AP English Lit Vocab #1-30

avocation

noun; a hobby or minor occupation

capricious

adjective; give to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior

disparity

noun; a great difference

efficacy

noun; the ability to produce a desired or intended result

epistle

noun; a letter, a poem or other literary work in the form of a letter or a series of letters

hospice

noun; a home providing care for the sick, esp. the terminally ill
archaic a lodge for travelers esp. one run by a religious order

impetus

noun; the force or energy with which a body moves; the force that makes something happened or happen more quickly

moribund

adjective; (of a person) at the point of death; (of a thing) in terminal decline; lacking vitality or vigor

reticent

adjective; not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily

vacillate

verb; alternate or wave between different opinions or actions; to be indecisive

admonish

verb; to warn or reprimand someone firmly to advise or urge (someone) earnestly

akimbo

adverb; with hands on the hips and elbows turned outward (of other limbs) flung out widely or haphazardly

lassitude

noun; a state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy

licentious

adjective; promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters disregarding acceptable rules or conventions, esp. in grammar or literary style

muse

noun; something that is the source of inspiration for a creative artist
verb; to be absorbed in thought; to gaze thoughtfully at

pecuniary

adjective; of, relating to, or consisting of money

plight

noun; a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation

presumptuous

adjective; (of a person or their behavior) failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate

subversive

adjective; seeking or intended to subvert an established system or institution

vacuous

adjective; having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless

allocation

noun; the action or process of allocating or distributing something

ascetic

adjective; characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons
noun; a person who practices such self-discipline and abstention

beguile

verb; to charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way; trick (someone into doing something

crass

adjective; lacking sensitivity, refinement, or intelligence

defray

verb; to provide money to pay (a cost or expense)

dint

noun; an impression or hollow in a surface
a blow or stroke, typically one made with a weapon in fighting force of attack, impact
verb: to mark (a surface) with impressions of hollows

enjoin

verb; to instruct or urge (someone) to do something
to prescribe (an action or attitude) to be performed or adopted

envoy

noun; a messenger or representative, esp. one on a diplomatic mission

interloper

noun; a person who becomes involved in a place or situation where they are not wanted or are considered not to belong

vicarious

adjective; experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person