AP Lang Plato Terms + Vocab

Oxymoron

a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction

Allegory

a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one; the expression of truths or generalizations about human existence by means of symbolic fictional figures and their actions

Zeugma

a figure of speech in which a word applies to two others in different senses (e.g., John and his license expired last week) or to two others of which it semantically suits only one (e.g., with weeping eyes and hearts).

Antithesis

a proposition that contrasts with or reverses some previously mentioned proposition, or when two opposites are introduced together for contrasting effect

Induction

a process of reasoning (arguing) which infers a general conclusion based on individual cases, examples, specific bits of evidence, and other specific types of premises.

Analogy

a comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification

Anecdote

a short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person

Aphorism

a pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, “if it ain't broke, don't fix it.”

Virtue

behavior showing high moral standards

Innate

existing in, belonging to, or determined by factors present in an individual from birth

Divine

of, from, or like God or a god

Paltry

(of an amount) small or meager

Keen

(of a sense) highly developed

Dazzled

amaze or overwhelm with a particular impressive quality; (of the eyes) be affected by a bright light

Hedonism

the ethical theory that pleasure (in the sense of the satisfaction of desires) is the highest good and proper aim of human life

Abstraction

the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events

Asceticism

severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.