AP Language & Composition: Essential Unit 3 Terms & Definitions

articulate

(v.) To pronounce distinctly; to express well in words; to fit together into a system; (adj.) able to use language effectively; expressed clearly and forcefully

Synonyms: (v.) pronounce, elucidate; (adj.) eloquent

Antonyms: (v.) mumble, slur; (adj.) tongue-tied, halting

cavort

(v.) to romp or prance around exuberantly; to make merry

Synonyms: gambol

credence

(n.) belief, mental acceptance

Synonyms: credit, trust, confidence

Antonyms: disbelief, skepticism, incredulity

decry

(v.) to condemn, express strong disapproval; to officially depreciate

Synonyms: denounce, censure, devalue

Antonyms: tout, commend, extol, laud, praise

dissemble

(v.) to disguise or conceal, deliberately give a false impression

Synonyms: dissimulate, mask, feign

distraught

(adj.) very much agitated or upset as a result of emotion or mental conflict

Synonyms: frantic, distracted

Antonyms: calm, composed, collected

eulogy

(n.) a formal statement of commendation; high praise

Synonyms: panegyric, encomium, tribute, testimonial

Antonyms: philippic, diatribe, invective

evince

(v.) to display clearly, to make evident, to provoke

Synonyms: exhibit, manifest, occasion

exhume

(v.) to remove from a grave; to bring to light

Synonyms: disinter, unearth, uncover

Antonyms: bury, inter

feckless

(adj.) lacking in spirit and strength; ineffective, weak; irresponsible, unreliable

Synonyms: feeble, helpless, incompetent, ineffectual

Antonyms: competent, capable, effective

murky

(adj.) dark and gloomy, obscure; lacking in clarity and precision

Synonyms: dim, cloudy, unclear

Antonyms: clear, transparent, lucid, limpid

nefarious

(adj.) wicked, depraved, devoid of moral standards

Synonyms: iniquitous, reprehensible

Antonyms: virtuous, honorable, praiseworthy, meritorious

piquant

(adj.) stimulating to the taste or mind; spicy, pungent; appealingly provocative

Synonyms: tangly, zestful

Antonyms: bland, insipid, tasteless, mild

primordial

(adj.) developed or created at the very beginning; going back to the most ancient times or earliest stage; fundamental, basic

Synonyms: original, primeval, primal

Propinqulty

(n.) nearness in place or time; kinship

Synonyms: proximity, similarly

Antonyms: remoteness, distance

unwonted

(adj.) not usual or expected; not in character

Synonyms: unusual, uncommon, unexpected, atypical

Antonyms: usual, customary, typical

utopian

(adj.) founded upon or involving a visionary view of an ideal world; impractical

Synonyms: idealistic

Antonyms: realistic, pragmatic

verbiage

(n.) language that is too wordy or inflated in proportion to the sense or content, wordiness; a manner of expression

Synonyms: verbosity, prolixity, diction, jargon

verdant

(adj.) green in tint or color; immature in experience or judgment

Synonyms: artless, naive

Antonyms: scorched, sere, barren, arid

viscous

(adj.) having a gelatinous or gluey quality, lacking in easy movement or fluidity

Synonyms: gummy, slick, thick

Antonyms: runny, watery, aquous