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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·Ø·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·Ø· 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·lØ· 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,Øl)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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