AP LIT VOCAB 1 Flashcards
Idiosyncratic
Unique in an eccentric or unusual way.
Lexicon
The vocabulary of a language, subject, or person
Languid
Weak from exhaustion, sluggish disposition
Rend
To tear (something) in two or more pieces
Versimilitude
The notion that something is true / The appearance of being true
Miasma
A very unpleasant smell
Apocryphal
a) a story or statement widely believed to be true but actually fabricated
b) fictitious, made-up, fabricated, false
Lyrical
The quality of a work of art, literature, or music that reveals the artist’s emotions in a beautiful manner
Providential
Relating to or determined by Providence (God’s power over human destiny)
Well-timed, taking place at a convenient moment
Lasciviousness
Sexual obscenity, lustfulness
Adage
A saying that expresses a common observation or general truth; a proverb.
Allegory
The representation of an abstract theme or spiritual idea.
Anachronism
Something that belongs in another era and appears out of place in its current setting
Largesse
The generosity of one who freely gives money to others
Picaresque
Relating to a type of fiction that deals with a dishonest/unprincipled protagonist
Bombast
Pretentious exaggerated language or writing with little meaning
Cacophony
An unpleasant mixture of sounds
Caricature
A comical depiction meant to poke fun at an individual or event using exaggerated characteristics.
Coax
To persuade someone to do something gently and persistently
Sagacious
Having good judgment; wise
Diaphanous
Light, airy, and semi-transparent. Most commonly used for fabrics.
Veritable
Assuring the thing named is real, not fake, or imaginary. Used as an intensifier. Often used to qualify metaphors.
Staunch
Loyal and committed in attitude
Equivocate
To use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself
Synechdoche
A figure of speech by which a part is used to represent the whole
An example is: “my great-aunt’s favorite activity was finishing the bottle.”
Apostrophe
A rhetorical way of addressing an absent person or personified thing/idea. It is usually exclamatory.
An example is: “O money, what is done in your name!”
Circumspect
Careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences
Obsolescence
The process of becoming antiquated or outdated
Interrogative
Expressing the force of a question
Affectation
Behavior that is affected; behavior that is artificial and aims to impress
Corpulence
The state of being overweight
Prudence
The ability to govern oneself through reason
Vicissitude
A change of circumstances, often one that is unfavorable
Consort
To regularly associate with
Ignoble
Of low social class, unsophisticated
