Final Test - American Literature

crucible

a container of metal or refractory material employed for heating substances to high temperatures

overture

An opening move toward negotiation or action; a proposal or offer; an introductory section or part. Could involve an orchestral introduction to a musical dramatic work.

rankle

to cause anger, irritation, or bitterness

paradox

A statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

theocracy

A government controlled by religious leaders

ideological

based on beliefs or ideas

manifestation

outward demonstration; indication; something which comes into being

dissembling

conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs

vindictive

having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge

formidable

inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable

trill

A quavering or vibratory sound, esp. a rapid alternation of sung or played notes.

prodigious

remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree

cranny

a small opening in a wall or rock face

exude

to give off; to emit; to radiate; to ooze

partisans

a strong supporter of a party, cause, or person

iniquity

immoral or grossly unfair behavior

quail

to shrink with fear; to cower; to lose heart and courage

writ

a form of written command in the name of a court or other legal authority to act, or abstain from acting, in some way.

bemused

bewildered or confused

diametrically

in complete opposition

methodical

Orderly and regular

Inculcation

teaching by repetition and insistent urging

enthrall

(v.) to captivate, charm, hold spellbound; to enslave; to imprison

abrogation

the repeal or abolition of a law, right, or agreement.

arbiter

a judge who decides a disputed issue

diabolism

witchcraft; sorcery; worship of the devil

loftily

With a tone of superiority or self-pride, arrogantly

ameliorate

to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming

jabberer

One who talks rapidly, indistinctly, or unintelligently, a gossiper

daft

senseless, stupid, or foolish

calamity

an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster

vengeance

punishment in return for an injury or a wrong; unusual force or violence

lechery

unrestrained or excessive indulgence of sexual desire.

pretense

an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true

remorseless

without regret, guilt, mercy, or pity

contentious

quarrelsome, inclined to argue

effrontery

shameless boldness, impudence

qualm

a pang of conscience, uneasiness, misgiving, or doubt; a feeling of faintness or nausea

ipso facto

by the very fact

probity

the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency

deposition

a statement made in court

gulling

taking advantage of; deceiving, tricking, cheating

gibbet

gallows from which criminals are hanged

beguile

To deceive; to charm; to enchant

sibilance

a hissing sound

penitence

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

supercilious

behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others

complacency

self-satisfaction; smugness

plagiaristic

Stealing or passing off the words or ideas of another as one's own

epigram

a witty saying expressing a single thought or observation

peremptory

leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal

impenetrable

cannot be entered, cannot be understood

anemic

Lacking in color, spirit, or vitality

hauter

disdainful pride

discreet

careful about what one says or does

innuendo

a hint, indirect suggestion, or reference (often in a derogatory sense)

affectation

unnatural / fake speech

subterfuge

deceit used in order to achieve one's goal

punctilious

showing great attention to detail or correct behavior

labyrinth

a complicated network of winding passages; a maze

incredulous

unwilling or unable to believe something

juxtaposition

the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.

denizen

an inhabitant, resident; one who frequents a place

unfathomable

incapable of being fully explored or understood

Harrowed

Distressed or troubled.

Exultation

A feeling of triumphant joy or jubilation.

Corrugated

Shaped into alternating ridges and grooves.

Ineffable

Too great or extreme to be expressed in words.

Gaudiness

Flashy or excessively showy, often in a tasteless way.

Debauchee

A person given to excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures.

Euphemism

A mild or indirect word or expression used in place of one that may be considered too harsh or blunt.

Dilatory

Tending to delay or procrastinate; slow to act.

Abyss

A deep or seemingly bottomless chasm.

Inviolate

Free from injury or violation; untouched.

Tumultuous

Loud, excited, and emotional; marked by disorder or upheaval.

Libertine

A person who behaves without moral principles or a sense of responsibility, especially in sexual matters.

Prig

A self-righteously moralistic person who behaves as if superior to others.

Magnanimous

Generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or less powerful person.

Scrutiny

Close, careful examination or observation.

Redolent

Strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something; having a pleasant smell.

Transitory

Not permanent; lasting for only a short time.

Commensurate

Corresponding in size, degree, or proportion.

Historically Grounded

It suggests that the term's meaning and significance are best understood when viewed through considering the evolution, impact, and relevance over time. It anchors the term in specific eras, pivotal moments, and the broader sweep of narratives, inviting exploration of its origins and transformations.

Allegory

A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. It involves symbolic representation, where characters and events stand for abstract ideas or qualities. The purpose can be to convey truths about life, religion/belief, or morality.

Symbolism

It is often used in literature, art, and music to convey deeper meanings beyond the literal. It can be a person, place, object, or event that stands for something else. It can be universal, carrying similar meanings across different cultures, or they can be more personal and derive their meaning from the context of a particular work.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch) to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. It enhances the emotional impact of the writing and helps to create a more immersive and engaging experience for the reader.

Figurative language

Language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation. It utilizes figures of speech such as metaphors, similes, personification, and hyperbole to create a more vivid, imaginative, and impactful expression. It goes beyond the dictionary definitions of words to add layers of meaning and emotional intensity to writing or speech.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that directly compares two unrelated things without using "like" or "as." It states that one thing is another, creating a vivid image and highlighting a shared quality. It should not be taken literally, but rather understood for its symbolic or abstract meaning.

Simile

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using 'like' or 'as' to suggest a resemblance. Similes are used for description or creating vivid imagery by drawing parallels between unrelated concepts. For example, 'brave as a lion' or 'the night was as black as coal.'

Personification

A figure of speech where human qualities are attributed to non-human entities (animals, objects, or ideas). It allows writers to create vivid and relatable imagery by giving inanimate things the ability to behave and feel like humans. (e.g., 'The wind whispered secrets through the trees.')

Irony

It describes a situation where the actual outcome is significantly different from what was anticipated or where words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is contrary to their literal meaning.

Theme

The central idea or underlying message that an author explores in a literary work. It's the main subject or topic on which the piece of writing is based.

Tone

The author's or speaker's attitude toward their subject or audience. It's conveyed through specific word choices, sentence structure, and overall style, shaping how the message feels to the recipient. Examples include formal, informal, humorous, serious, sarcastic, or empathetic.

Metadiscourse

Refers to the linguistic elements in a text that comment on the text itself or guide the reader through its content. It's language used to organize, evaluate, or interpret the primary message.

Suspense

a state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen.

Alliteration

the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.

Consonance

a literary device characterized by the repetition of consonant sounds within a sentence or phrase. Unlike alliteration, where the repetition occurs at the beginning of words, ______ can happen anywhere within the words (beginning, middle, or end).

Assonance

in poetry, the repetition of the sound of a vowel or diphthong in non-rhyming stressed syllables near enough to each other for the echo to be discernible (e.g., penitence, reticence ).

Free Verse

a type of poetry that does not adhere to a regular meter, rhyme scheme, or conventional stanzaic structure.

Cadence

refers to the rhythmic flow or pattern of sounds, words, or phrases in speech or writing.