| pessaries | Instruments placed in the vagina to support the uterus or rectum or to serve as a contraceptive device. (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| pessary | 1. <apparatus> An instrument placed in the vagina to support the uterus or rectum or as a contraceptive device. 2. <pharmacology> A medicated vaginal suppository. Origin: L. Pessarium (18 Nov 1997) |
| pessary cell | A red blood cell in which the haemoglobin has disappeared from the centre, leaving only the periphery visible. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pessary corpuscle | An elongated red blood cell with haemoglobin concentrated in the peripheral portion. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pessimism | 1. <psychology> The opinion or doctrine that everything in nature is ordered for or tends to the worst, or that the world is wholly evil; opposed to optimism. 2. A disposition to take the least hopeful view of things. Origin: L. Pessimus worst, superl. Of pejor worse: cf. F. Pessimisme. Cf. Impair. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| pessimist | 1. <psychology> One who advocates the doctrine of pessimism; opposed to optimist. 2. One who looks on the dark side of things. Origin: L. Pessimus worst: cf. F. Pessimiste. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| pessimistic | <psychology> Of or pertaining to pessimism; characterised by pessimism; gloomy; foreboding. "Giving utterance to pessimistic doubt." Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| pessulus | Origin: L, a bolt. <anatomy, ornithology> A delicate bar of cartilage connecting the dorsal and ventral extremities of the first pair of bronchial cartilages in the syrinx of birds. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |