AP Lang Flashcards 13, 14, 15- Second Semester Test

cognizant

(adj) aware, knowledgeable, informed, having jurisdiction

deign

(v) to think it appropriate or suitable to one's dignity to do something; to condescend

contrite

(adj) regretful for a misdeed or sin; plagued by a sense of guilt, thoroughly penitent

abstruse

(adj) extremely difficult to understand

canard

(n) a false rumor, fabricated story

decorous

(adj) well behaved, dignified, socially proper

efficacy

(n) the power to produce a desired result

cynosure

(n) the center of attraction, attention, or interest

affront

(n/v) an open or intentional insult; a slight; to insult to one's face; to face in defiance; confront

desiccated

(adj) thoroughly dried out; divested of spirit or vitality; arid and uninteresting

captious

(adj) excessively ready to find fault; given to petty criticism; intended to trap, confuse, or show up

machination

(n) a crafty or scheming or underhanded action designed to accomplish some (usually evil) end

façade

(n) the front or face of a building; a surface appearance (as opposed to what may lie behind)

ethereal

(adj) light, airy, delicate; highly refined; suggesting what is heavenly (rather than earthbound)

putative

(adj) generally regarded as such; reputed; hypothesized, inferred

opprobrium

(n) a disgrace arising from shameful conduct; infamy; contempt, reproach

mesmerize

(v) to hypnotize; to fascinate; enthrall

engender

(v) to bring into existence, give rise to, produce

ghoulish

(adj) revolting in an unnatural or morbid way; suggestive of someone who robs graves or otherwise preys on the dead

incongruous

(adj) not in keeping, unsuitable, incompatible

febrile

(adj) feverish; pertaining to or marked by fever

euphemism

(n) a mild or inoffensive expression used in place of a harsh or unpleasant one

cacophonous

(adj) harsh-sounding; discordant

behemoth

(n) a creature of enormous size, power, or appearance

gainsay

(v) to deny, contradict; to dispute

blandishment

(n) anything designed to flatter or coax; sweet talk; apple-polishing

chicanery

(n) trickery; deceptive practices or tactics

beatific

(adj) blissful; rendering or making blessed

consign

(v) to give over to another's care, charge, or control; to entrust, deliver; to set apart for special use

coup

(n) a highly successful stroke, act, plan, or stratagem

minutiae

(pl. n) small or trivial details, trifling matters

moratorium

(n) a suspension of activity; an official waiting period; an authorized period of delay

nostrum

(n) a alleged cure-all; a remedy or scheme of questionable effectiveness

wizened

(adj) dry, shrunken, and wrinkled (often as the result of aging)

innate

(adj) natural, inborn, inherent; built-in

pariah

(n) an outcast; someone rejected by a social group or organization

imminent

(adj) about to happen; threatening

loath

(adj) unwilling, reluctant, disinclined

visionary

(adj/n) not practical, lacking in realism; having the nature of a fantasy or dream; one given to far-fetched ideas

manifest

(adj/v/n) clear, evident to the eyes or mind; to show plainly, exhibit, evince; a list of cargo and/or passengers

inviolable

(adj) sacred; of such character that it must not be broken, injured, or profaned

dissidence

(n) a difference of opinion; discontent

obeisance

(n) a deep bow or other body movement indicating respect or submission; deference; homage

epicurean

(adj) devoted to the pursuit of pleasure; fond of good food, comfort, and ease; with discriminating tastes

amenity

(n) pleasantness; that which is pleasant or agreeable; (pl) attractive features, customs, etc.

mutable

(adj) open to or capable of change; fickle

improvident

(adj) not thrifty; failing to plan ahead

aperture

(n) an opening, gap, hole

nascent

(adj) just beginning to exist or develop; having just come into existence

iniquity

(n) wickedness, sin; a grossly immoral act

subsist

(v) to have existence; to remain alive; manage to make a living or maintain life; persist or continue

progeny

(n) descendants; offspring; children

promulgate

(v) to proclaim or issue officially; to make known far and wide

restive

(adj) restless; hard to manage; balky

presage

(v/n) to foreshadow or point to a future event; to predict; a warning or indication of the future

pillory

(n/v)a device for publicly punishing offenders; a means for exposing one to public contempt or ridicule; to expose to public contempt or ridicule

seraphic

(adj)angelic; heavenly; celestial

pittance

(n)a woefully meager allowance, wage, or portion

panegyric

(n) formal or elaborate praise; a tribute

rectitude

(n) uprightness; righteousness; correctness