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AP English Language (Vocab) Flashcards

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5894875836Mountebank(n.) a flambouyant swindler; a flimflammer, someone who claims to be an expert but isn't0
5894875837Sophist(n.) one skilled in elaborate and devious argumentation (soph + moros = wise fool [sophomore])1
5894875838Specious(adj.) having the ring of truth or plausibility but actually fallacious2
5894875839Spurious(adj.) not genuine, authentic, or true; false (not necessarily intended to deceive)3
5894875840Apocryphal(adj.) of doubtful or dubious authenticity; false4
5894875841Ersatz(adj.) describes an inferior substitute (getting shatsa cola vs. coke)5
5894875842Skulduggery(n.) devious, deceitful behavior; underhanded dealings6
5894875843Machinations(n.) intrigues, plots, crafty schemes; or the actual act of plotting7
5894875844Hornswoggle(v.) to swind, cheat, or dupe8
5894875845Gadfly(n.) persistently annoying person who questions, critiques, and pesters (Doña Blanca; insect that bothers cow)9
5894875846Querulous(adj.) full of complaints; complaining in an annoyed way (Oscar the Grouch; Squidward) [queror = to complain]10
5894875847Maudlin(adj.) foolishly, tearfully, and weakly sentimental; overly emotional (me or drunk people)11
5894875848Mawkish(adj.) excessively and objectionably sentimental12
5894875849Treacle(n.) cloying, sickly-sweet speech or sentiment (you're the yin to my yang; corny stuff; cards at target) [how I act when I want something]13
5894875850Scabrous(adj.) dealing with or characterized by suggestive, indecent, or scandalous themes or material14
5894875851Noisome(adj.) offensive to the point of arousing disgust; foul, particularly in reference to an odor (synonym: disgusting or offensive) [noi = annoy]15
5894875852Fulsome(adj.) excessively or insincerely lavish; offensive to good taste, especially as being grossly excessive (abundant; can be both + or -)16
5894875853Malediction(n.) a curse; evil talk about someone; slander [malus = bad, badly, or evil] [dic or dict = speak] (mal + dict = evil speech - curse) {benediction = good speech}17
5894875854Malcontent(n.) person who is chronically dissatisfied18
5894875855Malaise(n.) vague or indefinite feeling of unease or discomfort [aise = ease] (mal + aise = ill at ease)19
5894875856Maladroit(adj.) badly skilled; awkward, clumsy, tackless, or bungling (when a boy likes you and he's shy and does/say dumb things)20
5894875857Malefactor(n.) a criminal; a person who violates the law (antonym: benefactor) (synonyms: scoundrels, desperados, or criminals)21
5894875858Malfeasance(n.) illegal or harmful act, usually committed by a public official that violates the public trust (The politician's malfeasance brought an end to his political career.)22
5894875859Malinger(v.) to fake or exaggerate illness (what I do when I don't want to go to school) (Teddy from GLC did this when she didn't want to go to the family vacation)23
5894875860Venal(adj.) open to corruption; capable of being bought through bribery [venam = something for sale] (synonym: vendor or vending machines) (antonym: venial < forgivable, minor, pardonable)24
5894875861Insidious(adj.) intended to entrap, ensnare, or beguile; stealthily treacherous or deceitful [insidere = to sit in or on]25
5894875862Invidious(adj.) creating ill will or envy; causing resentment; unfairly or offensively discriminating [invidia = envy]26
5894875863Turpitude(n.) baseness, depravity, or debauchery [turpis = wicked or shameful]27

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