Bryson's Dictionary for Writers and Editors - Bill Bryson [101]
prophecy, prophesy. The first is the noun; the second the verb. Thus: “I prophesy war; that is my prophecy.”
propinquity. Nearness or similarity.
proprietor, but proprietary.
pro re nata. See P.R.N.
prosciutto. Italian ham; pl. prosciutti (or prosciuttos).
prosthesis, pl. prostheses.
prostrate should be used only with the sense of throwing oneself down in submission or for protection.
protagonist. Literally the word means “first actor” (from the Greek protos and agonistes) and by extension may be applied to the person who most drives the action in any affair. The word is not the opposite of antagonist; it does not necessarily have anything to do with heroic or admirable behavior or bear any relationship to the Latin pro-, meaning for or on behalf of. A protagonist may champion a cause, and in practice often does, but that isn’t implicit in the word.
protégé (masc.), protégée (fem.). One under the protection or tutelage of an experienced person.
pro tem is the abbreviation of pro tempore (Lat.), “for the time being.”
protester.
protocol.
prototype is the word for an original that serves as a model for later products of its type. Thus first prototype, experimental prototype, model prototype, and most other qualifying descriptions are generally redundant.
proved, proven. In general proved is the preferred past tense form (“the accused was proved innocent”) and proven the preferred form for adjectival uses (“a proven formula”).
provenance. Place of origin.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. French region.
proverbial. Unless there is some connection to an actual proverb, the word is wrongly used and better avoided.
provided, providing. Most authorities consider the first preferable to the second in constructions such as “He agreed to come provided he could get the day off work,” but either would be correct. “If” is often better still.
Pryor, Richard. (1940–2005) American comedian and actor.
Przewalski’s horse, Przewalski’s gazelle. Two rare species, both named for Nikolai Przewalski (or Przhevalsky), Russian explorer (1839–1888).
pseudonym. Pen name.
psittacosis. Sometimes called parrot fever; a disease of birds that can be passed to people.
ptarmigan.
pterodactyl.
publicly. Not -ally.
Publishers Weekly. (No apos.) American trade magazine.
Puccini, Giacomo. (1858–1924) Italian composer of operas.
Pudd’nhead Wilson, The Tragedy of. Novel by Mark Twain (1894).
puerile. Childish.
puerperal. Pertaining to childbirth, as in puerperal psychosis.
Puerto Rico. Formerly a U.S. territory, now a self-governing commonwealth.
Puget Sound, Washington.
Pulitzer Prize. Named for Joseph Pulitzer (1847–1911).
pumice. Volcanic rock.
pumpernickel. Coarse wholemeal rye bread.
punctilious.
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania; town noted for its Groundhog Day ceremonies.
Purim. Jewish holiday; pronounced poo-rim, not pyur-im.
purlieu, purlieus. The first denotes bounds or limits; the second denotes outlying areas or environs.
purposely, purposefully. The first means intentionally. The second means with an objective in mind. “She purposely nudged me” means it was no accident. “She purposefully nudged me” means she did it to make a point or draw my attention to something.
Pushkin, Alexander. (1799–1837) Russian poet.
pusillanimous. Cowardly.
putrid, but putrefy, putrefaction.
Puttnam, David. (1941–) British film producer; now formally Lord Puttnam.
pygmy, pl. pygmies.
Pyle, Ernie. (1900–1945) American journalist.
Pynchon, Thomas. (1937–) American novelist.
Pyongyang. Capital of North Korea.
pyorrhea. Infection of the gums, more formally called periodontal disease.
Pyrenees, Pyrenean.
Pyrrhic victory is not a hollow triumph. It is one won at huge cost