AP LIT VOCAB TEST

allocation

the state of being set apart for a particular purpose

ascetic

a person who dedicates his/her life to a pursuit of contemplative ideals and practices extreme self-denial for religious reasons

beguile

to influence by trickery or flattery

crass

without refinement, delicacy or sensitivity; gross; stupid

defray

to bear or pay all or part of

dint

force; power

enjoin

to prescribe a course of action with authority or emphasis

envoy

a diplomatic agent

interloper

a person who interferes or meddles in the affairs of others

vicarious

performed, exercised, received or suffered in place of another

admonish

to caution, advise or counsel against something

akimbo

with hand on hip and elbow bend outward

lassitude

weariness of body or mind from strain/oppressive climate; lack of energy

licentious

sexually unrestrained

muse (noun)

a person or force who is the source of inspiration for an artist

muse (verb)

to think or meditate in silence, as on some subject

pecuniary

of a relating to money

plight

a condition, state or situation, especially an unfavorable one

presumptuous

taking something for granted

subversive

tending or intending to overthrow, destroy or undermine an established system like government

vacuous

without contents; empty

avocation

something a person does in addition to a principle occupation

capricious

subject to, led by, or indicative of a sudden, odd notion or unpredictable change

disparity

lack of similarity or equality

efficacy

capacity for producing a desired result or effect

epistle

a letter, especially a formal one; written communication

hospice

a home providing care for the sick, especially the terminally ill or a lodging for travelers, especially one run by a religious order

impetus

a moving force

moribund

in a dying state/near death

reticent

disposed to be silent or not to speak freely; reserved

vacillate

to waver in mind or opinion

akin

of kin/ related by blood

corroborate

to make more certain/confirm

inexorable

unyielding; unalterable

insipid

without distinction, interesting or stimulating qualities

nefarious

extremely wicked or villainous

physiognomy

the face or countenance, especially when considered as an index to the character

retinue

a group of advisers, assistants, or others accompanying an important person

suppliant

a person who prays humbly

tedium

the quality or state of being wearisome

torrid

subject to parching or burning heat, especially by the sun, as a geographical area

affront

an action or remark that causes outrage or offense.

blase

bored, uninterested, satiated

cajole

To coax

choleric

Easily angered, bad-tempered

encumber

to weigh down or burden (with difficulties, cares, debt, etc.); to fill up, block up, hinder

feckless

lacking in spirit and strength; ineffective, weak; irresponsible, unreliable

impasse

blocked path; dilemma with no solution

indolent

habitually lazy or idle

lugubrious

sorrowful; mournful; dismal

ribald

humorous in a vulgar way

adulation

Excessive flattery or admiration

censure

To criticize harshly

dissemble

to disguise or conceal; to mislead

dissimulation

the act of deceiving

droll

amusing in a wry, subtle way

expectorate

To cough up and spit forth.

palpate

to examine by touch

peremptory

Leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal

pusillanimous

cowardly; without courage

surfeit

An excessive amount

acquiesce (v)

accept something reluctantly but without protest

allay (v)

to calm or pacify, set to rest; to lessen or relieve

amity (n)

friendship

arduous (adj)

hard to do, requiring much effort

capacious (adj)

able to hold much, roomy

diurnal (adj)

active during the day

extricate (v)

to free, to disentangle

gestalt (n)

an organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts

ignominious (v)

deserving or causing public disgrace or shame

inundate (v)

to flood, overflow; to overwhelm by numbers or size

mitigate (v)

to make milder or softer, to moderate in force or intensity

palpitate (v)

beat rapidly

perjury (n)

false testimony under oath

perspicuity (n)

clearness

phlegmatic (adj)

slow

preposterous (adj)

ridiculous, senseless

propitious (adj)

favorable

prostrate (adj)

lying flat

trepidation (n)

a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen

voluble (adj)

characterized by a ready flow of words; glib, fluent

admonish

warn or reprimand someone firmly

aplomb

poise, assurance, great self

barrage

a rapid, large

cognizant

having knowledge or being aware of

collusion

secret agreement or cooperation

hegemony

domination over others; especially by one country or social group over others

nebulous

hazy; vague; uncertain

paradigm

a model; an example

unctuous

exaggeratedly or insincerely polite

urbane

refined in manner or style; sophisticated

ambulatory

capable of walking

brazen

bold and without shame

din

a loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise

ennui

dissatisfaction and restlessness resulting from boredom or apathy

exonerate

to clear from a charge/accusation/blame

inscrutable

impossible to understand or interpret

prognosticate

to predict or foretell a future event

schism

division; split

sedition

rebellion or resistance against the government