WAPFTP REVERSE DICTIONARY
P
PROSTRATE - PUMPKIN
PROSTRATE - verbs
• LAIR † to prostrate; to lay on the ground ...c1200
PROTECT - verbs
• BERGH † to give shelter; to protect, to preserve; to deliver, to save ...a1000
• BESEE † to care for, to protect ...a1225
• BESTRIDE to stand over a fallen man in order to defend him; to defend, to protect, to support ...1580
• BEVAAR to protect, to guard ...Bk1898 Sc.
• BIEL to shelter, to protect; to take shelter ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BIELD to shelter, to protect; also, to take shelter ...1865 Eng. dial.
• DEBATE † to fight for, to defend, to protect ...1500-20 Sc.
• FORFEND to secure, defend, or protect by precautionary measures ...1592 now chiefly Amer.
• HAIN to protect or preserve from harm; to shield; to exculpate ...1798 Sc.
• HAP to shelter, to shield, to protect ...1773 Sc.
• SCONCE to guard, to protect; to take up a position of security; to keep off, to turn aside ...1861 Sc.
• SHUN to protect; to shield ...1936 Amer. dial.
• SUCCOUR † to shelter, to protect ...1398 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• THEAK to cover; to clothe; to protect ...1785 Sc. & Eng. dial.
PROTECTED - adjectives
• OBTECTED † covered, protected ...B1900
PROTECTING - adjectives
• CUSTODIENT †* guarding, protecting ...1657
PROTECTION - nouns
• AEGIS a protection, or impregnable defense ...1793
• BENEFICE † favourable influence or operation; advantage, favour, protection, benefit ...1424
• BERGH † protection, shelter ...c1250
• BIELDING shelter, protection ...1724 Sc.
• GARRISON † defense, protection; deliverance, safety; means of defense ...c1320
• PALLADIUM anything on which the safety of a nation, institution, privilege, etc. is believed to depend; a safeguard, protecting institution; means of protection or defense ...1600
• SCOUK shade, shelter, protection ...Bk1904 Sc.
• SKOOK shade, shelter, protection ...Bk1904 Sc.
• SUBTECTACLE †* covering, protection ...1609
• SUCCOUR † shelter, protection; a place of shelter; a sheltered place; a refuge ...a1300 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• UMBRAGE † shelter, protection, screen ...1607
• VELUM † a screen or protection ...1781
PROTECTION - verbs
• SANCTUARY †* to place in safety as in a sanctuary; of place: to afford protection or shelter from ...1615
PROTECTION MONEY - nouns
• ICE protection money, bribes, extortion ...1948 US sl.
• JUICE protection money, extortion ...1935 US sl.
PROTECTION MONEY - nouns, person
• ICEMAN the frontman who pays or receives protection money on behalf of illegal gamblers or the authorities ...1960s sl.
PROTECTION MONEY - verbs
• ICE to pay bribes, to pay protection money ...1930s US sl.
PROTECTOR - nouns, person
• BERGHER † a protector, deliverer, saviour ...a1300
• RABBI a mentor or protector ...1970 US sl.
• SAFE-KEEPER * a protector ...1561
• TAKER-UP † one who takes another under his charge or protection; a patron, a guardian, a protector ...1388
PROTEST, PROTESTING - nouns
• BELCH a protest; a complaint ...Bk1914 criminals' sl.
• OBTESTATION † the act of protesting ...B1900
• ROAR a protest ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• ROKO a protest or demonstration ...L20 Indian
PROTEST - verbs
• BARK AGAINST THE MOON to clamour or agitate to no effect; to protest in vain ...1655
• BARK AT THE MOON to clamour or agitate to no effect; to protest in vain ...1655
• CHEW to argue, to protest ...1965 Amer. dial.
• CHEW THINGS OVER to argue, to protest ...1965 Amer. dial.
• OBTEST † to protest ...B1900
• RAISE CAIN to react or protest heatedly
• ROAR to protest ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• THREAP DOWN to insist or assert with pertinacity, esp. to persist in a false assertion; to protest or argue strongly ...1877 Eng. dial.
• THREAP DOWN THE THROAT to insist or assert with pertinacity, esp. to persist in a false assertion; to protest or argue strongly ...1864 Sc.
• THREAP OUT to insist or assert with pertinacity, esp. to persist in a false assertion; to protest or argue strongly ...1790 Eng. dial.
PROTEST - interjections
• OY GEVALT! used for expressing a lament, protest, dismay, or delight ...1968 US (Yiddish)
PROTESTANT - nouns, person
• HUN a Protestant ...1996 Sc. sl.
• LEFT-FOOT. a Protestant ...1960 Amer. dial.
• LEFT-HANDER a Protestant ...1950 Amer. dial.
• LEFT-LEGGER a Protestant ...1968 Amer. dial.
• MASS-GOSPELLER † a protestant who (hypocritically) attends mass ...a1555
• NARROWBACK a Protestant ...1968 Amer. dial.
• ORANGEMAN n. a Protestant Irishman; a Netherlander ...1967 Amer. dial.
• ORANGEY a Protestant Irishman; a Netherlander ...1895 Amer. dial.
• PARIS BUN a Protestant ...20C sl.
• PROD (derogatory) a Protestant ...1942 Anglo-Irish sl.
• PRODDY (derogatory) a Protestant ...1954 Anglo-Irish sl.
• PRODDY-DOG (derogatory) a Protestant ...1954 Anglo-Irish sl.
• PRODDY-HOPPER (derogatory) a Protestant ...1954 Anglo-Irish sl.
• PRODDY-WODDY (derogatory) a Protestant ...1954 Anglo-Irish sl.
• PROT (derogatory) a Protestant ...1725
• SOAPDODGER a Protestant, as used in Scotland and Northern Ireland ...20C sl.
• TESTAMENT-MAN † a Protestant ...1827 Sc.
PROTRUDE - verbs
• BUNG to stick out, to protrude ...1896 Amer. dial.
• BUNG OUT to stick out, to protrude ...1896 Amer. dial.
PROTUBERANCE - nouns
• GALE any kind or form of protuberance ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
PROTUBERANT - adjectives
• CAFF-BELLIED protuberant ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
PROUD - adjectives
• ASPERANT bold, proud, haughty ...E19
• AUNTY-PAUNTY of persons: proud, high-spirited ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• AUNTY-PRAUNTY of persons: proud, high-spirited ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• BELLIED inflated with pride ...a1564
• BIG proud, haughty, consequential, conceited ...1828 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• BIG AS BULL BEEF as proud as a peacock, vain, self-centred ...Bk1898 Eng.
• BIG AS S as proud as a peacock, vain, self-centred ...Bk1898 Eng.
• BIGSIE rather large; proud, conceited; generally used contemptuously ...Bk1898 Sc.
• BIG-SORTED proud, stuck-up ...1890 Eng. dial.
• BIRTH-PUFFED proud of one's descent ...1823
• BOBBEROUS boastful, proud ...19C Eng. dial.
• BUCKED happy, pleased, proud ...1907 sl.
• BUG AS BRASS stuck-up, proud ...Eng. dial.
• CHUFFY fussy; proud, conceited, haughty; pleased, elated ...1874 Eng. dial.
• COBBY headstrong, obstinate, arrogant, proud ...1785 Eng. dial.
• CONSEQUENTIOUS conceited, proud; affectedly great; pompous ...1803 ? Amer.
• DASHIE making a great show; showy, gay, proud ...Bk1900 Sc.
• DEIGNOUS † disdainful, proud, haughty, scornful ...c1330
• DORTY spoiled, pettish, sullen, sulky, easily offended, ill-humoured; saucy, haughty, conceited, proud, stubborn; contemptuous ...a1605 Sc.
• FALSE of shame, pride: arising from mistaken notions ...1791
• FASTUOUS * proud, haughty, disdainful, arrogant; pretentious, ostentatious ...a1638
• HAUTAIN † holding or behaving oneself loftily; proud, arrogant, haughty ...1297
• HIGHFUL † haughty, proud ...1297
• HIGH IN THE INSTEP † haughty, proud, arrogant, conceited ...1562 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• HIGH-STOMACHED † haughty, disdainful, proud, obstinate, of high courage or spirit ...1548 obs. or arch.
• HIGHTY-TIGHTY conceitedly proud, stuck-up, haughty ...B1900
• HYPERSNORTY stylish; proud ...1914 Amer. dial.
• IKEY conceited, proud ...1887 sl.
• JELLY * good, worthy, excellent; having a high opinion of oneself; proud, haughty ...c1560-73 Sc.
• KEEN † bold, proud, forward, insolent, heinous ...1297
• MANDY domineering, proud, haughty ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MAWKY whimsical, capricious, changeable; peevish, discontented; proud, conceited ...1854 Eng. dial.
• MISPROUD † improperly or unjustifiably vain or proud; arrogant, haughty ...1303 obs. exc. arch.
• MUCKLE proud, haughty ...Bk1905 Sc.
• OPINIONATIVE †* holding too high an opinion of; proud or conceited of ...1621
• ORGULOUS proud, haughty, disdainful ...c1250 arch.
• PAUGHTY proud, conceited, haughty ...1572 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• PENSIFUL proud, conceited; giving oneself airs ...1788 Sc.
• PENSY † giving oneself airs; proud and conceited; above one's station; affected in manner ...1715 obs. exc. Sc. & Eng. dial.
• PROTERVE †* forward, wayward, stubborn; peevish, petulant; proud, arrogant, impudent ...1382
• PROUD AS A DOG WITH TWO TAILS very proud indeed ...1840 Eng. dial.
• PROUD AS A JAY-BIRD very proud ...1897 Amer. dial.
• PROUD AS OLD NICK very proud ...1856 Amer. dial.
• PROUDER THAN LUCIFER very proud ...Bk1905 Amer. dial.
• PRUNK proud, vain, saucy ...B1900 Sc.
• QUAINT †* proud, haughty ...a1225
• SANSHACH proud, distant; disdainful; snappish, saucy ...1871 Sc.
• SAUCY proud, vain, conceited ...1773 Sc.
• SCANCE proud, haughty, disdainful; distant in manner ...Bk1904 Sc.
• SET UP proud; exhilarated; enlivened by drink; drunk ...1875 Amer. dial.
• SIDE haughty, proud ...1508 now Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• SKEIGH of persons, esp. women: shy, coy, disdainful, proud ...c1560 Sc.
• SNORTY proud, haughty ...B1900 eng. dial.
• SUPERBILOQUENT † speaking proudly or haughtily ...1658
• TOP-PROUD proud in the highest degree ...Shakespeare
• UGERTFUL † proud; nice, squeamish ...1755 Sc.
• VAINGLORIOUS inordinately boastful or proud of one's own abilities, actions or qualities; excessively and ostentatiously vain ...c1480
• VAINSOME conceited, proud, vain ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• VANTIE boastful, proud, vain; exultant; ostentatious, showy ...1789 Sc.
• VANTY boastful, proud, vain ...1724 Sc.
• VAUDIE proud, vain, conceited ...B1900 Sc.
• VAUKIE proud, well-pleased ...Bk1905 Sc.
• VAUNTIE boastful, proud, vain; exultant; ostentatious, showy ...1789 Sc.
• VAUNTY boastful, proud, vain; exultant; ostentatious, showy ...1724 chiefly Sc. & Eng. dial.
• VOGGY vain, proud, conceited ...B1900 Sc.
• WADDIE proud, vain; forward; elated, cheerful, gay, merry ...1785 Sc.
• WADY proud, vain; forward; elated, cheerful, gay, merry ...1785 Sc.
PROUD - nouns, person
• BLUEBELLY a proud, pretentious person; a term of reproach ...1950 Amer. dial.
• DIGHT OF A BODY, A a proud person or woman ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
PROUD, PRIDE - verbs
• BE ALL MAN AND SHIRT to put on consequential airs; to be proud ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• BE HIGH IN THE INSTEP to be proud and haughty ...Bk1902 Eng. dial.
• BELL † to be puffed up or proud ...1382
• BUST ONE'S BUTTONS to swell with pride ...1974 Amer. sl.
• KICK UP SHINES to be proud, to put on airs ...1884 Amer. dial.
• MOUNT THE HIGH HORSE said of a person affecting airs of superiority, or behaving pretentiously or arrogantly; to be overbearing or oppressive; to be proud; to take offense ...1871
• POP ONE'S BUTTONS to swell with pride ...1981 Amer. sl.
• PUFF UP to inflate with pride, vanity, etc.
• ROOSE † to boast or be proud of something ...c1200 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• SAIBLE to walk with a proud or haughty carriage ...1929 Sc.
• SCORT to walk proudly; to be arrogant ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SET UP A KAIM to act in a proud or arrogant manner ...1882 Sc.
• TAKE ON to assume airs; to behave proudly or haughtily; to presume; to take liberties ...1668
• WALK TALL to behave proudly, courageously, and honestly ...1846 orig. US
• WLENCH † to make proud; to pride oneself ... c1200
PROUDLY - adverbs
• GARISHLY † proudly, wantonly ...1593
• HAUTAINLY † haughtily, proudly ...c1400
• SKEIGH proudly, disdainfully ...1792 Sc.
PROVE - verbs
• INSTRUCT † to prove clearly ...1727 Sc.
• QUALIFY † to prove; to authenticate, to make good; to testify to ...1746 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
PROVERB - nouns
• ADAGY † an adage, saying ...1549
• BEQUEATH † a byword, proverb ...c1000
• DAFFODIL a homily, proverb, or aphorism ...20C Amer.
• NAYWORD a byword, a proverb ...1601
• OLD SONG an old story or saying, a proverb, etc. ...1707 Sc.
• OLD WORD a proverb, saying, saw ...1896 Sc.
• SAY a saying; a proverb; a prediction ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
PROVERBIAL - adjectives
• ADAGIAL † of the nature of an adage; proverbial ...a1677
PROVIDE - nouns, person
• MEAL TICKET one who provides for another; usually used of a spouse ...1902 Amer. dial.
• SUBMINISTRATOR † one who provides or supplies ...1611
PROVIDE - verbs
• COME THE BIG FIGURE to do or provide what is required ...1848 Amer. sl.
• POP to provide without payment ...1970s sl.
• POP FOR to provide without payment ...1970s sl.
• TEND to provide, to supply ...1882 Eng. dial.
• THROUGH-BEAR to sustain, to provide for ...1714 Sc.
• TILL † to labour after, to seek after, to provide; to get by effort, to obtain, acquire or earn by labour; later, to get, to obtain ...a900
• YATE † to provide, to give, to offer ...a1300
PROVIDED - adjectives
• ELECTED provided with, having a sufficient supply of ...1893 Amer. dial.
• TIFT † prepared, ready; set in order; provided, furnished ...1300s Sc.
PROVIDED FOR - adjectives
• ALL-HEELED well provided for, all right ...1908 Amer. dial.
PROVIDENT - adjectives
• PROSPICIENT †* having foresight, provident ...1654
PROVINCIAL - adjectives
• MAIN STREET provincial ...1910s US sl.
PROVISION(S) - nouns
• ACATERY † provisions purchased; also, the room or place allotted to the keeping of all such provisions ...a1377
• ACATES † things purchased; such provisions as were not made in the house, but had to be purchased fresh when wanted, as meat, fish, etc.; hence, all provisions except the home produce of the baker and brewer; dainties, delicacies ...1465
• ACATRY † provisions purchased; also, the room or place allotted to the keeping of all such provisions ...a1377
• ACCATRY † provisions purchased; also, the room or place allotted to the keeping of all such provisions ...a1377
• ACHATES † things purchased; provisions that were not made in the house, by the baker or brewer, but had to be purchased as wanted ...1469
• ACHATRY † provisions purchased; also, the room or place allotted to the keeping of all such provisions ...a1377
• BAGGING food, provisions ...1805 Eng. dial.
• BELLY-CHEER † food of all kinds; provisions ...1579
• BELLY-TIMBER † food, provisions ...1607 obs. exc. Eng. & Amer. dial.
• CATES † things purchased; such provisions as were not made in the house, but had to be purchased fresh when wanted, as meat, fish, etc.; hence, all provisions except the home produce of the baker and brewer; dainties, delicacies; in later use, sometimes merely victuals, food ...1465
• FARM † food, provision; hence, a banquet, a feast ...a900
• GRUBBINS food, provisions; a meal ...1847 Amer. sl.
• GRUBSTAKE money or provisions ...1881 Amer. sl.
• LAIDNER † a larder, a meat safe; a winter's stock of provisions ...1825 Sc.
• SCAFF food, provisions of any kind ...1768 Sc.
• SCAFF-AND-RAFF † abundant provisions ...1829 Sc.
• SCAFFING † food of any kind; abundant provision ...1827 Sc.
• SCAFF-RAFF abundant provisions ...1815 Sc.
• SCRAN food, provisions, victuals, esp. inferior or scrappy food ...1801 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SKRAN food, provisions, victuals, esp. inferior or scrappy food ...1801 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SUBMINISTRATION † ministering support; provision, supply ...1582
• TOMMY food, provisions generally ...1911
• VIVERS food, provisions, victuals, eatables ...1814 Sc.
PROVISIONS - nouns, person
• ACATER † a purchaser of provisions; a purveyor; a provider or preparer of 'cates' or delicacies; a caterer ...c1386
• ACATOUR † a purchaser of provisions; a purveyor; a provider or preparer of 'cates' or delicacies; a caterer ...c1386
• ACHATER † a purchaser or buyer of provisions; esp. the officer who purchased provisions for the royal household; a purveyor ...c1386
• ACHATOR † a purchaser of provisions; a purveyor; a provider or preparer of 'cates' or delicacies; a caterer ...c1386
• ACHATOUR † a purchaser of provisions; a purveyor; a provider or preparer of 'cates' or delicacies; a caterer ...c1386
• MANCIPLE an officer or servant who purchases provisions for a college, an inn of court, a monastery, etc. ...a1225
• OBSONATOR †* a caterer or manciple (an officer who buys provisions for a college, monastery or other institution) ...1656
PROVISIONS - verbs
• ALLEGOGER to go out to a ship to sell provisions ...1863 Eng. dial.
• GRUBSTAKE to provide with a grubstake ...1879 Amer. sl.
PROVOCATIVE - adjectives
• CHEESECAKE sensual, provocative; said of pictures or photographs of girls ...20C Amer. sl.
• DAMN-YOUR-EYES provocative ...M19 sl.
• WARM of a woman: sexy, provocative ...L19 sl.
PROVOCATIVE - nouns, person
• COCK-TEASER (derogatory) a sexually provocative woman who evades or refuses intercourse ...1891 sl.
• PRICK-TEASER (derogatory) a sexually provocative woman who evades or refuses intercourse ...1961 sl.
PROVOCATIVE - verbs
• ADVERTISE to dress in a sexually provocative manner ...1950s gay sl.
• FEIST to strut, to flirt, to move so as to drawn attention to oneself; to behave coquettishly or provocatively ...1931 Amer. dial.
• LIP OFF to talk rudely, cheekily, or provocatively ...1950s US sl.
• POP STYLE of a woman: to walk in a provocative manner or to act stylishly ...1950s W. Indies sl.
• SASHAY to strut, to parade, to walk in an ostentatious or provocative manner ...1900s sl., orig. US
PROVOKE - nouns, person
• PROVOCANT * one who provokes, incites, or stimulates a person, reaction, etc. ...1894 rare
PROVOKE - verbs
• AGGERPERVOKE to aggravate, to irritate, to provoke, to annoy ...1923 Amer. dial.
• AGGERVEX to aggravate, to vex, to provoke ...1933 Amer. dial.
• AGGRAVOKE to provoke, to incite ...1967 Amer. dial.
• BAIT to entice, to lure, provoke ...1903 Amer. dial.
• CAFF to chafe; to jeer, to provoke, to make fun of ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• CONCITATE †* to provoke, excite, rouse, stir up ...1574
• DACKER to dare, to challenge, to provoke ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• EAGER † to excite, to irritate, to provoke; to become exasperated ...c1374
• EDGE † to urge on, to incite, to provoke, to encourage a person; also, to stimulate, to give activity to an industry, etc. ...1575
• EXASPER † to exasperate, provoke ...1545
• GET FUNNY WITH to provoke, to act in an offensive manner ...L19 sl.
• GET IN SOMEONE'S FACE to confront, to provoke ...1950s sl.
• HACK to annoy, to irritate, to anger; to provoke; to goad ...1893 Amer. sl.
• HACK OFF to annoy, to irritate, to anger; to provoke; to goad ...L19 Amer. sl.
• HAG(G) to excite to quarrel; to provoke, to irritate; to annoy, to incite; to complain, to find fault ...1806 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• HAWK to jeer with intent to provoke; to exasperate; to discomfit, to daunt; to annoy, to tease; to embarrass ...1928 Amer. dial.
• HIGH-GYVE to tease, to provoke ...1930s US sl.
• HIGH JIVE to tease, to provoke ...1930s US sl.
• NETTLE to irritate, to annoy, to provoke ...a1562
• PRORITATE † to stir up, to provoke, to irritate, to incite ...1620
• PROVOCATE †* to provoke, call forth, incite ...1432-50
• RAISE to excite, to agitate, to provoke, to rouse to excitement or anger; to madden, to vex ...1768 chiefly Sc.
• RATTLE SOMEONE'S CAGE to annoy someone; to provoke someone ...1980 US sl.
• TERRY † to provoke, to torment ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• TET † to tease, to provoke ...1777 Eng. dial.
• THROW to thwart, to oppose; to dispute, to contradict, to argue; to provoke, to anger ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• TICKLE † 1. to stir up, to incite, to provoke; to prompt or impel to do something ...1532
† 2. to vex, to irritate, to provoke ...1547-64
• TO-TAR † to provoke greatly ...1382
• WAKE SNAKES to cause disturbance or trouble; to provoke to the uttermost; to get oneself into trouble; to having a rousing, roaring time ...1848 Amer. sl.
PROVOKED - adjectives
• EDGY quick-tempered, easily provoked ...Bk1900 Sc.
• NETTLED irritated, vexed, provoked, annoyed, angry ...a1400-50
• NETTLESOME easily provoked or annoyed
• PAUGHTY irritable, easily provoked, short-tempered ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• PROVOCATE †* provoked, stimulated, incited ...1432-50
PROVOKING - adjectives
• AT IT teasing, provoking ...1920s sl.
• NETTLING irritating, provoking ...1652
• SANKLIN teasing, provoking ...1921 Sc.
PROWESS - nouns
• MARS warfare, warlike prowess, fortune in war ...1387
• VASSALAGE † action befitting a good vassal or a man of courage and spirit; prowess in battle, warfare, or other difficult enterprise ...1303 obs. exc. arch.
PROWESS - verbs
• BE MATCHES † to be equal in prowess ...c1300
PROWL - verbs
• DARK to skulk, to prowl or lurk about ...1889 Eng. dial.
• NAP to prowl; to go about with dishonest intentions ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• PERUSE to wander, to saunter, to prowl; to walk in a leisurely manner; to make one's way ...1853 Amer. dial.
• PESTICATE to wander idly; to prowl about ...1916 Amer. dial.
• PIROOT to prowl, to nose around; to fool around ...1909 Amer. dial.
PROWLING - nouns
• ALGERINING the act of prowling about with an intention to steal; robbery ...1887 Eng. dial.
PROXIMITY - nouns
• PROXIMIORITY † the fact of being nearer; greater proximity ...1720 nonce word
PRUDE - nouns, person
• WOWSER a prude who publicly complains about the supposed deleterious effects of other people's behaviour on society; a moral crusader ...1900 Aust. sl.
PRUDENCE - nouns
• ADVICE † forethought, prudence, wisdom ...1375
• ADVISIVENESS †* thoughtfulness, prudence, discretion ...1436
• CANNINESS sagacity, skilfulness, prudence, cautiousness; gentleness, quietness ...a1662 Sc.
PRUDENT - adjectives
• ADVISIVE †* observant, prudent ...1436
• BEST-CONSULTED † most prudent or best-advised ...a1659
• CANNY knowing, sagacious, judicious, prudent; wary, cautious ...1637 Sc.
• CAUTELOUS † cautious, wary, heedful, prudent ...1574 obs. or arch.
• HOFUL † careful, wary, prudent ...1565
• OLD-FARRAND knowing, prudent, wise; of children, precocious, grave beyond their years ...1737 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• OLD-FARRANT knowing, prudent, wise; of children, precocious, grave beyond their years ...1737 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• OLD-FARRANTLY knowing, prudent, wise; of children, precocious, grave beyond their years ...Bk1905 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• OLD-FARRENDLY knowing, prudent, wise; of children, precocious, grave beyond their years ...Bk1905 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SICKER prudent, careful, esp. with regard to money matters; wary, cautious ...c1662 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• VERTIE † careful, cautious, prudent; industrious, wide-awake, eager; attentive to business ...1804 Sc.
• YEPE † prudent, wise, sagacious, shrewd, astute ...c1000
PRUDENTLY - adverbs
• ADVISEDLY † with prudence; wisely, prudently, judiciously ...c1386
• CANNILY sagaciously, skilfully, prudently; cautiously, slyly; gently, softly; comfortably ...1636 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
PRUDERY - nouns
• PRIMOSITY † a state of primness, prudery ...a1839 humorous nonce word
PRUDISH - adjectives
• MEEDISH of a man: effeminate; of a woman: prudish ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MIM prim, demure; affectedly modest or shy; prudish; primly silent or reticent ...1641 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MIMSEY prim, prudish ...1880 Eng. dial.
• NICE-NELLIE prudish, puritanical ...1950s US sl.
• NICE-NELLY prudish, puritanical ...1950s US sl.
• PUDIBUND * modest, bashful, prudish ...1656
• WOWSERISH like a 'wowser'; prudish, very puritanical ...1906 Aust. sl.
• WOWSERISTIC prudish, puritanical ...1907 Aust. sl.
• WOWSERY like a 'wowser'; prudish; very puritanical ...c1925 Aust. sl.
PRUDISH - nouns, person
• MR. CLEAN an obsessively neat and prudish man ...1960s US sl.
• PRUNE a prudish, scholarly person ... c1900 Amer. sl.
• WOWSER an excessively puritanical or prudish person ...1900 Aust. & NZ sl.
PRUDISHLY - adverbs
• MIMLIE primly, prudishly ...Bk1905 Sc.
PRUDISHNESS - nouns
• MIMNESS prudishness, primness ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• NICE-NELLYISM prudishness, excessive gentility, puritanical behaviour or attitudes ...1930s US sl.
• WOWSERISM prudishness; the characteristic behaviour of a 'wowser' ...1904 Aust. sl.
PRUNE (fruit) - nouns
• ANCHOR BRAND STRAWBERRY among loggers: a prune ...1969 Amer. dial.
• ANCHOR STRAWBERRY a prune ...1960 US nautical sl.
• ARMY STRAWBERRIES prunes ...World War II Amer. sl.
• CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRIES prunes ...World War II Amer. sl.
• C.P.R. STRAWBERRIES prunes (Canadian Pacific Railways) ...c1918 Can. railwaymen's usage
• LOGANBERRY a prune ...1928 US Army sl.
• LOG BERRY a prune ...1941 Amer. dial.
• LOGGING BERRY a prune ...1956 Amer. dial.
• NATIVE SON a prune ...1918 Amer. Army sl.
• NIGGERHEAD (derogatory) a prune ...E20 US sl.
• RAISIN WITH THE MUMPS among loggers: a prune ...1972 Amer. dial.
• STRAWBERRIES prunes ...Amer. World War I sl.
PRUNE (trim) - nouns
• ABNODATION † the act of cutting away knots from trees; a gardening term ...1678
PRUNE (trim) - verbs
• ABNODATE † to prune trees, etc. ...1721
• CASTRATE † in gardening: to prune, to remove superfluous suckers from ...1658
• JAG to trim up the small branches of a tree or hedge ...Bk1902 Eng. dial.
• PAMPINATE † to prune or trim a vine ...1745
• PAMPINE † to prune or trim a vine ...c1420
• SLENCH to prune a hedge; to cut one side of it only ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• TAME to begin to cut; to cut; to prune ...1873 Eng. dial.
PRUNING - nouns
• PAMPINATION †* the pruning or trimming of vines ...1398
PRY - nouns, person
• NOSEY PARKER a person who continually pries; a meddler ...sl.
• NOSY PARKER a person who continually pries; a meddler ...sl.
PRY - verbs
• NEB to pry; to nose around, to be nosy or inquisitive ...1928 Amer. dial.
• NEB ABOUT to pry; to nose around, to be nosy or inquisitive ...1928 Amer. dial.
• NIB to pry, to meddle, to interfere ...1942 Amer. dial.
• NIBSHIT to pry, to meddle, to interfere ...1968 Amer. dial.
• PIKE to be nosy, to snoop, to pry ...1959 Amer. dial.
• POKE ONE'S NOSE INTO SOMETHING to pry and meddle; to examine ...1860s Amer. sl.
• POKE THE NEB INTO OTHER FOLK'S PORRIDGE to pry into other people's affairs ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• SIFT to pry into, to make inquiry ...1590
• SLENCH to hunt about privately with a view to stealing food, as a cat or dog; to pry about ...1790 Eng. dial.
• SNOOP to pry, to interfere, to listen in ...1920s sl., orig. US
• TEET to peep; to peep or pry in a sly, clandestine manner ...1785 Sc.
PRYING - adjectives
• EMISSITIOUS †* prying, inquisitive, narrowly examining ...1620
• INQUISITORIOUS †* like an inquisitor; offensively or impertinently inquiring or prying; making strict inquiry; inquisitive ...1641
• NEWSY of a person: news-loving; inquisitive, prying, nosy, gossipy ...1899 Amer. dial.
• PIKEY nosy, prying, inquisitive ...1959 Amer. dial.
PRYING - nouns
• DARKING † eavesdropping, prying ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
PRYING - nouns, person
• NANNY-FODGER a meddlesome, prying person ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• NANNY-FUDGER a meddlesome, prying person ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• NUNNY-FUDGER a meddlesome, prying person ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• PIKE a nosy, snoopy, or inquisitive person, a prying person ...1959 Amer. dial.
PSEUDONYM - adjectives
• PSEUDONYMOUS bearing or writing under a false or fictitious name; using a pseudonym; bearing the name of someone other than the real author ...1706
PSYCHEDELIC - adjectives
• ACIDY psychedelic ...1998 Brit. sl.
PSYCHEDELIC - verbs
• ACID TEST to create or enhance an atmosphere suggestive of hallucinations induced by LSD in (a room); to make psychedelic ...1970 Amer. sl.
PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTION - see INSANE ASYLUM
PSYCHIATRIST - nouns, person
• BUG DOCTOR a psychiatrist or psychologist ...1936 Amer. dial.
• FREUD SQUAD psychiatrists ...2003 UK doctors' sl.
• GURU a psychiatrist ...1960s Amer. sl.
• LOONY-DOCTOR a psychiatrist ...1925 sl.
• NUTPICK a psychiatrist ...1918 Amer. sl., esp. military
• NUTPICKER a psychiatrist ...1919 Amer. sl., esp. military
• NUT SHARP a psychiatrist ...1924 Amer. sl.
• SHRINK a psychiatrist ...1966 sl.
• SHRINKER a psychiatrist ...1967 sl.
• SICKEY ACKEY a psychiatrist ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• TRICK CYCLIST a psychiatrist ...1930 sl.
• WIG-PICKER a psychiatrist ...1961 US sl.
• WITCH-DOCTOR a psychiatrist ...1966 services' sl.
PSYCHOANALYZE - verbs
• PSYCH to psychoanalyze ...1917 sl.
PSYCHOLOGIST - nouns, person
• BUG DOCTOR a psychiatrist or psychologist ...1936 Amer. dial.
PSYCHOLOGY - nouns
• PSYCHOBABBLE the jargon of psychology, esp. as used and popularized in various types of psychotherapy ...colloq.
PSYCHOLOGY - nouns, person
• LAB HOUND a person who enjoys being the subject of psychology experiments ...1970 Amer. sl.
PSYCHOTHERAPIST - nouns, person
• SHRINK a psychoanalyst or psychotherapist ...20C US colloq.
PSYCHOTIC - nouns, person
• RADGE a psychotic person; a madman ...1995 sl.
• RADGEHEAD a psychotic person ...1990s sl.
• RADGY a psychotic person ...1990s sl.
PSYCHOTIC - verbs
• BUG OUT to become psychotic ...1950s Amer. sl.
• WIG OUT to become psychotic ...1950s Amer. sl.
PUB - see DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT
PUBIC HAIR - see GENITALS
PUBLIC - adjectives
• OPENLY † open to sight, manifest, public ...c1050
• UNBEWRAYED not made public ...1605
PUBLIC - nouns, person
• JOHN Q. PUBLIC a member of the general public ...N. Amer. colloq.
PUBLIC - verbs
• TAKE IT TO THE STREET to take a private conflict or issue into the public arena ...20C US sl.
PUBLICAN - nouns, person (also see DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT, PEOPLE)
• ABRAHAM GRAINS a publican brewing his own beer ...L19 sl.
• ADMIRAL OF THE BLUE † a publican; a tapster, an innkeeper; from the colour of his apron ...c1425
• ALE-DRAPER † an innkeeper or publican ...1747 Eng. dial.
• ALE SPINNER a brewer or publican ...Bk1890 sl.
• ALE-WEEAN a female publican ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• BEGGAR-MAKER a publican ...1790 Eng. dial.
• KNIGHT OF THE SPIGOT a publican, a tapster ...1821 sl.
• NICK AND FROTH a publican ...a1625 sl.
• NICK-POT a publican ...17C sl.
PUBLICATION - nouns
• EDITION † the act of putting forth, or making public; publication ...1551
PUBLIC CRIER - nouns, person
• CALL to announce, to publish; to have cried by the public crier ...1808 Eng. dial.
PUBLIC HOUSE - see DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT
PUBLICITY - nouns
• BALLYHOO a 'barker's' speech; publicity in advance of a project; hence, blarney ...1914 US
• DAIRY exposure, publicity ...1910s sl.
• RAZZAMATAZZ noisy, showy publicity or display ...1958 sl.
• RAZZMATAZZ noisy, showy publicity or display ...19C sl.
PUBLICITY - nouns, person
• FLACK a publicity agent ...1939 sl., orig. US
PUBLICITY - verbs
• FLY THE KITE to seek publicity ...1890s society sl.
PUBLICLY - adverbs
• OPENLY † by people generally, commonly, publicly ...1154
PUBLIC RELATIONS - nouns
• PROMO public relations; promotional item(s); in the music business: an advance copy of an unreleased tune sent to an influential DJ ...1966 US sl.
PUBLIC RELATIONS - nouns, person
• FLACK a public relations person ...Bk1998 sl.
• FLAK a public relations person ...Bk1998 sl.
PUBLIC SERVICE - nouns
• SINKING LID the policy of reducing public service staff numbers by not replacing deceased or departing workers; sometimes also applied to those of other institutions in the interests of cutting costs ...1984 NZ sl.
PUBLISH - verbs
• CALL to announce, to publish; to have cried by the public crier ...1808 Eng. dial.
• EDITION †* to make an edition of; to issue, to publish ...1716
PUBLISHER - nouns, person
• EDITOR † the publisher of a book ...1649
• MR. QUARTO a bookseller; a publisher ...M18 colloq.
• QUARTO a bookseller; a publisher ...M18 colloq.
PUBLISHING - nouns
• PAGE BIZ the publishing business ...2002 US sl.
PUCKER - verbs
• GOFFER to pucker ...B1900 Sc.
• REEVE to draw into wrinkles; to pucker; to twist round; to shrivel up; to roll up the sleeves ...1821 Eng. dial.
• WRIMPLE †* to pucker the face ...1657
PUCKERED - adjectives
• SHROCKLED shrunk; shrivelled, withered; wrinkled, puckered ...1790 Eng. dial.
PUDDING - nouns
• BOLLY † pudding, esp. if boiled ...c1860 Brit. school sl.
• FROG-SPAWN applied disparagingly by children to tapioca or sago pudding ...1959 Brit. sl.
• LOBLOLLY a soft or gelatinous food; jelly; pudding ...1902 Amer. dial.
• PUD pudding, both savoury and sweet ...1914 sl.
PUDDLE - nouns
• DIB a puddle, a small pool of water ...1813 Sc.
• DIKE a pool of water, a puddle; a pond ...1788 Eng. dial.
• KAIR † a mire, a puddle ...1808 Sc.
• LAKE a small pool or puddle; a pond formed by damming up a stream ...1796 Sc. & Eng. dial.
PUERTO RICAN - nouns
• DAGO CENTER (derogatory) the Italian, Mexican, or Puerto Rican area of a town or city ...1920s US sl.
• DAGO TOWN (derogatory) the Italian, Mexican, or Puerto Rican area of a town or city ...1920s US sl.
PUERTO RICAN - nouns, person
• BORINKI a Puerto Rican ...1961 Hawaii
• CHICO a Puerto Rican, also as a term of address ...1960s US sl.
• DAGO (derogatory) a person of Hispanic birth or descent; a Mexican or Puerto Rican ...1823 Amer. sl.
• PANCHO a Puerto Rican ...1960s US sl.
• PAPI a Black person or a Puerto Rican ...2000s US Black sl.
• PARAKEET (derogatory) a Puerto Rican ...1960s US sl.
• P.R. a Puerto Rican ...M20 US sl.
PUFF - nouns
• FAFF a puff; a breath of air, smoke, etc. ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• REESE a puff ...Bk1904 Sc.
PUFF - verbs
• FAFF to blow in sudden gusts; to puff; to move gently, to fluctuate ...1788 Eng. dial.
• QUAFF to puff up; to fill out ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
PUFFBALL - nouns
• BLINDMAN'S BALL the common puffball ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BLINDMAN'S-BELLOWS. the common puffball ...Bk1911 Sc.
• DEVIL'S DUST a puffball or its spores ...1967 Amer. dial.
• DEVIL SNUFF a puffball or its powdery spores ...1938 Amer. dial.
• DEVIL'S SNUFF a puffball or its powdery spores ...c1955 Amer. dial.
• DEVIL'S-SNUFFBOX a puffball ...1884 Amer. dial.
• EARTH-PUFF † a puffball ...1585
• INDIAN SNUFFBOX n puffball ...1967 Amer. dial.
• MARE'S EGG a puffball ...1973 Amer. dial.
• NIGGER'S PIPE (derogatory) a puffball ...1969 Amer. dial.
• OLD-MAN'S-SNUFFBOX a puffball ...1931 Amer. dial.
• PUCKFIST the puffball, Lycoperdon Bovista ...1601
• SATAN'S SNUFF-BOX the puffball, Lycoperdon Bovista ...1854 Eng. dial.
PUFFED OUT - adjectives
• BELLIED made large and full, rounded; bulging; blown or puffed out ...a1593
PUFFIN - nouns
• BOUGER the puffin ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BOWGER the puffin ...Bk1911 Sc.
• TOM-NODDY the puffin, Fratercula arctica ...1702 Eng. dial.
PUFFING - adjectives
• BLASTIE puffing, panting ...Bk1911 Sc.
PUFF OUT - verbs
• EFFLATE †* to puff out ...1634
PUFF UP - verbs
• ABLOW † to puff up, to swell ...c1000
• TO-BLOW † to distend with wind, to inflate, to puff up ...c1000
PUGNACIOUS - adjectives
• BAD of persons: very tough; pugnacious; formidable; hence, formidably skilled ...1855 Amer. sl., esp. Black usage
• BATTAILOUS fond of fighting; ready or eager for battle; warlike, bellicose, pugnacious ...c1380 arch.
• MILLY aggressive, pugnacious ...1990s US Black sl.
• SERVIGROUS headstrong, strong-willed, obstinate, pugnacious ...1909 Amer. dial.
• TEETHY ill-tempered, peevish, cross; crabbed; pugnacious ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
PUGNACIOUS - nouns, person
• TERRIER a man of bad temper and character; a pugnacious fellow ...1822 Sc. & Eng. dial.
PULL - nouns
• LAAG a pull, a shove ...1899 Sc.
• TIT a sharp and sudden pull; a tug, a jerk, a twitch ...1340 chiefly Sc.
• YARK a jerk, a pull, a snatch ...1896 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• YERK a sudden jerk or pull, a snatch ...1896 Sc. & Eng. & Amer. dial.
• YIRK a jerk, a pull, a snatch ...1896 Sc. & Eng. dial.
PULL - verbs
• ALLY to haul; to draw forcibly; to pull; to drag along ...1783 Eng. dial.
• BETEE † to pull or tug at ...c1205
• ENDO to heave or pull an object ...1938 Amer. dial.
• HAG to pull, to draw; to drag out ...1870 Eng. dial.
• HAIL to haul; to draw forcibly; to pull; to drag along ...1783 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• HAISTER to fatigue with hard work; to pull about roughly; to annoy ...1866 Eng. dial.
• HALE to draw or pull along, esp. with force or violence; to drag, to haul ...c1205
• HARL to drag: usually with the notion of friction or scraping of the ground; to pull, to tug; to trail along the ground; to haul ...c1290 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• HAYL to haul; to draw forcibly; to pull; to drag along ...1783 Eng. dial.
• LAAG to pull, to drag ...1897 Sc.
• LUG to pull violently; to carry with effort, there being the implication of ponderousness in the object ...M17
• PIGGLE to pull or tug nervously ...1936 Amer. dial.
• PUG to pull, to tug ...L16 now Sc. & Eng. dial.
• PULL LIKE A THRESHER to pull strongly ...1866 Eng. dial.
• RACK † to pull or tear apart; to separate by force; to break up ...1549 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• RAME to pull up ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• RAMP † to snatch, to tear, to pluck; to pull suddenly or sharply ...1567
• RANCH †* to pull, to pluck ...1579
• RANT to rent, to pull, to tear ...1872 Eng. dial.
• RAUNCH †* to pull, to pluck ...1579
• RAVE to pull; to tear up; to tear; to rout out, to disturb ...1889 Eng. dial.
• RAWL to pull roughly about; to carry or draw anything heavy ...1887 Eng. dial.
• REEF to pull or push something vigorously; to tug, to use force on something ...1958 Amer. dial.
• REEZE to pull a person about roughly ...Bk1904 Sc.
• SCRAB to grab, to snatch, to pull; to steal ...1890 Eng. dial.
• SCRAM to pull down violently; to tear off; to maul about ...1892 Eng. dial.
• SCRAMB to pull down violently; to tear off; to maul about ...1892 Eng. dial.
• TAW to pull, to lay hold of ...Bk1905 Sc.
• TAWEN † to pull; to lay hold of ...1810 Sc.
• TEW 1. to toil, to labour; to work hard; to pull, to struggle; to contend, to strive ...1866 Sc. & Eng. dial.
2. to shake, to toss; to keep in motion; to rumple, to disarrange; to tumble; to pull about ...1870 Eng. dial.
• TIGHT † to draw, to pull ...a1000
• TIRE to pull, to tug, to draw ...a1300 arch.
• TIT to pull forcibly, to tug; to snatch ...a1300 chiefly Sc.
• TO-HALE † to haul or drag asunder; to pull about ...1387
• TOIL † to pull, to drag, to tug about ...c1325
• TOLL † to pull, to drag, to draw physically ...a1400-50
• TO-LUG † to lug or pull about ...1362.
• YAFFLE to carry in a loose armful; to pull about ...1895 Eng. dial.
• YAFFUL to carry in a loose armful; to pull about ...1895 Eng. dial.
• YARK to jerk; to seize or pull forcibly; to snatch, to wrench, to force ...1811 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• YAWK to pull, to yank; to drag, to jerk ...1840 Amer. dial.
• YERK to jerk; to seize or pull forcibly; to snatch, to wrench, to force ...1811 Sc. & Eng. & Amer. dial.
• YIRK to jerk; to seize or pull forcibly; to snatch, to wrench, to force ...1811 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• YUCK to pull, to yank; to drag, to jerk ...1899 Amer. dial.
PULL OFF - verbs
• RACHE † to pull off ...c1400
PULL UP - verbs
• REAM UP † to pull up ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
PULPIT - nouns
• CACKLE-TUB a pulpit ...1888 sl.
PULSE - adjectives
• SALIENT of the pulse: beating strongly ...a1791 poetic
PULSE - nouns
• TICK a beat of the heart or of the pulse ...1823
PULSE - verbs
• TICK to beat, pulse, throb ...1868
PULVERIZED - verbs
• MALTER to melt, to dissolve, to become pulverized ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
PUMA - nouns
• CATAMOUNT a puma, cougar, or mountain lion ...1794 US
• POLTROON TIGER † a puma ...1790
• RED TIGER † a puma ...1774
PUMICE - nouns
• FEATHER ROCK pumice ...1967 Amer. dial.
• SUCKING STONE † pumice ...1664
PUMMEL - verbs
• MELLOW to beat, to hit, to strike. to pummel ...1895 Amer. dial.
• PAIK to hit with something hard or solid, as the knuckles, a stick, or a stone; to beat, to pummel, to thrash; to strike; to punish ...c1639 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• PALM to pummel; to knock with the fist ...1846 Eng. dial.
• POAM to pummel; to knock with the fist ...1846 Eng. dial.
PUMMELLING - nouns
• POAMING a pummelling ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
PUMPKIN - nouns
• FARMER'S ALLIANCE pumpkin pie ...L19 US sl.
• MILLION a pumpkin ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MILYIN a pumpkin ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• LAIR † to prostrate; to lay on the ground ...c1200
PROTECT - verbs
• BERGH † to give shelter; to protect, to preserve; to deliver, to save ...a1000
• BESEE † to care for, to protect ...a1225
• BESTRIDE to stand over a fallen man in order to defend him; to defend, to protect, to support ...1580
• BEVAAR to protect, to guard ...Bk1898 Sc.
• BIEL to shelter, to protect; to take shelter ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BIELD to shelter, to protect; also, to take shelter ...1865 Eng. dial.
• DEBATE † to fight for, to defend, to protect ...1500-20 Sc.
• FORFEND to secure, defend, or protect by precautionary measures ...1592 now chiefly Amer.
• HAIN to protect or preserve from harm; to shield; to exculpate ...1798 Sc.
• HAP to shelter, to shield, to protect ...1773 Sc.
• SCONCE to guard, to protect; to take up a position of security; to keep off, to turn aside ...1861 Sc.
• SHUN to protect; to shield ...1936 Amer. dial.
• SUCCOUR † to shelter, to protect ...1398 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• THEAK to cover; to clothe; to protect ...1785 Sc. & Eng. dial.
PROTECTED - adjectives
• OBTECTED † covered, protected ...B1900
PROTECTING - adjectives
• CUSTODIENT †* guarding, protecting ...1657
PROTECTION - nouns
• AEGIS a protection, or impregnable defense ...1793
• BENEFICE † favourable influence or operation; advantage, favour, protection, benefit ...1424
• BERGH † protection, shelter ...c1250
• BIELDING shelter, protection ...1724 Sc.
• GARRISON † defense, protection; deliverance, safety; means of defense ...c1320
• PALLADIUM anything on which the safety of a nation, institution, privilege, etc. is believed to depend; a safeguard, protecting institution; means of protection or defense ...1600
• SCOUK shade, shelter, protection ...Bk1904 Sc.
• SKOOK shade, shelter, protection ...Bk1904 Sc.
• SUBTECTACLE †* covering, protection ...1609
• SUCCOUR † shelter, protection; a place of shelter; a sheltered place; a refuge ...a1300 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• UMBRAGE † shelter, protection, screen ...1607
• VELUM † a screen or protection ...1781
PROTECTION - verbs
• SANCTUARY †* to place in safety as in a sanctuary; of place: to afford protection or shelter from ...1615
PROTECTION MONEY - nouns
• ICE protection money, bribes, extortion ...1948 US sl.
• JUICE protection money, extortion ...1935 US sl.
PROTECTION MONEY - nouns, person
• ICEMAN the frontman who pays or receives protection money on behalf of illegal gamblers or the authorities ...1960s sl.
PROTECTION MONEY - verbs
• ICE to pay bribes, to pay protection money ...1930s US sl.
PROTECTOR - nouns, person
• BERGHER † a protector, deliverer, saviour ...a1300
• RABBI a mentor or protector ...1970 US sl.
• SAFE-KEEPER * a protector ...1561
• TAKER-UP † one who takes another under his charge or protection; a patron, a guardian, a protector ...1388
PROTEST, PROTESTING - nouns
• BELCH a protest; a complaint ...Bk1914 criminals' sl.
• OBTESTATION † the act of protesting ...B1900
• ROAR a protest ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• ROKO a protest or demonstration ...L20 Indian
PROTEST - verbs
• BARK AGAINST THE MOON to clamour or agitate to no effect; to protest in vain ...1655
• BARK AT THE MOON to clamour or agitate to no effect; to protest in vain ...1655
• CHEW to argue, to protest ...1965 Amer. dial.
• CHEW THINGS OVER to argue, to protest ...1965 Amer. dial.
• OBTEST † to protest ...B1900
• RAISE CAIN to react or protest heatedly
• ROAR to protest ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• THREAP DOWN to insist or assert with pertinacity, esp. to persist in a false assertion; to protest or argue strongly ...1877 Eng. dial.
• THREAP DOWN THE THROAT to insist or assert with pertinacity, esp. to persist in a false assertion; to protest or argue strongly ...1864 Sc.
• THREAP OUT to insist or assert with pertinacity, esp. to persist in a false assertion; to protest or argue strongly ...1790 Eng. dial.
PROTEST - interjections
• OY GEVALT! used for expressing a lament, protest, dismay, or delight ...1968 US (Yiddish)
PROTESTANT - nouns, person
• HUN a Protestant ...1996 Sc. sl.
• LEFT-FOOT. a Protestant ...1960 Amer. dial.
• LEFT-HANDER a Protestant ...1950 Amer. dial.
• LEFT-LEGGER a Protestant ...1968 Amer. dial.
• MASS-GOSPELLER † a protestant who (hypocritically) attends mass ...a1555
• NARROWBACK a Protestant ...1968 Amer. dial.
• ORANGEMAN n. a Protestant Irishman; a Netherlander ...1967 Amer. dial.
• ORANGEY a Protestant Irishman; a Netherlander ...1895 Amer. dial.
• PARIS BUN a Protestant ...20C sl.
• PROD (derogatory) a Protestant ...1942 Anglo-Irish sl.
• PRODDY (derogatory) a Protestant ...1954 Anglo-Irish sl.
• PRODDY-DOG (derogatory) a Protestant ...1954 Anglo-Irish sl.
• PRODDY-HOPPER (derogatory) a Protestant ...1954 Anglo-Irish sl.
• PRODDY-WODDY (derogatory) a Protestant ...1954 Anglo-Irish sl.
• PROT (derogatory) a Protestant ...1725
• SOAPDODGER a Protestant, as used in Scotland and Northern Ireland ...20C sl.
• TESTAMENT-MAN † a Protestant ...1827 Sc.
PROTRUDE - verbs
• BUNG to stick out, to protrude ...1896 Amer. dial.
• BUNG OUT to stick out, to protrude ...1896 Amer. dial.
PROTUBERANCE - nouns
• GALE any kind or form of protuberance ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
PROTUBERANT - adjectives
• CAFF-BELLIED protuberant ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
PROUD - adjectives
• ASPERANT bold, proud, haughty ...E19
• AUNTY-PAUNTY of persons: proud, high-spirited ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• AUNTY-PRAUNTY of persons: proud, high-spirited ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• BELLIED inflated with pride ...a1564
• BIG proud, haughty, consequential, conceited ...1828 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• BIG AS BULL BEEF as proud as a peacock, vain, self-centred ...Bk1898 Eng.
• BIG AS S as proud as a peacock, vain, self-centred ...Bk1898 Eng.
• BIGSIE rather large; proud, conceited; generally used contemptuously ...Bk1898 Sc.
• BIG-SORTED proud, stuck-up ...1890 Eng. dial.
• BIRTH-PUFFED proud of one's descent ...1823
• BOBBEROUS boastful, proud ...19C Eng. dial.
• BUCKED happy, pleased, proud ...1907 sl.
• BUG AS BRASS stuck-up, proud ...Eng. dial.
• CHUFFY fussy; proud, conceited, haughty; pleased, elated ...1874 Eng. dial.
• COBBY headstrong, obstinate, arrogant, proud ...1785 Eng. dial.
• CONSEQUENTIOUS conceited, proud; affectedly great; pompous ...1803 ? Amer.
• DASHIE making a great show; showy, gay, proud ...Bk1900 Sc.
• DEIGNOUS † disdainful, proud, haughty, scornful ...c1330
• DORTY spoiled, pettish, sullen, sulky, easily offended, ill-humoured; saucy, haughty, conceited, proud, stubborn; contemptuous ...a1605 Sc.
• FALSE of shame, pride: arising from mistaken notions ...1791
• FASTUOUS * proud, haughty, disdainful, arrogant; pretentious, ostentatious ...a1638
• HAUTAIN † holding or behaving oneself loftily; proud, arrogant, haughty ...1297
• HIGHFUL † haughty, proud ...1297
• HIGH IN THE INSTEP † haughty, proud, arrogant, conceited ...1562 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• HIGH-STOMACHED † haughty, disdainful, proud, obstinate, of high courage or spirit ...1548 obs. or arch.
• HIGHTY-TIGHTY conceitedly proud, stuck-up, haughty ...B1900
• HYPERSNORTY stylish; proud ...1914 Amer. dial.
• IKEY conceited, proud ...1887 sl.
• JELLY * good, worthy, excellent; having a high opinion of oneself; proud, haughty ...c1560-73 Sc.
• KEEN † bold, proud, forward, insolent, heinous ...1297
• MANDY domineering, proud, haughty ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MAWKY whimsical, capricious, changeable; peevish, discontented; proud, conceited ...1854 Eng. dial.
• MISPROUD † improperly or unjustifiably vain or proud; arrogant, haughty ...1303 obs. exc. arch.
• MUCKLE proud, haughty ...Bk1905 Sc.
• OPINIONATIVE †* holding too high an opinion of; proud or conceited of ...1621
• ORGULOUS proud, haughty, disdainful ...c1250 arch.
• PAUGHTY proud, conceited, haughty ...1572 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• PENSIFUL proud, conceited; giving oneself airs ...1788 Sc.
• PENSY † giving oneself airs; proud and conceited; above one's station; affected in manner ...1715 obs. exc. Sc. & Eng. dial.
• PROTERVE †* forward, wayward, stubborn; peevish, petulant; proud, arrogant, impudent ...1382
• PROUD AS A DOG WITH TWO TAILS very proud indeed ...1840 Eng. dial.
• PROUD AS A JAY-BIRD very proud ...1897 Amer. dial.
• PROUD AS OLD NICK very proud ...1856 Amer. dial.
• PROUDER THAN LUCIFER very proud ...Bk1905 Amer. dial.
• PRUNK proud, vain, saucy ...B1900 Sc.
• QUAINT †* proud, haughty ...a1225
• SANSHACH proud, distant; disdainful; snappish, saucy ...1871 Sc.
• SAUCY proud, vain, conceited ...1773 Sc.
• SCANCE proud, haughty, disdainful; distant in manner ...Bk1904 Sc.
• SET UP proud; exhilarated; enlivened by drink; drunk ...1875 Amer. dial.
• SIDE haughty, proud ...1508 now Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• SKEIGH of persons, esp. women: shy, coy, disdainful, proud ...c1560 Sc.
• SNORTY proud, haughty ...B1900 eng. dial.
• SUPERBILOQUENT † speaking proudly or haughtily ...1658
• TOP-PROUD proud in the highest degree ...Shakespeare
• UGERTFUL † proud; nice, squeamish ...1755 Sc.
• VAINGLORIOUS inordinately boastful or proud of one's own abilities, actions or qualities; excessively and ostentatiously vain ...c1480
• VAINSOME conceited, proud, vain ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• VANTIE boastful, proud, vain; exultant; ostentatious, showy ...1789 Sc.
• VANTY boastful, proud, vain ...1724 Sc.
• VAUDIE proud, vain, conceited ...B1900 Sc.
• VAUKIE proud, well-pleased ...Bk1905 Sc.
• VAUNTIE boastful, proud, vain; exultant; ostentatious, showy ...1789 Sc.
• VAUNTY boastful, proud, vain; exultant; ostentatious, showy ...1724 chiefly Sc. & Eng. dial.
• VOGGY vain, proud, conceited ...B1900 Sc.
• WADDIE proud, vain; forward; elated, cheerful, gay, merry ...1785 Sc.
• WADY proud, vain; forward; elated, cheerful, gay, merry ...1785 Sc.
PROUD - nouns, person
• BLUEBELLY a proud, pretentious person; a term of reproach ...1950 Amer. dial.
• DIGHT OF A BODY, A a proud person or woman ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
PROUD, PRIDE - verbs
• BE ALL MAN AND SHIRT to put on consequential airs; to be proud ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• BE HIGH IN THE INSTEP to be proud and haughty ...Bk1902 Eng. dial.
• BELL † to be puffed up or proud ...1382
• BUST ONE'S BUTTONS to swell with pride ...1974 Amer. sl.
• KICK UP SHINES to be proud, to put on airs ...1884 Amer. dial.
• MOUNT THE HIGH HORSE said of a person affecting airs of superiority, or behaving pretentiously or arrogantly; to be overbearing or oppressive; to be proud; to take offense ...1871
• POP ONE'S BUTTONS to swell with pride ...1981 Amer. sl.
• PUFF UP to inflate with pride, vanity, etc.
• ROOSE † to boast or be proud of something ...c1200 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• SAIBLE to walk with a proud or haughty carriage ...1929 Sc.
• SCORT to walk proudly; to be arrogant ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SET UP A KAIM to act in a proud or arrogant manner ...1882 Sc.
• TAKE ON to assume airs; to behave proudly or haughtily; to presume; to take liberties ...1668
• WALK TALL to behave proudly, courageously, and honestly ...1846 orig. US
• WLENCH † to make proud; to pride oneself ... c1200
PROUDLY - adverbs
• GARISHLY † proudly, wantonly ...1593
• HAUTAINLY † haughtily, proudly ...c1400
• SKEIGH proudly, disdainfully ...1792 Sc.
PROVE - verbs
• INSTRUCT † to prove clearly ...1727 Sc.
• QUALIFY † to prove; to authenticate, to make good; to testify to ...1746 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
PROVERB - nouns
• ADAGY † an adage, saying ...1549
• BEQUEATH † a byword, proverb ...c1000
• DAFFODIL a homily, proverb, or aphorism ...20C Amer.
• NAYWORD a byword, a proverb ...1601
• OLD SONG an old story or saying, a proverb, etc. ...1707 Sc.
• OLD WORD a proverb, saying, saw ...1896 Sc.
• SAY a saying; a proverb; a prediction ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
PROVERBIAL - adjectives
• ADAGIAL † of the nature of an adage; proverbial ...a1677
PROVIDE - nouns, person
• MEAL TICKET one who provides for another; usually used of a spouse ...1902 Amer. dial.
• SUBMINISTRATOR † one who provides or supplies ...1611
PROVIDE - verbs
• COME THE BIG FIGURE to do or provide what is required ...1848 Amer. sl.
• POP to provide without payment ...1970s sl.
• POP FOR to provide without payment ...1970s sl.
• TEND to provide, to supply ...1882 Eng. dial.
• THROUGH-BEAR to sustain, to provide for ...1714 Sc.
• TILL † to labour after, to seek after, to provide; to get by effort, to obtain, acquire or earn by labour; later, to get, to obtain ...a900
• YATE † to provide, to give, to offer ...a1300
PROVIDED - adjectives
• ELECTED provided with, having a sufficient supply of ...1893 Amer. dial.
• TIFT † prepared, ready; set in order; provided, furnished ...1300s Sc.
PROVIDED FOR - adjectives
• ALL-HEELED well provided for, all right ...1908 Amer. dial.
PROVIDENT - adjectives
• PROSPICIENT †* having foresight, provident ...1654
PROVINCIAL - adjectives
• MAIN STREET provincial ...1910s US sl.
PROVISION(S) - nouns
• ACATERY † provisions purchased; also, the room or place allotted to the keeping of all such provisions ...a1377
• ACATES † things purchased; such provisions as were not made in the house, but had to be purchased fresh when wanted, as meat, fish, etc.; hence, all provisions except the home produce of the baker and brewer; dainties, delicacies ...1465
• ACATRY † provisions purchased; also, the room or place allotted to the keeping of all such provisions ...a1377
• ACCATRY † provisions purchased; also, the room or place allotted to the keeping of all such provisions ...a1377
• ACHATES † things purchased; provisions that were not made in the house, by the baker or brewer, but had to be purchased as wanted ...1469
• ACHATRY † provisions purchased; also, the room or place allotted to the keeping of all such provisions ...a1377
• BAGGING food, provisions ...1805 Eng. dial.
• BELLY-CHEER † food of all kinds; provisions ...1579
• BELLY-TIMBER † food, provisions ...1607 obs. exc. Eng. & Amer. dial.
• CATES † things purchased; such provisions as were not made in the house, but had to be purchased fresh when wanted, as meat, fish, etc.; hence, all provisions except the home produce of the baker and brewer; dainties, delicacies; in later use, sometimes merely victuals, food ...1465
• FARM † food, provision; hence, a banquet, a feast ...a900
• GRUBBINS food, provisions; a meal ...1847 Amer. sl.
• GRUBSTAKE money or provisions ...1881 Amer. sl.
• LAIDNER † a larder, a meat safe; a winter's stock of provisions ...1825 Sc.
• SCAFF food, provisions of any kind ...1768 Sc.
• SCAFF-AND-RAFF † abundant provisions ...1829 Sc.
• SCAFFING † food of any kind; abundant provision ...1827 Sc.
• SCAFF-RAFF abundant provisions ...1815 Sc.
• SCRAN food, provisions, victuals, esp. inferior or scrappy food ...1801 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SKRAN food, provisions, victuals, esp. inferior or scrappy food ...1801 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SUBMINISTRATION † ministering support; provision, supply ...1582
• TOMMY food, provisions generally ...1911
• VIVERS food, provisions, victuals, eatables ...1814 Sc.
PROVISIONS - nouns, person
• ACATER † a purchaser of provisions; a purveyor; a provider or preparer of 'cates' or delicacies; a caterer ...c1386
• ACATOUR † a purchaser of provisions; a purveyor; a provider or preparer of 'cates' or delicacies; a caterer ...c1386
• ACHATER † a purchaser or buyer of provisions; esp. the officer who purchased provisions for the royal household; a purveyor ...c1386
• ACHATOR † a purchaser of provisions; a purveyor; a provider or preparer of 'cates' or delicacies; a caterer ...c1386
• ACHATOUR † a purchaser of provisions; a purveyor; a provider or preparer of 'cates' or delicacies; a caterer ...c1386
• MANCIPLE an officer or servant who purchases provisions for a college, an inn of court, a monastery, etc. ...a1225
• OBSONATOR †* a caterer or manciple (an officer who buys provisions for a college, monastery or other institution) ...1656
PROVISIONS - verbs
• ALLEGOGER to go out to a ship to sell provisions ...1863 Eng. dial.
• GRUBSTAKE to provide with a grubstake ...1879 Amer. sl.
PROVOCATIVE - adjectives
• CHEESECAKE sensual, provocative; said of pictures or photographs of girls ...20C Amer. sl.
• DAMN-YOUR-EYES provocative ...M19 sl.
• WARM of a woman: sexy, provocative ...L19 sl.
PROVOCATIVE - nouns, person
• COCK-TEASER (derogatory) a sexually provocative woman who evades or refuses intercourse ...1891 sl.
• PRICK-TEASER (derogatory) a sexually provocative woman who evades or refuses intercourse ...1961 sl.
PROVOCATIVE - verbs
• ADVERTISE to dress in a sexually provocative manner ...1950s gay sl.
• FEIST to strut, to flirt, to move so as to drawn attention to oneself; to behave coquettishly or provocatively ...1931 Amer. dial.
• LIP OFF to talk rudely, cheekily, or provocatively ...1950s US sl.
• POP STYLE of a woman: to walk in a provocative manner or to act stylishly ...1950s W. Indies sl.
• SASHAY to strut, to parade, to walk in an ostentatious or provocative manner ...1900s sl., orig. US
PROVOKE - nouns, person
• PROVOCANT * one who provokes, incites, or stimulates a person, reaction, etc. ...1894 rare
PROVOKE - verbs
• AGGERPERVOKE to aggravate, to irritate, to provoke, to annoy ...1923 Amer. dial.
• AGGERVEX to aggravate, to vex, to provoke ...1933 Amer. dial.
• AGGRAVOKE to provoke, to incite ...1967 Amer. dial.
• BAIT to entice, to lure, provoke ...1903 Amer. dial.
• CAFF to chafe; to jeer, to provoke, to make fun of ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• CONCITATE †* to provoke, excite, rouse, stir up ...1574
• DACKER to dare, to challenge, to provoke ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• EAGER † to excite, to irritate, to provoke; to become exasperated ...c1374
• EDGE † to urge on, to incite, to provoke, to encourage a person; also, to stimulate, to give activity to an industry, etc. ...1575
• EXASPER † to exasperate, provoke ...1545
• GET FUNNY WITH to provoke, to act in an offensive manner ...L19 sl.
• GET IN SOMEONE'S FACE to confront, to provoke ...1950s sl.
• HACK to annoy, to irritate, to anger; to provoke; to goad ...1893 Amer. sl.
• HACK OFF to annoy, to irritate, to anger; to provoke; to goad ...L19 Amer. sl.
• HAG(G) to excite to quarrel; to provoke, to irritate; to annoy, to incite; to complain, to find fault ...1806 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• HAWK to jeer with intent to provoke; to exasperate; to discomfit, to daunt; to annoy, to tease; to embarrass ...1928 Amer. dial.
• HIGH-GYVE to tease, to provoke ...1930s US sl.
• HIGH JIVE to tease, to provoke ...1930s US sl.
• NETTLE to irritate, to annoy, to provoke ...a1562
• PRORITATE † to stir up, to provoke, to irritate, to incite ...1620
• PROVOCATE †* to provoke, call forth, incite ...1432-50
• RAISE to excite, to agitate, to provoke, to rouse to excitement or anger; to madden, to vex ...1768 chiefly Sc.
• RATTLE SOMEONE'S CAGE to annoy someone; to provoke someone ...1980 US sl.
• TERRY † to provoke, to torment ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• TET † to tease, to provoke ...1777 Eng. dial.
• THROW to thwart, to oppose; to dispute, to contradict, to argue; to provoke, to anger ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• TICKLE † 1. to stir up, to incite, to provoke; to prompt or impel to do something ...1532
† 2. to vex, to irritate, to provoke ...1547-64
• TO-TAR † to provoke greatly ...1382
• WAKE SNAKES to cause disturbance or trouble; to provoke to the uttermost; to get oneself into trouble; to having a rousing, roaring time ...1848 Amer. sl.
PROVOKED - adjectives
• EDGY quick-tempered, easily provoked ...Bk1900 Sc.
• NETTLED irritated, vexed, provoked, annoyed, angry ...a1400-50
• NETTLESOME easily provoked or annoyed
• PAUGHTY irritable, easily provoked, short-tempered ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• PROVOCATE †* provoked, stimulated, incited ...1432-50
PROVOKING - adjectives
• AT IT teasing, provoking ...1920s sl.
• NETTLING irritating, provoking ...1652
• SANKLIN teasing, provoking ...1921 Sc.
PROWESS - nouns
• MARS warfare, warlike prowess, fortune in war ...1387
• VASSALAGE † action befitting a good vassal or a man of courage and spirit; prowess in battle, warfare, or other difficult enterprise ...1303 obs. exc. arch.
PROWESS - verbs
• BE MATCHES † to be equal in prowess ...c1300
PROWL - verbs
• DARK to skulk, to prowl or lurk about ...1889 Eng. dial.
• NAP to prowl; to go about with dishonest intentions ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• PERUSE to wander, to saunter, to prowl; to walk in a leisurely manner; to make one's way ...1853 Amer. dial.
• PESTICATE to wander idly; to prowl about ...1916 Amer. dial.
• PIROOT to prowl, to nose around; to fool around ...1909 Amer. dial.
PROWLING - nouns
• ALGERINING the act of prowling about with an intention to steal; robbery ...1887 Eng. dial.
PROXIMITY - nouns
• PROXIMIORITY † the fact of being nearer; greater proximity ...1720 nonce word
PRUDE - nouns, person
• WOWSER a prude who publicly complains about the supposed deleterious effects of other people's behaviour on society; a moral crusader ...1900 Aust. sl.
PRUDENCE - nouns
• ADVICE † forethought, prudence, wisdom ...1375
• ADVISIVENESS †* thoughtfulness, prudence, discretion ...1436
• CANNINESS sagacity, skilfulness, prudence, cautiousness; gentleness, quietness ...a1662 Sc.
PRUDENT - adjectives
• ADVISIVE †* observant, prudent ...1436
• BEST-CONSULTED † most prudent or best-advised ...a1659
• CANNY knowing, sagacious, judicious, prudent; wary, cautious ...1637 Sc.
• CAUTELOUS † cautious, wary, heedful, prudent ...1574 obs. or arch.
• HOFUL † careful, wary, prudent ...1565
• OLD-FARRAND knowing, prudent, wise; of children, precocious, grave beyond their years ...1737 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• OLD-FARRANT knowing, prudent, wise; of children, precocious, grave beyond their years ...1737 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• OLD-FARRANTLY knowing, prudent, wise; of children, precocious, grave beyond their years ...Bk1905 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• OLD-FARRENDLY knowing, prudent, wise; of children, precocious, grave beyond their years ...Bk1905 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SICKER prudent, careful, esp. with regard to money matters; wary, cautious ...c1662 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• VERTIE † careful, cautious, prudent; industrious, wide-awake, eager; attentive to business ...1804 Sc.
• YEPE † prudent, wise, sagacious, shrewd, astute ...c1000
PRUDENTLY - adverbs
• ADVISEDLY † with prudence; wisely, prudently, judiciously ...c1386
• CANNILY sagaciously, skilfully, prudently; cautiously, slyly; gently, softly; comfortably ...1636 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
PRUDERY - nouns
• PRIMOSITY † a state of primness, prudery ...a1839 humorous nonce word
PRUDISH - adjectives
• MEEDISH of a man: effeminate; of a woman: prudish ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MIM prim, demure; affectedly modest or shy; prudish; primly silent or reticent ...1641 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MIMSEY prim, prudish ...1880 Eng. dial.
• NICE-NELLIE prudish, puritanical ...1950s US sl.
• NICE-NELLY prudish, puritanical ...1950s US sl.
• PUDIBUND * modest, bashful, prudish ...1656
• WOWSERISH like a 'wowser'; prudish, very puritanical ...1906 Aust. sl.
• WOWSERISTIC prudish, puritanical ...1907 Aust. sl.
• WOWSERY like a 'wowser'; prudish; very puritanical ...c1925 Aust. sl.
PRUDISH - nouns, person
• MR. CLEAN an obsessively neat and prudish man ...1960s US sl.
• PRUNE a prudish, scholarly person ... c1900 Amer. sl.
• WOWSER an excessively puritanical or prudish person ...1900 Aust. & NZ sl.
PRUDISHLY - adverbs
• MIMLIE primly, prudishly ...Bk1905 Sc.
PRUDISHNESS - nouns
• MIMNESS prudishness, primness ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• NICE-NELLYISM prudishness, excessive gentility, puritanical behaviour or attitudes ...1930s US sl.
• WOWSERISM prudishness; the characteristic behaviour of a 'wowser' ...1904 Aust. sl.
PRUNE (fruit) - nouns
• ANCHOR BRAND STRAWBERRY among loggers: a prune ...1969 Amer. dial.
• ANCHOR STRAWBERRY a prune ...1960 US nautical sl.
• ARMY STRAWBERRIES prunes ...World War II Amer. sl.
• CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRIES prunes ...World War II Amer. sl.
• C.P.R. STRAWBERRIES prunes (Canadian Pacific Railways) ...c1918 Can. railwaymen's usage
• LOGANBERRY a prune ...1928 US Army sl.
• LOG BERRY a prune ...1941 Amer. dial.
• LOGGING BERRY a prune ...1956 Amer. dial.
• NATIVE SON a prune ...1918 Amer. Army sl.
• NIGGERHEAD (derogatory) a prune ...E20 US sl.
• RAISIN WITH THE MUMPS among loggers: a prune ...1972 Amer. dial.
• STRAWBERRIES prunes ...Amer. World War I sl.
PRUNE (trim) - nouns
• ABNODATION † the act of cutting away knots from trees; a gardening term ...1678
PRUNE (trim) - verbs
• ABNODATE † to prune trees, etc. ...1721
• CASTRATE † in gardening: to prune, to remove superfluous suckers from ...1658
• JAG to trim up the small branches of a tree or hedge ...Bk1902 Eng. dial.
• PAMPINATE † to prune or trim a vine ...1745
• PAMPINE † to prune or trim a vine ...c1420
• SLENCH to prune a hedge; to cut one side of it only ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• TAME to begin to cut; to cut; to prune ...1873 Eng. dial.
PRUNING - nouns
• PAMPINATION †* the pruning or trimming of vines ...1398
PRY - nouns, person
• NOSEY PARKER a person who continually pries; a meddler ...sl.
• NOSY PARKER a person who continually pries; a meddler ...sl.
PRY - verbs
• NEB to pry; to nose around, to be nosy or inquisitive ...1928 Amer. dial.
• NEB ABOUT to pry; to nose around, to be nosy or inquisitive ...1928 Amer. dial.
• NIB to pry, to meddle, to interfere ...1942 Amer. dial.
• NIBSHIT to pry, to meddle, to interfere ...1968 Amer. dial.
• PIKE to be nosy, to snoop, to pry ...1959 Amer. dial.
• POKE ONE'S NOSE INTO SOMETHING to pry and meddle; to examine ...1860s Amer. sl.
• POKE THE NEB INTO OTHER FOLK'S PORRIDGE to pry into other people's affairs ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• SIFT to pry into, to make inquiry ...1590
• SLENCH to hunt about privately with a view to stealing food, as a cat or dog; to pry about ...1790 Eng. dial.
• SNOOP to pry, to interfere, to listen in ...1920s sl., orig. US
• TEET to peep; to peep or pry in a sly, clandestine manner ...1785 Sc.
PRYING - adjectives
• EMISSITIOUS †* prying, inquisitive, narrowly examining ...1620
• INQUISITORIOUS †* like an inquisitor; offensively or impertinently inquiring or prying; making strict inquiry; inquisitive ...1641
• NEWSY of a person: news-loving; inquisitive, prying, nosy, gossipy ...1899 Amer. dial.
• PIKEY nosy, prying, inquisitive ...1959 Amer. dial.
PRYING - nouns
• DARKING † eavesdropping, prying ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
PRYING - nouns, person
• NANNY-FODGER a meddlesome, prying person ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• NANNY-FUDGER a meddlesome, prying person ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• NUNNY-FUDGER a meddlesome, prying person ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• PIKE a nosy, snoopy, or inquisitive person, a prying person ...1959 Amer. dial.
PSEUDONYM - adjectives
• PSEUDONYMOUS bearing or writing under a false or fictitious name; using a pseudonym; bearing the name of someone other than the real author ...1706
PSYCHEDELIC - adjectives
• ACIDY psychedelic ...1998 Brit. sl.
PSYCHEDELIC - verbs
• ACID TEST to create or enhance an atmosphere suggestive of hallucinations induced by LSD in (a room); to make psychedelic ...1970 Amer. sl.
PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTION - see INSANE ASYLUM
PSYCHIATRIST - nouns, person
• BUG DOCTOR a psychiatrist or psychologist ...1936 Amer. dial.
• FREUD SQUAD psychiatrists ...2003 UK doctors' sl.
• GURU a psychiatrist ...1960s Amer. sl.
• LOONY-DOCTOR a psychiatrist ...1925 sl.
• NUTPICK a psychiatrist ...1918 Amer. sl., esp. military
• NUTPICKER a psychiatrist ...1919 Amer. sl., esp. military
• NUT SHARP a psychiatrist ...1924 Amer. sl.
• SHRINK a psychiatrist ...1966 sl.
• SHRINKER a psychiatrist ...1967 sl.
• SICKEY ACKEY a psychiatrist ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• TRICK CYCLIST a psychiatrist ...1930 sl.
• WIG-PICKER a psychiatrist ...1961 US sl.
• WITCH-DOCTOR a psychiatrist ...1966 services' sl.
PSYCHOANALYZE - verbs
• PSYCH to psychoanalyze ...1917 sl.
PSYCHOLOGIST - nouns, person
• BUG DOCTOR a psychiatrist or psychologist ...1936 Amer. dial.
PSYCHOLOGY - nouns
• PSYCHOBABBLE the jargon of psychology, esp. as used and popularized in various types of psychotherapy ...colloq.
PSYCHOLOGY - nouns, person
• LAB HOUND a person who enjoys being the subject of psychology experiments ...1970 Amer. sl.
PSYCHOTHERAPIST - nouns, person
• SHRINK a psychoanalyst or psychotherapist ...20C US colloq.
PSYCHOTIC - nouns, person
• RADGE a psychotic person; a madman ...1995 sl.
• RADGEHEAD a psychotic person ...1990s sl.
• RADGY a psychotic person ...1990s sl.
PSYCHOTIC - verbs
• BUG OUT to become psychotic ...1950s Amer. sl.
• WIG OUT to become psychotic ...1950s Amer. sl.
PUB - see DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT
PUBIC HAIR - see GENITALS
PUBLIC - adjectives
• OPENLY † open to sight, manifest, public ...c1050
• UNBEWRAYED not made public ...1605
PUBLIC - nouns, person
• JOHN Q. PUBLIC a member of the general public ...N. Amer. colloq.
PUBLIC - verbs
• TAKE IT TO THE STREET to take a private conflict or issue into the public arena ...20C US sl.
PUBLICAN - nouns, person (also see DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT, PEOPLE)
• ABRAHAM GRAINS a publican brewing his own beer ...L19 sl.
• ADMIRAL OF THE BLUE † a publican; a tapster, an innkeeper; from the colour of his apron ...c1425
• ALE-DRAPER † an innkeeper or publican ...1747 Eng. dial.
• ALE SPINNER a brewer or publican ...Bk1890 sl.
• ALE-WEEAN a female publican ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• BEGGAR-MAKER a publican ...1790 Eng. dial.
• KNIGHT OF THE SPIGOT a publican, a tapster ...1821 sl.
• NICK AND FROTH a publican ...a1625 sl.
• NICK-POT a publican ...17C sl.
PUBLICATION - nouns
• EDITION † the act of putting forth, or making public; publication ...1551
PUBLIC CRIER - nouns, person
• CALL to announce, to publish; to have cried by the public crier ...1808 Eng. dial.
PUBLIC HOUSE - see DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT
PUBLICITY - nouns
• BALLYHOO a 'barker's' speech; publicity in advance of a project; hence, blarney ...1914 US
• DAIRY exposure, publicity ...1910s sl.
• RAZZAMATAZZ noisy, showy publicity or display ...1958 sl.
• RAZZMATAZZ noisy, showy publicity or display ...19C sl.
PUBLICITY - nouns, person
• FLACK a publicity agent ...1939 sl., orig. US
PUBLICITY - verbs
• FLY THE KITE to seek publicity ...1890s society sl.
PUBLICLY - adverbs
• OPENLY † by people generally, commonly, publicly ...1154
PUBLIC RELATIONS - nouns
• PROMO public relations; promotional item(s); in the music business: an advance copy of an unreleased tune sent to an influential DJ ...1966 US sl.
PUBLIC RELATIONS - nouns, person
• FLACK a public relations person ...Bk1998 sl.
• FLAK a public relations person ...Bk1998 sl.
PUBLIC SERVICE - nouns
• SINKING LID the policy of reducing public service staff numbers by not replacing deceased or departing workers; sometimes also applied to those of other institutions in the interests of cutting costs ...1984 NZ sl.
PUBLISH - verbs
• CALL to announce, to publish; to have cried by the public crier ...1808 Eng. dial.
• EDITION †* to make an edition of; to issue, to publish ...1716
PUBLISHER - nouns, person
• EDITOR † the publisher of a book ...1649
• MR. QUARTO a bookseller; a publisher ...M18 colloq.
• QUARTO a bookseller; a publisher ...M18 colloq.
PUBLISHING - nouns
• PAGE BIZ the publishing business ...2002 US sl.
PUCKER - verbs
• GOFFER to pucker ...B1900 Sc.
• REEVE to draw into wrinkles; to pucker; to twist round; to shrivel up; to roll up the sleeves ...1821 Eng. dial.
• WRIMPLE †* to pucker the face ...1657
PUCKERED - adjectives
• SHROCKLED shrunk; shrivelled, withered; wrinkled, puckered ...1790 Eng. dial.
PUDDING - nouns
• BOLLY † pudding, esp. if boiled ...c1860 Brit. school sl.
• FROG-SPAWN applied disparagingly by children to tapioca or sago pudding ...1959 Brit. sl.
• LOBLOLLY a soft or gelatinous food; jelly; pudding ...1902 Amer. dial.
• PUD pudding, both savoury and sweet ...1914 sl.
PUDDLE - nouns
• DIB a puddle, a small pool of water ...1813 Sc.
• DIKE a pool of water, a puddle; a pond ...1788 Eng. dial.
• KAIR † a mire, a puddle ...1808 Sc.
• LAKE a small pool or puddle; a pond formed by damming up a stream ...1796 Sc. & Eng. dial.
PUERTO RICAN - nouns
• DAGO CENTER (derogatory) the Italian, Mexican, or Puerto Rican area of a town or city ...1920s US sl.
• DAGO TOWN (derogatory) the Italian, Mexican, or Puerto Rican area of a town or city ...1920s US sl.
PUERTO RICAN - nouns, person
• BORINKI a Puerto Rican ...1961 Hawaii
• CHICO a Puerto Rican, also as a term of address ...1960s US sl.
• DAGO (derogatory) a person of Hispanic birth or descent; a Mexican or Puerto Rican ...1823 Amer. sl.
• PANCHO a Puerto Rican ...1960s US sl.
• PAPI a Black person or a Puerto Rican ...2000s US Black sl.
• PARAKEET (derogatory) a Puerto Rican ...1960s US sl.
• P.R. a Puerto Rican ...M20 US sl.
PUFF - nouns
• FAFF a puff; a breath of air, smoke, etc. ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• REESE a puff ...Bk1904 Sc.
PUFF - verbs
• FAFF to blow in sudden gusts; to puff; to move gently, to fluctuate ...1788 Eng. dial.
• QUAFF to puff up; to fill out ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
PUFFBALL - nouns
• BLINDMAN'S BALL the common puffball ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BLINDMAN'S-BELLOWS. the common puffball ...Bk1911 Sc.
• DEVIL'S DUST a puffball or its spores ...1967 Amer. dial.
• DEVIL SNUFF a puffball or its powdery spores ...1938 Amer. dial.
• DEVIL'S SNUFF a puffball or its powdery spores ...c1955 Amer. dial.
• DEVIL'S-SNUFFBOX a puffball ...1884 Amer. dial.
• EARTH-PUFF † a puffball ...1585
• INDIAN SNUFFBOX n puffball ...1967 Amer. dial.
• MARE'S EGG a puffball ...1973 Amer. dial.
• NIGGER'S PIPE (derogatory) a puffball ...1969 Amer. dial.
• OLD-MAN'S-SNUFFBOX a puffball ...1931 Amer. dial.
• PUCKFIST the puffball, Lycoperdon Bovista ...1601
• SATAN'S SNUFF-BOX the puffball, Lycoperdon Bovista ...1854 Eng. dial.
PUFFED OUT - adjectives
• BELLIED made large and full, rounded; bulging; blown or puffed out ...a1593
PUFFIN - nouns
• BOUGER the puffin ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BOWGER the puffin ...Bk1911 Sc.
• TOM-NODDY the puffin, Fratercula arctica ...1702 Eng. dial.
PUFFING - adjectives
• BLASTIE puffing, panting ...Bk1911 Sc.
PUFF OUT - verbs
• EFFLATE †* to puff out ...1634
PUFF UP - verbs
• ABLOW † to puff up, to swell ...c1000
• TO-BLOW † to distend with wind, to inflate, to puff up ...c1000
PUGNACIOUS - adjectives
• BAD of persons: very tough; pugnacious; formidable; hence, formidably skilled ...1855 Amer. sl., esp. Black usage
• BATTAILOUS fond of fighting; ready or eager for battle; warlike, bellicose, pugnacious ...c1380 arch.
• MILLY aggressive, pugnacious ...1990s US Black sl.
• SERVIGROUS headstrong, strong-willed, obstinate, pugnacious ...1909 Amer. dial.
• TEETHY ill-tempered, peevish, cross; crabbed; pugnacious ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
PUGNACIOUS - nouns, person
• TERRIER a man of bad temper and character; a pugnacious fellow ...1822 Sc. & Eng. dial.
PULL - nouns
• LAAG a pull, a shove ...1899 Sc.
• TIT a sharp and sudden pull; a tug, a jerk, a twitch ...1340 chiefly Sc.
• YARK a jerk, a pull, a snatch ...1896 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• YERK a sudden jerk or pull, a snatch ...1896 Sc. & Eng. & Amer. dial.
• YIRK a jerk, a pull, a snatch ...1896 Sc. & Eng. dial.
PULL - verbs
• ALLY to haul; to draw forcibly; to pull; to drag along ...1783 Eng. dial.
• BETEE † to pull or tug at ...c1205
• ENDO to heave or pull an object ...1938 Amer. dial.
• HAG to pull, to draw; to drag out ...1870 Eng. dial.
• HAIL to haul; to draw forcibly; to pull; to drag along ...1783 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• HAISTER to fatigue with hard work; to pull about roughly; to annoy ...1866 Eng. dial.
• HALE to draw or pull along, esp. with force or violence; to drag, to haul ...c1205
• HARL to drag: usually with the notion of friction or scraping of the ground; to pull, to tug; to trail along the ground; to haul ...c1290 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• HAYL to haul; to draw forcibly; to pull; to drag along ...1783 Eng. dial.
• LAAG to pull, to drag ...1897 Sc.
• LUG to pull violently; to carry with effort, there being the implication of ponderousness in the object ...M17
• PIGGLE to pull or tug nervously ...1936 Amer. dial.
• PUG to pull, to tug ...L16 now Sc. & Eng. dial.
• PULL LIKE A THRESHER to pull strongly ...1866 Eng. dial.
• RACK † to pull or tear apart; to separate by force; to break up ...1549 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• RAME to pull up ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• RAMP † to snatch, to tear, to pluck; to pull suddenly or sharply ...1567
• RANCH †* to pull, to pluck ...1579
• RANT to rent, to pull, to tear ...1872 Eng. dial.
• RAUNCH †* to pull, to pluck ...1579
• RAVE to pull; to tear up; to tear; to rout out, to disturb ...1889 Eng. dial.
• RAWL to pull roughly about; to carry or draw anything heavy ...1887 Eng. dial.
• REEF to pull or push something vigorously; to tug, to use force on something ...1958 Amer. dial.
• REEZE to pull a person about roughly ...Bk1904 Sc.
• SCRAB to grab, to snatch, to pull; to steal ...1890 Eng. dial.
• SCRAM to pull down violently; to tear off; to maul about ...1892 Eng. dial.
• SCRAMB to pull down violently; to tear off; to maul about ...1892 Eng. dial.
• TAW to pull, to lay hold of ...Bk1905 Sc.
• TAWEN † to pull; to lay hold of ...1810 Sc.
• TEW 1. to toil, to labour; to work hard; to pull, to struggle; to contend, to strive ...1866 Sc. & Eng. dial.
2. to shake, to toss; to keep in motion; to rumple, to disarrange; to tumble; to pull about ...1870 Eng. dial.
• TIGHT † to draw, to pull ...a1000
• TIRE to pull, to tug, to draw ...a1300 arch.
• TIT to pull forcibly, to tug; to snatch ...a1300 chiefly Sc.
• TO-HALE † to haul or drag asunder; to pull about ...1387
• TOIL † to pull, to drag, to tug about ...c1325
• TOLL † to pull, to drag, to draw physically ...a1400-50
• TO-LUG † to lug or pull about ...1362.
• YAFFLE to carry in a loose armful; to pull about ...1895 Eng. dial.
• YAFFUL to carry in a loose armful; to pull about ...1895 Eng. dial.
• YARK to jerk; to seize or pull forcibly; to snatch, to wrench, to force ...1811 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• YAWK to pull, to yank; to drag, to jerk ...1840 Amer. dial.
• YERK to jerk; to seize or pull forcibly; to snatch, to wrench, to force ...1811 Sc. & Eng. & Amer. dial.
• YIRK to jerk; to seize or pull forcibly; to snatch, to wrench, to force ...1811 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• YUCK to pull, to yank; to drag, to jerk ...1899 Amer. dial.
PULL OFF - verbs
• RACHE † to pull off ...c1400
PULL UP - verbs
• REAM UP † to pull up ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
PULPIT - nouns
• CACKLE-TUB a pulpit ...1888 sl.
PULSE - adjectives
• SALIENT of the pulse: beating strongly ...a1791 poetic
PULSE - nouns
• TICK a beat of the heart or of the pulse ...1823
PULSE - verbs
• TICK to beat, pulse, throb ...1868
PULVERIZED - verbs
• MALTER to melt, to dissolve, to become pulverized ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
PUMA - nouns
• CATAMOUNT a puma, cougar, or mountain lion ...1794 US
• POLTROON TIGER † a puma ...1790
• RED TIGER † a puma ...1774
PUMICE - nouns
• FEATHER ROCK pumice ...1967 Amer. dial.
• SUCKING STONE † pumice ...1664
PUMMEL - verbs
• MELLOW to beat, to hit, to strike. to pummel ...1895 Amer. dial.
• PAIK to hit with something hard or solid, as the knuckles, a stick, or a stone; to beat, to pummel, to thrash; to strike; to punish ...c1639 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• PALM to pummel; to knock with the fist ...1846 Eng. dial.
• POAM to pummel; to knock with the fist ...1846 Eng. dial.
PUMMELLING - nouns
• POAMING a pummelling ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
PUMPKIN - nouns
• FARMER'S ALLIANCE pumpkin pie ...L19 US sl.
• MILLION a pumpkin ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MILYIN a pumpkin ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
