AP Lang Vocab words (cumulative)

tertiary

coming next after the second and just before the fourth in order, rank or importance; third

parlance

a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language

juxtapose

place side by side in order to show contrast

preeminent

greatest in importance, degree, significance or achievement

salvage

the act of saving goods or property in danger of damage

dissonant

1. characterized by musical dissonance; harmonically unresolved 2. lacking in harmony 3. not in accord

impasse

1. a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible 2. a street with only one way in or out

habituate

1. make psychologically or physically accustomed to something 2. take or consume regularly

pedagogy

1. the profession of a teacher 2. the principles and methods of instruction 3. the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill

supercilious

1. having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain for those one views as unworthy 2. expressive of contempt

pandemonium

a state of extreme confusion and disorder

moot

adjective: irrelevant or of no legal significance (as having been previously decided) adjective: open to argument or debate verb: bring up a topic for discussion verb: think about carefully; weigh noun: a hypothetical case that law students argue as an exercise

concentric

having a common center

adjourn

1. close at the end of a session 2. break from a meeting or gathering

recitation

1. a public instance of reciting or repeating (from memory) something prepared in advance 2. a piece of writing that is repeated from memory 3. systematic training by multiple repetitions 4. a regularly scheduled session as part of a course of study

nondescript

lacking distinct or individual characteristics; dull and uninteresting

cogitate

consider carefully and deeply; reflect upon; turn over in one’s mind

exponentially

in a manner of rapid growth

novelty

1. originality by virtue of being new and surprising 2. a small, inexpensive, mass

gratis

adjective: costing nothing adverb: without payment

acquiescence

1. agreement with a statement or proposal to do something 2. acceptance without protest

debonair

1. having a sophisticated charm 2. having a cheerful, lively and self

nebulous

1. lacking definite form or limits 2. lacking definition or definite content 3. of or relating to or resembling a nebula, an immense cloud of gas and dust in interstellar space

ruminate

reflect deeply on a subject

aegis

1. armor plate that protects the chest 2. sponsorship, control or guidance especially by an individual, group or system

hypnotize

1. induce a state that resembles sleep but is brought about by suggestion 2. draw into a mental state that is receptive to suggestion

colloquial

characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation

pittance

an inadequate or very small amount, usually money that serves as compensation

sedentary

requiring sitting or little activity

corollary

noun: (logic) an inference that follows directly from the proof of another proposition noun: a practical consequence that follows naturally adjective: following or occurring as a consequence