VOCABULARY WEEK 09/21

• Write these in your section II of your spiral. These are words that show up most often on the AP English Language and Composition Exam.

VOCABULARY WORDS

• Write down the words and definitions.• During the week, study the words.• Strongly encouraged: create flashcards for the

words, or use Quizlet.• These WILL help you for the test in May, since

these are words most likely to be found on the test!!!

1. ARBITER

• Noun• Def. A judge who decides a disputed issue.• An arbiter was hired to settle the Major League

Baseball strike because the owners and players could not come to an agreement.

2. EXCULPATE

• Verb• To free from guilt or blame• When the gold coins discovered in his closet were

found to be fake, Dr. Rideau was exculpated and the search for the real thief continued.

3. IMPARTIAL

• Adjective• Not in favor of one side or the other, unbiased• The umpire had a hard time remaining impartial;

his son was pitching for the home team, and this made it difficult to call the game fairly.

4. INCONTROVERTIBLE

• Adjective• Not able to be denied or disputed• The videotape of the robbery provided

incontrovertible evidence against the suspect – he was obviously guilty.

5. OBJECTIVE

• adjective• The ability to treat facts without influence from

personal feelings or prejudices• It is important that judges are objective when

hearing cases, so that their personal feelings do not affect their decision.

6. SUBJECTIVE

• Adjective

• Based on feelings or opinions rather than facts.

• Our taste in fashion is purely subjective.

7. SUBSTANTIATED

• Verb, past tense• Supported with proof or evidence; verified• The fingerprint evidence substantiated the

detective’s claim that the suspect had been at the scene of the crime.

8. VANITY

• Abstract noun• the quality of people who have too much pride in

their own appearance, abilities, achievements, etc. : the quality of being vain

• Sample Sentence: It is pure vanity that inspires movie stars to get plastic surgery.

9. VINDICATED

• Verb, past tense• Freed from blame• Mrs. Layton was finally vindicated after her

husband admitted to the crime.

10. DESPOTIC

• Adjective• Exercising absolute power; tyrannical

• He was a despotic ruler whose every law was enforced with threats of violence or death.

11. DISDAIN

• Noun - Contempt, scorn• Sample sentence: I felt nothing but disdain for

the person who stole my lunch – inside it was the last piece of meatloaf!

• Verb – to regard or treat with contempt; to look down on• A self-proclaimed gourmand, he disdains to eat

any meal that comes in a box.

12. IMPERIOUS

• Adjective: • Arrogantly domineering or overbearing• Sample Sentence:• She had a very imperious way about her; she was

bossy and treated everyone as if they were beneath her.

VOCAB ASSIGNMENT

• Enter all your words – this week’s and last week’s - into Quizlett, AND/OR make flash cards.• The quiz this Friday will be over ALL words thus

far.