AP Lang Vocab (Unit 1)

approbation (n.)

the expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise; official approval

assuage (v.)

to make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet, calm; to put an end to, appease, satisfy, quench

coalition (n.)

a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose

decadence (n.)

decline, decay, or deterioration; a condition or period of decline or decay; excessive self-indulgence

elicit (v.)

to draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person)

expostulate (v.)

to attempt to dissuade someone from some course or decision by earnest reasoning

hackneyed (adj.)

used so often as to lack freshness or originality

hiatus (n.)

a gap, opening, break (in the sense of having an element missing)

innuendo (n.)

a hint, indirect suggestion, or reference (often in a derogatory sense)

intercede (v.)

to plead on behalf of someone else; to serve as a third party or go-between in a disagreement

jaded (adj.)

wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being satiated by excessive indulgence)

lurid (adj.)

causing shock, horror, or revulsion; sensational; pale or sallow in color; terrible or passionate in intensitiy or lack of restraint

meritorious (adj.)

worthy, deserving recognition and praise

petulant (adj.)

peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset

prerogative (n.)

a special right or privilege; a special quality showing excellence

provincial (adj.)

pertaining to an outlying area; local; narrow in mind or outlook, countrified in the sense of being limited and backward; of a simple, plain design that originated in the countryside; a person with a narrow point of view; a person from an outlying area; a soldier from a province or colony

simulate (v.)

to make a pretense of, imitate; to show the outer signs of

transcend (v.)

to rise above or beyond, exceed

umbrage (n.)

shade cast by trees; foliage giving shade; an overshadowing influence or power; offense, resentment; a vague suspicion

unctuous (adj.)

excessively smooth or smug; trying to hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety; fatty, oily; pliable