Studied by 9 peopleLiteral
the way something actually, really is. When one talks about something in literal terms, one generally doesn't embellish or enhance its description, instead speaking about it in exact or precise terms.
Figurative
the way something is in terms that are symbolic, representational or highly descriptive. When one talks about something in figurative terms, one is highly descriptive
Connotation
the figurative or symbolic meaning of something
Denotation
the literal or primary meaning of something
Visual Imagery
descriptive language used to describe the way something appears.
Auditory Imagery
descriptive language used to describe the way something sounds.
Olfactory Imagery
descriptive language used to describe the way something smells.
Gustatory Imagery
descriptive language used to describe the way something tastes.
Tactile Imagery
descriptive language used to describe the way something feels to the physical touch.
Organic Imagery
descriptive language used to describe the way something feels internally or emotionally.
Kinesthetic Imagery
descriptive language used to describe the way something moves.
Diction
Word choice
Syntax
Word order
Simile
A comparison using "like" or "as"
Metaphor
A comparison without using like or as
Onomatopoeia
A word that imitates the sound it represents.
Idiom
A common, often used expression that doesn't make sense if you take it literally.
Personification
A figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes
Alliteration
Repetition of initial consonant sounds
Assonance
Repetition of vowel sounds
Hyperbole
exaggeration
Apprise
To apprise someone about something is to fill them in, to give them the scoop, to inform.
Discern
If identify, pick out, or distinguish something, you can discern it. This is a word for recognizing and perceiving things.
Complacency
the act of doing NOTHING about things because one is too lazy or at ease with the status quo.
Preeminent
superior, the best at something, peerless.
Confluence
The coming together of things. It can be literal -- the coming together of rivers is the confluence of the bodies of water. The figurative example: When the diplomats talked about global warming, they had a confluence of ideas.
Jocular
merry, jolly, characterized by joking; humor or playfulness.
Allegory
A short story that sends a message FIGURATIVELY
Superfluous
unnecessary because it is more than is needed or wanted.
Epistolary
a form of writing told exclusively through the exchange of written letters/mail
Lipogram
a form of writing where one letter of the alphabet is omitted entirely.
Satire
a genre in which the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to slyly expose and criticize people's foolishness.
Fealty
loyalty or faithfulness
Pangram
a sentence that contains all the letters of the alphabet.
Promulgate
to put a law into effect. Ex: On September 6 the school promulgated a dress code that forbids bare midriffs on students in class.
Moratorium
the suspension of a particular activity. Ex: There is a moratorium on chewing gum in class until futher notice.
Ostracize
to avoid someone intentionally, or to prevent someone from taking part in the activities of a group. To shun
Glean
to collect gradually, bit by bit.
Contingent
dependent on certain situations. Used with "upon". Ex: The football game will take place contingent upon the weather.
Happenstance
coincidence Ex: It was happenstance that we both showed up at the same movie on the same night at the same time.
Scant
barely sufficient or adequate. Ex: The scant amount of water in our canteens almost ran out before we escaped from the desert.
Reprisal
an act of retaliation. Ex: The allies threatened economic reprisals against the invading country.
Venerate
to regard with great respect (noun form -- someone who is respected -- is venerable) Ex: Abraham LIncoln is a venerated patriot, a highly respected man who gave his life to preserve the nation.
Semblance
the outward appearance or apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different. Ex: The Greek god descended from Mount Olympos and took on the semblance of a man.
Edict
an official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority.
Flaut
to openly mock or treat something with contempt and disregard.
Wrought
brought about, made, created. Ex: The gunslinger wrought havoc on the town. (He brought about destruction and devastation)
Paradox
a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true. For example, playwright George Bernard Shaw stated the paradox that "youth is wasted on the young." At first, it is contradictory in the sense that the "young" are the ones that embody the qualities of "youth," (stamina, strength, health, innocence) so therefore it cannot be "wasted" on them. However, this paradox makes sense upon reflection since often young people take for granted the very qualities that makes "youth" valuable.
Chasm
a deep separation between areas, either literally (the space between two cliffs) or figuratively (we had such deep differences of opinions, nothing could ever connect the chasm between us).
Despondent
extremely depressed or sad. For example:He became/grew increasingly despondent when she failed to return his phone calls.
Allusion
A reference to another work of literature, person, or event
Bildungsroman
A coming of age story
Scintilla
a tiny trace or small spark of a specified quality or feeling. ex: a scintilla of hope
Taciturn
soft-spoken, quiet, reserved, or uncommunicative in speech.
Beleaguered
in a very difficult situation; stuck without many choices
Mellifluous
sweet or musical sounding; pleasant to hear. (this is an example of olfactory imagery)
Inebriation
drunkenness, intoxication.
Hubris
excessive pride or self-confidence
Sagacity
the ability to make good judgments; possessing common sense.
Meritorious
deserving reward or praise.
Posthumously
after the death of someone. Ex: Heath Ledger was awarded the Oscar posthumously, having died in January of 2008, just 25 days before the ceremony.
Ludicrous
ridiculous, seeming to be comically out of place
Eradicate
to get rid of something completely or destroy it.
Morose
a sulky, bleak outlook or attitude
Resolute
purposeful and determined
facetious
treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant. Example: Though global warming was something many people cared about, the wenators were facetious in the way they spoke about it in Congress.
misanthrope
a person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society.
apoplectic
overcome with anger
penitence
the action of feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentance.
rebuke
to express sharp disapproval or criticism
congenial
pleasant and friendly. In the Sandra Bullock film Miss Congenialty (the noun form of congenial), that title is given to the friendliest contestant.
haggard
tired-looking
malady
an illness
palpable
when a feeling or atmosphere so intense as to seem almost physically real
covetous
having or showing a great desire to possess something, usually driven by envy.
credulity
gullibility, or a willingness to believe anything
brusque
blunt, short, or abrupt style of speech or action blunt often to the point of deliberate rudeness or harshness
vestige
A trace or sign that something was there, but no longer is. Ex: a footprint in the snow might be a vestige of the fact that a bear had walked here.
prodigious
extraordinary in bulk, quantity, or degree
caustic
very sarcastic & intended to offend, mock, or belittle somebody.
dissemble
to conceal or disguise something. You might dissemble the truth; you might dissemble yourself by putting on a costume. In a sentence: Her plan was to dissemble her intentions from her husband so she could successfully plan him a surprise party.
usurp
to steal or wrongfully take the place of someone or something. Ex: How can paintings remain relevant in a world where photography has usurped its role?
forbear
refrain (hold back) from acting. Ex: I can hardly forbear hurling things at him.
didactic
designed to teach; intended to convey instruction. Ex: Textbooks are, of course, didactic, as are recipe books, fables, parables, and instructional manuals.
pedantic
Pedantic is an insulting word used to describe someone who annoys others by correcting small errors, caring too much about minor details, or emphasizing their own expertise, especially in some narrow or boring subject matter; overly concerned with small details or formalisms, especially in teaching. Ex: Mr. Schleifer can be a bit pedantic whenever he corrects our papers, frequently pointing out typos, missing commas, and lack of appropriate apostrophes.
Note
Flashcard