ALL AP. Lit Vocab Words

quizlet can choke

circumventing

(verb) find a way around

grandiose

(adj) impressive and imposing in appearance or style

egregious

(adj) outstandingly bad or shocking

discourse

(verb/noun) speak or write authoritatively about a topic

desolation

(n) a state of complete emptiness or destruction

inconceivable

(adj) not capable of being imagined or grasped mentally; unbelievable

abhorrent

(adj) inspiring disgust and loathing

hullabaloo

(n) a commotion

recondite

(adj) (of a subject or knowledge) little known, abstruse

interminable

(adj) endless

benign

(adj) gentle and kindly

inordinate

(adj) unusually or disproportionately large; excessive

sanctity

(n) the state of being holy, sacred, or saintly

rivulet

(n) a small stream

truculent

(adj) eager or quick to argue or fight; aggressively defiant

banality

(n) the face or condition of being banal; unoriginality

restive

(adj) stubbornly resisting control

mauve

(n/adj) pale purple

pulchritudinous

(adj) beautiful

connoisseur

(n) an expert judge in matters of taste

thwart

(v) prevent someone from accomplishing something

bemused

(adj) puzzled, confused, or bewildered

crabapple

(n) a small, sour apple

harangued

(v) to give a lengthy and aggressive speech

placate

(v) to soothe or mollify, especially by concession; appease

desuetude

(n) a state of disuse

felled

(v) cut down a tree

multifaceted

(adj) having many facets (faces)

bereft

(adj) [of a person] sad and lonely, especially through someone’s death or departure

perfidious

(adj) deceitful and untrustworthy

flub

(v) to botch or bungle something

grime

(n) dirt, soot, or filth, especially when thickly accumulated or ingrained

stalwart

(adj) loyal, reliable, and hardworking

equivocator

(n) a respondent who avoids giving a clear direct answer

consomme

(n) a clear soup

soliloquy

(n) an act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless or any hearers, especially by a character in a play

enmity

(n) the state of feeling or being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something

veracity

(n) conformity to facts; accuracy

opulent

(adj) ostentatiously rich and luxurious or lavish

tantalize

(v) torment or tease (someone) with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable

palatial

(adj) resembling a palace in being spacious and splendid

equanimity

(n) mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper

hurriedly

(adv) in a quick or hurried manner

sacrilege

(n) violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred

ramshackle

(adj) in poor or broken down condition

frenzied

(adj) wildly excited or uncontrolled

paraphernalia

(n) miscellaneous articles, especially the equipment needed for a particular activity

vociferous

(adj) (especially of a person or speech) vehement or clamorous.

aviary

(n) a large bird cage

laden

(adj) heavily loaded or weighed down

mercurial

(adj) (of a person) prone to unexpected and unpredictable changes in mood