American Lit. II H Mid-Term Vocabulary
About this set
Created by:
Rafi_Naseer on January 26, 2011
Subjects:
Description:
Tone words and A Separate Peace vocab.
Log in to favorite or report as inappropriate.
Order by
118 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 abashed | ashamed or embarrassed |
| abrasive | overly aggressive |
| acquiescent | to comply silently |
| acerbic | harsh or severe |
| aghast | struck with overwhelming shock |
| allusive | symbolic; figurative |
| apprehensive | uneasy or fearful about something that might happen |
| ardent | passionate or intense feeling |
| audacious | extremely bold or daring |
| bantering | an exchange of light, playful, teasing remarks |
| begrudging | to envy or resent the pleasure or good fortune (of someone) |
| bemused | bewildered or confused |
| benevolent | characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings |
| blithe | joyous or merry |
| bristling | to be visibly roused or stirred |
| brusque | abrupt in manner |
| candid | frank; outspoken; open and sincere |
| caustic | severely critical or sarcastic |
| cavalier | haughty, disdainful; arrogant |
| clipped | characterized by quick, terse, and clear enunciation |
| condescending | patronizing or superior |
| coy | shy or reserved |
| contemptuous | showing or expressing contempt or disdain; scornful |
| curt | rudely brief in speech |
| cynical | distrusting or disparaging the motives of others |
| defamatory | damaging to reputation; slanderous |
| denunciatory | act of denouncing or condemning |
| detached | not involved or concerned; aloof |
| devil-may-care | easy-going attitude |
| didactic | preachy; inclined to teach or lecture others too much |
| disdainful | scornful |
| disparaging | to belittle |
| dry | unemotional; dull; uninteresting |
| ecstatic | in a state of extreme happiness |
| entranced | to fill with delight or wonder |
| eulogistic | verbally lifting someone up in a formal setting |
| exhilirated | to enliven; invigorate; stimulate |
| exultant | highly elated; jubilant; triumphant |
| facetious | not meant to be taken literally or seriously |
| flippant | shallow; disrespectful |
| frivolous | self-indulgently carefree; unconcerned about or lacking any serious purpose |
| ghoulish | strangely diabolical or cruel; monstrous |
| giddy | lighthearted; impulsive; flighty |
| gleeful | elated; jubilant; delighted |
| glum | sullenly or silently gloomy; dejected |
| guarded | cautious; careful |
| haughty | snobby |
| hollow | empty feeling |
| hypercritical | excessively or meticulously critical; overcritical |
| indifferent | without interest or concern; not caring; apathetic |
| indignant | feeling, characterized by, or expressing strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting |
| indulgent | benignly lenient or permissive |
| ironic | coincidental; unexpected |
| irreverent | manifesting or characterized by irreverence; deficient in veneration or respect |
| languorous | lack of physical or mental energy; listlessness |
| languid | lacking in spirit or interest; listless; indifferent |
| laudatory | containing or expressing praise |
| lingering | to remain or stay in a place longer than is usual or expected, as if from reluctance to leave |
| marveling | to wonder or be curious about |
| melancholy | a gloomy state of mind; especially when habitual or prolonged; depression |
| naive | having or showing lack or experience, judgment |
| nostalgic | a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life |
| objective | not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based on facts; unbiased |
| pessimistic | pertaining to or characterized by pessimism; gloomy |
| poignant | keenly distressing to the feelings |
| pragmatic | of or pertaining to a practical point of view or practical considerations |
| provocative | tending or serving to provoke |
| rallying | to draw or call (persons) together for a common action or effort |
| reflective | of or pertaining to reflection |
| reminiscing | to recall past experiences, events |
| reproachful | full of or expressing reproach, or blame |
| resigned | feeling or showing resignation; submissive; yielding and uncomplaining |
| restrained | exercising, or showing the results of, self-discipline or rational control; controlled |
| reticent | habitually silent or uncommunicative; disinclined to speak readily |
| reverent | deeply respectful |
| rueful | feeling, showing, or expressing sorrow or pity; mournful |
| sardonic | characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; cynical; sneering |
| satirical | ironical, taunting, cutting |
| self-dramatizing | exaggerating one's own qualities, role, situation, etc., for dramatic effect or as an attention-getting device; presenting oneself dramatically |
| self-justifying | one's actions, justifying or rationalizing beliefs, motives |
| sentimental | having or showing tender, gentle, or delicate feelings |
| sly | showing a secretive, crafty, or wily nature; cunningly underhanded |
| smug | self-satisfied to an annoying degree |
| somber | dark and gloomy or dull |
| stern | hard; severe; unyielding; strict |
| stentorian | very loud |
| strident | harsh-sounding; shrill; grating |
| subdued | quiet or withdrawn |
| swaggering | to boast, brag, or show off in a loud, superior manner |
| trenchant | forceful; vigorous; effective |
| understated | restrained, subtle, modest |
| vexed | confused, troubled |
| vibrant | throbbing with life and activity; lively |
| wary | cautious; on one's guard |
| whimsical | oddly out of the ordinary |
| withering | shriveling, shrinking, wilting |
| wry | dry, ironic, sardonic |
| zealous | ardently devoted to a purpose; fervent; enthusiastic |
| specter | phantom, apparition |
| contentious | quarrelsome, controversial |
| bleak | cold, gloomy |
| intimidating | frightening, discouraging |
| droll | amusingly odd |
| prodigious | extraordinary |
| inanimate | appearing lifeless or dead |
| collaborator | someone who works and schemes with another |
| unique | without equal, being one of a kind, unparalleled |
| compliance | yielding to the wishes or demands of another |
| inured | used to something unpleasant by being exposed to it for a long time |
| improvise | to invent or compose without preparation; make from available materials |
| adversary | opponent, enemy |
| reverie | a state of dreamy mediation; a daydream |
| emissary | messenger, agent |
| transcend | rise above, go beyond |
| reprimand | a rebuke, severe scolding |
| coherent | in a clear or orderly manner |
| idiosyncrasy | peculiarity, eccentricity |
| grotesque | outlandish, bizarre |
First Time Here?
Welcome to Quizlet, a fun, free place to study. Try these flashcards, find others to study, or make your own.