AP Lang. vocab. list 2

meritocracy

(n) a system in which advancement is based on individual ability or achievement

reiterate

(v) say something again or a number of times, typically for emphasis or clarity

quaint

(adj) having an old-fashioned attractiveness or charm; oddly picturesque / strange, peculiar, or unusual in an interesting, pleasing or amusing way

pecuniary

(adj) of, relating to, or consisting of money

bourgeoisie

(n) the middle class

compulsion

(n) an irresistible impulse to act, regardless of the rationality of the motivation

vigilance

(n) the action or state of keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties

contemptuous

(adj) manifesting, feeling, or expressing deep hatred or disapproval

euphemism

(n) a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing

paucity

(n) the presence of something only in small or insufficient quantities or amounts; scarcity

disparage

(v) to speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way; belittle

consummate

(adj) showing a high degree of skill and flair; complete or perfect

satiety

(n) a state or condition of fullness, gratified beyond the point of satisfaction

commendation

(n) praise / an official award or citation

profuse

(adj) given freely and abundantly; extravagant / exuberantly plentiful; abundant

engenders

(v) to bring into existence; give rise to / cause

decry

(v) to condemn openly / intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value

ascribe

(v) to attribute to a specified cause, source, or origin

contentious

(adj) causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial / exhibiting an often perverse and wearisome tendency to quarrels and disputes / argumentative, belligerent

provincial

(adj) of or concerning the regions outside the capital city of a country, esp. when regarded as unsophisticated or narrow-minded

eloquence

(n) fluent, forcible, elegant or persuasive speaking

dejection

(n) a sad and depressed state; low spirits

melodiously

(adv) of relating to, or containing a pleasing succession of sounds; tuneful

disillusioned

(adj) disappointed in someone or something that one discovers to be less good than one had believed

analytical

(adj) dividing into elemental parts or basic principles / reasoning or acting from a perception of the parts and interrelations of a subject