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.1.fraught with danger.2.dangerously unsteadyor insecure.The crocodile hunter is constantly placing himself in very precariouspositions.precept ('pree�sept) n.a rule establishing standards of conduct.The headmasterreviewed the precepts of the school with the students.precipitous (pri�'sip�i�tms) adj.1.extremely steep, dropping sharply.2.hasty,rash, foolhardy.Driving through the state park, we spotted a grizzly bear on a pre-cipitous cliff and wondered if he would fall.pretentious (pri�'ten�shms) adj.showy, pompous, putting on airs.Hannah thinksthat being pretentious will make people like her, but she is sorely mistaken.prevaricate (pri�'var���kayt) v.to tell lies, to stray from or evade the truth.Quitprevaricating and tell me what really happened.primeval (pr��'mee�vl) adj.ancient, original, belonging to the earliest ages.Theprimeval art found in the caves was discovered by accident.pristine ('pris�teen) adj.1.in its original and unspoiled condition, unadulterated.2.clean, pure, free from contamination.We were awed by the beauty of the pris-tine forest in northern Canada.prodigal ('prod��� l) adj.1.recklessly wasteful or extravagant, especially withmoney.2.given in great abundance, lavish or profuse.His prodigal actions led tohis financial ruin.profligate ('prof�l�� it) adj.1.recklessly wasteful or extravagant, prodigal.2.lacking moral restraint, dissolute.The profligate man quickly depleted his fortune.proletariat (proh�l�'tair�ee�t) n.the working class, those who do manual laborto earn a living.The proletariats demanded fewer hours and better wages.propinquity (proh�'pin �kwi�tee) n.1.proximity, nearness.2.affinity, similarityin nature.The propinquity of these two elements make them difficult to tell apart.propitious (proh�'pish�ms) adj.auspicious, presenting favorable circumstances.These are propitious omens and foretell a good journey. 6044_Vocabulary_ToefliBT(4).qxd 9/19/07 11:44 AM Page 159WORD LIST159prosaic (proh�'zay�ik) adj.unimaginative, ordinary, dull.The prosaic novel wasrejected by the publisher.proscribe (proh�'skr 1.to prohibit, forbid; to banish or outlaw.�b) v.2.to denounce or condemn.The king proscribed the worship of idols in hiskingdom.proselytize ('pros��li�t to convert or seek to convert someone to another�z) v.religion, belief, doctrine or cause.After a few minutes, it became clear to Hannahthat the purpose of the meeting was really to proselytize as many attendees as possible.protean ('proh�tee�n) adj.taking many forms, changeable; variable, versatile.InNative American mythology, the coyote is often called the shape shifter because he issuch a protean character.protocol ('proh�tO�kawl) n.1.etiquette, ceremony, or procedure with regard topeople s rank or status.2.a first copy of a treaty or document.Jackson was firedfor repeatedly refusing to follow protocol.provident ('prov�i�dnt) adj.wisely providing for future needs; frugal, economi-cal.Because my parents were so provident, I didn t have to struggle to pay for college.proxy ('prok�see) n.1.a person or agent authorized to represent or act foranother.2.a document authorizing this substitution.The president appointed aproxy to handle business matters during his absence.prudent ('proo�dnt) adj.careful and sensible regarding one s actions and inter-ests; exercising good judgment, judicious.Clarissa has always been very prudent,so her recent bout of poor choices and boisterous behavior tells me she is very upsetabout something.puerile ('pyoO�r adj.1.childish, immature.2.suitable only for children,�l)belonging to or of childhood.Andrew is a remarkably successful businessman forsomeone so puerile.pugnacious (pu �'nay�shms) adj.contentious, quarrelsome, eager to fight, bel-ligerent.Don t be so pugnacious I don t want to fight.punctilious (pun k�'til�i�ms) adj.extremely attentive to detail, very meticulousand precise.One of the reasons he excels as an editor is because he is so punctilious.pundit ('pun�dit) n.a learned person or scholar; one who is an authority on asubject.The journalist consulted several legal pundits before drafting the article.pungent ('pun�jnt) adj.1.having a strong, sharp taste or smell.2.penetrating,caustic, stinging.I love the pungent taste of a good, strong curry. 6044_Vocabulary_ToefliBT(4).qxd 9/19/07 11:44 AM Page 160VOCABULARY FOR TOEFL iBT160purge (purj) v.to free from impurities, especially to rid of that which is undesir-able or harmful; to make or become clean, pure.After Leon writes a draft, hepurges the text of unnecessary words to make it more succinct.purloin (pmr�'loin) v.to steal.The thief purloined a sculpture worth thousands ofdollars.purport ('pur�pohrt) v.1.to be intended to seem, to have the appearance ofbeing.2.propose or intend.The letter purports to express your opinion on thematter.Qquaff (kwahf) v.to drink hurriedly or heartily; to swallow in large draughts.Hequickly quaffed three glasses of water.quail (kwayl) v.to draw back in fear, flinch, cower.Mona quailed as soon as thevicious dog entered the room.querulous ('kwer�m�lms) adj.complaining, peevish, discontented.He s a cantan-kerous and querulous old man, but I love him.queue (kyoo) n.1.a line of people or vehicles waiting their turn.2.(in informa-tion processing) an ordered list of tasks to be performed or sequence of pro-grams awaiting processing.Look how long the queue is! We ll be waiting for hours.quid pro quo (kwid proh 'kwoh) n.a thing given in return for something; anequal exchange or substitution.I won t agree to any deal that isn t quid pro quoit must be a win-win arrangement.quiescent (kwi�'es�nt) adj.inactive, quiet, at rest; dormant, latent.The volcano isquiescent at the moment, but who knows when it will erupt again.quintessence (kwin�'tes�ns) n.1.the essence of a substance.2.the perfectexample or embodiment of something.Maura is the quintessence of kindness.quixotic (kwik�'sot�ik) adj.extravagantly chivalrous and unselfish; romanticallyidealistic, impractical.His quixotic ways charmed all the women at the dance.quotidian (kwoh�'tid�ee�n) adj.1.daily.2.commonplace, pedestrian.Prudencetook her quotidian dose of medicine. 6044_Vocabulary_ToefliBT(4).qxd 9/19/07 11:44 AM Page 161WORD LIST161Rrakish ('ray�kish) adj.1.debonair, smartly dressed or mannered, jaunty inappearance or manner.2.unconventional and disreputable; dissolute ordebauched.The rakish young woman charmed everyone at the table.rancor ('ran �kOr) n.a bitter feeling of ill will, long-lasting resentment.Greg isfull of rancor towards his brother, and this causes tension at family gatherings.rapacious (r�'pay�shms) adj.excessively greedy and grasping (especially formoney); voracious, plundering.The rapacious general ordered his soldiers to pillagethe town.raucous ('raw�kms) adj.1.unpleasantly loud and harsh.2.boisterous, disorderly,disturbing the peace.The raucous music kept us awake all night
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