AP Lang and Comp Vocab 11

Abridge

to shorten, to diminish

Anecdote

a short story of an interesting or amusing incident

Aura

a distinctive quality about a person, thing, or place

Banter

to speak in a witty or teasing manner

Callous

hardened: insensitive, indifferent, unsympathetic

Compatriot

a fellow countryman

Cupidity

greed

Destitution

state of being extremely poor, in extreme want

Eclipse

to cast a shadow upon; to darken; to make dim or obscure by comparison

Erudite

scholarly

Garnish

to decorate

Heralded

announced or publicized

Importune

to beg in earnest

Jocular

jesting or joking

Kudos

awards or honors

Magnate

a person of power and influence

Mince

to restrain one’s speech or to euphemize in order to show politeness

Nettle

to arouse displeasure, impatience, or anger in

Obtuse

dull of mind, insensitive, stupid

Parody

humorous or ridiculous imitation

Perjury

false testimony under oath

Pucker

to gather into wrinkles or irregular folds

Quake

to shake from shock or instability

Skulk

to move in a sneaky, furtive, or stealthy manner

Titanic

massive, enormous in scope