AP Lit Vocab List 6

relish

to enjoy or take great pleasure in something

pincers

a tool used for gripping or holding, typically with two hinged arms

requisite

something that is necessary or required

respite

a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant

capricious

unpredictable or subject to sudden changes in mood or behavior

reproach

to express disapproval or disappointment

martyr

a person who suffers or is killed for a cause or belief

pacifist

a person who opposes war or violence as a means of settling disputes

diabolical

extremely evil or wicked

skulking

moving stealthily or hiding, often with sinister intent

aloof

distant or detached, often emotionally

quaint

attractively unusual or old-fashioned

introspection

the act of examining one’s own thoughts or feelings

amnesia

a condition characterized by memory loss

erode

to wear away or gradually destroy

dissuade

to persuade someone not to do something

savant

a person of profound or exceptional learning or ability in a specific field

hedonist

a person who pursues pleasure as the highest good

impede

to hinder or obstruct progress

abstraction

a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance or concrete reality