Confusing Words Clarified: Group P; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(lists of "P" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)
If you have any problems understanding the pronunciation symbols, go to this Pronunciation Chart for clarifications.
The ruler of the ancient kingdom, a true profligate had prodigal habits and wasted the valuable resources of the realm.
2. Something that is an extraordinary or unusual accomplishment or event: The completion of the massive symphony was nothing short of being a prodigy.
It is not always true that the progeny of a famous prodigy are all as equally talented.
2. To show something or to cause something to appear or to be seen: Frank had to produce his ID for the security guard before he was allowed entrance into the building.
Paul's farm helped to produce needed produce for people to buy at the local farmer's market.
2. A brief written description that provides information about something or someone: The article provided a profile of the shooter's background and attitudes regarding the family that he killed.
3. The amount of attention that someone or something is given or desires: Lenora tries to maintain a low profile around the university while her friend, Rena, does everything she can to get a high profile.
Deloris tries to keep a low profile so people won't notice her.
2. To provide information about potential terrorists or other criminals: The security organizations’ efforts to profile the man who tried to blow up the passenger aircraft were not very efficientt.
2. The act or practice of regarding particular people as more likely to commit crimes because of their appearance, race, etc.: Some people accuse certain law enforcement officials of using racial profiling which disproportionately targets people of color for investigation and enforcement.
Criminal profiling is used mostly by behavioral scientists and the police to narrow down an investigation to those suspects who possess certain behavioral and personality features that are revealed by the way a crime was committed.
Justin saw an article that stated that profiling serial killers is supposed to be an art, but it's not. It's certainly not a science. The entire profiling system; such as, those profiles produced by the Behavioral Sciences Unit of the FBI, is based on interviews with an insufficient number of criminal subjects.
These days, to profile people for potential criminal acts is an important factor in protecting the people. A profile must be sufficiently composed so profiles and profiling can be properly utilized.
2. Money obtained by selling something for more than the cost of production or manufacture: The company made a significant profit by deciding to buy the raw materials from local farmers rather than to import what they needed.
2. An individual who is credited with writing Holy Scripture; for example, the Old Testament in the Christian Bible: The Prophet was revered for his knowledge, understanding, and explanations of God's messages to mankind.
3. A spokesperson or leader for a group or a cause: Karin's uncle was considered a prophet among climate change advocates.
Many a prophet has been known to profit from his prognosticator's successful renditions.
The best prophet of the future is the past.
A prophet is a man who is not honored in his own country, because people grow tired of hearing him say, "I told you so."
2. List of players, list of selections: The ushers gave everyone a program for the evening's performance.
3. Show, presentation, production; series: Ronda Scott indicated that there would be a change in the program for the fall television schedule.
The word pogrom is a Russian term, originally meaning "riot", which came to be applied to a series of violent attacks on Jews in Russia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The local theater has scheduled a creative and challenging program this year including a play about a pogrom in Poland that took place in the last century.
Tom asked, "Adriana, would you prop the garage door open so it won't slam shut, please."
2. Something which is used to support an object: Tom's father used rocks as a prop for the fence post until he could fill the hole with dirt.
3. A piece of theatrical property that is used by a performer or actor to create a desired effect in a scene on stage or in a movie: The actor used one prop after another to create the effects desired by the director.
4. A slang term for an airplane's propeller: The prop had to be replaced before the pilot could fly his aircraft.
Although the actor tried to prop up the stage prop which represented an airplane prop, he could not keep it from falling over; so, he signaled another actor to be a prop for the stage property.
2. To predict something apparently on the basis of mystical knowledge: Standing before a crowd, Celeste stated, "I prophesy that there will be a severe rainstorm and flood within the next two days despite the fact that we are experiencing the worst drought in years."
The local prophet made a prophesy that was so true that an article in the newspaper praised the prophecy as a miracle.
2. To suggest or to bring forward a plan to accomplish something: The city engineer was determined to propose the building of a new bridge.
3. To bring an idea to an individual or a group for discussion: Walt decided to propose that the group take a break and meet again the next day and to see if they can come to an agreement.
4. To nominate: The committee of peers will propose the name of the professor to be granted the fellowship to study polar bears.
5. To toast or to acknowledge in a speech: The master of ceremonies rose to propose a toast to the retiring member of the board.
2. A subject for discussion or for accomplishment: The purpose of the meeting at the city hall was to discuss raising property taxes.
3. Determination: Albert walked with a purpose while he was returning to the meeting.
The purpose of this meeting is to propose a merger of the two branches of this industry as a cost-saving measure.
2. An indication that an affirmation for something has been accomplished: After the vote, the chair of the meeting indicated that the pros had won.
3. An argument in favor of something: The jury had to weigh the pros and cons of the case while deciding on a recommendation to the court.
2. Written in a simple and unimaginative manner: When writing her autobiography, the famous singer used simple prose to convey the reality of her life.
The members of the literary jury had to weigh the pros and cons of each article of prose that was submitted to the contest.
The Captain of Industry worked hard to bring prosperity to the town. Anthony's goal was that his posterity, including his sons and daughters, would be able to continue the careful planning and investments which he had initiated.
2. Demonstrating a helplessness or submissive posture: The condemned prisoner assumed a prostrate position, hoping for clemency from the judge.
A physician once said that it is preferred that a man be prostrate before the urologist can examine his prostate.
The patient found it difficult to adjust to the new prosthesis; in fact, Willie sat down in a state of prostration at the end of his first therapy session.
A prosthetic substitute for lost sections of the body resulting from disease or injury, particularly for the purpose of restoring the function of that part of the body; for example, a bridge of false teeth is a dental prothesis.
After Ted recovered from his prostatic cancer, his brother returned to the medical school to study prosthetic surgery because he was inspired by the injuries which his brother had received in the recent Afghanistan conflicts.
2. Pertaining to a person or a thing that is readily able to assume different characters or forms: The protean nature of the friendly ghost in the house was baffling, sometimes appearing like a puppy and other times like a wisp of smoke.
The food guide issued by the health department included a list of protean ways to get protein in people's diets without necessarily eating lots of meat.
Confusing Words: Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs; explained and demonstrated.
Confusing Words: Units, Groups A to Z.
Confusing Words: Vocabulary Quizzes Listed.
