Mid-term Vocab Words for AP Literature and Composition

admonish akimbo brazen callous contemptuous din disdainful disparity edict efficacy enigmatic esoteric euphoric facetious inexorable lassitude lugubrious marauding maudlin moribund pecuniary physiognomy plight presumptuous subversive suppliant tedium torrid tumult vacuous

admonish

To warn someone not to do something, usually in a kind way, or to tell someone to do something.

akimbo

Having the hand on the hip and the elbow turned outward

brazen

Being hardened and thickened; feeling or showing no sympathy for others: hard-hearted

callous

Unkind, cruel, and without sympathy or feeling for other people

contemptuous

Showing that someone does not like someone or something and thinks that they do not deserve interest or respect

disdainful

Showing that someone does not like someone or something and thinks that they do not deserve interest or respect

din

A loud and unpleasant noise or mixture of noises, especially one that continues for some time

edict

An official order, especially one that is given in a forceful and unfair way

enigmatic

Of, relating to, or resembling an enigma: mysterious

esoteric

Designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone

euphoric

Marked by a feeling of great happiness and excitement

facetious

Joking or jesting often inappropriately

inexorable

Not to be persuaded, moved, or stopped: relentless

lassitude

A feeling of fatigue, tiredness and exhaustion both physically and mentally

lugubrious

Sad rather than lively or cheerful

marauding

Going around to a place in search of things to steal or people to attack

maudlin

Being sad and sentimental in a foolish way because of drinking alcohol

moribund

a person at the point of death or a thing in terminal decline

pecuniary

describes something that is measured in money or is related to money

physiognomy

assessing a person’s character or personality from their outer appearance, especially the face

plight

an unfavorable or unfortunate condition or situation

presumptuous

someone who shows little respect for others by doing things they have no right to do

subversive

something or someone trying to destroy or damage something, especially an established political system

suppliant

a person who makes a humble plea to someone in power or authority

tedium

quality of state of being tedious or boring

torrid

burning heat, especially of the sun or something very hot, burning, such as climate, weather, or air.

tumult

a loud noise, especially that produced by an excited crowd or a state of confusion, change, or uncertainty

vacuous

something that is not expressing or showing intelligent thought or purpose

disparity

a noticeable and usually significant difference, especially in a way that is considered unfairly unequal

efficacy

the capacity or power to produce a desired result or effect