Pre-AP English 2 VQ1 list Vocabulary – week 1

E1 VQ1 defer (tv) – to put off (an action or event) to a later time; to postpone (something) unfaltering (adj) – steady; determined; resolute; reliable keenly (adv) – intensely; clearly; sharply portray (tv) – to depict in words; to describe graphically ascendancy (n) – the state of rising in power, influence or control; domination profound (adj) – having deep insight or understanding; being or going far beneath what is superficial, external, or obvious; of great significance; pervasive or intense; thorough; complete pawn (tv) – to deposit (something valuable) as security, for something borrowed, especially with a broker; to pledge; to risk doggerel (adj) – rude; crude; in poor taste démodé (adj) – no longer in fashion; out of date extract (tv) – to get, pull, or draw out (something), usually with special effort, skill or force; to separate or obtain (an idea or object) through a process (of thought or action) nuance (n) – a subtle difference or distinction in expression, meaning, response, etc. apex (n) – the tip, point, or vertex; summit

defer (tv) defer (tv) – to put off (an action or event) to a later time; to postpone (something) EX. Don’t defer your dreams – they may never come true! SYN: postpone ANT: advance, allow Related: deferred (adj), deferment

unfaltering (adj) unfaltering (adj) – steady; determined; resolute; reliable EX. Her unfaltering commitment to running resulted in her high level of physical fitness. SYN: resolute ANT: wavering Related: falter (v)

keenly (adv) keenly (adv) – intensely; clearly; sharply EX. Keenly interested in her next meal, the jaguar focused on the wildebeest herd. SYN: intensely ANT: placidly Related: keen (v, adj)

portray portray (tv) – to depict in words; to describe graphically EX. Adeptly portraying a wide range of emotions, Robin Williams was a master actor. SYN: illustrate, interpret ANT: obscure (v) Related: portrait (n)

ascendancy ascendancy (n) – the state of rising in power, influence or control; domination EX. Germany’s halted economy made it vulnerable to Hitler’s continued ascendancy in government. SYN: dominance ANT: submission Related: ascend (t/v)

profound profound (adj) – having deep insight or understanding; being or going far beneath what is superficial, external, or obvious; of great significance; pervasive or intense; thorough; complete EX. John Lennon’s profound statement still resonates with people even years after he was murdered. SYN: significant, ponderous ANT: shallow, superficial Related: profundity (n)

pawn pawn (tv) – to deposit (something valuable) as security, for something borrowed, especially with a broker; to pledge; to risk EX. The pauper had to pawn his wedding ring to pay for his family’s food. SYN: guarantee ANT: steal Related: pawned (adj)

doggerel (adj) doggerel (adj) – rude; crude; in poor taste EX. Caesar’s doggerel gestures at the gladiator arena were placidly accepted by the public. SYN: crude ANT: erudite Related: doggerel (n)

démodé (adj) démodé (adj) – no longer in fashion; out of date EX. Although long dresses are generally demode, people love to cosplay. SYN: outmoded ANT: contemporary Related: demode (n)

extract (tv) extract (tv) – to get, pull, or draw out (something), usually with special effort, skill or force; to separate or obtain (an idea or object) through a process (of thought or action) EX. As the bee extracts nectar from the flower, so should the student extract meaning from text. SYN: obtain ANT: contribute Related: extract (n); extracted (adj)

nuance (n) nuance (n) – a subtle difference or distinction in expression, meaning, response, etc. EX. The obstinate student didn’t respond well to nuances, so the teacher had to resort to using bold statements. SYN: difference ANT: blatancy Related: nuanced (adj)

apex (n) apex (n) – the tip, point, or vertex; summit EX. Reaching the apex of K2, the hiker sat and reflected on the great effort and planning it had taken to get there. SYN: top, climax ANT: valley, gutter Related: apex (adj)