piebald
of different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors (esp. in black and white); Ex. piebald horse; CF. pie+bald

A piebald horse

piecemeal
one part at a time; gradually; in stages;

Read a novel piecemeal

piety
devoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious

She has both piety and devoutness

pigment
coloring matter (usually powder to be mixed with water or oil)

Chlorophyll is a plant pigment

pillage
plunder

The barbarians pillaged every conquered city

pillory
punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N.

The pillory of the critics was hard to bear

pine
long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline

She pined over the lost opportunity

pinion
restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs; N: bird’s wing

Pinion a bird’s wings

pinnacle
peak; highest point; acme

She rose to the pinnacle of fame

pious
devout; religious; N. piety

She has earned a name owing to her pious deeds

piquant
pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating;

I was placed in a piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help

pique
irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss in a contest); V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to feel resentment;

Occult piques her curiosity

piscatorial
pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces

A piscatorial painting

pitfall
hidden danger; concealed trap

There was every chance of falling into the pitfall

pith
core or marrow; sponge like substance in the center of stems; essence; substance

The pith is the most nutritious part of the plant

pithy
concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty

She is known for her pithy poems

pittance
small amount (of money); small allowance or wage

The workers were paid a pittance

pivotal
of a pivot; central; critical; crucial

He played a pivotal role in the family

placate
pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease

Pain placates with time

placebo
harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill

The hypochondriac was given a placebo

placid
peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake

The placid lake was resort for many families

plagiarize
steal another’s ideas or writings and pass them off as one’s own; Ex. ideas plagiarized from my article; N. plagiarism; CF. kidnap

Copying and plagiarizing are two different things altogether

plaintive
expressing sorrow; mournful;

She sang a plaintive song

plait
braid; interwine; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together;

Her mother plaited her hair

plasticity
ability to be molded; ADJ. plastic: capable of being shaped or molded;

He spoke of a plastic material such as clay

platitude
trite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ. platitudinous

The platitude of the film’s plot annoyed me

platonic
purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire

A platonic relation such as theirs

plaudit
praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or series) of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud

A plaudit of great words

plausible
conceivably true; having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious

A plausible idea.

plebeian
common; vulgar; pertaining to the common people; N: common people in ancient Rome; CF. patrician

A movie made for the plebeian

plebiscite
direct vote by the entire electorate (on an important issue)

Plebiscite we have lately taken, in popular use, from the French. –Fitzed. Hall

plenary
(of

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