Vocabulary Exam for AP English Literature

Phlegmatic - (adjective) to have a unemotional, calm disposition.

Amity - (noun) a friendly relationship.

Eschew - (verb) to deliberately avoid using; to abstain from.

Nuance - (noun) a subtle difference in meaning, expression, or sound.

Strident - (adjective) something which is loud, harsh, or grating.

Incendiary - (adjective) action designed to cause fire, arouse conflict or strength

Obviate - (verb) to remove, avoid, or prevent.

Venerable - (adjective) to hold a great deal of respect mainly due to age, wisdom, or strength of character.

Expiate - (verb) to atone for guilt or sin.

Verisimilitude - (noun) something having the appearance of being true or real.

Contemptuous - (adjective) showing contempt, scornful.

Quail - (verb) to feel/show fear or apprehension.

Bewitched - (adjective) to enchant or delight someone.

Tenacity - (noun) the quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly.

Wanderlust - (noun) a strong desire to travel.

Pigeonhole - (verb) assign someone to a particular category or class in an exclusive /ridged manner.

Leery - (adjective) openly distrustful, unwilling to confide in others.

Quandary - (noun) a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation.

Diurnal - (adjective) something which happens daily.

Mitigate - (verb) to make less severe, serious, or painful; to lessen the gravity of.

Plaintive - (adjective) to sound sad, pitiful, or mournful.

Circumscribed - (verb) to restrict something within certain limits.

Parochial - (adjective) having a narrow/limited outlook or scope.

Invigorate - (verb) to give strength or energy to.