ap lang vocab terms 1-120

definitions from new york times for dempsey wod quiz (khuzaima)

iconic

relating to or having the characteristics of a symbolic figure

amalgamate

verb: bring together or combine with something else

adjective: joined together into a whole

verbose

using or containing too many words

gaggle

noun: a flock of geese

noun: a large, disorganized group of people

verb: make a noise characteristic of a goose

ancillary

furnishing added support

raconteur

a person skilled in telling anecdotes

cacophonous

having a loud, harsh, unpleasant sound

edify

help (someone) understand; enlighten

pensive

1. deeply or seriously thoughtful

2. showing deep sadness

sartorial

of or relating to tailoring or clothing

comatose

1. in a state of deep and usually prolonged unconsciousness; unable to respond to external stimuli

2. relating to or associated with a coma

montage

1. the technique of splicing together different sections of film to convey an idea

2. a film sequence made by editing together a series of separate scenes or shots

3. sticking together pieces of paper or photographs to form art

recumbent

lying down; in a position of comfort or rest

posterity

1. all future generations

2. all of the offspring of a given ancestor

monolith

1. a single great stone, often in the form of a column

2. a system or organized structure that is large, uniform and powerful

mellifluous

pleasing to the ear

nemesis

a personal enemy

salubrious

1. promoting health

2. favorable to health of mind or body

permutation

1. complete change in character or condition

2. a change in the order or arrangement of objects in a group

3. the act of changing the arrangement of a given number of elements

cohesive

1. combining well to form a unified whole

2. sticking together

extol

praise, glorify or honor

tact

consideration in dealing with others

turgid

1. ostentatiously lofty in style

2. abnormally swollen, especially by fluids or gas

iconoclast

1. someone who attacks cherished ideas or institutions

2. a destroyer of images used in religious worship

vascular

relating to vessels that conduct and circulate fluids

tapestry

1. a wall hanging of heavy fabric with pictorial designs

2. a heavy textile with a woven design

ambivalence

conflicting or mixed feelings or emotions

certitude

complete assurance or confidence

valiantly

with heroic courage or bravery

laudable

worthy of high praise

abstemious

showing self-control by not overindulging, especially in food or drink.

(moderate, restrained, temperate)

lionize

to treat someone as a hero or give them excessive praise.

(idolize, glorify)

titular

having a title or name but little or no real power or importance.

(nominal, ceremonial, symbolic)

hiatus

a break or pause in an activity or process.
(pause, gap, break)

stentorian

extremely loud and powerful (usually describing a voice).
(booming, thunderous, resounding)

sheaf

a bundle of items, especially papers or grain, tied or held together.
(bundle, stack, cluster)

neophyte

a person who is new to an activity, skill, or belief.
(novice, beginner, rookie)

repertory

a collection of works, skills, or performances that someone regularly uses or can perform.
(collection, catalog, range)

prolix

tending to speak or write at great length

(verbose, wordy, long-winded)

rectitude

behavior that is correct, upright and honorable
(integrity, honesty, uprightness)

felicitous

well-chosen or appropriate in a pleasing way.
(fitting, suitable)

protagonist

the principal character in a work of fiction
(hero, lead, central)

foster

to encourage or help something develop or grow.
(promote, nurture, encourage)

innocuous

not harmful or offensive.
(harmless, benign, safe)

invigorate

to give energy, strength, or enthusiasm.
(energize, revitalize, refresh)

entourage

a group of people who accompany and support an important person.

(crew, circle)

forensic

relating to the use of scientific methods to investigate crimes or examine evidence.
(investigative, scientific, legal)

ascertain

to find out or determine something with certainty.
(determine, discover, establish)

exalt

to praise or elevate someone or something highly.

(praise, glorify, uplift)

deficient

lacking in some necessary quality or element.
(insufficient, inadequate, imperfect)

perpetuate

to make something continue indefinitely.
(maintain, preserve, sustain)

umbrage

offense or annoyance.
(offense, resentment, displeasure)

revitalize

to give new life, energy, or strength to something.

(rejuvenate, renew, refresh)

arid

extremely dry or lacking moisture; uninteresting or dull.
(dry, barren, parched)

bestow

to give something as a gift or honor.
(grant, confer, present)

esoteric

intended for or understood by only a small, specialized group.
(obscure, cryptic, arcane)

coterie

a small, exclusive group of people with shared interests.
(circle, clique, group)

halcyon

calm, peaceful, or happy; often referring to a past period of time.
(tranquil, serene, peaceful)

ineffable

too great or extreme to be expressed in words.
(indescribable, unspeakable, inexpressible)

stipend

a fixed regular payment, often for work or as a scholarship.
(allowance, salary, payment)

prosperity

1. the condition of having good fortune

2. a state of growth with rising profits and full employment

exonerate

pronounce not guilty of criminal charges

scurry

1. move about or proceed hurriedly

2. rushing about hastily, in an undignified way

fruition

1. the condition of producing seed-bearing structures

2. the attainment or fulfillment of a plan or objective

3. enjoyment derived from use or possession of something

beatific

1. resembling or befitting an angel or saint

2. experiencing or displaying extreme joy or bliss

compensation

1. the act of making amends for service, loss or injury

2. something given or received as payment or reparation

3. a defense mechanism concealing your undesirable shortcomings

anachronism

1. locating something at a time when it couldn’t have existed

2. an artifact that belongs to another time

3. a person who seems to be displaced in time

unimpeachable

1. beyond doubt or reproach

2. completely acceptable; not open to reproach

3. free of guilt; not subject to blame

commensurate

corresponding in size, degree or extent; proportionate

hominate

to become more human-like through evolution (upright walking, bigger brains, tool use).

indefatigable

showing sustained enthusiasm with unflagging vitality

magnanimous

1. noble and generous in spirit

2. generous, understanding and tolerant

didactic

instructive, especially excessively

abrogate

repeal or do away with; evade.

homily

a sermon or speech on a moral or religious topic

corpulent

excessively large; very overweight

memorandum

a written proposal or reminder

abstruse

difficult to understand

skein

a loosely coiled length of yarn or thread

puerile

childishly silly and trivial.

autonomous

self-governing; independent.

panacea

A solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases; often referred to as a universal cure.

transcend

To go beyond the limits of; to rise above or surpass.

dearth

a scarcity or lack of something

strident

Having a loud, harsh, and grating quality; often related to an annoying or forceful manner of speaking.

voracious

having a great appetite or enthusiasm for something

precursor

something that precedes or indicates the approach of another

sagacious

having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; wise.

convivial

cheerful and friendly; sociable

pertain

to be relevant or applicable to a matter.

truculent

eager or quick to argue or fight; aggressively defiant.

accede

to agree to a demand, request, or treaty.

sporadic

occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places; scattered or isolated.

covert

not openly acknowledged or displayed; secret.

commiserate

to express sympathy or sorrow; to sympathize with someone's misfortune.

heinous

shockingly evil or wicked; abominable.

indigent

in a state of poverty; needy.

monarch

a sovereign head of state, especially a king, queen, or emperor.

ubiquitous

present or existing everywhere; widespread.

rife

excessively abundant