ap lit vocab set 1

contains vocab 1-20 and 5 sound devices

litany

(n.) a repetitive or recitative series of prayers or supplications, often used in religious contexts, but can also refer to any long list.

ostentatious

(adj.) characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice.

vehement

(adj.) showing strong feeling or forceful expression, often in a passionate manner.

lament

(v.) to express sorrow, mourning, or regret, often in a vocal manner; can also refer to a passionate expression of grief.

contentious

(adj.) causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial and often contentious in nature.

incongruous

(adj.) not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something; out of place.

illicit

(adj.) not permitted.

fervor

(adj.) intensity of feeling or expression.

crass

(adj.) having or showing no understanding of what is proper or acceptable, rude and insensitive

piety

(noun.) the quality or state of being pious, fidelity to natural obligations (as to parents), devoutness in religion

bellicose

(adj.) favoring or inclined to start quarrels or wars.

discourse

(noun.) the use of words to exchange thoughts and ideas

vacillate

(verb.) to waver in mind, will, or feeling / hesitate in choice of opinions or courses

profound

(adj.) having intellectual depth and insight

superficial

(adj.) concerned only with what is obvious or apparent, affecting only the outer part or surface of something not deep or serious

strident

(adj.) characterized by harsh, insistent, and discordant sound

idyllic

(adj.) pleasing or picturesque in natural simplicity

sublime

(adj.) very beautiful or good, causing strong feelings of admiration or wonder, complete or extreme

reprieve 

(verb.) to delay the punishment of (someone, such as a condemned prisoner), to give relief or deliverance to for a time

approbation

(noun) praise or approval

alliteration

(noun) the repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables (such as wild and woolly, thrifty and thriving)

assonance

(noun) relatively close juxtaposition of similar sounds especially of vowels (as in "rise high in the bright sky")

consonance

(noun) harmony or agreement among components

cacophony

(noun) harsh or jarring sound

euphony

(noun) pleasing or sweet sound