English final 2

Alliteration

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

Allusion

An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference that relies on the reader's familiarity with what is mentioned.

An implication or insinuation.

Anthropomorphism

The attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object; more literal. The object becomes capable of acting like a human. More so like a complete transformation; think of animals in cartoons that can walk, talk, etc.

Example: assigning human-like characteristics to a fox; the fox spoke quickly, making him difficult to understand. The fox literally spoke, and the author assigns these human-like traits more so as a literal transformation rather than a figurative expression/exaggeration.

Assonance

In poetry, the repetition of the sound of a vowel or diphthong in nonrhyming stressed syllables near enough to each other for the echo to be discernible.

Example: Got a lot farther by working a lot harder, by being a lot smarter, by being a self-starter.

Consonance

The recurrence of similar sounds, especially consonants, in close proximity, typically at the middle or end of words.

Example: hickory dickory dock.

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Example: I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse.

Imagery

Visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work. Includes any information that appeals to sight, hearing, taste, touch, or smell.

Example: The cool, refreshing water quenched her thirst as the scorching sun radiated on her.

Metaphor

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. One thing, idea, or action is referred to in the terms of something else.

A comparison between two things that are otherwise unrelated.

Example: Life is a highway.

Metonymy

A figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it.

Example: The White House is often used as a \________ for the presidential administration.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction.

Example: The deafening silence, the Great Depression.

Paradox

A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well-founded or true.

A statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true.

Personification

The attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form; more figurative. More metaphorical and on a word-level.

Example: The sun smiled down on us; the sun didn't literally smile down on the subject, but was rather very bright.

Pun

A joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings; a play on words.

Example: A boiled egg every morning is hard to beat.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language. The order or arrangement of words and phrases to form proper sentences

Understatement

The presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is.

Example: This storm brings us a bit of rain.

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.

Example: You will fight it. You will denounce it. You will overcome it.

Antimetabole

A rhetorical device in which words in the first half of a sentence are inverted in the second half of the sentence.

Example: Taste the love, love the taste.

Antithesis

The contrast of thoughts (with parallel structure) in two phrases, clauses, or sentences.

A literary device that places opposite words, ideas, or qualities parallel to each other.

Example: Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Epistrophe

The repetition of a word at the end of successive clauses or sentences.

Example: See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

Absolve

Verb: to set or declare (someone) free from blame, guilt, or responsibility. To discharge or liberate.

Abyss

Noun: a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm.

Acquiesce

Verb: to accept something reluctantly, but without protest. To permit or allow.

Ambiguous

Adjective: (of language) open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning. Unclear or inexact because a choice between alternatives has not been made.

Apathetic

Adjective: showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern; uninterested or indifferent.

Beguile

Verb: to charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way. To attract or entrance.

Bereft

Adjective: deprived of or lacking (something).

(Of a person) sad and lonely, especially through someone's death or departure.

Beseech

Verb: to ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something; implore, entreat.

Cacophony

Noun: a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.

Cadence

Noun: rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words. A modulation or inflection of the voice; rhythm or tempo.

Chaste

Adjective: abstaining from extramarital, or from all, sexual intercourse. Not having any sexual nature or intention.

Without unnecessary ornamentation; simple or restrained.

Coerce

Verb: to persuade (an unwilling person) to do something by using force or threats. To obtain (something) by using force or threats.

Conformity

Noun: compliance with standards, rules, or laws. Behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions or standards.

Conscientious

Adjective: (of a person) wishing to do what is right, especially to do one's work or duty well and thoroughly. Relating to a person's conscience.

Cordial

Adjective: warm and friendly.

Countenance

Noun: a person's face or facial expression.

One's support.

Verb: to admit as acceptable or possible; tolerate.

Defiant

Adjective: full of or showing a disposition to challenge, resist, or fight; bold, resistant.

Deft

Adjective: neatly skillful and quick in one's movements. Demonstrating skill and cleverness.

Desolate

Adjective: (of a place) deserted of people and in a state of bleak and dismal emptiness.

Verb: to make (a place) bleakly and depressingly empty or bare.

Didactic

Adjective: intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive. In the manner of a teacher, particularly so as to treat someone in a patronizing way.

Disdain

Noun: the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect; contempt.

Verb: consider to be unworthy of one's consideration.

Dither

Verb: to be indecisive.

Noun: indecisive behavior; a state of agitation.

Dogged

Adjective: having or showing tenacity or grim persistence; tenacious, determined.

Dubious

Adjective: hesitating or doubting; not to be relied upon, suspect.

Elegiac

Adjective: relating to or characteristic of an elegy, expressing sorrow for something now past.

Euphemism

Noun: a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

Facetious

Adjective: treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant.

Fester

Verb: (of a wound or sore) to become septic; suppurate.

(Of food or garbage) to become rotten and offensive to the senses.

(Of a negative feeling or a problem) to become worse or more intense, especially through long-term neglect or indifference.

Hubris

Noun: excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance or conceit.

Impetuous

Adjective: acting or done quickly and without thought or care. Moving forcefully or rapidly.

Indignant

Adjective: feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment; resentful or affronted.

Intemperate

Adjective: having or showing a lack of self-control; immoderate. Given to or characterized by excessive indulgence, especially in alcohol.

Intrepid

Adjective: fearless or unafraid; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect).

Irreverent

Adjective: showing a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously; disdainful or disrespectful.

Juxtapose

Verb: to place or deal with close together for contrasting effect; to compare and contrast.

Lament

Noun: a passionate expression of grief or sorrow.

Verb: to mourn (a person's loss or death); to express one's deep grief about.

Languid

Adjective: (of a person, manner, or gesture) displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.

Weak or faint from illness or fatigue.

Licentious

Adjective: promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters; dissolute or immoral.

Martyr

Noun: a person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs.

Verb: to kill (someone) because of their beliefs.

Mollify

Verb: to appease the anger or anxiety of (someone). To reduce the severity of (something); soften.

Narcissistic

Adjective: having an excessive or erotic interest in oneself and one's physical appearance.

Nuance

Noun: a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.

Ostentatious

Adjective: characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice.

Paradigm

Noun: a typical example or pattern of something; a model, standard, or prototype.

Pensive

Adjective: engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought; thoughtful or reflective.

Plaintive

Adjective: sounding sad and mournful.

Poignant

Adjective: evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret; sharp or pungent in taste and smell. Keenly distressing to the feelings, affecting or moving the emotions.

Ravenous

Adjective: extremely hungry; (of hunger or need) very great. Voracious or insatiable.

Reproach

Verb: to address (someone) in such a way as to express disapproval or disappointment.

Noun: the expression of disapproval or disappointment; reproof or rebuke.