unit 5

abstract

abstract

(adjective): existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence

Synonym: theoretical, hypothetical

Antonym: concrete

accismus

(noun): a form of irony in which a person feigns indifference to or pretends to refuse something he or she desires

Synonym: irony, feigning ignorance

Antonym: truthfulness

Adage

(noun): a proverb or short statement expressing a general truth

Synonym: maxim, proverb, motto

Antonym: ambiguity

ambiguity

(noun): the quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness

Synonym: ambivalence, vagueness

Antonym: transparency

anachronism

(noun): a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists

Synonym: old-fashioned

Antonym: modern

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anecdote

(noun): an amusing or interesting story, an account regarded as unreliable or hearsay

Synonym: story, narrative

Antonym: fact

annotation

(noun): a note of explanation or comment added to a text or diagram

Synonym: notation, comment

Antonym: paragraph

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aphorism

(noun): observation that contains a general truth, a concise statement of a scientific principle, typically by an ancient classical author

Synonym: adage, axiom, formula

Antonym: abstract thought

Apollonian

(adjective): relating to the god Apollo OR relating to the rational, ordered, and self-disciplined aspects of human nature

Synonym: rational

Antonym: chaotic

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Archetype

(noun): a very typical example of a certain person or thing, an original

Synonym: prototype, standard, original

Antonym: copy, unideal

Bard

(noun): a poet, traditionally one reciting epics and associated with a particular oral tradition

Synonym: poet, lyricist

Antonym: audience

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bathos

(noun): an effect of anticlimax created by an unintentional lapse in mood from the sublime to the trivial or ridiculous

Synonym: anticlimax, disappointment

Antonym: climax

belle-lettres

(noun): category of writing, originally meaning beautiful or fine writing

Synonym: fine art

Antonym: abstract

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bibliography

(noun): a list of the books referred to in a scholarly work, typically printed as an appendix

Synonym: catalog, record

Antonym: disarray

bombast

(noun): high-sounding language with little meaning, used to impress people.

Synonym: pomposity, verbiage, guff, pretentiousness

Antonym: clarity

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burlesque

(noun): an absurd or comically exaggerated imitation of something, especially in a literary or dramatic work; a parody OR a variety show including a striptease

Synonym: parody, caricature

Antonym: dramatic adaptation

cacophony

(noun): a harsh discordant mixture of sounds

Synonym: din, racket, dissonance

Antonym: peace

canon

(noun): a general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged, a collection or list of sacred books accepted as genuine

Synonym: principle, rule, law

Antonym: fanfiction

caricature

(noun): a picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect

Synonym: cartoon, parody

Antonym: realism

circumlocution

(noun): the use of many words where fewer would do, especially in a deliberate attempt to be vague or evasive

Synonym: periphrasis, indirectness

Antonym: clarity

cynic

(noun): a person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than acting for honorable or unselfish reasons

Synonym: skeptic, pessimist

Antonym: optimist

Denouement

(noun): the final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved

Synonym: finale, epilogue, coda

Antonym: prologue

deus ex machina

(noun): an unexpected power or event saving a seemingly hopeless situation, especially as a contrived plot device in a play or novel

Synonym: contrivance

Antonym: ignorance

dialectic

(noun): the art of investigating or discussing the truth of opinions

Synonym: reasoning, argumentation

Antonym: shortcut

didactic

(adjective): intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.

Synonym: instructive, instructional

Antonym: learned

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-fication

process of making or causing something ex: beautification

fore-

before in time (forefathers)

-fuge

that which drives away or out

ex: centrifuge

-ful

full of/characterized by (plentiful)

geo-

earth (geology)

-gamy

marriage or fertilization

ex: monogamy

gastro-

stomach ex: gastrointestinal

-geny

genesis/origin (progeny)

gluco-

sweet/delightful (glucose)

-graphy

process of writing or recording ex: calligraphy