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AP Lang Vocab

Terms in this set (52)

Something ephemeral is short-lived or not long lasting.

In Denver, we do not have myriad choices in cable companies -- it's either Comcast or Centurylink or maybe Dish.

Someone who is stalwart is a person who is very loyal or reliable. For example, someone who votes for a certain political party every election is a stalwart supporter.

Something that is pernicious is harmful in a subtle or gradual way. Lead poisoning is pernicious because it doesn't show up right away.

Someone who is recalcitrant is stubbornly uncooperative with authority or discipline. Also, a problem can be recalcitrant in that it is tough to solve and difficult to manage.

An omission is something left out or excluded, like the truth. The action/verb form is 'to omit'.

When someone is censured, he/she usually receives a formal statement about something he/she has done that has been disapproved of.

A harbinger is someone or something that signals or announces something else. For example, yellow and red leaves are the harbingers of the winter to come.

Arrogant or boastful behavior.

Someone who is mercurial has sudden or unpredictable changes in mood.

Penury is an extreme state of poverty.

Ergonomics is the study of how efficient people are in their working environments. Ergonomic furniture is furniture that provides comfort for people as they work. For example, ergonomic keyboards are more comfortable to use over an entire day versus traditional keyboards.

When someone purloins something, he/she steals it in a sneaky or stealthy way.

Sisyphus was a character in Greek mythology whose punishment was to roll a boulder up a hill only to see it roll back down; he never accomplished his goal. Tasks are that are sisyphean are ones that are both difficult and futile or pointless.

When you upbraid someone you scold him/her for something.

Openly disregard. I routinely flout the law by exceeding the speed limit.

Artisans or professionals ply the tools of their trade, using them repeatedly or rhythmically.

If you are agile, you can move quickly or swiftly (both in athletics and other tasks). Movements can also be described as agile.

A surfeit is an excess of something.

My English teacher is not very affable because he is unfriendly and not easy to talk to.

When you have empathy for someone else, you can understand or even share his/her feelings.

When you have sympathy for someone, you feel sad or pity toward his/her misfortune.

Someone who is magnanimous is very generous or forgiving, especially toward an opponent or someone in a lesser position of power.

When you denounce something, you publicly come forth and declare that it is wrong.

Something that is systemic is spread across an entire system rather than a local or smaller part. Corruption is often systemic and can be found system-wide rather than in a small office or area.

Insatiable is usually used in the sense of "an insatiable appetite for something", which means that you have an unsatisfiable appetite or desire for something (a specific food, knowledge, power, etc.)

When something baffles you, it confuses or bewilders you.

When you expound something, you explain it thoroughly in great detail. (Note: you may hear the usage "expound on something").

When you make a candid remark to someone, it is informal, honest, and staightforward.

When two things exist together, they can be said to cohabitate. Two people sharing living quarters are also said to cohabitate.

Something stagnant has no activity, movement, or growth.

Something providential happens at the right time. For example, my arrival at the gas station was providential because my tank was almost empty.

Someone in a jocular mood is feeling humorous, joking, or playful. Jocular remarks are joking or playful -- the connotation is often positive.

Hysteria is an exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion, usually excitement, fear, or both. Groups often exhibit hysteria ("mass hysteria").

When you get reassurance, your doubts or fears are put to rest.

A daunting job or task is one that intimidates you.

Something that invigorates you gives you strength or energy.

When something ebbs, it recedes or decreases. "After a scandal, a politician's popularity often ebbs."

Erstwhile describes things that are one-time, former, or of old-times.

The definition of a sentient being is complex, but many scholars agree that being sentient means that something can perceive or feel things.

Something congenial is pleasant or agreeable because it fits your / someone else's taste. "Once I moved in to the house, I threw out the old furniture and purchased furniture more congenial to my sophisticated tastes."

You use putative when someone/something is generally considered or reputed to be a certain way. For example, While baseball is America's putative favorite sport, other sports are quickly gaining popularity.

When someone infiltrates something else, they secretly and gradually get into it or gain access to it.

Something piteous deserves or calls for pity.

When you elucidate something, you make it clear.

Indispensable is something you can't do without.

Someone who is delirious is in a confused/incoherent/restless state of mind. What they say and think may not be coherent. Lack of sleep can make someone delirious.

When you rebuke someone you express strong disapproval for his/her actions. You can also "give someone a rebuke" for actions you disapprove of.

Someone who is unctuous is flattering to someone in an excessive way. That person may also be excessively pious or moralistic in an affected way. Substances that are unctuous are greasy, oily, or soapy.

Chagrin is used in the phrase "Much to my/his/her chagrin, [something that causes you embarassment often for having failed or having been humiliated]".

The word neophyte breaks down into two roots: neo (new) and phyte (plant). It doesn't literally mean 'new plant', but rather, it has come to mean someone who is new to something.

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