pro|sa|ic /proʊze I I k/ ADJ Something that is prosaic is dull and uninteresting. [FORMAL ] □ His instructor offered a more prosaic explanation for the surge in interest. ● pro|sai|cal|ly /proʊze I I kli/ ADV [ADV with v] □ Arabian jam is also known as angels' hair preserve, or more prosaically as carrot jam.
pro|scenium /proʊsiː niəm/ (prosceniums ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A proscenium or a proscenium arch is an arch in a theatre which separates the stage from the audience.
pro|scribe /proʊskra I b/ (proscribes , proscribing , proscribed ) VERB [usu passive] If something is proscribed by people in authority, the existence or the use of that thing is forbidden. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] In some cultures surgery is proscribed. □ [be V -ed + from ] They are proscribed by federal law from owning guns.
pro|scrip|tion /proʊskr I pʃ ə n/ (proscriptions ) N‑VAR The proscription of something is the official forbidding of its existence or use. [FORMAL ] □ …the proscription against any religious service. □ [+ of ] …the proscription of his records.
prose /proʊ z/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N , in N ] Prose is ordinary written language, in contrast to poetry. □ Shute's prose is stark and chillingly unsentimental.
pros|ecute /prɒ s I kjuːt/ (prosecutes , prosecuting , prosecuted )
1 VERB If the authorities prosecute someone, they charge them with a crime and put them on trial. □ [V ] The police have decided not to prosecute because the evidence is not strong enough. □ [V n + for ] Photographs taken by roadside cameras will soon be enough to prosecute drivers for speeding. □ [V n + for ] He is being prosecuted for two criminal offences. [Also V n]
2 VERB When a lawyer prosecutes a case, he or she tries to prove that the person who is on trial is guilty. □ [V n] The attorney who will prosecute the case says he cannot reveal how much money is involved. □ [V -ing] …the prosecuting attorney.
pros|ecu|tion ◆◇◇ /prɒ s I kjuː ʃ ə n/ (prosecutions )
1 N‑VAR Prosecution is the action of charging someone with a crime and putting them on trial. □ [+ of ] Harding pleaded guilty to a charge of hindering the prosecution of the suspects.
2 N‑SING The lawyers who try to prove that a person on trial is guilty are called the prosecution . □ In all these cases the prosecution was successful.
pros|ecu|tor /prɒ s I kjuːtə r / (prosecutors ) N‑COUNT In some countries, a prosecutor is a lawyer or official who brings charges against someone or tries to prove in a trial that they are guilty.
pros|elyt|ize /prɒ s I l I ta I z/ (proselytizes , proselytizing , proselytized ) in BRIT, also use proselytise VERB If you proselytize , you try to persuade someone to share your beliefs, especially religious or political beliefs. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] I assured him we didn't come here to proselytize. □ [V n] Christians were arrested for trying to convert people, to proselytise them.
pros|pect ◆◆◇ (prospects , prospecting , prospected ) The noun is pronounced /prɒ spekt, [AM ] prɑː -/. The verb is pronounced /prəspe kt, [AM ] prɑː spekt/ and is hyphenated pro|spect. 1 N‑VAR If there is some prospect of something happening, there is a possibility that it will happen. □ [+ of ] Unfortunately, there is little prospect of seeing these big questions answered. □ [+ for ] The prospects for peace in the country's eight-year civil war are becoming brighter. □ There is a real prospect that the bill will be defeated in parliament.
2 N‑SING A particular prospect is something that you expect or know is going to happen. □ [+ of ] They now face the prospect of having to wear a cycling helmet by law.
3 N‑PLURAL Someone's prospects are their chances of being successful, especially in their career. □ I chose to work abroad to improve my career prospects.
4 VERB When people prospect for oil, gold, or some other valuable substance, they look for it in the ground or under the sea. □ [V + for ] He had prospected for minerals everywhere from the Gobi Desert to the Transvaal. □ [V ] In fact, the oil companies are already prospecting not far from here. ● pro|spect|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ He was involved in oil, zinc and lead prospecting. ● pro|spec|tor (prospectors ) N‑COUNT □ The discovery of gold brought a flood of prospectors into the Territories.
pro|spec|tive /prəspe kt I v, [AM ] prɑː-/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] You use prospective to describe someone who wants to be the thing mentioned or who is likely to be the thing mentioned. □ The story should act as a warning to other prospective buyers. □ When his prospective employers heard his history, they said they wouldn't hire him.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use prospective to describe something that is likely to happen soon. □ …the terms of the prospective deal.
pro|spec|tus /prəspe ktəs, [AM ] prɑː-/ (prospectuses ) N‑COUNT A prospectus is a detailed document produced by a college, school, or company, which gives details about it.
pros|per /prɒ spə r / (prospers , prospering , prospered ) VERB If people or businesses prosper , they are successful and do well. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] The high street banks continue to prosper. □ [V ] His teams have always prospered in cup competitions.
pros|per|ity /prɒspe r I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Prosperity is a condition in which a person or community is doing well financially. □ …a new era of peace and prosperity.