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AP Lang Vocab
AP Lang Vocab
333
English
11th Grade
01/16/2013

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Term
abdicate
Definition
to relinquish willingly
Term
affect
Definition
VERB: to have an influence on or create a change in; to pretend to have or feel something; to use, wear, or assume something pretentiously or so as to make an impression on others (e.g. an American affecting a British accent)
NOUN: feeling or emotion, esp. as shown by facial expression or body language
Term
autonomous
Definition
independent
Term
consternation
Definition
a state of paralyzing dismay
Term
dupe
Definition
a person easily deceived; to deceive/fool
Term
extol
Definition
to praise lavishly
Term
immutable
Definition
not changeable
Term
profundity
Definition
wisdom (deep or mature understanding)/ something profound or difficult to understand/ a very deep place
Term
spatial
Definition
pertaining to space
Term
variegated
Definition
marked with different colors; diversified (characterized by variety).
Term
analogy
Definition
a likeness drawn between dissimilar objects/ideas, often used to clarify an abstract or complicated concept with a more concrete one
Term
parallelism
Definition
likeness, correspondence, or similarity in aspect, course, or tendency; GRAMMATICAL MEANING: the use of identical syntactic constructions in corresponding phrases or clauses.
Term
rhetoric
Definition
the art of effective expression and the persuasive use of language; the study of the elements, as structure or style, used in writing and speaking; pretentious or affected language.
Term
syntax
Definition
the study of rules for forming grammatical sentences; the pattern of formation of sentences or phrases in a language; the study of patterns in sentence formation in particular sentences or texts
Term
abrade
Definition
to rub away
Term
aver
Definition
to affirm
Term
consummate
Definition
to complete/perfect; supreme
Term
earnest
Definition
showing deep sincerity/ something done in advance as a pledge
Term
extricate
Definition
to disentangle from a difficulty
Term
imperious
Definition
arrogantly overbearing/urgent
Term
malleable
Definition
able to be shaped and influenced
Term
oscillate
Definition
to move back and forth/ to vary between opposites
Term
prognostic
Definition
a prediction/indicative of the future
Term
spectrum
Definition
the entire range of something; colored bands of light (ex: the rainbow)
Term
veracity
Definition
truthfulness
Term
anecdote
Definition
a brief story or amusing incident
Term
diction
Definition
the choice and use of words and phrases in writing or speech; diction can be categorized (formal, informal, poetic, etc.) and described in an analysis of style or rhetorical choices
Term
exemplify
Definition
to show by example; to offer examples of an idea as support for an argument
Term
abscond
Definition
to flee secretly and hide
Term
abstruse
Definition
hard to understand
Term
base
Definition
having low morals/of inferior quality
Term
canard
Definition
an unfounded or false, deliberately misleading story
Term
contrite
Definition
remorseful
Term
convalesce
Definition
to recuperate
Term
ebullient
Definition
enthusiastic
Term
impetuous
Definition
impulsive
Term
spurious
Definition
false or counterfeit; appearing similar but functioning differently
Term
verbose
Definition
wordy
Term
alliteration
Definition
the sequential repetition of a similar initial consonant sound
Term
anaphora
Definition
the regular repetition of the same words or phrases at the beginning of successive phrases or clauses
Term
objective
Definition
a kind of writing that emphasizes facts and reality. Objective writing emphasizes the details of the topic and comes across as true, informational, or unbiased. Factual journalism, science reports, directions, and logic-based arguments in which the writer downplays personal feelings are all examples of objective writing.
Term
subjective
Definition
a kind of writing that emphasizes the writer's/speaker's view of the topic rather than the details of the topic itself. Subjective writing more easily reveals the writer's biases, opinions, and interpretations. Editorial articles, columns in newspapers, blogs, personal essays, and arguments that appeal to emotion are all examples of subjective writing.
Term
acerbic
Definition
sour, bitter-tasting; pertaining to a bitter temperament
Term
congenial
Definition
having the same tastes, habits, or temperament; sympathetic; of a pleasant disposition; friendly and sociable
Term
corroborate
Definition
to confirm
Term
deference
Definition
submission or courteous yielding to the wishes, opinion, or decision of another
Term
edify
Definition
to instruct in an uplifting manner
Term
implacable
Definition
unappeasable; uncompromising
Term
overwrought
Definition
excessively excited or nervous
Term
prevaricate
Definition
to lie or be evasive
Term
propitiate
Definition
to make favorably inclined; to ease the anger of (ex: by appeasement)
Term
subordinate
Definition
inferior to; under someone else's control; to make someone subservient
Term
allusion
Definition
a literary, historical, religious, or mythological reference made in a text. An author who makes an allusion assumes that the reader/audience is already familiar with the reference.
Term
clause
Definition
a grammatical term referring to a structural element of a sentence that contains a subject and a predicate
Term
independent clause/main clause
Definition
a clause that may stand on its own and make sense as a complete sentence
Term
dependent clause/subordinate clause
Definition
a clause that cannot make sense on its own; typically, it is joined to an independent clause with a subordinating conjunction (ex: although, because, while, if, when, as)
Term
belie
Definition
to misrepresent/ to prove false/ to leave unfulfilled
Term
countenance
Definition
a look of approval or support/ composure/ appearance (esp. the expression on someone's face)
Term
effrontery
Definition
audacity (excessive self-confidence)
Term
facile
Definition
done or achieved with little effort or difficulty; easy/ working, acting, or speaking effortlessly, fluent/ arrived at without due care, effort, or examination; superficial
Term
impregnable
Definition
safe against attack
Term
martinet
Definition
someone who demands strict obedience
Term
maverick
Definition
an unbranded cow/ someone who takes an independent stand
Term
obeisance
Definition
a gesture or movement of the body, such as a curtsy, expressing deference or homage; an attitude of deference or homage
Term
poignant
Definition
physically painful/ keenly distressing to the mind/ appealing to the emotions, touching/ piercing, incisive (e.g. poignant criticism)
Term
propound
Definition
to put forward for consideration
Term
vex
Definition
to annoy or cause concern; to baffle; to talk about at length
Term
connotation
Definition
the suggested or implied or underlying meaning of a word or phrase; the opposite of denotation
Term
denotation
Definition
the dictionary definition of a word; the literal meaning of a word; the opposite of connotation
Term
exposition
Definition
the background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of an essay or other work, setting forth the meaning or purpose of a piece of writing or discourse; exposition can also refer to expository writing: this would be informative writing set up to compare/contrast, explore cause and effect, and explain a process.
Term
incisive
Definition
having or suggesting sharp mental perception/ direct and effective, telling (incisive comments)
Term
intractable
Definition
difficult to manage or govern; stubborn/difficult to mold or manipulate/ difficult to alleviate, remedy, or cure (intractable pain)
Term
maudlin
Definition
effusively or tearfully sentimental, overly sentimental
Term
meander
Definition
to take an indirect course/ to wander aimlessly
Term
palatable
Definition
agreeable to one's sense of taste (ex: a palatable solution to the problem)
Term
pan
Definition
to criticize or view harshly/ to move slowly from one side to another
Term
prosaic
Definition
appearing to be ordinary and dull
Term
prudent
Definition
sensible or cautious
Term
reticent
Definition
characteristically hesitant or disinclined to speak out; reserved/ restrained or reserved in style
Term
sardonic
Definition
scornfully mocking and derisive
Term
stint
Definition
a restrict to a small amount; a restriction; a period of time spent doing something
Term
mode of discourse/mode/rhetorical mode
Definition
a general term that identifies discourse according to its chief purpose and way of presenting information. The Greeks believed that there were only four modes of discourse: narration, description, exposition, and argumentation; contemporary thought often includes other modes, such as personal observation and reflection.
Term
simple sentence
Definition
one independent clause
Term
compound sentence
Definition
more than one independent clause joined by a conjunction, :, or ;.
Term
complex sentence
Definition
at least one dependent clause and one independent clause joined by a subordinating conjunction.
Term
compound-complex sentence
Definition
at least one dependent clause and at lease two independent clauses.
Term
tone
Definition
the attitude the narrator/writer/speaker takes toward a subject and the theme of the text; the tenor of a piece of writing based on particular stylistic devices employed by the writer. The tone is a characteristic emotion that pervades a work or a portion of work- the spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence.
Term
adhere
Definition
to stick to something/ to give allegiance or support
Term
berate
Definition
to scold harshly
Term
craven
Definition
cowardly
Term
credulous
Definition
gullible
Term
elate
Definition
to make joyful or proud
Term
elicit
Definition
to draw out (esp. a response)
Term
fatuous
Definition
foolish/complacently or foolishly stupid
Term
inchoate
Definition
undeveloped/unorganized (such as thoughts)
Term
pundit
Definition
an authority on the subject
Term
redolent
Definition
having or emitting fragrance; aromatic/suggestive; reminiscent
Term
viscous
Definition
thick and not easily poured
Term
antecedent
Definition
the word replaced by a pronoun; the word to which a pronoun refers
Term
loose sentence/ cumulative sentence
Definition
a long sentence that starts with its main clause, which is followed by several subordinate phrases or clauses. For example : The child ran, frenzied and ignoring all hazards, as if being chased by demons.
Term
periodic sentence
Definition
a long sentence in which the main clause's meaning is not completed until the end. For example: The child, frenzied and ignoring all hazards, looking as if she were being chased by demons, ran.
Term
adroit
Definition
skillful (esp. under adverse conditions)
Term
bolster
Definition
to support
Term
feckless
Definition
lacking purpose or vitality; ineffective/ careless; irresponsible
Term
fervent
Definition
passionate/ having or showing great emotion or warmth
Term
hector
Definition
a bully/ to intimidate or dominate in a blustering way/ to behave like a bully; swagger
Term
incongruous
Definition
inappropriate/ inconsistent/ lacking internal harmony
Term
melancholy
Definition
a thoughtful sadness/ a gloomy atmosphere
Term
paramount
Definition
above all others in importance
Term
quandary
Definition
a dilemma
Term
stringent
Definition
strictly controlled; constricted or tight; compelling or convincing
Term
vociferous
Definition
characterized by loud and persistent shouting
Term
narration
Definition
the mode of writing that tells a story; storytelling
Term
classification
Definition
a method of development in which a writer sorts out concepts into categories
Term
claim/assertion
Definition
the assertion of something as a fact; the proposition that an argument demonstrates; the main statement to be proven true or false in an argument.
Term
ambivalence
Definition
exhibiting mutually contradictory feelings or thoughts, such as love and hate, about some person, object, or idea/ uncertainty or indecisiveness as to which course of action to follow
Term
culpable
Definition
deserving blame
Term
dearth
Definition
scarcity, lack/ shortage of food; famine
Term
elucidate
Definition
to clarify
Term
decadent
Definition
decaying or declining, esp. in a society's art or morals/ overly self-indulgent or self-gratifying
Term
emphatic
Definition
expressed or performed with emphasis; forceful and definite in expression or action
Term
fickle
Definition
characterized by erratic changeableness or instability, esp. in affections or attachments; capricious
Term
germane
Definition
having a significant bearing upon the point at hand; pertinent
Term
inculcate
Definition
to urge or instruct persistently; to teach or impress by urging or frequent repetition; instill
Term
quash
Definition
to annul (esp. by judicial action)/ to suppress forcibly
Term
stymie
Definition
to block or impede or thwart; a situation that impedes someone
Term
antithesis
Definition
the rhetorical opposition or contrast or juxtaposition of sharply contrasting ideas expressed in balanced or parallel words, phrases, grammatical structure, or ideas. For example: To err is human, to forgive, divine. Can be used more generically to mean opposite.
Term
juxtaposition
Definition
the location of one thing adjacent to another to create an effect, reveal an attitude, or accomplish some other purpose; the act of placing or dealing with one concept/thing close to another for contrasting effect.
Term
satire
Definition
irony or caustic wit used to attack or expose folly, vice, or stupidity (or a literary work that does so)
Term
affinity
Definition
a natural personal attraction to/ relationship by marriage/ an inherent similarity between things or species. (Followed by of, between, or with.)
Term
decorum
Definition
proper behavior (that conforms to prevailing customs)
Term
erudition
Definition
deep and extensive learning
Term
indigent
Definition
needy/impoverished
Term
mar
Definition
to damage or deface; a mark that blemishes
Term
mercurial
Definition
lively/apt to change quickly
Term
parsimonious
Definition
stingy
Term
quiescent
Definition
inactive,dormant.
Term
venerable
Definition
worthy of reverence or respect by virtue of dignity, character, position, or age/ commanding respect or reverence, esp. by historical or religious association
Term
vicissitude
Definition
a change or variation/ the quality of being changeable; mutability; one of the sudden or unexpected changes or shifts often encountered in one's life, activities, or surroundings.
Term
apostrophe
Definition
an address or invocation to something inanimate (being personified by being spoken to) or to someone dead or absent.
Term
appositive
Definition
a noun, noun phrase, or noun clause that follows a noun or pronoun and renames or describe the noun or pronoun. It is set off by commas, or sometimes dashes when it is non-restrictive/not required for clarity or meaning in the sentence. Es: Ms Hussa's oldest sibling, David, helps gain charity sponsors for the Rock n' Roll Marathon.
Term
absolute/absolute phrase
Definition
this is a grouping of a noun plus words (often a participial phrase) that modify the noun. This construction is used to modify another clause. can be used before, after, or in an interrupting position inside of the main clause. Es: He sleeps in his underground den, his tail draped over his nose.
Term
understatement
Definition
a restrained statement that departs from what could be said; a studied avoidance of emphasis or exaggeration, often to create a particular effect; the presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is.
Term
affront
Definition
to insult openly/ an insult or slight
Term
anathema
Definition
something or someone that one vehemently dislikes; a formal curse by a pope or council of the Church, excommunicating a person or denouncing a doctrine; a strong curse
Term
burgeon
Definition
to grow
Term
deleterious
Definition
harmful
Term
didactic
Definition
writing or speech intended to be instructive. it is often associated with a dry, pompous presentation, regardless of its innate value to the reader/listener.
Term
inimical
Definition
injurious or harmful in effect; adverse/ unfriendly, hostile
Term
iniquity
Definition
wickedness, sinfuless/ a grossly immoral act; sin
Term
manifest
Definition
clearly apparent to the sight or understanding; obvious/ to show or demonstrate plainly; reveal
Term
obviate
Definition
to prevent by anticipating/ to make unnecessary
Term
paucity
Definition
a small quantity
Term
villify
Definition
to defame, to denigrate (to belittle or to blacken the reputation of)
Term
irony
Definition
the contrast between what is explicitly state and what is really meant. The intended meaning is often the opposite of what is state, often creating sarcasm. There are three major types of irony: verbal irony (when what the speaker says is actually the opposite of what is meant), situational irony (when events end up the opposite of what is expected), and dramatic irony (when facts/situations are known to the reader/audience but not to the characters).
Term
irony
Definition
the contrast between what is explicitly state and what is really meant. The intended meaning is often the opposite of what is state, often creating sarcasm. There are three major types of irony: verbal irony (when what the speaker says is actually the opposite of what is meant), situational irony (when events end up the opposite of what is expected), and dramatic irony (when facts/situations are known to the reader/audience but not to the characters).
Term
parody
Definition
an imitation of a work meant to ridicule its style and subject.
Term
pun
Definition
a humorous play on words, using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings.
Term
aggregate
Definition
a whole formed by combining several (typically disparate) elements; a material or structure formed from a loosely compacted mass of fragments or particles; formed or calculated by the combination of many separate units or items; total
Term
buttress
Definition
a support/ to support or encourage
Term
colloquial
Definition
(of language) used in ordinary or familiar conversation, not formal or literary
Term
desecrate
Definition
to abuse the sacredness of; to profane
Term
dissolution
Definition
decomposition into fragments or parts; disintergration/excessive freedom and lack of restraint/ termination or extinction by deconcentration/ annulment of a formal legal bond, tie, or contract.
Term
empirical
Definition
based upon an observation or experiment (not theoretical)
Term
infallible
Definition
never failing, unable to fail
Term
pith
Definition
the most central and material part/ the basic trait or set of traits that define and establish the character or something/ significance or importance
Term
refractory
Definition
difficult to manage; obstinate/ difficult to melt or work; resistant to heat/ not responsive to treatment (a refractory disease)
Term
sedulous
Definition
diligent/painstaking
Term
suffrage
Definition
the right to vote
Term
ellipsis
Definition
three periods used together to indicate the omission of words in a thought or quotation.
Term
elliptical construction
Definition
a sentence containing the deliberate omission of words. This construction typically depends upon a pattern of parallel elements within the sentence. Ex: May was hot and June the same.
Term
paradox
Definition
anything exhibiting a contradictory nature; an apparent contradiction that actually can also be seen as true
Term
forestall
Definition
to anticipate and take actions against (similar to obviate)
Term
ingenuous
Definition
openly straightforward, candid/ naive; without sophistication (opposite= disingenuous, which means sly/crafty)
Term
languid
Definition
lacking energy or vitality; weak/ showing little or no spirit or animation/ lacking vigor or force; slow
Term
penury
Definition
extreme poverty
Term
pugnacious
Definition
eager to fight; having a quarrelsome nature
Term
reprove
Definition
to rebuke for a fault or misdeed; scold/ to find fault with
NOUN FORM= reproof: an act of reproving
Term
alacrity
Definition
eagerness; cheerful willingness/ speed or quickness; celerity
Term
cacophony
Definition
harsh sounds; jarring, discordant sounds/ harsh or unharmonious use of language as opposed to euphony
Term
denigrate
Definition
to defame
Term
enamor
Definition
to captivate (to inspire with love)
Term
forthright
Definition
direct, not evasive
Term
cite
Definition
To quote (a passage, book, or author) as evidence for or justification of an argument or statement, especially in a scholarly work; to mention as an example; to legally summon someone to appear in a court of law; to praise someone (typically a member of the armed forces) for a courageous act in an official dispatch
Term
qualify
Definition
to make a statement or assertion less absolute; to add reservations to; to modify; (grammatical meaning, of a word or phrase): to attribute a quality to another word, esp. a preceding noun.
Term
elegy, elegaic
Definition
a poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing or death of someone or something of value. Sometimes this text will end with words of consolation.
Term
allege
Definition
to assert without proof
Term
deposition
Definition
a statement made under oath/ being deposed from power/ being deposited (ex: sediment)
Term
desist
Definition
to cease doing something; forbear
Term
fractious
Definition
inclined to make trouble; unruly/ having a peevish nature; cranky
Term
frenetic
Definition
frantic
Term
inherent
Definition
existing in something as a permanent trait
Term
innate
Definition
possessed at birth/ inherent (possessed as an essential characteristic)
Term
perfidy
Definition
deliberate breach of faith; calculated violation of trust; treachery (often used in adj. form: perfidious)
Term
prostrate
Definition
to make oneself kneel or bow down in humility or adoration/ lying face down, as in submission or adoration
Term
reconcile
Definition
to re-establish friendship between/ to settle or resolved, as a dispute/ to bring oneself to accept/ to make compatible or consistent
Term
authority/ appeal to authority/ citing an authority
Definition
an argument or tactic within an argument in which the speaker claims expertise in a field or names another person as an expert (to establish credibility with the audience.)
Term
deduction/deductive reasoning
Definition
the method of argument in which specific statements and conclusions are drawn from general principles: movement from the general to the specific.
Term
induction/inductive reasoning
Definition
the method of argument in which general statements and conclusions are dram from specific principles: movement from the specific to the general (used esp. in scientific study).
Term
rebuttal, refutation (rebut, refute)
Definition
an argument technique in which opposing arguments are anticipated and countered; to counter or contradict; (to deny the accuracy of; to disprove)
Term
altruism
Definition
selflessness; concern for the welfare of others, as opposed to egoism.
Term
capacious
Definition
spacious (able to contain a large quantity)
Term
derision
Definition
scorn, ridicule
Term
despond
Definition
to lose hope; to become disheartened
Term
enfranchise
Definition
to release from bondage/to bestow the rights of citizenship (esp. the right to vote)
Term
enigma
Definition
a mystery (arousing interest due to an unexplained nature)
Term
misanthrope
Definition
someone who hates mankind
Term
mitigate
Definition
to make or become less severe
Term
pernicious
Definition
extremely destructive or harmful (esp. of an evil nature)
Term
supersede
Definition
to take the place of, replace/ to cause to be set aside or replaced
Term
supplicate
Definition
to request humbly (ex through prayer)
Term
persuasion
Definition
a mode of writing intended to influence people's actions by engaging their beliefs and feelings
Term
premise/assumption
Definition
the stated or unstate beliefs, opinions, agreements that are taken for granted in an argument or that form the basis of the argument. A reader has to agree that these are true in order to be swayed by the argument.
Term
syllogism/syllogistic reasoning
Definition
A form of deductive reasoning in which given certain ideas or facts, other ideas or facts must follow.
Term
amenable
Definition
open to suggestion/accountable
Term
caprice
Definition
a sudden change
Term
desultory
Definition
occurring haphazardly
Term
dichotomy
Definition
a distinct division into two parts
Term
fusion
Definition
a union
Term
gauche
Definition
lacking manners
Term
insular
Definition
isolated/possessing a narrow viewpoint (due to isolation)
Term
perturb
Definition
to disturb or agitate
Term
remonstrate
Definition
to protest, to say in protest, objection or reproof/ to make objections; argue against and action/to make a forcefully reproachful protest
Term
render
Definition
to exact, yield, or cause to become; to do a service for another
Term
synthesis
Definition
the combining of parts to form a whole; the combination formed
Term
grounds (data)
Definition
the basis of a persuasion, made up of data/facts and the reasoning behind the claim in an argument
Term
warrant
Definition
links the grounds/data of an argument to the claim.
Term
castigate
Definition
to criticize severely/to punish
Term
diffident
Definition
lacking self-confidence
Term
entreat
Definition
to make an emotional request, to plead
Term
intrepid
Definition
brave, marked by resolute courage, fearless and bold
Term
introvert
Definition
to turn inwards/ a shy, reserved person
Term
moratorium
Definition
a suspension of action
Term
placate
Definition
to appease (to ease the anger of)
Term
repudiate
Definition
to disown; to refuse to recognize or acknowledge; to deny or reject the validity of
Term
anomalous
Definition
abnormal/having a contradiction
Term
antipathy
Definition
a strong feeling of dislike
Term
caustic
Definition
corrosive/harshly sarcastic
Term
fallacy/fallacious reasoning
Definition
an incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, false information, or flawed logic
Term
hyperbole
Definition
an overstatement characterized by exaggerated language, usually to make a point or draw attention; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect
Term
jargon
Definition
the specialized or technical language of a trade, profession, or similar group.
Term
censure
Definition
and expression of strong disapproval/ to find fault with
Term
digress
Definition
to depart from the main subject
Term
diminutive
Definition
tiny; a small person or thing/ a word indicating smallness (ie booklet)
Term
disabuse
Definition
to free from deception or misconception
Term
epoch
Definition
a remarkable period of history
Term
gratuitous
Definition
given freely/unnecessary (done without good reason)
Term
inure
Definition
to grow accustomed to something undesireable
Term
jocular
Definition
pertaining to joking or jesting
Term
mores
Definition
customs (of a group of people)
Term
taciturn
Definition
typically silent; dispositionally disinclined to speak
Term
retraction
Definition
the withdrawal of a previously stated idea or opinion
Term
euphemism
Definition
a mild term substituted for a harsh one.
Term
trope
Definition
a generic name for any figure of speech, such as image, symbol, simile, metaphor, personification.
Term
epistle/epistolary form
Definition
a letter, often very formal, elegant, and /or didactic directed or sent to a person or a group
Term
approbate
Definition
to sanction/ to authorize
Term
arbiter
Definition
an arbitrator (someone selected to resolve a dispute)
Term
discern
Definition
to perceive (to see clearly)
Term
guile
Definition
treachery
Term
hallmark
Definition
a distinguishing characteristic/ a mark indicating purity
Term
lakcluster
Definition
dull (lacking brightnesss or liveliness)
Term
pliant
Definition
easily bent or modified/ compliant (yielding easily)
Term
sage
Definition
wise; a wiser person; a type of spice
Term
satiate
Definition
to satisfy fully (esp with food); to weary with too much (esp with food or pleasure)
Term
timorous
Definition
easily frightened
Term
asyndeton
Definition
consists of omitting conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses in a list
Term
canon
Definition
the works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely published, read, and studied
Term
polysyndeton
Definition
the use of a conjunction between each word, phrase, or clause in a list.
Term
process analysis
Definition
a method of development that explains step by step how something is done or how to do something
Term
archaic
Definition
ancient or characteristic of the past
Term
assuage
Definition
to soothe
Term
coalesce
Definition
to come together in a single group
Term
disparage
Definition
to belittle/to discredit
Term
estrange
Definition
to make hostile or unsympathetic/ to stay away from
Term
idyll
Definition
a simple and charming scene/ a short poem describing it
Term
nascent
Definition
in the process of coming into existence
Term
polemic
Definition
an attack on a belief or opinion/controversial and argumentative
Term
pragmatic
Definition
a realist/practical (concerned with workable solutions)
Term
torpor
Definition
an inactive or sluggish condition
Term
vapid
Definition
uninteresting, dull
Term
allegory
Definition
a narrative in which the characters, behavior, and even the setting demonstrate multiple levels of meaning and significance
Term
aphorism
Definition
a concise statement designed to make a point or illustrate a commonly held belief.
Term
oxymoron
Definition
a figure of speech that juxtaposes two contradictory elements to create a paradoxical effect.
Term
ardor
Definition
a great emotional warmth
Term
atrophy
Definition
a wasting away (esp from lack of use)
Term
cogent
Definition
believable/relevant
Term
dispassionate
Definition
impartial (free from bias)
Term
lament
Definition
to mourn
Term
lucid
Definition
easily understood/ transparent/ sane
Term
ominous
Definition
menacing, threatening/ an ominous sign of things to come
Term
precursor
Definition
a predecessor (something that came first)/ an event signaling something to come/a chemical that is transformed into a compound during a chemical reaction
Term
sinuous
Definition
winding/ devious (not straightforward)
Term
trepidation
Definition
apprehension (a state of fear and dread)
Term
aristocracy
Definition
the hereditary upper classes/ government rule by the hereditary upper classes
Term
austere
Definition
plain, unadorned
Term
dissociate
Definition
to separate/ to withdraw from something (esp a group)
Term
exacerbate
Definition
to worsen some condition
Term
latent
Definition
present, but not visible
Term
nonplussed
Definition
perplexed (also spelled nonplused)
Term
opportune
Definition
occurring under advantageous circumstances
Term
preside
Definition
to be in charge
Term
solidarity
Definition
a feeling of unity
Term
ubiquitous
Definition
omnipresent (present everywhere simultaneously)
Term
artless
Definition
simple and natural/without guilt or deceit/ crude/ poorly made
Term
circumscribe
Definition
to encircle or confine
Term
complacent
Definition
showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievement
Term
complaisant
Definition
agreeable; willing to please others, obliging
Term
distend
Definition
to expand outward
Term
exculpate
Definition
to clear from blame
Term
laud
Definition
to praise/ a song of praise
Term
obsequious
Definition
excessively eager to please
Term
probity
Definition
integrity
Term
untenable
Definition
indefensible
Term
ascetic
Definition
self-denial of life's pleasures/ one who does this
Term
circumvent
Definition
to get around something
Term
discord
Definition
strife (lack of harmony)/ a harsh mix of musical tones
Term
diverge
Definition
to branch out/ to deviate/ to differ
Term
exigent
Definition
urgent
Term
idiosyncracy
Definition
an odd behavior
Term
ponderous
Definition
unwieldy, due to weight/ laborious
Term
proclivity
Definition
an inclination (to do something)
Term
sordid
Definition
dirty, pertaining to low moral standards; greedy or grasping
Term
utilitarian
Definition
practical, rather than decorative
Term
assiduous
Definition
diligent and persistent
Term
cloister
Definition
to seclude/ a place devoted to religious seclusion
Term
discrete
Definition
separate (individually distinct)
Term
espouse
Definition
to give or take in marriage/ to support a view
Term
levity
Definition
light humor (esp at inappropriate times)
Term
obviate
Definition
to anticipate and prevent, to make unnecessary
Term
posit
Definition
to put something forward as fact (without proof)
Term
prodigious
Definition
of extraordinary power and scope/ marvelous (hard to believe)
Term
strategem
Definition
a scheme to gain an advantage (often involving trickery)
Term
vacillate
Definition
to waver (esp in opinion)
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