In this dictionary, the label POLITENESS indicates that you use the word or expression in order to show good manners, and to avoid upsetting or embarrassing people. An example of an expression with this label is Would you mind…?
poli|tic /pɒ l I t I k/
1 ADJ If it seems politic to do a particular thing, that seems to be the most sensible thing to do in the circumstances. [FORMAL ] □ Many towns often found it politic to change their allegiance.
2 → see also body politic , politics
po|liti|cal ◆◆◆ /pəl I t I k ə l/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Political means relating to the way power is achieved and used in a country or society. □ All other political parties there have been completely banned. □ The Canadian government is facing another political crisis. □ …a democratic political system. ● po|liti|cal|ly /pəl I t I kli/ ADV [ADV adj/adv, ADV with v] □ They do not believe the killings were politically motivated. □ Politically and economically this is an extremely difficult question.
2 → see also party political
3 ADJ Someone who is political is interested or involved in politics and holds strong beliefs about it. □ This play is very political. SYNONYMS political ADJ 1
governmental: …a governmental agency for providing financial aid to developing countries.
state: …reform of the state social-security system.
parliamentary: He used his influence to make sure she was not selected as a parliamentary candidate.
po|li ti|cal asy |lum N‑UNCOUNT Political asylum is the right to live in a foreign country and is given by the government of that country to people who have to leave their own country for political reasons. □ …a university teacher who is seeking political asylum in Britain.
po|li ti|cal cor|re ct|ness N‑UNCOUNT Political correctness is the attitude or policy of being extremely careful not to offend or upset any group of people in society who have a disadvantage, or who have been treated differently because of their sex, race, or disability.
po|li ti|cal eco no|my N‑UNCOUNT Political economy is the study of the way in which a government influences or organizes a nation's wealth.
po|li ti|cal in|cor|re ct|ness N‑UNCOUNT Political incorrectness is the attitude or policy shown by someone who does not care if they offend or upset any group of people in society who have a disadvantage, or who have been treated differently because of their sex, race, or disability.
po|li ti|cal|ly cor|re ct ADJ If you say that someone is politically correct , you mean that they are extremely careful not to offend or upset any group of people in society who have a disadvantage, or who have been treated differently because of their sex, race, or disability. ● N‑PLURAL The politically correct are people who are politically correct.
po|li ti|cal|ly in|cor|re ct ADJ If you say that someone is politically incorrect , you mean that they do not care if they offend or upset other people in society, for example with their attitudes towards sex, race, or disability. □ Gershwin's lyrics would today probably be deemed politically incorrect. ● N‑PLURAL The politically incorrect are people who are politically incorrect.
po|li ti|cal pri s|on|er (political prisoners ) N‑COUNT A political prisoner is someone who has been imprisoned for criticizing or disagreeing with their own government.
po|li ti|cal sci |ence N‑UNCOUNT Political science is the study of the ways in which political power is acquired and used in a country.
po|li ti|cal sci |en|tist (political scientists ) N‑COUNT A political scientist is someone who studies, writes, or lectures about political science.
poli|ti|cian ◆◆◇ /pɒ l I t I ʃ ə n/ (politicians ) N‑COUNT A politician is a person whose job is in politics, especially a member of parliament or congress. □ They have arrested a number of leading opposition politicians. SYNONYMS politician NOUN 1
statesman: Hamilton is a great statesman and political thinker.
MP: Several Conservative MPs have voted against the government.
legislator: …an attempt to get U.S. legislators to change the system.
po|liti|cize /pəl I t I sa I z/ (politicizes , politicizing , politicized ) in BRIT, also use politicise VERB If you politicize someone or something, you make them more interested in politics or more involved with politics. □ [V n] …ideas which might politicize the labouring classes. □ [V n] Some feminists had attempted to politicize personal life. ● po|liti|cized ADJ □ The data that's being used to fault American education is highly politicized. ● po|liti|ci|za|tion /pəl I t I sa I ze I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ There has been increasing politicization of the civil service.
poli|tick|ing /pɒ l I t I k I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT If you describe someone's political activity as politicking , you think that they are engaged in it to gain votes or personal advantage for themselves. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The politicking at Westminster is extremely intense.
po|liti|co /pəl I t I koʊ/ (politicos ) N‑COUNT You can describe a politician as a politico , especially if you do not like them or approve of what they do. [DISAPPROVAL ]
politico- /pəl I t I koʊ-/ COMB [ADJ n] Politico- is added to adjectives to form other adjectives that describe something as being both political and the other thing that is mentioned. □ …the capitalist politico-economic system.
poli|tics ◆◆◇ /pɒ l I t I ks/
1 N‑PLURAL Politics are the actions or activities concerned with achieving and using power in a country or society. The verb that follows politics may be either singular or plural. □ The key question in British politics was how long the prime minister could survive. □ [+ of ] …a crucial watershed in the politics of the German right. □ Politics is by no means the only arena in which women are excelling.
2 → see also party politics
3 N‑PLURAL [usu with poss] Your politics are your beliefs about how a country ought to be governed. □ My politics are well to the left of centre.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Politics is the study of the ways in which countries are governed. □ He began studying politics and medieval history. □ …young politics graduates.
5 N‑PLURAL Politics can be used to talk about the ways that power is shared in an organization and the ways it is affected by personal relationships between people who work together. The verb that follows politics may be either singular or plural. □ You need to understand how office politics influence the working environment.
pol|ity /pɒ l I ti/ (polities ) N‑COUNT A polity is an organized society, such as a nation, city, or church, together with its government and administration. [FORMAL ] □ …the role of religious belief in a democratic polity.
pol|ka /pɒ lkə, [AM ] poʊ lkə/ (polkas ) N‑COUNT A polka is a fast lively dance that was popular in the nineteenth century.
po l|ka dots The spelling polka-dot is also used, especially as a modifier. The word polka is usually pronounced /poʊ kə/ in American English when it is part of this compound. N‑PLURAL [oft N n] Polka dots are very small spots printed on a piece of cloth. □ …a yellow bikini with polka dots. □ …a tight-fitting polka dot blouse.
poll ◆◆◇ /poʊ l/ (polls , polling , polled )
1 N‑COUNT A poll is a survey in which people are asked their opinions about something, usually in order to find out how popular something is or what people intend to do in the future. □ At least 60 per cent of the country wants the strikers to win, polls show. □ [+ on ] We are doing a weekly poll on the president, and clearly his popularity has declined.
2 → see also opinion poll , straw poll
3 VERB [usu passive] If you are polled on something, you are asked what you think about it as part of a survey. □ [be V -ed] More than 18,000 people were polled. □ [be V -ed + on ] Audiences were going to be polled on which of three pieces of music they liked best. □ [V -ed] More than 70 per cent of those polled said that they approved of his record as president.
4 N‑PLURAL The polls means an election for a country's government, or the place where people go to vote in an election. □ In 1945, Winston Churchill was defeated at the polls. □ Voters are due to go to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president.
5 VERB If a political party or a candidate polls a particular number or percentage of votes, they get that number or percentage of votes in an election. □ [V n] It was a disappointing result for the Greens who polled three percent.
6 → see also polling , deed poll SYNONYMS poll NOUN 1
survey: According to the survey, overall world trade has also slackened. VERB 3
ballot: The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.
survey: Only 18 percent of those surveyed opposed the idea. NOUN 4
election: …the first fully free elections for more than fifty years.
referendum: Estonia said it too planned to hold a referendum on independence.
vote: Why do you think we should have a vote on that?
ballot: The result of the ballot will not be known for two weeks.
pol|len /pɒ lən/ (pollens ) N‑VAR Pollen is a fine powder produced by flowers. It fertilizes other flowers of the same species so that they produce seeds.
po l|len count (pollen counts ) N‑COUNT The pollen count is a measure of how much pollen is in the air at a particular place and time. Information about the pollen count is given to help people who are made ill by pollen. □ Avoid trips to the country while the pollen count is high.
pol|li|nate /pɒ l I ne I t/ (pollinates , pollinating , pollinated ) VERB To pollinate a plant or tree means to fertilize it with pollen. This is often done by insects. □ [V n] Many of the indigenous insects are needed to pollinate the local plants. ● pol|li|na|tion /pɒ l I ne I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Without sufficient pollination, the growth of the corn is stunted.
pol|li|na|tor /pɒ l I ne I tə r / (pollinators ) N‑COUNT A pollinator is something which pollinates plants, especially a type of insect. [TECHNICAL ]
poll|ing /poʊ l I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Polling is the act of voting in an election. □ There has been a busy start to polling in today's local elections.
po ll|ing booth (polling booths )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Polling booths are the places where people go to vote in an election. □ In Darlington, queues formed at some polling booths.
2 N‑COUNT A polling booth is one of the partly enclosed areas in a polling station, where people can vote in private. □ When you are there, in the polling booth, nobody can see where you put your cross.
po ll|ing day N‑UNCOUNT Polling day is the day on which people vote in an election. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use election day
po ll|ing place (polling places ) N‑COUNT A polling place is the same as a polling station . [AM ]
po ll|ing sta|tion (polling stations ) N‑COUNT A polling station is a place where people go to vote at an election. It is often a school or other public building. [BRIT ] □ Queues formed even before polling stations opened. in AM, use polling place
poll|ster /poʊ lstə r / (pollsters ) N‑COUNT A pollster is a person or organization who asks large numbers of people questions to find out their opinions on particular subjects.
pol|lu|tant /pəluː tənt/ (pollutants ) N‑VAR Pollutants are substances that pollute the environment, especially gases from vehicles and poisonous chemicals produced as waste by industrial processes. □ A steady stream of California traffic clogs the air with pollutants.
pol|lute /pəluː t/ (pollutes , polluting , polluted ) VERB To pollute water, air, or land means to make it dirty and dangerous to live in or to use, especially with poisonous chemicals or sewage. □ [V n] Heavy industry pollutes our rivers with noxious chemicals. ● pol|lut|ed ADJ □ The police have warned the city's inhabitants not to bathe in the polluted river.
pol|lut|er /pəluː tə r / (polluters ) N‑COUNT A polluter is someone or something that pollutes the environment.
pol|lu|tion ◆◇◇ /pəluː ʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Pollution is the process of polluting water, air, or land, especially with poisonous chemicals. □ [+ of ] The fine was for the company's pollution of the air near its plants. □ Recycling also helps control environmental pollution by reducing the need for waste dumps.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Pollution is poisonous or dirty substances that are polluting the water, air, or land somewhere. □ The level of pollution in the river was falling. SYNONYMS pollution NOUN 1
contamination: The contamination of the sea around Capri may be just the beginning.
waste: Up to 10 million tonnes of toxic wastes are produced every year in the U.K…
impurity: The air in the factory is filtered to remove impurities.
polo /poʊ loʊ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Polo is a game played between two teams of players. The players ride horses and use wooden hammers with long handles to hit a ball.
2 → see also water polo
po lo neck (polo necks ) also polo-neck N‑COUNT A polo neck or a polo neck sweater is a sweater with a high neck which folds over. [BRIT ] in AM, use turtleneck
po lo shirt (polo shirts ) N‑COUNT A polo shirt is a soft short-sleeved piece of clothing with a collar, which you put on over your head.
pol|ter|geist /pɒ ltə r ga I st, [AM ] poʊ l-/ (poltergeists ) N‑COUNT A poltergeist is a ghost or supernatural force which is believed to move furniture or throw objects around.
poly /pɒ li/ (polys ) N‑COUNT [oft in names] A poly is the same as a polytechnic . [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ]
PREFIX poly-
forms nouns and adjectives that have many as part of their meaning. For example, polygamy is the custom in some societies of being married to more than one person at the same time.
poly|es|ter /pɒ lie stə r , [AM ] -es-/ (polyesters ) N‑VAR Polyester is a type of artificial cloth used especially to make clothes. □ …a green polyester shirt.
poly|eth|yl|ene /pɒ lie θ I liːn/ N‑UNCOUNT Polyethylene is a type of plastic made into thin sheets or bags and used especially to keep food fresh or to keep things dry. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use polythene
po|lyga|mous /pəl I gəməs/ ADJ In a polygamous society, people can be legally married to more than one person at the same time. A polygamous person, especially a man, is married to more than one person. □ There is growing concern that wives in polygamous marriages are unaware that they have no legal rights.
po|lyga|my /pəl I gəmi/ N‑UNCOUNT Polygamy is the custom in some societies in which someone can be legally married to more than one person at the same time.
poly|glot /pɒ liglɒt/ (polyglots )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Polyglot is used to describe something such as a book or society in which several different languages are used. [FORMAL ] □ …Chicago's polyglot population.
2 N‑COUNT A polyglot is a person who speaks or understands many languages.
poly|graph /pɒ ligrɑːf, -græf/ (polygraphs ) N‑COUNT A polygraph or a polygraph test is a test which is used by the police to try to find out whether someone is telling the truth. □ Hill's lawyers announced she had taken and passed a polygraph test.
poly|mer /pɒ l I mə r / (polymers ) N‑COUNT A polymer is a chemical compound with large molecules made of many smaller molecules of the same kind. Some polymers exist naturally and others are produced in laboratories and factories.
pol|yp /pɒ l I p/ (polyps )
1 N‑COUNT A polyp is a small unhealthy growth on a surface inside your body, especially inside your nose.
2 N‑COUNT A polyp is a small animal that lives in the sea. It has a hollow body like a tube and long parts called tentacles around its mouth.
poly|pro|pyl|ene /pɒ liprɒ p I liːn/ N‑UNCOUNT Polypropylene is a strong, flexible artificial material that is used to make things such as rope, carpet, and pipes.
poly|sty|rene /pɒ l I sta I riːn/ N‑UNCOUNT Polystyrene is a very light plastic substance used to make containers or to keep things warm, cool, or protected from damage. □ …polystyrene cups.
poly|tech|nic /pɒ l I te kn I k/ (polytechnics )
1 N‑VAR [oft in names] In Britain, a polytechnic was a college where you could go after leaving school in order to study academic subjects up to degree level, or to train for particular jobs. In 1992, all the polytechnics in Britain became universities.
2 N‑VAR [oft in names] In the United States, polytechnic is the former name for a school, college, or university which specialized in courses in science and technology.
poly|thene /pɒ l I θiːn/ N‑UNCOUNT Polythene is a type of plastic made into thin sheets or bags and used especially to keep food fresh or to keep things dry. [mainly BRIT ] □ Simply put them into a polythene bag and store them in the freezer for a day. in AM, usually use polyethylene
poly|un|satu|rate /pɒ liʌnsæ tʃʊrət/ (polyunsaturates ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Polyunsaturates are types of animal or vegetable fats which are used to make cooking oil and margarine. They are thought to be less harmful to your body than other fats.
poly|un|satu|rat|ed /pɒ liʌnsæ tʃʊre I t I d/ ADJ Polyunsaturated oils and margarines are made mainly from vegetable fats and are considered healthier than those made from animal fats. □ Use polyunsaturated spread instead of butter.
poly|urethane /pɒ lijʊə rəθe I n/ (polyurethanes ) N‑VAR Polyurethane is a plastic material used especially to make paint or substances which prevent water or heat from passing through. □ …polyurethane varnish.
pom /pɒ m/ (poms ) N‑COUNT A pom is the same as a pommy .
pom|egran|ate /pɒ m I græn I t/ (pomegranates ) N‑VAR A pomegranate is a round fruit with a thick reddish skin. It contains lots of small seeds with juicy flesh around them.
pom|mel /pʌ m ə l, pɒ m-/ (pommels ) N‑COUNT A pommel is the part of a saddle that rises up at the front, or a knob that is fixed there.
pom|my /pɒ mi/ (pommies ) also pommie N‑COUNT A pommy is an English person. This use could cause offence. [mainly AUSTRALIAN , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
pomp /pɒ mp/ N‑UNCOUNT Pomp is the use of a lot of ceremony, fine clothes, and decorations, especially on a special occasion. □ …the pomp and splendour of the English aristocracy.
po m-pom (pom-poms ) also pompom , pom-pom N‑COUNT A pom-pom is a ball of threads which is used to decorate things such as hats or furniture. In the United States, cheerleaders wave large pom-poms at football matches.
pom|pos|ity /pɒmpɒ s I ti/ (pomposities ) N‑UNCOUNT Pomposity means speaking or behaving in a very serious manner which shows that you think you are more important than you really are. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He hated pomposity and disliked being called a genius.
pomp|ous /pɒ mpəs/
1 ADJ If you describe someone as pompous , you mean that they behave or speak in a very serious way because they think they are more important than they really are. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. ● pomp|ous|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Robin said pompously that he had an important business appointment.
2 ADJ A pompous building or ceremony is very grand and elaborate. □ The service was grand without being pompous.
ponce /pɒ ns/ (ponces , poncing , ponced )
1 N‑COUNT A ponce is the same as a pimp . [BRIT , INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ]
2 N‑COUNT If you call a man a ponce , you are insulting him because you think the way he dresses or behaves is too feminine. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE , DISAPPROVAL ]
▸ ponce around in BRIT, also use ponce about PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone is poncing around or poncing about , you mean that they are not doing something properly, quickly, or seriously. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P ] I spent my working life poncing around on a beach instead of doing a proper job.
poncey /pɒ nsi/ also poncy ADJ If you say that someone or something is poncey , you mean you do not like them because they are too feminine or artistic. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a poncy male model.
pon|cho /pɒ ntʃoʊ/ (ponchos ) N‑COUNT A poncho is a piece of clothing that consists of a long piece of material, usually wool, with a hole cut in the middle through which you put your head. Some ponchos have a hood.
pond /pɒ nd/ (ponds )
1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A pond is a small area of water that is smaller than a lake. Ponds are often made artificially. □ She chose a bench beside the duck pond and sat down.
2 N‑SING People sometimes refer to the Atlantic Ocean as the pond . [mainly JOURNALISM ] □ Usually, the presentation is made on the other side of the pond.
pon|der /pɒ ndə r / (ponders , pondering , pondered ) VERB If you ponder something, you think about it carefully. □ [V n] I found myself constantly pondering the question: 'How could anyone do these things?' □ [V + on/over ] The Prime Minister pondered on when to go to the polls. □ [V wh] I'm continually pondering how to improve the team. [Also V ]
pon|der|ous /pɒ ndərəs/
1 ADJ Ponderous writing or speech is very serious, uses more words than necessary, and is rather dull. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He had a dense, ponderous style. ● pon|der|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Lewis’s style as historian and critic is never dull or ponderously academic.
2 ADJ A movement or action that is ponderous is very slow or clumsy. [WRITTEN ] □ His steps were heavy and ponderous. ● pon|der|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Wilson shifted ponderously in his chair.
pong /pɒ ŋ, [AM ] pɔː ŋ/ (pongs ) N‑COUNT A pong is an unpleasant smell. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ …the pong of milk and sick and nappies.
pon|tiff /pɒ nt I f/ (pontiffs ) N‑COUNT The Pontiff is the Pope. [FORMAL ] □ The Pontiff celebrated mass in Mexico City.
pon|tifi|cate (pontificates , pontificating , pontificated ) The verb is pronounced /pɒnt I f I ke I t/. The noun is pronounced /pɒnt I f I kət/. 1 VERB If someone pontificates about something, they state their opinions as if they are the only correct ones and nobody could possibly argue against them. [FORMAL ] □ [V + about/on ] Politicians like to pontificate about falling standards. [Also V ]
2 N‑COUNT The pontificate of a pope is the period of time during which he is pope. □ Pope Formosus died after a pontificate of four and a half years.
pon|toon /pɒ ntuː n/ (pontoons ) N‑COUNT A pontoon is a floating platform, often one used to support a bridge. □ …a pontoon bridge.
pony /poʊ ni/ (ponies ) N‑COUNT A pony is a type of small horse.
pony|tail /poʊ nite I l/ (ponytails ) also pony-tail N‑COUNT A ponytail is a hairstyle in which someone's hair is tied up at the back of the head and hangs down like a tail. □ Her long, fine hair was swept back in a ponytail.
poo /puː / (poos ) N‑VAR Poo is a child's word for faeces. [INFORMAL ]
pooch /puː tʃ/ (pooches ) N‑COUNT A pooch is a dog. [JOURNALISM , INFORMAL ]
poo|dle /puːd ə l/ (poodles ) N‑COUNT A poodle is a type of dog with thick curly hair.
poof /pʊ f/ (poofs ) also pouf
1 N‑COUNT A poof is a homosexual man. [BRIT , INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE ]
2 EXCLAM Some people say poof to indicate that something happened very suddenly. □ They approach, embrace, and poof!, they disappear in a blinding flash of light.
poof|ter /pʊ ftə r / (poofters ) N‑COUNT A poofter is a homosexual man. [BRIT , INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE ]
pooh-pooh /puː puː / (pooh-poohs , pooh-poohing , pooh-poohed ) VERB If someone pooh-poohs an idea or suggestion, they say or imply that it is foolish, impractical, or unnecessary. □ [V n] In the past he has pooh-poohed suggestions that he might succeed Isaacs.
pool ◆◇◇ /puː l/ (pools , pooling , pooled )
1 N‑COUNT A pool is the same as a swimming pool . □ …a heated indoor pool. □ During winter, many people swim and the pool is crowded.
2 N‑COUNT A pool is a fairly small area of still water. □ The pool had dried up and was full of bracken and reeds.
3 → see also rock pool
4 N‑COUNT A pool of liquid or light is a small area of it on the ground or on a surface. □ [+ of ] She was found lying in a pool of blood. □ [+ of ] The lamps on the side-tables threw warm pools of light on the polished wood.
5 N‑COUNT A pool of people, money, or things is a quantity or number of them that is available for an organization or group to use. □ [+ of ] The new proposal would create a reserve pool of cash.
6 → see also car pool
7 VERB If a group of people or organizations pool their money, knowledge, or equipment, they share it or put it together so that it can be used for a particular purpose. □ [V n] We pooled ideas and information.
8 N‑UNCOUNT Pool is a game played on a large table covered with a cloth. Players use a long stick called a cue to hit a white ball across the table so that it knocks coloured balls with numbers on them into six holes around the edge of the table.
9 N‑PLURAL If you do the pools , you take part in a gambling competition in which people try to win money by guessing correctly the results of football matches. [BRIT ] □ The odds of winning the pools are about one in 20 million. COLLOCATIONS pool NOUN
1
noun + pool : hydrotherapy, plunge; hotel, rooftop; infinity
adjective + pool : heated; indoor, outdoor
5
noun + pool : gene; bonus, talent
poop /puː p/ (poops ) N‑COUNT The poop of an old-fashioned sailing ship is the raised structure at the back end of it. □ …the poop deck.
pooped /puː pt/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are pooped , you are very tired. [AM , INFORMAL ]
poor ◆◆◇ /pʊə r , pɔː r / (poorer , poorest )
1 ADJ Someone who is poor has very little money and few possessions. □ The reason our schools cannot afford better teachers is because people here are poor. □ He was one of thirteen children from a poor family. ● N‑PLURAL The poor are people who are poor. □ Even the poor have their pride.
2 ADJ The people in a poor country or area have very little money and few possessions. □ Many countries in the Third World are as poor as they have ever been. □ …a settlement house for children in a poor neighborhood.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] You use poor to express your sympathy for someone. [FEELINGS ] □ I feel sorry for that poor child. □ Poor chap–he was killed in an air crash.
4 ADJ If you describe something as poor , you mean that it is of a low quality or standard or that it is in bad condition. □ The flat was in a poor state of repair. □ The food was poor. ● poor|ly ADV [ADV -ed, ADV after v] □ Some are living in poorly built dormitories, even in tents.
5 ADJ If you describe an amount, rate, or number as poor , you mean that it is less than expected or less than is considered reasonable. □ …poor wages and working conditions. ● poor|ly ADV [ADV -ed, ADV after v] □ During the first week, the evening meetings were poorly attended.
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use poor to describe someone who is not very skilful in a particular activity. □ He was a poor actor. □ [+ at ] Hospitals are poor at collecting information. ● poor|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ This team can play very well or very poorly.
7 ADJ If something is poor in a particular quality or substance, it contains very little of the quality or substance. □ …soil that is poor in zinc.
poor|house /pʊə r haʊs, pɔː r -/ (poorhouses ) also poor-house N‑COUNT In former times in Britain, a poorhouse was an institution in which poor people could live. It was paid for by the public.
poor|ly /pʊə r li, pɔː r -/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone is poorly , they are ill. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ I've just phoned Julie and she's still poorly. in AM, use sick 2 → see also poor
poo r re|la |tion (poor relations ) N‑COUNT If you describe one thing as a poor relation of another, you mean that it is similar to or part of the other thing, but is considered to be inferior to it. □ [+ of ] Watercolour still seems somehow to be the poor relation of oil painting.
pop ◆◇◇ /pɒ p/ (pops , popping , popped )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Pop is modern music that usually has a strong rhythm and uses electronic equipment. □ …the perfect combination of Caribbean rhythms, European pop, and American soul. □ …a life-size poster of a pop star. □ I know nothing about pop music.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to fizzy drinks such as lemonade as pop . [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ He still visits the village shop for buns and fizzy pop. □ …glass pop bottles. in AM, usually use soda pop 3 N‑COUNT Pop is used to represent a short sharp sound, for example the sound made by bursting a balloon or by pulling a cork out of a bottle. □ His back tyre just went pop on a motorway.
4 VERB If something pops , it makes a short sharp sound. □ [V ] He untwisted the wire off the champagne bottle, and the cork popped and shot to the ceiling.
5 VERB If your eyes pop , you look very surprised or excited when you see something. [INFORMAL ] □ [V ] My eyes popped at the sight of the rich variety of food on show.
6 VERB If you pop something somewhere, you put it there quickly. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n prep/adv] He plucked a purple grape from the bunch and popped it in his mouth.
7 VERB If you pop somewhere, you go there for a short time. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V adv/prep] Wendy popped in for a quick bite to eat on Monday night.
8 N‑COUNT Some people call their father pop . [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ I looked at Pop and he had big tears in his eyes. in BRIT, usually use dad 9 to pop the question → see question
▸ pop up
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone or something pops up , they appear in a place or situation unexpectedly. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] She was startled when Lisa popped up at the door all smiles.
2 → see also pop-up
POP /piː oʊ piː / (POPs ) N‑COUNT A POP is equipment that gives access to the internet. POP is an abbreviation for 'point of presence'. [COMPUTING ]
pop. /pɒ p/ pop. is an abbreviation for population . It is used before a number when indicating the total population of a city or country. □ Somalia, pop. 7.9 million, income per head about £1.60 a week.
po p art N‑UNCOUNT Pop art is a style of modern art which began in the 1960s. It uses bright colours and takes a lot of its techniques and subject matter from everyday, modern life.
pop|corn /pɒ pkɔː r n/ N‑UNCOUNT Popcorn is a snack which consists of grains of maize or corn that have been heated until they have burst and become large and light. It can be eaten with salt or sometimes sugar.
pope /poʊ p/ (popes ) N‑COUNT The Pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church. □ …the Pope's message to the people. □ …Pope John Paul II.
pop|lar /pɒ plə r / (poplars ) N‑VAR A poplar or a poplar tree is a type of tall thin tree.
pop|lin /pɒ pl I n/ N‑UNCOUNT Poplin is a type of cotton material used to make clothes.
pop|pa|dom /pɒ pədɒm/ (poppadoms ) N‑COUNT A poppadom is a very thin circular crisp made from a mixture of flour and water, which is fried in oil. Poppadoms are usually eaten with Indian food.
pop|per /pɒ pə r / (poppers ) N‑COUNT A popper is a device for fastening clothes. It consists of two pieces of plastic or metal which you press together. [BRIT ] in AM, use snap fastener , snap
pop|py /pɒ pi/ (poppies )
1 N‑COUNT A poppy is a plant with a large, delicate flower, usually red in colour. The drug opium is obtained from one type of poppy. □ …a field of poppies.
2 N‑COUNT In Britain, on a particular day in November, people wear an artificial poppy in memory of the people who died in the two world wars. □ …a wreath of poppies.
Pop|si|cle /pɒ ps I k ə l/ (Popsicles ) N‑COUNT A Popsicle is a piece of flavoured ice or ice cream on a stick. [AM , TRADEMARK ] in BRIT, use ice lolly
popu|lace /pɒ pjʊləs/ N‑UNCOUNT The populace of a country is its people. [FORMAL ] □ …a large proportion of the populace.
popu|lar ◆◆◇ /pɒ pjʊlə r /
1 ADJ Something that is popular is enjoyed or liked by a lot of people. □ This is the most popular ball game ever devised. □ Chocolate sauce is always popular with youngsters. ● popu|lar|ity /pɒ pjʊlæ r I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] □ [+ of ] …the growing popularity of coconut oil. □ Walking and golf increased in popularity during the 1980s.
2 ADJ Someone who is popular is liked by most people, or by most people in a particular group. □ He remained the most popular politician in France. ● popu|lar|ity N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] □ [+ with ] It is his popularity with ordinary people that sets him apart.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Popular newspapers, television programmes, or forms of art are aimed at ordinary people and not at experts or intellectuals. □ Once again the popular press in Britain has been rife with stories about their marriage. □ …one of the classics of modern popular music.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Popular ideas, feelings, or attitudes are approved of or held by most people. □ The military government has been unable to win popular support. ● popu|lar|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ Over time, though, Watson's views gained in popularity.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] Popular is used to describe political activities which involve the ordinary people of a country, and not just members of political parties. □ The late President Ferdinand Marcos was overthrown by a popular uprising in 1986.
popu|lar|ize /pɒ pjʊləra I z/ (popularizes , popularizing , popularized ) in BRIT, also use popularise VERB To popularize something means to make a lot of people interested in it and able to enjoy it. □ [V n] The Victorians popularized rhubarb in fools and crumbles. ● popu|lari|za|tion /pɒ pjʊləra I ze I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the popularisation of sport through television.
popu|lar|ly /pɒ pjʊlə r li/
1 ADV If something or someone is popularly known as something, most people call them that, although it is not their official name or title. □ …the Mesozoic era, more popularly known as the age of dinosaurs. □ …an infection popularly called mad cow disease.
2 ADV [ADV -ed] If something is popularly believed or supposed to be the case, most people believe or suppose it to be the case, although it may not be true. □ Schizophrenia is not a 'split mind' as is popularly believed.
3 ADV [ADV -ed] A popularly elected leader or government has been elected by a majority of the people in a country. □ He was the country's first popularly elected President.
popu|late /pɒ pjʊle I t/ (populates , populating , populated )
1 VERB If an area is populated by certain people or animals, those people or animals live there, often in large numbers. □ [be V -ed] Before all this the island was populated by native American Arawaks. □ [V n] …native Sindhis, who populate the surrounding villages. ● popu|lat|ed ADJ [adv ADJ ] □ The southeast is the most densely populated area. ● -populated COMB □ …to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack.
2 VERB To populate an area means to cause people to live there. □ [V n + with ] Successive regimes annexed the region and populated it with lowland people. [Also V n]
popu|la|tion ◆◆◇ /pɒ pjʊle I ʃ ə n/ (populations )
1 N‑COUNT The population of a country or area is all the people who live in it. □ [+ of ] Bangladesh now has a population of about 110 million. □ …the annual rate of population growth.
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to a particular type of population in a country or area, you are referring to all the people or animals of that type there. [FORMAL ] □ …75.6 per cent of the male population over sixteen. □ …the elephant populations of Tanzania and Kenya. COLLOCATIONS population NOUN
1
adjective + population : general, local, total
verb + population : control, feed, support
2
noun + population : bee, elephant, fish; civilian, immigrant, prison, student
adjective + population : adult, black, indigenous, male; ageing, declining, growing, working; Jewish, Muslim
pop|ulism /pɒ pjʊl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Populism refers to political activities or ideas that claim to promote the interests and opinions of ordinary people. [FORMAL ] □ …a wave of populism.
popu|list /pɒ pʊl I st/ (populists ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a politician or an artist as populist , you mean that they claim to care about the interests and opinions of ordinary people rather than those of a small group. [FORMAL ] □ The changes on gas have been forced on the populist President by several factors. ● N‑COUNT A populist is someone who expresses populist views.
popu|lous /pɒ pjʊləs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A populous country or area has a lot of people living in it. [FORMAL ] □ Indonesia, with 216 million people, is the fourth most populous country in the world.
po p-up
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A pop-up book, usually a children's book, has pictures that stand up when you open the pages.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A pop-up toaster has a mechanism that pushes slices of bread up when they are toasted.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] On a computer screen, a pop-up menu or advertisement is a small window containing a menu or advertisement that appears on the screen when you perform a particular operation. [COMPUTING ] □ …a program for stopping pop-up ads.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] A pop-up shop, restaurant or gallery opens only for a short time and is intended to be temporary. □ There's a pop-up gallery where the café used to be.
porce|lain /pɔː r səl I n/ (porcelains )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Porcelain is a hard, shiny substance made by heating clay. It is used to make delicate cups, plates, and ornaments. □ …tall white porcelain vases.
2 N‑VAR A porcelain is an ornament that is made of porcelain. You can refer to a number of such ornaments as porcelain . □ …a priceless collection of English porcelain.
porch /pɔː r tʃ/ (porches )
1 N‑COUNT A porch is a sheltered area at the entrance to a building. It has a roof and sometimes has walls.
2 N‑COUNT A porch is a raised platform built along the outside wall of a house and often covered with a roof. [AM ] in BRIT, usually use veranda
por|cu|pine /pɔː r kjʊpa I n/ (porcupines ) N‑COUNT A porcupine is an animal with many long, thin, sharp spikes on its back that stick out as protection when it is attacked.
pore /pɔː r / (pores , poring , pored )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Your pores are the tiny holes in your skin. □ The size of your pores is determined by the amount of oil they produce.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The pores of a plant are the tiny holes on its surface. □ A plant's lungs are the microscopic pores in its leaves.
3 VERB If you pore over or through information, you look at it and study it very carefully. □ [V + over/through ] We spent hours poring over travel brochures.
4 PHRASE You can say that someone has a certain quality or emotion coming from every pore to emphasize the strength of that quality or emotion. [EMPHASIS ] □ She oozes sexuality from every pore.
pork /pɔː r k/ N‑UNCOUNT Pork is meat from a pig, usually fresh and not smoked or salted. □ …fried pork chops. □ …a packet of pork sausages.
po rk bar|rel also pork-barrel N‑SING [usu N n] If you say that someone is using pork barrel politics, you mean that they are spending a lot of government money on a local project in order to win the votes of the people who live in that area. [mainly AM , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Pork-barrel politicians hand out rents to win votes and influence people.
po rk pie (pork pies ) N‑VAR A pork pie is a round, tall pie with cooked pork inside, which is eaten cold. [BRIT ]
porn /pɔː r n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Porn is the same as pornography . [INFORMAL ] □ …a porn cinema.
2 → see also hard porn , soft porn
por|no /pɔː r noʊ/ ADJ Porno is the same as pornographic . □ …porno mags.
por|nog|ra|pher /pɔː r nɒ grəfə r / (pornographers ) N‑COUNT A pornographer is a person who produces or sells pornography. [DISAPPROVAL ]
por|no|graph|ic /pɔː r nəgræ f I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Pornographic films, videos, and magazines are designed to cause sexual excitement by showing naked people or referring to sexual acts. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I found out he'd been visiting pornographic websites.
por|nog|ra|phy /pɔː r nɒ grəfi/ N‑UNCOUNT Pornography refers to books, magazines, and films that are designed to cause sexual excitement by showing naked people or referring to sexual acts. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ A nationwide campaign against pornography began in the summer.
po|ros|ity /pɔːrɒ s I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Porosity is the quality of being porous. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the porosity of the coal.
po|rous /pɔː rəs/ ADJ Something that is porous has many small holes in it, which water and air can pass through. □ The local limestone is very porous.
por|poise /pɔː r pəs/ (porpoises ) N‑COUNT A porpoise is a sea animal that looks like a large grey fish. Porpoises usually swim about in groups.
por|ridge /pɒ r I dʒ, [AM ] pɔː r-/ N‑UNCOUNT Porridge is a thick sticky food made from oats cooked in water or milk and eaten hot, especially for breakfast. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use oatmeal
port ◆◇◇ /pɔː r t/ (ports )
1 N‑COUNT A port is a town by the sea or on a river, which has a harbour. □ Port-Louis is an attractive little fishing port. □ …the Mediterranean port of Marseilles.
2 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A port is a harbour area where ships load and unload goods or passengers. □ …the bridges which link the port area to the city centre.
3 N‑COUNT A port on a computer is a place where you can attach another piece of equipment, for example a printer. [COMPUTING ]
4 ADJ In sailing, the port side of a ship is the left side when you are on it and facing towards the front. [TECHNICAL ] □ Her official number is carved on the port side of the forecabin. ● N‑UNCOUNT [usu to N ] Port is also a noun. □ USS Ogden turned to port.
5 N‑UNCOUNT Port is a type of strong, sweet red wine. □ He asked for a glass of port after dinner.
port|able /pɔː r təb ə l/ (portables )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A portable machine or device is designed to be easily carried or moved. □ There was a little portable television switched on behind the bar. ● port|abil|ity /pɔː r təb I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ When it came to choosing photographic equipment portability was as important as reliability.
2 N‑COUNT A portable is something such as a television, radio, or computer which can be easily carried or moved. □ We bought a colour portable for the bedroom.
Por|ta|ka|bin /pɔː r təkæb I n/ (Portakabins ) N‑COUNT A Portakabin is a small building that can be moved by truck and that can be used for a short period of time, for example as a temporary office. [TRADEMARK ]
por|tal /pɔː r t ə l/ (portals )
1 N‑COUNT A portal is a large impressive doorway at the entrance to a building. [LITERARY ] □ I went in through the royal portal.
2 N‑COUNT On the internet, a portal is a site that consists of links to other websites. [COMPUTING ]
port|cul|lis /pɔː r tkʌ l I s/ (portcullises ) N‑COUNT A portcullis is a strong gate above an entrance to a castle and used to be lowered to the ground in order to keep out enemies.
por|tend /pɔː r te nd/ (portends , portending , portended ) VERB If something portends something, it indicates that it is likely to happen in the future. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The change did not portend a basic improvement in social conditions.
por|tent /pɔː r tent/ (portents ) N‑COUNT A portent is something that indicates what is likely to happen in the future. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The savage civil war there could be a portent of what's to come in the rest of the region.
por|ten|tous /pɔː r te ntəs/
1 ADJ If someone's way of speaking, writing, or behaving is portentous , they speak, write, or behave more seriously than necessary because they want to impress other people. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ There was nothing portentous or solemn about him. He was bubbling with humour. □ …portentous prose. ● por|ten|tous|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ 'The difference is,' he said portentously, 'you are Anglo-Saxons, we are Latins.'
2 ADJ Something that is portentous is important in indicating or affecting future events. [FORMAL ] □ The city's contribution to 20th century thought and culture was no less portentous.
por|ter /pɔː r tə r / (porters )
1 N‑COUNT A porter is a person whose job is to be in charge of the entrance of a building such as a hotel. [BRIT ] in AM, use doorman 2 N‑COUNT A porter is a person whose job is to carry things, for example people's luggage at a railway station or in a hotel.
3 N‑COUNT A porter on a train is a person whose job is to make up beds in the sleeping car and to help passengers. [AM ] in BRIT, usually use attendant 4 N‑COUNT In a hospital, a porter is someone whose job is to move patients from place to place. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use orderly
port|fo|lio /pɔː r tfoʊ lioʊ/ (portfolios )
1 N‑COUNT A portfolio is a set of pictures by someone, or photographs of examples of their work, which they use when entering competitions or applying for work. □ After dinner that evening, Edith showed them a portfolio of her own political cartoons.
2 N‑COUNT In finance, a portfolio is the combination of shares or other investments that a particular person or company has. [BUSINESS ] □ Short-term securities can also be held as part of an investment portfolio. □ …Roger Early, a portfolio manager at Federated Investors Corp.
3 N‑COUNT In politics, a portfolio is a minister's responsibility for a particular area of a government's activities. □ He has held the defence portfolio since the first free elections. ● PHRASE A minister without portfolio is a politician who is given the rank of minister without being given responsibility for any particular area of a government's activities. [FORMAL ]
4 N‑COUNT A company's portfolio of products or designs is their range of products or designs. [BUSINESS ]
port|hole /pɔː r thoʊl/ (portholes ) N‑COUNT A porthole is a small round window in the side of a ship or aircraft.
por|ti|co /pɔː r t I koʊ/ (porticoes or porticos ) N‑COUNT A portico is a large covered area at the entrance to a building, with pillars supporting the roof. [FORMAL ]
por|tion /pɔː r ʃ ə n/ (portions )
1 N‑COUNT A portion of something is a part of it. □ [+ of ] Damage was confined to a small portion of the castle. □ [+ of ] I have spent a fairly considerable portion of my life here. □ [+ of ] I had learnt a portion of the Koran.
2 N‑COUNT A portion is the amount of food that is given to one person at a meal. □ Desserts can be substituted by a portion of fresh fruit. □ The portions were generous.
port|ly /pɔː r tli/ (portlier , portliest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] A portly person, especially a man, is rather fat. [FORMAL ]
po rt of ca ll (ports of call )
1 N‑COUNT A port of call is a place where a ship stops during a journey. □ Their first port of call will be Cape Town.
2 N‑COUNT A port of call is any place where you stop for a short time when you are visiting several places, shops, or people. [INFORMAL ] □ The local tourist office should be your first port of call in any town.
por|trait ◆◇◇ /pɔː r tre I t/ (portraits )
1 N‑COUNT A portrait is a painting, drawing, or photograph of a particular person. □ [+ of ] The artist was asked to paint a portrait of the Queen.
2 N‑COUNT A portrait of a person, place, or thing is a verbal description of them. □ [+ of ] …this gripping, funny portrait of Jewish life in 1950s London.
por|trait|ist /pɔː r tre I t I st/ (portraitists ) N‑COUNT A portraitist is an artist who paints or draws people's portraits. [FORMAL ]
por|trai|ture /pɔː r tr I tʃə r / N‑UNCOUNT Portraiture is the art of painting or drawing portraits. [FORMAL ]
por|tray /pɔː r tre I / (portrays , portraying , portrayed )
1 VERB When an actor or actress portrays someone, he or she plays that person in a play or film. □ [V n] In 1975 he portrayed the king in a Los Angeles revival of 'Camelot'. □ [V -ed] At first Glenn Miller, brilliantly portrayed by Jimmy Stewart, is sunk into gloom.
2 VERB When a writer or artist portrays something, he or she writes a description or produces a painting of it. □ [V n] …this northern novelist, who accurately portrays provincial domestic life. □ [V -ed] …the landscape as portrayed by painters such as Claude and Poussin.
3 VERB If a film, book, or television programme portrays someone in a certain way, it represents them in that way. □ [V n + as ] She says the programme portrayed her as a 'lady of easy virtue'. □ [be V -ed] …complaints about the way women are portrayed in adverts.
por|tray|al /pɔː r tre I əl/ (portrayals )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] An actor's portrayal of a character in a play or film is the way that he or she plays the character. □ [+ of ] …the intimate portrayal of Hitler in the film AFP Downfall.
2 N‑COUNT An artist's portrayal of something is a drawing, painting, or photograph of it. □ [+ of ] …a moving portrayal of St John the Evangelist by Simone Martini.
3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The portrayal of something in a book or film is the act of describing it or showing it. □ [+ of ] This is a sensitive and often funny portrayal of a friendship between two 11-year-old boys.
4 N‑COUNT The portrayal of something in a book, film, or programme is the way that it is made to appear. □ [+ of ] The media persists in its portrayal of us as muggers, dope sellers and gangsters.
Por|tu|guese /pɔː r tʃʊgiː z/
1 ADJ Portuguese means belonging or relating to Portugal, or its people, language, or culture.
2 N‑PLURAL The Portuguese are the people of Portugal.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Portuguese is the language spoken in Portugal, Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique.
POS /piː oʊ e s/ The POS is the place in a shop where a product is passed from the seller to the customer. POS is an abbreviation for 'point of sale'. [BUSINESS ] □ …a POS system that doubles as a stock and sales control system.
pos. Pos. is the written abbreviation for positive .
pose ◆◇◇ /poʊ z/ (poses , posing , posed )
1 VERB If something poses a problem or a danger, it is the cause of that problem or danger. □ [V n] This could pose a threat to jobs in the coal industry. □ [V n] His ill health poses serious problems for the future.
2 VERB If you pose a question, you ask it. If you pose an issue that needs considering, you mention the issue. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] When I finally posed the question, 'Why?' he merely shrugged. □ [V -ed] …the moral issues posed by new technologies.
3 VERB If you pose as someone, you pretend to be that person in order to deceive people. □ [V + as ] Industrial spies posed as flight attendants.
4 VERB If you pose for a photograph or painting, you stay in a particular position so that someone can photograph you or paint you. □ [V + for ] Before going into their meeting the six foreign ministers posed for photographs.
5 VERB [usu cont] You can say that people are posing when you think that they are behaving in an insincere or exaggerated way because they want to make a particular impression on other people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V ] He criticized them for dressing outrageously and posing pretentiously.
6 N‑COUNT A pose is a particular way that you stand, sit, or lie, for example when you are being photographed or painted. □ We have had several preliminary sittings in various poses.
pos|er /poʊ zə r / (posers )
1 N‑COUNT A poser is the same as a poseur . [DISAPPROVAL ]
2 N‑COUNT A poser is a difficult problem or puzzle. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ Here is a little poser for you.
po|seur /poʊzɜː r / (poseurs ) N‑COUNT You can describe someone as a poseur when you think that they behave in an insincere or exaggerated way because they want to make a particular impression on other people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I am sometimes accused of being an inveterate poseur.
posh /pɒ ʃ/ (posher , poshest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as posh , you mean that it is smart, fashionable, and expensive. [INFORMAL ] □ Celebrating a promotion, I took her to a posh hotel for a cocktail. □ …a posh car.
2 ADJ If you describe a person as posh , you mean that they belong to or behave as if they belong to the upper classes. [INFORMAL ] □ I wouldn't have thought she had such posh friends.
pos|it /pɒ z I t/ (posits , positing , posited ) VERB If you posit something, you suggest or assume it as the basis for an argument or calculation. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Several writers have posited the idea of a universal consciousness. □ [V that] Callahan posits that chemical elements radiate electromagnetic signals.
po|si|tion ◆◆◆ /pəz I ʃ ə n/ (positions , positioning , positioned )
1 N‑COUNT The position of someone or something is the place where they are in relation to other things. □ The ship was identified, and its name and position were reported to the coastguard. □ This conservatory enjoys an enviable position overlooking a leafy expanse.
2 N‑COUNT When someone or something is in a particular position , they are sitting, lying, or arranged in that way. □ Hold the upper back and neck in an erect position to give support for the head. □ Ensure the patient is turned into the recovery position. □ Mr. Dambar had raised himself to a sitting position.
3 VERB If you position something somewhere, you put it there carefully, so that it is in the right place or position. □ [V n prep] Place the pastry circles on to a baking sheet and position one apple on each circle.
4 N‑COUNT Your position in society is the role and the importance that you have in it. □ [+ of ] …the position of older people in society.
5 N‑COUNT A position in a company or organization is a job. [FORMAL ] □ He left a career in teaching to take up a position with the Arts Council.
6 N‑COUNT Your position in a race or competition is how well you did in relation to the other competitors or how well you are doing. □ By the ninth hour the car was running in eighth position.
7 N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can describe your situation at a particular time by saying that you are in a particular position . □ He's going to be in a very difficult position indeed if things go badly for him. □ Companies should be made to reveal more about their financial position. □ It was not the only time he found himself in this position.
8 N‑COUNT Your position on a particular matter is your attitude towards it or your opinion of it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ on ] He could be depended on to take a moderate position on most of the key issues.
9 N‑SING [N to-inf] If you are in a position to do something, you are able to do it. If you are in no position to do something, you are unable to do it. □ The U.N. system will be in a position to support the extensive relief efforts needed. □ I am not in a position to comment.
10 PHRASE If someone or something is in position , they are in their correct or usual place or arrangement. □ This second door is an extra security measure and can be locked in position during the day. □ Some 28,000 U.S. troops are moving into position. SYNONYMS position NOUN 1
location: She knew the exact location of The Eagle's headquarters.
place: The best place to catch fish on a canal is close to a lock.
site: Plymouth Hoe is renowned as the site where Drake played bowls.
whereabouts: Once he knew his father's name, finding his whereabouts proved surprisingly easy.
po|si|tion|al /pəz I ʃən ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Positional refers to the physical position of someone, for example in a football match. □ The manager has made no positional changes for the second game.
po|si |tion pa |per (position papers ) N‑COUNT A position paper is a detailed report which usually explains or recommends a particular course of action.
posi|tive ◆◆◇ /pɒ z I t I v/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are positive about things, you are hopeful and confident, and think of the good aspects of a situation rather than the bad ones. □ [+ about ] Be positive about your future and get on with living a normal life. □ …a positive frame of mind. ● posi|tive|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ You really must try to start thinking positively.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A positive fact, situation, or experience is pleasant and helpful to you in some way. □ The parting from his sister had a positive effect on John. ● N‑SING The positive in a situation is the good and pleasant aspects of it. □ Work on the positive, creating beautiful, loving and fulfilling relationships.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you make a positive decision or take positive action, you do something definite in order to deal with a task or problem. □ Having a good diet gives me a sense that I'm doing something positive and that I'm in control.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A positive response to something indicates agreement, approval, or encouragement. □ Police have had a positive response to appeals for information from motorists travelling on the M40. ● posi|tive|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ He responded positively and accepted the fee of £1000 I had offered.
5 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are positive about something, you are completely sure about it. □ I'm as positive as I can be about it. □ 'She's never late. You sure she said eight?'—'Positive.'
6 ADJ [ADJ n] Positive evidence gives definite proof of the truth or identity of something. □ There was no positive evidence that any birth defects had arisen as a result of Vitamin A intake. ● posi|tive|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The body has been positively identified as his.
7 ADJ If a medical or scientific test is positive , it shows that something has happened or is present. □ If the test is positive, a course of antibiotics may be prescribed. □ He was stripped of his gold medal after testing positive for steroids.
8 HIV positive → see HIV
9 ADJ [ADJ n] A positive number is greater than zero. □ It's really a simple numbers game with negative and positive numbers.
10 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If something has a positive electrical charge, it has the same charge as a proton and the opposite charge to an electron. [TECHNICAL ]
po si|tive dis|crimi|na |tion N‑UNCOUNT Positive discrimination means making sure that people such as women, members of smaller racial groups, and people with disabilities get a fair share of the opportunities available. [BRIT ] in AM, use affirmative action
posi|tive|ly /pɒ z I t I vli/
1 ADV You use positively to emphasize that you really mean what you are saying. [EMPHASIS ] □ This is positively the worst thing that I can even imagine.
2 ADV [ADV adj, ADV before v] You use positively to emphasize that something really is the case, although it may sound surprising or extreme. [EMPHASIS ] □ He's changed since he came back–he seems positively cheerful.
3 → see also positive
posi|tiv|ism /pɒ z I t I v I sm/ N‑UNCOUNT Positivism is a philosophy which accepts only things that can be seen or proved. ● posi|tiv|ist (positivists ) N‑COUNT [usu N n] □ By far the most popular idea is the positivist one that we should keep only the facts.
poss /pɒ s/
1 PHRASE ' If poss ' means the same as 'if possible'. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ We'll rush it round today if poss.
2 PHRASE ' As poss ' means the same as 'as possible'. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ Tell them I'll be there as soon as poss.
pos|se /pɒ si/ (posses )
1 N‑COUNT A posse of people is a group of people with the same job or purpose. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …a posse of reporters.
2 N‑COUNT In former times, in the United States, a posse was a group of men who were brought together by the local law officer to help him chase and capture a criminal.
pos|sess /pəze s/ (possesses , possessing , possessed )
1 VERB [no passive] If you possess something, you have it or own it. □ [V n] He was then arrested and charged with possessing an offensive weapon. □ [V n] He is said to possess a fortune of more than two-and-a-half-thousand million dollars.
2 VERB [no cont] If someone or something possesses a particular quality, ability, or feature, they have it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] …individuals who are deemed to possess the qualities of sense, loyalty and discretion.
3 → see also possessed
4 PHRASE If you ask what possessed someone to do something, you are emphasizing your great surprise that they have done something which you consider foolish or dangerous. [FEELINGS ] □ What on earth had possessed her to agree to marry him?
pos|sessed /pəze st/
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone is described as being possessed by an evil spirit, it is believed that their mind and body are controlled by an evil spirit. □ [+ by ] She even claimed the couple's daughter was possessed by the devil.
2 → see also possess
pos|ses|sion /pəze ʃ ə n/ (possessions )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you are in possession of something, you have it, because you have obtained it or because it belongs to you. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Those documents are now in the possession of the Guardian. □ [+ of ] We should go up and take possession of the land. □ [+ of ] He was also charged with illegal possession of firearms.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Your possessions are the things that you own or have with you at a particular time. □ People had lost their homes and all their possessions. □ She had tidied away her possessions.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] A country's possessions are countries or territories that it controls. [FORMAL ] □ All of them were French possessions at one time or another.
pos|ses|sive /pəze s I v/ (possessives )
1 ADJ Someone who is possessive about another person wants all that person's love and attention. □ [+ about/of ] Danny could be very jealous and possessive about me. ● pos|ses|sive|ly ADV □ Leaning over, he kissed her possessively on the mouth. ● pos|ses|sive|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ I've ruined every relationship with my possessiveness.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is possessive about things that they own does not like other people to use them. □ [+ about ] People were very possessive about their coupons.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] In grammar, a possessive determiner or possessive adjective is a word such as 'my' or 'his' which shows who or what something belongs to or is connected with. The possessive form of a name or noun has 's added to it, as in 'Jenny's' or 'cat's'.
4 N‑COUNT A possessive is a possessive determiner or the possessive form of a name or noun.
pos|se s|sive pro |noun (possessive pronouns ) N‑COUNT A possessive pronoun is a pronoun such as 'mine', 'yours', or 'theirs' which is used to refer to the thing of a particular kind that belongs to someone, as in 'Can I borrow your pen? I've lost mine.'
pos|ses|sor /pəze sə r / (possessors ) N‑COUNT The possessor of something is the person who has it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Ms Nova is the proud possessor of a truly incredible voice.
pos|sibil|ity ◆◆◇ /pɒ s I b I l I ti/ (possibilities )
1 N‑COUNT [oft N that] If you say there is a possibility that something is the case or that something will happen, you mean that it might be the case or it might happen. □ We were not in the least worried about the possibility that sweets could rot the teeth. □ Tax on food has become a very real possibility.
2 N‑COUNT A possibility is one of several different things that could be done. □ One possibility would be to compensate us with other property. □ There were several possibilities open to each manufacturer. COLLOCATIONS possibility NOUN
1
adjective + possibility : distinct, real, realistic, strong
verb + possibility : consider, investigate, raise; face; dismiss, exclude, ignore
2
adjective + possibility : infinite, limitless
possibility + be + adjective : endless
verb + possibility : discuss, explore
pos|sible ◆◆◆ /pɒ s I b ə l/ (possibles )
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If it is possible to do something, it can be done. □ If it is possible to find out where your brother is, we shall. □ Everything is possible if we want it enough. □ This morning he had tried every way possible to contact her. □ It's been a beautiful evening and you have made it all possible.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A possible event is one that might happen. □ The families are meeting lawyers to discuss possible action against the police. □ Her family is discussing a possible move to America. □ One possible solution, if all else fails, is to take legal action.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that it is possible that something is true or correct, you mean that although you do not know whether it is true or correct, you accept that it might be. [VAGUENESS ] □ It is possible that there's an explanation for all this.
4 ADJ If you do something as soon as possible , you do it as soon as you can. If you get as much as possible of something, you get as much of it as you can. □ Please make your decision as soon as possible. □ I want to learn as much as possible about the industry so that I'm better prepared. □ Michael sat down as far away from her as possible.
5 ADJ You use possible with superlative adjectives to emphasize that something has more or less of a quality than anything else of its kind. [EMPHASIS ] □ They have joined the job market at the worst possible time. □ He is doing the best job possible.
6 ADJ You use possible in expressions such as ' if possible ' and ' if at all possible ' when stating a wish or intention, to show that although this is what you really want, you may have to accept something different. [POLITENESS ] □ I need to see you, right away if possible. □ …the moral duty to uphold peace if at all possible.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone as, for example, a possible Prime Minister, you mean that they may become Prime Minister. □ Bradley has been considered a possible presidential contender himself. ● N‑COUNT Possible is also a noun. □ Kennedy was tipped as a presidential possible.
8 N‑SING The possible is everything that can be done in a situation. □ He is a democrat with the skill, nerve, and ingenuity to push the limits of the possible.
pos|sibly ◆◆◇ /pɒ s I bli/
1 ADV [ADV with v] You use possibly to indicate that you are not sure whether something is true or might happen. [VAGUENESS ] □ Exercise will not only lower blood pressure but possibly protect against heart attacks. □ They were smartly but casually dressed; possibly students. □ Do you think that he could possibly be right?
2 ADV [ADV before v] You use possibly to emphasize that you are surprised, puzzled, or shocked by something that you have seen or heard. [EMPHASIS ] □ It was the most unexpected piece of news one could possibly imagine.
3 ADV [ADV before v] You use possibly to emphasize that someone has tried their hardest to do something, or has done it as well as they can. [EMPHASIS ] □ They've done everything they can possibly think of.
4 ADV [ADV before v] You use possibly to emphasize that something definitely cannot happen or definitely cannot be done. [EMPHASIS ] □ No I really can't possibly answer that! SYNONYMS possibly ADV 1
maybe: I do think about having children, maybe when I'm 40.
perhaps: Perhaps, in time, the message will get through.
conceivably: The mission could conceivably be accomplished within a week.
pos|sum /pɒ səm/ (possums ) N‑COUNT A possum is the same as an opossum . [mainly AM , INFORMAL ]
post
➊ LETTERS, PARCELS, AND INFORMATION
➋ JOBS AND PLACES
➌ POLES
➊ post ◆◆◇ /poʊ st/ (posts , posting , posted )
1 N‑SING [oft by N ] The post is the public service or system by which letters and packages are collected and delivered. [mainly BRIT ] □ You'll receive your book through the post. □ The winner will be notified by post. □ The cheque is in the post. in AM, usually use mail 2 N‑UNCOUNT You can use post to refer to letters and packages that are delivered to you. [mainly BRIT ] □ He flipped through the post without opening any of it. □ There has been no post in three weeks. in AM, usually use mail 3 N‑UNCOUNT Post is used to refer to an occasion when letters or packages are delivered. For example, first post on a particular day is the first time that things are delivered. [mainly BRIT ] □ Entries must arrive by first post next Wednesday.
4 VERB If you post a letter or package, you send it to someone by putting it in a post box or by taking it to a post office. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] If I write a letter, would you post it for me? □ [V n n] I'm posting you a cheque tonight. □ [V n + to ] I posted a letter to Stanley saying I was an old Army friend. ● PHRASAL VERB Post off means the same as post . □ [V n P ] He'd left me to pack up the mail and post it off. □ [V P n] All you do is complete and post off a form. [in AM, usually use mail ]
5 VERB If you post notices, signs, or other pieces of information somewhere, you fix them to a wall or board so that everyone can see them. □ [V n] Officials began posting warning notices. □ [V n prep/adv] She has posted photographs on bulletin boards. ● PHRASAL VERB Post up means the same as post . □ [V n P ] He has posted a sign up that says 'No Fishing'. □ [V P n] We post up a set of rules for the house.
6 VERB If you post information on the internet, you make the information available to other people on the internet. [COMPUTING ] □ [be V -ed] This list will be posted on Times Online. ● N‑COUNT Post is also a noun □ His internet post about the incident got 20,000 'likes'.
7 PHRASE If you keep someone posted , you keep giving them the latest information about a situation that they are interested in. □ [+ on/with ] Keep me posted on your progress.
➋ post ◆◆◇ /poʊ st/ (posts , posting , posted )
1 N‑COUNT A post in a company or organization is a job or official position in it, usually one that involves responsibility. [FORMAL ] □ [+ as ] She had earlier resigned her post as President Menem's assistant. □ Sir Peter has held several senior military posts. [Also + of ]
2 VERB [usu passive] If you are posted somewhere, you are sent there by the organization that you work for and usually work there for several years. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] It is normal to spend two or three years working in this country before being posted overseas.
3 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] You can use post to refer to the place where a soldier, guard, or other person has been told to remain and to do his or her job. □ Quick men, back to your post!
4 VERB If a soldier, guard, or other person is posted somewhere, they are told to stand there, in order to supervise an activity or guard a place. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] Police have now been posted outside all temples. □ [V n prep/adv] They had to post a signalman at the entrance to the tunnel. □ [V -ed] We have guards posted near the windows. [Also be V -ed]
5 → see also posting , staging post
➌ post /poʊ st/ (posts )
→ Please look at categories 5 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 N‑COUNT A post is a strong upright pole made of wood or metal that is fixed into the ground. □ You have to get eight wooden posts, and drive them into the ground.
2 N‑COUNT A post is the same as a goalpost . □ Wimbledon were unlucky not to win after hitting the post twice.
3 N‑SING On a horse-racing track, the post is a pole which marks the finishing point.
4 → see also first-past-the-post
5 to pip someone at the post → see pip
PREFIX post-
forms words that refer to something that takes place after a particular date, period, or event. For example, a postscript to a letter is extra information that you write at the end, after you have signed it.
post|age /poʊ st I dʒ/ N‑UNCOUNT Postage is the money that you pay for sending letters and packages by post.
po st|age stamp (postage stamps ) N‑COUNT A postage stamp is a small piece of gummed paper that you buy from the post office and stick on an envelope or package before you post it. [FORMAL ]
post|al /poʊ st ə l/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Postal is used to describe things or people connected with the public service of carrying letters and packages from one place to another. □ Compensation for lost or damaged mail will be handled by the postal service. □ Include your full postal address.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Postal is used to describe activities that involve sending things by post. □ Unions would elect their leadership by secret postal ballot.
po st|al or|der (postal orders ) N‑COUNT A postal order is a piece of paper representing a sum of money which you can buy at a post office and send to someone as a way of sending them money by post. [BRIT ] in AM, usually use money order
post|bag /poʊ stbæg/ (postbags ) also post-bag N‑COUNT [usu sing] The letters that are received by an important person, a newspaper, or a television or radio company can be referred to as the postbag . [mainly BRIT , JOURNALISM ] □ Here's another selection of recent letters from our postbag. □ Marling's article on Northumbria attracted a large postbag.
post|box /poʊ stbɒks/ (postboxes ) also post box N‑COUNT A postbox is a metal box in a public place, where you put letters and packets to be collected. They are then sorted and delivered. Compare letterbox . [BRIT ] in AM, use mailbox
post|card /poʊ stkɑː r d/ (postcards ) also post card
1 N‑COUNT A postcard is a piece of thin card, often with a picture on one side, which you can write on and send to people without using an envelope.
2 → see also picture postcard
post|code /poʊ stkoʊd/ (postcodes ) also post code N‑COUNT Your postcode is a short sequence of numbers and letters at the end of your address, which helps the post office to sort the mail. [BRIT ] in AM, use zip code
po st-da ted ADJ [usu ADJ n] On a post-dated cheque, the date is a later one than the date when the cheque was actually written. You write a post-dated cheque to allow a period of time before the money is taken from your account.
post|er /poʊ stə r / (posters ) N‑COUNT A poster is a large notice or picture that you stick on a wall or board, often in order to advertise something.
po st|er child (poster children ) or poster boy , poster girl
1 N‑COUNT If someone is a poster child for a particular cause, characteristic, or activity, they are seen as a very good or typical example of it. [mainly AM ] □ [+ for ] Zidane has become the poster child for a whole generation of French-born youths of North African extraction.
2 N‑COUNT A poster child is a young man or woman who appears on an advertising poster. [mainly AM ] □ She went out with a Calvin Klein poster boy.
poste res|tante /poʊ st re stɑːnt, [AM ] restɑː nt/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Poste restante is a service operated by post offices by which letters and packages that are sent to you are kept at a particular post office until you collect them. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use general delivery
pos|teri|or /pɒst I ə riə r / (posteriors )
1 N‑COUNT Someone's bottom can be referred to as their posterior . [mainly HUMOROUS ]
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Posterior describes something that is situated at the back of something else. [MEDICAL ] □ …the posterior leg muscles.
pos|ter|ity /pɒste r I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft for N ] You can refer to everyone who will be alive in the future as posterity . [FORMAL ] □ A photographer recorded the scene for posterity.
po st|er paint (poster paints ) N‑VAR Poster paint is a type of brightly coloured paint which contains no oil and is used for painting pictures. [mainly BRIT ]
post-fe minist (post-feminists )
1 ADJ Post-feminist people and attitudes accept some of the ideas of feminism, but reject others. □ …the post-feminist age.
2 N‑COUNT A post-feminist is someone who accepts some of the ideas of feminism, but rejects others. ● post-feminism N‑UNCOUNT □ Post-feminism does not actually exist because we are still in the phase of pre-feminism.
post|grad /poʊ stgræd/ (postgrads ) also post-grad N‑COUNT A postgrad is the same as a postgraduate . [BRIT , INFORMAL ] in AM, use grad student
post|gradu|ate /poʊ stgræ dʒuət/ (postgraduates ) also post-graduate
1 N‑COUNT A postgraduate or a postgraduate student is a student with a first degree from a university who is studying or doing research at a more advanced level. [BRIT ] in AM, use graduate student 2 ADJ [ADJ n] Postgraduate study or research is done by a student who has a first degree and is studying or doing research at a more advanced level. [BRIT ] □ …postgraduate courses. □ Dr Hoffman did his postgraduate work at Leicester University. in AM, use graduate
po st-ha ste also post haste ADV [ADV after v] If you go somewhere or do something post-haste , you go there or do it as quickly as you can. [FORMAL ] □ The pilot wisely decided to return to Farnborough post haste.
post|hu|mous /pɒ stʃʊməs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Posthumous is used to describe something that happens after a person's death but relates to something they did before they died. □ …the posthumous publication of his first novel. ● post|hu|mous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ After the war she was posthumously awarded the George Cross.
postie /poʊ sti/ (posties ) N‑COUNT A postie is a postman . [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
po st-indu strial in AM, usually use postindustrial ADJ [ADJ n] Post-industrial is used to describe many Western societies whose economies are no longer based on heavy industry.
post|ing /poʊ st I ŋ/ (postings )
1 N‑COUNT If you get a posting to a different town or country, your employers send you to work there, usually for several years. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ to ] He was rewarded with a posting to New York. in AM, usually use assignment 2 → see also post ➊, post ➋
3 N‑COUNT If a member of an armed force gets a posting to a particular place, they are sent to live and work there for a period. □ [+ to ] …awaiting his posting to a field ambulance corps in early 1941.
4 N‑COUNT A posting is a message that is placed on the internet, for example on a bulletin board or website, for everyone to read. [COMPUTING ] □ Postings on Times Online include messages of solidarity from across the US.
post|man /poʊ stmən/ (postmen ) N‑COUNT A postman is a man whose job is to collect and deliver letters and packages that are sent by post. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use mailman
post|mark /poʊ stmɑː r k/ (postmarks ) N‑COUNT A postmark is a mark which is printed on letters and packages at a post office. It shows the time and place at which something was posted. □ All the letters bore an Aberdeen postmark.
post|marked /poʊ stmɑː r kt/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a letter is postmarked , it has a printed mark on the envelope showing when and where the letter was posted. □ The envelope was postmarked Helsinki.
post|master /poʊ stmɑːstə r , -mæs-/ (postmasters ) N‑COUNT A postmaster is a man who is in charge of a local post office. [FORMAL ]
post|mistress /poʊ stm I strəs/ (postmistresses ) N‑COUNT A postmistress is a woman who is in charge of a local post office. [FORMAL ]
post-mo dern also postmodern ADJ [usu ADJ n] Post-modern is used to describe something or someone that is influenced by post-modernism. □ …post-modern architecture.
post-mo dernism also postmodernism N‑UNCOUNT Post-modernism is a late twentieth century approach in art, architecture, and literature which typically mixes styles, ideas, and references to modern society, often in an ironic way.
post-mo dernist (post-modernists ) also postmodernist N‑COUNT A post-modernist is a writer, artist, or architect who is influenced by post-modernism. ● ADJ [usu ADJ n] Post-modernist is also an adjective. □ …the post-modernist suspicion of grand ideological narratives.
post-mortem /poʊ st mɔː r təm/ (post-mortems ) also post mortem , postmortem
1 N‑COUNT A post-mortem is a medical examination of a dead person's body in order to find out how they died.
2 N‑COUNT A post-mortem is an examination of something that has recently happened, especially something that has failed or gone wrong. □ [+ on ] The postmortem on the presidential campaign is under way.
post|na|tal /poʊ stne I t ə l/ also post-natal ADJ [ADJ n] Postnatal means happening after and relating to the birth of a baby. □ …postnatal depression. □ …midwives on the postnatal ward.
po st of|fice (post offices )
1 N‑SING The Post Office is the national organization that is responsible for postal services. □ The Post Office has the advantage of an enormous high street presence and it is a trusted brand.
2 N‑COUNT A post office is a building where you can buy stamps, post letters and packages, and use other services provided by the national postal service.
po st of|fice box (post office boxes ) N‑COUNT A post office box is a numbered box in a post office where a person's mail is kept for them until they come to collect it.
post|op|era|tive /poʊ stɒ pərət I v/ also post-operative ADJ [ADJ n] Postoperative means occurring after and relating to a medical operation. □ …post-operative pain.
post|pone /poʊspoʊ n/ (postpones , postponing , postponed ) VERB If you postpone an event, you delay it or arrange for it to take place at a later time than was originally planned. □ [V n/v-ing] He decided to postpone the expedition until the following day. □ [be V -ed] The visit has now been postponed indefinitely.
post|pone|ment /poʊspoʊ nmənt/ (postponements ) N‑VAR The postponement of an event is the act of delaying it happening or arranging for it to take place at a later time than originally planned. □ The postponement was due to a dispute over where the talks should be held. [Also + of ]
post-prandial /poʊ st præ ndiəl/ also postprandial ADJ [ADJ n] You use post-prandial to refer to things you do or have after a meal. [FORMAL ] □ …a post-prandial nap. □ …a post-prandial cigar.
post-produ ction also post production N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] In film and television, post-production is the work such as editing that takes place after the film has been shot. □ The film's post-production will be completed early next year. □ …a film post-production company.
post|script /poʊ stskr I pt/ (postscripts )
1 N‑COUNT A postscript is something written at the end of a letter after you have signed your name. You usually write 'PS' in front of it. □ A brief, hand-written postscript lay beneath his signature.
2 N‑COUNT A postscript is an addition to a finished story, account, or statement, which gives further information. □ Let me add a postscript to this section on diet.
post-trauma tic stre ss dis|o r|der N‑UNCOUNT Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental illness that can develop after someone has been involved in a very bad experience such as a war. [MEDICAL ]
po st-tru th ADJ [ADJ n] A post-truth situation is one in which people are less influenced by factual information than by their emotions or by beliefs they already hold. □ We live in a world of post-truth politics.
pos|tu|late /pɒ stʃʊle I t/ (postulates , postulating , postulated ) VERB If you postulate something, you suggest it as the basis for a theory, argument, or calculation, or assume that it is the basis. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] …arguments postulating differing standards for human rights in different cultures. □ [V that] Freud postulated that we all have a death instinct as well as a life instinct.
pos|tur|al /pɒ stʃərəl/ ADJ [ADJ n] Postural means relating to the way a person stands or sits. [FORMAL ] □ Children can develop bad postural habits from quite an early age. □ …postural exercises.
pos|ture /pɒ stʃə r / (postures , posturing , postured )
1 N‑VAR Your posture is the position in which you stand or sit. □ You can make your stomach look flatter instantly by improving your posture. □ Sit in a relaxed upright posture.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing, usu adj N ] A posture is an attitude that you have towards something. [FORMAL ] □ The military machine is ready to change its defensive posture to one prepared for action.
3 VERB [usu cont] You can say that someone is posturing when you disapprove of their behaviour because you think they are trying to give a particular impression in order to deceive people. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V ] She says the President may just be posturing. ● pos|tur|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Any calls for a new U.N. resolution are largely political posturing.
post-vi ral fa|ti gue sy n|drome or post-viral syndrome N‑UNCOUNT Post-viral fatigue syndrome is a long-lasting illness that is thought to be caused by a virus. Its symptoms include feeling tired all the time and muscle pain. [MEDICAL ]
po st-wa r also postwar ADJ [usu ADJ n] Post-war is used to describe things that happened, existed, or were made in the period immediately after a war, especially the Second World War, 1939-45. □ In the post-war years her writing regularly appeared in The New Journal.
posy /poʊ zi/ (posies ) N‑COUNT A posy is a small bunch of flowers. In American English, it can also consist of a single flower.
pot ◆◇◇ /pɒ t/ (pots , potting , potted )
1 N‑COUNT A pot is a deep round container used for cooking stews, soups, and other food. □ [+ of ] …metal cooking pots. ● N‑COUNT A pot of stew, soup, or other food is an amount of it contained in a pot. □ [+ of ] He was stirring a pot of soup.
2 N‑COUNT You can use pot to refer to a teapot or coffee pot. □ There's tea in the pot. ● N‑COUNT A pot of tea or coffee is an amount of it contained in a pot. □ [+ of ] He spilt a pot of coffee.
3 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A pot is a cylindrical container for jam, paint, or some other thick liquid. □ Hundreds of jam pots lined her scrubbed shelves. ● N‑COUNT A pot of jam, paint, or some other thick liquid is an amount of it contained in a pot. □ [+ of ] …a pot of red paint.
4 N‑COUNT A pot is the same as a flowerpot .
5 VERB If you pot a young plant, or part of a plant, you put it into a container filled with soil, so it can grow there. □ [V n] Pot the cuttings individually. □ [V -ed] …potted plants.
6 N‑UNCOUNT Pot is sometimes used to refer to the drugs cannabis and marijuana. [INFORMAL ]
7 VERB In the games of snooker and billiards, if you pot a ball, you succeed in hitting it into one of the pockets. □ [V n] He did not pot a ball for the next two frames.
8 → see also potted , chamber pot , chimney pot , coffee pot , lobster pot , melting pot , plant pot
9 PHRASE If you take pot luck , you decide to do something even though you do not know what you will get as a result. □ If you haven't made an appointment, take pot luck and knock on the door. □ He scorns the 'pot-luck' approach.
po|table /poʊ təb ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Potable water is clean and safe for drinking. [mainly AM ]
pot|ash /pɒ tæʃ/ N‑UNCOUNT Potash is a white powder obtained from the ashes of burnt wood and is sometimes used as a fertilizer.
po|tas|sium /pətæ siəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Potassium is a soft silvery-white chemical element, which occurs mainly in compounds. These compounds are used in making such things as glass, soap, and fertilizers.
po|ta|to ◆◇◇ /pəte I toʊ/ (potatoes )
1 N‑VAR Potatoes are quite round vegetables with brown or red skins and white insides. They grow under the ground.
2 → see also sweet potato
3 PHRASE You can refer to a difficult subject that people disagree on as a hot potato . □ …a political hot potato such as abortion.
po|ta |to chip (potato chips )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Potato chips are very thin slices of potato that have been fried until they are hard, dry, and crisp. [AM ] in BRIT, use crisps 2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Potato chips are long, thin pieces of potato fried in oil or fat and eaten hot, usually with a meal. [BRIT ] in AM, use French fries
po|ta |to crisp (potato crisps ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Potato crisps are the same as crisps . [BRIT , FORMAL ]
po t-be llied also potbellied ADJ Someone, usually a man, who is pot-bellied has a pot belly.
po t be l|ly (pot bellies ) also potbelly N‑COUNT Someone who has a pot belly has a round, fat stomach which sticks out, either because they eat or drink too much, or because they have had very little to eat for some time.
pot|boiler /pɒ tbɔ I lə r / (potboilers ) also pot-boiler N‑COUNT If you describe a book or film as a potboiler , you mean that it has been created in order to earn money quickly and is of poor quality. [DISAPPROVAL ]
po|ten|cy /poʊ t ə nsi/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Potency is the power and influence that a person, action, or idea has to affect or change people's lives, feelings, or beliefs. □ [+ of ] They testify to the extraordinary potency of his personality.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] The potency of a drug, poison, or other chemical is its strength. □ Sunscreen can lose its potency if left over winter in the bathroom cabinet.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Potency is the ability of a man to have sex. □ Illness can cause loss of sex drive and reduced potency.
po|tent /poʊ t ə nt/ ADJ Something that is potent is very effective and powerful. □ Their most potent weapon was the Exocet missile. □ The drug is extremely potent, but causes unpleasant side effects.
po|ten|tate /poʊ t ə nte I t/ (potentates ) N‑COUNT A potentate is a ruler who has complete power over his people. [FORMAL ]
po|ten|tial ◆◆◇ /pəte nʃ ə l/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] You use potential to say that someone or something is capable of developing into the particular kind of person or thing mentioned. □ The firm has identified 60 potential customers at home and abroad. □ We are aware of the potential problems and have taken every precaution. ● po|ten|tial|ly ADV □ Clearly this is a potentially dangerous situation.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone or something has potential , you mean that they have the necessary abilities or qualities to become successful or useful in the future. □ The school strives to help each pupil to achieve their full potential. □ Denmark recognised the potential of wind energy early.
3 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone or something has potential for doing a particular thing, you mean that it is possible they may do it. If there is the potential for something, it may happen. □ [+ for ] John seemed as horrified as I about his potential for violence. □ The meeting has the potential to be a watershed event. SYNONYMS potential ADJ 1
possible: Her family is discussing a possible move to America.
future: Meanwhile, the domestic debate on the country's future role in Europe rages on.
likely: Experts say a 'yes' vote is still the likely outcome. NOUN 2
ability: Her drama teacher spotted her ability.
capacity: Our capacity for giving care, love and attention is limited.
capability: They have the capability to destroy the enemy in days rather than weeks.
po|ten|ti|al|ity /pəte nʃiæ l I ti/ (potentialities ) N‑VAR If something has potentialities or potentiality , it is capable of being used or developed in particular ways. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the breathtaking potentialities of mechanization. □ All of these are quite useful breeds whose potentiality has not been realised.
pot|hole /pɒ thoʊl/ (potholes ) also pot-hole
1 N‑COUNT A pothole is a large hole in the surface of a road, caused by traffic and bad weather.
2 N‑COUNT A pothole is a deep hole in the ground. Potholes often lead to underground caves and tunnels.
po t-holed also potholed ADJ [usu ADJ n] A pot-holed road has a lot of potholes in it.
pot|hol|ing /pɒ thoʊl I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Potholing is the leisure activity of going into underground caves and tunnels. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use spelunking
po|tion /poʊ ʃ ə n/ (potions ) N‑COUNT A potion is a drink that contains medicine, poison, or something that is supposed to have magic powers.
po t lu ck → see pot
po t plant (pot plants ) N‑COUNT A pot plant is a plant which is grown in a container, especially indoors. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use house plant
pot|pour|ri /poʊ pʊə ri, [AM ] -pʊriː / (potpourris ) also pot-pourri , pot pourri
1 N‑VAR Potpourri is a mixture of dried petals and leaves from different flowers. Potpourri is used to make rooms smell pleasant.
2 N‑SING A potpourri of things is a collection of various different items which were not originally intended to form a group. □ [+ of ] …a potpourri of architectural styles from all over the world.
po t roast (pot roasts ) N‑VAR A pot roast is a piece of meat that is cooked very slowly with a small amount of liquid in a covered pot.
po t shot (pot shots ) also pot-shot
1 N‑COUNT To take a pot shot at someone or something means to shoot at them without taking the time to aim carefully. [INFORMAL ]
2 N‑COUNT A pot shot is a criticism of someone which may be unexpected and unfair. [INFORMAL ] □ …Republican rivals taking pot shots at the president.
pot|ted /pɒ t I d/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Potted meat or fish is cooked meat or fish, usually in the form of a paste, which has been put into a small sealed container. □ …potted shrimps.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A potted history or biography contains just the main facts about someone or something. [BRIT ] □ The film is a potted history of the band.
3 → see also pot
pot|ter /pɒ tə r / (potters , pottering , pottered ) N‑COUNT A potter is someone who makes pottery.
▸ potter around or potter about PHRASAL VERB If you potter around or potter about , you do pleasant but unimportant things, without hurrying. [BRIT ] □ [V P ] I was perfectly happy just pottering around doing up my flat. □ [V P n] At weekends he would potter around the garden. in AM, use putter around
po t|ter's whee l (potter's wheels ) N‑COUNT A potter's wheel is a piece of equipment with a flat disc which spins round, on which a potter puts soft clay in order to shape it into a pot.
pot|tery /pɒ təri/ (potteries )
1 N‑UNCOUNT You can use pottery to refer to pots, dishes, and other objects which are made from clay and then baked in an oven until they are hard.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You can use pottery to refer to the hard clay that some pots, dishes, and other objects are made of. □ Some bowls were made of pottery and wood.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Pottery is the craft or activity of making objects out of clay.
4 N‑COUNT A pottery is a factory or other place where pottery is made.
po t|ting com|post (potting composts ) N‑VAR Potting compost is soil that is specially prepared to help plants to grow, especially in containers. [BRIT ] in AM, use compost
po t|ting shed (potting sheds ) N‑COUNT A potting shed is a small building in a garden, in which you can keep things such as seeds or garden tools.
pot|ty /pɒ ti/ (potties ) N‑COUNT A potty is a deep bowl which a small child uses instead of a toilet.
po t|ty trained also potty-trained ADJ Potty trained means the same as toilet trained . [BRIT ]
po t|ty train|ing also potty-training N‑UNCOUNT Potty training is the same as toilet training . [BRIT ]
pouch /paʊ tʃ/ (pouches )
1 N‑COUNT A pouch is a flexible container like a small bag.
2 N‑COUNT The pouch of an animal such as a kangaroo or a koala bear is the pocket of skin on its stomach in which its baby grows.
pouf /pʊ f/ → see poof
poul|tice /poʊ lt I s/ (poultices ) N‑COUNT A poultice is a piece of cloth with a soft, often hot, substance such as clay or a mixture of herbs on it. It is put over a painful or swollen part of someone's body in order to reduce the pain or swelling.
poul|try /poʊ ltri/ N‑PLURAL You can refer to chickens, ducks, and other birds that are kept for their eggs and meat as poultry . ● N‑UNCOUNT Meat from these birds is also referred to as poultry . □ The menu features roast meats and poultry.
pounce /paʊ ns/ (pounces , pouncing , pounced )
1 VERB If someone pounces on you, they come up towards you suddenly and take hold of you. □ [V + on/upon ] He pounced on the photographer, beat him up and smashed his camera. □ [V ] Fraud squad officers had bugged the phone and were ready to pounce.
2 VERB If someone pounces on something such as a mistake, they quickly draw attention to it, usually in order to gain an advantage for themselves or to prove that they are right. □ [V + on/upon ] The Democrats were ready to pounce on any Republican failings or mistakes. [Also V ]
3 VERB When an animal or bird pounces on something, it jumps on it and holds it, in order to kill it. □ [V + on/upon ] …like a tiger pouncing on its prey. □ [V ] Before I could get the pigeon the cat pounced.
pound ◆◆◆ /paʊ nd/ (pounds , pounding , pounded )
1 N‑COUNT [num N ] The pound is the unit of money which is used in the UK. It is represented by the symbol £. One UK pound is divided into a hundred pence. Some other countries, for example Egypt, also have a unit of money called a pound . □ Coffee is two pounds a cup. □ A thousand pounds worth of jewellery and silver has been stolen. □ …multi-million pound profits. □ …a pound coin. ● N‑SING [the N ] The pound is also used to refer to the UK currency system. □ The pound is expected to continue to increase against most other currencies.
2 N‑SING The pound is used to refer to the British currency system, and sometimes to the currency systems of other countries which use pounds. □ The pound is expected to continue to increase against most other currencies.
3 N‑COUNT [num N ] A pound is a unit of weight used mainly in Britain, America, and other countries where English is spoken. One pound is equal to 0.454 kilograms. A pound of something is a quantity of it that weighs one pound. □ Her weight was under ninety pounds. □ [+ of ] …a pound of cheese.
4 N‑COUNT A pound is a place where dogs and cats found wandering in the street are taken and kept until they are claimed by their owners.
5 N‑COUNT A pound is a place where cars that have been parked illegally are taken by the police and kept until they have been claimed by their owners.
6 VERB If you pound something or pound on it, you hit it with great force, usually loudly and repeatedly. □ [V n] He pounded the table with his fist. □ [V prep/adv] Somebody began pounding on the front door. □ [V n prep] She came at him, pounding her fists against his chest. □ [V -ing] …the pounding waves.
7 VERB If you pound something, you crush it into a paste or a powder or into very small pieces. □ [V n] She paused as she pounded the maize grains.
8 VERB If your heart is pounding , it is beating with an unusually strong and fast rhythm, usually because you are afraid. □ [V ] I'm sweating, my heart is pounding. I can't breathe. ● pound|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the fast pounding of her heart.
9 → see also pounding
-pounder /-paʊ ndə r / (-pounders )
1 COMB -pounder can be added to numbers to form nouns that refer to animals or fish that weigh a particular number of pounds. □ My fish average 2 lb 8 oz and I've had two eight-pounders.
2 COMB -pounder can be added to numbers to form nouns that refer to guns that fire shells weighing a particular number of pounds. □ The guns were twelve-pounders.
pound|ing /paʊ nd I ŋ/ (poundings )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If someone or something takes a pounding , they are severely injured or damaged. [INFORMAL ] □ Sarajevo took one of its worst poundings in weeks.
2 → see also pound
pour ◆◇◇ /pɔː r / (pours , pouring , poured )
1 VERB If you pour a liquid or other substance, you make it flow steadily out of a container by holding the container at an angle. □ [V n prep] Pour a pool of sauce on two plates and arrange the meat neatly. □ [V n with adv] Heat the oil in a non-stick frying-pan, then pour in the egg mixture.
2 VERB If you pour someone a drink, you put some of the drink in a cup or glass so that they can drink it. □ [V n n] He got up and poured himself another drink. □ [V n + for ] Quietly Mark poured and served drinks for all of them. [Also V n]
3 VERB When a liquid or other substance pours somewhere, for example through a hole, it flows quickly and in large quantities. □ [V prep/adv] Blood was pouring from his broken nose. □ [V prep/adv] Tears poured down both our faces. □ [V prep/adv] The tide poured in from the south.
4 VERB [usu cont] When it rains very heavily, you can say that it is pouring . □ [V ] It has been pouring with rain all week. □ [V down ] The rain was pouring down. □ [V -ing] We drove all the way through pouring rain.
5 VERB If people pour into or out of a place, they go there quickly and in large numbers. □ [V prep/adv] Any day now, the Northern forces may pour across the new border. □ [V prep/adv] Holidaymakers continued to pour down to the coast in search of surf and sun.
6 VERB If something such as information pours into a place, a lot of it is obtained or given. □ [V adv/prep] Martin, 78, died yesterday. Tributes poured in from around the globe.
7 PHRASE If someone pours cold water on a plan or idea, they criticize it so much that people lose their enthusiasm for it. □ The education secretary poured cold water on the recommendations of a working party.
8 to pour scorn on something → see scorn
▸ pour into PHRASAL VERB If you pour money or supplies into an activity or organization, or if it pours in , a lot of money or supplies are given in order to do the activity or help the organization. □ [V n P n] The Prime Minister poured billions into financial services. □ [V P ] Food donations have poured in from all over the country.
▸ pour out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you pour out a drink, you put some of it in a cup or glass. □ [V P n] Larry was pouring out some drinks. □ [V n P ] Carefully and slowly he poured the tea out.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you pour out your thoughts, feelings, or experiences, you tell someone all about them. □ [V n P ] I poured my thoughts out on paper in an attempt to rationalize my feelings.
pout /paʊ t/ (pouts , pouting , pouted ) VERB If someone pouts , they stick out their lips, usually in order to show that they are annoyed or to make themselves sexually attractive. □ [V ] He whined and pouted when he did not get what he wanted. □ [V -ing] …gorgeous pouting models. ● N‑COUNT Pout is also a noun. □ She shot me a reproachful pout.
pov|er|ty ◆◇◇ /pɒ və r ti/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Poverty is the state of being extremely poor. □ …people living in absolute poverty.
2 N‑SING You can use poverty to refer to any situation in which there is not enough of something or its quality is poor. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Britain has suffered from a poverty of ambition.
po v|er|ty line N‑SING If someone is on the poverty line , they have just enough income to buy the things they need in order to live. □ Thirteen per cent of the population live below the poverty line.
po verty-stricken ADJ [usu ADJ n] Poverty-stricken people or places are extremely poor. □ …a teacher of poverty-stricken kids.
po v|er|ty trap (poverty traps ) N‑COUNT If someone is in a poverty trap , they are very poor but cannot improve their income because the money they get from the government decreases as the money they earn increases.
POW /piː oʊ dʌ b ə ljuː/ (POWs ) N‑COUNT A POW is the same as a prisoner of war .
pow|der /paʊ də r / (powders , powdering , powdered )
1 N‑VAR Powder consists of many tiny particles of a solid substance. □ The wood turns to powder in his fingers. □ …a fine white powder. □ …cocoa powder.
2 VERB If a woman powders her face or some other part of her body, she puts face powder or talcum powder on it. □ [V n] She powdered her face and applied her lipstick and rouge. □ [V -ed] …the old woman's powdered face.
3 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Powder is very fine snow. □ …a day's powder skiing.
4 → see also baking powder , chilli powder , curry powder , talcum powder , washing powder
po w|der blue also powder-blue COLOUR Something that is powder blue is a pale greyish-blue colour.
pow|dered /paʊ də r d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A powdered substance is one which is in the form of a powder although it can come in a different form. □ There are only two tins of powdered milk left.
po w|der keg (powder kegs ) also powder-keg N‑COUNT If you describe a situation or a place as a powder keg , you mean that it could easily become very dangerous. □ Unless these questions are solved, the region will remain a powder keg.
po w|der room (powder rooms ) N‑COUNT A powder room is a room for women in a public building such as a hotel, where they can use the toilet, have a wash, or put on make-up. [FORMAL ]
pow|dery /paʊ dəri/ ADJ Something that is powdery looks or feels like powder. □ A couple of inches of dry, powdery snow had fallen.
pow|er ◆◆◆ /paʊ ə r / (powers , powering , powered )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If someone has power , they have a lot of control over people and activities. □ In a democracy, power must be divided. □ …a political power struggle between the Liberals and National Party.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N to-inf] Your power to do something is your ability to do it. □ Human societies have the power to solve the problems confronting them. □ [+ of ] He was so drunk that he had lost the power of speech.
3 N‑UNCOUNT If it is in or within your power to do something, you are able to do it or you have the resources to deal with it. □ Your debt situation is only temporary, and it is within your power to resolve it.
4 N‑UNCOUNT If someone in authority has the power to do something, they have the legal right to do it. □ The police have the power of arrest.
5 N‑UNCOUNT [oft in N ] If people take power or come to power , they take charge of a country's affairs. If a group of people are in power , they are in charge of a country's affairs. □ In 1964 Labour came into power. □ He first assumed power in 1970. □ The party has been in power since independence in 1964.
6 N‑COUNT You can use power to refer to a country that is very rich or important, or has strong military forces. □ The country is a major power in an area of great strategic importance.
7 N‑UNCOUNT The power of something is the ability that it has to move or affect things. □ The Roadrunner had better power, better tyres, and better brakes. □ …massive computing power.
8 N‑UNCOUNT Power is energy, especially electricity, that is obtained in large quantities from a fuel source and used to operate lights, heating, and machinery. □ Nuclear power is cleaner than coal. □ Power has been restored to most parts that were hit last night by high winds.
9 VERB The device or fuel that powers a machine provides the energy that the machine needs in order to work. □ [V n] The battery could power an electric car for 600 miles on a single charge. ● -powered COMB □ …battery-powered radios. □ …nuclear-powered submarines.
10 → see also high-powered
11 ADJ [ADJ n] Power tools are operated by electricity. □ …large power tools, such as chainsaws. □ …a power drill.
12 N‑SING In mathematics, power is used in expressions such as 2 to the power of 4 or 2 to the 4th power to indicate that 2 must be multiplied by itself 4 times. This is written in numbers as 2⁴, or 2 x 2 x 2 x 2, which equals 16.
13 PHRASE You can refer to people in authority as the powers that be , especially when you want to say that you disagree with them or do not understand what they say or do. □ The powers that be, in this case the independent Television Association, banned the advertisement altogether.
▸ power ahead PHRASAL VERB If an economy or company powers ahead , it becomes stronger and more successful. □ [V P ] The most widely held view is the market will continue to power ahead. □ [V P ] It all leaves the way clear for Tesco to power ahead.
▸ power up PHRASAL VERB When you power up something such as a computer or a machine, you connect it to a power supply and switch it on. □ [V P n] Simply power up your laptop and continue work. [Also V n P ]
po w|er base (power bases ) also power-base N‑COUNT [oft with poss] The power base of a politician or other leader is the area or the group of people from which they get most support, and which enables him or her to become powerful. □ Milan was Mr Craxi's home town and his power base.
power|boat /paʊ ə r boʊt/ (powerboats ) N‑COUNT A powerboat is a very fast, powerful motorboat.
po w|er bro|ker (power brokers ) N‑COUNT A power broker is someone who has a lot of influence, especially in politics, and uses it to help other people gain power. □ Jackson had been a major power broker in the 1988 Presidential elections.
po w|er cut (power cuts ) N‑COUNT A power cut is a period of time when the electricity supply to a particular building or area is stopped, sometimes deliberately. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use outage
po w|er fail|ure (power failures ) N‑VAR A power failure is a period of time when the electricity supply to a particular building or area is interrupted, for example because of damage to the cables.
pow|er|ful ◆◆◇ /paʊ ə r fʊl/
1 ADJ A powerful person or organization is able to control or influence people and events. □ You're a powerful man–people will listen to you. □ …Russia and India, two large, powerful countries.
2 → see also all-powerful
3 ADJ You say that someone's body is powerful when it is physically strong. □ Hans flexed his powerful muscles. ● pow|er|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He is described as a strong, powerfully-built man of 60.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A powerful machine or substance is effective because it is very strong. □ …powerful computer systems. □ …a powerful magnet. ● pow|er|ful|ly ADV [ADV adj] □ The substance is powerfully addictive.
5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A powerful smell is very strong. □ There was a powerful smell of garlic. ● pow|er|ful|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ The railway station smelt powerfully of cats and drains.
6 ADJ A powerful voice is loud and can be heard from a long way away. □ At that moment the housekeeper's powerful voice interrupted them, announcing a visitor.
7 ADJ You describe a piece of writing, speech, or work of art as powerful when it has a strong effect on people's feelings or beliefs. □ …Bleasdale's powerful 11-part drama about a corrupt city leader. ● pow|er|ful|ly ADV [ADV -ed, ADV after v] □ It's a play–painful, funny and powerfully acted. SYNONYMS powerful ADJ
1
influential: It helps to have influential friends.
dominant: She was a dominant figure in the French film industry.
commanding: Right now you're in a more commanding position than you have been for ages.
3
strong: I'm not strong enough to carry him.
mighty: …a land marked with vast lakes and mighty rivers.
vigorous: Sir Robert was a strong and vigorous politician.
sturdy: She was a short, sturdy woman in her early sixties.
po w|er game (power games ) N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] You can refer to a situation in which different people or groups are competing for power as a power game , especially if you disapprove of the methods they are using in order to try to win power. □ …the dangerous power games following the dictator's death.
power|house /paʊ ə r haʊs/ (powerhouses ) N‑COUNT A powerhouse is a country or organization that has a lot of power or influence. □ The country is an economic powerhouse.
pow|er|less /paʊ ə r ləs/
1 ADJ Someone who is powerless is unable to control or influence events. □ If you don't have money, you're powerless. ● pow|er|less|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ If we can't bring our problems under control, feelings of powerlessness often ensue.
2 ADJ [ADJ to-inf] If you are powerless to do something, you are completely unable to do it. □ People are being murdered every day and I am powerless to stop it.
po w|er line (power lines ) N‑COUNT A power line is a cable, especially above ground, along which electricity is passed to an area or building.
po w|er of at|to r|ney N‑UNCOUNT Power of attorney is a legal document which allows you to appoint someone, for example a lawyer, to act on your behalf in specified matters.
po w|er plant (power plants ) N‑COUNT A power plant is the same as a power station .
po w|er play (power plays ) also power-play
1 N‑COUNT A power play is an attempt to gain an advantage by showing that you are more powerful than another person or organization, for example in a business relationship or negotiation. □ Their politics consisted of unstable power-plays between rival groups.
2 N‑UNCOUNT In a game of ice hockey, power play is a period of time when one team has more players because one or more of the other team is in the penalty box.
po w|er point (power points ) N‑COUNT A power point is a place in a wall where you can connect electrical equipment to the electricity supply. [BRIT ] in AM, usually use outlet , wall socket
po wer-sharing also power sharing N‑UNCOUNT Power-sharing is a political arrangement in which different or opposing groups all take part in government together.
po w|er sta|tion (power stations ) N‑COUNT A power station is a place where electricity is produced.
po w|er stee r|ing N‑UNCOUNT In a vehicle, power steering is a system for steering which uses power from the engine so that it is easier for the driver to steer the vehicle.
pow-wow /paʊ waʊ/ (pow-wows ) also powwow N‑COUNT People sometimes refer to a meeting or discussion as a pow-wow . [INFORMAL ] □ Every year my father would call a family powwow to discuss where we were going on vacation.
pox /pɒ ks/
1 N‑SING People sometimes refer to the disease syphilis as the pox . [INFORMAL ]
2 → see also chickenpox , smallpox
poxy /pɒ ksi/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe something or someone as poxy , you think that they are insignificant, too small, or bad in some other way. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …some poxy band from Denver. □ …a poxy one per cent of the transport budget.
pp
1 pp is written before a person's name at the bottom of a formal or business letter in order to indicate that they have signed the letter on behalf of the person whose name appears before theirs. [BUSINESS ] □ …J.R. Adams, pp D. Philips.
2 pp. is the plural of 'p.' and means 'pages'. [WRITTEN ] □ See chapter 6, pp. 137-41.
PPS /piː piː e s/ (PPSs ) N‑COUNT In Britain, a PPS is a Member of Parliament who is appointed by a more senior Member to help them with their duties. PPS is an abbreviation for 'parliamentary private secretary'.
PPV /piː piː viː / N‑UNCOUNT PPV is an abbreviation for pay-per-view .
PR ◆◇◇ /piː ɑː r /
1 N‑UNCOUNT PR is an abbreviation for public relations . [BUSINESS ] □ It will be good PR. □ …a PR firm.
2 N‑UNCOUNT PR is an abbreviation for proportional representation .
prac|ti|cable /præ kt I kəb ə l/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a task, plan, or idea is practicable , people are able to carry it out. [FORMAL ] □ It is not reasonably practicable to offer her the original job back. ● prac|ti|cabil|ity /præ kt I kəb I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Knotman and I discussed the practicability of the idea.
prac|ti|cal ◆◇◇ /præ kt I k ə l/ (practicals )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] The practical aspects of something involve real situations and events, rather than just ideas and theories. □ We can offer you practical suggestions on how to increase the fibre in your daily diet. □ This practical guidebook teaches you about relaxation, coping skills, and time management.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] You describe people as practical when they make sensible decisions and deal effectively with problems. [APPROVAL ] □ You were always so practical, Maria. □ He lacked any of the practical common sense essential in management.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Practical ideas and methods are likely to be effective or successful in a real situation. □ Although the causes of cancer are being uncovered, we do not yet have any practical way to prevent it.
4 ADJ You can describe clothes and things in your house as practical when they are suitable for a particular purpose rather than just being fashionable or attractive. □ Our clothes are lightweight, fashionable, practical for holidays.
5 N‑COUNT A practical is an examination or a lesson in which you make things or do experiments rather than simply writing answers to questions. [mainly BRIT ]
prac|ti|cal|ity /præ kt I kæ l I ti/ (practicalities ) N‑VAR The practicalities of a situation are the practical aspects of it, as opposed to its theoretical aspects. □ [+ of ] Decisions about your children should be based on the practicalities of everyday life.
pra c|ti|cal jo ke (practical jokes ) N‑COUNT A practical joke is a trick that is intended to embarrass someone or make them look ridiculous.
prac|ti|cal|ly /præ kt I kəli/
1 ADV Practically means almost, but not completely or exactly. □ He'd known the old man practically all his life. □ I know people who find it practically impossible to give up smoking.
2 ADV [ADV adj/-ed] You use practically to describe something which involves real actions or events rather than ideas or theories. □ The course is more practically based than the Masters degree.
prac|tice ◆◆◇ /præ kt I s/ (practices )
1 N‑COUNT You can refer to something that people do regularly as a practice . □ Some firms have cut workers' pay below the level set in their contract, a practice that is illegal in Germany. □ The Prime Minister demanded a public inquiry into bank practices.
2 N‑VAR Practice means doing something regularly in order to be able to do it better. A practice is one of these periods of doing something. □ She was taking all three of her daughters to basketball practice every day. □ The defending world racing champion recorded the fastest time in a final practice today.
3 N‑UNCOUNT The work done by doctors and lawyers is referred to as the practice of medicine and law. People's religious activities are referred to as the practice of a religion. □ [+ of ] …the practice of internal medicine. □ I eventually realized I had to change my attitude toward medical practice.
4 N‑COUNT A doctor's or lawyer's practice is his or her business, often shared with other doctors or lawyers. □ The new doctor's practice was miles away from where I lived.
5 → see also practise
6 PHRASE What happens in practice is what actually happens, in contrast to what is supposed to happen. □ In actual practice, of course, it's more complicated. □ In practice, workers do not work to satisfy their needs.
7 PHRASE If something such as a procedure is normal practice or standard practice , it is the usual thing that is done in a particular situation. □ It is normal practice not to reveal details of a patient's condition. □ The transcript is full of codewords, which is standard practice in any army.
8 PHRASE If you are out of practice at doing something, you have not had much experience of it recently, although you used to do it a lot or be quite good at it. □ 'How's your German?'—'Not bad, but I'm out of practice.'
9 PHRASE If you put a belief or method into practice , you behave or act in accordance with it. □ Now that he is back, the prime minister has another chance to put his new ideas into practice. COLLOCATIONS practice NOUN
1
noun + practice : accounting, business, management, work
adjective + practice : common, normal, standard; questionable, unfair
practice + be + adjective : widespread
verb + practice : adopt, develop; end, stop
4
noun + practice : GP, law
adjective + practice : architectural, dental, legal, medical; private SYNONYMS practice NOUN 1
custom: The custom of tipping has never taken root in the minicab world.
way: Direct confrontation was not his way.
tradition: …the rich traditions of Afro-Cuban music, and dance.
habit: He has an endearing habit of licking his lips when he's nervous.
prac|tise /præ kt I s/ (practises , practising , practised ) in AM, use practice 1 VERB If you practise something, you keep doing it regularly in order to be able to do it better. □ [V n] Lauren practises the piano every day. □ [V ] When she wanted to get something right, she would practise and practise and practise.
2 → see also practised
3 VERB When people practise something such as a custom, craft, or religion, they take part in the activities associated with it. □ [V n] …countries which practise multi-party politics. □ [V n] Acupuncture was practised in China as long ago as the third millennium BC. ● prac|tis|ing ADJ [ADJ n] □ The church insisted all employees must be practising Christians.
4 VERB [usu passive] If something cruel is regularly done to people, you can say that it is practised on them. □ [be V -ed + on ] There are consistent reports of electrical torture being practised on inmates.
5 VERB Someone who practises medicine or law works as a doctor or a lawyer. □ [V n] In Belgium only qualified doctors may practise alternative medicine. □ [V + as ] He practised as a lawyer there until his retirement. □ [V ] The ways in which solicitors practise are varied. □ [V -ing] An art historian and collector, he was also a practising architect.
6 to practise what you preach → see preach
prac|tised /præ kt I st/ in AM, use practiced ADJ Someone who is practised at doing something is good at it because they have had experience and have developed their skill at it. □ …a practised and experienced surgeon.
prac|ti|tion|er /prækt I ʃənə r / (practitioners )
1 N‑COUNT Doctors are sometimes referred to as practitioners or medical practitioners . [FORMAL ]
2 → see also GP
prae|to|rian guard /pr I tɔː riən gɑː r d/ N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] You can use praetorian guard to refer to a group of people who are close associates and loyal supporters of someone important. [FORMAL ]
prag|mat|ic /prægmæ t I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A pragmatic way of dealing with something is based on practical considerations, rather than theoretical ones. A pragmatic person deals with things in a practical way. □ …a pragmatic approach to the problems faced by Latin America. ● prag|mati|cal|ly /prægmæ t I kli/ ADV [usu ADV with v, ADV adj] □ 'I can't ever see us doing anything else,' states Brian pragmatically.
prag|mat|ics /prægmæ t I ks/ N‑SING Pragmatics is the branch of linguistics that deals with the meanings and effects which come from the use of language in particular situations.
prag|ma|tism /præ gmət I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Pragmatism means thinking of or dealing with problems in a practical way, rather than by using theory or abstract principles. [FORMAL ] □ She had a reputation for clear thinking and pragmatism. ● prag|ma|tist (pragmatists ) N‑COUNT □ He is a political pragmatist, not an idealist.
prai|rie /preə ri/ (prairies ) N‑VAR A prairie is a large area of flat, grassy land in North America. Prairies have very few trees.
prai |rie dog (prairie dogs ) N‑COUNT A prairie dog is a type of small furry animal that lives underground in the prairies of North America.
praise ◆◇◇ /pre I z/ (praises , praising , praised )
1 VERB If you praise someone or something, you express approval for their achievements or qualities. □ [V n + for ] The American president praised Turkey for its courage. □ [V n] He praised the excellent work of the U.N. weapons inspectors.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Praise is what you say or write about someone when you are praising them. □ [+ for ] All the ladies are full of praise for the staff and service they received. □ That is high praise indeed.
3 VERB If you praise God, you express your respect, honour, and thanks to God. □ [V n] She asked the church to praise God.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Praise is the expression of respect, honour, and thanks to God. □ [+ of ] Hindus were singing hymns in praise of the god Rama.
praise|worthy /pre I zwɜː r ði/ ADJ If you say that something is praiseworthy , you mean that you approve of it and it deserves to be praised. [FORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ …the government's praiseworthy efforts to improve efficiency in health and education.
pra|line /prɑː liːn, pre I -/ N‑UNCOUNT Praline is a sweet substance made from nuts cooked in boiling sugar. It is used in desserts and as a filling for chocolates.
pram /præ m/ (prams ) N‑COUNT A pram is a small vehicle in which a baby can lie as it is pushed along. [BRIT ] in AM, usually use baby carriage
prance /prɑː ns, præ ns/ (prances , prancing , pranced )
1 VERB If someone prances around, they walk or move around with exaggerated movements, usually because they want people to look at them and admire them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V adv/prep] He was horrified at the thought of his son prancing about on a stage in tights.
2 VERB When a horse prances , it moves with quick, high steps. □ [V ] Their horses pranced and whinnied. □ [V prep/adv] …as the carriage horses pranced through the bustling thoroughfares. □ [V -ing] …a prancing light-footed mare named Princess.
prank /præ ŋk/ (pranks ) N‑COUNT A prank is a childish trick. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
prank|ster /præ ŋkstə r / (pranksters ) N‑COUNT A prankster is someone who plays tricks and practical jokes on people. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
prat /præ t/ (prats ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a prat , you are saying in an unkind way that you think that they are very stupid or foolish. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ What's that prat doing out there now?
prat|fall /præ tfɔːl/ (pratfalls )
1 N‑COUNT If someone takes a pratfall , they make an embarrassing mistake. [mainly AM ] □ They're waiting for the poor little rich girl to take a pratfall.
2 N‑COUNT A pratfall is a fall onto your bottom. [mainly AM ]
prat|tle /præ t ə l/ (prattles , prattling , prattled ) VERB If you say that someone prattles on about something, you are criticizing them because they are talking a great deal without saying anything important. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + on/away about ] Lou prattled on about various trivialities till I wanted to scream. □ [V on/away ] She prattled on as she drove out to the Highway. □ [V ] Archie, shut up. You're prattling. ● N‑UNCOUNT Prattle is also a noun. □ What a bore it was to listen to the woman's prattle!
prawn /prɔː n/ (prawns ) N‑COUNT A prawn is a small shellfish with a long tail and many legs, which can be eaten. [BRIT ] in AM, use shrimp
pra wn co ck|tail (prawn cocktails ) N‑VAR A prawn cocktail is a dish that consists of prawns, salad, and a sauce. It is usually eaten at the beginning of a meal. [BRIT ] in AM, use shrimp cocktail
pray /pre I / (prays , praying , prayed )
1 VERB When people pray , they speak to God in order to give thanks or to ask for his help. □ [V ] He spent his time in prison praying and studying. □ [V + to ] Now all we have to do is help ourselves and pray to God. □ [V + for ] …all those who work and pray for peace. □ [V that] Kelly prayed that God would judge her with mercy. [Also V with quote, V to-inf]
2 VERB [usu cont] When someone is hoping very much that something will happen, you can say that they are praying that it will happen. □ [V that] I'm just praying that the authorities will do something before it's too late. □ [V + for ] Many were secretly praying for a compromise.
prayer /preə r / (prayers )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Prayer is the activity of speaking to God. □ They had joined a religious order and dedicated their lives to prayer and good works. □ The night was spent in prayer.
2 N‑COUNT A prayer is the words a person says when they speak to God. □ They should take a little time and say a prayer for the people on both sides.
3 N‑COUNT You can refer to a strong hope that you have as your prayer . □ This drug could be the answer to our prayers.
4 N‑PLURAL A short religious service at which people gather to pray can be referred to as prayers . □ He promised that the boy would be back at school in time for evening prayers.
pra yer book (prayer books ) N‑COUNT A prayer book is a book which contains the prayers which are used in church or at home.
pra yer meet|ing (prayer meetings ) N‑COUNT A prayer meeting is a religious meeting where people say prayers to God.
PREFIX pre-
forms words that refer to something that takes place before a particular date, period, or event. For example, prehistoric people and things existed at a time before information was written down.
preach /priː tʃ/ (preaches , preaching , preached )
1 VERB When a member of the clergy preaches a sermon, he or she gives a talk on a religious or moral subject during a religious service. □ [V n] At High Mass the priest preached a sermon on the devil. □ [V + to ] The bishop preached to a crowd of several hundred local people. □ [V ] He denounced the decision to invite his fellow archbishop to preach. [Also V + against/on ]
2 VERB When people preach a belief or a course of action, they try to persuade other people to accept the belief or to take the course of action. □ [V n] He tried to preach peace and tolerance to his people. □ [V that] Health experts are now preaching that even a little exercise is far better than none at all. □ [V + against/about ] For many years I have preached against war.
3 VERB If someone gives you advice in a very serious, boring way, you can say that they are preaching at you. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + at ] 'Don't preach at me,' he shouted.
4 PHRASE If you say that someone practises what they preach , you mean that they behave in the way that they encourage other people to behave in. □ He ought to practise what he preaches.
5 PHRASE If you say that someone is preaching to the converted , you mean that they are wasting their time because they are trying to persuade people to think or believe in things that they already think or believe in.
preach|er /priː tʃə r / (preachers ) N‑COUNT A preacher is a person, usually a member of the clergy, who preaches sermons as part of a church service.
pre|am|ble /priː æmb ə l/ (preambles ) N‑VAR A preamble is an introduction that comes before something you say or write. □ [+ to/of ] The controversy has arisen over the text of the preamble to the unification treaty.
pre|ar|range /priː əre I ndʒ/ (prearranges , prearranging , prearranged ) also pre-arrange VERB If you prearrange something, you plan or arrange it before the time when it actually happens. □ [V n] When you prearrange your funeral, you can pick your own flowers and music.
pre|ar|ranged /priː əre I ndʒd/ also pre-arranged ADJ [ADJ n] You use prearranged to indicate that something has been planned or arranged before the time when it actually happens. □ Working to a prearranged plan, he rang the First Secretary and requested an appointment with the Ambassador.
pre|cari|ous /pr I keə riəs/
1 ADJ If your situation is precarious , you are not in complete control of events and might fail in what you are doing at any moment. □ Our financial situation had become precarious. □ …the Government's precarious position. ● pre|cari|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/adv] □ The hunter-gatherer lifestyle today survives precariously in remote regions. ● pre|cari|ous|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Wells was well aware of the precariousness of human life.
2 ADJ Something that is precarious is not securely held in place and seems likely to fall or collapse at any moment. □ They looked rather comical as they crawled up precarious ladders. ● pre|cari|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/adv] □ One of my grocery bags was still precariously perched on the car bumper.
pre|cau|tion /pr I kɔː ʃ ə n/ (precautions ) N‑COUNT A precaution is an action that is intended to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant from happening. □ Could he not, just as a precaution, move to a place of safety? □ Extra safety precautions are essential in homes where older people live.
pre|cau|tion|ary /pr I kɔː ʃənri, [AM ] -neri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Precautionary actions are taken in order to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant from happening. [FORMAL ] □ The local administration says the curfew is a precautionary measure.
pre|cede /pr I siː d/ (precedes , preceding , preceded )
1 VERB If one event or period of time precedes another, it happens before it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Intensive negotiations between the main parties preceded the vote. □ [be V -ed + by ] The earthquake was preceded by a loud roar and lasted 20 seconds. □ [V -ing] Industrial orders had already fallen in the preceding months.
2 VERB If you precede someone somewhere, you go in front of them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He gestured to Alice to precede them from the room. □ [be V -ed + by ] They were preceded by mounted cowboys.
3 VERB A sentence, paragraph, or chapter that precedes another one comes just before it. □ [V n] Look at the information that precedes the paragraph in question. □ [V -ing] Repeat the exercises described in the preceding section.
prec|edence /pre s I dəns/ N‑UNCOUNT If one thing takes precedence over another, it is regarded as more important than the other thing. □ [+ over ] Have as much fun as possible at college, but don't let it take precedence over work.
prec|edent /pre s I dənt/ (precedents ) N‑VAR If there is a precedent for an action or event, it has happened before, and this can be regarded as an argument for doing it again. [FORMAL ] □ [+ for ] The trial could set an important precedent for dealing with large numbers of similar cases.
pre|cept /priː sept/ (precepts ) N‑COUNT A precept is a general rule that helps you to decide how you should behave in particular circumstances. [FORMAL ] □ …an electoral process based on the precept that all men are born equal.
pre|cinct /priː s I ŋkt/ (precincts )
1 N‑COUNT A shopping precinct is an area in the centre of a town in which cars are not allowed. [BRIT ] □ The Centre was a pedestrian precinct with a bandstand in the middle.
2 N‑COUNT A precinct is a part of a city which has its own police force and fire service. [AM ] □ The shooting occurred in the 34th Precinct.
3 N‑PLURAL The precincts of an institution are its buildings and land. [FORMAL ] □ No one carrying arms is allowed within the precincts of a temple.
pre|cious /pre ʃəs/
1 ADJ If you say that something such as a resource is precious , you mean that it is valuable and should not be wasted or used badly. □ After four months in foreign parts, every hour at home was precious. □ Water is becoming an increasingly precious resource.
2 ADJ Precious objects and materials are worth a lot of money because they are rare. □ …jewellery and precious objects belonging to her mother.
3 ADJ If something is precious to you, you regard it as important and do not want to lose it. □ [+ to ] Her family's support is particularly precious to Josie.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] People sometimes use precious to emphasize their dislike for things which other people think are important. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ You don't care about anything but yourself and your precious face.
5 PHRASE If you say that there is precious little of something, you are emphasizing that there is very little of it, and that it would be better if there were more. Precious few has a similar meaning. [EMPHASIS ] □ The banks have had precious little to celebrate recently. □ Precious few homebuyers will notice any reduction in their monthly repayments.
pre |cious me t|al (precious metals ) N‑VAR A precious metal is a valuable metal such as gold or silver.
pre |cious sto ne (precious stones ) N‑COUNT A precious stone is a valuable stone, such as a diamond or a ruby, that is used for making jewellery.
preci|pice /pre s I p I s/ (precipices )
1 N‑COUNT A precipice is a very steep cliff on a mountain.
2 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is on the edge of a precipice , you mean that they are in a dangerous situation in which they are extremely close to disaster or failure. □ The King now stands on the brink of a political precipice.
pre|cipi|tate (precipitates , precipitating , precipitated ) The verb is pronounced /pr I s I pəte I t/. The adjective is pronounced /pr I s I p I tət/. 1 VERB If something precipitates an event or situation, usually a bad one, it causes it to happen suddenly or sooner than normal. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The recent killings have precipitated the worst crisis yet. □ [V n] A slight mistake could precipitate a disaster.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A precipitate action or decision happens or is made more quickly or suddenly than most people think is sensible. [FORMAL ] □ I don't think we should make precipitate decisions. ● pre|cipi|tate|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Somebody hired from another country is not likely to resign precipitately.
pre|cipi|ta|tion /pr I s I p I te I ʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Precipitation is rain, snow, or hail. [TECHNICAL ]
2 N‑UNCOUNT Precipitation is a process in a chemical reaction which causes solid particles to become separated from a liquid. [TECHNICAL ]
pre|cipi|tous /pr I s I p I təs/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A precipitous slope or drop is very steep and often dangerous. □ The town is perched on the edge of a steep, precipitous cliff. ● pre|cipi|tous|ly ADV [usu ADV after v, oft ADV adj] □ The ground beyond the road fell away precipitously.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A precipitous change is sudden and unpleasant. □ The stock market's precipitous drop frightened foreign investors. ● pre|cipi|tous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The company has seen its profits fall precipitously over the past few years.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A precipitous action happens very quickly and often without being planned. □ …a precipitous decision. ● pre|cipi|tous|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ They've got to act precipitously to make the deals.
pré|cis /pre I si, [AM ] pre I siː / The form précis is both the singular and the plural form. It is pronounced /pre I siz/ when it is the plural. N‑COUNT A précis is a short written or spoken account of something, which gives the important points but not the details. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] A précis of the manuscript was sent to the magazine New Idea.
pre|cise /pr I sa I s/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] You use precise to emphasize that you are referring to an exact thing, rather than something vague. [EMPHASIS ] □ At that precise moment I felt sorry for him and didn't want to hurt him. □ The precise location of the wreck was discovered in 1988. □ He was not clear on the precise nature of his mission.
2 ADJ Something that is precise is exact and accurate in all its details. □ He does not talk too much and what he has to say is precise and to the point.
3 PHRASE You say ' to be precise ' to indicate that you are giving more detailed or accurate information than you have just given. □ More than a week ago, Thursday evening to be precise, she was at her evening class.
pre|cise|ly ◆◇◇ /pr I sa I sli/
1 ADV [ADV with v] Precisely means accurately and exactly. □ Nobody knows precisely how many people are still living in the camp. □ The meeting began at precisely 4.00 p.m.
2 ADV You can use precisely to emphasize that a reason or fact is the only important one there is, or that it is obvious. [EMPHASIS ] □ Children come to zoos precisely to see captive animals.
3 ADV [as reply] You can say ' precisely ' to confirm in an emphatic way that what someone has just said is true. [EMPHASIS ] □ 'Did you find yourself wondering what went wrong?'—'Precisely.' SYNONYMS precisely ADV 1
exactly: Agnew's car pulled into the driveway at exactly five o'clock.
accurately: The test can accurately predict what a bigger explosion would do.
strictly: Actually, that is not strictly true.
pre|ci|sion /pr I s I ʒ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft with N ] If you do something with precision , you do it exactly as it should be done. □ The interior is planned with a precision the military would be proud of.
pre|clude /pr I kluː d/ (precludes , precluding , precluded )
1 VERB If something precludes an event or action, it prevents the event or action from happening. [FORMAL ] □ [V n/v-ing] At 84, John feels his age precludes too much travel.
2 VERB If something precludes you from doing something or going somewhere, it prevents you from doing it or going there. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + from ] A constitutional amendment precludes any president from serving more than two terms.
pre|co|cious /pr I koʊ ʃəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A precocious child is very clever, mature, or good at something, often in a way that you usually only expect to find in an adult. □ Margaret was always a precocious child. ● pre|co|cious|ly ADV [usu ADV adj, oft ADV with v] □ He was a precociously bright school boy.
pre|coc|ity /pr I kɒ s I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Precocity is the quality of being precocious. [FORMAL ]
pre|con|ceived /priː kənsiː vd/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you have preconceived ideas about something, you have already formed an opinion about it before you have enough information or experience. □ We all start with preconceived notions of what we want from life.
pre|con|cep|tion /priː kənse pʃ ə n/ (preconceptions ) N‑COUNT Your preconceptions about something are beliefs formed about it before you have enough information or experience. □ Did you have any preconceptions about the sort of people who did computing?
pre|con|di|tion /priː kənd I ʃ ə n/ (preconditions ) N‑COUNT If one thing is a precondition for another, it must happen or be done before the second thing can happen or exist. [FORMAL ] □ [+ for/of/to ] They made multi-party democracy a precondition for giving aid.
pre -coo ked also precooked ADJ [usu ADJ n] Pre-cooked food has been prepared and cooked in advance so that it only needs to be heated quickly before you eat it.
pre|cur|sor /priːkɜː r sə r / (precursors ) N‑COUNT A precursor of something is a similar thing that happened or existed before it, often something which led to the existence or development of that thing. □ [+ to ] He said that the deal should not be seen as a precursor to a merger.
pre|date /priː de I t/ (predates , predating , predated ) VERB If you say that one thing predated another, you mean that the first thing happened or existed some time before the second thing. □ [V n] His troubles predated the recession.
preda|tor /pre dətə r / (predators )
1 N‑COUNT A predator is an animal that kills and eats other animals.
2 N‑COUNT People sometimes refer to predatory people or organizations as predators . □ The company is worried about takeovers by various predators.
preda|tory /pre dətri, [AM ] -tɔːri/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Predatory animals live by killing other animals for food. □ …predatory birds like the eagle.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Predatory people or organizations are eager to gain something out of someone else's weakness or suffering. □ People who run small businesses are frightened by the predatory behaviour of the banks.
pre da|tory pri c|ing N‑UNCOUNT If a company practises predatory pricing , it charges a much lower price for its products or services than its competitors in order to force them out of the market. [BUSINESS ] □ Predatory pricing by large supermarkets was threatening the livelihood of smaller businesses.
pre|de|cease /priː d I siː s/ (predeceases , predeceasing , predeceased ) VERB If one person predeceases another, they die before them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] His wife of 63 years, Mary, predeceased him by 11 months.
pre|de|ces|sor /priː d I sesə r , [AM ] pre d-/ (predecessors )
1 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] Your predecessor is the person who had your job before you. □ He maintained that he learned everything he knew from his predecessor.
2 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] The predecessor of an object or machine is the object or machine that came before it in a sequence or process of development. □ The car is some 40mm shorter than its predecessor.
pre|des|ti|na|tion /priː dest I ne I ʃ ə n, [AM ] priːde st-/ N‑UNCOUNT If you believe in predestination , you believe that people have no control over events because everything has already been decided by a power such as God or fate.
pre|des|tined /priː de st I nd/ ADJ If you say that something was predestined , you mean that it could not have been prevented or changed because it had already been decided by a power such as God or fate. □ His was not a political career predestined from birth.
pre|de|ter|mined /priː d I tɜː r m I nd/ ADJ If you say that something is predetermined , you mean that its form or nature was decided by previous events or by people rather than by chance. □ The Prince's destiny was predetermined from the moment of his birth. □ The capsules can be made to release the pesticides at a predetermined time.
pre|de|ter|min|er /priː d I tɜː r m I nə r / (predeterminers ) N‑COUNT In grammar, a predeterminer is a word that is used before a determiner, but is still part of the noun group. For example, 'all' in 'all the time' and 'both' in 'both our children' are predeterminers.
pre|dica|ment /pr I d I kəmənt/ (predicaments ) N‑COUNT If you are in a predicament , you are in an unpleasant situation that is difficult to get out of. □ The decision will leave her in a peculiar predicament.
predi|cate (predicates , predicating , predicated ) The noun is pronounced /pre d I kət/. The verb is pronounced /pre d I ke I t/. 1 N‑COUNT In some systems of grammar, the predicate of a clause is the part of it that is not the subject. For example, in 'I decided what to do', 'decided what to do' is the predicate.
2 VERB [usu passive] If you say that one situation is predicated on another, you mean that the first situation can be true or real only if the second one is true or real. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed + on ] Financial success is usually predicated on having money or being able to obtain it.
pre|dict ◆◇◇ /pr I d I kt/ (predicts , predicting , predicted ) VERB If you predict an event, you say that it will happen. □ [V n] The latest opinion polls are predicting a very close contest. □ [V that] He predicted that my hair would grow back 'in no time'. □ [V wh] It's hard to predict how a jury will react. □ [V with quote] 'The war will continue another two or three years,' he predicted.
pre|dict|able /pr I d I ktəb ə l/ ADJ If you say that an event is predictable , you mean that it is obvious in advance that it will happen. □ This was a predictable reaction, given the bitter hostility between the two countries. ● pre|dict|ably ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/adv] □ His article is, predictably, a scathing attack on capitalism. ● pre|dict|abil|ity /pr I d I ktəb I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Your mother values the predictability of your Sunday calls.
pre|dic|tion /pr I d I kʃ ə n/ (predictions ) N‑VAR If you make a prediction about something, you say what you think will happen. □ He was unwilling to make a prediction about which books would sell in the coming year. □ Weather prediction has never been a perfect science.
pre|dic|tive /pr I d I kt I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use predictive to describe something such as a test, science, or theory that is concerned with determining what will happen in the future. [FORMAL ] □ …the predictive branch of economics.
pre|dic|tor /pr I d I ktə r / (predictors ) N‑COUNT You can refer to something that helps you predict something that will happen in the future as a predictor of that thing. □ [+ of ] Opinion polls are an unreliable predictor of election outcomes.
pre|di|lec|tion /priː d I le kʃ ə n, [AM ] pre d-/ (predilections ) N‑COUNT If you have a predilection for something, you have a strong liking for it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ for ] …his predilection for fast cars and fast horses.
pre|dis|pose /priː d I spoʊ z/ (predisposes , predisposing , predisposed )
1 VERB If something predisposes you to think or behave in a particular way, it makes it likely that you will think or behave in that way. [FORMAL ] □ [V n to-inf] They take pains to hire people whose personalities predispose them to serve customers well. □ [V n + to ] Certain factors predispose some individuals to criminal behaviour. ● pre|dis|posed ADJ [v-link ADJ , usu ADJ to-inf] □ …people who are predisposed to violent crime.
2 VERB If something predisposes you to a disease or illness, it makes it likely that you will suffer from that disease or illness. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + to ] …a gene that predisposes people to depression. ● pre|dis|posed ADJ [v-link ADJ ] □ [+ to ] Some people are genetically predisposed to diabetes.
pre|dis|po|si|tion /priː d I spəz I ʃ ə n/ (predispositions )
1 N‑COUNT [oft N to-inf] If you have a predisposition to behave in a particular way, you tend to behave like that because of the kind of person that you are or the attitudes that you have. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] There are always going to be other factors that influence someone's predisposition to exercise.
2 N‑COUNT If you have a predisposition to a disease or illness, it is likely that you will suffer from that disease or illness. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to/towards ] …a genetic predisposition to lung cancer.
pre|domi|nance /pr I dɒ m I nəns/
1 N‑SING If there is a predominance of one type of person or thing, there are many more of that type than of any other type. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Another interesting note was the predominance of London club players.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If someone or something has predominance , they have the most power or importance among a group of people or things. [FORMAL ] □ Eventually even their economic predominance was to suffer.
pre|domi|nant /pr I dɒ m I nənt/ ADJ If something is predominant , it is more important or noticeable than anything else in a set of people or things. □ Amanda's predominant emotion was that of confusion.
pre|domi|nant|ly /pr I dɒ m I nəntli/ ADV [usu ADV group, oft ADV after v] You use predominantly to indicate which feature or quality is most noticeable in a situation. □ …a predominantly female profession.
pre|domi|nate /pr I dɒ m I ne I t/ (predominates , predominating , predominated )
1 VERB If one type of person or thing predominates in a group, there is more of that type of person or thing in the group than of any other. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] In older age groups women predominate because men tend to die younger.
2 VERB When a feature or quality predominates , it is the most important or noticeable one in a situation. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] Much sociological research on religion was based on societies in which a single religion overwhelmingly predominated.
pre|domi|nate|ly /pr I dɒ m I nətli/ ADV [usu ADV group, oft ADV after v] Predominately means the same as predominantly . □ …a predominately white, middle-class suburb.
pre-e minent in AM, usually use preeminent ADJ If someone or something is pre-eminent in a group, they are more important, powerful, or capable than other people or things in the group. [FORMAL ] □ …his fifty years as the pre-eminent political figure in the country. ● pre-eminence N‑UNCOUNT □ …London's continuing pre-eminence among European financial centres.
pre-e minently in AM, usually use preeminently ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/adv, ADV n] Pre-eminently means to a very great extent. □ The party was pre-eminently the party of the landed interest.
pre-empt /priːe mpt/ (pre-empts , pre-empting , pre-empted ) in AM, usually use preempt VERB If you pre-empt an action, you prevent it from happening by doing something which makes it unnecessary or impossible. □ [V n] You can pre-empt pain by taking a painkiller at the first warning sign. □ [V n] He pre-empted any decision to sack him. ● pre-emption /priːe mpʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Pre-emption was the only method of averting defeat.
pre-emptive /priːe mpt I v/ in AM, usually use preemptive ADJ [usu ADJ n] A pre-emptive attack or strike is intended to weaken or damage an enemy or opponent, for example by destroying their weapons before they can do any harm. □ …plans for a pre-emptive strike against countries that may have biological weapons.
preen /priː n/ (preens , preening , preened )
1 VERB If someone preens themselves , they spend a lot of time making themselves look neat and attractive; used especially if you want to show that you disapprove of this behaviour or that you find it ridiculous and amusing. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V pron-refl] 50% of men under 35 spend at least 20 minutes preening themselves every morning. □ [V n] Bill preened his beard.
2 VERB If someone preens , they think in a pleased way about how attractive, clever, or good at something they are. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V ] She stood preening in their midst, delighted with the attention. □ [V pron-refl + on ] He preened himself on the praise he had received. □ [V -ing] …a preening prize fighter about to enter a ring.
3 VERB When birds preen their feathers, they clean them and arrange them neatly using their beaks. □ [V pron-refl] Rare birds preen themselves right in front of your camera. [Also V , V n]
pre -exi sting also preexisting ADJ [ADJ n] A pre-existing situation or thing exists already or existed before something else. □ …the pre-existing tensions between the two countries. □ …people who have been infected in the course of their NHS treatment for a pre-existing illness.
pre|fab /priː fæb/ (prefabs )
1 N‑COUNT A prefab is a house built with parts which have been made in a factory and then quickly put together at the place where the house was built. [mainly BRIT ]
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A prefab building or structure is one that has been made from parts which were made in a factory and then quickly put together at the place where the structure was built .
pre|fab|ri|cat|ed /priːfæ br I ke I t I d/ ADJ Prefabricated buildings are built with parts which have been made in a factory so that they can be easily carried and put together.
pref|ace /pre f I s/ (prefaces , prefacing , prefaced )
1 N‑COUNT A preface is an introduction at the beginning of a book, which explains what the book is about or why it was written.
2 VERB If you preface an action or speech with something else, you do or say this other thing first. □ [V n + with ] I will preface what I am going to say with a few lines from Shakespeare. □ [V n + by ] The president prefaced his remarks by saying he has supported unemployment benefits all along.
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