APLC Vocab 1-50

Vocabulary flashcards generated from lecture notes containing key terms and their concise definitions.

Abstract

Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical existence.

Adroit

Clever or skillful in using the mind.

Alleviate

To make (suffering or a problem) less severe.

Ameliorate

To make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better.

Ancillary

Providing necessary support to the primary activities.

Archaic

Very old or old-fashioned; no longer in everyday use.

Assertion

A confident and forceful statement of fact or belief.

Beguile

To charm or enchant, sometimes in a deceptive way.

Benevolent

Well-meaning and kindly.

Candid

Truthful and straightforward; frank.

Coalesce

To come together to form one mass or whole.

Cognizant

Having knowledge or being aware of.

Devise

To plan or invent by careful thought.

Dichotomy

A division or contrast between two things that are opposed.

Didactic

Intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction.

Digression

A temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.

Discursive

Passing aimlessly from one subject to another; rambling.

Disseminate

To scatter or spread widely (typically information).

Efficacy

The ability to produce a desired or intended result.

Effusive

Expressing feelings of gratitude or pleasure in a heartfelt manner.

Erudite

Having or showing great knowledge or learning.

Esoteric

Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number.

Espouse

To adopt or support a cause, belief, or way of life.

Euphemism

A mild word substituted for one considered too harsh.

Exigence

The specific occasion or need that prompts a message.

Fecund

Producing an abundance of new ideas; highly fertile.

Galvanize

To shock or excite someone into taking action.

Invective

Insulting, abusive, or highly critical language.

Juxtaposing

Placing two things close together to create a contrasting effect.

Lucid

Expressed clearly; easy to understand.

Malady

A disease or ailment (often used metaphorically for social ills).

Mitigating

Making something less severe, serious, or painful.

Nuance

A subtle difference in or shade of meaning or expression.

Obliquely

Not in a direct way; indirectly.

Parallelism

The state of being corresponding in some way (structural).

Pedantic

Excessively concerned with minor details or rules.

Pragmatic

Dealing with things sensibly and realistically.

Propagate

To spread and promote an idea or theory.

Protract

To prolong or extend the duration of something.

Reinforcing

Strengthening or supporting an existing belief or argument.

Repartee

Conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments.

Satirize

To deride and criticize by means of irony or exaggeration.

Seminal

Strongly influencing later developments (a 'seed' idea).

Superfluous

Unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.

Synthesis

The combination of ideas to form a theory or system.

Tenet

A main principle or belief of a religion or philosophy.

Terse

Sparing in the use of words; abrupt.

Transition

The process of changing from one state or condition to another.

Ubiquitous

Present, appearing, or found everywhere.

Vicarious

Experienced in the imagination through the actions of another.