Vocab Unit 3

Denounment

the resolution of a plot after the climax

deus ex machina

an unexpected, artificial, or improbable character, device, or event introduced suddenly in a work of fiction or drama to resolve a situation or untangle a plot

Dialect

Speech peculiar to a region; exhibits distinctions between two groups or even two persons.

Dialogue

conversation between two or more characters, usually set off with quotation marks

Diction

An author's choice of words

didactic verse

a term for a poem that teaches, almost preaches. It often discusses the "proper" way to behave. The lesson being taught is more important to the writer than the artistic quality of the work

Ellipsis

the omission of a word or phrase which is grammatically necessary but can be deduced from the context

elegy

lyrical poem about death; a serious poem meant to express grief or sorrow.

empathy

feelings of pity and understanding for a character

end rhyme

schematic rhyme that comes at the ends of lines of verse

ancillary

subordinate or supplementary

Bowlerdize

to remove material considered to be offensive

condescend

(v.) to come down or stoop voluntarily to a lower level; to deal with people in a patronizing manner

cozen

to trick; to cheat or swindle

enclave

(n.) an enclosed district, region, or area inhabited by a particular group of people or having a special character

forte

a person's strong point; what a person does best

Gratis

(adj.) free; (adv.) without charge

Icon

(n.) a representation or image of a sacred personage, often considered sacred itself; an image or picture; a symbol; a graphic symbol on a computer monitor display; an object of blind devotion

interstice

(n.) a small, narrow space between things or parts of things

macrocosm

(n.) the universe considered as a whole; the entire complex structure of something

mountebank

(n.) a trickster or swindler; a charlatan

paean

a song of praise, joy, or triumph

persiflage

lighthearted joking, talk, or writing

plethora

(n.) overfullness; superabundance; superfluity

pragmatic

(adj.) concerned with practical considerations or values; dealing with actions and results rather than with abstract theory; stiff in one's opinions

quizzical

(adj.) puzzled; mocking; odd; equivocal

rapacity

(n.) inordinate greed; the disposition to obtain one's desires by force, extortion, or plunder

shcism

a formal split within a religious organization; any division or separation of a group or organization into hostile factors.

therapeutic

(adj.) having the power to heal or cure; beneficial

virtuso

(n.) a brilliant performer; a person with masterly skill or technique; (adj.) masterly or brilliant