General Terms 1

fastidious

very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail, hard to please

fatuousness

foolishness

pedantic

overly scholarly, academic, or bookish

histrionic

overly dramatic

litote

a figure of speech that emphasizes its subject by conscious understatement (i.e. double negative)

metonymy

substituting the name of one object for another object closely associated with it (i.e. monarchy and crown)

conceits

a metaphorical device for unconventional comparisons

obstiate

stubborn

provincial

narrow-minded

worldly

experienced and sophisticated; cosmopolitan

anaphora

repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines

ellipsis

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

spires

a tapering conical or pyramidal structure on the top of a building, typically a church tower

organdy

a fine translucent cotton or silk fabric that is usually stiffened and used for women's clothing

sachet

a small perfumed bag used to scent clothes

flippant

not showing a serious or respectful attitude

disdainful

showing contempt or lack of respect

antecedent

the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers

austere

plain, simple (style)

crepuscular

of, resembling, or relating to twilight

droll

amusing in an odd or whimsical way (like suspense but to a lesser degree)

earthy

(adj.) conspicuously and tastelessly indecent

(syn.) crude, gross, vulgar, indecent

elegiac

mourning/lamenting that which is lost or past; sorrowful

abstract diction

words that express general ideas or concepts

concrete diction

words that describe specific, observable things, people, or places, rather than ideas or qualities

poetic diction

the use of specific types of words, phrases, or literary structures that are not common in contemporary speech or prose (thee, thou, thy)

latinate

derived from latin (canine vs dog)

anglo-saxon

Old English (dog vs canine)

clause

a group of words with a subject and a verb

obsequious

obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree

despondent

in low spirits from loss of hope or courage

explicate

analyze and develop (an idea or principle) in detail

synecdoche

a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa

assuage

to make something unpleasant less severe

affability

friendliness; graciousness

alacrity

brisk and cheerful readiness

phaeton

a light, open, four-wheeled horse-drawn carriage

inure

to harden; accustom; become used to

officious

meddling; excessively forward in offering services or assuming authority

abhor

to regard with horror or loathing; to hate deeply

incredulity

disbelief

verdure

greenery; fresh and ripe vegetation

perusal

a careful examination, review

wanton

undisciplined; unrestrained; reckless

depravity

moral corruption, a wicked or perverse act

perverse

contrary, persisting in error

scruple

a feeling of uneasiness that keeps a person from doing something

repugnance

extreme dislike; disgust

remonstrance

protest

propensity

a natural inclination or tendency

pecuniary

relating to money

accede

to agree

ordained

make someone a priest or minister

obtruded

forced upon (someone) unwillingly

connivance

knowledge of and consent to wrongdoing

perturbed

greatly disturbed

duplicity

treachery, deceitfulness, hypocrisy

contrivance

a plan or scheme

profligacy

wasteful and immoral behavior

approbation

approval or praise

corroboration

confirmation that some fact or statement is true

candor

honesty, frankness

reproach

to find fault with, blame

obeisance

a bow or similar gesture expressing deep respect

chagrin

embarrassment; a complete loss of courage

profusion

abundance

reproof

an expression of blame or disapproval

conjugal

pertaining to marriage

repining

to be discontented or low in spirits; complain or fret

acquiesce

accept something reluctantly but without protest

ascertain

to find out for certain

scrutinized

examine or inspect closely and thoroughly

perturbation

anxiety; mental uneasiness

untinctured

uncolored or untinted

complaisance

the willingness to comply with the wishes of others

construe

to interpret

petulance

unreasonable touchiness or irritability

acrimony

bitterness

exigence

an issue, problem, or situation that causes or prompts someone to write or speak

palliation

comfort, consolation

indolence

laziness

profligate

wasteful and immoral

insinuate

to suggest or hint slyly

sanguine

optimistic

postilion

person who rides a coach and guides the rear horse of a pair

licentious

morally unrestrained

copse

a thicket of small trees or bushes

obstinate

stubborn; unyielding

consternation

dismay, confusion

impudence

bold disrespect or rudeness

infamy

the state of being well known for some bad quality or deed

derisive

ridiculing, mocking

denigrate

to attack the reputation of; to speak ill of

supplication

begging, humbly asking for a favor

bomboy

local Ghanian boys who worked for the British transporting cargo

ensign

a flag or banner

panegyric

an expression of praise

prerogative

a special right or privilege

parochial

limited in range or scope, narrow, provincial