Figures of Speech

Question 1

analogy

Answer 1

comparison of two things, which are alike in several respects, for the purpose of explaining or clarifying some unfamiliar or difficult idea or object by showing how the idea or object is similar to some familiar one

Question 2

apostrophe

Answer 2

The direct address of a person, either present or absent; used in prose to give vent to or display intense emotion, which can no longer be held back

Question 3

cliché

Answer 3

an expression so often used that its original power has been drained away

Question 4

conceit

Answer 4

an elaborate, usually intellectually ingenious poetic comparison or image, such as an analogy or metaphor in which, say a beloved is compared to a ship, planet, etc

Question 5

epithet

Answer 5

adjective or adjective phrases appropriately qualifying a subject (noun) by naming a key or important characteristic of the subject

Question 6

euphemism

Answer 6

expression of an unpleasant or embarrassing notion by a more inoffensive substitute

Question 7

hyperbole

Answer 7

exaggeration used for emphasis; used to heighten effect, catalyze recognition, or create a humorous perception

Question 8

imagery

Answer 8

collection of images with a literary work; used to evoke atmosphere, mood, tension

Question 9

verbal irony

Answer 9

contrast between the literal meaning of what os said and what is meant

Question 10

situational irony

Answer 10

result of an action is the reverse of what the author expected

Question 11

extended metaphor

Answer 11

metaphor which is drawn-out beyond the usual word or phrase to extend throughout a stanza or an entire poem, usually by using multiple comparisons between the unlike objects or ideas

Question 12

metonymy

Answer 12

form of metaphor; similar to synecdoche, in which the thing chosen for the metaphorical image is closely associated with (but not an actual part of) the subject with which it is to be compared

Question 13

oxymoron

Answer 13

paradox reduced to two words, usually in an adjective-noun or adverb-adjective relationship; used for effect, to emphasis contrasts, incongruities, hypocrisy, or simply the complex nature of reality

Question 14

paradox

Answer 14

statement that seems untrue on the surface but is true nevertheless

Question 15

synaesthesia

Answer 15

(same as the medical condition) descriptions of one kind of sense impression by using words that normally describe another

Question 16

understatement

Answer 16

expressing an idea with less emphasis or in a lesser degree than is the actual case; employed for ironic emphasis