Semester 1, List 2 Vocab - AP Lit

efficacy

n. effectiveness, business-y word

the power to produce an effect

mutability

n. refers to person, plan

prone to, or capable of change or of being changed

inscrutable

adj. in social situation (i.e. “her rxn was __”)

not readily investigated, interpreted, or understood

amenable

adj. to be open to

open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled

intrinsic

adj. “His musical ability is __; both his parents are musicians.”

belonging naturally; essential. Inborn.

emaciated

adj. extreme word, endanger health

abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food

vehemence

n. “__ly disagree”

the display of strong feeling; passion

countenance

n. refers to face

a person’s face or facial expression

propound

v. argument word (think AP Lang)

put forward (an idea, theory, or point of view) for consideration by others

erudition

n. applying to someone who comes off as scholarly

the quality of having or showing great knowledge or learning; scholarship

abasement

n. refers to person, something sacred

the action or fact of basing or being __; humiliation or degradation

palliate

v. medical sense or bad news

make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause: alleviate, moderate

odious

adj. extreme word

extremely unpleasant; repulsive

machination

n. complex, set up to get revenge

a plot or scheme, usually intended to cover up or deceive

impalpable

adj. hard to grasp, usually idea

unable to be felt by touch, not easily comprehended

defunct

adj. refer to machine, idea, something no longer works

no longer existing or functioning

scurrilous

adj. “__ remarks”

making or spreading scandalous claims about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation

malevolence

n. extreme word

evil or harm to another or others; showing ill will; ill-disposed; malicious

semblance

n. the appearance of ___, “She’s the __ of her father.”

the outward appearance or apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different

ethereal

adj. opposite of eternal, fleeting, can’t quite grasp it

extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world

efficacy

The ___ of the new antibiotic must be tested before it is sold and advertised as an effective drug.

mutability

Constantly changing internet slang demonstrates the ___ of language.

He criticizes the author for underestimating the ___ and interpenetration of cultures.

inscrutable

Jacob stared at him for a minute after being delivered the shocking news, his expression carefully guarded and ___.

amenable

The new elements of the bill will make them far more ___ to compromise on postal voting.

intrinsic

People who rely on ___ motivation often end up becoming chronic procrastinators, as humans naturally want to rest, not work.

emaciated

Social workers who examined the woman said that although weak and ___, she showed no signs of mental illness.

vehemence

She began cursing with bitter ___ and knocked the remaining pots around to a crescendo of reverberating noise.

countenance

Dislike welled up inside me, but I managed to keep my ___ cordial to make a good first impression.

propound

Sometimes certain government agencies would ___ rumors with the clear objective of manipulating public opinion.

erudition

He was a brave and energetic traveler, an art historian of astonishing ___ who seemed to know everything about Western art.

abasement

He saw the home run as an ___ of the game he loved, a cheap, undignified method of scoring runs.

palliate

Acupuncture controls chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting and can ___ chronic pain.

odious

An ___ stench came from the corpse as it began to rot.

machination

Reading about the criminals’ ___ to rob the casino was enthralling.

impalpable

Suddenly Max was cast down, depressed by something ___, a feeling he could not put into words.

defunct

Though the owner saw only a ___ shell of a car, the buyer realized the potential for restoration.

scurrilous

The reporter debunked the candidate’s ___ claims about his opponent, which were intended to ruin his opponent’s reputation.

malevolence

The author’s extreme ill will and ___ toward these groups were evident in his book, which included racist beliefs of his.

semblance

Some ___ of normality was restored to parts of the country when restaurants began to reopen after the pandemic.

ethereal

The candlelight casted an ___ glow, creating an otherworldly atmosphere when combined with the sweet music floating through the air.