First Semester AP Lang Vocab

pedestrian

performed in an unimaginative manner

lampoon

a sharp satire directed against an individual or institution

florid

flowery; excessively ornate; showy

juxtapose

to place side by side, especially for comparison and contrast

tenuous

lacking a sound basis;unsubstantiated;weak

innocuous

not harmful or injurious/ not likely to offend or irritate

vociferous

crying out noisily; clamorously

veracity

habitual observance of truth in speech or statement; truthfulness

circuitous

roundabout; not direct

corpulent

bulkiness or largeness of body; fatness; portliness

impervious

not permitting passage; impenetrable;/ incapable of being injured

parochial

very limited or narrow in scope or outlook

supercilious

haughtily disdainful; contemptuous

assuage

to make milder or less severe; relieve; ease

hiatus

a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action; etc.

verbose

characterized by the use of too many words; wordy

dearth

an inadequate supply; scarcity; lack

curmudgeon

a bad-tempered, difficult, cantankerous person

espouse

to adopt or give support to

lassitude

weariness of body or mind; lack of energy; listlessness

recant

to withdraw a statement or opinion, especially formally

altruistic

unselfishly concerned for the welfare of others

furtive

stealthy; shy; shifty

ruminate

to meditate on; ponder

poignant

affecting or moving the emotions

perpetuate

to make something last; preserve from extinction

incorrigible

firmly fixed; not easily changed

laconic

using few words; concise

pulchritude

physical beauty; loveliness

superfluous

unnecessary, especially through being more than enough

ostentatious

characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others

pontificate

to express one's opinion in a way that is considered pompous and dogmatic

perfunctory

performed merely as a routine duty; hasty and superficial

debunk

to expose a claim as being pretentious, false or exaggerated

diatribe

a bitter, sharply abusive attack or criticism

extol

to praise highly; laud

ubiquitous

present, appearing or found everywhere

palpable

so intense as to seem almost tangible

elucidate

throw light upon; make clear or easy to understand

fastidious

excessively critical, particular or demanding; hard to please

ameliorate

to make or become better; more bearable; to improve

intrepid

exhibiting courage

clandestine

characterized by, executed with or done in secrecy or concealment, especially for purposes of subversion or deception

flippant

not showing a serious or respectful attitude

pedantic

overly concerned with minute details (ostentatious in one's learning)

incite

arouse to action

nefarious

extremely wicked or villainous

esoteric

known only to the chosen few (and therefore mysterious)

vacillate

alternate or waver between different opinions or actions

cajole

persuade in the face of reluctance

alacrity

cheerful readiness to respond

enigmatic

perplexing; mysterious

gratuitous

given freely; uncalled for

egregious

extraordinary in some way; glaring; flagrant

nuance

subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression or sound

prolific

producing in large quantities or with great frequency

juncture

a critical point in time

anomaly

a deviation from the common rule, type, arrangement or form

modicum

a moderate or small amount

trepidation

a state of fear or anxiety