AP LIT VOCABS

Abeyance (n.)

Temporary suspension of activity

Abrogate (v.)

To repeal, to set aside, to nullify

Abscond (v.)

To leave quickly and secretively

Abstinence (n.)

Voluntarily refrain from eating certain foods or drink or from doing something pleasant but not good for you

Abstruse (adj.)

Hard to understand or grasp

Accolade (n.)

Award or honor; high praise

Accouterments (n.)

Personal clothing; accessories; equipment

Acquit (v.)

To find not guilty; to conduct oneself

Adjure (v.)

To command or urge solemnly and earnestly

Adumbrate (v.)

To suggest partly; to give a hint of things to come; to foreshadow vaguely

Aegis (n.)

Protection; patronage

Aggrieve (v.)

To distress; to mistreat

Akimbo (adj.)

Having one’s hands in a bent position on the hips; figuratively speaking, something slightly out of balance

Alacrity (adj.)

Cheerful readiness; liveliness or eagerness

Alchemy (n.)

A process of transformation that is seemingly magical

Ambulatory (adj.)

Able to walk or move about

Ameliorate (v.)

To make better; to ease or improve

Anathema (n.)

Something or someone intensely disliked

Ancillary (adj.)

Subsidiary; subordinate; secondary

Anomie (n.)

Instability caused by an erosion of values or lack of purpose

Antipodal (adj.)

Exact opposite or on opposite side of the earth

Apocryphal (adj.)

False or of doubtful origin

Apogee (n.)

Point at which something is farthest away from another point

Apoplexy (n.)

Stroke resulting from loss of blood to the brain; becoming angry to the point of exploding

Apostasy (n.)

Abandonment of a loyalty or religion

Arbiter (n.)

A judge; one who decides

Ascetic (adj. or n.)

Self-denial

Assiduous (adj.)

Hard working; diligent

Assignation (n.)

A secret meeting or assignment

Bacchanal (n.)

A drunken party

Bandy (v.)

Toss back and forth; to discuss casually

Bathos (n.)

Abrupt transition from illustrious to common (in style)

Behemoth (n.)

Something enormous in size or power

Belie (v.)

Run counter to; to show to be false

Besmirch (v.)

To stain

Bilious (adj.)

Ill-tempered

Bivouac (n.)

Temporary shelter

Bon vivant (n.)

A lover of luxury

Bowdlerize (v.)

To censor prudishly

Brook (v.)

To tolerate