English Final Study Guide 25-26

Vocab 3a-4b, Figurative Language/Devices and American Born Chinese Vocab

abominate

(v.) to have an intense dislike or hatred for

adventitious

(adj.) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause

commiserate

(v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress

enjoin

(v.) to direct or order in an authoritative way

expiate

(v.) to make amends, make up for; to avert

inadvertent

(adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention

noncommittal

(adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position

proclivity

(n.) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency

sangfroid

(n.) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances

tenuous

(adj.) thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported

acculturation

(n.) the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blend

circuitous

(adj.) roundabout, not direct

expedite

(v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster

ferment

(n.) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; (v.) to be in or work into such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical action

nominal

(adj.) existing in name only, too small to be taken seriously

peculate

(v.) to steal something that has been given into one's trust; to take improperly for one's own use

seditious

(adj.) resistant to lawful authority

vitriolic

(adj.) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)

wheedle

(v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end

ascribe

(v.) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source)

aggrandize

(v.) to increase in greatness, power, or wealth, to make appear greater

amorphous

(adj.) shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character; without organization, unity, or cohesion

aura

(n.) that which surrounds; a distinctive air or personal quality

erudite

(adj.) scholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic

inscrutable

(adj.) incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically

propensity

(n.) natural inclination or predilection toward

querulous

(adj.) peevish, complaining, fretful

remonstrate

(v.) to argue with someone against something or protest against

resilient

(adj.) able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly

sedulous

(adj.) persistent, showing industry and determination

affable

(adj.) courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to

archetype

(n.) the original model or example on which something was patterned

contraband

(n.) illegal traffic, smuggled goods; (adj.) illegal, prohibited

gossamer

(adj.) thin, light, delicate, insubstantial; (n.) a very thin, light cloth

infer

(v.) to find out by reasoning; to arrive at a conclusion on the basis of thought; to hint, suggest, imply

insular

(adj.) relating to, characteristis of, or situated on an island; narrow or isolated in outlook or experience

irrevocable

(adj.) incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically

repudiate

(v.) to disown, reject, or deny the validity of

reverberate

(v.) to re-echo; to reflect or be reflected repeatedly

scurrilous

(adj.) coarsely abusive, vulgar, foul mouthed

sleazy

(adj.) thin or flimsy in texture; cheap; shoddy or inferior in quality or character; ethically low, mean or disreputable

Define Allegory

A piece of writing that reveals a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. 

ex: The Crucible by Arthur Miller (McCarthyism)

Allegory

Define Allusion

A reference to something outside of the text, often well-known to imply meaning.

ex: “My dog ran through my sand castle like King Kong”

Allusion

Define Anaphora

The repetition of the same word or words at the beginning of successive phrases or sentences.

ex: “For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder” (“What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”)

Anaphora

Define Hyperbole

An extravagant statement; the use of exaggerated terms.

ex: “I’ve told you a million times!”

Hyperbole

Define Imagery

Language that paints a picture in the reader’s mind.

ex: “The golden sunset spilled across the rippling ocean.”

Imagery

Define Irony (Verbal)

Sarcasm. When a speaker tells us something that differs from what they mean, intend, or what the situation requires; saying the opposite of what is meant as humor.

ex: Oh, great! Another homework assignment

Irony (Verbal)

Define Irony (Dramatic)

When a character is deprived of an important piece of information (which the readers know) that impacts the plot around them.

ex: In Romeo and Juliet, we know Juliet is alive, but Romeo thinks she is dead.

Irony (Dramatic)

Define Irony (Situational)

Something happening that is very different to what was expected.

ex: A fire station burns down.

Irony (Situational)

Define Metaphor

The use of something different to describe a person, place, or object, often abstractly.

ex: “Time is a thief.”

Metaphor

Define Motif

A recurring image, phrase, topic, event, etc. that connects to a central meaning or theme.

ex: The green light in The Great Gatsby

Motif

Define Symbolism

A thing which stands for or represents something else.

ex: A dove representing peace.

Symbolism

Assimilation (n)

When a person or group starts to adopt the culture, language, or habits of another group, often to fit in

Dehumanization (n)

Treating someone as if they are less than human, without respect or dignity

Derogatory (adj)

Insulting or showing disrespect toward someone or something

Immigration (n)

The act of moving to a new country to live there permanently or for a long time

Lunchbox moment (n)

Feeling embarrassed or ashamed of their cultural identity in public, often because others judge them for it through food

Mythology (n)

A collection of traditional stories or beliefs, often about gods or heroes, that explain a culture’s history or values

Normalization (n)

When something becomes accepted as normal, even if it was once seen as unusual or wrong

Parable (n)

A short story that teaches a moral or lesson

Stereotype (n)

A fixed and oversimplified idea about a group of people that may not be true

Slur (n)

An insulting word or phrase used to offend or disrespect a person or group

Xenophobia (n)

Fear or dislike of people from other countries or cultures

The relationship between the Native American tribes and the settlers was _______.

tenuous

Even in intimidating situations, she presents herself with _______.

sangfroid

It was _______ that I ran into the hiring manager of the job I wanted at Starbucks.

adventitious

I _______ my students to study for the important test.

enjoin

I am very _______ about the college I want to spend the next four years at.

noncommittal

It is important that I _______ with my mother after an argument.

expiate

The use of rat poison in lawns causes the _______ death of other animals.

inadvertent

She took the most _______ route home to keep listening to music.

circuitous

The treasurer isn’t as trustworthy as you’d think: she tried to _______ from the club’s funds.

peculate

Every student attending a new school goes through a small process of _______.

acculturation

He had to pay a _______ fee in order to join the club.

nominal

The debate became _______ as both sides began attacking each other.

vitriolic

Speaking the truth is not _______ and saying otherwise is tyranny.

seditious

If ripe fruit is left out, over time it will _______.

ferment

A lot of fast food workers dread a(n) _______ customer more than a slow work day.

querulous

The university only accepts the most _______ students

erudite

His expression was so _______ that nobody knew what he was thinking.

inscrutable

After only helping a little, the student tried to _______ their role in the project for a better grade.

aggrandize

When she has an important test, she is _______ and starts studying a week before.

erudite

Water remains in a(n) _______ state until frozen.

amorphous

She always had a(n) _______ for helping others so she became a doctor.

propensity

Some say Daisy Buchanan fits the _______ of the all-American wife.

archetype

The employee had enough of her _______ boss and finnally quit.

scurrilous

Once the decision was made, it was _______.

irrevocable

My mom told my sister to stop shopping at Shein because the quality of the clothes is too _______.

sleazy

The strong wind gust through the _______ curtains made them blow chaotically in the room.

gossamer