| peristalsis |
a process of muscular contractions and relaxations along a tubular muscular system, such as that which forces food through the digestive system. |
| peristome |
the area or appendages surrounding certain mouthlike openings, as in mosses and some invertebrates. |
| peristyle |
a row or series of architectural columns forming an enclosure around a building or open space, or the open space so enclosed, esp. as used in classical Greek architecture or copies of it. |
| peritoneum |
the membrane that lines the abdomen and encloses the abdominal organs. |
| peritonitis |
inflammation of the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. |
| periwig |
a wig, esp. of the type worn by men in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. |
| periwinkle1 |
any of various edible marine snails, or its thick, whorled, conical shell. |
| periwinkle2 |
any of several related low, trailing plants that have shiny evergreen leaves and bear small flowers, usu. in shades of blue, purple, or white. |
| perjure |
to render (oneself) guilty of perjury by giving false testimony under oath. |
| perjured |
guilty of perjury. [2 definitions] |
| perjury |
the intentional giving of false testimony under oath in a court or other official proceeding. |
| perk1 |
to recover good spirits or energy (usu. fol. by "up"). [5 definitions] |
| perk2 |
(informal) to percolate. |
| perk3 |
(informal) a privilege or benefit, as of a high rank or position; perquisite. |
| perky |
lively, jaunty, or pert. |
| perlite |
a volcanic glass with distinctive concentric cracks, used in the manufacture of concrete and plaster, and thermal and acoustic insulation. |
| perm |
(informal) a process for putting a long-lasting curl or wave in the hair by applying a chemical solution and rolling the hair on curlers; permanent. [3 definitions] |
| permafrost |
the permanently frozen subsoil layer or areas found in arctic and subarctic regions. |
| permanence |
the state or quality of being permanent. |
| permanency |
permanence. [2 definitions] |
| permanent |
existing or intended to exist indefinitely or perpetually; everlasting. [3 definitions] |