Neoclassicism Vocab

Temperance

Moderation or self-restraint, especially in behavior or eating.

Resolution

A firm decision or determination.

Frugality

The quality of being economical or avoiding waste.

Humility

A modest view of one’s importance.

Virtue

Moral excellence or goodness.

Denotation

The literal or primary meaning of a word.

Connotation

The associated or secondary meaning of a word, beyond its literal definition.

Rhetoric

The art of persuasive speaking or writing.

Rhetorical shift

A change in tone, perspective, or argument in a piece of writing or speech.

Rhetorical devices

Techniques used to persuade or influence an audience (e.g., metaphor, repetition).

Logical fallacy

A flaw in reasoning or argument that undermines its logic.

Tyrant

A cruel and oppressive ruler.

Sentiment

A view or attitude toward a situation, often emotional.

Insidious

Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects.

Formidable

Inspiring fear or respect due to size, power, or difficulty.

Invincible

Too powerful to be defeated or overcome.

Presides

To be in charge or lead a meeting or gathering.

Petition

A formal request or appeal.

Remonstrate

To argue or protest against something.

Supplicate

To ask or beg for something humbly or earnestly.

Prostrate

Lying face down, often in submission or exhaustion.

Implore

To beg or plead earnestly.

Aphorism

A brief, wise statement or saying.

Juxtaposition

Placing two things side by side to highlight contrasts.

Periodic sentence

A sentence in which the main idea is postponed until the end for emphasis.

Allusion

An indirect reference to another text, event, or figure.

Parallelism

The repetition of similar structures in sentences or phrases for balance.

Rhetorical questions

Questions asked to make a point rather than to receive an answer.

Repetition

Repeating words, phrases, or ideas for emphasis or effect.

Imagery

Descriptive language that creates vivid pictures in the mind.

Ethos

Appeal to ethics or character; establishing credibility.

Pathos

Appeal to emotions, aiming to evoke feelings.

Logos

Appeal to logic or reason.

Metaphor

A comparison between two things without using 'like' or 'as.'

Simile

A comparison between two things using 'like' or 'as.'