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pro·vi·so noun, plural -sos also -soes [ORIGIN: ME, fr. ML proviso quod provided that]

1 : an article or clause that introduces a condition

2 : a conditional stipulation

Synonyms

condition, provision, qualification, reservation, stipulation—more at CONDITION

pro·vo·ca·teur noun : one who provokes

prov·o·ca·tion noun 1 : the act of provoking

2 : something that provokes

Synonyms

boost, encouragement, goad, impetus, impulse, incentive, momentum, motivation, spur, yeast—more at IMPULSE

excitement, incitement, instigation, stimulus; also encouragement, goad, incentive, inducement, jog, prod, spur; induction, inspiration, motivation; aggravation, annoyance, bother, exasperation, frustration, hassle, headache, irritant, nuisance, peeve, pest

pro·voc·a·tive adjective : serving to provoke or excite

Synonyms

exciting; also explosive, fiery, inflammatory, incendiary, triggering; inducing, inspirational, inspiring, motivating; jeering, taunting, teasing; activating, energizing, galvanizing, quickening, vitalizing; angering, enraging, maddening, upsetting; aggravating, annoying, bothersome, galling, irksome, irritating, pesky, vexatious, vexing

pro·voke verb pro·voked; pro·vok·ing 1 : to incite to anger : INCENSE

2 : to call forth : EVOKE

3 : to stir up on purpose <~ an argument>

— pro·vok·er noun

Synonyms

abet, ferment, foment, incite, instigate, raise, stir, whip—more at INCITE

pro·vo·lo·ne noun : a usu. firm pliant often smoked Italian cheese

pro·vost noun : a high official : DIGNITARY; especially : a high-ranking university administrative officer

pro·vost mar·shal noun : an officer who supervises the military police of a command

prow noun : the bow of a ship

prow·ess noun 1 : military valor and skill

2 : extraordinary ability

prowl verb : to roam about stealthily

— prowl noun

— prowl·er noun

prox·i·mal adjective 1 : next to or nearest the point of attachment or origin; especially : located toward the center of the body

2 : of, relating to, or being the mesial and distal surfaces of a tooth

— prox·i·mal·ly adverb

prox·i·mate adjective 1 : DIRECT

2 : very near

prox·im·i·ty noun : the quality or state of being proximate : NEARNESS

Synonyms

closeness, contiguity, immediacy, nearness; also abutment, juxtaposition

Antonyms

distance, remoteness

prox·i·mo adjective [ORIGIN: L proximo mense in the next month]

: of or occurring in the next month after the present

proxy noun, plural prox·ies [ORIGIN: ME proxi, procucie, alter. of procuracie, fr. AF, fr. ML procuratia, alter. of L procuratio appointment of another as an agent, fr. procurare to take care of]

1 : the authority or power to act for another; also : a document giving such authorization

2 : a person authorized to act for another

— proxy adjective

Synonyms

agent, attorney, commissary, delegate, deputy, envoy, factor, representative—more at AGENT

prude noun : a person who shows or affects extreme modesty

— prud·ery noun

pru·dence noun : sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs

Synonyms

common sense, discretion, horse sense, sagacity; also farsightedness, foresight, foresightedness, forethought, prescience, providence; discernment, discrimination, insight, sapience, wisdom; acumen, astuteness, keenness, penetration, perspicacity; care, caution, circumspection, precaution, premeditation

Antonyms

imprudence, indiscretion

pru·dent adjective 1 : shrewd in the management of practical affairs

2 : CAUTIOUS, DISCREET

3 : PROVIDENT, FRUGAL

4 : marked by wisdom or judiciousness

— pru·den·tial adjective

— pru·dent·ly adverb

Synonyms

advisable, desirable, expedient, judicious, politic, tactical, wise—more at EXPEDIENT

prud·ish adjective : marked by prudery

— prud·ish·ly adverb

Synonyms

prim, puritanical, straitlaced—more at STRAITLACED

1prune noun : a dried plum

2prune verb pruned; prun·ing : to cut off unwanted parts (as of a tree)

Synonyms