ap lang unit 1 vocab

adjunct (n)

something added to something else as helpful or useful but not essential; an assistant or helper; a valuable quality or characteristic; (adj) added or connected in a subordinate capacity; attached to a faculty or staff in an auxiliary capacity.

syn: associate, addition, accessory

bellwether (n)

the male sheep that leads the flock to the slaughterhouse; a leader, as in a desperate or violent undertaking; an indicator of trends.

caterwaul (v)

to howl or screech like a cat; to quarrel; a harsh or noisy cry; a racket

chimerical (adj)

absurd; wildly fantastic; impossible

effete (adj)

lacking in wholesome vigor or energy; worn-out or exhausted; sterile or unable to produce; out of date.

fait accompli (n)

an accomplished and presumably irreversible deed, fact, or action.

hidebound (adj)

narrow-minded and rigid; especially in opinions or prejudices, stubbornly or unthinkingly conservative

hierarchy (n)

any system of things or people arranged or graded one above another in order of rank, wealth, class, etc.

liturgy (n)

a religious service or rite; the form of a ritual or other act of public worship

mirage (n)

something illusory, without substance, or without a basis in reality; an illusion

morass (n)

a patch of low, soft, wet ground; a swamp; a confusing situation in which one is entrapped, as in quicksand

noisome (adj)

offensive or disgusting; foul-smelling; harmful or injurious

oblivious (adj)

forgetful; unaware

poltroon (n)

a base coward (pussy)

proselytizing (n)

a convert; a disciple

syn - novice, neophyte

quasi (adj)

resembling but not actually being, seemingly but not actually or completely

raillery (n)

good-humored ridicule, teasing

syn - banter

ribald (adj)

irreversibly mocking, coarse, vulgar, or indecent in language

ant: proper

supine (adj)

lying flat on one's back, listless or lethargic, apathetic or passive

ant: erect, perpendicular

vignette (n)

a short description or sketch; a picture or illustration with edges that gradually shade off; a decorative design on the title page of a book or at the beginning or end of a chapter

syn: thumbnail sketch, anecdote