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Vocabulary Lists 1-6
English 4 LEAP AP Kenny Vocab
181
English
12th Grade
10/03/2009

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Term
circumspect
Definition
to look around, or be cautious; heedful of potential consequences; prudent.
Term
conjecture
Definition
a conclusion deduced from defective or presumptive evidence.
Term
mien
Definition
air or bearing especially as expressive of attitude or personality.
Term
stricture
Definition
A restraint, limit, or restriction; an adverse remark or criticism; censure
Term
effusive
Definition
Unrestrained or excessive in emotional expression; gushy; profuse; overflowing
Term
prognosticate
Definition
To predict according to present indications or signs; foretell; To foreshadow; portend
Term
loo
Definition
A card game in which each player contributes stakes to a pool.
Term
piquet
Definition
A card game for two people, played with a deck from which all cards below the seven, aces being high, are omitted.
Term
panegyric
Definition
elaborate praise; an encomium; formal expression of praise; a eulogy.
Term
fastidious
Definition
possessing or displaying careful, meticulous attention to detail.
Term
supercilious
Definition
feeling or showing haughty disdain
Term
pique
Definition
a state of vexation caused by a perceived slight or indignity; a feeling of wounded pride.
Term
pedantic
Definition
characterized by a strict adherence to formal rules or literal meaning at the expense of a wider view; didactic.
Term
complaisance
Definition
the inclination to comply willingly with the wishes of others; amiability.
Term
insipid
Definition
Lacking qualities that excite, stimulate, or interest; dull.
Term
petticoat
Definition
A woman's slip or underskirt that is often full and trimmed with ruffles or lace.
Term
decorum
Definition
appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety
Term
paltry
Definition
lacking in importance or worth
Term
stile
Definition
steps for crossing a fence or wall; a vertical member of a panel or frame, as in a door or window sash.
Term
solicitude
Definition
care or concern, as for the well-being of another; a cause of anxiety or concern.
Term
indolent
Definition
disinclined to exert oneself; habitually lazy; causing little or no pain, as a tumor; slow to heal, grow, or develop, as an ulcer; inactive.
Term
pliant
Definition
readily yielding to force or pressure without breaking; flexible; pliable; lithe; limber; plastic
Term
manor
Definition
the land belonging to a lord or nobleman, or so much land as a lord or great personage kept in his own hands, for the use and subsistence of his family
Term
ductility
Definition
the property of a metal which allows it to be drawn into wires or filaments, Easily molded or shaped
Term
chaise
Definition
any of various light, open carriages, often with a collapsible hood, esp. a two-wheeled carriage drawn by a horse.
Term
scrupulous
Definition
principled; conscientious and exact; painstaking
Term
caprice
Definition
an impulsive change of mind; a sudden, unpredictable action
Term
phaeton
Definition
a light, four-wheeled open carriage, usually drawn by a pair of horses.
Term
diffidence
Definition
shyness or timidity; being timid or shy
Term
approbation
Definition
an expression of warm approval; praise; official approval.
Term
corpulent
Definition
large or bulky of body; portly; stout; fat.
Term
glib
Definition
1) readily fluent, often thoughtlessly, superficially, or insincerely so 2) easy or unconstrained, as actions or manners.
Term
pelisse
Definition
1) an outer garment lined or trimmed with fur. 2) a woman's long cloak with slits for the arms.
Term
portentous
Definition
1) ominously significant or indicative 2) marvelous; amazing; prodigious.
Term
voluble
Definition
1) characterized by a ready and continuous flow of words; fluent; glib; talkative 2) rolling
Term
debauchery
Definition
excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; intemperance.
Term
languid
Definition
lacking in vigor or vitality; slack or slow
Term
abject
Definition
1) utterly hopeless, miserable, humiliating, or wretched 2) contemptible; despicable; base-spirited
Term
avid
Definition
1) enthusiastic; ardent; dedicated; keen 2) keenly desirous; eager; greedy
Term
potation
Definition
A drink, especially an alcoholic beverage.
Term
florid
Definition
flowery; excessively ornate; showy
Term
tenement
Definition
a run-down and often overcrowded apartment house, esp. in a poor section of a large city.
Term
irresolute
Definition
not resolute; doubtful; infirm of purpose; vacillating.
Term
sultry
Definition
oppressively hot and close or moist; sweltering
Term
loath
Definition
unwilling; reluctant; disinclined; averse
Term
dray
Definition
a low, strong cart without fixed sides, for carrying heavy loads.
Term
audacity
Definition
boldness or daring, esp. with confident or arrogant disregard for personal safety, conventional thought, or other restrictions.
Term
rusk
Definition
1) dry, and or stale bread 2) a slice of sweet raised bread dried and baked again in the oven; zwieback.
Term
paltry
Definition
1) ridiculously or insultingly small 2) utterly worthless.
Term
torpor
Definition
1) sluggish inactivity or inertia. 2) lethargic indifference; apathy.
Term
fatuity
Definition
1) complacent stupidity; foolishness. 2) something foolish
Term
feral
Definition
1) of or characteristic of wild animals; ferocious; brutal. 2) existing in a natural state, as animals or plants; not domesticated or cultivated; wild.
Term
caustic
Definition
1) capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue. 2) severely critical or sarcastic
Term
fortuitous
Definition
1) happening or produced by chance; accidental 2) lucky; fortunate
Term
quintessence
Definition
1) the pure and concentrated essence of a substance. 2) the most perfect embodiment of something.
Term
samovar
Definition
a metal urn, used esp. by Russians for heating water for making tea.
Term
incongruous
Definition
1) out of keeping or place; inappropriate; unbecoming 2) not harmonious in character; inconsonant; lacking harmony of parts 3) inconsistent
Term
anemic
Definition
lacking power, vigor, vitality, or colorfulness; listless; weak
Term
phantasmagoria
Definition
1) a shifting series of phantasms, illusions, or deceptive appearances, as in a dream or as created by the imagination. 2) a changing scene made up of many elements. 3) an optical illusion produced by a magic lantern or the like in which figures increase or diminish in size, pass into each other, dissolve, etc.
Term
boor
Definition
1) a churlish, rude, or unmannerly person. 2) a country bumpkin; rustic; yokel
Term
epilogue
Definition
1: a concluding section that rounds out the design of a literary work. 2: a: a speech often in verse addressed to the audience by an actor at the end of a play; also: the actor speaking it b: the final scene of a play that comments on or summarizes the main action. 3: the concluding section of a musical composition.
Term
pathos
Definition
a quality, as of an experience or a work of art, that arouses feelings of pity, sympathy, tenderness, or sorrow.
Term
ferret
Definition
to drive out; to uncover and bring to light by searching. Often used with out
Term
surreptitiously
Definition
obtained, done, made, etc., by stealth; secret or unauthorized; clandestine.
Term
conflagration
Definition
a very intense and uncontrolled fire.
Term
profligate
Definition
1. utterly and shamelessly immoral or dissipated; thoroughly dissolute. 2. recklessly prodigal or extravagant.
Term
efface
Definition
1. to wipe out; do away with; expunge. 2. to rub out, erase, or obliterate. 3. to make (oneself) inconspicuous; withdraw (oneself) modestly or shyly.
Term
dissimulation
Definition
to hide under a false appearance
Term
concomitant
Definition
Existing or occurring with something else, often in a lesser way; accompanying; concurrent
Term
countenance
Definition
Bearing or expression; mental composure.
Term
dejection
Definition
Depression or lowness of spirits; 2. defecation; evacuation of the bowels
Term
paroxysm
Definition
a sudden, violent outburst; a fit or violent action or emotion; a spasm, fit, or convulsion
Term
affable
Definition
pleasantly easy to approach and to talk to; friendly; cordial; warmly polite.
Term
exculpate
Definition
to clear from a charge of guilt or fault; free from blame; vindicate.
Term
rake
Definition
immoral person; debauchee
Term
inexorable
Definition
Unyielding; unalterable. Not to be persuaded, moved, or affected by prayers or entreaties
Term
carte blanche
Definition
unconditional authority; full discretionary power. A sheet of paper that is blank except for the signature and given by the signer to another person to write in whatever he or she pleases.
Term
obsequious
Definition
1. Characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning. 2. Servilely compliant or deferential. 3.Obedient; dutiful
Term
axiom
Definition
a self-evident truth that requires no proof; a universally accepted principle or rule; maxim.
Term
arbiter
Definition
a person who decides and determines matters, like a judge.
Term
inured
Definition
(used with object) to accustom to hardship, difficulty, pain, etc.; toughen or harden; habituate (usually fol. by to). (used without object) to come into use; take or have effect. to become beneficial or advantageous.
Term
pernicious
Definition
1. causing insidious harm or ruin; ruinous; injurious; hurtful 2. deadly; fatal 3. obsolete – evil; wicked.
Term
propensity
Definition
a natural (innate) inclination or tendency
Term
louse
Definition
Any of numerous small, flat-bodied, wingless biting or sucking insects of the orders Mallophaga or Anoplura, many of which are external parasites on various animals, including humans.
Term
schismatic
Definition
1. of, pertaining to, or of the nature of schism (division); guilty of schism.
Term
deference
Definition
respectful submission or courteous yielding to the judgment, opinion, wishes, or will of another; acquiescence
Term
stultify
Definition
to render useless or ineffectual; to cripple; to render absurdly or wholly futile or ineffectual, esp. by degrading or frustrating means; to make useless or worthless.
Term
harbinger
Definition
1. person who goes ahead and makes known the approach of another; herald; 2. anything that foreshadows a future event; omen; sign.
Term
casuistry
Definition
the application of general ethical principles to particular cases of conscience or conduct; The determination of right and wrong in questions of conduct or conscience by analyzing cases that illustrate general ethical rules; 2. specious, deceptive, or oversubtle reasoning, esp. in questions of morality; fallacious or dishonest application of general principles; sophistry.
Term
peremptory
Definition
1. putting an end to all debate or action 2. not allowing contradiction or refusal; imperative. Leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal
Term
perfunctory
Definition
1. acting with indifference; showing little interest or care; performed merely as a routine duty; hasty and superficial 2. lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; indifferent or apathetic.
Term
tantalize
Definition
to torment with, or as if with, the sight of something desired but out of reach; tease by arousing expectations that are repeatedly disappointed.
Term
pragmatic
Definition
dealing or concerned with facts or actual occurrences; practical.
Term
zeugma
Definition
A construction in which a single word, especially a verb or an adjective, is applied to 2 or more nouns when its sense is appropriate to only one of them or is appropriate to each but in a different way.
Term
laconic
Definition
using few words; expressing much in few words; concise, terse.
Term
salient
Definition
of notable significance; prominent.
Term
pithy
Definition
precisely meaningful; brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression; full of vigor, substance, or meaning
Term
pandemonium
Definition
1. a very noisy place; wild uproar or unrestrained disorder; tumult or chaos; the abode of all the demons. 2. capital city in Dante’s Inferno.
Term
quixotic
Definition
1. idealistic without regard to practicality. 2. extravagantly chivalrous or romantic; visionary, impractical, or impracticable. 3. impulsive and often rashly unpredictable.
Term
stigma
Definition
1. A small mark; a scar or birthmark; 2. A mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one’s reputation.
Term
pejorative
Definition
tending to make or become worse; belittling; tending to disparage or belittle.
Term
impede
Definition
To obstruct, retard, interfere with, or slow the progress of; hinder.
Term
garrulous
Definition
1. excessively talkative in a rambling, roundabout manner, esp. about trivial matters, 2. wordy or diffuse; tiresomely talkative.
Term
herculean, Herculean
Definition
1. very difficult, dangerous or hard to perform 2. Having enormous strength, courage, or size.
Term
appellation
Definition
1. a name, title, or designation. The act of naming. 2, A geographical name (as of a region, village, or vineyard) under which a winegrower is authorized to identify and market wine
Term
cynical
Definition
negative or pessimistic; showing contempt for accepted standards of honesty or morality by one's actions, esp. by actions that exploit the scruples of others; bitterly or sneeringly distrustful, contemptuous, or pessimistic.
Term
galvanize
Definition
1. to stimulate or shock by or as if by a electric current. 2. to stimulate or treat (muscles or nerves) with induced direct current (distinguished from faradize). 3. to startle into sudden activity; stimulate (as in a crowd). 4. to coat (metal, esp. iron or steel) with zinc.
Term
expedite
Definition
to free from entanglements; to carry out promptly or speed up the process of.
Term
disquietude
Definition
worried unease; anxiety.
Term
bowdlerize
Definition
to edit (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable; to expurgate (a book) prudishly
Term
bower
Definition
a shaded, leafy recess; an arbor. a rustic cottage; a country retreat; a woman’s private chamber in a medieval castle.
Term
ostracize
Definition
1. to exclude, by general consent, from a group – such as from society, friendship, conversation, privileges, etc. 2. to banish (a person) from his or her native country; expatriate.
Term
lethargy
Definition
1. Abnormal drowsiness. 2. The quality or state of being lazy, sluggish, inactive, or indifferent.
Term
aver
Definition
to affirm positively as true; to assert or affirm with confidence; declare in a positive or peremptory manner; to allege as a fact.
Term
dilatory
Definition
tending to delay, procrastinate, or postpone; intended to cause delay, gain time, or defer decision
Term
stoic
Definition
1. one who is seemingly indifferent to or unaffected by joy, grief, pleasure, or pain. 2. of or pertaining to the school of philosophy founded by Zeno, who taught that people should be free from passion, unmoved by joy or grief, and submit without complaint to unavoidable necessity. Cap. if referring to a student of the philosophy.
Term
pander
Definition
to act as a go-between or liaison in amorous intrigues; function as a procurer. (n) a go-between in sexual intrigues.
Term
infernal
Definition
of or relating to a lower world of the dead; of or relating to hell or a nether world.
Term
scintillating
Definition
brilliantly clever; animated, vivacious; marked by high spirits or excitement.
Term
insouciant
Definition
lighthearted and unconcerned; free of cares and anxiety.
Term
peregrination
Definition
To journey or travel from place to place, especially on foot. To travel through or over; traverse.
Term
gaffe
Definition
1. A social blunder; faux pas. 2. A clumsy social error. 3. A blatant mistake or misjudgment. 4. Socially awkward or tactless act.
Term
virago
Definition
1: a loud voiced, ill-tempered, scolding woman; shrew. 2: a woman of great stature, strength, and courage.
Term
ubiquitous
Definition
existing or being everywhere, especially at the same time; being or seeming to be everywhere at once; omnipresent.
Term
flippant
Definition
disrespectful levity; frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness; speaking with ease and rapidity; talkative; voluble; characterized by levity.
Term
excoriate
Definition
1. To denounce or berate severely, flay severely; 2. To remove or strip off skin.
Term
bilateral
Definition
1. pertaining to, involving, or affecting two or both sides, factions, parties, or the like: 2. having or formed of two sides; two-sided.
Term
cajole
Definition
to persuade by flattery or promises; wheedle; coax; to urge with gentle, repeated appeals.
Term
erstwhile
Definition
in the past; at a former time; belonging to a previous time; former. This archaic term should be known but not used.
Term
saturnine
Definition
1. Sluggish in temperament, gloomy, taciturn; 2. Suffering from lead poisoning, as a person; 3. Melancholy or sullen in disposition.
Term
fortnight
Definition
period of 14 days: two weeks
Term
subrogate
Definition
to put in the place of another; especially: to substitute (as a second creditor) for another with regard to a legal right or claim.
Term
nostrum
Definition
a medicine sold with false or exaggerated claims and with no demonstrable value; quack medicine; a scheme, theory, device.
Term
ignominy
Definition
1. deep personal dishonor or humiliation; disgrace; 2. disgraceful or dishonorable conduct.
Term
paragon
Definition
a model or pattern of excellence or of a particular excellence.
Term
preceptor
Definition
1. an instructor; teacher; tutor. 2. the head of a school.
Term
platitude
Definition
A trite or banal remark or statement, especially one expressed as if it were original or significant. Lack of originality; trite.
Term
odious
Definition
1. arousing or meriting strong dislike, aversion, or intense displeasure; deserving or causing hatred; hateful; detestable. 2. highly offensive; repugnant; disgusting.
Term
congruence
Definition
1. the quality or state of agreeing of corresponding; agreement, harmony 2. Mathematics. a relationship between two numbers indicating that the numbers give the same remainder when divided by some given number.
Term
mercurial
Definition
1. changeable; volatile; fickle; flighty; erratic 2. animated; lively; sprightly; quick-witted.
Term
repine
Definition
to be fretfully discontented; fret; complain. To yearn after something.
Term
nebulous
Definition
1. cloudy, misty, or hazy. 2. lacking definite forms or limits; vague.
Term
Elysium
Definition
any place or state of perfect happiness; paradise.
Term
amenable
Definition
1. ready or willing to answer, act, agree, or yield; open to influence, persuasion, or advice; agreeable; submissive; tractable; 2. liable to be called to account; answerable; legally responsible.
Term
expiate
Definition
1. obsolete : to put an end to. 2. to extinguish the guilt incurred by; to make amends for.
Term
prosaic
Definition
1. commonplace or dull; matter-of-fact or unimaginative 2. of or having the character or form of prose rather than poetry.
Term
induce
Definition
to lead or move by persuasion or influence, as to some action or state of mind.
Term
circumlocution
Definition
a roundabout or indirect way of speaking; evasion in speech or writing; rambling, meandering.
Term
dereliction
Definition
deliberate or conscious neglect; willful neglect, as of a duty or principle. 2. the act of abandoning; abandonment.
Term
draconian
Definition
1. extremely cruel or severe; rigorous 2. characteristic of Draco or his code of laws
Term
puerile
Definition
1. juvenile. 2. childishly foolish; immature or trivial.
Term
umbrage
Definition
1. offense; annoyance; displeasure 2. the slightest indication or vaguest feeling of suspicion, doubt, hostility, or the like 3. leaves that afford shade, as the foliage of trees.
Term
ephemeral
Definition
lasting a very short time; short-lived; transitory; fleeting; lasting only a day
Term
blasphemy
Definition
Impious utterance or action concerning God or sacred things, an act of cursing or reviling God, irreverent behavior toward anything held sacred, priceless, etc.
Term
droll
Definition
amusing in an odd way; whimsically humorous; waggish; (n) a jester
Term
taciturn
Definition
temperamentally disinclined to talk; inclined to silence; reluctant to join in conversation; uncommunicative; habitually silent; dour; reticent.
Term
Stentorian
Definition
extremely loud
Term
enervate
Definition
to deprive of force or strength; destroy the vigor of; weaken
Term
wry
Definition
twisted, bent crooked; contrary; disdainfully ironic or amusing. A distortion or lopsidedness of the face or features.
Term
moot
Definition
open to discussion or debate; debateable; doubtful.
Term
dogma
Definition
1. a system of principles or tenets, as of a church. 2. a specific tenet or doctrine authoritatively laid down, as by a church: 3. prescribed doctrine: 4. a settled or established opinion, belief, or principle.
Term
demure
Definition
1. Modest and reserved in manner or behavior. 2. Affectedly shy, modest, or reserved.
Term
coterie
Definition
a group of people who associate closely; an exclusive group; clique.
Term
turgid
Definition
1. swollen, distended, bloated 2. inflated, overblown, or pompous; bombastic 3. excessively ornate or ostentatious in style or language
Term
antebellum
Definition
Belonging to the period before a war, especially the American Civil War.
Term
sublime
Definition
1. elevated or lofty in thought, language, etc. 2. impressing the mind with a sense of grandeur or power; inspiring awe, veneration, etc. 3. supreme or outstanding 4. complete; absolute; utter.
Term
livid
Definition
1. very angry; enraged; discolored by bruising : Black-And-Blue 2 : ashen, pallid 3 : reddish
Term
dissipation
Definition
a wasting by misuse: mental distraction; amusement; diversion: dissolute way of living, esp. excessive drinking of liquor; intemperance.
Term
loquacious
Definition
talking or tending to talk much or freely; chattering; garrulous.
Term
extricate
Definition
1. to free or release from entanglement; disengage 2. to liberate (gas) from combination, as in a chemical process.
Term
dissemble
Definition
to give a false or misleading appearance to; conceal the truth or real nature of
Term
rankle
Definition
To cause persistent irritation or resentment. To become sore or inflamed; fester.
Term
aplomb
Definition
complete and confident composure or self-assurance
Term
officious
Definition
volunteering one’s services where they are neither asked nor needed. (akin to meddlesome)
Term
sanguine
Definition
Marked by cheerfulness and optimism.
Term
probity
Definition
integrity and uprightness; honesty; complete and confirmed integrity.
Term
enthrall
Definition
1. to captivate or charm; to hold spellbound; enchant. 2. to enslave or subjugate.
Term
travesty
Definition
1. literary or artistic burlesque of a serious work or subject; 2. a literary or artistic composition so inferior in quality as to be merely a grotesque imitation of its model; 3. any debased or grotesque likeness or imitation
Term
histrionic
Definition
overly dramatic in behavior or speech; of or pertaining to acting; deliberately affected or self-consciously emotional.
Term
denigrate
Definition
1. to speak damagingly of; criticize in a derogatory manner; sully; defame 2. to treat or represent as lacking in value or importance; belittle; disparage 3. to make black; blacken. Syn. Malign, vilify, sully.
Term
ennui
Definition
a feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety or lack of interest; boredom.
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