Vocabulary Definitions and Meanings, Vocabulary Definitions and Meanings, Exploring Imagery and Sound in Poetry and Drama, Vocabulary Definitions and Meanings, Vocabulary Definitions and Meanings, Vocabulary List of Key Terms and Definitions, Vocabul…

stoic

not affected by or showing passion or feeling

rescind

to take back, to cancel

maverick

an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party

circumlocution

the use of an unnecessarily large number of words to express an idea

vapid

flat, dull, lacking flavor or zest

demagogue

a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and promises in order to gain power

admonish

to say (something) as advice or a warning

placid

serenely free of interruption or disturbance

cumbersome

unwieldy because of heaviness or bulk, troublesome

unscathed

unharmed, not injured

tedious

boring, tiresome

skeptic

one who doubts

altruism

selflessness

subtle

not obvious

thrifty

frugal, careful with money

antithesis

direct opposite

hindrance

obstacle, difficulty

brevity

briefness, shortness

plethora

abundance, surplus

nostalgic

longing for times or things past

Image

Language addressing the senses in poetry.

Visual Image

Common poetic image appealing to sight.

Onomatopoeia

Word whose sound suggests its meaning.

Alliteration

Repetition of consonant sounds at word beginnings.

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words.

Euphony

Smooth, musically pleasant lines in poetry.

Cacophony

Discordant lines difficult to pronounce.

Rhyme

Repetition of sounds in words or phrases.

End Rhyme

Rhyme occurring at the ends of lines.

Internal Rhyme

Rhyme within a single line of poetry.

Masculine Rhyme

Rhyme on stressed syllables, like 'defend'.

Feminine Rhyme

Rhyme on stressed followed by unstressed syllables.

Near Rhyme

Sounds nearly alike but not identical.

Consonance

Repetition of consonant sounds with different vowels.

Dramatic Literature

Plays written for performance by actors.

Script

Text of a play, including dialogue and directions.

Closet Drama

Plays intended for reading, not performance.

Playwright

Writer who creates plays for the stage.

Tragedy

Drama depicting human struggle against antagonistic forces.

Tragic Hero

Character with a flaw leading to downfall.

Greek Tragedy

Ancient form focusing on fate and choice.

Modern Tragedy

Reflects middle class struggles and societal issues.

Science Fiction

Literature exploring scientific and technological advancements.

Sociological Study

Examination of future societal changes in fiction.

Technological Inspiration

Science fiction influencing real-world inventions.

Humanity Exploration

Science fiction examining human nature and future.

unscathed

unharmed, not injured

undulate

to move in a wavelike motion

supercilious

prideful, arrogant, haughty

infamy

notoriety, evil reputation

esoteric

understood only by a certain few

imminent

about to happen

clemency

mercy

amicable

agreeable, polite, cordial

anachronism

something incorrectly present in a time period

prodigal

spending wildly or in excess

vindicate

to clear from guilt, to prove right or correct

anomaly

irregularity, abnormality

endemic

common to a certain region

relegate

reduce to a lower status

cursory

hasty, brief

callous

coarse, insensitive

antagonist

opponent, adversary

temerity

audacity, recklessness

hackneyed

overused, trite

voluminous

having large volume or size

lope

to run or move with a long, bounding stride

prodigious

extraordinary, remarkable

nullify

to cancel, to undo

zealot

a fanatic

ostensible

apparent, seeming

hyperbole

exaggeration, overstatement

requisite

requirement, necessity

genre

category or type (as in literature and media)

convergence

a joining of parts

intrepid

adventurous, courageous

ostentatious

showy, boastful

anomaly

irregularity, abnormality

endemic

common to a certain region

relegate

reduce to a lower status

cursory

hasty, brief

callous

coarse, insensitive

antagonist

opponent, adversary

temerity

audacity, recklessness

hackneyed

overused, trite

voluminous

having large volume or size

tangible

able to be touched, concrete, not abstract

stagnant

not moving or flowing, inactive

burgeon

to bloom, to grow, to do well

deprecate

to disapprove of, to denounce

morose

gloomy, down in the dumps, depressed

arduous

difficult, strenuous

astute

perceptive, shrewd

superficial

shallow, external

nonchalant

casual, careless, informal

catharsis

a cleansing or purging experience

augment

to enhance, to enlarge

paltry

measly, trivial, of a small amount

judicious

wise, showing good judgment

perfunctory

lacking enthusiasm, dutiful, obligatory