Word origins

• ondographAn instrument for autographically recording the waveforms of varying currents, especially rapidly varying alternating currents.
• ongletA hanger steak.
• -onymWord.
• opéra comiqueAn opera, or genre of opera, characterised by spoken dialogue interspersed between the arias and ensemble numbers.
• oragiousstormy
• OrcelA surname from French.
• orchesographyAn enhanced form of choreography that includes details of the music to accompany the dance
• orchiesA commune in the département of Nord, in the region of Hauts-de-France, in France, near its border with Belgium.
• oreille de crisseTraditional Quebecois-style pork rinds.
• oreilletteA flap or plate covering the ear in medieval armor helmets and civilian clothing.
• orgeatA sweet syrup made from sugar and almonds (or originally barley) and rose water or orange-flower water.
• OrkhonA sheep of a Mongolian breed developed in 1961, reared primarily for wool.
• orpailleurgold prospector, gold panner
• orphelineAn orphan.
• orphéonA French male choral society.
• orpheonistA member of an orphéon.
• OrpustanA surname from French.
• ortetThe original single parent plant from which a clone ultimately derives.
• orthotenyThe study of straight lines, especially in regards to the flight paths that UFOs tend to follow.
• orvetThe slowworm.
• orvietanA medicinal preparation made from herbs, wine and honey, thought to be an antidote for any poison.
• OsminA surname.
• OssauA surname from French [in turn from Occitan].
• ossifyTo transform (or cause to transform) from a softer animal substance into bone; particularly the processes of growth in humans and animals.
• OssunA town in Hautes-Pyrénées department, Occitania, France.
• OsteA surname.
• -oticHaving disease or abnormal condition.
• OudetA surname from French.
• OuessantA sheep of a certain hardy breed raised for wool.
• OuilhonA surname from French [in turn from Occitan].
• OulieA surname from French [in turn from Occitan].
• OurtheA river in Wallonia, Belgium, tributary to the Meuse.
• OussetA surname from French [in turn from Occitan].
• OustaletA surname from French [in turn from Occitan].
• OustauA surname from French [in turn from Occitan].
• outardThe Canada goose.
• outréeUsed when referring to a woman: feminine of outré.
• ouvreurAn usher
• ouvreuseAn usherette.
• ouvrièreA female ouvrier.
• OyhenartA surname from French.
• OzenneA surname from French.
• ozierA surname from French.
• pagneA length of wax-print fabric made in West Africa, worn as a single wrap or made into other clothing, and serving as a form of currency.
• paillassonA kind of straw bonnet.
• pailletteA sequin or spangle.
• pain au chocolatA French snack consisting of a pastry, normally similar to a croissant, with chocolate inside.
• pain aux raisinsA spiral pastry containing raisins, originating in France and often eaten for breakfast.
• pain de campagneA type of bread from France formed in large round loaves.
• pain de mieA type of soft bread made with sugar, with a soft crust and interior.
• pain d'épicesA form of French gingerbread.
• palafitteSynonym of pile (“wooden structure used to support prehistoric dwellings”).
• paleotestamentarySynonym of vetero-testamentary.
• paletotA loose outer jacket, cloak, coat, overcoat, greatcoat, three-quarter coat.
• palingenesyRebirth; regeneration.
• PalixA surname from French.
• palmetteA motif in decorative art resembling the fan-shaped leaves of a palm tree.
• paludismMalaria.
• pampelmoesSynonym of pomelo, as both a large fruit of Southeast Asia and as a catchall term for other related fruit such as the grapefruit.
• PamphileA surname from French.
• PanchardA surname from French.
• pandoreA kind of oyster found near Prestonpans on the Firth of Forth.
• pantoumA poem, similar to a villanelle, that comprises a series of quatrains, the second and fourth lines of each stanza repeated as the first and third lines of the next.
• papelonnéDivided into a pattern (counted as one of the heraldic furs) which resembles scales, such as are found on fish or on butterflies' wings, perhaps originally representing stylized feathers or diaper.
• papier-mâchéA composite material created by pulping paper or layering paper strips with an adhesive such as glue, starch or paste, which dries to form a durable, lightweight and moldable substance.
• papilloteA small piece of aluminum foil or parchment paper, wrapped around food during cooking.
• papyrineSynonym of papery, of, similar to, or related to paper.
• paquebota mailboat
• paradosGenerally a screen or embankment to protect the rear of a position from enemy attack, from bomb splinters from behind, from enemy fire from a commanding height, or fire from flanking positions. In common English usage since World War II, the term "parados", particularly in trench warfare, has largely been discarded in favour of "rear parapet", which, etymologically speaking, is a contradiction in terms. In some contexts the term "rear traverse" is preferred, but no usage is exclusive.
• paralysantCausing paralysis.
• paraventA windscreen.
• par avionBy air mail.
• parc ferméA secure car park where competing cars must be left, and where no maintenance, repairs, or enhancements may be performed, for example during rest periods.
• PardiacA surname from French.
• PardiesA surname from French.
• parelleA crustaceous lichen yielding orchil, cudbear, and litmus.
• par excellenceBecause or on account of one's excellence.
• parfait d'amourA purple liqueur, generally based on curaçao.
• parfilageThe unravelling of woven fabrics, to save gold or silver threads.
• parfum de toiletteSynonym of eau de parfum.
• PargadeA surname from French.
• Paris-BrestA dessert consisting of a ring (representing a bicycle wheel) of choux pastry filled with praline and topped with flaked almonds.
• ParmeterA surname from French.
• parquetageparquetry
• ParrauA surname from French.
• ParrautA surname from French.
• parti prisA bias or preconceived opinion.
• parvenuA person who has risen, climbed up, or has been promoted to a higher social class, especially through acquisition of wealth, privileges, or political authority but has not gained social acceptance by those within that new class.
• Pas-de-CalaisA department of Hauts-de-France in northern France, bordering the Strait of Dover.
• pas de chatA sideways jump with both feet brought as high as possible, knees apart, while in the air.
• pas de deuxA dance performed by two dancers.
• pas de quatreA dance performed by four dancers.
• pas de troisA dance performed by three dancers.
• pas devant les enfantsNot in front of the children.
• passéDated; out of style; old-fashioned.
• passéismAn excessive regard for the past.
• passéistA person having an excessive regard for the past.
• passe-partoutThat by which one can pass anywhere; a safe-conduct.
• passepiedA courtly dance, in triple time, from 17th-century France; a faster form of the minuet.
• pas seulA solo dance.