AP Literature and Composition Unit 3 Words

epitomize

be a perfect example of

irrascible

easily angered, irritable

malign

to speak harmful untruths about; speak evil of; slander; defame

rancor

bitter resentment or ill-will

rejuvenate

make young or youthful again; give new vigor to; reinvigorate; refresh

rue

to regret

temper

to moderate; soften

sanction

official permission or approval

surreptitious

secret, stealthy

Vaccilate

to sway physically; to be indecisive

fervent

eager; earnest

illustrious

well known, respected, and admired for past achievements

ignoble

dishonorable; shameful

homage

special honor or respect shown publicly

hallowed

holy, sacred

aegis

a shield; protection

sanctity

the state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly

irreverence

lack of respect

immutable

unchangeable

whimsical

(adj.) subject to odd ideas, notions, or fancies; playful; unpredictable

pensive

thoughtful

jocular

humorous, jesting, jolly, joking

morose

having a gloomy or sullen manner; not friendly or sociable

lucid

easy to understand, clear; rational, sane

deprecate

to express disapproval of

bereft

deprived of; made unhappy through a loss

misanthropic

disliking humankind and avoiding human society

genteel

well-mannered; refined; polite

nonchalant

cool and confident, unconcerned

venerate

to respect deeply

nostalgic

longing for the past

fastidious

very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail

feign

to pretend

congenial

(adj.) getting on well with others; agreeable, pleasant

fetter

a chain or shackle placed on the feet

requite

(v.) to make suitable repayment, as for a kindness, service, or favor; to make retaliation, as for an injury or wrong; to reciprocate

assuage

to make something unpleasant less severe

transcend

to rise above or beyond, exceed

idyllic

charming in a rustic way; naturally peaceful

efface

to erase

bygone

well in the past

sardonic

grimly or scornfully mocking, bitterly sarcastic

pretext

a false reason, deceptive excuse

ephemeral

lasting a very short time

mercurial

quick, shrewd, and unpredictable

beguile

To deceive; to charm; to enchant

lofty

very high

underscore

to emphasize

terse

brief and to the point

pique

to cause resentment; to provoke

doting

excessively fond, loving to excess

mundane

ordinary, commonplace

exhort

to urge strongly

perseverate

to repeat something insistently or redundantly

Emmanate

to come forth

ennui

dissatisfaction and restlessness resulting from boredom or apathy

petulant

peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset

garrulous

talkative, rambling

innocuous

not harmful or offensive

langour

Lack of physical or mental energy