AP Lang Vocabulary IV

atrophy

(n) - the wasting away of a body organ or tissue; any progressive decline or failure

bastion

(n) - a fortified place, stronghold

concord

(n) - state of agreement, harmony, unanimity; a treaty, pact, covenant

consummate

(adj/v) - complete or perfect in highest degree; to bring to state of completion or perfection

disarray

(n/v) - disorder or confusion; to throw into disorder

exigency

(n) - urgency, pressure; pressing need; emergency

flotsam

(n) - floating debris; homeless, impoverished people

frenetic

(adj) frenzied, highly agitated

glean

(v) to gather bit by bit; to gather small quantities of grain left in the field by reapers

grouse

(n/v) a type of game bird; to complain

incarcerate

(v) to imprison, confine

incumbent

(adj/n) required; one who holds a specific office at the time spoken of

jocular

(adj) humorous, jolly, joking

ludicrous

(adj) ridiculous, laughable, absurd

mordant

(adj) sharply or bitterly harsh

nettle

(n/v) prickly or stinging plant; to arouse displeasure, impatience, or anger; to vex

pecuniary

(adj) consisting of or measure in money

pusillanimous

(adj) mean-spirited or contemptibly cowardly

recumbent

(adj) in a reclining position, lying down

strategem

(n) a scheme to outwit or deceive an opponent or to gain an end