AP Lang - Unit 4 Vocab

ABASE

to lower someone in dignity, status, or self-esteem; to humiliate or belittle

AFFABLE

warm, friendly, and easy to talk to; sociable and approachable

AGGRANDIZE

to enhance the power, wealth, position, or reputation of someone or something; to exaggerate

AMORPHOUS

lacking a definite shape or clear structure; formless or lacking organization

ARCHETYPE

a typical example or original model that serves as a pattern for others

AURA

a distinctive atmosphere or quality that seems to surround and be generated by a person, place, or thing

CONTRABAND

goods that are prohibited by law from being imported or exported; illegal or forbidden

ERUDITE

having or showing great knowledge, often gained from books; scholarly

INFER

to deduce or conclude information from evidence and reasoning rather than explicit statements

INSCRUTABLE

difficult to understand or interpret; mysterious or impenetrable

INSULAR

narrow-minded or isolated in outlook; related to or characteristic of an island

IRREVOCABLE

impossible to undo or reverse; final and unalterable

PROPENSITY

a natural tendency or inclination toward a particular behavior or action

QUERULOUS

habitually complaining, whining, or showing irritation

REMONSTRATE

to make a forceful protest or objection

REPUDIATE

to reject or refuse to accept; to deny the truth or validity of something

RESILIENT

able to recover quickly from difficulties or setbacks; capable of returning to an original shape after deformation

RETRENCH

to reduce costs or spending in response to economic difficulty; to cut back

REVERBERATE

to echo repeatedly or resound; to have a lasting impact or effect

SCURRILOUS

coarse, vulgar, or abusive, especially in language; defamatory or slanderous

SEDULOUS

diligent and persistent in effort; showing dedication and determination