Hon. American Lit. Midterm VOCAB

Anatomy

(n) the structure or parts; taken as a whole

Apparition

(n) an unreal figure; a ghost

Compel

(v) to force or strongly persuade; to coerce

Complacent

(adj) satisfied with a situation

Concise

(adj) brief and straightforward

Confide

(v) to trust (another) with information or a secret

Constructive

(adj) having a positive effect; helpful

Construe

(v) to interpret or analyze something in a particular way

Convoluted

(adj) having too many twists and turns; overly complicated

Credible

(adj) able to be trusted in or believed

Decriminalize

(v) to do away with legal penalties

Defer

1. (v)  to put aside until later

2. (v) to yield respectfully

Definitive

(adj) defining for all others; standard

Destitute

(adj) having no money; poor

Diligent

(adj) hardworking and careful

Dismissive

(adj) showing little regard; scornful

Epitome

(n) the best or most typical example

Exonerate

(v) to prove not guilty

Fallacy

(n) a misleading or mistaken idea

Impulse

(n) a sudden, involuntary urge to do something

Infinite

(adj) without beginning or end

Infraction

(n) a minor violation of the rules or law

Infrastructure

(n) the basic framework of a building or a system

Infringe

(v) to intrude on an area belonging to another, to trespass

Innovative

(adj) showing creativity and originality

Invincible

(adj) unable to be conquered

Motive

(n) a cause for action

Novice

(n) an inexperienced person; an amateur 

Phenomenon

(n) a fact or event that can be observed and/or documented

Placebo

(n) something that has a positive mental effect but no physical effect

Proficient

(adj) skilled at; highly knowledgeable of

Provincial

(adj) limited in knowledge of the world

Pungent

(adj) stinging or biting, especially to taste or smell

Recollect

(v) to remember; to recall

Restitution

(n) payment for an injury; compensation

Retract

(n) to draw back; to withdraw

Revert

(v) to fall back into an old condition

Sacrilege

(n) an act against a holy person or place

Ultimate

(adj) surpassing all others; definitive

Ultimatum

(n) a demand or threat that is final