| oecumenism | (noun) a movement promoting union between religions (especially between Christian churches) | Synonyms: ecumenism |
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| olibanum | (noun) an aromatic gum resin obtained from various Arabian or East African trees; formerly valued for worship and for embalming and fumigation | Synonyms: frankincense, gum olibanum, thus |
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| omasum | (noun) the third compartment of the stomach of a ruminant | Synonyms: psalterium, third stomach |
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| omentum | (noun) a fold of peritoneum supporting the viscera | - |
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| ommatidium | (noun) any of the numerous small cone-shaped eyes that make up the compound eyes of some arthropods | - |
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| oncidium | (noun) any orchid of the genus Oncidium: characterized by slender branching sprays of small yellow and brown flowers; often grown as houseplants | Synonyms: butterfly orchid, butterfly plant, dancing lady orchid |
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| operculum | (noun) a hard flap serving as a cover for (a) the gill slits in fishes or (b) the opening of the shell in certain gastropods when the body is retracted | - |
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| opium | (noun) an addictive narcotic extracted from seed capsules of the opium poppy | - |
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| opossum | (noun) nocturnal arboreal marsupial having a naked prehensile tail found from southern North America to northern South America | Synonyms: possum |
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| (noun) small furry Australian arboreal marsupials having long usually prehensile tails | Synonyms: phalanger, possum |
| opprobrium | (noun) a state of extreme dishonor | Synonyms: infamy |
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| (noun) state of disgrace resulting from public abuse | Synonyms: obloquy |
| optimum | (adjective) most desirable possible under a restriction expressed or implied | Synonyms: optimal |
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| (noun) most favorable conditions or greatest degree or amount possible under given circumstances | - |
| origanum | (noun) any of various fragrant aromatic herbs of the genus Origanum used as seasonings | - |
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| osmiridium | (noun) a hard and corrosion resistant mineral that is a natural alloy of osmium and iridium (usually containing small amounts of rhodium and platinum); used in needles and pen nibs etc. | Synonyms: iridosmine |
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| osmium | (noun) a hard brittle blue-grey or blue-black metallic element that is one of the platinum metals; the heaviest metal known | Synonyms: atomic number 76, Os |
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| ossiculum | (noun) a small bone; especially one in the middle ear | Synonyms: bonelet, ossicle |
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| ostensorium | (noun) (Roman Catholic Church) a vessel (usually of gold or silver) in which the consecrated Host is exposed for adoration | Synonyms: monstrance |
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| outnumber | (verb) be larger in number | - |
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| ovalbumin | (noun) the white part of an egg; the nutritive and protective gelatinous substance surrounding the yolk consisting mainly of albumin dissolved in water | Synonyms: albumen, egg white, white |
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| overtrump | (verb) play a trump higher than (one previously played) to the trick | - |
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| ovum | (noun) the female reproductive cell; the female gamete | Synonyms: egg cell |
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| pablum | (noun) worthless or oversimplified ideas | Synonyms: pap |
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| pabulum | (noun) insipid intellectual nourishment | - |
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| (noun) any substance that can be used as food | Synonyms: comestible, eatable, edible, victual, victuals |
| paleocerebellum | (noun) the anterior lobe of the cerebellum which was one of the earliest parts of the hindbrain to develop in mammals | - |
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| paleostriatum | (noun) the inner pale yellow part of the lenticular nucleus | Synonyms: globus pallidus, pallidum |
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| palladium | (noun) a silver-white metallic element of the platinum group that resembles platinum; occurs in some copper and nickel ores; does not tarnish at ordinary temperatures and is used (alloyed with gold) in jewelry | Synonyms: atomic number 46, Pd |
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| pallidum | (noun) the inner pale yellow part of the lenticular nucleus | Synonyms: globus pallidus, paleostriatum |
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| pallium | (noun) cloak or mantle worn by men in ancient Rome | - |
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| (noun) (Roman Catholic Church) vestment consisting of a band encircling the shoulders with two lappets hanging in front and back | - |
| (noun) (zoology) a protective layer of epidermis in mollusks or brachiopods that secretes a substance forming the shell | Synonyms: mantle |
| (noun) the layer of unmyelinated neurons (the grey matter) forming the cortex of the cerebrum | Synonyms: cerebral cortex, cerebral mantle, cortex |
| pandemonium | (noun) a state of extreme confusion and disorder | Synonyms: bedlam, chaos, topsy-turvydom, topsy-turvyness |
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| panjandrum | (noun) an important or influential (and often overbearing) person | Synonyms: dignitary, high-up, high muckamuck, very important person, VIP |
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| paramecium | (noun) any member of the genus Paramecium | Synonyms: paramecia |
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| parapodium | (noun) one of a pair of fleshy appendages of a polychete annelid that functions in locomotion and breathing | - |
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| paspalum | (noun) tall tufted perennial tropical American grass naturalized as pasture and forage grass in southern United States | Synonyms: dallis grass, dallisgrass, Paspalum dilatatum |
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| pendulum | (noun) an apparatus consisting of an object mounted so that it swings freely under the influence of gravity | - |
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| penetralium | (noun) the innermost parts | - |
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| penumbra | (noun) a fringe region of partial shadow around an umbra | - |
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| penumbral | (adjective) of or pertaining to the region of partial shadow around an umbra | - |
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| peplum | (noun) a flared ruffle attached to the waistline of a dress or jacket or blouse | - |
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| (noun) a garment worn by women in ancient Greece; cloth caught at the shoulders and draped in folds to the waist | Synonyms: peplos, peplus |
| perfume | (noun) a toiletry that emits and diffuses a fragrant odor | Synonyms: essence |
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| (noun) a distinctive odor that is pleasant | Synonyms: aroma, fragrance, scent |
| (verb) apply perfume to | Synonyms: scent |
| (verb) fill or impregnate with an odor | Synonyms: aromatise, aromatize |
| perfumed | (adjective) having a natural fragrance | Synonyms: odoriferous, odorous, scented, sweet-scented, sweet-smelling, sweet |
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| (adjective) filled or impregnated with perfume | Synonyms: scented |
| perfumer | (noun) a person who makes (and sells) perfumes | - |
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| perfumery | (noun) the art of making perfumes | - |
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| (noun) an establishment where perfumes are made | - |
| (noun) store where perfumes are sold | - |
| (noun) perfumes in general | - |
| pericardium | (noun) a serous membrane with two layers that surrounds the heart | - |
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| peridium | (noun) outer layer of the spore-bearing organ in many fungi | - |
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| perigonium | (noun) collective term for the outer parts of a flower consisting of the calyx and corolla and enclosing the stamens and pistils | Synonyms: chlamys, floral envelope, perianth, perigone |
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| perimysium | (noun) the sheath of connective tissue that covers a bundle of muscle fibers | - |
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| perineum | (noun) the general region between the anus and the genital organs | - |
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| perineurium | (noun) the sheath of connective tissue that covers a bundle of nerve fibers | - |
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| periosteum | (noun) a dense fibrous membrane covering the surface of bones (except at their extremities) and serving as an attachment for tendons and muscles; contains nerves and blood vessels that nourish the enclosed bone | - |
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| perithecium | (noun) flask-shaped ascocarp | - |
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| perithelium | (noun) tissue layer around small blood vessels | - |
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| peritoneum | (noun) a transparent membrane that lines the abdominal cavity in mammals and covers most of the viscera | - |
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| pessimum | (adjective) of an organism's environment; least favorable for survival | Synonyms: pessimal |
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| petrolatum | (noun) a semisolid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum; used in medicinal ointments and for lubrication | Synonyms: mineral jelly, petroleum jelly |
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| petroleum | (noun) a dark oil consisting mainly of hydrocarbons | Synonyms: crude, crude oil, fossil oil, oil, rock oil |
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| phoenicophorium | (noun) latanier palm | Synonyms: genus Phoenicophorium |
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| phylum | (noun) (biology) the major taxonomic group of animals and plants; contains classes | - |
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| (noun) (linguistics) a large group of languages that are historically related | - |
| pinetum | (noun) an area planted with pine trees or related conifers | - |
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| planetarium | (noun) an apparatus or model for representing the solar systems | - |
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| (noun) an optical device for projecting images of celestial bodies and other astronomical phenomena onto the inner surface of a hemispherical dome | - |
| (noun) a building housing an instrument for projecting the positions of the planets onto a domed ceiling | - |
| plasmodium | (noun) parasitic protozoan of the genus Plasmodium that causes malaria in humans | Synonyms: malaria parasite, Plasmodium vivax |
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| (noun) multinucleate sheet of cytoplasm characteristic of some stages of such organisms as slime molds | - |
| platinum | (noun) a heavy precious metallic element; grey-white and resistant to corroding; occurs in some nickel and copper ores and is also found native in some deposits | Synonyms: atomic number 78, Pt |
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| plectrum | (noun) a small thin device (of metal or plastic or ivory) used to pluck a stringed instrument | Synonyms: pick, plectron |
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| plenum | (noun) an enclosed space in which the air pressure is higher than outside | - |
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| (noun) a meeting of a legislative body at which all members are present | - |
| pleuropneumonia | (noun) pleurisy and pneumonia | - |
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| plum | (noun) a highly desirable position or assignment | - |
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| (noun) any of numerous varieties of small to medium-sized round or oval fruit having a smooth skin and a single pit | - |
| (noun) any of several trees producing edible oval fruit having a smooth skin and a single hard stone | Synonyms: plum tree |
| (adverb) exactly | Synonyms: plumb |
| (adverb) completely; used as intensifiers | Synonyms: clean, plumb |
| plumage | (noun) the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds | Synonyms: plume |
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| plumaged | (adjective) having or covered in plumage; often used as a combining form | - |
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| plumate | (adjective) having an ornamental plume or feathery tuft | Synonyms: plumed, plumose |
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| plumb | (adjective) exactly vertical | - |
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| (noun) the metal bob of a plumb line | Synonyms: plumb bob, plummet |
| (adverb) conforming to the direction of a plumb line | - |
| (adverb) exactly | Synonyms: plum |
| (adverb) completely; used as intensifiers | Synonyms: clean, plum |
| (verb) adjust with a plumb line so as to make vertical | - |
| (verb) measure the depth of something | - |
| (verb) examine thoroughly and in great depth | - |
| (verb) weight with lead | - |
| plumbable | (adjective) (of depth) capable of being sounded or measured for depth | Synonyms: fathomable, soundable |
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| plumbaginaceous | (adjective) of or pertaining to or characteristic of plants of the family Plumbaginaceae | - |
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| plumbago | (noun) any plumbaginaceous plant of the genus Plumbago | - |
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| (noun) used as a lubricant and as a moderator in nuclear reactors | Synonyms: black lead, graphite |
| plumber | (noun) a craftsman who installs and repairs pipes and fixtures and appliances | Synonyms: pipe fitter |
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| plumbery | (noun) the occupation of a plumber (installing and repairing pipes and fixtures for water or gas or sewage in a building) | Synonyms: plumbing |
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| plumbic | (adjective) relating to or consisting of lead | Synonyms: plumbous |
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| plumbing | (noun) measuring the depths of the oceans | Synonyms: bathymetry |
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| (noun) the occupation of a plumber (installing and repairing pipes and fixtures for water or gas or sewage in a building) | Synonyms: plumbery |
| (noun) utility consisting of the pipes and fixtures for the distribution of water or gas in a building and for the disposal of sewage | Synonyms: plumbing system |
| plumbism | (noun) toxic condition produced by the absorption of excessive lead into the system | Synonyms: lead poisoning, saturnism |
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| plumbous | (adjective) relating to or consisting of lead | Synonyms: plumbic |
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| plumcot | (noun) hybrid between plum and apricot | - |
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| (noun) hybrid produced by crossing Prunus domestica and Prunus armeniaca | Synonyms: plumcot tree |
| plume | (noun) the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds | Synonyms: plumage |
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| (noun) a feather or cluster of feathers worn as an ornament | - |
| (noun) anything that resembles a feather in shape or lightness | - |
| (verb) dress or groom with elaborate care | Synonyms: dress, preen, primp |
| (verb) form a plume | - |
| (verb) clean with one's bill | Synonyms: preen |
| (verb) deck with a plume | - |
| (verb) be proud of | Synonyms: congratulate, pride |
| (verb) rip off; ask an unreasonable price | Synonyms: fleece, gazump, hook, overcharge, pluck, rob, soak, surcharge |
| plumed | (adjective) (of a knight's helmet) having a decorative plume | Synonyms: crested |
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| (adjective) having an ornamental plume or feathery tuft | Synonyms: plumate, plumose |
| (adjective) having or covered with or abounding in plumes | Synonyms: plumy |
| plumelike | (adjective) resembling a plume | Synonyms: plumy |
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| plumlike | (adjective) resembling a plum fruit | - |
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| plummet | (noun) the metal bob of a plumb line | Synonyms: plumb, plumb bob |
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| (verb) drop sharply | Synonyms: plump |
| plummy | (adjective) (of a voice) affectedly mellow and rich | - |
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| (adjective) very desirable | - |
| plumose | (adjective) having an ornamental plume or feathery tuft | Synonyms: plumate, plumed |
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| plump | (adjective) sufficiently fat so as to have a pleasing fullness of figure | Synonyms: chubby, embonpoint |
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| (noun) the sound of a sudden heavy fall | - |
| (adverb) straight down especially heavily or abruptly | - |
| (verb) give support (to) or make a choice (of) one out of a group or number | Synonyms: go |
| (verb) make fat or plump | Synonyms: fat, fatten, fatten out, fatten up, fill out, flesh out, plump out |
| (verb) set (something or oneself) down with or as if with a noise | Synonyms: flump, plank, plonk, plop, plump down, plunk, plunk down |
| (verb) drop sharply | Synonyms: plummet |
| plumping | (adjective) very large; of exceptional size for its kind | - |
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| plumpness | (noun) the bodily property of being well rounded | Synonyms: embonpoint, roundness |
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| plumule | (noun) down feather of young birds; persists in some adult birds | - |
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| plumy | (adjective) adorned with feathers or plumes | Synonyms: feathered, feathery |
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| (adjective) having or covered with or abounding in plumes | Synonyms: plumed |
| (adjective) resembling a plume | Synonyms: plumelike |
| plutonium | (noun) a solid silvery grey radioactive transuranic element whose atoms can be split when bombarded with neutrons; found in minute quantities in uranium ores but is usually synthesized in nuclear reactors; 13 isotopes are known with the most important being plutonium 239 | Synonyms: atomic number 94, Pu |
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| pneumatic | (adjective) of or relating to or using air (or a similar gas) | - |
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| pneumatically | (adverb) in a pneumatic manner | - |
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| pneumatics | (noun) the branch of mechanics that deals with the mechanical properties of gases | - |
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| pneumatophore | (noun) an air-filled root (submerged or exposed) that can function as a respiratory organ of a marsh or swamp plant | - |
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| pneumococcal | (adjective) of or derived from or caused by bacteria of the genus pneumococcus | - |
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| pneumococcus | (noun) bacterium causing pneumonia in mice and humans | Synonyms: Diplococcus pneumoniae |
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| pneumoconiosis | (noun) chronic respiratory disease caused by inhaling metallic or mineral particles | Synonyms: pneumonoconiosis |
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| pneumocytosis | (noun) pneumonia occurring in infants or in persons with impaired immune systems (as AIDS victims) | Synonyms: interstitial plasma cell pneumonia, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, pneumocystis pneumonia |
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| pneumoencephalogram | (noun) an X ray of the brain made by replacing spinal fluid with a gas (usually oxygen) to improve contrast | Synonyms: encephalogram |
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