2 VERB If someone purveys goods or services, they provide them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] They have two restaurants that purvey dumplings and chicken noodle soup.
pur|vey|or /pə r ve I ə r / (purveyors ) N‑COUNT A purveyor of goods or services is a person or company that provides them. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …purveyors of gourmet foods.
pur|view /pɜː r vjuː/ N‑SING The purview of something such as an organization or activity is the range of things it deals with. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] That, however, was beyond the purview of the court; it was a diplomatic matter.
pus /pʌ s/ N‑UNCOUNT Pus is a thick yellowish liquid that forms in wounds when they are infected.
push ◆◆◇ /pʊ ʃ/ (pushes , pushing , pushed )
1 VERB When you push something, you use force to make it move away from you or away from its previous position. □ [V n with adv] The woman pushed back her chair and stood up. □ [V n prep] They pushed him into the car. □ [V n] …a woman pushing a pushchair. □ [V ] He put both hands flat on the door and pushed as hard as he could. □ [V n adj] When there was no reply, he pushed the door open. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Push is also a noun. □ He gave me a sharp push. □ [+ of ] Information is called up at the push of a button.
2 VERB If you push through things that are blocking your way or push your way through them, you use force in order to move past them. □ [V prep/adv] I pushed through the crowds and on to the escalator. □ [V n prep/adv] He pushed his way towards her, laughing.
3 VERB If an army pushes into a country or area that it is attacking or invading, it moves further into it. □ [V + into ] One detachment pushed into the eastern suburbs towards the airfield. □ [V adv + into ] The army may push southwards into the Kurdish areas. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Push is also a noun. □ All that was needed was one final push, and the enemy would be vanquished once and for all.
4 VERB To push a value or amount up or down means to cause it to increase or decrease. □ [V n with adv] Any shortage could push up grain prices. □ [V n prep] Interest had pushed the loan up to $27,000.
5 VERB If someone or something pushes an idea or project in a particular direction, they cause it to develop or progress in a particular way. □ [V n with adv] We are continuing to push the business forward. □ [V n prep] The government seemed intent on pushing local and central government in opposite directions.
6 VERB If you push someone to do something or push them into doing it, you encourage or force them to do it. □ [V n to-inf] She thanks her parents for keeping her in school and pushing her to study. □ [V n + into ] James did not push her into stealing the money. □ [V n prep/adv] I knew he was pushing himself to the limit. □ [V n] There is no point in pushing them unless they are talented. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Push is also a noun. □ We need a push to take the first step.
7 VERB If you push for something, you try very hard to achieve it or to persuade someone to do it. □ [V + for ] Campaigners are pushing for more information and better treatments. □ [V + for ] Germany is pushing for direct flights to be established. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Push is also a noun. □ In its push for economic growth it has ignored projects that would improve living standards.
8 VERB If someone pushes an idea, a point, or a product, they try in a forceful way to convince people to accept it or buy it. □ [V n] Ministers will push the case for opening the plant.
9 VERB When someone pushes drugs, they sell them illegally. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] She was sent for trial yesterday accused of pushing drugs.
10 → see also pushed , pushing
11 PHRASE If you get the push or are given the push , you are told that you are not wanted any more, either in your job or by someone you are having a relationship with. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ Two cabinet ministers also got the push.
12 to push the boat out → see boat
13 to push your luck → see luck
14 if push comes to shove → see shove
▸ push ahead or push forward PHRASAL VERB If you push ahead or push forward with something, you make progress with it. □ [V P + with ] The government intends to push ahead with its reform programme. [Also V P ]
▸ push around PHRASAL VERB If someone pushes you around , they give you orders in a rude and insulting way. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] We don't like somebody coming in with lots of money and trying to push people around.
▸ push back PHRASAL VERB If you push back against something, such as a change or criticism, you refuse to accept it or try to prevent it. □ [V P ] Teachers who feel they have been criticized are starting to push back.
▸ push forward → see push ahead
▸ push in PHRASAL VERB When someone pushes in , they unfairly join a queue or line in front of other people who have been waiting longer. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P ] Nina pushed in next to Liddie.
▸ push on PHRASAL VERB When you push on , you continue with a journey or task. □ [V P ] Although the journey was a long and lonely one, Tumalo pushed on.