Noun Definitions - AP Lang

Assertion

a confident and forceful statement of fact or belief

Assiduity

constant or close attention to what one is doing

Axiom

a statement or proposition which is regarded as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true

Conjecture

an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information

Constituency

a body of voters in a specified area who elect a representative to a legislative body

Contention

heated disagreement

Crux

decisive or most important point at issue

Delineation

the act of describing or portraying something precisely

Dichotomy

division or contrast between two things that are, or are represented as being, opposed or entirely different

Facet

one side of something many-sided, especially of a cut gem

Fortitude

courage in pain or adversity

Impetus

the force or energy with which a body moves

Paradigm

a typical example or pattern of something; a model

Platitude

a remark or statement, especially one with moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting

Postulation

a suggestion or assumption of the existence, fact, or truth of something as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief

Precept

a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought

Precipitant

cause of a particular action or event

Proponents

a person who advocates a theory, proposal, or project

Quandary

a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a different situation

Ramifications

a consequence of an action or event, especially when complex or unwelcome

Steadfastness

the quality of being resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering

Subterfuge

deceit used in order to achieve one’s goal

Tenacity

the quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; grip

Tenet

a principle or belief, especially one of the main principles of a religion or philosophy