American Literature Vocabulary Unit 4

affable courteous pleasant sociable cordial ------------------------- surly cantankerous inhospitable

aggrandize to increase in greatness, power, and wealth to make appear greater/grander amplify exalt -------------------------------- decrease diminish

amorphous shapeless without definite form without unity formless -------------------------------- definite well-defined

archetype A prototype An original model An ideal example of a person/thing

aura a distinctive air or personal quality an atmosphere ambience

contraband illegal traffic smuggled goods illegal prohibited illicit unlawful -------------------------------- legal lawful

erudite Scholarly Learned Bookish

gossamer thin delicate a very thin, light cloth filmy sheer -------------------------------- thick solid

inscrutable Incapable of being understood Impossible to see through physically ------------------- Comprehensible intelligible

insular Characteristic of, or situated on an island Narrow or isolated in outlook or experience -------------------------- Liberal

irrevocable incapable of being changed or called back irreversible unalterable -------------------------------- changeable reversible

propensity a natural inclination toward a natural bent proclivity -------------------------------- inability

querulous complaining fretful cranky irritable -------------------------------- uncomplaining serene

Remonstrate To argue with someone; to protest

repudiate to reject to deny the validity of to renounce ---------------------------- to affirm

resilient able to return to an original shape or form able to recover quickly ---------------------------- rigid inflexible unyielding

reverberate to re-echo to be reflected repeatedly rumble echo

scurrilous vulgar or low (especially in language) foul-mouthed obscene filthy -------------------------------- tasteful dignified

sedulous Persistent Showing industry/determination -------------------------------- Listless

sleazy thin flimsy cheap inferior in quality or character/quality ethically low cheesy -------------------------------- superior first-rate