pro v|ing ground (proving grounds ) N‑COUNT If you describe a place as a proving ground , you mean that new things or ideas are tried out or tested there. □ New York is a proving ground today for the Democratic presidential candidates.
pro|vi|sion ◆◇◇ /prəv I ʒ ə n/ (provisions )
1 N‑UNCOUNT The provision of something is the act of giving it or making it available to people who need or want it. □ [+ of ] The department is responsible for the provision of residential care services. □ …nursery provision for children with special needs.
2 N‑VAR If you make provision for something that might happen or that might need to be done, you make arrangements to deal with it. □ [+ for ] Mr King asked if it had ever occurred to her to make provision for her own pension.
3 N‑UNCOUNT If you make provision for someone, you support them financially and make sure that they have the things that they need. □ [+ for ] Special provision should be made for children.
4 N‑COUNT A provision in a law or an agreement is an arrangement which is included in it. □ There was a provision in his contract that would return him two-thirds of his deposit.
5 N‑PLURAL Provisions are supplies of food. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ On board were enough provisions for two weeks.
pro|vi|sion|al /prəv I ʒən ə l/ ADJ You use provisional to describe something that has been arranged or appointed for the present, but may be changed in the future. □ …the possibility of setting up a provisional coalition government. □ It was announced that the times were provisional and subject to confirmation. ● pro|vi|sion|al|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The seven republics had provisionally agreed to the new relationship on November 14th.
pro|vi|so /prəva I zoʊ/ (provisos ) N‑COUNT [oft N that] A proviso is a condition in an agreement. You agree to do something if this condition is fulfilled. □ I told Norman I would invest in his venture as long as he agreed to one proviso.
pro|vo|ca|teur /proʊvɒ kətɜː r / (provocateurs ) → see agent provocateur
provo|ca|tion /prɒ vəke I ʃ ə n/ (provocations ) N‑VAR If you describe a person's action as provocation or a provocation , you mean that it is a reason for someone else to react angrily, violently, or emotionally. □ He denies murder on the grounds of provocation. □ The soldiers fired without provocation.
pro|voca|tive /prəvɒ kət I v/
1 ADJ If you describe something as provocative , you mean that it is intended to make people react angrily or argue against it. □ He has made a string of outspoken and sometimes provocative speeches in recent years. □ His behavior was called provocative and antisocial. ● pro|voca|tive|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ The soldiers fired into the air when the demonstrators behaved provocatively.
2 ADJ If you describe someone's clothing or behaviour as provocative , you mean that it is intended to make someone feel sexual desire. □ Some adolescents might be more sexually mature and provocative than others. ● pro|voca|tive|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ She smiled provocatively.
pro|voke ◆◇◇ /prəvoʊ k/ (provokes , provoking , provoked )
1 VERB If you provoke someone, you deliberately annoy them and try to make them behave aggressively. □ [V n] He started beating me when I was about fifteen but I didn't do anything to provoke him. □ [V n + into ] I provoked him into doing something really stupid.
2 VERB If something provokes a reaction, it causes it. □ [V n] His election success has provoked a shocked reaction. COLLOCATIONS provoke VERB 2
provoke + noun : controversy, debate, reaction, response; backlash, outcry, protest; anger, fury, outrage SYNONYMS provoke VERB
1
anger: The decision to allow more offshore oil drilling angered some Californians.
annoy: Try making a note of the things which annoy you.
irritate: Perhaps they were irritated by the sound of crying.
infuriate: Jimmy's presence had infuriated Hugh.
2
rouse: He did more to rouse the crowd there than anybody else.
cause: This was a genuine mistake, but it did cause me some worry.
incite: They pleaded guilty to possessing material likely to incite racial hatred.
prov|ost /prɒ vəst, [AM ] proʊ voʊst/ (provosts )
1 N‑COUNT In some university colleges in Britain, the provost is the head.
2 N‑COUNT In some colleges and universities in the United States, a provost is an official who deals with matters such as the teaching staff and the courses of study.
3 N‑COUNT A provost is the chief magistrate of a Scottish administrative area.
4 N‑COUNT In the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches, a provost is the person who is in charge of the administration of a cathedral.
prow /praʊ / (prows ) N‑COUNT The prow of a ship or boat is the front part of it.
prow|ess /praʊ I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Someone's prowess is their great skill at doing something. [FORMAL ] □ He's always bragging about his prowess as a cricketer.
prowl /praʊ l/ (prowls , prowling , prowled )
1 VERB If an animal or a person prowls around , they move around quietly, for example when they are hunting. □ [V prep/adv] Police officers prowled around the building. [Also V , V n]