📖 P — The English dictionary · page 76

purport — Everyday, meaning 1: (formal) To purport to be or do something is to claim to be or do it, when it may not be true.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (formal) The purport of a text is its general meaning.↗ Example: (formal) The email purports to be from the bank, but it is a scam.↗ · (formal) The map purports to show hidden treasure.↗ · (formal) He purports to be an expert.↗ · (formal) The video purported to show a ghost.↗ · (formal) Messages purporting to offer free prizes are often fake.↗ · (formal) The purport of the letter was clear.↗ · (everyday) The email says it's from the bank, but it isn't.↗ · (formal) The study purports to prove that sugar helps memory.↗ · Some words passed between them, but their exact purport will probably never be known.↗

purportedly — Everyday, meaning 1: (formal) According to what is said or claimed, though it may not be true.↗ Example: The photo purportedly shows the Loch Ness monster.↗ · The video was purportedly filmed in space, but it was fake.↗ · The painting is purportedly by a famous artist.↗ · The email was purportedly from the bank, but it was a scam.↗ · The treasure was purportedly buried on the island.↗ · The note was purportedly signed by the headteacher.↗

purpose — Everyday, meaning 1: The purpose of something is the reason it exists or the job it is meant to do.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Your purpose is what you are trying to achieve.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: If you do something on purpose, you mean to do it; it is not an accident.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: To purpose something means to intend or plan to do it.↗ Example: What is the purpose of a seatbelt?↗ · The purpose of this experiment is to find out which material floats.↗ · He tripped me on purpose!↗ · I didn't break it on purpose, I'm sorry.↗ · The purpose of a persuasive letter is to change someone's mind.↗ · Each tool in the box has its own purpose.↗ · Our club's purpose is to keep the beach clean.↗ · She left the door open on purpose so the cat could come in.↗ · Bishop Olaf of Borglum, what dost thou purpose?↗ · then shall ye do unto him, as he had purposed to do unto his brother; so shalt thou put away the evil from the midst of thee.↗ (Torah DEU.19.19, JPS 1917)↗ · And the LORD said: 'Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is what they begin to do; and now nothing will be withholden from them, which they purpose to do.↗ (Torah GEN.11.6, JPS 1917)↗ · And the words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah; and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him: 'Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee.↗ (Torah GEN.27.42, JPS 1917)↗ · Canst thou attain unto the purpose of the Almighty?↗ (Writings JOB.11.7, JPS 1917)↗ · For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it?↗ (Prophets ISA.14.27, JPS 1917)↗ · Every purpose is established by counsel; and with good advice carry on war.↗ (Writings PRO.20.18, JPS 1917)↗

purposely — Everyday, meaning 1: Purposely means on purpose, deliberately, with the aim of doing it.↗ Example: He purposely pretended not to hear.↗ · I did not purposely break your toy.↗ · The fox purposely left a trail of crumbs.↗ · The donkey purposely lay down in the water.↗

purr — Everyday, meaning 1: When a cat purrs, it makes a low, soft, rumbling sound in its throat, usually when it is happy.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A purr is that sound.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A machine such as an engine purrs when it makes a quiet, smooth humming sound.↗ Example: The kitten purred on my lap.↗ · I could feel the cat's purr when I stroked her.↗ · Our cat purrs whenever you scratch behind her ears.↗ · The new car's engine purred quietly.↗ · Lions cannot purr, but they can roar.↗ · She heard a gentle purr from under the blanket.↗ · The cat purred loudly and closed its eyes.↗ · “Nay,” purred Bagheera, “that may not be.↗

purse — Everyday, meaning 1: A purse is a small bag for carrying money and coins (UK, Ireland, Australia).↗ Everyday, meaning 2: In American English, a purse is a woman's handbag.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A purse is the money in a prize: the race had a big purse.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: To purse your lips is to squeeze them into a small round shape.↗ Example: Mom has $45 in her purse.↗ · She takes $12 out of her purse to pay.↗ · A purse costs $18.↗ · How much money is left in her purse?↗ · Grandma keeps her coins in a little purse.↗ · She left her purse on the bus.↗ · The winner of the race gets the whole purse.↗ · Mum pursed her lips when she saw the mess.↗ · Keep your purse zipped in busy places.↗ · ‘Then give me back the purse,’ said John.↗ · Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse' — (Writings PRO.1.14, JPS 1917)↗

pursuant — Everyday, meaning 1: (formal, legal) pursuant to: following or according to a rule, law or agreement.↗ Example: Pursuant to the rules, every pupil must wear a helmet.↗ · The fine was paid pursuant to the court's order.↗ · Pursuant to the agreement, each partner receives half the profit.↗ · The library charged a fee pursuant to its policy.↗ · Pursuant to section 3, pets are not allowed.↗

pursue — Everyday, meaning 1: To pursue means to chase or follow someone or something to catch them.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To pursue a goal, hobby or job means to try to do it or achieve it over a long time.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (formal) To pursue a matter means to keep asking about it or dealing with it.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: To pursue your way means to carry on along a path or journey.↗ Example: The police pursued the robbers through the streets.↗ · The cat pursued the mouse under the bed.↗ · She wants to pursue a career as a doctor.↗ · Never stop pursuing your dreams.↗ · He decided not to pursue the matter.↗ · The dogs pursued the deer into the woods.↗ · And so she pursued her way.↗ · And Jacob answered and said to Laban: 'What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast hotly pursued after me?↗ (Torah GEN.31.36, JPS 1917)↗ · And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and he overtook him in the mountain of Gilead.↗ (Torah GEN.31.23, JPS 1917)↗ · And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.↗ (Torah EXO.14.23, JPS 1917)↗ · And wilt Thou pursue the dry stubble?↗ (Writings JOB.13.25, JPS 1917)↗ · Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.↗ (Writings PSA.34.15, JPS 1917)↗ · So pursue them with Thy tempest, and affright them with Thy storm.↗ (Writings PSA.83.16, JPS 1917)↗

pursuer — Everyday, meaning 1: A pursuer is someone who is chasing or following another person or animal to try to catch them.↗ Example: The fox ran into a hole to escape its pursuers.↗ · The thief looked back at his pursuers.↗ · The rabbit was faster than its pursuer.↗ · The hero hid in a cave until his pursuers had gone.↗ · The cheetah is a fast pursuer but tires quickly.↗ · She shook off her pursuers by climbing over the wall.↗ · The pursuers returned to the Water King.↗ · Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the heaven; they chased us upon the mountains, they lay in wait for us in the wilderness.↗ (Writings LAM.4.19, JPS 1917)↗ · Judah is gone into exile because of affliction, and because of great servitude; she dwelleth among the nations, she findeth no rest; all her pursuers overtook her within the straits.↗ (Writings LAM.1.3, JPS 1917)↗ · And gone is from the daughter of Zion all her splendour; her princes are become like harts that find no pasture, and they are gone without strength before the pursuer.↗ (Writings LAM.1.6, JPS 1917)↗

pursueth — Early Modern English, meaning 1: «pursueth» means «pursues», a form of «pursue».↗ e.g. To pursue means to chase or follow someone or something to catch them.↗ Example: And they shall stumble one upon another, as it were before the sword, when none pursueth; and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.↗ (Torah LEV.26.37, JPS 1917) · And I will set My face against you, and ye shall be smitten before your enemies; they that hate you shall rule over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.↗ (Torah LEV.26.17, JPS 1917)

pursuit — Everyday, meaning 1: Chasing someone or something to catch them.↗ e.g. The police were in pursuit of the thief.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Trying to get or reach something: the pursuit of happiness.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: An activity or hobby: outdoor pursuits like hiking and climbing.↗ Example: The police car raced off in pursuit.↗ · The cheetah was in hot pursuit of a gazelle.↗ · Hiking and canoeing are popular outdoor pursuits.↗ · Scientists spend years in pursuit of answers.↗ · A car 10 km behind is in pursuit at 20 km/h faster; it catches up in half an hour.↗ · The pursuit of happiness is important to everyone.↗ · Reading is her favourite pursuit.↗ · On she dashed in pursuit, chased and chased.↗

purveyor — Everyday, meaning 1: (old use) A purveyor is a person who supplies food or goods to a house, a palace or an army, like a shopkeeper who delivers to the king.↗ Example: The king's purveyor bought fish from the market.↗ · The purveyor sent a cart of bread to the castle.↗ · The purveyor came to the door with the goods.↗

pus — Everyday, meaning 1: Pus is a thick yellow or greenish liquid that forms in a cut or sore that is infected.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: It is made of dead white blood cells, germs and bits of tissue.↗ Example: The cut on his knee was full of pus.↗ · Pus is a sign that germs got into a wound.↗ · Don't squeeze spots with pus; you can spread germs.↗ · The doctor cleaned the pus out of the sore.↗ · White blood cells fighting germs make pus.↗ · If a cut has pus and feels hot, show it to an adult.↗

push — Everyday, meaning 1: To push is to move something away from you by pressing it.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To push a button is to press it.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A push is a force that moves something away.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: To push someone is to try hard to make them do something: «Mum pushed me to practise».↗ Everyday, meaning 5: To push through or past is to move hard through a crowd.↗ Example: He pushes the cart 20 meters.↗ · She pushed the button 5 times.↗ · Tim pushes his sister on the swing 12 times.↗ · How many push-ups did she do in 3 days?↗ · A push is a force that moves things away from you.↗ · The harder you push the ball, the faster it rolls.↗ · Push the door to open it.↗ · No pushing in the lunch queue!↗ · Her coach pushed her to try harder.↗ · He pushed his way through the people.↗ · Through Thee do we push down our adversaries; through Thy name do we tread them under that rise up against us.↗ (Writings PSA.44.6, JPS 1917)↗ · Because ye thrust with side and with shoulder, and push all the weak with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad; (Prophets EZK.34.21, JPS 1917)↗ · I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; and no beasts could stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and magnified himself.↗ (Writings DAN.8.4, JPS 1917)↗

pushy — Everyday, meaning 1: Pushy describes someone who tries too hard to get what they want, telling others what to do or pressuring them in an annoying way.↗ Example: The salesman was very pushy about the new phone.↗ · Don't be pushy — wait your turn.↗ · She was a bit pushy in the group project.↗ · Pushy people can make others feel uncomfortable.↗ · If someone online is pushy, stop chatting and tell an adult.↗ · He's not pushy; he just likes to help.↗

pussy — Everyday, meaning 1: (informal, childish) A cat or kitten, especially in nursery rhymes and baby talk: «pussy cat».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (rude, slang) A vulgar word for a woman's private parts; it is offensive and not for school.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (rude, slang) An insulting word for someone thought to be weak or cowardly.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: «Pussy willow»: a willow tree with soft, furry grey buds in spring.↗ Example: Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been?↗ · The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea in a beautiful pea-green boat.↗ · Grandma calls her kitten «little pussy».↗ · The pussy willow by the stream has soft grey buds.↗ · Puss in Boots is a clever cat in a fairy tale.↗ · Calling someone «a pussy» is rude and unkind, so we don't say it.↗ · ‘If only it were a little pussy cat!’ she said.↗

pussycat — Everyday, meaning 1: (informal, children's) A cat, especially a friendly pet cat: «Here, pussycat!».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (informal) A gentle, kind person who seems tough but is soft and easy to like: «He looks scary but he's a pussycat really.».↗ Example: The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea in a beautiful pea-green boat.↗ · «Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been?»↗ «I've been to London to visit the Queen.»↗ · Our pussycat sleeps on the radiator.↗ · The big rugby player is a total pussycat with his little sister.↗ · The baby pointed and said «pussycat!»↗ · The guard dog turned out to be a pussycat.↗