AP English Vocab Words
Enjambment: when one line of poetry runs into the next with no punctuation at the end of a line
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Vituperative: bitter and abusive
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Synecdoche: a figure of speech in which a part represents the whole or a whole represents the part
Ex) the crown = the monarchy OR Canada vs. England
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Amiable: friendly
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Anaphora: when a word is repeated deliberately at the beginning of successive clauses (sentences/phrases)
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Aphorism: an observation that contains an overall truth
Ex) If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
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Dialect: language particular to a region
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Caustic: able to burn or erode, sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way
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Facetious: ingenuine (joking)
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Scansion: action of scanning a line or verse to determine its rhythm
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Epigraph: An inscription on an object (building or statue) or at the beginning of a book, often suggests theme
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Impious: showing a lack of respect for God or religion
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Allegory: Metaphorical story for one unified point (ex - 1984, Animal Farm, LOTF)
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Assonance: repetition of vowel sounds in a line of poetry
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Dramatic Irony: audience knows something the characters don’t
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Effusive: expressing feelings of gratitude or pleasure without restraint
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Sardonic: grimly mocking or cynical
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Laconic: using very few words
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Chauvenistic: feeling or displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism (irrational belief in one’s superiority)
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Anthropomorphism: when an inanimate object comes to life as though a human (talking, emoting, walking…)
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Antithesis: person or thing being directly opposite to another
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Banal: so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring
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Incredulous: (of a person or their manner) unwilling or unable to believe something
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Effervescent: bubbly, vivacious
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Affable: friendly, good-natured
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Caesura: a break between words within a metrical foot in a line of poetry
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Haughty: proud
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Colloquialism: informal, ordinary, or familiar speech
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Reverence: deep respect for someone or something
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Complacent: showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements
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Ballad: poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas
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Fated: something (an event) that is predetermined
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Audacious: showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks
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Dismal: gloomy
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Vexed: annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters
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Scansion: the action of scanning a line of verse to determine its rhythm
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Didactic: intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive
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Coarse: rude, crude, or vulgar
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Impotent: unable to take effective action; helpless or powerless
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Weary: feeling or showing extreme tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion
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Vernacular: the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people of a country or region
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Benevolent: well meaning and kindly; generous
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