pro·sciut·to /prəʊˈʃuːtəʊ/ n [U] uncooked, dried, Italian HAM (=salted meat) which is eaten in very thin pieces
pro·scribe /prəʊ'skraɪb/ v [T] 1 fml to forbid (especially something dangerous or harmful), especially by law 2 old use to state publicly that (a citizen) is outside the protection of the law → compare PRESCRIBE —scription /prəʊ'skriːpʃən, prə-/ n [C;U]
prose /prəuz/ n 1 [U] written language in its usual form, as opposed to POETRY: Newspapers are written in prose. | He writes a very clear simple prose. | a prose translation of Homer's epic poems → compare POETIC 2 [C] BrE a student's exercise in translating a piece of writing into a foreign language: I've got two French proses to do. → see also PROSY
pros·e·cute /'pros३kjuːtˈpraː-/ v. 1 [ɑːT(for)] to bring a criminal charge against (someone) in a court of law: He was prosecuted for stealing. | The police have decided not to prosecute (him). 2 [ɑː] (of a lawyer) to represent in court the person who is bringing a criminal charge against someone → compare DEFEND 3 [T] fml to continue steadily (especially something that needs effort); carry out: to prosecute an investigation
pros·e·cu·tion /,prvsʒ'kju:ʃənll,praɪ-/ n 1 [C;U] (an example of) prosecuting or being prosecuted by law 2 [the+sing./pl.] the group of people who represent the person bringing a criminal charge against someone in court: a witness for the prosecution | The prosecution is/are trying to show that he was seen near the scene of the crime. → compare DEFENCE 3 [U] fml the carrying out of something that needs to be done: She has to travel a great deal in the prosecution of her duties.
pros·e·cu·tor /'pros'kjʊtər/ n a person (often a lawyer) who prosecutes someone → see also PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
pros·e·lyte /'prosəlait|'praː-/ n fml a person who has just been persuaded to join a religious group, political party etc
pros·e·lyt·ize also -ise BrE /'prvsələtəizl'prɑː-/ v [l; T] fml, sometimes derog to (try to) persuade (someone) to join a religious group, political party etc —izer n
Pro·ser·pi·na /prə'sɜːpɪnəl-3ɪr-/ in Roman MYTHOLOGY, the Latin name for PERSEPHONE
Pros·er·pine /'prosəpain\|'prə'sər-/ an English name for PERSEPHONE
pros•o•dy /'prosədɪl'praː-/ n [U] (the study of) the rules by which the patterns of sounds and beats are arranged in poetry —dic /prə'sɒdɪkəl-ˈsaɪ-/ adj [A no comp.]
pros·pect¹ /'prospektl'praː-/ n 1 [C;U(of)] reasonable hope of something happening: I'm afraid there's not much/I don't see much prospect of this being finished before the weekend. | a job with excellent prospects (=chances of future success) 2 [S;U(of)] something which is probable soon: She doesn't like the prospect of having to live alone. | not a very cheerful prospect | a lot of hard work in prospect (=going to be necessary) 3 [C usually sing.] a wide distant view: From the top of the hill there's a beautiful prospect over the valley. 4 [C] a person who may perhaps buy one's goods, accept a job one is offering etc: I interviewed three likely prospects. → see also PROSPECTIVE
pros·pect² /prə'spekt|ˈpra:spekt/ v [|;T(for)] to examine (land, an area etc) in order to find gold, silver, oil etc —~or n: Thousands of prospectors flocked to the Klondike during the great Gold Rush.
pro·spec·tive /prəˈspektɪv/ adj expected or intended; likely to be or become: a prospective buyer for the house
pro·spec·tus /prə'spektəs/ n a printed statement describing the advantages of a college, a new business etc
prosper /'prospər/ prɑːr-/ v 1 [1] to become successful and especially rich: He/His business prospered. 2 [1] to develop favourably or in a healthy way; grow well; THRIVE: The children seem to be prospering under their care. 3 [T] old use to cause to succeed: May the gods prosper our city!
pro·sper·i·ty /prv'sper'til'praː-/ n [U] good fortune and success, especially in money matters: We wish you health, happiness, and prosperity.
Pros·pe·ro /'prospərəʊl'praː-/ the main character in the play The Tempest by William SHAKESPEARE
pros·per·ous /'prospərəsl'praː-/ adj successful and rich
—ly adv
Prost, Al-ain /prost|prəust, 'ælən|æ'læn/ (1955-) a French racing driver who was world CHAMPION in 1985, 1986, 1989, and 1993
pros·tate /'prosteɪt/ praː-/ also 'prostate gland n an organ in the body of male animals that produces a liquid in which SPERMATOZOA (seeds) are carried
pros·the·sis /pros'θi:s's|prɑːs-/ n tech an artificial limb, tooth, or other body part to take the place of a missing one
pros·ti·tute¹ /'prostʃtjuːtˈprɒstʃtuːt/, male prosti-tute masc. — n a person, especially a woman, who earns money by having sex with anyone who will pay for it
CULTURAL NOTE The STEREOTYPE of a prostitute is of a woman wearing a short skirt, HIGH HEELS, and a lot of MAKE-UP.
prostitute² v [T] fml 1 to put to a dishonourable use for money: He never prostituted his great acting talent by appearing in television advertisements. 2 to give the services of (oneself) as a prostitute
pros·ti·tu·tion /,prostə'tju:ʃən\|,prəstə'tuː-/ n [U] 1 the act or trade of being a prostitute: a police clampdown on prostitution
CULTURAL NOTE In Britain, since 1959, the law allows the practice of prostitution but it does not allow a person to openly offer himself or herself as a prostitute, or to provide a prostitute for someone else. KERB CRAWLING (=the activity of driving a car slowly along a road looking for a prostitute) is also illegal, and the police often arrest KERB CRAWLERS when they want to reduce the level of prostitution in an area. In the US, prostitution is legal only in the state of Nevada, but it is practised everywhere. Prostitution is sometimes described as 'the oldest profession in the world'.
2 [(of)] fm/ dishonourable misuse, especially for money
prostrate¹ /'prostreɪˈprɑː-/ adj 1 lying on one's front, face downwards, especially in obedience or worship → compare PRONE 2 having lost all strength, courage, and ability to act: She was prostrate with grief. | a prostrate (=defeated and powerless) nation →—tration /prəˈstreɪʃənˈprɑː-/ n [CːU] Ceremonial prostration is part of Muslim prayer.
prostrate² /pro'streit||'pra:streit/ v [T] 1 to put in a prostrate position: They prostrated themselves before the king. 2 [usually pass.] to cause to lose strength, courage etc; make PROSTRATE: a prostrating illness
pros·y /'prəuzi/ adj saying too much in a dull, tiring manner —ily adv —iness n [U]
pro·tag·o·nist /prəʊˈtæɡənʃst/ n 1 [(of] the leader or a noticeable supporter of some (new) idea or purpose: Friedman was one of the chief protagonists of monetarist economic policies. 2 the chief character in a play or story 3 someone taking part especially in a sports competition → compare ANTAGONIST
pro·te·an /'prəʊtɪən, prəʊ'tɪən/ adj lit continually changing; able to appear in various forms or characters (from Proteus, a Greek sea god who could change his shape)
protect /prə'tekt/ v [T] 1 [(against, from)] to keep safe, especially by guarding of covering: The hard shell of a nut protects the seed inside it. | A line of forts was built along the border to protect the country against attack. | He raised his arm to protect his face from the blow. | These rare birds are protected by special laws – they are a protected species. | to protect one's reputation 2 to help (industry) by taxing foreign goods → see also PROTECTIONISM 3 [(against)] to guard (property etc) against possible future loss, damage etc, by means of insurance → see also PROTECTIVE
pro·tec·tion /prə'tekʃən/ n 1 [U] the act of protecting or state of being protected: Her thin coat gave/provided little protection against the cold. | After the threat on her life, she was offered police protection. | consumer protection 2 [S] something that protects: Shoes are a protection for the feet. 3 [U] also 'protection, money infml euph money paid to people who run a protection racket