ENGLISH 10H SCHLEIFER VOCAB

Literal

the way something actually, really is. When one talks about something in literal terms, one generally doesn't embellish or enhance its description, instead speaking about it in exact or precise terms.

Figurative

the way something is in terms that are symbolic, representational or highly descriptive. When one talks about something in figurative terms, one is highly descriptive

Connotation

the figurative or symbolic meaning of something

Denotation

the literal or primary meaning of something

Visual Imagery

descriptive language used to describe the way something appears.

Auditory Imagery

descriptive language used to describe the way something sounds.

Olfactory Imagery

descriptive language used to describe the way something smells.

Gustatory Imagery

descriptive language used to describe the way something tastes.

Tactile Imagery

descriptive language used to describe the way something feels to the physical touch.

Organic Imagery

descriptive language used to describe the way something feels internally or emotionally.

Kinesthetic Imagery

descriptive language used to describe the way something moves.

Diction

Word choice

Syntax

Word order

Simile

A comparison using "like" or "as"

Metaphor

A comparison without using like or as

Onomatopoeia

A word that imitates the sound it represents.

Idiom

A common, often used expression that doesn't make sense if you take it literally.

Personification

A figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds

Hyperbole

exaggeration

Apprise

To apprise someone about something is to fill them in, to give them the scoop, to inform.

Discern

If identify, pick out, or distinguish something, you can discern it. This is a word for recognizing and perceiving things.

Complacency

the act of doing NOTHING about things because one is too lazy or at ease with the status quo.

Preeminent

superior, the best at something, peerless.

Confluence

The coming together of things. It can be literal -- the coming together of rivers is the confluence of the bodies of water. The figurative example: When the diplomats talked about global warming, they had a confluence of ideas.

Jocular

merry, jolly, characterized by joking; humor or playfulness.

Allegory

A short story that sends a message FIGURATIVELY

Superfluous

unnecessary because it is more than is needed or wanted.

Epistolary

a form of writing told exclusively through the exchange of written letters/mail

Lipogram

a form of writing where one letter of the alphabet is omitted entirely.

Satire

a genre in which the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to slyly expose and criticize people's foolishness.

Fealty

loyalty or faithfulness

Pangram

a sentence that contains all the letters of the alphabet.

Promulgate

to put a law into effect. Ex: On September 6 the school promulgated a dress code that forbids bare midriffs on students in class.

Moratorium

the suspension of a particular activity. Ex: There is a moratorium on chewing gum in class until futher notice.

Ostracize

to avoid someone intentionally, or to prevent someone from taking part in the activities of a group. To shun

Glean

to collect gradually, bit by bit.

Contingent

dependent on certain situations. Used with "upon". Ex: The football game will take place contingent upon the weather.

Happenstance

coincidence Ex: It was happenstance that we both showed up at the same movie on the same night at the same time.

Scant

barely sufficient or adequate. Ex: The scant amount of water in our canteens almost ran out before we escaped from the desert.

Reprisal

an act of retaliation. Ex: The allies threatened economic reprisals against the invading country.

Venerate

to regard with great respect (noun form -- someone who is respected -- is venerable) Ex: Abraham LIncoln is a venerated patriot, a highly respected man who gave his life to preserve the nation.

Semblance

the outward appearance or apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different. Ex: The Greek god descended from Mount Olympos and took on the semblance of a man.

Edict

an official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority.

Flaut

to openly mock or treat something with contempt and disregard.

Wrought

brought about, made, created. Ex: The gunslinger wrought havoc on the town. (He brought about destruction and devastation)

Paradox

a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true. For example, playwright George Bernard Shaw stated the paradox that "youth is wasted on the young." At first, it is contradictory in the sense that the "young" are the ones that embody the qualities of "youth," (stamina, strength, health, innocence) so therefore it cannot be "wasted" on them. However, this paradox makes sense upon reflection since often young people take for granted the very qualities that makes "youth" valuable.

Chasm

a deep separation between areas, either literally (the space between two cliffs) or figuratively (we had such deep differences of opinions, nothing could ever connect the chasm between us).

Despondent

extremely depressed or sad. For example:He became/grew increasingly despondent when she failed to return his phone calls.

Allusion

A reference to another work of literature, person, or event

Bildungsroman

A coming of age story

Scintilla

a tiny trace or small spark of a specified quality or feeling. ex: a scintilla of hope

Taciturn

soft-spoken, quiet, reserved, or uncommunicative in speech.

Beleaguered

in a very difficult situation; stuck without many choices

Mellifluous

sweet or musical sounding; pleasant to hear. (this is an example of olfactory imagery)

Inebriation

drunkenness, intoxication.

Hubris

excessive pride or self-confidence

Sagacity

the ability to make good judgments; possessing common sense.

Meritorious

deserving reward or praise.

Posthumously

after the death of someone. Ex: Heath Ledger was awarded the Oscar posthumously, having died in January of 2008, just 25 days before the ceremony.

Ludicrous

ridiculous, seeming to be comically out of place

Eradicate

to get rid of something completely or destroy it.

Morose

a sulky, bleak outlook or attitude

Resolute

purposeful and determined

facetious

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant. Example: Though global warming was something many people cared about, the wenators were facetious in the way they spoke about it in Congress.

misanthrope

a person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society.

apoplectic

overcome with anger

penitence

the action of feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentance.

rebuke

to express sharp disapproval or criticism

congenial

pleasant and friendly. In the Sandra Bullock film Miss Congenialty (the noun form of congenial), that title is given to the friendliest contestant.

haggard

tired-looking

malady

an illness

palpable

when a feeling or atmosphere so intense as to seem almost physically real

covetous

having or showing a great desire to possess something, usually driven by envy.

credulity

gullibility, or a willingness to believe anything

brusque

blunt, short, or abrupt style of speech or action blunt often to the point of deliberate rudeness or harshness

vestige

A trace or sign that something was there, but no longer is. Ex: a footprint in the snow might be a vestige of the fact that a bear had walked here.

prodigious

extraordinary in bulk, quantity, or degree

caustic

very sarcastic & intended to offend, mock, or belittle somebody.

dissemble

to conceal or disguise something. You might dissemble the truth; you might dissemble yourself by putting on a costume. In a sentence: Her plan was to dissemble her intentions from her husband so she could successfully plan him a surprise party.

usurp

to steal or wrongfully take the place of someone or something. Ex: How can paintings remain relevant in a world where photography has usurped its role?

forbear

refrain (hold back) from acting. Ex: I can hardly forbear hurling things at him.

didactic

designed to teach; intended to convey instruction. Ex: Textbooks are, of course, didactic, as are recipe books, fables, parables, and instructional manuals.

pedantic

Pedantic is an insulting word used to describe someone who annoys others by correcting small errors, caring too much about minor details, or emphasizing their own expertise, especially in some narrow or boring subject matter; overly concerned with small details or formalisms, especially in teaching. Ex: Mr. Schleifer can be a bit pedantic whenever he corrects our papers, frequently pointing out typos, missing commas, and lack of appropriate apostrophes.