Glossary · Nouns · P
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TermTypeDefinitionClassificationsUpdated
Periodic SentencenounMWEa complex sentence in which the main clause comes last and is preceded by the subordinate clauseverified
Periodic TablenounMWE(chemistry) a tabular arrangement of the chemical elements according to atomic number as based on the periodic lawverified
Periodontianounthe branch of dentistry dealing with diseases of the gums and other structures around the teethverified
Periodonticsnounthe branch of dentistry dealing with diseases of the gums and other structures around the teethverified
Periodontistnouna dentist specializing in diseases of the gums and other structures surrounding the teethverified
Periods ProcessingnounMWEThe processing of various levels of classified and unclassified information at distinctly different times. Under the concept of periods processing, the system must be purged of all information from one processing period before transitioning to the next.ProcessRegulatedCUI
Periosteumnouna dense fibrous membrane covering the surface of bones (except at their extremities) and serving as an attachment for tendons and musclesverified
Peripateticismnoun(philosophy) the philosophy of Aristotle that deals with logic and metaphysics and ethics and poetics and politics and natural scienceverified
Peripatusnounany of numerous velvety-skinned wormlike carnivorous animals common in tropical forests having characteristics of both arthropods and annelid wormsverified
Peripeteianouna sudden and unexpected change of fortune or reverse of circumstances, especially in a literary workverified
Peripetianouna sudden and unexpected change of fortune or reverse of circumstances, especially in a literary workverified
Peripetynouna sudden and unexpected change of fortune or reverse of circumstances (especially in a literary work)verified
Peripheral DevicenounMWE(computer science) electronic equipment connected by cable to the CPU of a computerverified
Peripheral Nervous SystemnounMWEthe section of the nervous system lying outside the brain and spinal cordverified
Peripheral VisionnounMWEvision at the edges of the visual field using only the periphery of the retinaverified
Perishabilitynoununsatisfactoriness by virtue of being subject to decay or spoilage or destructionverified
Perishable DatanounMWEInformation whose value can decrease substantially during a specified time. A significant decrease in value occurs when the operational circumstances change to the extent that the information is no longer useful.Data
Perishablenessnoununsatisfactoriness by virtue of being subject to decay or spoilage or destructionverified
Perissodactyl MammalnounMWEplacental mammals having hooves with an odd number of toes on each footverified
Peristalsisnounthe process of wavelike muscle contractions of the alimentary tract that moves food alongverified
Peristomenoun(botany) fringe of toothlike appendages surrounding the mouth of a moss capsuleverified
Peritoneumnouna transparent membrane that lines the abdominal cavity in mammals and covers most of the visceraverified
Peritonsillar AbscessnounMWEa painful pus filled inflammation of the tonsils and surrounding tissuesverified
Perlechenouna disorder of the lips marked by scaling and fissures at the corners of the mouthverified
Permanent MagnetnounMWEa magnet that retains its magnetism after being removed from a magnetic fieldverified
Permanent PressnounMWEa fabric that has been chemically processed to resist wrinkles and hold its shapeverified
Permanent ToothnounMWEany of the 32 teeth that replace the deciduous teeth of early childhood and (with luck) can last until old ageverified
Permanent virtual circuit (PVC)nounMWEPVC is a pathway through a network that is predefined and maintained by the end systems and nodes along the circuit, but the actual pathway through the network may change due to routing problems. The PVC is a fixed circuit that is defined in advance by the public network carrier. Refer to switched virtual circuit for an additional virtual circuit option.Network
Permanganate of PotashnounMWEa poisonous salt that forms dark purple crystals and is purple-red when dissolved in waterverified
Permanganic AcidnounMWEan unstable purple acid (HMnO4) known only in solution or of permanganate saltsverified
Permeabilitynounthe property of something that can be pervaded by a liquid (as by osmosis or diffusion)verified
Permeablenessnounthe property of something that can be pervaded by a liquid (as by osmosis or diffusion)verified
PermutationnounPermutation keeps the same letters but changes the position within a text to scramble the message.Control
PermuternounDevice used in cryptographic equipment to change the order in which the contents of a shift register are used in various nonlinear combining circuits.PhysicalRestrictedCUI
Peroxidasenounany of a group of enzymes (occurring especially in plant cells) that catalyze the oxidation of a compound by a peroxideverified
Perpendicularitynounthe quality of being at right angles to a given line or plane (especially the plane of the horizon)verified
Perpetual CalendarnounMWEa chart or mechanical device that indicates the days of the week corresponding to any given date over a long period of yearsverified
Perpetual MotionnounMWEmotion that continues indefinitely without any external source of energyverified
Perpetual Motion MachinenounMWEa machine that can continue to do work indefinitely without drawing energy from some external sourceverified
Perphenazinenountranquilizer and antidepressant (trade name Triavil) sometimes used as an antiemetic for adultsverified
Perquisitenouna right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)verified
Perseverationnounthe tendency for a memory or idea to persist or recur without any apparent stimulus for itverified