Word origins

• PetrucelliA surname from Italian.
• PetruzzelliA surname from Italian.
• PettinatoA surname from Italian.
• PezzaA surname from Italian.
• phelloplasticsThe art of modelling in cork.
• PiacentineOf, from or relating to the city or province of Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
• piadinaA thin Italian flatbread, typically prepared in the Romagna historical region.
• piano nobileThe floor of a building where the principal bedrooms and main reception rooms are found, very often on the first or second floor in older buildings.
• PiastriA surname from Italian
• piatzaMarketplace, meeting place.
• PichettoA surname from Italian.
• pietàA sculpture or painting of the Virgin Mary holding and mourning the dead body of Jesus.
• pietra fungaiaThe sclerotium of Polyporus tuberaster.
• pifferaroA musician who plays the piffero, a kind of oboe.
• pifferoA form of oboe.
• PighiniA surname from Italian.
• PignataroA surname from Italian.
• pignolipine nuts
• PipitoneA surname from Italian.
• PironeA surname from Italian.
• PironiA surname from Italian
• PirozziA surname from Italian.
• PirrelloA surname from Italian.
• PirroneA surname from Italian.
• PisapiaA surname from Italian.
• PistilliA surname from Italian.
• pizza frittaThe oldest style of Neapolitan pizza, the original pizza; a handmade (without rollers or other equipment) pizza with a filling of cheese, pork, tomato, enclosed by two pizza dough platters, and deep-fried; similar to pizza pockets: calzone, panzerotti.
• pizzaioloOne who makes pizzas; a pizzamaker.
• pizzellaA traditional Italian waffle cookie.
• pizzettaA small pizza.
• pizzetteSynonym of pizzetta (“small pizza”).
• pizzicaA popular traditional dance of Italy, originating on the Salento peninsula.
• PizzolatoA surname from Italian.
• PizzutoA surname from Italian.
• poco a pocolittle by little; gradually
• PoettoA beach in Cagliari, Sardinia autonomous region, Italy.
• polariTo speak or talk, particularly in slang or cant.
• PolicastroA surname from Italian.
• politicasterA petty politician.
• pollotarianA person who consumes no animal flesh with the exception of chicken or other poultry such as turkey.
• polverineGlassmaker's ashes; a kind of potash or pearlash, brought from the Levant and Syria, used in the manufacture of fine glass.
• pomodoro sauceA simple Italian tomato pasta sauce.
• PontarelliA surname from Italian.
• PontaroloA surname from Italian.
• ponticellobridge (of a violin etc.)
• Pontifical StatesThe Papal States.
• PontilloA surname from Italian.
• PonzoA surname from Italian.
• popeableThought to be among those likely to be elected pope; papabile; papable.
• popemobileAny of various vehicles with bulletproof glass sides used to transport the Pope through crowds safely while allowing an open view.
• PorcelloA surname from Italian.
• porchettaA savory and moist boneless pork roast, part of Italian cuisine.
• PorchiaA surname from Italian.
• PorrecaA surname from Italian.
• PortanovaA surname from Italian.
• PorteraA surname from Italian.
• Porto VecchioA city and commune of Corse-du-Sud department, Corsica.
• PovinelliA surname from Italian.
• pozzolanAny material which, when combined with calcium hydroxide, exhibits cementitious properties; often used as an extender with Portland cements.
• pozzolanaA type of volcanic ash used for mortar or for cement which sets under water.
• pozzolanicHaving the characteristics of pozzolana, a type of volcanic ash used for mortar or for cement which sets under water.
• precipitatoprecipitately
• predellaA raised step near the base of a Christian altar.
• prestezzaA painting technique which uses a series of fast brushstrokes to create the impression of faces and objects, rather than working out their details.
• PrestigiacomoA surname from Italian.
• prestissimoExtremely fast, the fastest possible tempo.
• PrettiA surname from Italian [in turn originating as a patronymic].
• previdentialIn Italy, of or pertaining to a social security, insurance benefits or a benefit plan.
• PrigioneA surname from Italian.
• PrimianoA surname from Italian.
• primo uomoThe male lead singer.
• ProiaA surname from Italian.
• promessionThe disposal of human remains by freeze-drying.
• ProsciaA surname from Italian.
• proveditorOne employed to procure supplies, as for an army, a steamer, etc.; a purveyor; one who provides for another.
• PuccinelliA surname from Italian.
• PucelliA surname.
• PugliesiA surname from Italian
• PullanoA surname from Italian.
• pulvinoA dosseret shaped like an inverted pyramid, placed between the column capital and the arch base.
• punctilioA fine point in exactness of conduct, ceremony, etiquette or procedure.
• puntarellaA type of Italian chicory.
• puntelloOne of the points sometimes drilled as guides for cutting away superfluous stone.
• PuopoloA surname from Italian.
• puttoA representation, especially in Renaissance or Baroque art, of a small, naked, often winged (usually male) child; a cherub.
• pyrenophoreThe central zone of a neuron containing the nucleus and organelles.
• QuadarellaA surname from Italian.
• quadraturismAn Italian genre of painting that used architectural elements to create illusions of perspective.
• quadraturistA person who paints quadratures.
• QuadriniA surname from Italian.
• QualtieriA surname from Italian.
• quarronsThe body.
• QuartararoA surname from Italian.
• quartereenA farthing.
• quartinoA carafe that can hold a quarter of a litre of wine.
• que sera sera"whatever happens, happens", "whatever will be, will be". Ostensibly employed to express a personal philosophy of fatalism and acceptance of the future.
• questione ladinaAn ongoing debate regarding the genealogical classification of three Romance languages: Friulian, Ladin, and Romansch.
• quietistA mystic who follows quietism.
• quindecimaThe interval of a fifteenth, a double octave.
• quindicessimaTwo octaves higher. Marking indicates a passage to be transposed up two octaves. Abbreviation: 15ma.