📖 P — The English dictionary · page 18

penitence — Everyday, meaning 1: Feeling truly sorry for something wrong you did, and wanting to put it right.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (church) Sorrow for sin; Christians believe that God forgives those who turn back to him with true penitence.↗ Example: After his promise, Toad's penitence lasted only a day.↗ · (church) Lent is a time of prayer and penitence.↗ · Her penitence was real: she apologised and paid for the vase.↗ · He hung his head in penitence.↗ · (church) Christians believe God welcomes true penitence.↗ · Tears of penitence ran down his face.↗

penitent — Everyday, meaning 1: Penitent means feeling and showing that you are sorry for doing wrong.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (church) A penitent is a person who confesses their sins to a priest or does penance.↗ Example: The penitent boy said sorry to his grandmother.↗ · The puppy looked penitent after chewing the shoe.↗ · The priest listened kindly to the penitent.↗ · She wrote a penitent letter to her friend.↗ · In the Bible story, the penitent son came home to his father.↗ · Penitents in the old church wore plain clothes.↗ · He was truly penitent and promised not to lie again.↗

penknife — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: A small pocket knife with a folding blade, once used to cut quill pens.↗

pennant — Everyday, meaning 1: A pennant is a long, narrow flag shaped like a triangle, used on ships, at sports grounds or as decoration.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (US, sport) A pennant is the title of the winner of a baseball league, and the flag that marks it.↗ Example: The ship flew a red pennant from its mast.↗ · We hung coloured pennants around the classroom.↗ · Each team had its own pennant.↗ · The Boston team won the pennant.↗ · Cut out a pennant that is 30 cm long and 10 cm wide.↗ · Pennants flapped in the wind at the fair.↗

penniless — Everyday, meaning 1: Having no money at all; very poor.↗ Example: He was penniless after losing his job.↗ · Toad escaped from prison penniless.↗ · The penniless orphan slept under a bridge.↗ · They arrived in the new country penniless but hopeful.↗ · She spent all her money and was left penniless: £0.↗ · The penniless inventor later became rich.↗

penny — Everyday, meaning 1: A penny is a coin.↗ In the US and Canada a penny is 1 cent; in Britain a penny is 1p and 100 pence make 1 pound.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: «Not a penny» means no money at all.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: «The penny dropped» means someone finally understood.↗ Example: He has 25 pennies.↗ · How many pennies make a dime?↗ · She saved 50 pennies.↗ · Each sweet costs 5 pence.↗ · A hundred pennies make one dollar.↗ · He didn't have a penny left.↗ · After a minute, the penny dropped and she laughed.↗ · A penny for your thoughts?↗ · But I have only fifty pennies.↗

pennyworth — Everyday, meaning 1: (UK, old-fashioned) The amount of something you could buy for one penny: «a pennyworth of sweets».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (idiom) «Put in your two pennyworth» (UK) or «two cents' worth» (US) means to give your opinion.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A small amount.↗ Example: She bought a pennyworth of toffees.↗ · In 1900 a pennyworth of milk was a big jug.↗ · Everyone wanted to add their two pennyworth to the argument.↗ · The boy spent his last penny on a pennyworth of sherbet.↗ · Not a pennyworth of difference!↗ · Grandad remembers buying a pennyworth of chips.↗

pension — Everyday, meaning 1: A pension is money paid regularly to someone who has retired, from the government or a former employer.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A pension can be money paid to someone who is ill, disabled or widowed.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (in Europe) A pension (said «pon-see-on») can be a small family hotel.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (verb) To pension someone off is to make them retire.↗ Example: Grandpa gets his pension every month.↗ · She saved into a pension while she worked.↗ · The state pension helps older people.↗ · If the pension is $1,000 a month, it is $12,000 a year.↗ · My nan collects her pension at the post office.↗ · (UK, informal) The old horse was pensioned off to a farm.↗ · It was a most respectable old lamp, which had seen many, many years of service, and now was to retire with a pension.↗

pensioner — Everyday, meaning 1: A person who gets a pension — regular money paid after they stop working, usually because they are old.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (UK, Australia, Ireland) An older person in general, as in «old-age pensioner» (OAP).↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (informal, sometimes cheeky) A playful word for someone acting old.↗ Example: My nan is a pensioner and goes to the library every day.↗ · Pensioners pay $3, adults pay $6.↗ · The bus is free for pensioners.↗ · A pensioner lost her purse at the market.↗ · Two adults and two pensioners went to the cinema.↗ · We help the pensioners in our street with their shopping.↗ · Granddad says being a pensioner means he can nap whenever he likes.↗

pensively — Everyday, meaning 1: In a thoughtful way, quietly thinking hard about something, often with a serious face.↗ Example: "Dar ain't nuthin'," said the old man, shaking his head pensively.↗ · A young merchant rode pensively forward on his white steed.↗

pentagon — Everyday, meaning 1: A pentagon is a flat shape with 5 straight sides and 5 corners.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: The Pentagon is a big five-sided building in the USA where the army leaders work.↗ Example: A pentagon has 5 sides.↗ · Each side of the pentagon is 4 cm.↗ · What is the perimeter of the pentagon?↗ · How many sides do 3 pentagons have?↗ · A classic soccer ball has 12 black pentagons.↗ · Home plate in baseball is shaped like a pentagon.↗ · Draw a pentagon and join its corners to make a star.↗ · The Pentagon is in Virginia.↗

pentecost — Everyday, meaning 1: (church) Pentecost is the Christian feast that remembers the Holy Spirit coming to Jesus' disciples, fifty days after Easter; Christians see it as the birthday of the Church.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (Judaism) Pentecost is also the Greek name for Shavuot, the Jewish harvest festival when the giving of the Law (Torah) is remembered.↗ Example: At Pentecost our church was decorated in red.↗ · The disciples spoke in many languages on the day of Pentecost.↗ · Pentecost comes fifty days after Easter.↗ · We made paper flames for the Pentecost service.↗ · Peter preached to a huge crowd at Pentecost.↗ · In England some people call Pentecost Whitsun.↗ · By these Seven letters were also made seven worlds, seven heavens, seven earths, seven seas, seven rivers, seven deserts, seven days, seven weeks from Passover to Pentecost, and every seventh year a Jubilee.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗ · By these seven letters were also made seven worlds, seven heavens, seven lands, seven seas, seven rivers, seven deserts, seven days (as before), seven weeks from Passover to Pentecost, and every seventh year a jubilee.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1887)↗

pentecostal — Everyday, meaning 1: (church) Pentecostal describes Christian churches that put strong weight on the Holy Spirit's gifts — such as healing, lively praise and speaking in tongues — like the disciples at Pentecost.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A Pentecostal is a member of such a church.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Pentecostal can also mean about the feast of Pentecost.↗ Example: Kofi's family goes to a Pentecostal church with a big band.↗ · Pentecostal worship is lively, with clapping and dancing.↗ · The Pentecostal pastor prayed for the sick.↗ · Pentecostals believe the Holy Spirit still gives gifts today.↗ · Our town's Pentecostal church meets in an old cinema.↗ · The name Pentecostal comes from the feast of Pentecost.↗

penury — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: Great poverty, having almost no money.↗ Example: In all labour there is profit; but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.↗ (Writings PRO.14.23, JPS 1917)↗

peony — Everyday, meaning 1: A large garden flower with big round pink, red or white blooms and thick, full petals.↗ Example: Blooming hyacinths and peonies stood under glass bells.↗ · The peonies were puffed up to look bigger than the roses.↗

people — Everyday, meaning 1: People means more than one person: men, women and children.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: People means persons in general, everyone.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A people (peoples) is a nation or a group with its own language and ways.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (casual) «People» can mean your family or friends: «my people», «good people»; «peeps» is slang for people or friends.↗ Everyday, meaning 5: (rude) «Some people!» complains about someone without naming them; «people like you» can be an insult.↗ Everyday, meaning 6: (formal) Notices and exams say «persons», «individuals», «occupants», «attendees», «passengers» and «members of the public».↗ Example: There were 25 people at the party.↗ · 12 people got off the bus.↗ · Each person gets 2 slices.↗ · How many people are there in all?↗ · Most people sleep at night.↗ · The bus can carry 40 people.↗ · Many peoples live in Africa.↗ · People say the old house is haunted.↗ · Like 30 people turned up, mad!↗ · Some people, honestly, he took 3 seats on the bus.↗ · The lift is licensed to carry a maximum of 8 persons.↗ Determine the number of journeys required for 20 persons.↗ · My peeps are coming over, we're 6.↗ · The peoples who tell the stories differ in colour; language, religion, and almost everything else; but they all love a nursery tale.↗ · Let peoples serve thee, and nations bow down to thee.↗ (Torah GEN.27.29, JPS 1917)↗ · The peoples have heard, they tremble; pangs have taken hold on the inhabitants of Philistia.↗ (Torah EXO.15.14, JPS 1917)↗ · Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples that are round about you; (Torah DEU.6.14, JPS 1917)↗ · And why do the peoples mutter in vain?↗ (Writings PSA.2.1, JPS 1917)↗ · He subdueth peoples under us, and nations under our feet.↗ (Writings PSA.47.4, JPS 1917)↗ · They did not destroy the peoples, as the LORD commanded them; (Writings PSA.106.34, JPS 1917)↗

pepper — Everyday, meaning 1: A hot-tasting powder made from dried, crushed peppercorns, used to season food (salt and pepper).↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A hollow vegetable, red, green, yellow or orange, also called a bell pepper or capsicum (sweet pepper); some small ones are hot (chilli peppers).↗ Everyday, meaning 3: To put pepper on food.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: To cover or fill something with many small things (a speech peppered with jokes; peppered with hail).↗ Example: Could you pass the salt and pepper, please?↗ · Mum sliced a red pepper for the salad.↗ · Black pepper made me sneeze.↗ · Wash your hands after cutting chilli peppers before you touch your eyes.↗ · Sprinkle pepper on water, then touch it with soapy finger — watch it move!↗ · Her story was peppered with funny jokes.↗ · In Australia, a bell pepper is called a capsicum.↗ · She looked out, and the night was peppered with stars.↗

peppercorn — Everyday, meaning 1: A peppercorn is a small dried berry of the pepper plant; it is ground up to make black or white pepper.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A «peppercorn rent» is a tiny, almost free payment.↗ Example: Dad put a few peppercorns in the soup.↗ · The pepper mill grinds the peppercorns into black pepper.↗ · A peppercorn is about as big as a tiny pea.↗ · Long ago, peppercorns were so valuable that people paid with them.↗ · Green peppercorns are picked before they are ripe.↗ · Biting a whole peppercorn makes your mouth hot.↗

peppermint — Everyday, meaning 1: Peppermint is a mint plant with a strong, fresh, cool taste and smell.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Peppermint is the flavour or oil from this plant, used in sweets, toothpaste and tea.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A peppermint is a sweet with this flavour.↗ Example: Gran always has peppermints in her bag.↗ · Peppermint tea helps settle your tummy.↗ · This toothpaste tastes of peppermint.↗ · We grew peppermint in the school garden.↗ · Can I have a peppermint, please?↗ · Peppermint makes your mouth feel cool.↗ · The candy cane was striped red and white with peppermint flavour.↗

pepperoni — Everyday, meaning 1: Pepperoni is a spicy dried sausage, usually made of pork and beef, sliced thin and often put on pizza.↗ Example: I'd like a pepperoni pizza.↗ · Count the slices of pepperoni on the pizza.↗ · She picked the pepperoni off her pizza.↗ · Pepperoni is a little bit spicy.↗ · We put pepperoni and cheese on our homemade pizza.↗ · There were twelve pepperoni slices, shared equally among four pieces.↗

peppery — Everyday, meaning 1: Tasting hot and spicy, full of pepper.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Quick to get angry; bad-tempered.↗ Example: The soup was very peppery.↗ · In the Duchess's kitchen there was far too much pepper.↗ · Rocket leaves have a peppery taste.↗ · The peppery old man shouted at the boys.↗ · This sauce is too peppery for the baby.↗ · Watercress tastes slightly peppery.↗

peradventure — Everyday, meaning 1: Perhaps, maybe; a word from old stories, used when someone is not sure.↗ Early Modern English, meaning 1: Perhaps; by chance; used when you are not sure.↗ Example: Whenever I go against the wind my eyes will water, and peradventure my head will burn.↗ · And I said unto my master: Peradventure the woman will not follow me.↗ (Torah GEN.24.39, JPS 1917)↗ · Peradventure ten shall be found there.'↗ And He said: 'I will not destroy it for the ten's sake.'↗ (Torah GEN.18.32, JPS 1917)↗ · But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said: 'Lest peradventure harm befall him.'↗ (Torah GEN.42.4, JPS 1917)↗ · And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites: 'Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a covenant with you?'↗ (Prophets JOS.9.7, JPS 1917)↗ · And David said unto Ahimelech: 'And is there peradventure here under thy hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.'↗ (Prophets 1SA.21.9, JPS 1917)↗ · 'Inquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; peradventure the LORD will deal with us according to all His wondrous works, that he may go up from us.'↗ (Prophets JER.21.2, JPS 1917)↗ · And I said unto my master: Peradventure the woman will not follow me.↗ (Torah GEN.24.39, JPS 1917) · Whenever I go against the wind my eyes will water, and peradventure my head will burn, and I shall have a giddiness every new moon.↗ (Celtic Fairy Tales) · Peradventure ten shall be found there.'↗ And He said: 'I will not destroy it for the ten's sake.'↗ (Torah GEN.18.32, JPS 1917)