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placid
(adj.) undisturbed and calm
The placid lake's water was completely motionless.
plaintive
(adj.) being mournful or sad
His wife's death made Sam plaintive.
platonic
(adj.) idealistic or impractical; not amorous or sensual
The platonic advice of the doctor was to stay away from all odors.
Our relationship is platonic now, but I hope it will someday be otherwise.
plausible
(adj.) probable; feasible
After weeks of trying to determine what or who was raiding the chicken
coop, the farmer came up with a plausible explanation.
After scrimping and saving for a decade, it was now plausible to send
his daughter to college.
plenary
(adj.) full; entire; complete
A plenary class of students staged the protest.
plethora
(n.) a superabundance
There was a plethora of food at the royal feast.
plumb
(adj.; v.) perfectly straight down; to solve
The two walls met plumb at the corner.
I was able to plumb the riddle in a few seconds.
polemic
(adj.) controversial
The polemic decision caused a stir in the community.
polemicist
(n.) a person skilled in argument
The polemicist could debate any case skillfully.
pommel
(n.) the rounded, upward-projecting front of a saddle
The woman was so nervous about being on the horse she would not let go
of the pommel.
ponderous
(adj.) unwieldy from weight; dull or labored
The ponderous piano posed a serious challenge to having it pulled up to
the 16th floor.
As if being grainy wasn't bad enough, the film's ponderous story made
it tough to get through.
portend
(v.) to be an omen of; signify
The distant roll of thunder portends of an oncoming storm.
potable
(adj.; n.) drinkable; a beverage that is drinkable
The liquid was not potable, but rather poisonous.
Sea water isn't potable.
potent
(adj.) having great power or physical strength
He took very potent medication and felt better immediately.
pragmatic
(adj.) matter-of-fact; practical
Since they were saving money to buy a new home, the pragmatic married
couple decided not to go on an expensive vacation.
A pragmatic solution to the car's continual repairs would be to purchase
a new car.
prate
(v.) talking foolishly; chatter
It is not uncommon for people to prate when they become nervous about
speaking to a superior.
prattle
(n.; v.) childish babble; to babble while speaking
I've listened to his prattle for far too long.
The toddler does more prattling than talking.
precarious
(adj.) depending upon another; risky, uncertain
The precarious plans fell through when the second couple changed their
plans.
My position in the negotiations was precarious at best.
precept
(n.) a rule or direction of moral conduct
The organization believed their members should abide by certain precepts.
precipitate
(v.; adj.) to cause to happen; happening quickly
A rude comment may precipitate an argument.
The precipitating flood caught the village off-guard.
preclude
(v.) inhibit; make impossible
A healthy diet and lifestyle will not preclude you from getting ill, although
it improves your immune system.
Exercise may help to preclude heart disease.
precocious
(adj.) developed or matured earlier than usual
The precocious eight year-old wanted to read the romance novel.
predecessor
(n.) one who has occupied an office before another
Although her predecessor did not accomplish any goals that would help
the poor, the new mayor was confident that she could finally help those
in need.
prefatory
(adj.) coming before
The prefatory comments informed the audience of what was to come.
premise
(n.) the basis for an argument
The prosecutor claimed that the defense lawyer's premise was shaky, and
thus his whole argument was suspect.
preponderate
(adj.) to outweigh; to be superior in amount, weight, etc.
His positive qualities are the preponderate ones over his occasional rudeness.
presage
(n.) an omen; a foreshadowing characteristic
They considered the rainbow at their wedding a presage for a happy life.
Bright sun in the morning was a good presage that it was going to be a
good day.
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