AP Lit Vocab List #3

ostentatious (adj.)

showy or overly elaborate in an attempt to impress others

frivolous (adj.)

lacking seriousness; trivial; concerned with unimportant matters

moderate (adj.)

average or reasonable; not excessive

sanction (v.)

to approve or authorize

platonic (adj.)

non-romantic and non-sexual in nature; relating to spiritual or intellectual connection

dramatic irony (n.)

a situation in which the audience or reader knows more than a character, creating tension or humor

deliberate (adj.)

intentional, careful, or thoughtful

explicate (v.)

to explain or analyze in detailed, logical terms

elation (n.)

great happiness, exhilaration, or joyful excitement

motif (n.)

a phrase, idea, or event that through repetition serves to unify or convert a theme in a work of literature

aphorism (n.)

a short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment

deus ex machina (n.)

in literature, an artificial or improbable device used to suddenly resolve a plot

enjambment (n.)

in poetry, the continuation of a sentence or clause across multiple lines without a pause or punctuation

epic (n.)

an extended narrative poem recounting heroic adventures of a legendary or larger-than-life figure

harangue (n.)

a forceful, critical, or ranting speech; a tirade

hubris (n.)

excessive pride or self-confidence that leads to a character’s downfall

lampoon (v.)

to ridicule or satirize someone or something

parricide (n.)

the act of killing one’s father (or sometimes another close relative)

pastoral (adj.)

relating to rural life, nature, or shepherds

ascertain (v.)

to find out or discover with certainty