AP English Literature Tone Words List #3

These flashcards cover critical tone words from the AP English Literature curriculum, providing definitions and contextual information for each term.

What does 'macabre' refer to?

Gruesome and horrifying; of, pertaining to, dealing with, or representing death.

Define 'melancholy.'

A gloomy state of mind, especially when habitual or prolonged; depression.

What does it mean to be 'miffed'?

To be in a petulant, bad-tempered mood; huffy.

What does 'mortified' imply?

Shamed, humiliated; possessing wounded pride.

What is 'nostalgic'?

Longing for things, persons, or situations of the past, often in a bittersweet way.

What is the meaning of 'obfuscatory'?

Confusing and bewildering, often intentionally.

Define 'obsequious.'

Characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning.

What does 'ominous' signify?

Portending evil or harm; foreboding; threatening.

What is the definition of 'opprobrious'?

Expressing contemptuous reproach; scornful or abusive.

What does 'parochial' mean?

Very limited or narrow in scope or outlook; provincial.

Define 'pedantic.'

Narrowly and often ostentatiously learned; overly concerned with book learning.

What does 'pejorative' refer to?

Having a disparaging, derogatory, or belittling effect.

What does it mean to be 'perturbed'?

Showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty; a state of agitated confusion.

Define 'pessimistic.'

Marked by a tendency to stress the negative or unfavorable.

What does 'poignant' mean?

Painfully affecting the feelings; profoundly moving.

What is 'polemical'?

Controversial and argumentative.

What does 'prosaic' refer to?

Commonplace or dull; matter-of-fact.

Define 'prudent.'

Wise in handling practical matters; exercising good judgment.

What does 'rarefied' mean?

Extremely high or elevated; belonging to an exclusive group.

What does 'restive' mean?

Uneasily impatient under restriction or criticism; resistant to control.

Define 'sardonic.'

Disdainfully or skeptically humorous; derisively mocking.

What does it mean to be 'sententious'?

Given to excessive moralizing; self-righteous.

What does 'sober' signify?

Marked by seriousness, gravity, solemnity.

Define 'strident.'

Characterized by harsh, insistent sound; commanding attention.

What does 'stupefied' mean?

Affected with sudden and great wonder or surprise.

What is 'whimsical'?

Given to whimsy or fanciful notions; playful in a light-hearted way.

Define 'wistful.'

Full of wishful yearning or longing, often tinged with sadness.

What does 'wry' mean?

Dryly humorous, often with a touch of irony.

What is the definition of 'zany'?

Ludicrously or whimsically comical; clownish.

What does 'zealous' imply?

Marked by fervent partisanship for a person or cause.