AP English Lang Vocab Unit 4

adjudicate

to settle a dispute or argument judicially

bourgeois (adjective)

conforming to the standards and conventions of the middle class

bourgeois (noun)

a member of the middle class

cathartic

emotionally cleansing; allowing a release of tension or emotion

debauchery

moral corruption; wild living

dissident

disagreeing with the majority, as in opinion or attitude,

effrontery

shameless boldness

iconoclast

someone who tries to destroy traditional ideas or institutions

laconic

speaking using few words

maudlin

excessively sentimental

nebulous

vague; lacking definite limits

panacea

a remedy for all ills; cure-all; an answer to all problems

polemic

a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something

progeny

offspring; descendants

propensity

a natural inclination or tendency

remuneration

compensation; payment

sardonic

scornfully mocking, bitterly sarcastic

staid

serious and dignified; quiet or subdued in character or conduct

temerity

recklessness; a foolish disregard of danger

urbane

showing a high degree of refinement and self-assurance

vicarious

experienced secondhand