AP English Literature:
Vocab Lists 1-8
abase:
belittle
somebody: to make somebody feel belittled or degradedabdicate: resign position: to give up a high office formally or officially, especially the throne
abomination: anything greatly disliked
brusque: abrupt: abrupt, blunt, or curt in manner or speech
saboteur: one that practices sabotage
debauchery: immoral behavior: unrestrained self-indulgent immoral behavior, or an instance of this
proliferate: increase greatly: to increase greatly in number
anachronism: chronological mistake: something from a different period of time
nomenclature: name system: a system of names assigned to objects or items in a particular science or art
expurgate: edit something by removing offensive parts: to remove words or passages considered offensive or unsuitable from a book before publication
bellicose: warlike: ready or inclined to quarrel, fight, or go to war
gauche: socially awkward: lacking grace or tact in social situations
rapacious: grasping: greedy and grasping, especially for money, and sometimes willing to use unscrupulous means to obtain what is desired
paradox: something absurd or contradictory: a statement, proposition, or situation that seems to be absurd or contradictory, but in fact is or may be true
conundrum: something confusing: something that is puzzling or confusing
anomaly: irregularity: something that deviates from the norm or from expectations
ephemeral: short-lived: lasting for only a short period of time and leaving no permanent trace
rancorous: Bitter, long-lasting resentment; deep-seated ill will
churlish: crass: characteristic of somebody with bad manners
precipitous: done rashly: done or acting too quickly and without enough thought
shenanigans: secret or dishonest activity
ricochet: rebound off a surface
schism: a divide/split between strongly opposed sections
eschew: to deliberately avoid using
plethora: a large or excessive amount
ebullient: cheerful and full of energy
garrulous: excessively talkative
harangue: a lengthy and aggressive speech
interdependence: relationship in which each member is mutually dependent on the others
capricious: give to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior
loquacious: tending to talk a great deal
ephemeral: lasting for a short time
inchoate: just begun and not so fully formed or developed
juxtapose: place or deal with closely together for contrasting effect
perspicacious: having a ready insight into and understanding of things
codswallop: nonsense
mungo: poor quality
sesquipedalian: a person having a tendency to use long words
wonky: askew, off center
diphthong: special sequence of vowel sounds
adumbrate: to foreshadow vaguely
apotheosis: elevation to divine status (perfect example/epitome)
ascetic: practicing strict self denial as a measure of personal or spiritual discipline
bauble: trinket, trifling object
beguile: to lead by deception or trickery
burgeon: to grow or expand rapidly
complement: something that fills up, completes, or makes perfect
contumacious: stubbornly disobedient, rebellious
curmudgeon: miser, (typically used to describe an old man) ill-tempered
didactic: intended to convey instruction and information as well as pleasure and entertainment. Designed or intended to teach.
disingenuous: lacking in brilliance (or candor) or lack of integrity
exculpate: to clear from fault or guilt
faux pas: blunder (social blunder)
fulminate: to utter, explode, or send out with denouncement
fustian: written or spoken with pretentiousness or pomposity
hauteur: arrogance
inhibit: to prohibit from doing something
jeremiad: a prolonged lamentation or complaint
opportunist: unprincipled resourceful person: somebody who takes advantage of something, especially somebody who does so in a devious, unscrupulous, or unprincipled way
unconscionable: not guided or controlled by conscience
accoutrements: An accessory item of equipment or dress. Often used in the plural.
apogee: the farthest or highest point
apropos: at an opportune time, by way of interjection or further comment : with regard to the present topic
bicker: To engage in a petty, bad-tempered quarrel; squabble
coalesce: to grow together or into one body
contretemps: an inopportune or embarrassing occurrence or situation
convolution: a rolled up or coiled condition
cull: remove somebody or something as worthless: to remove an inferior person or thing from a group
disparate: very different: describes people or things so completely unlike one another that they cannot be compared
dogmatic: expressing rigid opinions: prone to expressing strongly held beliefs and opinions
licentious: sexually immoral: pursuing desires aggressively and selfishly, unchecked by morality, especially in sexual matters
mete: to give out by measure
noxious: physically harmful: harmful to life or health, especially by being poisonous
polemic: an aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions or principles of another
populous: full of residents or inhabitants, as a region; heavily populated
probity: adherence to the highest principles and ideals
repartee: a quick and witty reply
supervene: follow unexpectedly: to follow or come about unexpectedly, usually interrupting or changing what is going on
truncate: shorten something by removing part: to shorten something by cutting off or removing a part
unimpeachable: impossible to discredit: impossible to discredit or challenge
apostate: abandonment of one's faith, political party, or cause
effusive: unrestrained in emotional expression
impasse: a road/passage, or situation having no exit or end
euphoria: a feeling of great happiness or well being
lugubrious: mournful or sad to a ridiculous degree
bravado: a show of courage, or defiant swaggering conduct
consensus: a general agreement
dichotomy: a diversion or contrast between two things
constrict: make narrower, restrict
gothic: language or type of style
punctilio: a fine point of conduct or a high or inducting standard of detail/performance
metamorphosis: a change of the form or nature of a thing
raconteur: a person who tells an anecdote in a skillful or amusing way
sine qua non: an essential, condition, absolutely necessary
quixotic: unrealistic and impractical: in an idealistic or overly romantic way
vendetta: bitter quarrel for somebody
non sequitur: a conclusion that does not logically follow the previous argument
mystique: a fascinating aura of mystery
quagmire: a soft boggy area of land that gives way under foot, a situation that is difficult to leave or get out of
parlous: full of danger or uncertainty
obsequious: obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree
beatitude: supreme blessedness.
bete noire: a detested person
bode: to be an omen of a particular outcome
dank: disagreeably damp, musty, and typically cold
ecumenical: worldwide or general in extent, influence, or application
fervid: intensely enthusiastic or passionate, esp. to an excessive degree
fetid: smelling extremely unpleasant
gargantuan: enormous
heyday: The period of greatest popularity, success, or power; prime
incubus: a nightmare
infrastructure: is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise
inveigle: persuade (someone) to do something by means of deception or flattery
kudos: fame and renown resulting from an act or achievement
lagniappe: something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure
prolix: (of speech or writing) using or containing too many words; tediously lengthy
protégé: a person who is guided and supported by an older and more experienced or influential person
prototype: an early sample, model or release of a product built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.
sycophant: a person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage.
tautology: needless repetition of an idea, statement, or word
truckle: To be servile or submissive.
accolade: An award or privilege granted for special honor.
acerbity: Sharp bitterness.
attrition: The action of weakening by attack or pressure.
bromide: An unoriginal idea or remark.
chauvinist: A person displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism.
chronic: On going.
expound: Present and explain systematically and in detail.
factionalism: Relating or belonging to a faction.
immaculate: Perfectly clean and tidy.
imprecation: A spoken curse.
palliate: To make less severe or unpleasant.
protocol: The official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions
resplendent: Attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous.
stigmatize: Describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval.
sub rosa: Happening or done in secret..
vainglory: Inordinate pride in oneself or one's achievements; excessively vain.
vestige: A trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists.
volition: The faculty or power of using one's will.
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