"that which takes precedence, that which necessarily goes before," noun use of Latin neuter of prior (adj.) "former, earlier" (see prior (adj.)). The hybrid car (with a capital P- ) debuted in 1997 in Japan, 2001 in U.S. and Europe. The name supposedly was chosen because the car was regarded as a predecessor of new types. The classically proper plural of the car name is said to be Priora, but that is for the adjective.ETD prius (n.).2

privative (adj.)

late 14c., privatif, "characterized by absence of a quality, characterized by taking away or removal of something," from Latin privativus "denoting privation," in grammar, "negative," from privatus, past participle of privare "to deprive, rob, strip" of anything; "to deliver from" anything" (see private (adj.)).ETD privative (adj.).2

In grammar, from 1580s as "expressing negation, changing the sense of a word from positive to negative" (as do the prefixes un-, an- (1), in- (1), a- (3), etc.). Related: Privatively.ETD privative (adj.).3

privacy (n.)

1590s, "a private or personal matter, a secret;" c. 1600 as "seclusion, state of being in retirement from company or the knowledge and observation of others," from private (adj.) + abstract noun suffix -cy. Meaning "state of freedom from intrusion or interference" is from 1814. Earlier was privatie (late 14c. as "secret, mystery;" c. 1400 as "a secret, secret deed; solitude, privacy"), from Old French privauté.ETD privacy (n.).2

privation (n.)

late 14c., privacioun, "condition of being without (something);" mid-15c., "act of depriving, act of removing or destroying property;" from Old French privacion and directly from Latin privationem (nominative privatio) "a taking away," noun of action from past-participle stem of privare "to deprive, rob, strip" of anything; "to deliver from" anything (see private (adj.)). Broader meaning "state of being deprived, want of life's comforts or of some necessity" is attested from 1790.ETD privation (n.).2

privatization (n.)

"policy or process of making private as opposed to public," 1924, in reference to German economic policies in the crisis after World War I, from private (adj.) + -ization. Re-privatisation is attested by 1939.ETD privatization (n.).2

privatize (v.)

"make private as opposed to public," especially of a state transferring services or industries to private enterprise, 1966, a back-formation from privatization (q.v.). Re-privatise is attested from 1942. Related: Privatized; privatizing.ETD privatize (v.).2

private (adj.)

late 14c., "pertaining or belonging to oneself, not shared, peculiar to an individual only;" of a thing, "not open to the public, for the use of privileged persons;" of a religious rule, "not shared by Christians generally, distinctive;" from Latin privatus "set apart (from what is public), belonging to oneself (not to the state), peculiar, personal," used in contrast to publicus, communis.ETD private (adj.).2

This is a past-participle adjective from the verb privare "to bereave, deprive, rob, strip" of anything; "to free, release, deliver" from anything, from privus "one's own, individual," from Proto-Italic *prei-wo- "separate, individual," from PIE *prai-, *prei- "in front of, before," from root *per- (1) "forward." The semantic shift would be from "being in front" to "being separate."ETD private (adj.).3

Old English in this sense had syndrig. Of persons, "not holding public office or employment," recorded from early 15c. Of communications, "meant to be secret or confidential," 1550s. In private "privily" is from 1580s. Related: Privately.ETD private (adj.).4

Private school "school owned and run by individuals, not by the government, and run for profit" is by 1650s. Private parts "the pudenda" is from 1785 (privete "the sexual parts" is from late 14c.; secret parts in the same sense is from 16c.).ETD private (adj.).5

Private property "property of persons in their individual, personal, or private capacity," as distinguished from property of the state or public or for public use, is by 1680s. Private enterprise "business or commercial activity privately owned and free from direct state control" is recorded by 1797; private sector "part of an economy, industry, etc. that is free from state control" is from 1948.ETD private (adj.).6

Private eye "private detective, person engaged unofficially in obtaining secret information for or guarding the private interests of those who employ him" is recorded from 1938, American English (Chandler). Private detective "detective who is not a member of an official police force" is by 1856.ETD private (adj.).7

private (n.)

1590s, "private citizen, person not in public life or office" (a sense now obsolete), short for private person "individual not involved in government" (early 15c.), or from Latin privatus "man in private life," a noun use of the Latin adjective.ETD private (n.).2

From 1781 in the military sense, short for private soldier "common soldier, one below the rank of a non-commissioned officer" (1570s), from private (adj.). Phrase in private "not publicly" is from 1610s (1580s as on private). In Middle English the noun meant "private affairs" (mid-14c.); "a secret" (late 14c.).ETD private (n.).3

privateer (n.)

1660s, "private man of war, armed vessel owned and officered by private persons, usually acting under commission from the state," from private (adj.), probably on model of volunteer (n.), buccaneer. From 1670s as "one commanding or serving on a privateer." As a verb, 1660s (implied in privateering) "to cruise on a privateer, to seize or annoy an enemy's ships and commerce."ETD privateer (n.).2

privatisation (n.)

chiefly British English spelling of privatization. For spelling, see -ize.ETD privatisation (n.).2

privatise (v.)

chiefly British English spelling of privatize (q.v.); for suffix, see -ize. Related: Privatised; privatisation.ETD privatise (v.).2

privet (n.)

type of evergreen shrub, native to the northern Old World and somewhat nativized in North America, "much used for garden hedges" [OED], 1540s, a word of unknown origin. Early forms primet, primprint perhaps suggest some connection real or perceived with prime [Klein]. Also applied to similar species elsewhere.ETD privet (n.).2

privy (adj.)

early 13c., "secret, concealed, not made known in public;" c. 1300, of places, "secluded," from Old French privé "friendly, intimate; a private place," from Latin privatus "private, personal" (see private (adj.)). Meaning "participating in (a secret)" (usually with to) is attested from late 14c. Related: Privily. Privy Council is from c. 1300 in a general sense; specifically of the British government, first attested late 14c. (with French word order) as consaile priue. Privy member "organ of sex" is from late 13c.ETD privy (adj.).2

privy (n.)

"latrine, outdoor toilet in a small shed, outhouse," c. 1200, from Old French privé, privee "latrine," literally "private place," from noun use of adjective privé (see privy (adj.)).ETD privy (n.).2

privilege (v.)

late 14c., privilegen, "endow (someone) with a special right, grace, power, etc.; to invest with a privilege," from privilege (n.) and from Old French privilegier (13c.), from Medieval Latin privilegare, from Latin privilegium "law applying to one person." Related: Privileged; privileging.ETD privilege (v.).2

privilege (n.)

mid-12c. "grant, commission" (recorded earlier in Old English, but as a Latin word), from Old French privilege "right, priority, privilege" (12c.) and directly from Latin privilegium "law applying to one person, bill of law in favor of or against an individual;" in the post-Augustine period "an ordinance in favor of an individual" (typically the exemption of one individual from the operation of a law), "privilege, prerogative," from privus "individual" (see private (adj.)) + lex (genitive legis) "law" (see legal (adj.)).ETD privilege (n.).2

From c. 1200 as "power or prerogative associated with a certain social or religious position." Meaning "advantage granted, special right or favor granted to a person or group, a right, immunity, benefit, or advantage enjoyed by a person or body of persons beyond the common advantages of other individuals" is from mid-14c. in English. From late 14c. as "legal immunity or exemption."ETD privilege (n.).3

Formerly of such things as an exemption or license granted by the Pope, or special immunity or advantage (as freedom of speech) granted to persons in authority or in office; in modern times, with general equality of all under the law, it is used of the basic rights common to all citizens (habeas corpus, voting, etc.).ETD privilege (n.).4

Middle English also had pravilege "an evil law or privilege" (late 14c.), from Medieval Latin pravilegium, a play on privilegium by substitution of pravus "wrong, bad."ETD privilege (n.).5

privileged (adj.)

late 14c. of things; mid-15c. of persons, "enjoying certain privileges or immunities," past-participle adjective from privilege (v.).ETD privileged (adj.).2

privity (n.)

early 13c., "a thing kept hidden or secret," also "privacy, private life; secrecy," from Old French privité, priveté "privacy; a secret, private matter" (c. 1200), from prive "private," from Latin privus "set apart, belonging to oneself" (see private (adj.)).ETD privity (n.).2

From 1550s as "participation in the knowledge of something secret;" from 1520s as a legal term in feudal land tenure. Privities "private parts" is attested by late 14c.ETD privity (n.).3

prix fixe

meal served at a fixed price, 1883, French, literally "fixed price" (see price (n.) and fix (v.)).ETD prix fixe.2

prize (v.2)

"to force or press; force open by means of a lever," 1680s, from prize (n.) "the hold of a lever" (14c.), from Old French prise "a taking hold, a grasp" (see prize (n.2)). Related: Prized; prizing.ETD prize (v.2).2

prize (n.2)

"something taken by force," mid-13c., prise "a taking, holding," from Old French prise "a taking, seizing, holding," noun use of fem. past participle of prendre "to take, seize," from Latin prendere, contraction of prehendere "lay hold of, grasp, seize, catch" (from prae- "before," see pre-, + -hendere, from PIE root *ghend- "to seize, take").ETD prize (n.2).2

Especially of a ship captured legally at sea (1510s). The spelling with -z- is from late 16c.ETD prize (n.2).3

prize (v.1)

1580s, "to estimate the value of; value highly," spelling alteration of Middle English prisen "to reckon the worth of, value, esteem, praise" (late 14c.), from stem of Old French preisier "to praise" (see praise (v.)). Related: Prized; prizing.ETD prize (v.1).2

prize (n.1)

"that which is obtained or offered as the reward of exertion or contest; reward or symbol of victory," spelling alteration of Middle English prise (c. 1300 in this sense), from Old French pris "price, value, worth; reward" (see price (n.)). Figuratively, "anything worth striving for," from c. 1600. As an adjective, "worthy of a prize," from 1803. The spelling with -z- is from late 16c. Prize-fighter is from 1703; prize-fight (one for a prize) from 1730.ETD prize (n.1).2

prized (adj.)

"highly esteemed," 1530s, adjective from prize (n.1.), or from past participle of Middle English prisen "to prize, value" (late 14c.), from stem of Old French preisier "to praise" (see praise (v.)).ETD prized (adj.).2

pro (n.1)

1866 as a shortening of professional (n.). The adjective is attested by 1915 (in golfing's pro shop, workshop run by the resident professional at a club). The use of professional in reference to prostitutes seems to have accounted for proette in sports writing for "female pro golfer" (1968).ETD pro (n.1).2

pro (n.2)

"a consideration or argument in favor," c. 1400, from Latin pro (prep.) "on behalf of, in place of, before, for, in exchange for, just as" (from PIE root *per- (1) "forward," hence "in front of, before, first, chief"). Pro and con is short for pro and contra (c. 1400) "for and against" (Latin pro et contra).ETD pro (n.2).2

pro-

word-forming element meaning "forward, forth, toward the front" (as in proclaim, proceed); "beforehand, in advance" (prohibit, provide); "taking care of" (procure); "in place of, on behalf of" (proconsul, pronoun); from Latin pro (adv., prep.) "on behalf of, in place of, before, for, in exchange for, just as," which also was used as a first element in compounds and had a collateral form por-.ETD pro-.2

Also in some cases from cognate Greek pro "before, in front of, sooner," which also was used in Greek as a prefix (as in problem). Both the Latin and Greek words are from PIE *pro- (source also of Sanskrit pra- "before, forward, forth;" Gothic faura "before," Old English fore "before, for, on account of," fram "forward, from;" Old Irish roar "enough"), extended form of root *per- (1) "forward," hence "in front of, before, toward, near," etc.ETD pro-.3

The common modern sense of "in favor of, favoring" (pro-independence, pro-fluoridation, pro-Soviet, etc.) was not in classical Latin and is attested in English from early 19c.ETD pro-.4

proactive (adj.)

also pro-active, of persons or policies, as an opposition to reactive, "taking the initiative in a situation, anticipating events" as opposed to responding to them, 1921, from pro- + active. From 1933, in psychology (learning theory). Related: Proactively; proactiveness; proactivity.ETD proactive (adj.).2

pro-am (adj.)

"including professional and amateur players," 1949.ETD pro-am (adj.).2

probative (adj.)

"serving to test or prove; pertaining to proof or demonstration," mid-15c., probatiffe, from Old French probatif and directly from Latin probativus "belonging to proof," from probat-, past-participle stem of probare "show, prove, demonstrate" (see prove). Originally in terme probatiffe "a period of time assigned for the proving of an allegation."ETD probative (adj.).2

probabilism (n.)

1719, in Catholic theology, the doctrine that when there are two probable opinions, each apparently resting on reason, it is lawful to follow the probable opinion which favors one's inclination; from French, from Latin probabilis (see probable) + -ism.ETD probabilism (n.).2

probabilistic (adj.)

1855, in Catholic theology (see probabilism), from probabilist "one who holds the doctrine of probabilism" (1650s, from French probabiliste, 17c., from Latin probabilis, see probable) + -ic. Meaning "pertaining to probability, involving chance variations" is from 1951.ETD probabilistic (adj.).2

probability (n.)

mid-15c., probabilite, "likelihood of being realized, appearance of truth, quality of being probable," from Old French probabilite (14c.) and directly from Latin probabilitatem (nominative probabilitas) "credibility, probability," from probabilis (see probable).ETD probability (n.).2

Meaning "something likely to be true" is from 1570s; mathematical sense is from 1718, "frequency with which a proposition similar to the one in question is found true in the course of experience."ETD probability (n.).3

In weather forecasting, probabilities was used in U.S. from 1869 and adopted in the official weather forecasts of the United States Signal Service; hence Old Probabilities, a humorous name for the chief signal officer of the Signal Service Bureau (by 1875).ETD probability (n.).4

probably (adv.)

mid-15c., probabli, "plausibly, in all likelihood, in a way that seems likely to prove true," from probable + -ly (2). As a general purpose qualifier, "so far as the evidence goes," 1610s.ETD probably (adv.).2

probable (adj.)

late 14c., "likely, reasonable, plausible, having more evidence for than against," from Old French probable "provable, demonstrable" (14c.), from Latin probabilis "worthy of approval, pleasing, agreeable, acceptable; provable, that may be assumed to be believed, credible," from probare "to try, to test" (see prove). As a legal term, probable cause "reasonable cause or grounds" is attested from 1670s.ETD probable (adj.).2

Related: Probableness.ETD probable (adj.).3

proband (n.)

"individual chosen because of the presence of some trait to be studied," 1929, from Latin probandus, gerundive of probare "to make good, esteem good; make credible, show, prove, demonstrate" (see prove).ETD proband (n.).2

probation (n.)

early 15c., probacioun, "trial, experiment, test, act of examining with a probe," from Old French probacion "proof, evidence" (14c., Modern French probation) and directly from Latin probationem (nominative probatio) "approval, assent; a proving, trial, inspection, examination," noun of action from past-participle stem of probare "to test" (see prove).ETD probation (n.).2

Meaning "testing of a person's conduct" (especially as a trial period of a candidate for membership) is from early 15c., originally especially a testing or trial by adversity. The theological sense is recorded by 1520s; the criminal justice sense is recorded by 1866. As a verb from 1640s. Related: Probationer; probationary.ETD probation (n.).3

probate (n.)

in law, "official proving of a will," mid-15c., from Medieval Latin legalese use of Latin probatum "a thing proved," neuter of probatus "tried, tested, proved," past participle of probare "to try, test, prove" (see prove).ETD probate (n.).2

probate (v.)

1560s, "to prove" (a general sense now obsolete), from probate (n.) or from Latin probatus, past participle of probare "to make good; esteem, represent as good; make credible, show, demonstrate; test, inspect; judge by trial." Specific sense of "prove the genuineness of a will" is from 1792. Related: Probated; probating.ETD probate (v.).2

probe (n.)

early 15c., "slender, flexible rod for exploring the conditions of wounds or other cavities in the body," also "a medical examination," from Medieval Latin proba "examination," in Late Latin "a test, proof," from Latin probare "show, demonstrate; test, inspect; judge by trial" (see prove).ETD probe (n.).2

Meaning "act of probing" is 1890, from the verb; figurative sense of "penetrating investigation" is from 1903, probably extended from the verb in this sense. Meaning "small, unmanned exploratory craft" is attested from 1953.ETD probe (n.).3

probe (v.)

1640s, originally figurative; "to search thoroughly, scrutinize, interrogate;" from probe (n.) and partly from Latin probare "show, demonstrate; test, inspect." Physical sense of "to examine with a probe" is from 1680s. Related: Probed; probing; probingly.ETD probe (v.).2

probity (n.)

"tried virtue or integrity, strict honesty," early 15c., probite, from Old French probité, from Latin probitatem (nominative probitas) "uprightness, honesty," from probus "worthy, good" (see prove).ETD probity (n.).2

problem (n.)

late 14c., probleme, "a difficult question proposed for discussion or solution; a riddle; a scientific topic for investigation," from Old French problème (14c.) and directly from Latin problema, from Greek problēma "a task, that which is proposed, a question;" also "anything projecting, headland, promontory; fence, barrier;" also "a problem in geometry," literally "thing put forward," from proballein "propose," from pro "forward" (from PIE root *per- (1) "forward") + ballein "to throw" (from PIE root *gwele- "to throw, reach").ETD problem (n.).2

The meaning "a difficulty" is mid-15c. Mathematical sense of "proposition requiring some operation to be performed" is from 1560s in English. Problem child, one in which problems of a personal or social character are manifested, is recorded by 1916. Phrase _______ problem in reference to a persistent and seemingly insoluble difficulty is attested from at least 1882, in Jewish problem. Response no problem "that is acceptable; that can be done without difficulty" is recorded from 1968.ETD problem (n.).3

problematic (adj.)

c. 1600, "doubtful, questionable, uncertain, unsettled," from French problematique (15c.), from Late Latin problematicus, from Greek problēmatikos "pertaining to a problem," from problēmatos, genitive of problēma (see problem).ETD problematic (adj.).2

Specific sense in logic, differentiating what is possible from what is necessarily true, is from 1610s. The sense of "constituting, containing, or causing a difficulty" is modern, probably from a noun use in sociology (1957). Related: Problematical (1560s); problematically.ETD problematic (adj.).3

pro bono

short for Medieval Latin pro bono publico "for the public good;" from pro (prep.) "on behalf of, for" (see pro-) + ablative of bonum "good" (see bene-).ETD pro bono.2

proboscis (n.)

c. 1600, "elephant's trunk," from Latin proboscis (Pliny), from Greek proboskis "elephant's trunk," etymologically "means for taking food," from pro "forward" (see pro-) + boskein "to nourish, feed," from boskesthai "graze, be fed," from stem *bot- (source of botane "grass, fodder;" see botanic). Also extended to the long, flexible snouts of tapirs, insect parts, etc.ETD proboscis (n.).2

procaine (n.)

synthetic compound used as a local anesthetic, 1918, from pro- + cocaine.ETD procaine (n.).2

proceed (v.)

late 14c., proceden, "to go, go on, move in a certain direction, go about one's business," also "to emanate from, result from; to issue or come, as from an origin or course," from Old French proceder (13c., Modern French procéder) and directly from Latin procedere (past participle processus) "go before, go forward, advance, make progress; come forward," from pro "forward" (from PIE root *per- (1) "forward") + cedere "to go" (from PIE root *ked- "to go, yield"). Related: Proceeded; proceeding.ETD proceed (v.).2

proceeds (n.)

"results, profits, sum derived from the sale of goods," 1660s (in singular form from 1640s), from proceed (v.) on the notion of "that which proceeds" or occurs from some possession or transaction.ETD proceeds (n.).2

procedure (n.)

1610s, "fact or manner of proceeding;" 1670s, "particular action or mode of conducting an action;" from French procédure "manner of proceeding" (c. 1200), from Old French proceder "to proceed" (see proceed). Specific sense of "method of conducting business in Parliament" is from 1839.ETD procedure (n.).2

procedural (adj.)

"of or pertaining to procedure," 1876, from procedure + -al (1). Related: Procedurally.ETD procedural (adj.).2

proceedings (n.)

"records or accounts of the doings of a society," by 1824; see proceeding.ETD proceedings (n.).2

proceeding (n.)

early 15c., "act of continuing a process;" mid-15c., "action of going forward, procession," verbal noun from proceed (v.). From 1550s as "what is done, conduct, a measure or step taken." Proceedings "records of the doings of a society" is attested by 1824.ETD proceeding (n.).2

procerity (n.)

"tallness, loftiness," 1540s, from obsolete French procerité or directly from Latin proceritas, from procerus "high, tall," from pro "before, forth" (see pro-) + -cerus, from stem of crescere "to grow" (from PIE root *ker- (2) "to grow").ETD procerity (n.).2

procession (n.)

late Old English, "set of persons walking or riding formally or with ceremonious solemnity; a religious procession; the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem," from Old French procession "procession" (religious or secular), 11c., and directly from Late Latin processionem (nominative processio) "religious procession," in classical Latin "a marching onward, a going forward, advance," noun of action from past-participle stem of procedere (see proceed). Meaning "act of issuing forth" from anything is late 14c. Related: Processionary.ETD procession (n.).2

process (v.1)

1530s, "begin legal action against, summon in a court of law," from French processer "to prosecute," from proces (see process (n.)). Meaning "prepare or treat by special process, subject to special process" is from 1881, from the noun in English. Of persons, "to register and examine," by 1935, in reference to the U.S. Army. Related: Processed; processing.ETD process (v.1).2

process (v.2)

"to go in procession," 1814, "A colloquial or humorous back-formation" from procession [OED]. Accent on second syllable. The earlier verb was procession (1540s).ETD process (v.2).2

process (n.)

early 14c., proces, "fact of being carried on" (as in in process), from Old French proces "a journey; continuation, development; legal trial" (13c.) and directly from Latin processus "a going forward, advance, progress," from past-participle stem of procedere "go forward" (see proceed).ETD process (n.).2

Meaning "course or method of action, continuous action or series of actions or events" is from mid-14c.; sense of "continuous and regular series of actions meant to accomplish some result" (the main modern sense) is from 1620s. Meaning "a projection from the main body of something," especially a natural appendage, is from 1570s. Legal sense of "course of action of a suit at law, the whole of the proceedings in any action at law" is attested from early 14c.; hence due process "fair treatment" at law, considered as a right (mid-15c.).ETD process (n.).3

processional (n.)

"book of hymns, directions, etc. for use in processions," mid-15c., from Medieval Latin processionale, from noun use of neuter of processionalis "pertaining to a procession," from Late Latin processio (see procession). Meaning "hymn sung during a religious procession" is by 1884 (short for processional hymn).ETD processional (n.).2

processional (adj.)

"pertaining to a procession or processions," 1610s, from procession (n.) + -al (1) or else from French processional, from Medieval Latin processionalis. Related: Processionally.ETD processional (adj.).2

processor (n.)

"person or machine which performs a process," 1909, agent noun in Latin form from process (v.). Data processor is from 1957; word processor is from 1973; food processor in the kitchen appliance sense also is from 1973.ETD processor (n.).2

pro-choice (adj.)

"favoring a right to abortion," 1975, from pro- + choice (n.).ETD pro-choice (adj.).2

proclaim (v.)

"make known by public announcement, promulgate," especially by herald or crier, late 14c., proclamen, from Latin proclamare "cry or call out," from pro "forth" (from PIE root *per- (1) "forward") + clamare "to cry out" (from PIE root *kele- (2) "to shout"). Spelling altered by influence of claim. Related: Proclaimed; proclaiming; proclaimer.ETD proclaim (v.).2

proclamation (n.)

late 14c., proclamacioun, "act of making public," also "that which is proclaimed;" from Old French proclamacion (14c., Modern French proclamation) and directly from Late Latin proclamationem (nominative proclamatio) "a calling out, crying out," noun of action from past-participle stem of proclamare "to cry or call out" (see proclaim).ETD proclamation (n.).2

proclitic (adj.)

in Greek grammar, "dependent in accent upon the following word," 1846, from Medieval Latin procliticus, formed on analogy of encliticus from Greek proklinein "to lean forward," from pro "forward" (see pro-) + klinein "to lean" (from PIE root *klei- "to lean"). As a noun, "monosyllabic word so closely attached to the word following as to have no accent" (1864).ETD proclitic (adj.).2

proclivity (n.)

"inclination, propensity, tendency," 1590s, from French proclivité or directly from Latin proclivitatem (nominative proclivitas) "a tendency, predisposition, propensity," from proclivis "prone to," literally "sloping, inclined," from pro "forward" (see pro-) + clivus "a slope" (from PIE *klei-wo-, suffixed form of root *klei- "to lean").ETD proclivity (n.).2

Proclivous (1730) "tending, sloping" seems to have been a mere dictionary word for most of its existence, though it began to acquire some technical senses after c. 1890.ETD proclivity (n.).3

Procne

in poetic use, "a swallow" ("But the poets appear to have thought it some song-bird" - OED), late 14c., also Progne, from Latin Procne, Progne, from Greek Proknē, in mythology the name of the daughter of Pandion and sister of Philomela, who was transformed into a swallow.ETD Procne.2

proconsul (n.)

late 14c., "governor or military commander of an ancient Roman province," having there most of the duties and authorities of a consul in Rome, from Latin proconsul "governor of a province; military commander," from phrase pro consule "(acting) in place of a consul," from pro "in place of" (see pro-) + ablative of consul. In modern use usually rhetorical, but it was a title of certain commissioners in the French Revolution, was used in English for "deputy consul," and was used again of U.S. administrators in Iraq during the early 21c. occupation. Related: Proconsular; proconsulate; proconsulship.ETD proconsul (n.).2

procreative (adj.)

"having the power or function of begetting," 1630s; see procreate + -ive. Related: Procreativeness.ETD procreative (adj.).2

procrastination (n.)

"a putting off to a future time; dilatoriness," 1540s, from French procrastination (16c.) and directly from Latin procrastinationem (nominative procrastinatio) "a putting off from day to day," noun of action from past-participle stem of procrastinare "put off till tomorrow, defer, delay," from pro "forward" (see pro-) + crastinus "belonging to tomorrow," from cras "tomorrow," a word of unknown origin.ETD procrastination (n.).2

procrastinator (n.)

"one who defers to doing of anything to a future time," c. 1600, agent noun in Latin form from procrastinate (v.).ETD procrastinator (n.).2

procrastinate (v.)

"to put off till another day, defer to a future time," 1580s, a back formation from procrastination or else from Latin procrastinatus, past participle of procrastinare "to put off till tomorrow; defer, delay." Intransitive sense of "be dilatory" is by 1630s. Related: Procrastinated; procrastinating. The earlier verb was procrastine (1540s), from French procrastiner.ETD procrastinate (v.).2

procreant (adj.)

"fruitful, producing young, related to or connected with reproduction," 1580s, from Latin procreantem (nominative procreans), present participle of procreare "to beget" (see procreation). As a noun, "one who or that which procreates," from c. 1600.ETD procreant (adj.).2

procreation (n.)

late 14c., procreacioun, "process of begetting offspring, generation and production of young," from Old French procreacion (14c., Modern French prócreation) and directly from Latin procreationem (nominative procreatio) "a begetting, generation," noun of action from past-participle stem of procreare "bring forth" (offspring), "beget, generate, produce," from pro "forth" (see pro-) + creare "create" (from PIE root *ker- (2) "to grow"). Spelling with -t- in English begins mid-15c.ETD procreation (n.).2

procreator (n.)

"one who begets, a father or sire," 1540s, from French procreateur or directly from Latin procreator, from past-participle stem of procreare "to bring forth" offspring (see procreation). Fem. forms procreatrix, procreatress "a mother" are from 1590s.ETD procreator (n.).2

procreate (v.)

"beget, generate, engender (children)," 1530s, a back-formation from procreation or else from Latin procreatus, past participle of procreare "bring forth" (offspring), "beget, generate, produce," from pro "forth" (see pro-) + creare "create" (from PIE root *ker- (2) "to grow"). Related: Procreated; procreating.ETD procreate (v.).2

Procrustean (adj.)

1822 in the figurative sense, "violently making conformable to standard, producing uniformity by deforming force or mutilation," from Procrustes, name of the mythical robber of Attica who seized travelers, tied them to his bed, and either stretched their limbs or lopped of their legs to make them fit it. With ending as in Herculean. By 1776 as Procrustian. The figurative image, though not the exact word, was in English at least from 1580s.ETD Procrustean (adj.).2

The name is Greek Prokroustēs "one who stretches," from prokrouein "to beat out, stretch out," from pro "before" (see pro-) + krouein "to strike," from PIE *krou(s)- "to push, bump, strike, break" (source also of Russian krušit' "to strike, stamp," Lithuanian kraušyti "to stamp off;" Russian kroxa "morsel, crumb;" Lithuanian krušti "to stamp, push (apart)").ETD Procrustean (adj.).3

proctalgia (n.)

"pain in the anus or rectum," 1811, from medical Latin proct-, Latinized form of Greek combining form of prōktos "anus" (see proctology) + algos "pain" (see -algia).ETD proctalgia (n.).2

proctology (n.)

"branch of medicine concerned with the anus or rectum," 1896, from Latinized form of Greek prōktos "anus" (from PIE *prokto-, source also of Armenian erastan-k' "buttocks") + -logy "study of." Related: Proctologist (1897).ETD proctology (n.).2

proctor (n.)

"one employed to manage the affairs of another," late 14c., contraction of procurator (c. 1300) "steward or manager of a household;" also "a provider" (see procurator). From late 14c. as "one who acts or speaks for another; spokesman, advocate;" early 15c. as "business manager or financial administrator of a church, college, holy order, etc." Related: Proctorial; proctorship.ETD proctor (n.).2

proctor (v.)

1670s, "officiate as a university proctor," from proctor (n.). Related: Proctored; proctoring.ETD proctor (v.).2

procumbent (adj.)

1660s, in biology, "unable to support itself, lying on the ground without putting forth roots," from Latin procumbentem (nominative procumbens), present participle of procumbere "to fall forward, fall prostrate," from pro "forward" (see pro-) + -cumbere "take a reclining position," related to cubare "lie down" (see cubicle). The meaning "leaning forward, lying on the face" is from 1721. Related: Procumbently.ETD procumbent (adj.).2

procurer (n.)

late 14c., procurour, "advocate, spokesman," from Anglo-French procurour, Old French procureur (13c., Modern French procureur), from Latin procurator (see procurator). Meaning "contriver, one who or that which brings on or causes to be done" is from mid-15c. Specifically of one who supplies women to gratify the lusts of another from 1630s. Fem. form procuress (early 15c.) is shortened from Old French procureresse.ETD procurer (n.).2

procure (v.)

c. 1300, "bring about, cause, effect," from Old French procurer "care for, be occupied with; bring about, cause; acquire, provide" (13c.) and directly from Late Latin procurare "manage, take care of;" from pro "in behalf of" (see pro-) + curare "care for" (see cure (v.)).ETD procure (v.).2

The main modern sense of "obtain; recruit" (late 14c.) is via the meaning "take pains to get or bring about" (mid-14c.). It had broader meanings in Middle English: to procure to slay was "cause to be slain;" procure to break, "cause to be broken," etc. The meaning "to obtain (women) for sexual gratification" of others is attested from c. 1600. Related: Procured; procuring.ETD procure (v.).3

procurator (n.)

c. 1300, procuratour, "steward or manager of a household;" also "a provider" (late 13c. as a surname), from Old French procuratour "attorney, agent, proxy, spokesman" (13c., Modern French procurateur) and directly from Latin procurator "manager, overseer, agent, deputy," agent noun from past-participle stem of procurare "to manage, take care of" (see procure). Related: Procuracy; procuration; procuratory; procuratorial.ETD procurator (n.).2

procurement (n.)

c. 1300, procuren, "use of improper influence," from Old French procurement "management, stewardship" (13c.), from procurer (see procure) and directly from Medieval Latin procuramentum. Meaning "process of bringing something about" (by the action of another) is from c. 1400. Military meaning "action or process of obtaining equipment and supplies" is by 1949, American English.ETD procurement (n.).2

procurable (adj.)

"possible to achieve, obtainable," mid-15c., from procure + -able. Related: Procurability.ETD procurable (adj.).2

Procyon (n.)

bright star in the constellation Canis Minor (the 8th brightest in the sky), 1650s, from Latin, from Greek Prokyōn, the name of the star or the constellation (which has few other visible stars), from pro "before" (see pro-) + kyōn "dog" (from PIE root *kwon- "dog"). So called from its rising just before the "Dog Star," Sirius.ETD Procyon (n.).2

By Roman astronomers, sometimes Latinized as Antecanis. A mid-15c. English Prochion seems to refer to the constellation.ETD Procyon (n.).3

prod (v.)

1530s, "to poke with a stick," of uncertain origin; possibly [Barnhart, Century Dictionary] a variant of brod, from Middle English brodden "to goad," from Old Norse broddr "shaft, spike" (see brad), or perhaps imitative [OED]. Compare dialectal prog "pointed instrument for poking" (1610s), also as a verb, "to poke about."ETD prod (v.).2

Figurative sense of "mental incitement or instigation" is by 1871. Related: Prodded; prodding.ETD prod (v.).3

prod (n.)

1787, "pointed or blunt-pointed instrument used in prodding;" 1802, "act of prodding;" from prod (v.). A provincial word; it also meant "long wooden pin used to secure thatch on a roof."ETD prod (n.).2

prodigality (n.)

"quality of being prodigal; reckless extravagance in expenditure," mid-14c., prodigalite, from Old French prodigalite (13c., Modern French prodigalité) and directly from Medieval Latin prodigalitatem (nominative prodigalitas) "wastefulness," from Latin *prodigalis, from prodigus "wasteful" (see prodigal).ETD prodigality (n.).2

prodigal (adj.)

c. 1500, of persons, "given to extravagant expenditure, lavish, wasteful," a back-formation from prodigality, or else from French prodigal and directly from Late Latin prodigalis, from Latin prodigus "wasteful," from prodigere "drive away, waste," from pro "forth" (from PIE root *per- (1) "forward") + agere "to set in motion, drive; to do, perform" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move").ETD prodigal (adj.).2

Most often in prodigal son (Vulgate Latin filius prodigus) from the parable told in Luke xv.11-32. The meaning "very liberal, lavishly bountiful" is by 1590s. As a noun, "prodigal person, one who expends money lavishly and without necessity," 1590s, from the adjective (the Latin adjective also was used as a noun). Related: Prodigially.ETD prodigal (adj.).3

prodigy (n.)

mid-15c., prodige, "a sign, portent, something extraordinary from which omens are drawn," from Old French prodige and directly from Latin prodigium "prophetic sign, omen, portent, prodigy," from pro "forth, before" (see pro-) + -igium, a suffix or word of unknown origin, perhaps from the same source as aio "I say" (see adage) or agere "to drive" (de Vaan), from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move").ETD prodigy (n.).2

Meaning "person or thing so extraordinary as to excite wonder or astonishment" is from 1620s; the specific meaning "child with exceptional abilities" is by 1650s. Related: Prodigial.ETD prodigy (n.).3

prodigious (adj.)

1550s, "ominous, portentous" (a sense now obsolete), from French prodigieux and directly from Latin prodigiosus "strange, wonderful, marvelous, unnatural," from prodigium "an omen, portent, monster" (see prodigy).ETD prodigious (adj.).2

From 1560s as "causing wonder or amazement;" 1570s as "unnatural, abnormal." The meaning "vast, enormous, wonderfully large" is from c. 1600. As a pseudo-adverb, "exceedingly," by 1670s. Related: Prodigiously; prodigiousness; prodigiosity.ETD prodigious (adj.).3

prodromal (adj.)

1716, in pathology, "preliminary," especially of minor symptoms preceding the outbreak of a disease, from Modern Latin prodromus "a running forward" (see prodrome) + -al (1).ETD prodromal (adj.).2

prodrome (n.)

1640s, "a forerunner" (a sense now obsolete); by 1834 in pathology, "a prodromal symptom;" from French prodrome (16c.) and directly from Modern Latin prodromus, from Greek prodromos "a running forward, a sally, sudden attack," from pro "forward" (see pro-) + dromos "a running" (see dromedary). Related: Prodromata; prodromatic; prodromic; prodromous.ETD prodrome (n.).2

produce (n.)

"thing or things produced," 1690s, from produce (v.), and originally accented like it. Specific sense of "agricultural productions" (as distinguished from manufactured goods) is from 1745.ETD produce (n.).2

producer (n.)

1510s, "one who or that which produces;" agent noun from produce (v.). Of entertainments, from 1891; in political economy, "one who causes any article to have an exchangeable value" (opposed to consumer), by 1714 (John Locke).ETD producer (n.).2

produce (v.)

early 15c., producen, "develop, proceed, extend, lengthen out," from Latin producere "lead or bring forth, draw out," figuratively "to promote, empower; stretch out, extend," from pro "before, forth" (from PIE root *per- (1) "forward," hence "in front of, before, forth") + ducere "to bring, lead" (from PIE root *deuk- "to lead").ETD produce (v.).2

The sense of "bring into being or existence" is from late 15c. That of "put (a play) on stage" is from 1580s. Of animals or plants, "generate, bear, bring forth, give birth to," 1520s. The meaning "cause, effect, or bring about by mental or physical labor" is from 1630s. In political economy, "create value; bring goods, manufactures, etc. into a state in which they will command a price," by 1827. Related: Produced; producing.ETD produce (v.).3

priapism (n.) — pristine (adj.)

production (n.) — promenade (v.)