frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

--n. 3 on the prowl. lurking or sneaking or skulking or
stealing or slinking about or around, searching, seeking,
hunting, tracking, stalking: The lioness was on the prowl for
wildebeest. After a few drinks, the boys went on the prowl for
some female companionship.
proximity n. nearness, closeness, adjacency, neighbourhood, vicinity,
vicinage, contiguity, contiguousness, propinquity: The
proximity of the airport kept housing prices relatively low.
proxy n. substitute, agent, delegate, surrogate, representative,
factor: As I was unable to attend the owners' meeting, I sent
Jane as my proxy.
prude n. prig, puritan, Mrs Grundy, Colloq goody-goody, US bluenose:
He was a bit of a prude and disapproved of anything even
slightly suggestive.
prudence n. 1 discretion, wisdom, sagacity, judgement, discrimination,
common sense, canniness, presence of mind, awareness, wariness,
care, tact, carefulness, caution, cautiousness, circumspection,
watchfulness, vigilance, heedfulness: You should proceed with
prudence in this hazardous business. 2 planning, preparation,
preparedness, foresightedness, forethought, foresight,
providence, precaution, far-sightedness; economy, husbandry,
thrift, (good or careful) management: Owing to the prudence of
her investments, Clara had accumulated a substantial nest egg.
prudent adj. 1 careful, cautious, discreet, discerning, wise, sage,
sagacious, politic, judicious, discriminating, sensible,
reasonable, canny, shrewd, cautious, circumspect, watchful,
vigilant, heedful, wary, attentive, alert, guarded: James had
always found it prudent to listen to others before speaking his
mind. 2 provident, thrifty, economic(al), frugal, prudential:
Father favours prudent, conservative management of the family
business.
prudery n. prudishness, priggishness, puritanicalness, puritanism,
squeamishness, Grundyism, primness, stuffiness, old-maidishness,
precisianism: She said that censorship was the result of
prudery rather than concern for moral welfare.