AP Language and Composition Vocab Quiz

Abjure

to deny solemnly; renounce or repudiate; to take back was said; especially under oath.

Apathy

behavior that shows no interest or energy; behavior that shows someone is unwilling to take action, especially over something important.

Engender

to create, produce, or cause; to give rise to.

Reticent

restrained expression, presentation, or appearance in order to hide one's thoughts or feelings.

Pragmatic

Dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than idealistic considerations.

Didactic

designed to instruct or teach.

Deference

humble submission; yielding to the judgement, opinion, or will of another out of respect.

Relegate

to send to an inferior position, place, task, or condition.

Disparity

lack of similarity or equality; especially when viewed as being unfair.

Eschew

to deliberately avoid using or abstain from; shun.

Loquacious

having the habit of talking freely and excessively; talkative; garrulous.

Complement

to add something so that it is enhanced or improved; completing something to make it whole or perfect,

Pedantic

to be excessively scrupulous or concerned with minute details or rules.

Ensconced

to settle someone or something securely, usually in a secret or comfortable place.

Equivocate

to use ambiguous or unclear expressions especially with an intent to decide or avoid committing to an idea or position.

Unmitigated

to be undiminished in intensity or severity; absolute.

Promulgate

to make an idea, belief, etc. known to many people by open declaration; to proclaim formally or publicly.

Ubiquitous

existing or being everywhere, especially at the same time; widespread.

Alacrity

cheerful readiness, willingness, and enthusiasm.

Substantiate

to provide evidence or support to prove the truth of something.

Cacophony

a harsh discordant mixture of sounds.

Cower

to crouch, as in fear of shame.

Beatific

a feeling of blissful happiness and peace.

Cadence

a rhythmic sequence of flow of sounds.

Certitude

absolute certainty of conviction that something is true.

Filigree

ornamental work of fine wire formed into delicate tracery.

Meritocracy

social system or organization in which people are successful because of their skills and ability, rather than on class privilege or wealth.

Patronage

the support, encouragement, or financial aide that a person or organization bestows on another person.

Perfunctory

an action that is hastily carried out with minimum effort, reflection, or enthusiasm.

Profusion

an abundance of large quantity; sometimes related to extravagance or lavishness.

Nuance

a subtle difference in meaning or expression.

Abate

to reduce in amount, degree, or intensity.

Equanimity

calmness and composure while under stress.

Despotic

behavior characteristic of a despot; tyrannical.

Paradigm

a set standard, perception, or view that is accepted by an individual or society as a model of how things work.

Inculcate

to teach and fix a belief or idea in someone's mind through repetition or admirations.

Anachronistic

when something or someone is not in its correct historical or chronological time.

Capitulate

to surrender unconditionally.

Moot

having little or no practical relevance, typically because the subject is too uncertain to allow a decision.

Panoply

a wide range or collection of different things.

Anthropogenic

of, relating to, or resulting from the influence or human beings on nature.

Edify

to improve morality, intellect, knowledge, etc. of someone --especially by instruction.

Convolution

a thing that is difficult to follow; one turn in a set of coils or twists.

Cloying

excessive sweetness, kindness, or expressions of love that are disgusting or distasteful.

Abroit

cleverly resourceful or skillful with one's hands or mind.

Interlocutor

someone who participates in a discussion or conversation; this term can also refer to someone who acts as a "go-between" in a conversation who passes messages.

Altruism

the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.

Mollify

to make someone less angry or upset, or to make something less severe; soften.

Ultracrepidarian

one who is presumptuous and offers advice or opinions beyond one's sphere of knowledge or expertise.

Quixotic

foolishly impractical or idealistic.

Sagacity

the quality of being discerning, using sound and judgement, wise.

Idiosyncrasy

an eccentric habit or peculiarity that is unique to an individual.

Proclivity

a natural habitual inclination or tendency toward something; propensity; predisposition.

Verisimulitude

Having the quality or appearance of being true; likelihood.

Esoteric

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

Mellifluous

a sweet or musical voice/words that are pleasant to hear.

Antediluvian

of or belonging to the time before the biblical flood; ridiculously old fashioned.

Penultimate

second to last in a series or list.

Ruminate

to think carefully and deeply: meditate.

Denizen

an animal, plant, or person that lives in or is often in a particular place; inhabitant.