panic grass any of several grasses of the genus Panicum, such as millet, used as fodder.
panorama a picture unrolled before the spectator in such a way as to give the impression of a continuous view.
papier-mache suitcase a carrying case made of a hardened mixture of paper pulp, glue, and so on.
parsonage the dwelling provided by a church for its minister.
Pearl Buck (born Pearl Sydenstricker) 1892-1973; U.S. novelist raised in China who won the 1932 Pulitzer Prize for her novel, The Good Earth.
piecework work paid for at a fixed rate (piece rate) per piece of work done; in this case for sewing and mending.
piling a long, thick piece of wood, metal, or stone used in building; here the base of the house that extends out over the river.
porte-cochere a kind of porch roof projecting over a driveway at an entrance, as of a house.
prefectural government rule by various administrative officials.
prostrate lying flat, prone, or supine; in a state of physical exhaustion or weakness.
purslane a weed with pink, fleshy stems and small, yellow, short-lived flowers.
radiation sickness nausea, diarrhea, bleeding, loss of hair, and so on caused by overexposure to radiation.
rayon any of various textile fibers synthetically produced and woven or knitted into fabrics.
razed to tear down completely; level to the ground, demolish.
redolent sweet-smelling; fragrant.
regeneration Biol. the renewal or replacement of any hurt or lost part.
