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AP Literature: Vocabulary Terms Flashcards

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5751267147AbhorrentInspiring disgust and loathing; repugnant 'racism was abhorrent to us all'0
5751267148AdamantRefusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind 'he is adamant that he is not going to resign'1
5751267149AdmonitionA firm warning or reprimand 'he received numerous admonitions for his behaviour'2
5751267994AmbivalentHaving mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone 'some loved her, some hated her, few were ambivalent about her'3
5751267995ArduousInvolving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring 'an arduous journey'4
5751277076AtheistA person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods 'unlike his Muslim and Christian friends, he is a committed atheist'5
5751277077AutonomyFreedom from external control or influence; independence 'the courts enjoy a considerable degree of autonomy' 'economic autonomy is still a long way off for many women'6
5751277078BeguileCharm or enchant (someone), often in a deceptive way: 'he beguiled the voters with his good looks' Trick (someone) into doing something: 'they were beguiled into signing a peace treaty'7
5751278689BemoanExpress discontent or sorrow over (something): 'Despite the drawbacks, Anne said she truly wants to stay in the area but bemoans the lack of amenities for her kids.'8
5751278690ClamorousMaking a loud and confused noise (expressed or characterized by vehement protests): 'a jostling, clamorous mob'9
5751278691ContemptuousShowing contempt; scornful: 'she was intolerant and contemptuous of the majority of the human race'10
5751278692ContentiousCausing or likely to cause an argument; controversial: 'a contentious issue'11
5751278693DespondentIn low spirits from loss of hope or courage: 'she grew more and more despondent'12
5751278694DevoutHaving or showing deep religious feeling or commitment, totally committed to a belief: 'she was a devout Catholic'13
5751279702DidacticIntended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive: 'a didactic novel that set out to expose social injustice'14
5751279703DisillusionmentA feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be: 'the high abstention rate at the election reflected the voters' growing disillusionment with politics'15
5751279704DoggedHaving or showing tenacity and grim persistence: 'success required dogged determination'16
5751279705DotingExtremely and uncritically fond of someone; adoring: 'she was spoiled outrageously by her doting father'17
5751279706DowntroddenOppressed or treated badly by people in power: 'a downtrodden proletarian struggling for social justice'18
5751279712EarnestResulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction/passion: 'an earnest student' 'two girls were in earnest conversation'19
5751280730FacetiouslyTreating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humour; flippant: 'Forgive me for being facetious in these desperately serious times, but sometimes ridicule is the only release from anger.'20
5751280731GunwaleThe upper edge or planking of the side of a boat or ship. OR So as to be almost overflowing: 'the car is stuffed to the gunwales with camera equipment'21
5751280732IndictmentA formal charge or accusation of a serious crime: 'an indictment for conspiracy' OR A thing that serves to illustrate that a system or situation is bad and deserves to be condemned: 'these rapidly escalating crime figures are an indictment of our society'22
5751280733IneptitudeLack of skill or ability: 'the officials displayed remarkable ineptitude'23
5751282233LatterOccurring or situated nearer to the end of something than to the beginning: 'the latter half of 1989'24
5751282234Lithesome (another word for LITHE)(especially of a person's body) thin, supple, and graceful, flexible: 'she lay gazing up at his tall, lithe figure'25
5751282235MalevolentHaving or showing a wish to do evil to others: 'the glint of dark, malevolent eyes'26
5751283635MorbidCharacterized by an abnormal and unhealthy interest in disturbing and unpleasant subjects, especially death and disease: 'his morbid fascination with the horrors of contemporary warfare'27
5751283636MortificationGreat embarrassment and shame: 'they mistook my mortification for an admission of guilt'28
5751283637MundaneLacking interest or excitement; dull: 'his mundane, humdrum existence' OR Of this earthly world rather than a heavenly or spiritual one: 'according to the Shinto doctrine, spirits of the dead can act upon the mundane world'29
5751283638NaturalistOne who practices naturalism [In philosophy, naturalism is the "idea or belief that only natural (as opposed to supernatural or spiritual) laws and forces operate in the world]30
5751283639NebulousIn the form of a cloud or haze; hazy: 'a giant nebulous glow' (of a concept) vague or ill-defined: 'nebulous concepts like quality of life'31
5751283640PaganismA religion other than one of the main world religions, specifically a non-Christian or pre-Christian religion: 'converts from paganism to Christianity'32
5751284404Pervasive(especially of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people: 'ageism is pervasive and entrenched in our society'33
5751284405PoignantEvoking a keen sense of sadness or regret: 'a poignant reminder of the passing of time' OR Sharp or pungent in taste or smell: 'the poignant scent of her powder'34
5751285770RancorousCharacterized by bitterness or resentment: 'sixteen miserable months of rancorous disputes' 'a rancorous debate'35
5751285771RebukeExpress sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behaviour or actions: 'she had rebuked him for drinking too much'36
5751285772RuefulExpressing sorrow or regret, especially in a wry or humorous way: 'she gave a rueful grin'37
5751285773SinewThe parts of a structure, system, or organization that give it strength or bind it together: 'the sinews of government' OR A piece of tough fibrous tissue uniting muscle to bone; a tendon or ligament: 'the sinews in her neck'38
5751285774SolicitousCharacterized by or showing interest or concern: 'she was always solicitous about the welfare of her students'39
5751285853StarlingA gregarious Old World songbird with a straight bill, typically with dark lustrous or iridescent plumage but sometimes brightly coloured.40
5751287076StonyCovered with or full of small pieces of rock: 'rough stony paths'41
5751287077SubjugationThe action of bringing someone or something under domination or control: 'the colonial subjugation of a country by means of brute military force'42
5751287078SupplicationThe action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly: 'he fell to his knees in supplication'43
5751287079TawdryShowy but cheap and of poor quality: 'tawdry jewellery' OR Sordid or unpleasant: 'the tawdry business of politics'44
5751287080TediousToo long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous: 'a tedious journey'45
5751287081TelekinesisThe supposed ability to move objects at a distance by mental power or other non-physical means: 'she possesses the power of telekinesis'46
5751288691TenaciousTending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely, persistence: 'a tenacious grip'47
5751288692TenureThe conditions under which land or buildings are held or occupied. OR The holding of an office: 'his tenure of the premiership would be threatened'48
5751288693WistfulHaving or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing: 'a wistful smile'49

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