English IV AP Exam

Adjunct (n.)

a thing added to something else as a supplementary rather than an essential part/connected or added to something, typically in an auxiliary way

Aegis (n.)

an abstract concept, the protection or supervision or sponsorship of someone or something

Affinity (n.)

a positive feeling; an attraction for something

Bellwether (n.)

an indicator or predictor of something

Minuscule (adj.)

very tiny

Bibulous (adj.)

having a tendency towards alcoholism

Bilious (adj.)

to be dominated by bile; grumpy, mean, nasty

Chimerical (adj.)

(of a mythical animal) formed from parts of various animals

Macrocosm (n.)

a large full scale universe

Plethora (n.)

a lot, many

Cognate (adj.)

two things that are alike but in separate arenas of life

Corollary (n.)

a rule that is logically true because of some other rule

Deracinate (v.)

to rip it out by the roots; to completely get rid of

Enclave (n.)

a small community within a larger community

Obfuscate (v.)

to cast a shadow, making something harder to see

Fait Accompli (n.)

a thing that has already happened or been decided before those affected hear about it, leaving them with no option but to accept it.

Forte (n.)

your strong suite

Gamut (n.)

a range (Ex. run the GAMUT)

Elixer (n.)

a magical or special liquid; potion

Pragmatic (adj.)

practical

Gratis (adj.)

Free of charge

Indigenous (adj.)

local or native to an area

Microcosm (n.)

mini universe; a small copy of a universe, galaxy, or complex structure

Morass (n.)

sticky/bad situation

Noisome (adj.)

of smells, bad, annoying, foul

Polarize (v.)

to split or divide into its two poles

Proselyte (n.)

someone that believes in something so much that they go around and spread the idea

Purview (n.)

the area of supervision; what your in charge of or responsible for

Aberration (n.)

Something that is different then expected

Ineffable (adj.)

hard to define or put into words; unclear

Quasi- (prefix)

partially

Rapacity (n.)

extreme greed

Sanguine (adj.)

cheerful, happy, easy-going

Solecism (n.)

a cringe-worthy mistake, an awkward social mistake

Volte-face (n.)

a 180 turn on a topic; a complete reverse in opinion

Ad hoc (adj.)

a committee put together to accomplish a specific task of a larger group

Mnemonic (n.)

tricks that help you memorize something

Parameter (n.)

guidelines or rules

Pundit (n.)

someone whose job is to comment on politics; not professional

Risible (adj.)

something you would laugh at

Commensurate (adj.)

on the same level as or equal to

Foray (n.)

a seek and find mission

Insouciant (adj.)

unbothered or lack a care

Matrix (n.)

a system of interconnected things

Panache (n.)

aura, flare, style

Sacrosanct (adj.)

something sacred and holy

Vicissitude (n.)

a sudden shift or change

Dictum (n.)

a pronouncement of a rule or command

Ensconce (v.)

to wrap something up in blankets, towel; snuggle something up

Browbeat (v.)

forcing someone to do something

Iconoclastic (adj.)

rebellious; doing things your own way

In medias res (phrase)

a type of story telling that starts in the middle of the story

Maladroit (adj.)

clumsy

Maudlin (adj.)

emo; cheesily emotional especially for sadness

Modulate (v.)

To adjust something

Portentous (adj.)

Something that seems to be a sign of what is to come; not in a good way

Prescience (n.)

the ability to foresee the future

Quid pro quo (phrase)

Latin "This for that"; a transaction of trading; usually referring to something unethical

Touchstone (n.)

a tool for determining value or purity of some other thing

Éclat (n.)

have style or aura

Beleaguer (v.)

an attack or hassle but not of great seriousness

Carte blanche (n.)

get out of jail card; free permission to do something

Cataclysm (n.)

some type of disastrous event

Debauch (v.)

to degrade someone morally

Fastidious (adj.)

being neat, organized

Philistine (adj.)

people who have no appreciation for culture, art, or humanities

Picaresque (adj.)

a story of a journey or adventure

Refractory (adj.)

something that is resistant

Savoir-faire (n.)

a person who knows what to do

Imbue (v.)

to infuse something