Pessumdare, see [Perdere].
Pestilentia, Pestis, see [Lues].
[Petere]; Rogare; Postulare; Exigere; Poscere; Flagitare. 1. Petere and rogare are the most general expressions for asking any thing, whether as a request or as a demand, and stand therefore in the middle between poscere and orare, yet somewhat nearer to a request; petere (from ποθεῖν) generally refers to the object which is wished for; whereas rogare to the person who is applied to; hence we say, petere aliquid ab aliquo, but rogare aliquem aliquid. Cic. Verr. * * Iste petit a rege, et cum pluribus verbis rogat, uti ad se mittat. Planc. 10, 25. Phil. ii. 30. Fam. ix. 8. and ii. 6. Ne id quod petat, exigere magis quam rogare videatur. Pseudoquintil. Decl. 286. Curt. iv. 1, 8. 2. Postulare and exigere denote simply a demand, without any enhancing accessory notion, as a quiet utterance of the will; postulare (diminutive of πόθος) more as a wish and will; exigere, more as a just claim; whereas poscere and flagitare, as an energetic demand; poscere (from πόθος) with decision, with a feeling of right or power; flagitare, with importunity, in consequence of a passionate and impatient eagerness. Tac. Hist. ii. 39. Othone per literas flagitante ut maturarent, militibus ut imperator pugnæ adesset poscentibus; plerique copias trans Padum agentes acciri postulabant. Cic. Verr. iii. 34. Incipiunt postulare, poscere, minari. Planc. 19. Poscere atque etiam flagitare crimen. Legg. i. 5. Postulatur a te jamdiu vel flagitatur potius historia. (v. 230.)
Petra, see [Saxum].
[Petulans]; Procax; Protervus; Lascivus. The petulans (σπαταλῶν) sins against modestia through wantonness, raillery, and needless attack; the procax, through importunity and boisterous forwardness; the protervus (from proterere? or ταράξαι?) from impetuosity and haughty recklessness; the lascivus, through unrestrained frolicksomeness and inclination for play. Hence petulantia has its foundation in aversion to rest and quietness, or in the love of mischief; procacitas, in assurance or complete impudence; protervitas, in a feeling of strength, or in insolence; lascivia, in high spirits, or the want of seriousness. (iii. 40.)
Pietas, see [Diligere].
[Piget]; Tædet; Pœnitet. Piget (from παχύς) means, what one can neither do nor suffer, in general terms; tædet (from tardus?) what one can no longer do or suffer; pœnitet, what one would fain never have done or suffered. (vi. 269.)
Pigritia, see [Ignavia].
Pilum, see [Missile].
Pilus, see [Crinis].