Foushee
Test Date: ___________________________
AP September Vocabulary
Root Word: Humanus = human*
Word
Definition
Use in a Sentence
1.
Humane
adj. Having the worthy qualities of human
beings, such as kindness or compassion
The International Labor Organization helps
to ensure humane working conditions
2.
Humanities
n. Branches of knowledge concerned with
human beings and their culture: literature,
philosophy, and art
Although more of her college courses were in
humanities, she did graduate work in
electrical engineering.
Root Word: Anthropos = human*
Word
Definition
Use in a Sentence
3.
Anthropology
n. The scientific study of the
origins, cultural development, and
customs of human beings
Fragments of a human skeleton found in an Iron
Age cave led to important discoveries in
anthropology
4.
Misanthrope
n. A person who hates all people
In Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations Miss
Havisham becomes a bitter misanthrope after
being jilted on her wedding day.
Root Word: Vir = man
Word
5.
Virile
Definition
Use in a Sentence
adj. Having characteristics traditionally associated
with masculinity, especially physical strength,
vitality, and assertiveness
The main characters in Ernest
Hemingway’s novels are often virile men
who risk danger in war or sport.
Root Word: Autos = self*
Word
Definition
Use in a Sentence
6.
Automaton
n. A person who behaves in a
mechanical, routine manner; a robot
Her job on the assembly line caused her to feel
like an automaton.
7.
Autonomy
n. The condition of being selfgoverning; independence
Kenyans fought for autonomy from British rule
and became a republic in 1964.
Root Word: Ego = I*
Word
8.
Egoism
Definition
n. Excessive confidence in the
belief that one’s opinion is correct
Use in a Sentence
Cleopatra’s egoism many have resulted from her power,
ability, and charm.
Root Word: Genos, Geneos = race, family*
Word
Definition
Use in a Sentence
9. Genealogy
n. A record of descent from one’s ancestors;
the study of family records
Toni Morrison’s novel Song of Solomon
traces the genealogy of an American family.
10. Genteel
adj. Well-mannered; polite (sometimes means Although they tried to look genteel; their
falsely polite)
vulgar language and rude behavior betrayed
their lack of refinement.
11. Gentry
n. Aristocratic or upper class people
Their cultivated manners and education
showed them to be members of the gentry.
Root Word: Genui = to bear, to bring forth
Word
Definition
Use in a Sentence
12. Congenital
adj. Existing a birth but not
hereditary
The baby is the only member of the family to have a
congenital heart defect.
13. Engender
v. To bring into existence; to give
rise to
The British Parliament’s tariff on tea engendered
violent protests in the colonies.
14. Indigenous
adj. Occurring in or characterizing
an area; native
Shinto, a religion indigenous to Japan originated in
prehistoric times.
15. Progenitor
n. A direct ancestor; an originator
of a line of descent
The Wright brothers’ flying machine is the
progenitor of the modern airplane.
16. Progeny
n. Children or descendants;
offspring
Most parents take pride in the accomplishments of
their progeny.
Root Word: Matris = mother*
Word
Definition
Use in a Sentence
17. Matrix
n. The surroundings within which
something begins or develops
Researchers use a matrix of nutritious gelatin to
grow bacteria in laboratories.
18. Matriarchy
n. A society ruled or controlled by
women
Anthropological research suggests that the early
society of Crete was a matriarchy.
19. Matriculate
v. To register as a student at a
college or university
Oberlin was the first American college to allow both
women and men to matriculate.
Root Word: Patris = father*
Word
Definition
Use in a Sentence
20. Patriarch
n. The male head of a family or tribe
The patriarch was honored as the chief historian
of the tribe.
21. Patrimony
n. A family inheritance
Islamic law allows a woman to retain all rights to
her patrimony when she marries.
22. Patronage
n. Support; encouragement
Political contenders vie for the patronage of
wealthy citizens.
23. Patronize
v. To treat someone as inferior
“Don’t patronize me,” the patient said when the
doctor dismissed her questions.
Root Word: Fratris = brother*
Word
Definition
Use in a Sentence
24. Fraternal
adj. Pertaining to brothers;
brotherly
Although separated for many years, the brothers still
retained fierce fraternal loyalty.
25. Fraternize
v. To be friendly with
The new teacher fraternized easily with her colleagues.
Root Word: Paidos = child
Word
26. Pedantic
Definition
adj. Being a scholarly show-off
Use in a Sentence
Instead of saying “horse,” Mr. Bounderby was being
pedantic when he said “granivorous quadruped.”
Root Word: Mori=to die*
Word
Definition
Use in a Sentence
27. Mortify
v. To shame
In Pride and Prejudice, Mrs. Bennet’s crude efforts to
marry off her five daughters mortify Elizabeth Bennet.
28. Postmortem
n. An examination to determine
the cause of death; autopsy
The postmortem eliminated the possibility of death by
poison.
Root Word: Natum = to be born
Word
Definition
Use in a Sentence
29. Innate
adj. Possessed at birth; inborn
Voice lessons have improved his innate singing talents.
30. Renaissance
n. A rebirth; renewal
The twentieth century has witnessed a renaissance of
interest in indigenous American art.
* These roots are fair game for the test.