Parkinson’s law

The observation that work expands to fill the time available.

parturition

The act of giving birth.

passing

To a surpassing degree.

pasteurize

To heat or irradiate something just long enough to kill pathogenic microorganisms.

pastillage

A sugar paste that’s molded into shapes and figures for decorating cakes, etc.

patsy

One who is easily taken advantage of, by being deceived, unfairly blamed, or ridiculed.

Pavlovian

Relating to a conditioned or predictable response; automatic; involuntary.

paywall

A system of restricting access to online content or services, making them accessible only upon payme...

Pearl Harbor

A sudden, devastating attack.

pecksniff

A hypocritical person who pretends to have high moral principles.

pejorism

The belief that the world is becoming worse.

pejorist

A person who believes that the world is getting worse.

pelagic

Relating to or living in the open ocean, far from land.

pelf

Money or wealth, especially when acquired in a dishonorable manner.

Pelion

A huge or difficult task.

penetralia

The innermost, secret, or hidden parts of something.

penetralium

The innermost, secret, or hidden parts of something.

pensive

Sadly thoughtful; wistful.

pensum

A task given, especially as a punishment.

pentasyllabic

Having five syllables.

penultimatum

A demand made before an ultimatum.

peregrinate

To travel, especially to wander from place to place.

perficient

Accomplishing or achieving desired results; effective.

perfidious

Treacherous; deceitful.

perforce

Out of necessity.

perfunctionary

Done without any interest, care, or effort.

peritext

The material surrounding the main text of a book, such as covers, preface, bibliography, colophon, e...

perlage

The assemblage of bubbles, in a glass of champagne, for example.

perp

One who commits a crime or is accused of committing one.

peterman

Safecracker.

petrichor

The pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain after a dry spell.

phantasmagorical

Illusory; strange; deceptive; imaginary; surreal; hallucinatory.

phenom

A person of outstanding ability or promise.

philargyry

The love of money; greed.

philippic

A bitter condemnation, usually in a speech.

philippize

To behave, especially to speak or write, as if corruptly influenced.

philocynic

A dog lover.

philomuse

A poetry lover.

phiz

Face; facial expression.

photophobia

An abnormal sensitivity to light.

physic

1. A medicine, especially one that acts as a laxative.

picaro

A rogue; an adventurer.