AP Lang Vocabulary X

askance

(adv) with suspicion, distrust, and disapproval

attenuate

(v) to make thin; to weaken or lessen in force, intensity, or value

benign

(adj) gentle, kind; forgiving, understanding; harmless

cavil

(v) to find fault in a petty way

(n) trivial objection or criticism

charlatan

(n) one who feigns knowledge or ability; a pretender

decimate

(v) to kill or destroy a large part of

foible

(n) a weak point, failing, minor flaw

forgo

(v) to do without

fraught

(adj) full or loaded with

inure

(v) to toughen or harden; to acclimate

luminous

(adj) emitting or reflecting light; illuminating

obsequious

(adj) marked by slavish attentiveness; excessively submissive, often for purely self-interested reasons

obtuse

(adj) blunt; slow or dull in understanding 

oscillate

(v) to swing back and forth in a steady rhythm 

penitent

(adj/n) regretful for one’s sins or mistakes 

peremptory

(adj) offensively self-assured, dictatorial 

rebuff

(v) to snub; to drive away

reconnoiter

(v) to engage in reconnaissance; to make a preliminary inspection

shambles

(n) a place of mass bloodshed; a mess

sporadic

(adj) occurring at irregular intervals; having no set plans