AP Lit Vocab- Unit 1

Abate

(v.) to make less in amount, degree, etc.; to subside, become less; to nullify; to deduct, omit

Contemptuous

(adj.) showing contempt; scornful

Exultation

(n.) a feeling of triumphant elation or jubilation; rejoicing

Marginal

(adj.) of secondary or minor importance; not central; very narrow

Prolific

(adj.) producing much fruit or foliage or many offspring; present in large numbers or quantities

Specious

(adj.) superficially plausible, but actually wrong; misleading in appearance, especially misleadingly attractive

Abberant

(adj.) departing from an accepted standard

Erratic

(adj.) not regular or consistent; different from what is ordinarily expected; undependable

Feigned

(adj, verb) Simulated or pretended; insincere

Milieu

(n.) the setting, surroundings, environment

Pronouncement

(n.) a formal or authoritative announcement or declaration

Staunch

(adj.) loyal and committed in attitude; strong or firm

aesthetic

(adj.) concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty

decry

(v.) publicly denounce

flourish

(v./n.) to grow, thrive, be prosperous; to wave in the air; a dramatic gesture

minutiae

(n.) small or trivial details, trifling matters

prosaic

(adj.) dull, lacking in distinction and originality; matter-of-fact, straightforward; characteristic of prose, not poetic

stealth

(n./adj.) cautious and surreptitious action or movement

allay

diminish or put at rest (fear, suspicion, or worry).

deferential

showing deference; respectful

folly

lack of good sense; foolishness

mitigate

make less severe, serious, or painful

quay

a landing on the edge of the water; wharf; pier

stridency

making or having a harsh sound; grating; creaking; expressing in forceful language that does not try to avoid upsetting others