AP Lang/Comp Unit 2 Vocab

ex officio

(adj., adv.) by virtue of holding a certain office

infringe

(v.) to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds

callow

(adj.) without feathers; lacking sophistication and poise

ameliorate

(v.) to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming

bombastic

(adj.) pompous; full of high sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas

ingratiate

(v.) to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favorable acceptance by others (sometimes in critical or derogatory sense)

epitome

(n.) a summary; an instance that represents a larger reality - best example

aplomb

(n.) great self-confidence; perpendicular

exhort

(v.) to urge strongly, advise earnestly.

drivel

(n.) saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; nonsense

inveigh

(v.) to make a violent attack in words

surmise

(v.) think or believe without certain supporting evidence

(n.) lacking definite proof

intrinsic

(adj.) belonging to someone or something by its very nature

occult

(adj.) mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view.

precipitate

(v.) to fall as moisture; to cause or bring about suddenly

lassitude

(n.) lack of energy

millenium

(n.) one thousand years

permeate

(v.) to spread through; soak through

stringent

(adj.) strict

interloper

(n.) an intruder, one who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be