pe|jo|ra|tive /pədʒɒ rət I v, [AM ] -dʒɔː r-/ ADJ A pejorative word or expression is one that expresses criticism of someone or something. [FORMAL ] □ I agree I am ambitious, and I don't see that as a pejorative term.
pe|kin|ese /piː k I niː z/ (pekineses ) also pekingese N‑COUNT A pekinese is a type of small dog with long hair, short legs, and a short, flat nose.
peli|can /pe l I kən/ (pelicans ) N‑COUNT A pelican is a type of large water bird. It catches fish and keeps them in the bottom part of its beak which is shaped like a large bag.
pe li|can cro ss|ing (pelican crossings ) N‑COUNT A pelican crossing is a place where people who are walking can cross a busy road. They press a button at the side of the road, which operates traffic lights to stop the traffic. [BRIT ]
pel|let /pe l I t/ (pellets ) N‑COUNT A pellet is a small ball of paper, mud, lead, or other material. □ He was shot in the head by an air gun pellet.
pell-mell /pe l me l/ ADV [ADV after v] If you move pell-mell somewhere, you move there in a hurried, uncontrolled way. □ All three of us rushed pell-mell into the kitchen.
pel|lu|cid /peluː s I d/ ADJ Something that is pellucid is extremely clear. [LITERARY ] □ …her pellucid blue eyes. □ …the warm pellucid water.
pel|met /pe lm I t/ (pelmets ) N‑COUNT A pelmet is a long, narrow piece of wood or fabric which is fitted at the top of a window for decoration and to hide the curtain rail. [BRIT ] in AM, use valance
pe|lo|ta /peloʊ tɑ/ N‑UNCOUNT Pelota is a game that is played in Spain, America, and the Philippines, in which the players hit a ball against a wall using a long basket tied to their wrist.
pelt /pe lt/ (pelts , pelting , pelted )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The pelt of an animal is its skin, which can be used to make clothing or rugs. □ …a bed covered with beaver pelts.
2 VERB If you pelt someone with things, you throw things at them. □ [V n + with ] Some of the younger men began to pelt one another with snowballs.
3 VERB [usu cont] If the rain is pelting down , or if it is pelting with rain, it is raining very hard. [INFORMAL ] □ [V adv] The rain now was pelting down. □ [V with n] It's pelting with rain. □ [V -ing] We drove through pelting rain.
4 VERB If you pelt somewhere, you run there very fast. [INFORMAL ] □ [V prep] Without thinking, she pelted down the stairs in her nightgown.
5 PHRASE If you do something full pelt or at full pelt , you do it very quickly indeed. [INFORMAL ] □ Alice leapt from the car and ran full pelt towards the emergency room.
pel|vic /pe lv I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Pelvic means near or relating to your pelvis.
pel|vis /pe lv I s/ (pelvises ) N‑COUNT Your pelvis is the wide, curved group of bones at the level of your hips.
pen ◆◇◇ /pe n/ (pens , penning , penned )
1 N‑COUNT A pen is a long thin object which you use to write in ink.
2 → see also ballpoint , felt-tip , fountain pen
3 VERB If someone pens a letter, article, or book, they write it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + to ] She penned a short memo to his private secretary. [Also V n n]
4 N‑COUNT A pen is also a small area with a fence round it in which farm animals are kept for a short time. □ …a holding pen for sheep.
5 → see also playpen
6 VERB [usu passive] If people or animals are penned somewhere or are penned up , they are forced to remain in a very small area. □ [be V -ed] …to drive the cattle back to the house so they could be milked and penned for the night. □ [V -ed up ] I don't have to stay in my room penned up like a prisoner.
pe|nal /piː n ə l/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Penal means relating to the punishment of criminals. □ …director-general of penal affairs at the justice ministry. □ …penal and legal systems.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A penal institution or colony is one where criminals are kept as punishment. □ …imprisoned on an island that has served as a penal colony since Roman times.
pe |nal code (penal codes ) N‑COUNT The penal code of a country consists of all the laws that are related to crime and punishment. [FORMAL ]
pe|nal|ize /piː nəla I z/ (penalizes , penalizing , penalized ) in BRIT, also use penalise VERB [usu passive] If a person or group is penalized for something, they are made to suffer in some way because of it. □ [be V -ed] Some of the players may, on occasion, break the rules and be penalized.
pe |nal se r|vi|tude N‑UNCOUNT Penal servitude is the punishment of being sent to prison and forced to do hard physical work. [FORMAL ]
pen|al|ty ◆◇◇ /pe n ə lti/ (penalties )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A penalty is a punishment that someone is given for doing something which is against a law or rule. □ One of those arrested could face the death penalty. □ The maximum penalty is up to 7 years' imprisonment or an unlimited fine.
2 N‑COUNT In sports such as football and hockey, a penalty is an opportunity to score a goal, which is given to the attacking team if the defending team breaks a rule near their own goal. □ Referee Michael Reed had no hesitation in awarding a penalty.
3 N‑COUNT The penalty that you pay for something you have done is something unpleasant that you experience as a result. □ [+ for ] Why should I pay the penalty for somebody else's mistake? SYNONYMS penalty NOUN 1