Complete List of Terms and Definitions for AP English Vocabulary 18

Terms Definitions
irksome annoying
subliminal ulterior
squalor filth
Sagacious wise, shrewd
lugubrious excessively mournful
pertinacity persistent determination
introvert turn inward
Hyperbole extravagant exaggeration
histrionic purposely affected, theatrical
exorbitant lot, excessive, extensive
Utopia An idealized place.
PLACATE (v) pacify; conciliate
litotes understatement for emphasis
gambit to take a risk
denoument an outcome or solution
perennial lasting for many years
abortive tending to cut short
satire juvenalian/ hotatian, shows humor
begging the question circular reasoning
Vilify To make vicious statements about
table v. to remove from consideration
muse source of inspiration, originally Greek goddesses( 9 daughters of Zeus), preside over arts
strategy rhetorical strategy; management of language for a specific effect; of a poem is the planned placing of elements to achieve an effect; of most love poems is deployed to convince the loved=one to return the speaker's love
gossamer (adj.) thin, light, delicate, insubstantial; (n.) a very thin, light cloth
anomaly irregularity; straying from the norm
Tautology an unnecessary repetition of words
empathy the intellectual identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another.
Imperious domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial; overbearing
compulsion (n) a forcing or being forced
caricature make political statements; based on deliberate exaggeration of a famous person's distinctive features
Occult n. supernatural forces, events, and beings collectively;
adj. dealing with supernatural phenomena, involving the supernatural
EGREGIOUS (adj.) flagrant; out of the ordinary
style a distinctive manner of expression expressed through an author's diction, rhythm, imagery and more
LICHEN (n) organism w/fungus & algae together
ingenious (adj.) - marked by special intelligence
fable a simple, symbolic story usually employing animals as characters
Atomism The theory that minute, discrete, finite, and indivisible elements are the ultimate constituents of all matter.  In psychology, a theory that reduces all psychological phenomena to simple elements
incongruous out of keeping or place; inappropriate; unbecoming:
example instances or general ideas provided by writer
Inference a conclusion one draws (infers) based on premises or evidence
balance constructing a sentence so that both halves are about same length and importance. Sentences can be unbalanced to serve a special effect as well.
sarcasm bitter, caustic language meant to hurt or ridicule something, may use irony, shows wit
phrase an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up
imagery figurative language that is used to convey a sensory perception (visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, or gustatory)
Fourfold level of interpretation literal, allegorical, moral, anagogical
pardoner most complex of the pilgrims. uses intellect and manipulation to get what he wants. He is not a good person, but can preach a good sermon.
euphemism a device where being indirect replaces directness to avoid unpleasantness
maxim "a short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct
Malcontent (adj) discontented with or in open defiance of prevailing conditions; (n) such a person
MORE R & A TERMShyperbole an extreme exaggeration
coterie a group of people who associate closely.
antagonist the adversary of the hero or protagonist of a drama or other literary work:
Rising Action series of conflicts or struggles that build a story or play toward a climax
enjoin to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit
diatribe a bitter and abusive speech or piece of writing ironic or satrical criticism
deduction the process of reasoning from a stated premise to a necessary conclusion
Protagonist The main character of a poem or play
aphelion farthest point from the sun in the orbit of a planet or comet
flashback an earlier event is inserted into the normal chronology of the narration.
Commiserate (v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorry for, share a feeling of distress
masculine rhyme final syllable of first word rhymes with final syllable of second word (scald recalled)
retinue a body of retainers in attendance upon an important personage; suite.
ethical appeal When a writer tries to persuade the audience to respect and believe him or her based on a presentation of image of self through the text.
Bathos A change from a serious subject to a disappointing one
colloquim ) an academic seminar on a broad field of study, usually led by a different lecturer at each meeting; conference; an informal meeting for the exchange of views
phoenix bird that explodes and is re born form the ashes
begging the question to sidestep or evade the real problem
in medias res refers to opening a story in the middle of the action necessitating filing in past details by exposition or flashback; literally, "in the midst of things"