M
macabre - (adjective) disturbing and morbid
machination - (noun) a plot or calculated scheme
magnitude - (noun) a measurement, recorded by a seismograph, of the energy released from an earthquake
magnetic declination - (noun) the angle between true north (the direction of the geographic north pole) and magnetic north (the northern direction on a compass) Note- This is sometimes referred to as magnetic variation
maiden - (noun) a girl or unmarried woman
malevolent - (adjective) displaying evilness and viciousness toward others
malicious - (adjective) showing or intending to do harm
mammoth - (adjective) gigantic; huge
mandate - (noun) a command or official order to do something
mandatory - (noun) required by rule or law
maniacal – (adjective) extremely wild and out of control; crazed
Manifest Destiny - (noun) a widely held belief in the 1800s that Americans would inevitably settle and govern from coast to coast
manumission – (noun) the act of freeing a slave or slaves; emancipation
manumit - (verb) to release a slave or slaves; emancipate
map scale - (noun) the ratio of distance shown on a map and the actual distance on the ground Example- If a distance were shown on a map to be 1:1 the map would be the same size as the place it represents! So map makers use map scale to reflect large areas with smaller maps. If you see a map that shows a one centimeter segment with a ratio of 1:10,000, it means that each centimeter on the map is equal to 10,000 centimeters.
market economy - (noun) an economy in which consumers ultimately determine what is to be produced by buying or not buying certain goods and services (supply and demand)
martial law - (noun) the temporary suspension of civilian law that results in military control of all government functions
matsuri - (noun) a Japanese festival that has historically been associated with Shinto shrines and celebrations
matriarch - (noun) a woman who is recognized as the leader of a family or group (due to age or experience)
mausoleum - (noun) a tomb; a building that houses a tomb or tombs and is usually decorated ornately
mayor - (noun) the elected head of government at the city level
melancholy - (noun) a state of sadness or depression
member states - (noun) countries that belong to the United Nations and have agreed to follow the UN Charter
memoir - (noun) writing that is drawn from a writer's personal experience and knowledge of the past
menagerie - (noun) a personal collection of wild animals that are kept in captivity and sometimes displayed to the public
mercantilism - (noun) a closed colonial economic system, whereby colonizers would collect raw materials from colonies, manufacture products, and then send the products back to the colonies to be purchased
mercenary - (noun) a professional soldier who is paid to work for a foreign country
mercurial - (adjective) characterized by sudden and unpredictable change in mood; volatile
meritocracy - (noun) a system of hiring or promotion whereby the most talented person is selected
Mesopotamia - (noun) a word that is derived from Greek that means "the land between the rivers" Note- This refers to the Tigris River and the Euphrates River.
metaphor - (noun) a figure of speech that states one object is another object, not literally, but in order to show a likeness or an analogy
Example - He is a shining star. Example- Her voice is music to his ears. Example- You are my sunshine!
meticulous - (adjective) characterized by excessively careful and precise attention to detail while completing a task
metope - a square space that usually contains a frieze between Doric triglyphs
Middle Ages - (noun) the period of European history between the fall of Rome in 476 AD to the beginning of the Renaissance in the 1300s Note- This period is also referred to as the Medieval Period.
Middle East - a large region that stretches from Morocco in northern Africa to Pakistan in southwest Asia Note- Most, but not all of the people in this region, practice Islam and speak Arabic (Go to the Middle East page for more details)
mien - (noun) a person's bearing and manner
migrant - a person who leaves his or her country in order to find work or improve their economic situation
milieu - (noun) the social or environmental setting where an event occurs
militia (noun) civilian volunteers who train for military service in order to help their country during national emergencies
millennium - (noun) a time period of 1,000 years
minaret - (noun) a long slender tower, next to a mosque, that has a small balcony where a muezzin calls Muslims to prayer
minutemen - (noun) colonial Americans who volunteered to be ready fight at a minute's notice during the Revolutionary War
mission - (noun) Catholic settlements created in the Americas to convert Native Americans to Christianity
mnemonic - (noun) a memory technique that uses patterns of associations, ideas, or letters to remember something
monarchy - (noun) a government system whereby a country is ruled by a king or queen
monolith - (noun)n a large rock standing by itself
monologue - (noun) a long speech or presentation by a person
monotheism - (noun) belief in a single god
mood - (noun) in literature, the feeling created in a reader as the story is being read
moot - (adjective) lacking relevance or significance
moral - (noun) a life-lesson that can be learned from a fable or other story
mosaic - (noun) a picture that is created by placing and arranging small pieces of glass, stone, or tile on a prepared surface Note- Mosaics were frequently used in architecture and art by the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations.
mosque - a Muslim place of worship
mouth - the location where a river ends and empties into a larger body of water (sea, ocean, or another river)
muezzin – a person who calls Muslims to prayer five times a day
Muslim - a person who is a follower of Islam
myth - a traditional story, usually involving gods or superhuman characters, that focuses on human flaws, history, or nature
machination - (noun) a plot or calculated scheme
magnitude - (noun) a measurement, recorded by a seismograph, of the energy released from an earthquake
magnetic declination - (noun) the angle between true north (the direction of the geographic north pole) and magnetic north (the northern direction on a compass) Note- This is sometimes referred to as magnetic variation
maiden - (noun) a girl or unmarried woman
malevolent - (adjective) displaying evilness and viciousness toward others
malicious - (adjective) showing or intending to do harm
mammoth - (adjective) gigantic; huge
mandate - (noun) a command or official order to do something
mandatory - (noun) required by rule or law
maniacal – (adjective) extremely wild and out of control; crazed
Manifest Destiny - (noun) a widely held belief in the 1800s that Americans would inevitably settle and govern from coast to coast
manumission – (noun) the act of freeing a slave or slaves; emancipation
manumit - (verb) to release a slave or slaves; emancipate
map scale - (noun) the ratio of distance shown on a map and the actual distance on the ground Example- If a distance were shown on a map to be 1:1 the map would be the same size as the place it represents! So map makers use map scale to reflect large areas with smaller maps. If you see a map that shows a one centimeter segment with a ratio of 1:10,000, it means that each centimeter on the map is equal to 10,000 centimeters.
market economy - (noun) an economy in which consumers ultimately determine what is to be produced by buying or not buying certain goods and services (supply and demand)
martial law - (noun) the temporary suspension of civilian law that results in military control of all government functions
matsuri - (noun) a Japanese festival that has historically been associated with Shinto shrines and celebrations
matriarch - (noun) a woman who is recognized as the leader of a family or group (due to age or experience)
mausoleum - (noun) a tomb; a building that houses a tomb or tombs and is usually decorated ornately
mayor - (noun) the elected head of government at the city level
melancholy - (noun) a state of sadness or depression
member states - (noun) countries that belong to the United Nations and have agreed to follow the UN Charter
memoir - (noun) writing that is drawn from a writer's personal experience and knowledge of the past
menagerie - (noun) a personal collection of wild animals that are kept in captivity and sometimes displayed to the public
mercantilism - (noun) a closed colonial economic system, whereby colonizers would collect raw materials from colonies, manufacture products, and then send the products back to the colonies to be purchased
mercenary - (noun) a professional soldier who is paid to work for a foreign country
mercurial - (adjective) characterized by sudden and unpredictable change in mood; volatile
meritocracy - (noun) a system of hiring or promotion whereby the most talented person is selected
Mesopotamia - (noun) a word that is derived from Greek that means "the land between the rivers" Note- This refers to the Tigris River and the Euphrates River.
metaphor - (noun) a figure of speech that states one object is another object, not literally, but in order to show a likeness or an analogy
Example - He is a shining star. Example- Her voice is music to his ears. Example- You are my sunshine!
meticulous - (adjective) characterized by excessively careful and precise attention to detail while completing a task
metope - a square space that usually contains a frieze between Doric triglyphs
Middle Ages - (noun) the period of European history between the fall of Rome in 476 AD to the beginning of the Renaissance in the 1300s Note- This period is also referred to as the Medieval Period.
Middle East - a large region that stretches from Morocco in northern Africa to Pakistan in southwest Asia Note- Most, but not all of the people in this region, practice Islam and speak Arabic (Go to the Middle East page for more details)
mien - (noun) a person's bearing and manner
migrant - a person who leaves his or her country in order to find work or improve their economic situation
milieu - (noun) the social or environmental setting where an event occurs
militia (noun) civilian volunteers who train for military service in order to help their country during national emergencies
millennium - (noun) a time period of 1,000 years
minaret - (noun) a long slender tower, next to a mosque, that has a small balcony where a muezzin calls Muslims to prayer
minutemen - (noun) colonial Americans who volunteered to be ready fight at a minute's notice during the Revolutionary War
mission - (noun) Catholic settlements created in the Americas to convert Native Americans to Christianity
mnemonic - (noun) a memory technique that uses patterns of associations, ideas, or letters to remember something
monarchy - (noun) a government system whereby a country is ruled by a king or queen
monolith - (noun)n a large rock standing by itself
monologue - (noun) a long speech or presentation by a person
monotheism - (noun) belief in a single god
mood - (noun) in literature, the feeling created in a reader as the story is being read
moot - (adjective) lacking relevance or significance
moral - (noun) a life-lesson that can be learned from a fable or other story
mosaic - (noun) a picture that is created by placing and arranging small pieces of glass, stone, or tile on a prepared surface Note- Mosaics were frequently used in architecture and art by the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations.
mosque - a Muslim place of worship
mouth - the location where a river ends and empties into a larger body of water (sea, ocean, or another river)
muezzin – a person who calls Muslims to prayer five times a day
Muslim - a person who is a follower of Islam
myth - a traditional story, usually involving gods or superhuman characters, that focuses on human flaws, history, or nature
N
nadir - (noun) the lowest or worst point in a life, career, or history
naïve - lacking life experience or good judgment and willing to believe that another person’s intentions are good
narcissism - (noun) excessive admiration and interest of oneself
nari - (noun) a Russian term meaning bed
narrative - (noun) writing that describes a series of events or tells a story
narrative poetry - (noun) poetry that tells a story
nationalism - extreme national pride and patriotism by a citizen of a country
nationalize – to take over ownership and control of private industry or companies by the national government Note- In many cases the private owners or stock holders are not compensated by the government. Over the past century countries have nationalized steel, petroleum, fruit, transportation, and mineral companies around the world.
natron - (noun) a mineral consisting of hydrated sodium carbonate that was used in ancient Egypt to embalm the dead
natural rights - (noun) rights that all humans possess naturally and are not granted by governments
nautical chart - (noun) a map used by mariners that depicts coastal details, water depth, underwater obstructions, and aids to navigation that are necessary for safe navigation
nave - (noun) the central part of a church building where the pews are located and face the altar
navigable - (adjective) a river or channel that has enough depth and width for ships to travel
nebulous - (adjective) lacking form or undefined; vague
nectar - (noun) a sweet liquid that flowers produce to encourage pollination by insects
nemes - (noun) a stripped headdress that was worn by pharaohs in ancient Egypt
neutral - (adjective) characterized by not taking sides in a conflicts between two opposing adversaries
nictitating membrane - (noun) a translucent membrane that acts as a third eyelid to protect the eye
nimble - (adjective) moving or thinking in a quick and agile manner
noble - (noun) a wealthy and powerful person who has high status (in some earlier societies)
nomad - (noun) a person that survives by moving from place to place (usually to follow wild herds or to find new grasslands for their domesticated animals)
noun - (noun) a person, place, quality, or thing
naïve - lacking life experience or good judgment and willing to believe that another person’s intentions are good
narcissism - (noun) excessive admiration and interest of oneself
nari - (noun) a Russian term meaning bed
narrative - (noun) writing that describes a series of events or tells a story
narrative poetry - (noun) poetry that tells a story
nationalism - extreme national pride and patriotism by a citizen of a country
nationalize – to take over ownership and control of private industry or companies by the national government Note- In many cases the private owners or stock holders are not compensated by the government. Over the past century countries have nationalized steel, petroleum, fruit, transportation, and mineral companies around the world.
natron - (noun) a mineral consisting of hydrated sodium carbonate that was used in ancient Egypt to embalm the dead
natural rights - (noun) rights that all humans possess naturally and are not granted by governments
nautical chart - (noun) a map used by mariners that depicts coastal details, water depth, underwater obstructions, and aids to navigation that are necessary for safe navigation
nave - (noun) the central part of a church building where the pews are located and face the altar
navigable - (adjective) a river or channel that has enough depth and width for ships to travel
nebulous - (adjective) lacking form or undefined; vague
nectar - (noun) a sweet liquid that flowers produce to encourage pollination by insects
nemes - (noun) a stripped headdress that was worn by pharaohs in ancient Egypt
neutral - (adjective) characterized by not taking sides in a conflicts between two opposing adversaries
nictitating membrane - (noun) a translucent membrane that acts as a third eyelid to protect the eye
nimble - (adjective) moving or thinking in a quick and agile manner
noble - (noun) a wealthy and powerful person who has high status (in some earlier societies)
nomad - (noun) a person that survives by moving from place to place (usually to follow wild herds or to find new grasslands for their domesticated animals)
noun - (noun) a person, place, quality, or thing
O
oasis - (noun) an area of the desert that has access to water and usually forms above an aquifer
obeisance - (noun) deference and respect that is shown to someone
obelisk - (noun) a tall stone pillar, usually with a pyramid shape at the top, that serves as a monument
odious - (adjective) evil or unpleasant to the point of arousing hatred; detestable
ominous - (adjective) giving the impression that something bad or threatening is about to happen; foreboding
omniscient - (adjective) all-knowing Note- The third person narrator is sometimes said to be omniscient.
onomatopoeia - (noun) a word that is pronounced in a way that resembles it or the sound associated with it Examples- bang, whine, ruff, oink, chirp, hiss, sizzle, and purr
opinion - (noun) a personal belief or judgment that is not substantiated with direct proof
optimistic - (adjective) characterized by positive and hopeful feelings about the future
opulent - (adjective) wealthy; affluent
oracle - (noun) a priest or priestess who is said to be able to communicate the words and wishes of the gods
ornithology - (noun) the scientific study of birds
ossuary - (noun) a building or container where bones of the dead are deposited Note- Bones are sometimes placed in an ossuary to make room for the newly deceased in a cemetery.
ostracize - (verb) to deliberately exclude from a group or society
ostentatious - (adjective) characterized by conspicuous and showy appearance in order to attract attention
oxymoron – (noun) a combination of two seemingly contradictory words used together to create an effect Examples: deafening silence, act naturally, jumbo shrimp, open secret, and clearly confused
obeisance - (noun) deference and respect that is shown to someone
obelisk - (noun) a tall stone pillar, usually with a pyramid shape at the top, that serves as a monument
odious - (adjective) evil or unpleasant to the point of arousing hatred; detestable
ominous - (adjective) giving the impression that something bad or threatening is about to happen; foreboding
omniscient - (adjective) all-knowing Note- The third person narrator is sometimes said to be omniscient.
onomatopoeia - (noun) a word that is pronounced in a way that resembles it or the sound associated with it Examples- bang, whine, ruff, oink, chirp, hiss, sizzle, and purr
opinion - (noun) a personal belief or judgment that is not substantiated with direct proof
optimistic - (adjective) characterized by positive and hopeful feelings about the future
opulent - (adjective) wealthy; affluent
oracle - (noun) a priest or priestess who is said to be able to communicate the words and wishes of the gods
ornithology - (noun) the scientific study of birds
ossuary - (noun) a building or container where bones of the dead are deposited Note- Bones are sometimes placed in an ossuary to make room for the newly deceased in a cemetery.
ostracize - (verb) to deliberately exclude from a group or society
ostentatious - (adjective) characterized by conspicuous and showy appearance in order to attract attention
oxymoron – (noun) a combination of two seemingly contradictory words used together to create an effect Examples: deafening silence, act naturally, jumbo shrimp, open secret, and clearly confused
P
pagoda - (noun) a Buddhist temple that is composed of a multi-tiered tower structure
palisade - (noun) a line of wooden stakes, fixed firmly the ground, that usually surround a fort or defensive position
pampas - (noun) a term that describes the wide, grassy plains, located east of the Andes Mountains in South America
Panamax - (noun) a term that describes the largest ships that are able to fit through the Panama Canal (depth, width, length)
pandemic - (noun) a widespread outbreak of disease across the world
pantheon - (noun) 1: a temple dedicated to the gods 2: a group of people who are respected for their accomplishments in a particular field or endeavor
papyrus - (noun) a tall plant (Cyperus papyrus) that grows in or near the water in North Africa and was used by ancient Egyptians to make the first form of paper
pariah - (noun) an outcast
parliamentary government - (noun) a system of government in which the executive power (the prime minister and cabinet) is made up of members of the legislature
passage - (noun) a portion of a written work that is analyzed or used as an example
patent - (noun) formal recognition of ownership, granted by a government, for an invention or intellectual property
patrician - (noun) a member of an aristocratic family in ancient Rome
patron - (noun) a store customer
pectoral - (noun) an ancient Egyptian collar or piece of large jewelry that was worn over the chest for decoration or protection
pedestal - (noun) the structure at the base of a statue or column
pediment - (noun) the triangular upper portion at the front of a classical building that usually includes relief sculptures
pen name (nom de plume) - (noun) a name used by a writer instead of their real name
peninsula - (noun)a piece of land with water on three sides
per capita - per unit of population; per person
pernicious - (adjective) causing harm in a gradual or subtle way
persecute - (verb) to treat someone unfairly because of their beliefs
perseverance - (noun) persistence in completing a task or goal, to the best of your ability, even when it becomes difficult
persevere - (verb) to persist in completing a task or goal, to the best of your ability, even when it becomes difficult
personification - (noun) a figure of speech in which an animal or object is given human characteristics
pessimistic - (adjective) characterized by negative and gloomy feelings about the future
pestilence - (noun) an infectious disease that spreads quickly and usually kills its victims Example- bubonic plague
petition - (noun) a formal request to the government, usually made by a group of people, to change a policy or law
petrified - (adjective) frightened to the point of not being able to move; terrified
petulant - (adjective) bad-tempered and grumpy; cranky
pharaoh – (noun) the title of rulers in ancient Egypt
phobia – (noun) an irrational or extreme fear of something
physical map (physical geography) - (noun) a map that shows major land forms and natural features (deserts, valleys, mountains, rivers, lakes, etc.) Note- State and country borders are usually included on physical maps to reflect the locations of the various land forms.
physiology - (noun) a branch of biology that focuses on the study of living organisms and how they function
pictograph – (noun) a drawn picture that represents and reflects an object or idea
pied - (noun) a term that usually refers to birds that at have two or more patches of color
pilfer - (verb) to steal
placid - (adjective) serene and peaceful; calm
plague – (noun) an epidemic disease, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, that is transmitted by the bite of an infected flea
plantation - (noun) a farm where crops such as cotton, sugarcane, and similar crops are grown on a large scale
plaster - (noun) a smooth paste, that is usually made of sand, water, and lime (to bind it together), that is applied to walls and dries to form a hard surface Note- Modern plaster often replaces lime with gypsum and is sometimes referred to as plaster of paris.
plateau - (noun) an elevated flatland on Earth’s surface
plebeian - (noun) the term for a commoner (craftsmen, farmers, merchants, soldiers, etc.) in ancient Rome
plethora - (noun) a large amount of something; a lot
plinth - (noun) the heavy base that supports a statue or column
plot - (noun) the series of events that make up a story
plummet – (verb) to fall or drop a long distance at a high speed
poacher - (noun) a person who hunts animals illegally
pod - (noun) a group of marine animals (usually whales)
point of view - (noun) the perspective from which a narrator tells a story
political map (political geography) - (noun) a map that shows government and man-made boundaries such as national, state, and territorial borders, as well as major cities and towns Note- Political maps may also label major bodies of water in addition to the man-made boundaries. Political maps usually show countries that border each other in different colors, or states that border each other in different colors.
politician - (noun) a person who is voted into a government position
poll tax - (noun) a tax levied on registered voters as a prerequisite for voting in an election Note- The Twenty-fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1964, outlawed the use of poll taxes in elections for federal officeholders.
polyglot - (adjective) fluent in multiple languages
polytheism - (noun) belief in two or more gods
ponder - (verb) to think about or reflect on something
population density - (noun) the average number of people living in a square kilometer of a city or country
popular sovereignty - (noun) the idea that the authority of the government is derived from and subject to the will of the people
population pyramid - (noun) a diagram that shows the distribution of population groups for a specific country Note- The data in these diagrams often resemble a pyramid shape.
portal - (noun) a large, usually decorative entrance, to a cathedral, castle, or other large structure
Note- The modern use of the word also refers to an internet set that allows you to access a variety of sites and information
portico - (noun) an entrance to a building or covered walkway supported by regularly spaced columns Note- Porticoes were an important part of Greek architecture where they were used at entrances to many Greek temples.
portly - (adjective) fat; corpulent
possessive pronoun - (noun) a pronoun that shows ownership Note- The possessive pronouns her, his, its, my, our, their, and your are used before nouns in a sentence. The possessive pronouns hers, his, its, mine, ours, theirs, and yours can frequently appear at the end of a sentence and can be used in place of a noun.
posterity - (noun) future generations
posthumous - (adjective) occurring or happening after a person's death
potable - (noun) water that is safe to drink without risk to health
potential - (noun) the qualities and abilities that a person possesses that might be used to achieve future success
preamble - (noun) an introduction to a constitution or law
precedent – (noun) a principle, action, or decision that serves as the example in similar subsequent circumstances
predicate - (noun) the part of a sentence or clause that contains the verb and provides information about the subject Example- The team rested after the game.
preeminent - (adjective) distinguished and accomplished in a career or area of study
preen - (verb) 1: to dress and spend time making oneself look attractive or handsome 2: (birds) to groom and arrange feathers using its bill
prefix - (noun) a letter or group of letters that are added to the beginning of a word to change the meaning Note- The prefix un, meaning not / opposite of, is the most common prefix in the English language.
prehistory - (noun) the time before humans began to write and record history
premonition - (noun) a strong feeling or sudden realization that something is about to happen
president -(noun) the chief executive at the national level
presidio - (noun) a Spanish term for a military fortress; a garrison
primary source - (noun) a recording or document that gives a first-hand account of a historical event or time period
Examples- letters, autobiographies, diaries, maps, newspapers, audio recordings, and visual recordings
Prime Meridian - (noun) an imaginary grid line that lies at zero degrees longitude and passes through Greenwich, England
profit - (noun) the money earned by a business after all expenses have been paid Note- Business expenses include taxes, employee wages, building costs, utilities, and supplies.
pronoun - (noun) a word that is used in place of a noun or another pronoun Note- Pronouns often refer back to antecedents.
proper noun - (noun) a noun that names a specific person, location, or thing and begins with a capital letter Note- Nouns that are not proper nouns are referred to as common nouns.
prose - (noun) all forms of writing that are not written in verse form (such as poetry)
prosecute - (verb) to officially accuse a person committing a crime and taking him or her to court
prosperity - (noun) the state of being prosperous
prosperous - (adjective) a person who is financially successful and wealthy
protagonist - (noun) the central figure in a story (sometimes referred to as the hero or heroine)
pseudonym - (noun) a fictitious name that an author uses when publishing their work (instead of their real name)
pueblo - (noun) a Native American town, characterized by flat-roofed and adobe houses, in the southwestern United States
pugnacious - (adjective) eager and quick to quarrel or fight
pun - (noun) the use of words in a way that takes advantage of multiple possible meanings to convey humor Example- Make like a tree and leave.
purloin - (verb) to steal
palisade - (noun) a line of wooden stakes, fixed firmly the ground, that usually surround a fort or defensive position
pampas - (noun) a term that describes the wide, grassy plains, located east of the Andes Mountains in South America
Panamax - (noun) a term that describes the largest ships that are able to fit through the Panama Canal (depth, width, length)
pandemic - (noun) a widespread outbreak of disease across the world
pantheon - (noun) 1: a temple dedicated to the gods 2: a group of people who are respected for their accomplishments in a particular field or endeavor
papyrus - (noun) a tall plant (Cyperus papyrus) that grows in or near the water in North Africa and was used by ancient Egyptians to make the first form of paper
pariah - (noun) an outcast
parliamentary government - (noun) a system of government in which the executive power (the prime minister and cabinet) is made up of members of the legislature
passage - (noun) a portion of a written work that is analyzed or used as an example
patent - (noun) formal recognition of ownership, granted by a government, for an invention or intellectual property
patrician - (noun) a member of an aristocratic family in ancient Rome
patron - (noun) a store customer
pectoral - (noun) an ancient Egyptian collar or piece of large jewelry that was worn over the chest for decoration or protection
pedestal - (noun) the structure at the base of a statue or column
pediment - (noun) the triangular upper portion at the front of a classical building that usually includes relief sculptures
pen name (nom de plume) - (noun) a name used by a writer instead of their real name
peninsula - (noun)a piece of land with water on three sides
per capita - per unit of population; per person
pernicious - (adjective) causing harm in a gradual or subtle way
persecute - (verb) to treat someone unfairly because of their beliefs
perseverance - (noun) persistence in completing a task or goal, to the best of your ability, even when it becomes difficult
persevere - (verb) to persist in completing a task or goal, to the best of your ability, even when it becomes difficult
personification - (noun) a figure of speech in which an animal or object is given human characteristics
pessimistic - (adjective) characterized by negative and gloomy feelings about the future
pestilence - (noun) an infectious disease that spreads quickly and usually kills its victims Example- bubonic plague
petition - (noun) a formal request to the government, usually made by a group of people, to change a policy or law
petrified - (adjective) frightened to the point of not being able to move; terrified
petulant - (adjective) bad-tempered and grumpy; cranky
pharaoh – (noun) the title of rulers in ancient Egypt
phobia – (noun) an irrational or extreme fear of something
physical map (physical geography) - (noun) a map that shows major land forms and natural features (deserts, valleys, mountains, rivers, lakes, etc.) Note- State and country borders are usually included on physical maps to reflect the locations of the various land forms.
physiology - (noun) a branch of biology that focuses on the study of living organisms and how they function
pictograph – (noun) a drawn picture that represents and reflects an object or idea
pied - (noun) a term that usually refers to birds that at have two or more patches of color
pilfer - (verb) to steal
placid - (adjective) serene and peaceful; calm
plague – (noun) an epidemic disease, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, that is transmitted by the bite of an infected flea
plantation - (noun) a farm where crops such as cotton, sugarcane, and similar crops are grown on a large scale
plaster - (noun) a smooth paste, that is usually made of sand, water, and lime (to bind it together), that is applied to walls and dries to form a hard surface Note- Modern plaster often replaces lime with gypsum and is sometimes referred to as plaster of paris.
plateau - (noun) an elevated flatland on Earth’s surface
plebeian - (noun) the term for a commoner (craftsmen, farmers, merchants, soldiers, etc.) in ancient Rome
plethora - (noun) a large amount of something; a lot
plinth - (noun) the heavy base that supports a statue or column
plot - (noun) the series of events that make up a story
plummet – (verb) to fall or drop a long distance at a high speed
poacher - (noun) a person who hunts animals illegally
pod - (noun) a group of marine animals (usually whales)
point of view - (noun) the perspective from which a narrator tells a story
political map (political geography) - (noun) a map that shows government and man-made boundaries such as national, state, and territorial borders, as well as major cities and towns Note- Political maps may also label major bodies of water in addition to the man-made boundaries. Political maps usually show countries that border each other in different colors, or states that border each other in different colors.
politician - (noun) a person who is voted into a government position
poll tax - (noun) a tax levied on registered voters as a prerequisite for voting in an election Note- The Twenty-fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1964, outlawed the use of poll taxes in elections for federal officeholders.
polyglot - (adjective) fluent in multiple languages
polytheism - (noun) belief in two or more gods
ponder - (verb) to think about or reflect on something
population density - (noun) the average number of people living in a square kilometer of a city or country
popular sovereignty - (noun) the idea that the authority of the government is derived from and subject to the will of the people
population pyramid - (noun) a diagram that shows the distribution of population groups for a specific country Note- The data in these diagrams often resemble a pyramid shape.
portal - (noun) a large, usually decorative entrance, to a cathedral, castle, or other large structure
Note- The modern use of the word also refers to an internet set that allows you to access a variety of sites and information
portico - (noun) an entrance to a building or covered walkway supported by regularly spaced columns Note- Porticoes were an important part of Greek architecture where they were used at entrances to many Greek temples.
portly - (adjective) fat; corpulent
possessive pronoun - (noun) a pronoun that shows ownership Note- The possessive pronouns her, his, its, my, our, their, and your are used before nouns in a sentence. The possessive pronouns hers, his, its, mine, ours, theirs, and yours can frequently appear at the end of a sentence and can be used in place of a noun.
posterity - (noun) future generations
posthumous - (adjective) occurring or happening after a person's death
potable - (noun) water that is safe to drink without risk to health
potential - (noun) the qualities and abilities that a person possesses that might be used to achieve future success
preamble - (noun) an introduction to a constitution or law
precedent – (noun) a principle, action, or decision that serves as the example in similar subsequent circumstances
predicate - (noun) the part of a sentence or clause that contains the verb and provides information about the subject Example- The team rested after the game.
preeminent - (adjective) distinguished and accomplished in a career or area of study
preen - (verb) 1: to dress and spend time making oneself look attractive or handsome 2: (birds) to groom and arrange feathers using its bill
prefix - (noun) a letter or group of letters that are added to the beginning of a word to change the meaning Note- The prefix un, meaning not / opposite of, is the most common prefix in the English language.
prehistory - (noun) the time before humans began to write and record history
premonition - (noun) a strong feeling or sudden realization that something is about to happen
president -(noun) the chief executive at the national level
presidio - (noun) a Spanish term for a military fortress; a garrison
primary source - (noun) a recording or document that gives a first-hand account of a historical event or time period
Examples- letters, autobiographies, diaries, maps, newspapers, audio recordings, and visual recordings
Prime Meridian - (noun) an imaginary grid line that lies at zero degrees longitude and passes through Greenwich, England
profit - (noun) the money earned by a business after all expenses have been paid Note- Business expenses include taxes, employee wages, building costs, utilities, and supplies.
pronoun - (noun) a word that is used in place of a noun or another pronoun Note- Pronouns often refer back to antecedents.
proper noun - (noun) a noun that names a specific person, location, or thing and begins with a capital letter Note- Nouns that are not proper nouns are referred to as common nouns.
prose - (noun) all forms of writing that are not written in verse form (such as poetry)
prosecute - (verb) to officially accuse a person committing a crime and taking him or her to court
prosperity - (noun) the state of being prosperous
prosperous - (adjective) a person who is financially successful and wealthy
protagonist - (noun) the central figure in a story (sometimes referred to as the hero or heroine)
pseudonym - (noun) a fictitious name that an author uses when publishing their work (instead of their real name)
pueblo - (noun) a Native American town, characterized by flat-roofed and adobe houses, in the southwestern United States
pugnacious - (adjective) eager and quick to quarrel or fight
pun - (noun) the use of words in a way that takes advantage of multiple possible meanings to convey humor Example- Make like a tree and leave.
purloin - (verb) to steal
Q
quaff - (verb) to drink something, especially alcohol, heartily
quaint - (adjective) old-fashioned or unique in a pleasant way
quorum - (noun) the number of senators that must be present in the Senate to conduct business
Quran – (noun) the holy book of Islam
quaint - (adjective) old-fashioned or unique in a pleasant way
quorum - (noun) the number of senators that must be present in the Senate to conduct business
Quran – (noun) the holy book of Islam
R
rabbi - (noun) a congregation leader and teacher in the Jewish faith
rabid - (adjective) fanatical and extreme action; overzealous
rain forest - (noun) a warm, wet forest that receives more than 80 inches (203 centimeters) of rain per year
rain shadow - (noun) the dry area on the leeward side of a mountain or mountain range
ratification - (noun) official approval (usually via voting) of a treaty or amendment to a constitution
ratify - (verb) to approve a treaty or amendment to a constitution
rattle - (verb) to make a series of fast knocking or sharp sounds
recalcitrant - (adjective) unwilling to obey and having an uncooperative attitude
recession - (noun) a drop in a country's gross domestic product for two straight quarters (six months)
recharge - (noun) the process by which precipitation soaks down into the porous rock of an aquifer
reclamation - (noun) the filling of submerged areas, such as seas or rivers, with soil and similar materials to create dry land
Reconstruction – (noun) the post-Civil War era, between 1865 and 1877, when the U.S. reunified and underwent major social and political change
recuperate - (verb) to recover from an illness, injury, or medical procedure
redress - (verb) to correct or make right; to remedy
redundant - no longer needed; superfluous
refinery - a facility that processes natural gas or petroleum into a usable form
reflexive pronoun - (noun) a pronoun that follows a preposition or verb, refers back to an earlier noun or pronoun, and ends in either self or selves
refugee - (noun) a person who has fled their country due to persecution, violence, or war
refute - (verb) to argue or provide evidence against a theory, idea, or claim
region - (noun) an area of the Earth’s surface whose people share common identifiable characteristics such as economic systems, physical geography, political systems, or cultural traditions
regent - (noun) a person who temporarily rules in place of a king or queen Note- This usually occurs if the monarch is ill, absent, or is too young to rule on their own.
regress - (verb) to deteriorate to a less developed or less advanced state
reign - (noun) the time during which a king or queen rules
relative location - (noun) a general location description or the approximate geographic location of one location to another location
relic - (noun) a cherished bone or object that once belonged to a martyr or saint
relief - (noun) a sculpture in which the shapes of people or other objects are raised above the flat surface
reliquary - (noun) a case or shrine that contains sacred relics
reminisce - (verb) to recall and think about past events and experiences
Renaissance – (noun) a period of European history, from approximately 1300 to 1600, when there was a revival of Roman and Greek art and ideas
Note- Although the word Renaissance is derived from French, this period of history is generally assumed to have begun in Florence, Italy.
repeal - (verb) to formally withdraw and annul a government law, policy, or tax
repetition - (noun) the act of repeating something
republic - (noun) a democratic form of government in which the citizens elect representatives to act on their behalf under a constitution Note- The concept of a republic has its roots in the Roman Republic. The word republic comes from Latin and means “public affairs.”
republicanism - (noun) a government that is based on the concept of a republic
reservoir - (noun) a man-made lake that is usually created by building a dam on a river
resolution - (noun) the end of the story (happily ever after... or not)
respite - (noun) a short period of rest from a difficult or unpleasant task
restricted suffrage - (noun) voting rights that are granted to citizens but are limed by a person's gender, employment status, whether the person is in the military or police, or if they have met residency requirements
retinue - (noun) a group of assistants and servants who assist a high ranking person
revive - (verb) to bring someone or something back to life or consciousness
revolutionary war - (noun) a war that brings about a major change in the form of government and leadership of a country
rhetorical question - (noun) a question that is not meant to be answered Note- The rhetorical questions are usually asked to make a point.
rhyme - (noun) poetry or songs that contain the repetition of sounds
ridicule - (verb) to use unkind language or actions that are meant to make a person look ignorant or stupid
righteous - (adjective) morally right or justifiable
rising action - (noun) the series of events that build up to the climax of a story
river basin - (noun) the area where water drains from higher elevations in small streams and rivers and eventually into one very large river Note- The entire area that drains into one large river is referred to by the name of the major river. Example- Arakawa River Basin
river delta - (noun) deposits of sediment at the mouth of river that often resemble triangles
Roman Empire - (noun) an empire, centered in Rome, that lasted from 27 BC to 476 AD. Note- Roman Emperor Theodosius divided the Roman Empire into two parts in 395 AD. The Western Roman Empire, ruled from Rome, lasted until Rome was sacked in 476 AD. The Eastern Roman Empire, ruled from Byzantium, lasted until 1453 AD.
roost - (noun) a place, usually safely away from predators, where birds rest or sleep
roost - (verb) a word, usually referring to birds, meaning to rest or sleep
rose window - (noun) a decorative, circular-shaped window, that usually contains stained glass Note- Used In Gothic architecture
royal colony - (noun) a colony, also referred to as a crown colony, that is under the direct control of the English monarch and administered by a royal governor
rung - (noun) a horizontal support that supports a foot on a ladder
rural - (adjective) a term used to describe areas that are located outside of cities (opposite of urban)
rabid - (adjective) fanatical and extreme action; overzealous
rain forest - (noun) a warm, wet forest that receives more than 80 inches (203 centimeters) of rain per year
rain shadow - (noun) the dry area on the leeward side of a mountain or mountain range
ratification - (noun) official approval (usually via voting) of a treaty or amendment to a constitution
ratify - (verb) to approve a treaty or amendment to a constitution
rattle - (verb) to make a series of fast knocking or sharp sounds
recalcitrant - (adjective) unwilling to obey and having an uncooperative attitude
recession - (noun) a drop in a country's gross domestic product for two straight quarters (six months)
recharge - (noun) the process by which precipitation soaks down into the porous rock of an aquifer
reclamation - (noun) the filling of submerged areas, such as seas or rivers, with soil and similar materials to create dry land
Reconstruction – (noun) the post-Civil War era, between 1865 and 1877, when the U.S. reunified and underwent major social and political change
recuperate - (verb) to recover from an illness, injury, or medical procedure
redress - (verb) to correct or make right; to remedy
redundant - no longer needed; superfluous
refinery - a facility that processes natural gas or petroleum into a usable form
reflexive pronoun - (noun) a pronoun that follows a preposition or verb, refers back to an earlier noun or pronoun, and ends in either self or selves
refugee - (noun) a person who has fled their country due to persecution, violence, or war
refute - (verb) to argue or provide evidence against a theory, idea, or claim
region - (noun) an area of the Earth’s surface whose people share common identifiable characteristics such as economic systems, physical geography, political systems, or cultural traditions
regent - (noun) a person who temporarily rules in place of a king or queen Note- This usually occurs if the monarch is ill, absent, or is too young to rule on their own.
regress - (verb) to deteriorate to a less developed or less advanced state
reign - (noun) the time during which a king or queen rules
relative location - (noun) a general location description or the approximate geographic location of one location to another location
relic - (noun) a cherished bone or object that once belonged to a martyr or saint
relief - (noun) a sculpture in which the shapes of people or other objects are raised above the flat surface
reliquary - (noun) a case or shrine that contains sacred relics
reminisce - (verb) to recall and think about past events and experiences
Renaissance – (noun) a period of European history, from approximately 1300 to 1600, when there was a revival of Roman and Greek art and ideas
Note- Although the word Renaissance is derived from French, this period of history is generally assumed to have begun in Florence, Italy.
repeal - (verb) to formally withdraw and annul a government law, policy, or tax
repetition - (noun) the act of repeating something
republic - (noun) a democratic form of government in which the citizens elect representatives to act on their behalf under a constitution Note- The concept of a republic has its roots in the Roman Republic. The word republic comes from Latin and means “public affairs.”
republicanism - (noun) a government that is based on the concept of a republic
reservoir - (noun) a man-made lake that is usually created by building a dam on a river
resolution - (noun) the end of the story (happily ever after... or not)
respite - (noun) a short period of rest from a difficult or unpleasant task
restricted suffrage - (noun) voting rights that are granted to citizens but are limed by a person's gender, employment status, whether the person is in the military or police, or if they have met residency requirements
retinue - (noun) a group of assistants and servants who assist a high ranking person
revive - (verb) to bring someone or something back to life or consciousness
revolutionary war - (noun) a war that brings about a major change in the form of government and leadership of a country
rhetorical question - (noun) a question that is not meant to be answered Note- The rhetorical questions are usually asked to make a point.
rhyme - (noun) poetry or songs that contain the repetition of sounds
ridicule - (verb) to use unkind language or actions that are meant to make a person look ignorant or stupid
righteous - (adjective) morally right or justifiable
rising action - (noun) the series of events that build up to the climax of a story
river basin - (noun) the area where water drains from higher elevations in small streams and rivers and eventually into one very large river Note- The entire area that drains into one large river is referred to by the name of the major river. Example- Arakawa River Basin
river delta - (noun) deposits of sediment at the mouth of river that often resemble triangles
Roman Empire - (noun) an empire, centered in Rome, that lasted from 27 BC to 476 AD. Note- Roman Emperor Theodosius divided the Roman Empire into two parts in 395 AD. The Western Roman Empire, ruled from Rome, lasted until Rome was sacked in 476 AD. The Eastern Roman Empire, ruled from Byzantium, lasted until 1453 AD.
roost - (noun) a place, usually safely away from predators, where birds rest or sleep
roost - (verb) a word, usually referring to birds, meaning to rest or sleep
rose window - (noun) a decorative, circular-shaped window, that usually contains stained glass Note- Used In Gothic architecture
royal colony - (noun) a colony, also referred to as a crown colony, that is under the direct control of the English monarch and administered by a royal governor
rung - (noun) a horizontal support that supports a foot on a ladder
rural - (adjective) a term used to describe areas that are located outside of cities (opposite of urban)