APLC: Semester 1 Vocabulary (2026)

revere (v.)

feel deep respect or admiration for (something).

discern (v.)

perceive or recognize (something)

euphemism (n.)

pleasant word or phrase used in place of an unpleasant one

besiege (v.)

to overwhelm; to surround and attack

lucid (adj.)

expressed clearly; easy to understand

complacent (adj.)

uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements

expedite (v.)

make (an action or process) happen sooner

zeugma (RD)

single verb is applied to multiple parts of a sentence

enigma (n.)

mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand

refute (v.)

prove to be wrong or false; disprove

provocative (adj.)

causing annoyance, anger, or another strong reaction, especially deliberately

banal (adj.)

lacking in originality; boring

adjudicate (v.)

to make an official decision about who is right in a dispute

pragmatic (adj.)

dealing with things in a sensible or realistic manner

copious (adj.)

abundant in supply or quantity

chiasmus (RD)

Words repeated in reverse order to create balance, rhythm, or deep contrast.

fastidious (adj.)

very attentive to; concerned about accuracy and detail

languid (adj.)

sluggish; drooping from weakness

soelmn (adj.)

formal and dignified; serious

ambivalent (adj.)

having mixed feelings about something

didactic (adj.)

intended to teach; particularly moral instruction

ephemeral (adj.)

lasting only a brief time; short-lived

cumbersome (adj.)

slow/complicated and therefore inefficient

aphorism (RD)

short statement of moral principle or good advice