AP Lang word of the day 2

Tenacious

Not readily letting go of, giving up, or separating from an object, a position, or a principle that one holds

Miasma

Highly unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapor; an oppressive or unpleasant atmosphere that surrounds or emanates from something

Precipice

A cliff with a vertical, nearly vertical, or overhanging face; a situation of great peril

Bombast

Speech too pompous for an occasion; pretentious words

Detritus

Waste or debris of any kind

Iconoclast

A person who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions

Chicanery

The use of trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose

Capricious

Changeable, fickle; given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior

Plaudits

Enthusiastic approval; an act or round of applause--usually used in the plural form of plaudits

Esoteric

Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest

Hackneyed

Lacking significance through having been overused; unoriginal and trite

Acerbic

Sharp and forthright (esp. a comment or style of speaking)

Supercilious

Behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others

Perfidy

Deliberate breach of faith or trust; faithlessness; treachery

Mollify

appease the anger or anxiety of someone

Ephemeral

Lasting for a very short time

Harangue

A lengthy and aggressive speech; (v.) to lecture in an aggressive and critical manner

Ensconce

To settle securely or snugly in a comfortable, safe, or secret place

Lugubrious

Looking or sounding sad and dismal

Deft

Neatly skillful and quick in one’s movements