pellagra(pil AG ruh) n.a vitamin deficiency disease caused by a lack of ade-
quate supply of Vitamin B 6 , characterized by skin eruptions, gastrointestinal prob-
lems, and mental disorders
- Pellagrais endemic in certain parts of the world.
- Those who consume a lot of protein-rich foods need not be concerned
with contracting pellagra.
penurious(pen YOOR ee uhs) adj.1. unwilling to part with money; miserly;
stingy; 2. very poor; in poverty - Mythical King Midas had a well-documented history of being penurious.
- Strangely enough, sharecroppers also have a history of being penuriousbut
in the second sense of the word.
[-ly adv., -ness n.] [Syn. stingy]
perceive(poer SEEV) vt.1. to mentally grasp; observe; take note of; 2. to
become aware of through one of the senses - The ant was able to perceivethat when the spider invited her to dinner, she
was the main course. - By the odor of food and hickory in the air, Raldo perceivedthat there was a
barbecue nearby.
[-d, perceiving*] [Syn. discern]
perception(poer SEP shin) n.1. the act of perceiving or the ability to perceive
by means of the senses; 2. insight or intuition or the possession of either of them;
- the idea, concept, or impression formed as a result of perceiving something
- The nose of the wine gave David the perceptionof ripe cherries and
blackberries. - Despite knowing that they were meeting for the first time, Helene could
not shake the perceptionthat she knew him from somewhere.
perceptive(poer SEP tiv) adj.1. of or capable of perceiving; 2. having sharp
insight or intuition; penetrating - It was extremely perceptiveof Frederika to know who the real murderer was
before completing even half of Agatha Christie’s tale. - Bruce was perceptiveenough to tell from the interview that the position
had already been filled and that the interviewer was just going through the
motions.
[-ly adv.]
perfidy (POER fi dee) n.a deliberate breaking of trust; faithlessness; treachery - Susan could not belive Jonathan’s perfidyin seeing Daphne behind her
back. - General Washington could scarcely believe Benedict Arnold’s perfidyin giv-
ing the British the plans to West Point.
[perfidious* adj., perfidiously adv.]
176 Essential Vocabulary