AP Literature and Composition - Vocab Spring 2025

Euphony/Cacophony

(n.) pertaining to sound. Euphony is pleasant sounding, cacophony is harsh

(pleasant/harsh sound device)

Enjambment

(n.) literary device that refers to the continuation of a thought that extends over a line of poetic verse

(sentence over 2+ lines)

Caesura

(n.) poetic device in which a deliberate, long pause is inserted into the MIDDLE of a given line. Usually denoted by a giant blank space of punctuation

(break in the middle of a poem’s line)

Imagery

(n.) sensory details

visual - sight

auditory - sound

tactile - touch

gustatory - taste

olfactory - smell

kinesthetic - movement

Sycophant

(n.) a person who acts obsequiously toward someone important to get an advantage

(a person who sucks up to someone to get something)

Malevolent

(adj.) wishing harm or evil to another or others; showing ill will, spite, or hatred

(bad thoughts/intentions)

Elucidate

(v.) make (something) clear; explain

(elaborate)

Unctuous

(adj.) (of a person) excessively or ingratiatingly flattering; oily

(intense, insincere sucking up)

Duplicitous

(adj.) deceitful; dishonest

(sly, liar)

Apostrophe

(n.) poetic device where someone talks to an object, idea, or non-living person to emphasize its importance

(talking to someone/something who can’t talk back/speaking to the dead)

Assuage

(v.) make (un unpleasant feeling) less intense

(alleviate)

Auspicious

(adj.) promising or suggesting a future with success; favorable

(bright future/ future success)

Renege

(v.) to go back on a contract on a promise, undertaking, or contract

(break a deal)

Patriarchy/Matriarchy

(n.) a patriarchy is a male-led social system, matriarchy is women-led (also relates to family traditions)

Brazen

(adj.) marked by a shameless or disrespectful boldness, can also mean that it sounds loud and harsh like brass

(gloating in someone’s face)

Disparage

(v.)

1) to depreciate by indirect means (such as a jealous comparison); speak slightingly about

2) to lower in reputation, degrade

(make a reputation worse)

Phlegmatic

(adj.) having or showing a slow or stolid temperament

(stoic/uncaring/indifferent)

Ephemeral

(adj.) lasting a very short time

(not here for long)

Banal

(adj.) lacking originality, freshness, or novelty; trite

(unoriginal, stale)

Culpable

(adj.) meriting condemnation or blame especially as wrong or harmful

(guilty)

Demure

(adj.) reserved, modest

(staying away from spot;ight)

Dichotomy

(n.)

1) a division of into two, especially mutually exclusive or contradictory groups/entities

2) something with seemingly contradictory qualities

(division, contradiction of personal qualities)

Innocuous

(adj.)

1) producing no injury; harmless

2) not likely to give offense or arouse strong feelings or hostility

(harmless)

Laudable

(adj.) worthy of praise, commendable

(deserves praise)

Suffuse

(v.) to spread over or through in a manner of fluid or light; flush, fill

(permeate)