Portcullis, “—­of coin,” some old coins have a
portcullis stamped on their reverse (Whalley).

Portent, marvel, prodigy; sinister omen.

Portentous, prophesying evil, threatening.

Porter, references appear “to allude to Parsons, the king’s porter, who was...near seven feet high” (Whalley).

Possess, inform, acquaint.

Post and pair, a game at cards.

Posy, motto. (See Poesie).

Potch, poach.

Poult-foot, club-foot.

Pounce, claw, talon.

Practice, intrigue, concerted plot.

Practise, plot, conspire.

Pragmatic, an expert, agent.

Pragmatic, officious, conceited, meddling.

Precedent, record of proceedings.

Precept, warrant, summons.

Precisian(ism), Puritan(ism), preciseness.

Prefer, recommend.

Presence, presence chamber.

Present(ly), immediate(ly), without delay; at the
present time; actually.

Press, force into service.

Prest, ready.

Pretend, assert, allege.

Prevent, anticipate.

Price, worth, excellence.

Prick, point, dot used in the writing of Hebrew and
other languages.

Prick, prick out, mark off, select; trace, track;
“—­away,” make off with speed.

Primero, game of cards.

Princox, pert boy.

Print, “in—­,” to the letter, exactly.

PRISTINATE, former.

Private, private interests.

Private, privy, intimate.

PROCLIVE, prone to.

Prodigious, monstrous, unnatural.

Prodigy, monster.

Produced, prolonged.

Profess, pretend.

Projection, the throwing of the “powder of projection” into the crucible to turn the melted metal into gold or silver.

Prolate, pronounce drawlingly.

Proper, of good appearance, handsome; own, particular.

Properties, stage necessaries.

Property, duty; tool.

Prorumped, burst out.

Protest, vow, proclaim (an affected word of that time); formally declare non-payment, etc., of bill of exchange; fig. failure of personal credit, etc.

PROVANT, soldier’s allowance—­hence, of common make.

Provide, foresee.

Providence, foresight, prudence.

Publication, making a thing public of common property (N.E.D.).

PUCKFIST, puff-ball; insipid, insignificant, boasting fellow.

Puff-wing, shoulder puff.