Unit 9 Vocabulary - AP Lit

avatar

synonyms: embodiment, virtual identity

beatitude

a state of perfect happiness or blessedness; a blessing

synonyms: bliss, rapture

antonyms: misery, despair

bete noire

someone or something that one especially dislikes, dreads, or avoids

synonyms: pet peeve, bugbear, nemesis

antonyms: pet, idol

bode

to be an omen of; to indicate by signs

synonyms: presage, augur, foreshadow

dank

unpleasantly damp or wet

synonyms: clammy, moist, soggy

antonyms: dry, arid, parched, desiccated

ecumenical

worldwide or universal in influence or application

synonyms: general, comprehensive

antonyms: parochial, regional, insular

fervid

burning with enthusiasm or zeal; extremely heated

synonyms: ardent, fervent, earnest

antonyms: apathetic, indifferent, cool, blase

fetid

having an unpleasant or offensive odor

synonyms: smelly, putrid, noisome, foul, malodorous

antonyms: fragrant, aromatic, perfumed, sweet

gargantuan

of immense size, volume or capacity; enormous, prodigious

synonyms: huge, colossal, mammoth, gigantic

antonyms: tiny, miniscule, infinitesimal, dwarfish

heyday

the period of greatest power, vigot, success, or influence; the prime years

synonyms: golden age

antonyms: formative years, twilight years, decline

incubus

a demon or evil spirit supposed to haunt human beings in their bedrooms at night; anything that oppresses or weighs upon one, like a nightmare

synonyms: hobgoblin, millstone

infrastructure

a basic foundation or framework; a system of public works; the resources and facilities required for an activity; permanent military installations

synonyms: base, basis, underpinning

antonyms: superstructure

inveigle

to entice, lure, or snare by flattery or artful inducements; to obtain or acquire by artifice

synonyms: induce, beguile, cajole, wheedle

kudos

the acclaim, prestige, or renown that comes as a result of some action or achievement

synonyms: glory, praise, accolades

antonyms: boos, disapproval, condemnation

lagniappe

an extra or unexpected gift or gratuity

synonym: bonus

prolix

long-winded and wordy; tending to speak or write in such a way

synonym: garrulous

antonyms: laconic, succinct, pithy

protege

someone whose welfare, training, or career is under the patronage of an influential person; someone under the jurisdiction of a foreign country or government

synonyms: ward, charge, disciple, trainee

antonyms: sponsor, mentor, benefactor

sycophant

someone who attempts to win favors or advance him- or himself by flattery or servile behaviour; a slanderer, defamer

synonyms: yes-man, flunky, bootlicker

tautology

needless repetition of an idea by using different but equivalent words; a redundancy

synonyms: pleonasm

truckle

to yield or submit tamely or submissively

synonyms: kowtow, stoop, grovel

antonyms: resist, defy, stand up to