Vocab Unit 2

AP Literature Vocab Test

affront

verb: offend the modesty or value of; pique; vex; irk

amity

noun: a friendly relationship; concord (adjective is amicable)

avocation

noun: a hobby or minor occupation

capacious

adj: having a lot of space inside; roomy

choleric

adj: bad-tempered or irritable (describes a personality: one of the four humors)

collusion

noun: secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially in order to cheat or deceive others

disparity

noun: a difference in level or treatment, especially one that is seen as unfair; inequality; incongruity

efficacy

noun: the ability to produce a desired or intended result; successfulness;  fruitfulness

epsitle

noun: A letter; a poem or other literary work in the form of a letter or series of letters

feckless

adj: lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible; incompetent

hegemony

noun: leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others; supremacy; dominance; sovereignty

impasse

noun: a situation in which no progress is possible, especially because of disagreement; a deadlock; stalemate

lugubrious

adj: looking or sounding sad and dismal; doleful, mournful; gloomy (has to do with tone)

paradigm

noun: a typical example or pattern of something; a model; standard; prototype; archetype

presumptuous

adj: (of a person or their behavior) failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate; egotistical; overconfident

propitious

adj: giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable; auspicious; providential

sanguinary

adj: cheerfully optimistic, sometimes to the point of seeming complacent, oblivious, or naive

Describes a personality: one of the four humors

*also describes someone who is bloodthirsty or loves bloodshed

tumult

noun: a loud, confused noise, especially one caused by a large mass of people; din; ruckus; commotion

urbane

adj: courteous and refined in manner; dignified; cultured

voluble

adj: (of a person) talking fluently, readily, or incessantly; garrulous; loquacious