AP World History Dictionary Terms

Questions and Answers

What does the term 'domination' refer to?

Social control by dominating; power to dominate or defeat.

What is a dynasty?

A sequence of powerful leaders in the same family.

What does the term 'dynastic' refer to?

Of or relating to or characteristic of a dynasty.

What is efficacy?

Capacity or power to produce a desired effect. Signup and view all the answers

What does egalitarianism advocate for?

The equality of mankind and the desirability of political, economic, and social equality. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these options describes the term 'elite'?

Both A and B Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to emancipate?

To give equal rights to, free from slavery or servitude. Signup and view all the answers

What is emigration?

Migration from a place, especially from your native country to settle in another. Signup and view all the answers

What is an empire?

A group of countries under a single authority or a monarchy with an emperor as head of state. Signup and view all the answers

What are enclaves?

A portion of a country entirely or mostly surrounded by another country. Signup and view all the answers

What does encroachment refer to?

An act of advancing beyond proper or usual limits, especially on someone's property or rights. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to be entrepreneurial?

Willing to take risks in order to make a profit. Signup and view all the answers

What is eradication?

The complete destruction of every trace of something. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'ethnic' denote?

Relating to a group of people with a shared culture or heritage. Signup and view all the answers

Who are existentialists?

Philosophers who stress the individual's unique position as a self-determining agent. Signup and view all the answers

What does expansion refer to?

The act of increasing in size, volume, quantity, or scope. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'abolition' refer to?

The act of abolishing a system or practice Signup and view all the answers

What is absorption?

The mental state of being preoccupied by something. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'accelerate' mean?

To move faster or cause to move faster. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by acquisition?

The act of acquiring possession of something. Signup and view all the answers

Define adherence.

Faithful support for a religion or cause. Signup and view all the answers

Who is an advocate?

A person who pleads for a cause. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'agitation' refer to?

A state of extreme emotional disturbance. Signup and view all the answers

What is an agrarian society?

A society relating to rural matters. Signup and view all the answers

What is alimony?

Court-ordered support paid by one spouse to another after separation. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'allegedly' mean?

According to what has been alleged. Signup and view all the answers

Define alliance.

A formal agreement establishing an association between groups. Signup and view all the answers

What is anarchy?

A state of lawlessness and disorder. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'annex' mean?

To attach or add to. Signup and view all the answers

What is antagonism?

Active dislike and hostility. Signup and view all the answers

What does appeasement mean?

The act of appeasing or acceding to demands. Signup and view all the answers

What does arable land mean?

Farmland capable of being farmed productively. Signup and view all the answers

What is arbitration?

Acting between parties to reconcile differences. Signup and view all the answers

Define aristocracy.

The most powerful members of a society. Signup and view all the answers

What does articulate mean?

Expressing oneself clearly. Signup and view all the answers

What is asceticism?

Rigorous self-denial and active self-restraint. Signup and view all the answers

What is atheism?

A lack of belief in the existence of God. Signup and view all the answers

Define atrocity.

An act of atrocious cruelty. Signup and view all the answers

What does austerity refer to?

The trait of great self-denial. Signup and view all the answers

What is authority?

Official permission or approval. Signup and view all the answers

Define autocracy.

Unlimited authority by a single individual. Signup and view all the answers

What does autonomous mean?

Free from external control. Signup and view all the answers

What is the balance of power?

An equilibrium of power between nations. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ban' mean?

An official prohibition against something. Signup and view all the answers

Define bourgeois.

Belonging to the middle class. Signup and view all the answers

What is bureaucracy?

An organization obstructed by unnecessary procedures. Signup and view all the answers

What is a cathedral?

A large and important church. Signup and view all the answers

Define causality.

The relation between causes and effects. Signup and view all the answers

What does cavalry refer to?

A highly mobile army unit. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'cede' mean?

To relinquish possession or control over. Signup and view all the answers

Define chastity.

Abstaining from sexual relations. Signup and view all the answers

What does chivalrous mean?

Being attentive to women like an ideal knight. Signup and view all the answers

What does chronic mean?

Long-lasting and recurrent. Signup and view all the answers

What does chronologically refer to?

With respect to chronology. Signup and view all the answers

What is classical music?

A traditional genre of music appealing to critical interest. Signup and view all the answers

What does clerical mean?

Relating to office work or clergy. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Cold War?

A state of political hostility between countries. Signup and view all the answers

Define collective unconscious.

Inborn unconscious material common to humankind. Signup and view all the answers

What does collectivization mean?

The organization of a nation on the basis of collectivism. Signup and view all the answers

What does colonial mean?

Relating to or characteristic of a colony. Signup and view all the answers

What does commemorate mean?

To call to remembrance. Signup and view all the answers

Define commerce.

Transactions in goods and services. Signup and view all the answers

What does commercial mean?

Connected with commerce. Signup and view all the answers

What is a commodity?

Articles of commerce. Signup and view all the answers

What does commonwealth refer to?

A politically organized body under a single government. Signup and view all the answers

What is communism?

A political theory favoring a classless society. Signup and view all the answers

What does complicate mean?

To make more complex. Signup and view all the answers

What is composition?

The arrangement of parts to form a whole. Signup and view all the answers

Define compromise.

A middle way between two extremes. Signup and view all the answers

What does compulsory mean?

Required by rule. Signup and view all the answers

What does conciliatory mean?

Of or pertaining to a council. Signup and view all the answers

What is a confederation?

A union of political organizations. Signup and view all the answers

What does conformity mean?

Acting according to accepted standards. Signup and view all the answers

What does consolidation mean?

The act of combining into a whole. Signup and view all the answers

What does contemporary mean?

Belonging to the present time. Signup and view all the answers

What does convene mean?

To meet formally. Signup and view all the answers

What is conversion?

A spiritual enlightenment leading to a new life. Signup and view all the answers

What does cooperative mean?

Done with or working with others for a common purpose. Signup and view all the answers

What does corporate mean?

Organized as a legal corporation. Signup and view all the answers

What are countermeasures?

Actions taken to offset another action. Signup and view all the answers

What is a creed?

A system of principles or beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What does cumulative mean?

Increasing by successive addition. Signup and view all the answers

What is a curriculum?

An integrated course of academic studies. Signup and view all the answers

What does deference mean?

A courteous expression of esteem or regard. Signup and view all the answers

Define degeneration.

Passing from a more complex to a simpler form. Signup and view all the answers

What is democracy?

Government by the people or elected representatives. Signup and view all the answers

What does demographic mean?

Relating to the statistical characteristics of populations. Signup and view all the answers

What is depletion?

The act of decreasing something markedly. Signup and view all the answers

What does depraved mean?

Marked by immorality. Signup and view all the answers

What is a despot?

A cruel and oppressive dictator. Signup and view all the answers

What is diplomacy?

Negotiation between nations. Signup and view all the answers

What does disarmament mean?

The act of reducing or depriving of arms. Signup and view all the answers

Define discrepancy.

A difference between conflicting facts or claims. Signup and view all the answers

What does discrimination mean?

Unfair treatment based on prejudice. Signup and view all the answers

What is dislocation?

Disruption of an established order. Signup and view all the answers

What does dismantle mean?

To take off or remove. Signup and view all the answers

What does distinguished mean?

Set apart from others. Signup and view all the answers

What does divert mean?

To send in a different direction. Signup and view all the answers

What does divine mean?

Being of surpassing excellence. Signup and view all the answers

What does dogmatic mean?

Holding onto established beliefs firmly. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Terms and Definitions

Abolition: Act of formally ending systems like slavery.
Absorption: Deep mental engagement or cultural integration.
Accelerate: To speed up movement or progress.
Acquisition: Gaining possession or knowledge through effort or learning.
Adherence: Loyalty or commitment to a cause or belief; physical sticking together.
Advocate: Championing a cause; a legal representative in court.
Agitation: Public disturbance or unrest; emotional turbulence.
Agrarian: Pertaining to rural or agricultural aspects.
Alimony: Court-mandated financial support from one spouse to another post-separation.
Allegedly: Used to denote claims that have yet to be proven true.
Alliance: Formal association among groups or nations for mutual benefit.
Anarchy: Absence of government leading to disorder and chaos.
Annex: Adding to a main entity; often territory acquisition.
Antagonism: Active opposition or dislike; biochemical inhibition.
Appeasement: Compromising to placate demands, often in political contexts.
Arable: Farmland suitable for cultivation.
Arbitrate: To mediate disputes with the aim of resolution.
Aristocracy: Class of high-ranking individuals often holding hereditary power.
Articulate: Clear expression of ideas; to communicate effectively.
Asceticism: Lifestyles characterized by self-denial for spiritual gain.
Atheism: Belief system denying the existence of deities.
Atrocity: Extremely cruel and inhumane actions.
Austerity: Strict self-discipline or restrictions, often in economic contexts.
Authority: The legitimate power to make decisions and give orders.
Autocracy: Governance system led by a single individual with absolute power.
Autonomous: Independent, self-governing entities or individuals.
Balance of Power: Distribution of power among nations to prevent dominance.
Ban: Official prohibition against certain actions or items.
Bourgeois: Characteristics of the middle class, often with capitalist ties.
Bureaucracy: Complex administrative system often criticized for inefficiency.
Cathedral: Key church building in a bishop's diocese.
Causality: Connection between causes and their effects.
Cavalry: Military troops trained for horseback combat.
Cede: To surrender control or possession.
Chastity: Commitment to abstain from sexual activity, often for religious reasons.
Chivalrous: Knight-like behavior characterized by honor and respect towards women.
Chronic: Persistent, long-lasting conditions or issues.
Chronologically: Arranged in the order of time.
Classical: Pertaining to recognized authorities or traditional excellence.
Clerical: Related to office work or the clergy.
Cold War: Period of political tension primarily between the US and USSR (1945-1990).
Collective Unconscious: Jungian concept of shared psychic content across humanity.
Collectivization: Economic system focused on collective ownership and management.
Colonial: Pertaining to colonies and their governance.
Commemorate: To honor or remember through ceremonies.
Commerce: Trade activity focused on the exchange of goods and services.
Commercial: Related to business and trade activities.
Commodity: Goods that are traded in commercial contexts.
Commonwealth: Political organization with unifying governance among autonomous states.
Communism: Political theory advocating for classless society and communal ownership.
Complicate: To make something inherently more complex.
Composition: Arrangement of elements to create a unified whole; refers also to written works.
Compromise: Settlement where each party makes concessions.
Compulsory: Mandated by rules or laws.
Conciliar: Related to councils or assemblies.
Confederation: Partnership of political groups or organizations.
Conformity: Alignment with accepted standards or norms.
Consolidation: Merging entities into a stronger, unified whole.
Contemporary: Pertaining to the present time or current trends.
Convene: To assemble or gather formally.
Conversion: Significant change in beliefs or functions.
Cooperative: Collaborative effort for common benefit.
Corporate: Related to business corporations or collective action.
Countermeasure: Action taken to counteract another initiative.
Creed: A system of beliefs or doctrines.
Cumulative: Increasing in amount over time due to successive additions.
Curriculum: Structured academic program or course of study.
Deference: Respectful yielding to the opinions or wishes of others.
Degeneration: Decline in quality or virtue; simplifying complexity.
Democracy: Political system characterized by representation and majority rule.
Demographic: Statistical data relating to human populations.
Depletion: Significant reduction of resources or quantities.
Depraved: Marked by immoral behavior or corrupt values.
Despot: Dictator exercising absolute power, often cruelly.
Diplomacy: Skillful negotiation and management of international relations.
Disarmament: Reduction of military armaments.
Discrepancy: Inconsistency or deviation from expected norms.
Discrimination: Inequitable treatment based on prejudice.
Dislocation: Disturbance in established order or normal function.
Dismantle: To take apart or disassemble.
Distinguished: Recognized for excellence or superior character.
Divert: To change direction or use of resources.
Divine: Related to godly nature, often implying inspiration or excellence.
Dogmatic: Rigid adherence to unproven beliefs or doctrines.
Domination: Extended control or authority over others.
Dynasty: A lineage of rulers from the same family.
Dynastic: Relating to the rule by a single family over generations.
Efficacy: Ability to produce desired results or effects.
Egalitarianism: Belief in equality among all people, politically and socially.
Elite: Superior group often marked by privilege or exceptional status.### Vocabulary Notes
Elite
- Refers to a group or class of individuals with superior intellectual, social, or economic status.
Emancipate
- Verb that means to grant equal rights to groups such as women and minorities.
- Involves freeing someone from slavery or servitude.
Emigration
- Noun for the act of migrating from one place, especially one's native country, to settle in another.
Empire
- A type of apple resembling McIntosh, suitable for eating and cooking.
- Represents a group of countries governed by a single authority or an emperor.
- Encompasses the region under imperial rule and diverse companies operating under common ownership.
Enclaves
- A noun indicating a portion of a country surrounded entirely or mostly by the territory of another country.
- Can also refer to any small, distinct area or group isolated within a larger entity.
Encroachments
- Noun defining actions of advancing beyond established limits.
- Involves gradual trespassing upon someone's property, domain, or rights.
Entrepreneurial
- Adjective describing a willingness to take risks for profit.
- Pertains to qualities or activities related to entrepreneurs.
Eradication
- Noun for the total destruction of all traces of something.
Ethnic
- Adjective used to describe characteristics distinctive of a particular group's way of life.
- Can also refer to individuals who belong to an ethnic group.
Existentialists
- Noun for individuals who follow a philosophical attitude, emphasizing personal responsibility and authenticity in choices.
- Key figures include Heidegger, Jaspers, Marcel, and Sartre, who oppose rationalism and empiricism.
Expansion
- Noun referring to the process of increasing size, volume, quantity, or scope.
- Includes adding details or information in discussions or presentations.

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Test your knowledge of key terms in AP World History with these flashcards. Understanding these definitions is crucial for mastering historical concepts and events. Perfect for students preparing for exams or anyone interested in world history.