Anglo Saxon Vocabulary

Alliteration

The use of the same letter or sound at the beginning of words that are close together.

Caesura

A pause within a line of poetry, often indicated by punctuation or a natural break in the flow of words.

Characterization

The way that a writer makes characters in a book or play seem real.

In Media Res

Into the middle of proceedings; into the midst of affairs, often used in reference to a literary work.

Epic

A long poem about the actions of great men and women or about a nation’s history.

Epic Hero

A brave and noble character in an epic poem, admired for great achievements or affected by grand events.

Foreshadowing

To be a sign of something that will happen in the future.

Irony

The funny or strange aspect of a situation that is very different from what you expect.

Kennings

To know (a thing); to have knowledge of or about (a thing, place, person, etc.).

Imagery

Language that produces pictures in the minds of people reading or listening.

Assonance

The effect created when two syllables in words that are close together have the same vowel sound but different consonants.

Archetype

The original pattern or model from which copies are made; a prototype.

Lair

A place for animals to lie down in, for beasts of chase or of prey.

Stalk

To harass or persecute a person with unwanted, obsessive, and usually threatening attention.

Gorge

A narrow opening between hills; a ravine with rocky walls, especially one that gives passage to a stream.

Gruesome

Inspiring fear, awe, or horror; such as to cause one to shudder with fear.

Writhing

To contort the body as a result of some strong feeling or emotion, such as pain or distress.

Loathsome

Exciting disgust or loathing, often in a physical sense; offensive to the senses.

Massive

Forming or consisting of a large mass; having great size and weight or solidity.

Purge

To remove by a cleansing or purifying operation; to clear away.

Reparation

The action of making amends for a wrong or harm done by providing payment or assistance.

Solace

Comfort, consolation; alleviation of sorrow, distress, or discomfort.

Purport

To seem; to claim or assert.

Credible

Able to be believed in, justifying confidence; convincingly honest or authentic.

Assertion

The action of declaring or positively stating; declaration or affirmation.

Presume

To assume; to take for granted; to presuppose.

Contradictory

Mutually opposed or inconsistent; that contradict or are at variance with each other.