AP English Language and Composition: Quarter 1 SAT Vocab

altruistic

selfless; concerned about the general welfare of others

clamor

to utter or proclaim noisily and forcefully

convulted

twisted; complicated

cursory

quickly done; superficial

defunct

inactive; no longer in use

equivocate

to be vague and unclear on purpose

fatuous

unintelligent

harrowing

extremely stressful

jettison

to eliminate or discharge

lachrymose

tearful, weepy

maverick

someone who demonstrates independent thought or action

meritorious

deserving of praise

perjury

the act of lying under oath

platitude

a trite or obvious remark

propensity

a tendency or inclination

punctilious

overly careful and precise with details; meticulous

resipte

a time of relief

sonorous

producing a full, rich sound

tome

a large and scholarly book

waver

to fluctuate and hesitate

affable

friendly

capitulate

to surrender

castigate

to criticize or punish severely

cogent

forceful, convincing; relevant, to the point

deplete

to use up

fastidious

very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail

garrulous

talkative

grandiose

impressive; showy; magnificient

impetuous

impulsive

indolent

lazy

invective

abusive language

lionize

to treat as celeberity

malcontent

dissatisfied with existing conditions

obdurate

stubborn

palpable

able to be touched or felt

perfunctory

done without care; routine fashion

quell

to subdue; to put down

raconteur

witty, skillful storyteller

salient

most noticeable or important

ubiquitous

present or existing everywhere

abate

to lessen or decline

candor

openess; honesty

dearth

a lack or shortage; a scarcity

disconcerting

disturbing or unsettling

exigent

demanding immediate attention or action

expunge

to remove by erasing or crossing out

facile

requiring little effort

fickle

indecisive, not constant

garish

tastelessly showy

inarticulate

incapable of expressing oneself clearly through speech

inundate

to overwhelm; to flood

modicum

a very small amount

novice

a beginner or apprentice

onerous

difficult; tedious

putrid

rotten; foul

raucous

harsh; rowdy

relegate

to assign to a lower position

sagacious

wise

staid

characterized by dignity and proper manners

truculent

defiantly aggressive