📖 P — The English dictionary · page 52

precursor — Everyday, meaning 1: Something that came before a later thing and led to it or helped it develop: «The abacus was a precursor of the calculator.».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A sign or event that comes before something else: «a precursor to a storm».↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (science) A substance from which another substance is made in a chemical reaction or in the body.↗ Example: The penny-farthing was a precursor of the modern bicycle.↗ · Telegrams were a precursor to text messages.↗ · Some dinosaurs were precursors of birds.↗ · Dark clouds were the precursor to a big storm.↗ · The Greek Olympics were a precursor of today's Games.↗ · In plants, some chemicals are precursors of colours in leaves.↗ · The first computer games were simple precursors of the games we play now.↗

predate — Everyday, meaning 1: To exist or happen earlier than something else: «Dinosaurs predate humans by millions of years.».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To write a date on a document that is earlier than the real day (also «backdate»).↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (science, of animals) To hunt and eat other animals as prey (a related word: predator).↗ Example: Stonehenge predates the pyramids of Giza in some of its parts.↗ · The oak tree predates every house in our street.↗ · Fossils show that sharks predate dinosaurs.↗ · Owls predate on mice and voles.↗ · Some stories of King Arthur predate the castles they mention.↗ · Dad predated the form by mistake, so he had to fill in a new one.↗

predation — Everyday, meaning 1: Predation is when one animal (a predator) hunts, kills and eats another animal (its prey).↗ Example: Camouflage helps insects avoid predation.↗ · Predation by foxes is a danger to ground-nesting birds.↗ · Wolves control deer numbers through predation.↗ · Living in herds protects zebras from predation.↗ · Rats on the island caused heavy predation of seabird eggs.↗ · Predation is part of every food chain.↗

predator — Everyday, meaning 1: A predator is an animal that hunts and eats other animals.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: The animals a predator eats are called its prey.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A predator can also mean a dangerous person who tries to harm others, especially children.↗ Example: The lion is a predator that hunts zebras.↗ · An owl is a predator of mice.↗ · Sharks are top predators in the ocean.↗ · Rabbits watch out for predators like foxes.↗ · In the food chain, the predator eats the prey.↗ · A ladybird is a predator of tiny greenflies.↗ · Camouflage helps animals hide from predators.↗ · Tell a trusted adult if anyone online makes you feel unsafe.↗

predatory — Everyday, meaning 1: (animals) Living by hunting and eating other animals.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (people) Trying to use or harm others for gain, especially weaker people: predatory lenders, predatory adults online.↗ Example: Owls are predatory birds that hunt at night.↗ · Sharks are predatory fish.↗ · A predatory adult may pretend to be a child online.↗ · Tell a grown-up if anyone online asks you to keep secrets.↗ · The predatory spider waits for flies in its web.↗ · Some loan companies are predatory and charge huge interest.↗

predecessor — Everyday, meaning 1: A predecessor is the person who had a job or position before someone else.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A predecessor is a thing that came before another thing and was replaced by it, like an older model of a phone.↗ Example: The new head teacher is stricter than her predecessor.↗ · This phone is faster than its predecessor.↗ · The king's predecessor was his uncle.↗ · The predecessor of 100 is 99.↗ · Write the predecessor of each number.↗ · The new bridge is much wider than its predecessor.↗ · I saw him, last winter, make your predecessor run, and his predecessor before him.↗ · This work then, or a similar predecessor, is at least as old as a.d.↗ 200.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗ · This work then, or a similar predecessor, is at least as old as A.D.↗ 200.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗ · Again, I have to add that I have not only endeavored to correct a great many mistakes and erroneous ideas of my predecessors, but I have also endeavored to give more complete annotations.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)↗

predetermined — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: Decided or fixed beforehand.↗ Example: He predetermined, and by speaking created every creature and every word by one name.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)↗ · He [24] predetermined, and by speaking created every creature and every word by one name.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)↗

predicament — Everyday, meaning 1: A predicament is a difficult or awkward situation that is hard to get out of.↗ Example: The fox was in a predicament: the hounds were coming and the river was too deep.↗ · We got into a predicament when we lost the map.↗ · Think hard and you will find a way out of this predicament.↗

predict — Everyday, meaning 1: To predict is to say what you think will happen in the future, before it happens.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: In science, to say what you expect the result of a test to be, using what you already know.↗ Example: I predict that the ice will melt in ten minutes.↗ · Predict what will happen next in the story.↗ · Can you predict the next number: 2, 4, 6, ...?↗ · The weather forecast predicts rain tomorrow.↗ · Nobody predicted that our team would win.↗ · We predicted the heavy ball would fall faster, but they landed together.↗ · Scientists predict where hurricanes will go.↗ · It had been predicted that a certain baby princess would begin flying about the world as soon as she was fifteen.↗

predictable — Everyday, meaning 1: Able to be guessed or known before it happens: «Tides are predictable.».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Always doing the same thing, so you know what will happen; sometimes boring: «a predictable ending».↗ Example: The number pattern 2, 4, 6, 8 is predictable.↗ · The film was so predictable that I guessed the ending.↗ · Babies like a predictable bedtime routine.↗ · Sunrise times are predictable for every day of the year.↗ · Our dog is predictable: he always barks at the bin lorry.↗ · Weather is not always predictable, so take a coat.↗ · Coin tosses are not predictable; each one is a 50-50 chance.↗

prediction — Everyday, meaning 1: A prediction is a guess about what will happen in the future, often based on facts or evidence.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A prediction is the act of saying what will happen.↗ Example: My prediction is that the heavier ball will fall faster.↗ · Write your prediction before you start the experiment.↗ · The weather prediction said it would rain.↗ · Her prediction turned out to be right.↗ · Use the pattern to make a prediction for the next number.↗ · Nobody's prediction of the score was correct.↗ · Our Mayblossom will be happy in spite of her predictions.’↗

predominance — Everyday, meaning 1: The state of being more in number or more common than others: «a predominance of girls in the choir».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: The state of having the most power or influence: «the predominance of one team in the league».↗ Example: The class survey showed a predominance of dog owners over cat owners.↗ · There is a predominance of pine trees in this forest.↗ · The predominance of rain in the west makes it very green.↗ · Rome's predominance in the Mediterranean lasted for centuries.↗ · The garden has a predominance of red and yellow flowers.↗ · In the pie chart, the predominance of blue shows that most children chose swimming.↗

predominant — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: Strongest or ruling over others.↗ Example: He produced Tzaddi, predominant in Taste, crowned it, combined and formed with it Aquarius in the Year, and the gullet in Man.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗ · Tau, predominant in beauty, crowned, combined and formed Jupiter in the Universe, the seventh day in the week, and the mouth of man.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1887)↗ · He produced Nun, predominant in smell, crowned, combined, and formed Scorpio in the world, Marchesvan in the year, and the intestines in man.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1887)↗

predominantly — Everyday, meaning 1: (formal) Mostly; mainly; for the greatest part.↗ Example: The forest is predominantly made up of pine trees.↗ · The town is predominantly English-speaking.↗ · Koalas eat predominantly eucalyptus leaves.↗ · The weather in Ireland is predominantly mild and wet.↗ · Our class is predominantly made up of nine-year-olds.↗ · The book is predominantly about friendship.↗

predominate — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: To be the strongest or ruling part.↗ Example: He let the letter Sheen (ש) predominate in primitive fire, crowned it, combined one with the other, and formed by them, heaven in the world, heat in the year, and the head of male and female.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)↗ · He let the letter Sheen (ש) predominate in primitive fire, crowned it, combined one with the other, and formed by them, heaven in the world, heat in the year, and the head of male and female.↗ [32] (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)↗ · He let the letter ת predominate in beauty, crowned it, combined one with the other, and formed by them: Jupiter in the world, the seventh day in the year, and the mouth of man, male and female.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)↗

preen — Everyday, meaning 1: Of a bird: to clean and tidy its feathers with its beak.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Of a person (often joking or disapproving): to spend a lot of time making yourself look nice.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: To feel or show pride in yourself: preen yourself on something.↗ Example: The swan preened its white feathers.↗ · Ducks preen to keep their feathers waterproof.↗ · My brother preened in front of the mirror before the party.↗ · The parrot preened itself on its perch.↗ · She preened herself on winning the prize.↗ · Stop preening and come and eat!↗ · He turned sharply, and there, just above him on the branch of a tree, sat a large Parrot, busily preening his feathers.↗

preface — Everyday, meaning 1: A preface is a short introduction at the start of a book, where the writer explains why the book was written.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To preface something is to say or write something first, before the main part.↗ Example: Read the preface before you start the story.↗ · The writer's preface explains where the tales came from.↗ · She prefaced her speech with a joke.↗ · With English Translation, Preface, Explanatory Notes and Glossary, (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)↗ · A Version with preface by M. ben J. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗ · Source: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/SepherYetzirah (/Preface, /Introduction, /SepherYetzirah), fetched via index.php?action=render on 2026-10-17.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗

prefatory — Everyday, meaning 1: (formal) Prefatory means coming at the beginning as an introduction, like a preface to a book or a short speech before the main one.↗ Example: (formal) The author wrote a prefatory note explaining the book.↗ · (formal) After some prefatory remarks, the head teacher announced the winners.↗ · The prefatory chapter is short.↗ · (formal) Read the prefatory instructions before answering.↗ · Her prefatory words thanked the parents.↗ · The report begins with a prefatory summary.↗ · (everyday) Before the main talk, he said a few opening words.↗ · (formal) The prefatory pages are numbered i, ii, iii.↗

prefect — Everyday, meaning 1: (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ) A prefect is an older pupil chosen to help keep order and help younger pupils at school.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: In some countries, such as France, a prefect is an official who runs a region.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: In ancient Rome, a prefect was an important officer.↗ Example: She was made a prefect in her last year.↗ · The prefects help at lunchtime.↗ · A prefect showed the new pupils round.↗ · The head prefect gave a speech in assembly.↗ · In the story, the prefects were very strict.↗ · Ask a prefect if you get lost.↗ · Prefects wear a special badge.↗ · The Roman prefect ruled the city.↗ · Then the king made Daniel great, and gave him many great gifts, and made him to rule over the whole province of Babylon, and to be chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.↗ (Writings DAN.2.48, JPS 1917)↗

prefer — Everyday, meaning 1: To prefer means to like one thing more than another, or to choose it if you can.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: «I would prefer…» is a polite way to say what you want.↗ Example: I prefer apples to oranges.↗ · Would you prefer tea or juice?↗ · My cat prefers sleeping in the sun.↗ · I'd prefer to stay inside today.↗ · Woodlice prefer dark, damp places.↗ · Most of the class preferred the beach to the zoo.↗ · She prefers reading to watching TV.↗ · I'd prefer not to talk about it.↗ · Nonetheless, English translators have usually shied away from the this-worldly symbolism of the ‘Holy Wind’, much preferring immaterial ‘Spirit’ either out of theological embarrassment or deference to tradition.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation)↗

preferable — Everyday, meaning 1: Preferable means better or more suitable, so you would rather have or choose it.↗ Example: A small, friendly school is preferable to a big one for my little brother.↗ · Sleeping in a tent is preferable to sleeping outside in the rain.↗ · It is preferable to use a pencil for maths.↗ · Water is preferable to fizzy drinks when you're thirsty.↗ · Short sentences are often preferable in instructions.↗ · Any answer is preferable to a blank space in a test.↗ · A Carpenter, with equal enthusiasm, proposed timber as a preferable method of defense.↗

preferably — Everyday, meaning 1: If possible; it would be better if: «Come early, preferably before nine.».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: In a way that is chosen or liked more than other ways.↗ Example: Bring a drink, preferably water, not fizzy pop.↗ · Write your answer in pen, preferably black.↗ · We need a helper, preferably someone tall.↗ · Go to bed early, preferably by eight.↗ · Keep the medicine somewhere cool, preferably in the fridge.↗ · Plant the seeds in spring, preferably on a dry day.↗ · «Shall I bring my brother?»↗ «Preferably not.»↗

preference — Everyday, meaning 1: A liking for one thing more than another.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: The thing you like more or choose.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: «Give preference to»: treat one person or group better or first.↗ Example: I have a preference for chocolate ice cream.↗ · List the films in order of preference.↗ · The survey showed pupils' preferences for sports.↗ · It's a matter of personal preference.↗ · Older people are given preference for seats on the bus.↗ · Do you have a preference, tea or juice?↗ · Aphrodite greatly preferred Ares to her husband, and this preference naturally gave rise to much jealousy on the part of Hephaestus, and caused them great unhappiness.↗