||Pot`-au`-feu" (?), n. [F., lit., pot on the fire.] (Cookery) A dish of broth, meat, and vegetables prepared by boiling in a pot, -- a dish esp. common among the French. Grant Allen.
{ Po*teen" (?), Po*theen" (?) }, n. [Ir. poitin a small pot, whisky made in private stills; cf. pota pot, fr. E. pot.] Whisky distilled in a small way privately or illicitly by the Irish peasantry.
||Po`tiche" (?), n.; pl. - tiches (#). [F., fr. pot a pot.] (Ceramics) A vase with a separate cover, the body usually rounded or polygonal in plan with nearly vertical sides, a neck of smaller size, and a rounded shoulder.
Pot lace. Lace whose pattern includes one or more representations of baskets or bowls from which flowers spring.
Pot"latch` (?), n. [Chinook potlatch, pahtlatch, fr. Nootka pahchilt, pachalt, a gift.] 1. Among the Kwakiutl, Chimmesyan, and other Indians of the northwestern coast of North America, a ceremonial distribution by a man of gifts to his own and neighboring tribesmen, often, formerly, to his own impoverishment. Feasting, dancing, and public ceremonies accompany it.
2. Hence, a feast given to a large number of persons, often accompanied by gifts. [Colloq., Northwestern America]
Pot lead. Graphite, or black lead, often used on the bottoms of racing vessels to diminish friction.
Pot shot. Lit., a shot fired simply to fill the pot; hence, a shot fired at an animal or person when at rest or within easy range, or fired simply to kill, without reference to the rules of sport; a shot needling no special skill.
{ Pouf Pouffe } (pf), n. [Written also pouff.] [F. pouf. Cf. Puff, n.] Lit., a puff; specif.: (a) A soft cushion, esp. one circular in shape and not, like a pilow, of bag form, or thin at the edges. (b) A piece of furniture like an ottoman, generally circular and affording cushion seats on all sides.
Pou*lard" (p*lärd"), n. [F. poularde pullet, fr. poule hen. See Pullet.] (Zoöl.) A pullet from which the ovaries have been removed to produce fattening; hence, a fat pullet.
||Pousse"-ca`fé" (?), n. [F., fr. pousser to push + café coffee.] A drink served after coffee at dinner, usually one of several liqueurs, or cordials, of different specific gravities poured so as to remain separate in layers; hence, such a drink of cordials served at any time.
||Pou sto (p st; pou st). [Gr. poy^ stw^ where I may stand; -- from the reputed saying of Archimedes, "Give me where I may stand and I will move the whole world with my steelyard."] A place to stand upon; a locus standi; hence, a foundation or basis for operations.
||Prac"ti*co (?), n.; pl. Practicos (#). [Sp., lit., experienced, skilled. Cf. Practical.] A guide. [Cuba & Phil. Islands] D. C. Worcester.
Prai"rie State. Illinois; -- a nickname.
Pra"line (prä"ln), n. [F.] A confection made of nut kernels, usually of almonds, roasted in boiling sugar until brown and crisp.
Bonbons, pralines, . . . saccharine, crystalline substances of all kinds and colors.
Du Maurier.
||Prall"tril`ler (?), n.; G. pl. -triller. [G.] (Music) A melodic embellishment consisting of the quick alternation of a principal tone with an auxiliary tone above it, usually the next of the scale; -- called also the inverted mordente.
Pre`ad*mis"sion (?), n. Lit., previous admission; specif. (Engin.), admission, as of steam, to the engine cylinder before the back stroke is completed, thus increasing the cushioning.
||Pré`cieuse", n. An affected woman of polite society, esp. one of the literary women of the French salons of the 17th century.
Pre`ci*os"i*ty (?), n.; pl. - ties (#). [F. préciosité, OF. also precieuseté.] Fastidious refinement, esp. in language; specif., the affected purism and sententiousness characteristic of the French précieuses of the 17th century.
He had the fastidiousness, the preciosity, the love of archaisms, of your true decadent.