Presentence investigation and reportBefore sentencing, a probation officer investigates the defendant's background, financial condition, criminal offense(s), and criminal history.
Presentence reportA report to the sentencing judge containing background information about the crime and the defendant to assist the judge in making his or her sentencing…
PresentmentDeclaration or document issued by a grand jury that either makes a neutral report or notes misdeeds by officials charged with specified public duties.
preservationThe process of ensuring retention and protection from destruction or deletion all potentially relevant evidence, including electronic metadata.
preservation and access level (pal)The related services for preservation and access to a set of electronic records maintained in the ERA system.
preservation and access planA plan, based on the results of a preservation assessment, indicating the activities to be undertaken in preserving specific documentary material or sets…
preservation assessment1) The review of documentary material to determine their current condition and potential need for preservation processing. 2) The results of this review.
preservation copyA copy of documentary material used solely in the processes and operations involved in the stabilization and protection of documentary material against…
preservation processA process appropriate for ensuring the continued existence, accessibility, and authenticity of documentary material over time.
preset conferenceA service feature that permits the automatic connection of a fixed group of users, or a closed user group with outgoing access, by keying a single…
Preset GuidanceA technique of missile control wherein a predetermined flight plan is set into the control mechanism and cannot be adjusted after launching.
preset jammerA jammer in which the frequency of the jamming transmitter is fixed before the transmitter is placed in operation.
president pro temporeA constitutionally recognized officer of the Senate who presides over the chamber in the absence of the Vice President.
President's Budget (PB)The Federal Government's budget for a particular fiscal year transmitted in January (first Monday after January 3rd) to the Congress by the President in…
Presidential Primary ElectionAn election at which a political party’s voters are given an opportunity to express their preferences for the party’s presidential candidates, for the…
presidential signatureA proposed law passed by Congress must be presented to the President, who then has 10 days to approve or disapprove it.
presiding officerA majority-party Senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing Members to speak, and interpreting…
prespawnThe period of time immediately before the spawn when fish are often feeding more aggressively.
PressTo increase the amount wagered, usually by doubling it, after a win.
PressureThe load divided by the area over which it acts.
Pressure AltimeterAn aneroid barometer calibrated to indicate altitude in feet instead of units of pressure.
Pressure AltitudeThe altitude in standard atmosphere at which a given pressure will be observed.
Pressure ChangeThe net difference between the barometric pressure at the beginning and ending of a specified interval of time, usually the three hour period preceding an…
Pressure CharacteristicThe pattern of the pressure change during the specified period of time, usually the three hour period preceding an observation.
Pressure CoupletIt is an area where you have a high pressure area located adjacent to a low pressure area.
Pressure DropThe loss in static pressure of a fluid (liquid or gas) in a system due to friction from obstructions in pipes, from valves, fittings, regulators, burners…
Pressure Falling RapidlyA decrease in station pressure at a rate of 0.06 inch of mercury or more per hour which totals 0.02 inch or more.
Pressure GageA device for registering the pressure of solids, liquids, or gases. It may be graduated to register pressure in any units desired.
Pressure GradientThe amount of pressure change occurring over a given distance.
Pressure Gradient ForceA three-dimensional force vector operating in the atmosphere that accelerates air parcels away from regions of high pressure and toward regions of low…
Pressure HeadThe amount of force or pressure created by a depth of one foot of water.
Pressure IceFloating sea, river, or lake ice that has been deformed, altered, or forced upward in pressure ridges by the lateral stresses of any combination of wind…
Pressure Induced WaveA rare type of wave that does not develop from wind or seismic activity. Instead, these waves develop as a pressure perturbation moves over the water…
Pressure JumpA sudden, sharp increase in atmospheric pressure, typically occurring along an active front and preceding a storm.
pressure potentialThe pressure generated within a cell, being the net difference between the cell's osmotic potential and the water potential of the external environment.
Pressure Relief PipesPipes used to relieve uplift or pore-water pressure in a dam foundation or in the dam structure.
Pressure Rising RapidlyAn increase in station pressure at a rate of 0.06 inch of mercury or more per hour which totals 0.02 inch or more.
Pressure TendencyThe character and amount of atmospheric pressure change during a specified period of time, usually 3-hour period preceding an observation.
Pressure UnsteadyA pressure that fluctuates by 0.03 inch of mercury or more from the mean pressure during the period of measurement.
Pressure-driven ChannelingChanneling of wind in a valley by synoptic-scale pressure gradients superimposed along the valley's axis. Compare forced channeling.
Pressurization TestingA technique used by energy auditors, using a blower door, to locate areas of air infiltration by exaggerating the defects in the building shell.
Prestressed damA dam, the stability of which depends in part on the tension in steel wires, cables, or rods that pass through the dam and are anchored into the…
Presumptive treatmentTreatment of clinically suspected cases without, or prior to, results from confirmatory laboratory tests.
Pretax contributionA pretax contribution is money that you agree to have subtracted from your salary and put into a retirement savings plan or other employer sponsored…
Pretax incomePretax income, sometimes described as pretax dollars, is your gross income before income taxes are withheld.
Pretermitted childA child born after a will is executed, who is not provided for by the will. Most states have laws that provide for a share of estate property to go to…
PreternaturalInstead of being connected to the spiritual realm, like supernatural matters, the preternatural applies to things that are of the natural world but…
pretrial conferenceScheduling conference at which trial, motion cut-off, and other dates are set.
Pretrial conference/status hearingA conference held prior to trial to consider and resolve important issues in a given case and promote the fair and speedy trial of the case.
Pretrial proceedingsGenerally refers to the events that occur between the time the defendant first appears in court and the time of trial.
pretrial servicesA department of the district court that conducts an investigation of a criminal defendant's background in order to help a judge decide whether to release…
Pretrial Services OfficerAn officer of the court who collects and verifies the information used by judges in deciding issues related to pretrial release and detention.
Pretrial Services ReportA report prepared by a pretrial services officer containing information about a defendant's personal history, criminal record, and financial status.
Prevailing VisibilityThe visibility that is considered representative of conditions at the station; the greatest distance that can be seen throughout at least half the horizon…
Prevailing wagePrevailing wage is defined as the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in the requested occupation in the area of intended employment.
prevailing windThe wind direction most frequently observed during a given period.
Prevailing WindsA wind that consistently blows from one direction more than from any other.
PrevalenceThe total number of persons in a defined population living with a specific disease or condition at a given time (compared to incidence, which is the…
Prevalence RateThe proportion of a population that has a particular condition at any given time, whether as a new or chronic case.
Prevalence, CompleteThe number of people alive on a certain date who have been diagnosed with cancer at any time in their lives.
Prevalence, Limited DurationThe number of people who have received a diagnosis of cancer during a defined time period, and who are alive on the last day of that period.
prevascular space(pre-VAS-kyoo-ler...) The area in the front part of the chest between the lungs. Also called anterior mediastinum.
PreventionActivities to prevent illness such as routine check-ups, immunizations, patient counseling, and screenings.
Prevention of Significant DeteriorationA program, specified in the Clean Air Act, whose goal is to prevent air quality from deteriorating significantly in areas of the country that are…
Prevention of significant deterioration (PSD)Under the Clean Air Act, a planning and management process for air quality when a new source of air pollution is proposed in an area where ambient air…
PreventiveUnder the law, all health plans must cover certain preventive health services. Routine health care that includes screenings, checkups, and patient…
preventive immunizationInfection with an antigen to elicit an antibody response that will protect the organism against future infections. Synonym: vaccination.
preventive maintenance (PM)The care and servicing by personnel for the purpose of maintaining equipment and facilities in satisfactory operating condition by providing for…
preventive mastectomy(pree-VEN-tiv ma-STEK-toh-mee) Surgery to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by removing one or both breasts before disease develops.
Preventive MedicineHealth care designed to prevent disease or discover and treat disease in the early stage.
Preventive ServicesRoutine health care that includes screenings, check-ups, and patient counseling to prevent illnesses, disease, or other health problems.
preverificationDue to memory and processing power available on a device, the verification process of classes are split into two processes.
preview paneA pane that lets users read the content of the document that is selected in the view pane.
Previous BalanceThe cardholder's account balance as of the previous billing statement.
Prey baseThe assemblage of prey (food) animals available in a given area or habitat to support a predator such as a hawk or cougar.
Prialt(PREE-ult) A drug used in the treatment of chronic pain. Also called SNX 111 and ziconotide.
Pribnow boxConsensus sequence near the mRNA start-point of prokaryotic genes. See: TATA box.
PriceThe pot odds you are getting for a draw or call. Example: "The pot was laying me a high enough price, so I stayed in with my gutshot straight draw."
Price Current MeterA current meter with a series of conical cups fastened to a flat framework through which a pin extends.
Price discoveryThe process of making prices visible and readily available to interested parties and, in some cases, the public.
Price improvementPrice improvement occurs when you pay less or receive more on a securities transaction than the bid and offer prices being currently quoted.
Price RangeThe high and low amount a buyer is willing to pay for a home.
Price-to-book ratioSome financial analysts use price-to-book ratios to identify stocks they consider to be overvalued or undervalued.
Price-to-cash flowYou find a company's price-to-cash flow ratio by dividing the market price of its stock by its cash receipts minus its cash payments over a given period…