AP Literature Vocabulary (Unit 1) Flashcards

14974646293	adjunct	(n.) something added to something else as helpful or useful but not essential; an assistant or helper; a valuable quality or characteristic; (adj.) added or concentrated in a subordinate capacity; attached to a faculty or staff in an auxiliary capacity syn- associate, addition, accessory	0
14974646294	bellwether	(n.) the male sheep that leads the flock to the slaughterhouse; a leader, as in a desperate or violent undertaking; an indicator of trends syn- ringleader, initiator, barometer ant- follower, imitator, emulator	1
14974646295	caterwaul	(v.) to howl or screech like a cat; to quarrel (n.) a harsh or noisy cry; a racket syn- whine, whale, screech	2
14974646296	chimerical	(adj.) absurd; wildly fantastic; impossible syn- fanciful, visionary, quixotic, pie-in-the-sky ant- realistic, down-to-earth, practicable	3
14974646297	effete	(adj.) lacking in wholesome vigor or energy; worn out or exhausted; sterile or unable to produce; out-of-date syn- decadent, enfeebled, outmoded ant- thriving, burgeoning, vigorous, dynamic	4
14974646298	fait accompli	(n.) an accomplished and presumably irreversible deed, fact, or action syn- accomplished fact	5
14974646299	hidebound	(adj.) narrow-minded and rigid, especially in opinions or prejudices; stubbornly and unthinkingly conservative syn- intolerant, inflexible ant- open-minded, tolerant, liberal, progressive	6
14974646300	hierarchy	(n.) any system of things or people arranged or graded one above another in order of rank, wealth, class, etc. syn- chain of command, pecking order	7
14974646302	liturgy	(n.) a religious service or rite; the form of a ritual or other act of public worship syn- ceremony, observance	8
14974829008	mirage	(n.) something illusory, without substance, or without a basis in reality; an illusion syn- optical illusion	9
14974646303	morass	(n.) a patch of low, soft, wet ground; a swamp; a confusing situation in which one is entrapped, as in quicksand syn- bog, quagmire ant- solid ground, bedrock, terra firma	10
14974646304	noisome	(adj.) offensive or disgusting, foul-smelling; harmful or injurious syn- fetid, noxious, vile, loathsome ant- wholesome, pleasant, sweet-smelling	11
14974646305	oblivious	(adj.) forgetful; unaware syn-insensible ant- aware, mindful, cognizant, alert	12
14974646306	poltroon	(n.) a base coward syn- craven, dastard, "chicken" ant- hero, stalwart, gallant	13
14974646307	proselyte	(n.) a convert; a disciple syn- novice, neophyte ant- master, teacher, guide, guru	14
14974646308	quasi	(adj.) resembling but not actually being; seemingly but not actually or completely syn- kind-of, semi, as if ant- totally, completely, actually, in fact	15
14974646309	raillery	(n.) good-humored ridicule; teasing syn- banter, persiflage	16
14974646310	ribald	(adj.) irreverently mocking; coarse, vulgar, or indecent in language syn- bawdy, risque ant- seemingly, proper, decorous	17
14974646311	supine	(adj.) lying flat on one's back; listless or lethargic; apathetic or passive syn- prone, prostrate, inert ant- upright, erect, perpendicular, vertical	18
14974646312	vignette	(n.) a short description or sketch; a picture or illustration with edges that gradually shade off; a decorative design on the title page of a book or at the beginning or end of a chapter syn- thumbnail sketch, anecdote ant- epic, full-length treatment	19