Vocabulary 1-27

Frederick Douglass, AP Lang

ubiquitous

being everywhere all of the time

argot

the jargon or slang of a particular group or class

scathing

severely critical

aberrant/aberration

a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome

leonine

of, characteristic of, or resembling a lion

onerous

something excessively burdensome, difficult, or laborious to bear or perform, imposing a heavy physical, mental, or financial load

fastidious

very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail

assiduous

showing great care, attention, and effort; working diligently and constantly at a task; persevering and industrious

meticulous

showing or having great attention to detail; very careful and precise

muckety mucks

individuals who hold significant power, influence, or high rank, particularly in a self-important or arrogant way

quixotic

extremely idealistic, unrealistic, or impractical, especially in the pursuit of lofty, chivalrous, or romantic ideals. The term comes from Don Quixote, the protagonist of Miguel de Cervantes's famous novel, who embarks on foolish but well-intentioned quests

feckless

ineffective, incompetent, or lacking in purpose and strength

dubious

marked by doubt, uncertainty, or skepticism

sentinel

a security guard or watcher

disparate

things that are fundamentally different, unequal, or composed of unlike elements

garrulous

excessively talkative, especially about trivial matters, or wordy and diffuse

obstreperous

noisy and difficult to control, often in a defiant or unruly way; unruly, defiant

interpose

intervene with something

impertinent

showing a bold or a rude lack of respect, especially to a superior

writhe

to twist or squirm, especially as a result of severe pain

scourge

something causing misery or death

evince

to indicate something by action or implication

staid

serious, respectable, dignified, and old-fashioned, often to the point of being dull, unadventurous or boring

pernicious

having a subtle but harmful effect, causing gradual damage or ruin

goad

to provoke or incite somebody into action

obdurate

not easily persuaded or influence, especially into sympathy or pity

sagacity

profound knowledge, coupled with foresight and good judgement