📖 P — The English dictionary · page 56

pressing — Everyday, meaning 1: Pushing on something firmly, like pressing a button or pressing down on a cut.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Making something flat or smooth by pushing on it, like pressing flowers or ironing clothes.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: As an adjective, pressing means urgent: something that needs to be done now.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: Asking someone strongly and again and again: pressing him for an answer.↗ Everyday, meaning 5: Pressing can also mean attacking hard in a fight, so that the other side is forced back.↗ Example: She is pressing the button for the lift.↗ · Keep pressing on the cut with a clean cloth.↗ · We are pressing flowers inside a big book.↗ · Stop pressing so hard with your pencil.↗ · The most pressing job is to find the lost dog.↗ · He kept pressing me to tell him the secret.↗ · Dad is pressing his shirt with the iron.↗ · The tired walkers kept pressing on up the hill.↗ · I'm in such pressing need of money just now.↗

pressure — Everyday, meaning 1: Pressure is how hard something pushes on a surface: press on a cut to stop the bleeding.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Air pressure and water pressure are the pushing force of air or water.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Pressure is also the feeling of being pushed to do something or to do well: pressure from friends, pressure before a test.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: To pressure someone means to try hard to make them do something.↗ Example: Press on the cut to put pressure on it and stop the bleeding.↗ · Air pressure is lower at the top of a mountain.↗ · Your ears may pop because of the pressure on a plane.↗ · She felt a lot of pressure before the spelling test.↗ · Don't let anyone pressure you into doing something dangerous.↗ · Check the tyre pressure before a long bike ride.↗ · Water pressure gets stronger the deeper you dive.↗ · The nurse measured Grandma's blood pressure.↗ · I knew him directly by the pressure of his hand."↗ · Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy upon thee.↗ (Writings JOB.33.7, JPS 1917)↗

pressurise — Everyday, meaning 1: (UK, Ireland, Australia) To try to make someone do something by pushing or persuading them hard; to pressure.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To keep the air pressure inside an aeroplane, spacesuit or container at a set level, usually higher than outside.↗ Example: Don't let anyone pressurise you into doing something unsafe.↗ · The older kids pressurised him to skip school.↗ · Aeroplane cabins are pressurised.↗ · The can is pressurised, so never put it in a fire.↗ · Astronauts' suits are pressurised.↗ · I felt pressurised to agree with everyone.↗

presto — Everyday, meaning 1: Presto means suddenly and as if by magic, with something happening at once.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: In music presto means very fast.↗ Example: He took the bag and, presto! was gone.↗ · Hey, presto!↗ The dog came with eyes as big as saucers.↗ · The magician waved his hand, and presto, the rabbit was gone.↗

presumably — Everyday, meaning 1: As you would guess or expect; probably.↗ Example: Presumably the bus will be late in this snow.↗ · The Rabbit was presumably late again.↗ · Presumably you've done your homework?↗ · The door was open, presumably left by the cat.↗ · The tracks were presumably made by a fox.↗ · Presumably they will come after lunch.↗ · "Mr Samber" was presumably one Robert Samber of New Inn, who translated other tales from the French, for Edmond Curl the bookseller, about this time.↗ · Presumably, the anatomy of slaughtered livestock would have been fairly familiar to many writers and readers of the time, while blessedly few indeed would have had first-hand knowledge of human innards.]↗ Like what did He make them?↗ (A city) [strife].↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation)↗

presume — Everyday, meaning 1: To think something is true without being sure, because it seems likely.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (law) To treat something as true until it is proved wrong: «innocent until proved guilty».↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (formal) To be bold or rude enough to do something you have no right to do: «Don't presume to tell me what to do.».↗ Everyday, meaning 4: presume on/upon To take unfair advantage of someone's kindness.↗ Example: I presume you're hungry after the long walk.↗ · The sailors were presumed lost at sea, but they came home.↗ · In court, everyone is presumed innocent until proved guilty.↗ · Don't presume to boss me around!↗ · We presumed the shop was open, but it was shut.↗ · "You're the new girl, I presume?" said the teacher.↗ · She never presumed on her friends' kindness.↗ · We presume this from the interest, which came to twenty dollars.↗ · But they presumed to go up to the top of the mountain; nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and Moses, departed not out of the camp.↗ (Torah NUM.14.44, JPS 1917)↗ · Then spoke the king Ahasuerus and said unto Esther the queen: 'Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?'↗ (Writings EST.7.5, JPS 1917)↗

presumption — Everyday, meaning 1: Something you believe is true without proof: «the presumption that he was at home».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (law) An idea a court treats as true until proved otherwise: «the presumption of innocence».↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Rude, too-confident behaviour, doing something you have no right to do: «What presumption, to sit in the head's chair!».↗ Example: Our plan was based on the presumption that it would not rain.↗ · In court there is a presumption of innocence.↗ · The presumption that all spiders are dangerous is wrong.↗ · She acted on the presumption that her friend had the tickets.↗ · His presumption in reading my diary made me cross.↗ · That was a reasonable presumption, but it turned out false.↗ · Scientists test presumptions with experiments.↗ · ‘Oh!’ he implored, ‘pardon my presumption; necessity alone drove me to the deed.↗

presumptuous — Everyday, meaning 1: Presumptuous means too bold, acting as if you have more right or skill than you have, and so rude or cheeky.↗ Example: It was presumptuous of the boy to speak to the king.↗ · Her presumptuous talk made everyone cross.↗ · The quill-pig was presumptuous to say he knew all the wolves.↗ · So I spoke unto you, and ye hearkened not; but ye rebelled against the commandment of the LORD, and were presumptuous, and went up into the hill-country.↗ (Torah DEU.1.43, JPS 1917)↗ · Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins, that they may not have dominion over me; then shall I be faultless, and I shall be clear from great transgression.↗ (Writings PSA.19.14, JPS 1917)↗

presumptuously — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: In a too-bold way, without any right.↗ Example: And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.↗ (Torah DEU.17.13, JPS 1917)↗ · And if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from Mine altar, that he may die.↗ (Torah EXO.21.14, JPS 1917)↗ · But the prophet, that shall speak a word presumptuously in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.'↗ (Torah DEU.18.20, JPS 1917)↗

presumptuousness — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: Boldness that goes too far; pride.↗ Example: I know thy presumptuousness, and the naughtiness of thy heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.'↗ (Prophets 1SA.17.28, JPS 1917)↗

presuppose — Everyday, meaning 1: (formal) To take something for granted as true before you start: «The plan presupposes that everyone will help.».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (formal) To need something to be true or to exist first: «Reading presupposes knowing the letters.».↗ Example: The question «Who broke the vase?» presupposes that somebody broke it.↗ · Long division presupposes that you know your times tables.↗ · His plan presupposes that the bus will be on time.↗ · The story presupposes that dragons can talk.↗ · Good teamwork presupposes trust.↗ · Don't presuppose the answer before you check the facts.↗

pretence — Everyday, meaning 1: Pretence is acting as if something is true when it is not, for example pretending to be asleep or happy.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A pretence can be a false reason given to hide the real one, as in "under the pretence of helping".↗ Everyday, meaning 3: "Make no pretence" means not even trying to look as if you are something.↗ Example: Her smile was just a pretence; inside she was sad.↗ · He kept up the pretence of being ill to miss the test.↗ · The scammer got into the house under the pretence of checking the meter.↗ · Let's drop the pretence and tell the truth.↗ · Their game of pretence turned the sofa into a pirate ship.↗ · He made no pretence of liking broccoli.↗ · Getting money under false pretences is a crime.↗ · So, under pretence of visiting some small islands that belonged to his father, he set out.↗

pretend — Everyday, meaning 1: To act as if something is true when it is not, for fun or to trick someone.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To play a make-believe game: «Let's pretend we're pirates».↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Adjective (informal): not real, make-believe: a pretend shop.↗ Example: Let's pretend we're astronauts.↗ · The wolf pretended to be Grandma.↗ · He pretended to be asleep.↗ · We played with pretend money in our shop.↗ · Don't pretend you didn't see it.↗ · Someone online might pretend to be a child — be careful.↗ · She pretended not to hear.↗ · Possums pretend to be dead when they're scared.↗ · Then she pretended to be asleep again.↗ · I do not pretend to be able to solve this difficult question.↗ (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))↗

pretending — Everyday, meaning 1: Pretending means acting as if something is true when it is not, often in a game: pretending to be a dragon.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Pretending can also mean trying to trick people by acting falsely: pretending to be ill.↗ Example: We are pretending to be pirates.↗ · He was pretending to be asleep.↗ · She is pretending that the box is a car.↗ · Stop pretending you did not see me!↗ · The cat is pretending not to care.↗ · People online may be pretending to be kids.↗ · I was pretending to be brave, but I was scared.↗ · Pretending games help you use your imagination.↗ · “He-he-he!” exclaimed Iktomi, pretending disappointment that his friend had fallen.↗

pretense — Everyday, meaning 1: A pretense is a false show, where someone acts as if something is true when it is not.↗ Example: He came to the king on the pretense of being a servant.↗ · Under the pretense of buying the hare, the man stole it.↗ · The cat made a pretense of being asleep.↗

pretension — Everyday, meaning 1: A pretension is a claim to be or to have something, often one that is not really true.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A pretension is a show of being grand or important.↗ Example: She made pretensions to be a princess.↗ · The lord had pretensions about his wealth.↗ · Ignore her pretensions; she is only a servant.↗

pretext — Everyday, meaning 1: A false reason given to hide the real reason for doing something: «He called on the pretext of borrowing sugar, but really he wanted to see the puppy.».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: An excuse used to start something, like a fight or a war.↗ Example: She went to the kitchen on the pretext of getting water, but really she wanted biscuits.↗ · The invaders used a small border fight as a pretext for war.↗ · The scammer phoned on the pretext of checking the bank account.↗ · He made up a pretext to leave the party early.↗ · Asking for directions was just a pretext to start talking.↗ · Never give your password, whatever pretext someone gives.↗ · Then he leaves the room, under the pretext of giving an order, and Nikita takes his place.↗

prettily — Everyday, meaning 1: In a way that looks nice to the eye; in a neat, charming way.↗ Also, in a polite, well-mannered way when speaking or thanking someone.↗ Example: The cake was iced prettily with pink flowers.↗ · She thanked the guest prettily.↗ · The room was decorated prettily for the party.↗

pretty — Everyday, meaning 1: (adjective) Nice to look at; attractive in a gentle way: «a pretty dress».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (adverb) Fairly, quite, rather: «pretty good», «pretty cold».↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (adverb, informal) Very nearly: «pretty much the same».↗ Example: What a pretty garden!↗ · She wore a pretty blue dress.↗ · The test was pretty easy.↗ · I'm pretty sure it's going to rain.↗ · It's pretty cold outside, so wear a coat.↗ · The two drawings are pretty much the same.↗ · The village is prettiest in spring.↗ · She was pretty and delicate indeed.↗

pretzel — Everyday, meaning 1: A baked snack made from dough twisted into a loose knot shape, usually salty; it can be hard and crunchy or big and soft.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (informal) Something bent or twisted into a strange shape: «He twisted himself into a pretzel».↗ Example: I had a salty pretzel at the fair.↗ · There are 36 pretzels shared between 4 friends.↗ · A soft pretzel costs $2.↗ · The yoga pose made me feel like a pretzel.↗ · Pretzels come from Germany.↗ · The rope was tied like a pretzel.↗ · Dad bought a bag of pretzel sticks for the trip.↗

prevail — Everyday, meaning 1: To win or be stronger in the end after a struggle.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To be common or usual in a place or time.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: prevail on/upon (formal) To persuade someone to do something.↗ Example: In the end, good prevailed over evil.↗ · The prevailing wind in Ireland blows from the west.↗ · Calm prevailed after the storm.↗ · Our team prevailed after extra time.↗ · She prevailed on her dad to let her keep the kitten.↗ · Fairness must prevail in every game.↗ · Sunny weather prevailed for the whole holiday.↗ · "You cannot prevail against me," said Death.↗ · Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.↗ (Torah GEN.7.20, JPS 1917)↗ · And the waters prevailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty days.↗ (Torah GEN.7.24, JPS 1917)↗ · And the waters prevailed, and increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.↗ (Torah GEN.7.18, JPS 1917)↗ · Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab.↗ (Writings 1CH.21.4, JPS 1917)↗ · And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah, and prevailed against it.↗ (Writings 2CH.8.3, JPS 1917)↗ · Thou art the LORD our God; let not man prevail against Thee.'↗ (Writings 2CH.14.10, JPS 1917)↗