25.03.2013 Views

frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

out, dig, Brit suss out: Will we ever penetrate all of nature's<br />

secrets?<br />

penetrating<br />

adj. 1 incisive, trenchant, keen, searching, deep, acute,<br />

sharp, perceptive, perspicuous, percipient, quick,<br />

discriminating, intelligent, sensitive, clever, smart,<br />

discerning: This is a penetrating analysis of the situation<br />

which clarifies many of the issues. 2 piercing, shrill,<br />

strident, ear-splitting, ear-shattering, pervasive; pungent,<br />

harsh, biting, mordant, strong, stinging: I was awakened by a<br />

penetrating scream. The penetrating odour of ammonia assailed my<br />

nostrils.<br />

penetration<br />

n. 1 piercing, perforation, puncturing, incision, puncture,<br />

penetrating; inroad, entry, entrance: Penetration of the skull<br />

required great effort on the part of the surgeon. Tentatively we<br />

attempted the penetration of the jungle. 2 insight, keenness,<br />

perception, percipience, intelligence, perspicacity,<br />

perspicuity, perspicaciousness, perceptiveness, acuteness,<br />

incisiveness, sensitivity, sentience, understanding, acuteness,<br />

discernment, discrimination, cleverness, shrewdness, wit,<br />

quick-wittedness: We all admired the penetration that was shown<br />

by the examiner in the <strong>questions</strong> she <strong>asked</strong>.<br />

penitence n. penance, contrition, regret, repentance, regretfulness,<br />

compunction, remorse, sorrow, sorrowfulness, ruefulness, grief,<br />

sadness, shame, self-reproach: Brendan's penitence for his<br />

former misdeeds was shown by his selfless devotion to good<br />

causes.<br />

penitent adj. contrite, regretful, repentant, remorseful, sorrowful,<br />

sorry, rueful, grief-stricken, sad, shame-faced,<br />

self-reproachful, apologetic, conscience-stricken: He said that<br />

he was truly penitent for all the heinous crimes of his youth.<br />

penmanship<br />

n. calligraphy, hand, fine Italian or Italic hand, handwriting,<br />

script, writing, longhand, chirography: One must admire the<br />

penmanship of the medieval scribes.<br />

pennant n. flag, banner, pennon, streamer, banderole, gonfalon, ensign,

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!