AP Lang socrates vocab

1. Rectitude
Definition: The state of being correct, straight, and morally upright; the quality of being honest and morally correct.
Example: Her rectitude earned her the respect of everyone in the community.

2. Pertinaciously
Definition: Sticking to a purpose, belief, or opinion stubbornly or obstinately.
Example: He pertinaciously refused to give up on his project, even after many failures.

3. Panegyric
Definition: A formal or elaborate expression of praise.
Example: The professor gave a touching panegyric in honor of the retiring dean.

4. Anthropocentrism
Definition: The belief that human beings are the most significant entities in the universe.
Example: Anthropocentrism often leads people to overlook the importance of preserving nature.

5. Exculpated
Definition: To clear from alleged fault or guilt.
Example: The new evidence exculpated the wrongly accused man.

6. Demagogue
Definition: A leader who uses popular prejudices, false claims, and promises to gain power.
Example: The demagogue stirred up the crowd with emotional speeches and false promises.

7. Cosmology
Definition: A branch of metaphysics that deals with the origin, structure, and natural order of the universe.
Example: Ancient cosmology tried to explain how the stars and planets were formed.

8. A priori
Definition: Relating to reasoning or knowledge derived from self-evident propositions rather than experience.
Example: Mathematicians often use a priori reasoning to prove universal truths.

9. Itinerant
Definition: Traveling from place to place, especially for work.
Example: The itinerant artist sold his paintings in different towns each week.

10. Verisimilitude
Definition: The quality or state of having the appearance of truth; realism.
Example: The film’s historical accuracy gave it a strong sense of verisimilitude.