| parotitis |
inflammation of one or both parotids, esp. mumps. |
| -parous |
giving birth to; bearing; producing. |
| paroxysm |
a sudden strong outburst of feelings or actions. [2 definitions] |
| parquet |
flooring composed of or containing inlaid wood designs. [2 definitions] |
| parquetry |
wood inlaid in a pattern, often of contrasting colors, and used esp. as flooring. |
| parr |
the young of certain fishes, esp. the salmon before it leaves fresh water. |
| parricide |
the act of killing one's parent or other close relative. [2 definitions] |
| parrot |
any of numerous tropical birds that have brightly colored plumage, a heavy short hooked bill, and often the ability to imitate speech. [3 definitions] |
| parrot fever |
see "psittacosis." |
| parrotfish |
any of numerous marine fishes that are esp. colorful and have jaws resembling a parrot's beak. |
| parry |
to deflect or knock aside (a blow or stroke), as with one's weapon in fencing. [5 definitions] |
| parse |
in grammar, to separate (a sentence) into its parts and to describe the form and function of each. [3 definitions] |
| parsec |
a unit of astronomical distance equal to 3.258 light years. |
| Parsi |
a member of a Zoroastrian sect in modern India that is descended from Persian Zoroastrians who fled Persia in the seventh and eighth centuries to escape religious persecution. [2 definitions] |
| parsimonious |
excessively frugal; stingy. |
| parsimony |
excessive unwillingness to spend money or use resources; stinginess. |
| parsley |
any of several garden herbs, usu. having finely divided crinkled leaves, used to season or decorate food. |
| parsnip |
a carrotlike plant that bears yellow flowers and has a large, whitish, edible root. [2 definitions] |
| parson |
a clergyman, esp. in a Protestant church; minister. |
| parsonage |
a house provided by a church for its minister. |
| Parsons table |
(sometimes l.c.) a lightweight, square-legged rectangular table, often made of molded plastic. |