AP Lit Vocab

ascetic

characterized by practices of severe self discipline; person who practices self discipline

fervent

having or displaying a passionate intensity

alacrity

brisk and cheerful readiness

gesticulate

to use gestures, especially dramatic ones

pensive

engaged in reflection, deep or serious thought

abject

experienced to the maximum degree

insolent

rude and arrogant, not showing proper respect

indignant

feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment

obsequious

overly servile to the point of sycophantic

acquisition

an asset bought or obtained

gallant

brave

pallid

pale and/or weak

litany

list

brash

bold and aggressive in a disagreeable way

truculent

eager or quick to fight; aggressively defiant

precocious

advanced in learning or acquisition of skills

sanguine

cheerful and optimistic

opprobrium

censure; public disgrace

lamentable

mournful; deplorable as in conditions

redolent

fragrant; reminiscent or suggestive of

audacious

bold; overstepping bounds

refectory

a hall for eating meals

didactic

intending to instruct, often connected to morality

docile

tractable; easily led

affability

amiability

harangue

a diatribe; to deliver a diatribe; a long speech critical in nature

lugubrious

excessively mournful in an exaggerated way

slatternly

dirty and untidy

meretricious

falsely beautiful

turgid

swollen; distended; long or tediously pompous in language

inanition

exhaustion caused by a lack of nourishment

remonstrance

a forcefully reproachful protest

abjure

solemnly renounce, especially a belief, cause, or claim

auspicious

conducive to success; favorable

hubris

excessive pride or self-confidence

diffident

modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence

evanescent

quickly fading or disappearing

fiduciary

involving trust, especially between a trustee and a beneficiary; a trustee

inculcate

instill an attitude, habit, or idea by persistent instruction

perturb

make anxious or unsettled

impudent

not showing proper respect

patronize

to frequent; to give encouragement to as in the arts; to treat with seeming kindness but true condescension

penchant

a liking or a tendency

pathos

a quality that evokes pity

malady

a disease or an ailment

brusque

abrupt in speech or manner

sanctimonious

making a show of being morally superior

apogee

the height of as in a career

onus

a burden as in a duty or responsibility

obstreperous

noisy and difficult to control