AP Lang: Unit 2 Vocabulary

ameliorate - (v.) to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming

aplomb - (n.) poise, assurance, great self-confidence; perpendicularity

bombastic - (adj.) pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas

callow - (adj.) without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers

drivel - (n.) saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish, aimless talk or thinking; nonsense (v.) to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense or childish twaddle; to waste or fritter away foolishly

epitome - (n.) a summary, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality

exhort - (v.) to urge strongly, advise earnest

ex officio - (adj., adv.) by virtue of holding a certain office

infringe - (v.) to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds

ingratiate - (v.) to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others (sometimes used in a critical or derogatory sense)

interloper - (n.) one who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder

intrinsic - (adj.) belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part

inveigh - (v.) to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval

lassitude - (n.) weariness of body or mind, lack of energy

millennium - (n.) a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy Name: Date: Definitions

occult - (adj.) secret, hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means; mysterious, magical, uncanny (v.) to hide, cover up; eclipse (n.) matters involving the supernatural

permeate - (v.) to spread through, penetrate, soak through

precipitate - (v.) to fall as moisture; to bring about suddenly ; to hurl down from a great height; to give distinct form to (adj.) characterized by excessive haste (n.) moisture; the product of an action or process

stringent - (adj.) strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste

surmise - (v.) to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess (n.) likely idea that lacks definite proof