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A footpath; a beaten track; any path or course. Also used figuratively. Shak. In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof is no death. Prov. xii. 28. We tread the pathway arm in arm. Sir W. Scott.

A venerable old man; an elder. Also used figuratively. The patriarch hoary, the sage of his kith and the hamlet. Longfellow. The monarch oak, the partiarch of trees. Dryde.

A covering; a canopy; figuratively, the sky. The pavilion of heaven is bare. Shelley.

Hence, figuratively: To compensate justly; to requite according to merit; to reward; to punish; to retort or retaliate upon. For which, or pay me quickly, or I'll pay you. B. Jonson.

Hence, figuratively, something resembling a pearl; something very precious. I see thee compassed with thy kingdom's pearl. Shak. And those pearls of dew she wears. Milton.

Of or pertaining to the foot, or to feet, literally or figuratively; specifically (Zoöl.), pertaining to the foot of a mollusk; as, the pedal ganglion.

Placed on, or supported by, a pedestal; figuratively, exalted. Hawthorne. Pedestaled haply in a palace court. Keats.

A wooden pin, or nail, on which to hang things, as coats, etc. Hence, colloquially and figuratively: A support; a reason; a pretext; as, a peg to hang a claim upon.

Of or pertaining to Pegasus, or, figuratively, to poetry.

Pelf; also, figuratively, rubbish; trash. [Obs.] Cranmer.

Hence, figuratively, an artist's ability or peculiar manner; also, in general, the act or occupation of the artist, descriptive writer, etc.

Capable of being penetrated, entered, or pierced. Used also figuratively. And pierce his only penetrable part. Dryden. I am not made of stones, But penetrable to your kind entreats. Shak. -- Pen"e*tra*ble*ness, n. -- Pen"e*tra*bly, adv.

To pass; to make way; to pierce. Also used figuratively. Preparing to penetrate to the north and west. J. R. Green. Born where Heaven's influence scarce can penetrate. Pope. The sweet of life that penetrates so near. Daniel.

One in receipt of a pension; hence, figuratively, a dependent. The fickle pensioners of Morpheus' train. Milton. Old pensioners . . . of Chelsea Hospital. Macaulay.

or roof sloping from the main wall or building, as over a door or window; a lean-to. Also figuratively. "The penthouse of his eyes." Sir W. Scott.

Figuratively: To shower shot or other missiles, or blows, upon; to pelt; to fill with shot, or cover with bruises or wounds. "I have peppered two of them." "I am peppered, I warrant, for this world." Shak.

staff; a rod; esp., a pole or other support for fowls to roost on or to rest on; a roost; figuratively, any elevated resting place or seat. As chauntecleer among his wives all Sat on his perche, that was in his hall. Chaucer. Not making his high place the lawless perch Of winged ambitions. Tennyson.…

Hence, figuratively, one who ministers to moral diseases; as, a physician of the soul.

make a way into or through something, as a pointed instrument does; -- used literally and figuratively. And pierced to the skin, but bit no more. Spenser. She would not pierce further into his meaning. Sir P. Sidney.

ring, or adapted to enter, at or by a point; perforating; penetrating; keen; -- used also figuratively; as, a piercing instrument, or thrust. "Piercing eloquence." Shak. -- Pier"cing*ly, adv. -- Pier"cing*ness, n.