Tone and Vocabulary Words

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering literary tone words, definitions, and related root terms directly from the lecture presentation.

Pensive

Deeply thoughtful, especially when thinking about something serious or sad.

Infatuated

Having a strong feeling of love or attraction toward someone.

Befuddled

Completely confused, perplexed, or unable to think clearly.

Whimsical

Playful, imaginative, and unusual in a fun or charming way.

Whim

A sudden or unusual idea.

Obsequious

Excessively eager to please or obey someone to gain their approval, especially a person with power.

Vindictive

A spiteful tone that shows a desire for revenge.

Didactic

Intended to teach a lesson, especially a moral lesson.

Laudable

Deserving praise or admiration because of good actions or qualities.

Fawning

Giving someone excessive compliments or attention to gain their approval; using excessive flattery or affection to win favor.

Indignant

Feeling angry or upset because something seems unfair or disrespectful.

Sentimental

Being strongly influenced, guided, or moved by tender emotional feelings.

Effusive

Expressing praise, thanks, or excitement with overflowing enthusiasm.

Conciliatory

Intended to calm anger, reduce conflict, or restore friendly feelings.

Ubiquitous

Present, found, or appearing almost everywhere.

Candid

Honest and direct, especially when stating an uncomfortable truth.

Belligerent

Hostile and aggressive, showing a readiness to argue or fight.

Lugubrious

Looking, sounding, or feeling exceptionally sad, gloomy, or dismal; or mournful and sorrowful, especially in an exaggerated, dramatic, or insincere manner.

Earnest

A communication style that is deeply sincere, serious, and emotionally honest.

Esoteric

Intended for or understood by only a select group of people with specialized knowledge or interest; obscure or recondite.

Zealous

Showing intense passion, energy, or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause, belief, or goal.

Zeal

Great energy or enthusiasm.

Ambivalent

Having or showing simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings toward something or someone.

Cynical

A negative, distrustful style of speaking or writing that assumes people act purely out of self-interest and rejects the idea of genuine sincerity or altruism.

Contemptuous

Expressing or feeling a lack of respect.

Contempt of court

The crime of being disobedient to or disrespectful toward a court of law and its officers.