pock|mark /pɒ kmɑː r k/ (pockmarks ) also pock mark N‑COUNT [usu pl] Pockmarks are small hollows on the surface of something. □ She has a poor complexion and pock marks on her forehead. □ The pockmarks made by her bullets are still on the wall.
pock|marked /pɒ kmɑː r kt/ also pock-marked ADJ If the surface of something is pockmarked , it has small hollow marks covering it. □ He had a pockmarked face. □ [+ with ] The living room is pockmarked with bullet holes.
pod /pɒ d/ (pods ) N‑COUNT A pod is a seed container that grows on plants such as peas or beans. □ …fresh peas in the pod. □ …hot red pepper pods.
pod|cast /pɒ dkɑːst/ (podcasts ) N‑COUNT A podcast is an audio file similar to a radio broadcast, that can be downloaded and listened to on a computer or MP3 player. □ … an online store offering tens of thousands of podcasts.
podgy /pɒ dʒi/ ADJ If you describe someone as podgy , you think that they are slightly fat. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] in AM, use pudgy
po|dia|trist /pəda I ətr I st/ (podiatrists ) N‑COUNT A podiatrist is a person whose job is to treat and care for people's feet. Podiatrist is a more modern term for chiropodist .
po|dia|try /pəda I ətri/ N‑UNCOUNT Podiatry is the professional care and treatment of people's feet. Podiatry is a more modern term for chiropody and also deals with correcting foot problems relating to the way people stand and walk.
po|dium /poʊ diəm/ (podiums ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A podium is a small platform on which someone stands in order to give a lecture or conduct an orchestra.
poem ◆◇◇ /poʊ I m/ (poems ) N‑COUNT A poem is a piece of writing in which the words are chosen for their beauty and sound and are carefully arranged, often in short lines which rhyme. SYNONYMS poem NOUN 1
verse: …a slim volume of verse.
rhyme: He was teaching Helen a little rhyme.
sonnet: We read one of Shakespeare's sonnets.
lyrics: …Kurt Weill's Broadway opera with lyrics by Langston Hughes.
poet ◆◇◇ /poʊ I t/ (poets ) N‑COUNT A poet is a person who writes poems. □ He was a painter and poet.
po|et|ess /poʊ I tes/ (poetesses ) N‑COUNT A poetess is a female poet. Most female poets prefer to be called poets.
po|et|ic /poʊe t I k/
1 ADJ Something that is poetic is very beautiful and expresses emotions in a sensitive or moving way. □ The pianist gave an exciting yet poetic performance. ● po|eti|cal|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ The speech was as poetically written as any he'd ever heard.
2 ADJ Poetic means relating to poetry. □ There's a very rich poetic tradition in Gaelic.
po|eti|cal /poʊe t I k ə l/ ADJ Poetical means the same as poetic . □ …a work of real merit and genuine poetical feeling.
po|e t|ic ju s|tice N‑UNCOUNT If you describe something bad that happens to someone as poetic justice , you mean that it is exactly what they deserve because of the things that person has done.
po|e t|ic li |cence N‑UNCOUNT If someone such as a writer or film director uses poetic licence , they break the usual rules of language or style, or they change the facts, in order to create a particular effect. □ All that stuff about catching giant fish was just a bit of poetic licence.
poet lau|reate /poʊ I t lɒ riət, [AM ] lɔː r-/ (poet laureates or poets laureate ) N‑COUNT The poet laureate is the official poet of a country. In Britain the poet laureate is paid by the government for the rest of their life. In the United States they are paid for a fixed period.
po|et|ry ◆◇◇ /poʊ I tri/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Poems, considered as a form of literature, are referred to as poetry . □ …Russian poetry. □ His first encounter with poetry had been the Tennyson given him by his father.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You can describe something very beautiful as poetry . □ His music is purer poetry than a poem in words. SYNONYMS poetry NOUN 1
verse: …a slim volume of verse.
rhyme: The plays are in rhyme.
po-faced /poʊ fe I st/ ADJ If you describe someone as po-faced , you think that they are being unnecessarily serious about something. [BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Coltrane took a rather po-faced view of this.
pog|rom /pɒ grəm, [AM ] pəgrɑː m/ (pogroms ) N‑COUNT A pogrom is organized, official violence against a group of people for racial or religious reasons.
poign|an|cy /pɔ I njənsi/ N‑UNCOUNT Poignancy is the quality that something has when it affects you deeply and makes you feel very sad. □ The film contains moments of almost unbearable poignancy.
poign|ant /pɔ I njənt/ ADJ Something that is poignant affects you deeply and makes you feel sadness or regret. □ …a poignant combination of beautiful surroundings and tragic history. ● poign|ant|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ Naomi's mothering experiences are poignantly described in her fiction.
poin|set|tia /pɔ I nse tiə/ (poinsettias ) N‑COUNT A poinsettia is a plant with groups of bright red or pink leaves that grows in Central and South America. Poinsettias are very popular in Britain and the United States, especially at Christmas.
point ◆◆◆ /pɔ I nt/ (points , pointing , pointed )
1 N‑COUNT You use point to refer to something that someone has said or written. □ We disagree with every point the Minister makes. □ The following tale will clearly illustrate this point.