4 N‑UNCOUNT Praise is the expression of respect, honour, and thanks to God. □ [+ of ] Hindus were singing hymns in praise of the god Rama.
praise|worthy /pre I zwɜː r ði/ ADJ If you say that something is praiseworthy , you mean that you approve of it and it deserves to be praised. [FORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ …the government's praiseworthy efforts to improve efficiency in health and education.
pra|line /prɑː liːn, pre I -/ N‑UNCOUNT Praline is a sweet substance made from nuts cooked in boiling sugar. It is used in desserts and as a filling for chocolates.
pram /præ m/ (prams ) N‑COUNT A pram is a small vehicle in which a baby can lie as it is pushed along. [BRIT ] in AM, usually use baby carriage
prance /prɑː ns, præ ns/ (prances , prancing , pranced )
1 VERB If someone prances around, they walk or move around with exaggerated movements, usually because they want people to look at them and admire them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V adv/prep] He was horrified at the thought of his son prancing about on a stage in tights.
2 VERB When a horse prances , it moves with quick, high steps. □ [V ] Their horses pranced and whinnied. □ [V prep/adv] …as the carriage horses pranced through the bustling thoroughfares. □ [V -ing] …a prancing light-footed mare named Princess.
prank /præ ŋk/ (pranks ) N‑COUNT A prank is a childish trick. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
prank|ster /præ ŋkstə r / (pranksters ) N‑COUNT A prankster is someone who plays tricks and practical jokes on people. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
prat /præ t/ (prats ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a prat , you are saying in an unkind way that you think that they are very stupid or foolish. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ What's that prat doing out there now?
prat|fall /præ tfɔːl/ (pratfalls )
1 N‑COUNT If someone takes a pratfall , they make an embarrassing mistake. [mainly AM ] □ They're waiting for the poor little rich girl to take a pratfall.
2 N‑COUNT A pratfall is a fall onto your bottom. [mainly AM ]
prat|tle /præ t ə l/ (prattles , prattling , prattled ) VERB If you say that someone prattles on about something, you are criticizing them because they are talking a great deal without saying anything important. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + on/away about ] Lou prattled on about various trivialities till I wanted to scream. □ [V on/away ] She prattled on as she drove out to the Highway. □ [V ] Archie, shut up. You're prattling. ● N‑UNCOUNT Prattle is also a noun. □ What a bore it was to listen to the woman's prattle!
prawn /prɔː n/ (prawns ) N‑COUNT A prawn is a small shellfish with a long tail and many legs, which can be eaten. [BRIT ] in AM, use shrimp
pra wn co ck|tail (prawn cocktails ) N‑VAR A prawn cocktail is a dish that consists of prawns, salad, and a sauce. It is usually eaten at the beginning of a meal. [BRIT ] in AM, use shrimp cocktail
pray /pre I / (prays , praying , prayed )
1 VERB When people pray , they speak to God in order to give thanks or to ask for his help. □ [V ] He spent his time in prison praying and studying. □ [V + to ] Now all we have to do is help ourselves and pray to God. □ [V + for ] …all those who work and pray for peace. □ [V that] Kelly prayed that God would judge her with mercy. [Also V with quote, V to-inf]
2 VERB [usu cont] When someone is hoping very much that something will happen, you can say that they are praying that it will happen. □ [V that] I'm just praying that the authorities will do something before it's too late. □ [V + for ] Many were secretly praying for a compromise.
prayer /preə r / (prayers )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Prayer is the activity of speaking to God. □ They had joined a religious order and dedicated their lives to prayer and good works. □ The night was spent in prayer.
2 N‑COUNT A prayer is the words a person says when they speak to God. □ They should take a little time and say a prayer for the people on both sides.
3 N‑COUNT You can refer to a strong hope that you have as your prayer . □ This drug could be the answer to our prayers.
4 N‑PLURAL A short religious service at which people gather to pray can be referred to as prayers . □ He promised that the boy would be back at school in time for evening prayers.
pra yer book (prayer books ) N‑COUNT A prayer book is a book which contains the prayers which are used in church or at home.
pra yer meet|ing (prayer meetings ) N‑COUNT A prayer meeting is a religious meeting where people say prayers to God.
PREFIX pre-
forms words that refer to something that takes place before a particular date, period, or event. For example, prehistoric people and things existed at a time before information was written down.
preach /priː tʃ/ (preaches , preaching , preached )
1 VERB When a member of the clergy preaches a sermon, he or she gives a talk on a religious or moral subject during a religious service. □ [V n] At High Mass the priest preached a sermon on the devil. □ [V + to ] The bishop preached to a crowd of several hundred local people. □ [V ] He denounced the decision to invite his fellow archbishop to preach. [Also V + against/on ]
2 VERB When people preach a belief or a course of action, they try to persuade other people to accept the belief or to take the course of action. □ [V n] He tried to preach peace and tolerance to his people. □ [V that] Health experts are now preaching that even a little exercise is far better than none at all. □ [V + against/about ] For many years I have preached against war.