| Term | Definition |
|---|
| allusion | a reference to a person, thing, event, situation, or aspect of culture, real or fictional, past or present |
| connotation | the emotional associations surrounding a word that are not part of the literal dictionary meaning |
| denotation | the literal, dictionary definition of a word |
| imagery | the representation in language of sensory detail in order to recreate the experience and its emotional responses |
| inference | a reasonable conclusion about a character or an event drawn from the limited information presented by the author |
| irony | a contrast between what appears to be and what really is |
| metaphor | an implied comparison between things that are essentially unlike WITHOUT using like or as |
| simile | a figure of speech in which two unlike things are directly compared, usually with the words like or as |
| symbol | something concrete (a flag or a rose) that stands for something more abstract (patriotism or love) |
| tone | the author's attitude toward his/her subject or audience |
| essay | a prose composition that presents a personal point of view through formal analysis, argument, or an informal style |
| sundry | several; various |
| frolic | merry prank; play, fun |
| humor | state of mind, disposition, temper |
| parson | a minister in charge of a parish |
| stilted | stiffly dignified or formal |
| taciturn | speaking very little; not fond of talking |
| discourse | conversation |
| awful | deserving great respect and reverence |
| rapture | strong feeling, especially of delight or joy; ecstasy |
| rote | mechanical way of doing things |
| conventional | acting according to commonly accepted or approved ways |
| deplore | be very sorry about; regret deeply; lament |
| wry | ironic; twisted |
| egotism | thinking, talking or writing too much of oneself; conceit; selfishness |
| insinuate | suggest in an indirect way; hint |
| vanity | too much pride in one's looks, ability, etc. |
| foreboding | prediction; feeling that something bad is about to happen |
| score | a group or set of twenty |
| beacon | a fire or light used as a signal to guide or warn |
| manacles | fetters; cuffs; restraints |
| languish | become weak or weary; lose energy; droop |
| unalienable | that cannot be given or taken away |
| default | failure to do something or appear somewhere when due |
| nullification | making unimportant, valueless, or ineffective |
| degenerate | grow worse, decline morally, mentally or physically |
| tribulation | great trouble; severe trial; affliction |
| prodigious | very great; huge, vast |
| eradicate | get rid of entirely; destroy completely |
| forebears | ancestors |
| invective | a violent attack in words; abusive language |
| invoke | appeal to for help or protection |
| subversion | anything that tends to overthrow or destroy; cause of ruin |
| writ | a formal written order issued by a court |
| disconsolate | without hope |
| mutant | a new variety of living organism resulting from mutation or change |
| propagate | increase in number; multiply |
| reconstitute | form again; bring back to its original form |
| resuscitate | bring back to life or consciousness; revive |
| toxicity | toxic or poisonous quality |
Combine with other sets
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace