![protection |prəˈtɛkʃ(ə)n|
noun
the action of protecting someone or something, or the state of being protected : the B vitamins give protection against infection | his son was put under police protection.
• a person or thing that prevents someone or something from suffering harm or injury : the castle was built as protection against the Saxons | [in sing. ] a protection against the evil eye.
• the cover provided by an insurance policy.
• (usu. protections) a legal or other formal measure intended to preserve civil liberties and rights.
• a document guaranteeing immunity from harm to the person specified in it.
• the practice of paying money to criminals so as to prevent them from attacking oneself or one’s property : [as adj. ] a protection racket.
• (also protection money) the money so paid to criminals, esp. on a regular basis.
• archaic used euphemistically to refer to the keeping of a mistress by her lover in a separate establishment : she was living under his lordship’s protection at Gloucester Gate.
ORIGIN Middle English : from Old French, from late Latin protectio(n-), from protegere ‘cover in front’ (see protect ).](http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l7aevpATf71qacfdho1_500.jpg)
protection |prəˈtɛkʃ(ə)n|
noun
the action of protecting someone or something, or the state of being protected : the B vitamins give protection against infection | his son was put under police protection.
• a person or thing that prevents someone or something from suffering harm or injury : the castle was built as protection against the Saxons | [in sing. ] a protection against the evil eye.
• the cover provided by an insurance policy.
• (usu. protections) a legal or other formal measure intended to preserve civil liberties and rights.
• a document guaranteeing immunity from harm to the person specified in it.
• the practice of paying money to criminals so as to prevent them from attacking oneself or one’s property : [as adj. ] a protection racket.
• (also protection money) the money so paid to criminals, esp. on a regular basis.
• archaic used euphemistically to refer to the keeping of a mistress by her lover in a separate establishment : she was living under his lordship’s protection at Gloucester Gate.
ORIGIN Middle English : from Old French, from late Latin protectio(n-), from protegere ‘cover in front’ (see protect ).
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![promise |ˈprɒmɪs|
noun
a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that guarantees that a particular thing will happen : what happened to all those firm promises of support? | [with clause ] he took my fax number with the promise that he would send me a drawing | [with infinitive ] I did not keep my promise to go home early.
• the quality of potential excellence : he showed great promise even as a junior officer.
• [in sing. ] an indication that something specified is expected or likely to occur : the promise of peace.
verb
1 [ reporting verb ] assure someone that one will definitely do, give, or arrange something; undertake or declare that something will happen : [with infinitive ] he promised to forward my mail | [with clause ] she made him promise that he wouldn’t do it again | [with direct speech ] “I’ll bring it right back,” she promised | [with two objs. ] he promised her the job.
• [ trans. ] (usu. be promised) archaic pledge (someone, esp. a woman) to marry someone else; betroth : I’ve been promised to him for years.
2 [ trans. ] give good grounds for expecting (a particular occurrence or situation) : forthcoming concerts promise a feast of music from around the world | [with infinitive ] it promised to be a night that all present would long remember.
• (of a person, publication, institution, etc.) announce (something) as being expected to happen : China yesterday promised a record grain harvest | [with two objs. ] we’re promised more winter weather tonight.
• ( promise oneself) contemplate the pleasant expectation of : he tidied up the room, promising himself an early night.
PHRASES
I promise (or I promise you) informal used for emphasis, esp. so as to reassure, encourage, or threaten someone : oh, I’m not joking, I promise you.
promise ( someone) the earth (or moon) make extravagant promises to someone that are unlikely to be fulfilled : interactive technology titillates, promises the earth, but delivers nothing.
promises, promises informal used to indicate that the speaker is skeptical about someone’s stated intention to do something.
DERIVATIVES
promiser noun
ORIGIN late Middle English : from Latin promissum ‘something promised,’ neuter past participle of promittere ‘put forth, promise,’ from pro- ‘forward’ + mittere ‘send.’](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l6we38p9NY1qacfdho1_500.jpg)
promise |ˈprɒmɪs|
noun
a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that guarantees that a particular thing will happen : what happened to all those firm promises of support? | [with clause ] he took my fax number with the promise that he would send me a drawing | [with infinitive ] I did not keep my promise to go home early.
• the quality of potential excellence : he showed great promise even as a junior officer.
• [in sing. ] an indication that something specified is expected or likely to occur : the promise of peace.
verb
1 [ reporting verb ] assure someone that one will definitely do, give, or arrange something; undertake or declare that something will happen : [with infinitive ] he promised to forward my mail | [with clause ] she made him promise that he wouldn’t do it again | [with direct speech ] “I’ll bring it right back,” she promised | [with two objs. ] he promised her the job.
• [ trans. ] (usu. be promised) archaic pledge (someone, esp. a woman) to marry someone else; betroth : I’ve been promised to him for years.
2 [ trans. ] give good grounds for expecting (a particular occurrence or situation) : forthcoming concerts promise a feast of music from around the world | [with infinitive ] it promised to be a night that all present would long remember.
• (of a person, publication, institution, etc.) announce (something) as being expected to happen : China yesterday promised a record grain harvest | [with two objs. ] we’re promised more winter weather tonight.
• ( promise oneself) contemplate the pleasant expectation of : he tidied up the room, promising himself an early night.
PHRASES
I promise (or I promise you) informal used for emphasis, esp. so as to reassure, encourage, or threaten someone : oh, I’m not joking, I promise you.
promise ( someone) the earth (or moon) make extravagant promises to someone that are unlikely to be fulfilled : interactive technology titillates, promises the earth, but delivers nothing.
promises, promises informal used to indicate that the speaker is skeptical about someone’s stated intention to do something.
DERIVATIVES
promiser noun
ORIGIN late Middle English : from Latin promissum ‘something promised,’ neuter past participle of promittere ‘put forth, promise,’ from pro- ‘forward’ + mittere ‘send.’
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![prospect |ˈprɒspɛkt|
noun
1 the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring : there was no prospect of a reconciliation | training that offered a prospect of continuous employment.
• [in sing. ] a mental picture of a future or anticipated event : this presents a disturbing prospect of one-party government.
• (usu. prospects) chances or opportunities for success or wealth : the poor prospects for the steel industry.
2 a person regarded as a potential customer or subscriber to something : clients deemed likely prospects for active party membership.
• a person regarded as likely to succeed, esp. in a sporting event : a great young pitching prospect.
• a place likely to yield mineral deposits.
• a place being explored for mineral deposits.
3 an extensive view of landscape : a viewpoint commanding a magnificent prospect of the estuary.
verb [ intrans. ]
search for mineral deposits in a place, esp. by means of experimental drilling and excavation : the company is also prospecting for gold.
• ( prospect for) figurative look out for; search for : the responsibilities of salespeople to prospect for customers.
DERIVATIVES
prospector |prəˈspɛktə| noun
ORIGIN late Middle English (as a noun denoting the action of looking toward a distant object): from Latin prospectus ‘view,’ from prospicere ‘look forward,’ from pro- ‘forward’ + specere ‘to look.’ Early use, referring to a view of landscape, gave rise to the meaning [mental picture] (mid 16th cent.), whence [anticipated event.]](http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l5azeabrlb1qacfdho1_500.jpg)
prospect |ˈprɒspɛkt|
noun
1 the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring : there was no prospect of a reconciliation | training that offered a prospect of continuous employment.
• [in sing. ] a mental picture of a future or anticipated event : this presents a disturbing prospect of one-party government.
• (usu. prospects) chances or opportunities for success or wealth : the poor prospects for the steel industry.
2 a person regarded as a potential customer or subscriber to something : clients deemed likely prospects for active party membership.
• a person regarded as likely to succeed, esp. in a sporting event : a great young pitching prospect.
• a place likely to yield mineral deposits.
• a place being explored for mineral deposits.
3 an extensive view of landscape : a viewpoint commanding a magnificent prospect of the estuary.
verb [ intrans. ]
search for mineral deposits in a place, esp. by means of experimental drilling and excavation : the company is also prospecting for gold.
• ( prospect for) figurative look out for; search for : the responsibilities of salespeople to prospect for customers.
DERIVATIVES
prospector |prəˈspɛktə| noun
ORIGIN late Middle English (as a noun denoting the action of looking toward a distant object): from Latin prospectus ‘view,’ from prospicere ‘look forward,’ from pro- ‘forward’ + specere ‘to look.’ Early use, referring to a view of landscape, gave rise to the meaning [mental picture] (mid 16th cent.), whence [anticipated event.]
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protégé |ˈprɒtɪʒeɪ| |-tɛʒeɪ| |ˈprəʊ-| (also protege) noun
a person who is guided and supported by an older and more experienced or influential person : he was an aide and protégé of the former Tennessee senator.
ORIGIN late 18th cent.: French, literally ‘protected,’ past participle of protéger, from Latin protegere ‘cover in front’ (see protect ).
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promenade |ˌprɒməˈnɑːd| |-ˈneɪd| |ˈprɒm-|
noun
1 a paved public walk, typically one along a waterfront at a resort.
• a leisurely walk, or sometimes a ride or drive, typically one taken in a public place so as to meet or be seen by others : she went on a promenade with Jules.
• (in country dancing) a movement in which couples follow one another in a given direction, each couple having both hands joined.
2 archaic term for prom (sense 1).
verb [ intrans. ]
take a leisurely walk, ride, or drive in public, esp. to meet or be seen by others : women who promenaded in the Bois de Boulogne.
• [ trans. ] take such a walk through (a place) : people began to promenade the streets.
• [ trans. ] dated escort (someone) about a place, esp. so as to be seen by others : the governor of Utah promenades the daughter of the Maryland governor.
DERIVATIVES
promenader noun
ORIGIN mid 16th cent. (denoting a leisurely walk in public): from French, from se promener ‘to walk,’ reflexive of promener ‘take for a walk.’
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proposal |prəˈpəʊz(ə)l|
noun
1 a plan or suggestion, esp. a formal or written one, put forward for consideration or discussion by others : a set of proposals for a major new high-speed rail link.
• the action of putting forward such a plan or suggestion : the proposal of flexible work hours.
2 an offer of marriage.
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prowess |ˈpraʊɪs|
noun
1 skill or expertise in a particular activity or field : his prowess as a fisherman.
2 bravery in battle.
ORIGIN Middle English (sense 2) : from Old French proesce, from prou ‘valiant.’ Sense 1 dates from the early 20th cent.
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![prod |prɒd|
verb ( prodded , prodding ) [ trans. ]
poke (someone) with a finger, foot, or pointed object : he prodded her in the ribs to stop her snoring | [ intrans. ] a woman prods at a tiger with a stick.
• stimulate or persuade (someone who is reluctant or slow) to do something : he has been trying to prod the White House into launching an antipoverty program.
noun
1 a poke with a finger, foot, or pointed object : he gave the wire netting an experimental prod.
• an act of stimulating or reminding someone to do something : he’ll need a little prod to get back to the task at hand.
2 a pointed implement, typically one discharging an electric current and used as a goad : a cattle prod.
DERIVATIVES
prodder noun
ORIGIN mid 16th cent. (as a verb): perhaps symbolic of a short poking movement, or a blend of poke 1 and dialect brod [to goad, prod.] The noun dates from the mid 18th cent.](http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kyh1rupTuk1qacfdho1_500.jpg)
prod |prɒd|
verb ( prodded , prodding ) [ trans. ]
poke (someone) with a finger, foot, or pointed object : he prodded her in the ribs to stop her snoring | [ intrans. ] a woman prods at a tiger with a stick.
• stimulate or persuade (someone who is reluctant or slow) to do something : he has been trying to prod the White House into launching an antipoverty program.
noun
1 a poke with a finger, foot, or pointed object : he gave the wire netting an experimental prod.
• an act of stimulating or reminding someone to do something : he’ll need a little prod to get back to the task at hand.
2 a pointed implement, typically one discharging an electric current and used as a goad : a cattle prod.
DERIVATIVES
prodder noun
ORIGIN mid 16th cent. (as a verb): perhaps symbolic of a short poking movement, or a blend of poke 1 and dialect brod [to goad, prod.] The noun dates from the mid 18th cent.
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![prograde |ˈprəʊgreɪd|
adjective
1 Astronomy (of planetary motion) proceeding from west to east; direct. The opposite of retrograde .
2 Geology (of a metamorphic change) resulting from an increase in temperature or pressure or both. Compare with retrograde .
verb [ intrans. ] Geology
(of a beach or coastline) advance toward the sea as a result of the accumulation of waterborne sediment.
DERIVATIVES
progradation noun
ORIGIN early 20th cent. (as a verb): from pro- 1 [forward] + retrograde .](http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kxt10mYBQ81qacfdho1_r1_500.jpg)
prograde |ˈprəʊgreɪd|
adjective
1 Astronomy (of planetary motion) proceeding from west to east; direct. The opposite of retrograde .
2 Geology (of a metamorphic change) resulting from an increase in temperature or pressure or both. Compare with retrograde .
verb [ intrans. ] Geology
(of a beach or coastline) advance toward the sea as a result of the accumulation of waterborne sediment.
DERIVATIVES
progradation noun
ORIGIN early 20th cent. (as a verb): from pro- 1 [forward] + retrograde .
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procession |prəˈsɛʃ(ə)n|
noun
1 a number of people or vehicles moving forward in an orderly fashion, esp. as part of a ceremony or festival : a funeral procession.
• the action of moving forward in such a way : the fully robed civic dignitaries walk in procession.
• figurative a relentless succession of people or things : his path was paved by a procession of industry executives.
2 Theology the emanation of the Holy Spirit.
ORIGIN late Old English , via Old French from Latin processio(n-), from procedere ‘move forward’ (see proceed ).
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