508 Mr. Pickering on the present state of the English language 
PORTAGE. A carrying place by the banks of rivers, round waterfalls or rape 
ids, &c. In this sense the word is very common, and has been thought ne- 
cessary, in this country. In the following example it is used in a manner 
not common with American writers: “These re-inforcements could not ar- 
rive with the necessary quantity of provisions and other supplies, because 
the river La Boeuf....did not admit of their portage down it.” Marsh. Life 
of Wash. vol. ii. p. 16. 
PRAIRIE. A French term, which has been much used of late by American 
writers, to designate those remarkable meadows or plains which are describ- 
ed by travellers in Louisiana. Mr. Webster writes it frairy, and defines 
it “a natural meadow, or a plain naturally destitute of trees.” None of 
our writers, that I recollect, have adopted this orthography. The word 
hrairie is censured by the British reviewers, as a Gallicism. See the word 
PIECES. . 
PRAYERFUL; PRAYERFULLY. <£z. In a prayerful manner; may we 
be prayerfully disposed, This is used by some of the clergy; but it is not 
very common. It is not in any of the dictionaries. 
PRAYERLESS ; “not praying, not using prayers.” Webst. I have never 
- known this word to be used here. ‘It is not in the English dictionaries. 
To PREDICATE;; to found. “ Being predicated on no previous proceedings 
of the legislature.” Marsh. Life of Wash. vol. y. p. 408. “ It ought surely 
to be frredicuted upon a full and impartial consideration of the whole sub- 
ject.” Letter of Hon, J. Q. Adams, p. 5. Upon this passage the Editor of 
the New York Evening Post remarks: “ The fredicate is that which is 
affirmed of the subject of a proposition; it is here used as synonymous with 
Sounded,” 
This use of the verb predicate is very common with American writers, 
and in the debates of our legislative assemblies. 
PRESIDENTIAL; “ pertaining to a President.” Wedst. This is mentioned 
by a writer in the Monthly Anthology as “ one of the Jarbarisms in common 
use” among us. L£nglish writers have sometimes used it, but only in 
speaking of American affairs: “ The friends of Washington had determin- 
ed to support Mr. Adams as candidate for the presidential chair,” &c- 
Quarterly Rev. Jan. 1814, p. 497, 
