policy : take out; renew SYNONYMS policy NOUN 1
procedure: The White House said there would be no change in procedure.
plan: …a detailed plan of action for restructuring the group.
protocol: …minor breaches of protocol.
policy|holder /pɒ l I sihoʊldə r / (policyholders ) also policy-holder N‑COUNT A policyholder is a person who has an insurance policy with an insurance company. [BUSINESS ] □ The first 10 per cent of legal fees will be paid by the policy-holder.
policy|maker /pɒ l I sime I kə r / (policymakers ) also policy-maker N‑COUNT [usu pl] In politics, policymakers are people who are involved in making policies and policy decisions. □ …top economic policymakers.
po licy-making also policymaking N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Policy-making is the making of policies. □ He will play a key background role in government policy-making.
po|lio /poʊ lioʊ/ N‑UNCOUNT Polio is a serious infectious disease which often makes people unable to use their legs. □ Gladys was crippled by polio at the age of 3.
po|lio|my|eli|tis /poʊ lioʊma I əla I t I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Poliomyelitis is the same as polio . [MEDICAL ]
Po|lish /poʊ l I ʃ/
1 ADJ Polish means belonging or relating to Poland, or to its people, language, or culture.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Polish is the language spoken in Poland.
pol|ish /pɒ l I ʃ/ (polishes , polishing , polished )
1 N‑VAR Polish is a substance that you put on the surface of an object in order to clean it, protect it, and make it shine. □ The still air smelt faintly of furniture polish. □ …soap powders, detergents, and polishes.
2 VERB If you polish something, you put polish on it or rub it with a cloth to make it shine. □ [V n] Each morning he shaved and polished his shoes. [Also V ] ● N‑SING Polish is also a noun. □ He gave his counter a polish with a soft duster. ● pol|ished ADJ □ …a highly polished floor.
3 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone has polish , you mean that they show confidence and know how to behave socially. [APPROVAL ]
4 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that a performance or piece of work has polish , you mean that it is of a very high standard. [APPROVAL ] □ The opera lacks the polish of his later work.
5 VERB If you polish your technique, performance, or skill at doing something, you work on improving it. □ [V n] They just need to polish their technique. ● PHRASAL VERB Polish up means the same as polish . □ [V P n] Polish up your writing skills on a one-week professional course. [Also V n P ]
6 → see also polished , French polish , nail polish
7
▸ polish off PHRASAL VERB If you polish off food or drink, you eat or drink all of it, or finish it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] No matter what he is offered to eat he polishes it off in an instant. □ [V P n] He polished off his Scotch and slammed the glass down.
▸ polish up → see polish 5
pol|ished /pɒ l I ʃt/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is polished shows confidence and knows how to behave socially. [APPROVAL ] □ He is polished, charming, articulate and an excellent negotiator.
2 ADJ If you describe a performance, ability, or skill as polished , you mean that it is of a very high standard. [APPROVAL ] □ It was simply a very polished performance.
3 → see also polish
Pol|it|bu|ro /pɒ l I tbjʊəroʊ/ (Politburos ) N‑COUNT In communist countries the Politburo is the chief committee that decides on government policy and makes decisions.
po|lite /pəla I t/ (politer , politest )
1 ADJ Someone who is polite has good manners and behaves in a way that is socially correct and not rude to other people. □ Everyone around him was trying to be polite, but you could tell they were all bored. □ It's not polite to point or talk about strangers in public. □ Gately, a quiet and very polite young man, made a favourable impression. □ I hate having to make polite conversation. ● po|lite|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ 'Your home is beautiful,' I said politely. ● po|lite|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ She listened to him, but only out of politeness.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You can refer to people who consider themselves to be socially superior and to set standards of behaviour for everyone else as polite society or polite company . □ Certain words are vulgar and not acceptable in polite society. PRAGMATICS politeness
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