Webster Essential Vocabulary

Quick Review #67.

Match the word from column 2 with the word from column 1 that means most
nearly the same thing.

190 Essential Vocabulary

1. precedence


2. precedent


3. precept


4. precipitate


5. precise


6. preclude


7. precocious


8. predators


9. predecessor


10. predict


11. prehensile


12. premise

a. doctrine

b. prevent

c. grasping

d. ancestor

e. foretell

f. earlier event

g. presumption

h. ordering

i. explicit

j. advanced

k. hasten

l. exploiters

preoccupy(pree AHK yoo py) vt. to occupy one’s thoughts to the total exclu-
sion of everything else; to engross or absorb

• Sandy was so preoccupiedwith the book she was reading that she didn’t
  hear her mother call her to dinner.


• It was the job of the point man to preoccupythe sentry so that he didn’t see
  the rest of the attacking force.
  [preoccupied, -ing, preoccupation* n.]
  prepossess(pree PUH zes) vt. 1. to prejudice or bias, especially favorably; 2. to
  favorably impress immediately


• Linda loved to prepossessa new teacher by showing off her good manners
  at every opportunity.


• Prepossessingone’s new employer is not a bad way to start a new business
  relationship.
  [-ed, -ing, prepossessing, adj.]
  prescribe (pri SKRYB) vt. 1. to order or direct; ordain; 2. to order as a medicine
  or method of treatment (by a medical doctor); 3. (law) to outlaw or invalidate


• The traffic officer prescribeda left turn for all traffic at the intersection.


• The doctor prescribeda regimen of bed rest and a liquid diet.


• The Constitution prescribescruel and unusual punishment.
  [-d, prescribing]