AP Lit Vocab

connubial

(adj) having to do with marriage

consternation

(n) shock or great surprise; dismay

interlocutor

(n) a person taking part in a conversation

rimy

(adj) frosty

prodigiously

(adv) enormously, extremely, greatly

conciliate

(vt) win over, make friendly, placate

countenance

(n) facial expression; a look of approval

vicariously

(adv) through a substitute or representative

intimate

(vt) hint, imply

commiserate

(vt) sympathize with, console, pity

imperiously

(adv) in a commanding manner

livid

(adj) black and blue, as though bruised

vivacious

(adj) full of animation, spirited, lively

exonerate

(vt) to free from guilt or blame

scrutiny

(n) close examination or inspection

trenchant

(adj) keen, incisive; forceful, vigorous

imprecate

(vt) to invoke evil or a curse upon (someone)

beacon

(n) a lighthouse; someone or something that offers warning or guidance

assail

(vt) to attack with vigor

expectorate

(vi) to expel phlegm through coughing; to spit

terse

(adj) brief and to the point, concise, succinct; brusque, curt

presentiment

(n) foreboding, a sense of impending misfortune

regale

(vt) to entertain agreeably or delightfully; to entertain with a feast

congenial

(adj) agreeable or suitable in nature; compatible

venerate

(vt) to revere, to feel or show deep respect for

erudition

(n) learning acquired through books or study

ignominious

(adj) disgraceful, shameful

reticence

(n) hesitation, or disinclination to speak

vicious

(adj) malicious, spiteful

sanctify

(vt) to make holy

sagacious

(adj) keenly perceptive or discerning, wise

candid

(adj) honest and frank; unbiased, fair

ostentatiously

(adv) with showy display

corroborate

(vt) to confirm

felicitous

(adj) happy, appropriate, fitting

obstinacy

(n) stubbornness

supercilious

(adj) coolly or patronizingly haughty

condescend

(vi) to act as though coming down from a superior position

stipulate

(vt) to set as a condition

scrupulous

(adj) conscientiously honest; rigorously exact

pervade

(vt) to fill completely

affinity

(n) close relationship, connection; natural liking or attraction

mortify

(vt) to humiliate; to punish or control through self-denial

confound

(vt) to throw into confusion

cogitate

(vi) to think seriously and deeply (about); ponder

peremptory

(adj) absolutely settled; admitting no discussion or refusal; final

formidable

(adj) exciting fear, dread, or awe

emasculate

(vt) to castrate; to deprive of strength, force, vigor, or virility

abet

(vt) to encourage, assist, or support, esp. in wrongdoing

compunction

(n) a twinge or prick of conscience; remorse

beguile

(vt) to deceive or delude; charm or divert; pass (time) pleasantly

obsequious

(adj) showing too great willingness to serve or obey; servile; fawning

aggrandize

(vt) to make greater or grander

tenuous

(adj) lacking a sound basis; flimsy

adjunct

(n) something added but not essential

fulminate

(vi) to issue a severe threat or denunciation, to inveigh

inundate

(vt) to overwhelm as with a flood

insidious

(adj) working or spreading harmfully in a subtle or stealthy way; treacherous; beguiling but harmful

exacerbate

(vt) to increase the severity of; to aggravate

inveterate

(adj) confirmed by habit, habitual; firmly established by tradition or custom, deep-rooted

harrow

(vt) cause mental distress; torment

usurp

(vt) seize by force something to which one has no right

emulation

(n) rivalry to equal or surpass; imitation of someone admired

mettle

(n) quality of character; courage; ardor

portentous

(adj) ominous; marvelous, amazing; overly important, significant

auspicious

(adj) promising, favorable

harbinger

(n) herald; person or thing announcing what is to come

dirge

(n) funeral hymn; song or poem expressing grief or mourning

dolorous

(adj) sorrowful or sad; mournful; painful

jocund

(adj) cheerful, genial, gay

carouse

(vi) drink alcohol heavily; revel

hitherto

(adv) up to this point

besmirch

(vt) soil; sully, bring to dishonor

calumniate

(vt) slander

dalliance

(n) idle flirtation; frivolous action; trifling with a matter

behoove

(vt) be necessary for or incumbent upon

importune

(vt) trouble with requests or demands; entreat persistently

parley

(vi) confer, esp. with an enemy

adieu

(n) farewell, good-bye