INTERMEDIATE WORDS
PIETY 'pīəti
PITEOUS 'pitiəs
adj. being pious (devout; very religious; dutiful; hypocritically virtuous) Origin: Latin pietas, ‘dutifulness’ Sentence: Their behaviour in and out of church is an example of piety. adj. deserving or causing pity (compassion); distressing; pitiable; pitiful Origin: Latin pietas, ‘duty, piety’ Sentence: The beggars of our country live in piteous conditions.
PLAID 'plad / 'plād
n. cloth with chequered pattern Origin: Gaelic plaide, ‘blanket’ Sentence: Her skirt was made of a brightly coloured plaid, but her blouse was plain.
PLATEAU
n. extensive level ground at the top of a hill; period of stable prices or wages after an increase Origin: French platel, ‘small flat surface’ Sentence: The climbers were pleased to get to a plateau large enough to pitch their tents.
'platō / plə'tō
PLATYPUS 'platipəs
n. Australian egg-laying amphibious mammal Origin: Greek Sentence: The platypus has webbed feet and a broad flat tail
PNEUMONIA nū'mōniə
n. illness caused by inflammation of the lung Origin: Greek pneumon, ‘lung’ Sentence: A person with pneumonia is seriously ill.
POINCIANA
n type of tropical tree with bright showy red or orange coloured flowers Origin: Modern Latin Sentence: The Poinciana (or Flamboyant) has wide spreading branches with brilliant flowers.
poynsi'a:nə
POINSETTIA poyn'setiə
n. a type of tropical plant with flower-like groups of bright colourful leaves Origin: Modern Latin Sentence: Bright red poinsettias brighten our gardens and hedges at Christmas time.
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