Pestalozzian, pes-ta-lot′si-an, adj. pertaining to graduated object-teaching as originated by Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi (1745-1827).
Pester, pes′tėr, v.t. to disturb, to annoy.—n. a bother.—n. Pes′terer, one who pesters.—adv. Pes′teringly.—n. Pes′terment, annoyance. [Short for impester, O. Fr. empestrer (Fr. empêtrer), to entangle, from in, in, Low L. pastorium, a foot-shackle—L. pastus, pa.p. of pascĕre, to feed.]
Pestle, pes′l, or pest′l, n. an instrument for pounding anything in a mortar.—v.t. and v.i. to pound with a pestle: to use a pestle. [O. Fr. pestel—L. pistillum, a pounder, pinsĕre, pistum, to pound.]
Pet, pet, n. any animal tame and fondled: a word of endearment often used to young children: a favourite child: a wilful young woman—also Peat.—adj. indulged: cherished: favourite.—v.t. to treat as a pet: to fondle:—pr.p. pet′ting; pa.t. and pa.p. pet′ted. [Celt., as Ir. peat, Gael. peata.]
Pet, pet, n. a sudden fit of peevishness or slight passion: ill-humour.—v.i. to be peevish, to sulk. [From the above word.]
Petal, pet′al, n. a flower-leaf: a corolla leaf.—adjs. Pet′aled, Pet′aliform, Pet′alous, having petals or flower-leaves; Pet′aline, pertaining to or resembling a petal: attached to a petal.—n. Pet′alism, a method of ostracism practised in ancient Syracuse, the name being written on an olive-leaf.—adj. Pet′aloid, having the form of a petal—also Petaloi′deous. [Gr. petalon, a leaf.]
Petard, pē-tärd′, n. a kind of mortar filled with gunpowder, fixed to gates, barriers, &c., to break them down by explosion—(Shak.) Petar′: a paper bomb in pyrotechny.—ns. Petardeer′, Petardier′.—Hoist with one's own petard (see Hoist). [O. Fr.—péter, to crack or explode—L. pedĕre, cog. with Gr. perdein, Eng. fart.]
Petary, pē′tar-i, n. a peat-bog.
Petasus, pet′a-sus, n. a low broad-brimmed hat worn by heralds, &c., characteristic of Hermes. [Gr.]