pit|ted /p I t I d/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Pitted fruits have had their stones removed. □ …green and black pitted olives.
2 ADJ If the surface of something is pitted , it is covered with a lot of small, shallow holes. □ [+ with ] Everywhere building facades are pitted with shell and bullet holes. □ …the pitted surface of the moon.
pi|tui|tary gland /p I tjuː I tri glæ nd, [AM ] -tuː I teri/ (pituitary glands ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The pituitary gland or the pituitary is a gland that is attached to the base of the brain. It produces hormones which affect growth, sexual development, and other functions of the body. [TECHNICAL ]
pity /p I ti/ (pities , pitying , pitied )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you feel pity for someone, you feel very sorry for them. □ [+ for ] He felt a sudden tender pity for her. □ She knew that she was an object of pity among her friends.
2 → see also self-pity
3 VERB If you pity someone, you feel very sorry for them. □ [V n] I don't know whether to hate or pity him.
4 N‑SING If you say that it is a pity that something is the case, you mean that you feel disappointment or regret about it. [FEELINGS ] □ It is a great pity that all pupils in the city cannot have the same chances. □ It seemed a pity to let it all go to waste.
5 N‑UNCOUNT If someone shows pity , they do not harm or punish someone they have power over. □ One should avoid showing too much pity.
6 PHRASE If you take pity on someone, you feel sorry for them and help them. □ No woman had ever felt the need to take pity on him before.
pity|ing /p I ti I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A pitying look shows that someone feels pity and perhaps slight contempt. □ She gave him a pitying look; that was the sort of excuse her father would use. ● pity|ing|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ Stasik looked at him pityingly and said nothing.
piv|ot /p I vət/ (pivots , pivoting , pivoted )
1 N‑COUNT The pivot in a situation is the most important thing which everything else is based on or arranged around. □ [+ of ] Forming the pivot of the exhibition is a large group of watercolours.
2 VERB If something pivots , it balances or turns on a central point. □ [V prep/adv] The boat pivoted on its central axis and pointed straight at the harbour entrance. □ [V prep/adv] She pivots gracefully on the stage. □ [V n prep] He pivoted his whole body through ninety degrees.
3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A pivot is the pin or the central point on which something balances or turns. □ The pedal had sheared off at the pivot.
piv|ot|al /p I vət ə l/ ADJ A pivotal role, point or figure in something is one that is very important and affects the success of that thing. □ The Court of Appeal has a pivotal role in the English legal system.
pix /p I ks/ N‑PLURAL Pix is an informal way of spelling pics meaning 'photographs' or 'films'. □ …historic team pix showing Best, Charlton and Law.
pix|el /p I ks ə l/ (pixels ) N‑COUNT A pixel is the smallest area on a computer screen which can be given a separate colour by the computer. [COMPUTING ]
pixie /p I ksi/ (pixies ) N‑COUNT A pixie is an imaginary little creature like a fairy. Pixies have pointed ears and wear pointed hats.
piz|za /piː tsə/ (pizzas ) N‑VAR A pizza is a flat, round piece of dough covered with tomatoes, cheese, and other savoury food, and then baked in an oven. □ …the last piece of pizza. □ We went for a pizza together at lunch-time.
piz|zazz /p I zæ z/ also pzazz , pizazz N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone or something has pizzazz , you mean that they are very exciting, energetic, and stylish. [INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ …a young woman with a lot of energy and pizzazz.
piz|ze|ria /piː tsəriː ə/ (pizzerias ) N‑COUNT A pizzeria is a place where pizza is made, sold, and eaten.
piz|zi|ca|to /p I ts I kɑː toʊ/ (pizzicatos ) ADV [ADV after v] If a stringed instrument is played pizzicato , it is played by pulling the strings with the fingers rather than by using the bow. [TECHNICAL ] ● N‑COUNT [oft N n] Pizzicato is also a noun. □ …an extended pizzicato section.
pkt Pkt is used in recipes as a written abbreviation for packet .
pl also pl.
1 In addresses and on maps and signs, Pl is often used as a written abbreviation for Place . □ …27 Queensdale Pl, London W11, England.
2 In grammar, pl is often used as a written abbreviation for plural .
3 Pl. is sometimes used as a written abbreviation for please .
plac|ard /plæ kɑː r d/ (placards ) N‑COUNT A placard is a large notice that is carried in a march or displayed in a public place. □ The protesters sang songs and waved placards.
pla|cate /pləke I t, [AM ] ple I ke I t/ (placates , placating , placated ) VERB If you placate someone, you do or say something to make them stop feeling angry. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He smiled, trying to placate me. □ [V -ing] 'I didn't mean to upset you,' Agnew said in a placating voice. [Also V ]
placa|tory /pləke I təri, [AM ] ple I kətɔːri/ ADJ A placatory remark or action is intended to make someone stop feeling angry. [FORMAL ] □ When next he spoke he was more placatory. □ He raised a placatory hand. 'All right, we'll see what we can do.'