Pluma, see [Ala].
Plurimi, see [Plerique].
[Pluvia]; Imber; Nimbus. Pluvia (from πλεῦσαι) denotes rain as a beneficial natural phenomenon, which, as it falls on the land, the thirsty ground absorbs, like ὑετός; imber and nimbus involve the notion of an unfriendly phenomenon, which, falling in a particular district, disperses the fine weather; imber (ὄμβρος, from μύρω) so far as the rain is attended by cold and stormy weather; nimbus (from nivere, νίφα, νίπτω) so far as it is attended with cloudy weather. (ii. 88.)
[Poculum]; Calix; Scyphus; Simpuvium; Cyathus; Crater. 1. Poculum and calix denote, as old Latin words, any sort of drinking vessel, merely with reference to its use; poculum, a usual cup for meals; calix, a rarer chalice, or goblet, for feasts; whereas scyphus, cantharus, cymbium, culigna, are foreign words, of Greek origin, denoting particular sorts of cups, with reference to their form. 2. Poculum, etc. all serve as drinking cups; whereas the old Roman word simpuvium, and the modern cyathus, are ladles to fill the pocula from the crater, as with the punch-ladle we fill the punch-glasses from the punch-bowl. (v. 318.)
Poema, see [Canere].
Pœna, see [Vindicta].
Pœnitet, see [Piget].
Poeta, see [Canere].
Pollere, see [Posse].
[Polliceri]; Promittere; Spondere; Recipere. Polliceri (from pro and loqui, λακεῖν) means to promise, generally from a free impulse, and as an act of obliging courtesy, like ἐπαγγέλλεσθαι; promittere, to promise, generally, at the request of another, as an act of agreement, and in reference to the fulfilment of the promise, like ὑπισχνεῖσθαι; spondere and despondere (μετὰ σπονδῶν) to promise in a solemn manner, as the consequence of a stipulation with judicially binding strength, as to pledge one’s self, ἐγγυᾶν; recipere, to take upon one’s self, and pass one’s word of honor, as an act of generosity, inasmuch as one sets at ease the mind of a person in trouble, like ἀναδέχεσθαι. The pollicens makes agreeable offers, the promittens opens secure prospects; the spondens gives legal security; the recipiens removes anxiety from another. Cic. Att. xiii. 1. Quoniam de æstate polliceris vel potius recipis; for the pollicens only engages his good-will, the recipiens undertakes to answer for consequences. Sen. Ep. 19; Jamnon promittunt de te, sed spondent. Cic. Fam. vii. 5. Neque minus ei prolixe de tua voluntate promisi, quam eram solitus de mea polliceri; for with regard to Trebatius, Cicero could only express his hope, with regard to himself he could actually promise. (iv. 109.)