Final- Figurative Terms Flashcards
the inclusive term for words that are used in ways that depart conspicuously from their literal applications, such as to achieve special meanings or effects.
figurative language
designates what most speakers would perceive as the standard meaning of words, or as their standard order or syntactical sequence
literal language
words or phrases used in ways that effect an obvious change in their standard meaning
trope
a figure of thought in which one kind of thing is compared to a markedly different object, concept, or experience; the comparison is made explicit by the word “like” or “as”
simile
a word or phrase that in literal use, designates one kind of thing is applied to a conspicuously different object, concept or experience, without asserting an explicit comparison
metaphor
the aspect that holds the meaning
tenor
the part that conveys the comparison
vehicle
occurs when two or more incongruous vehicles are applied to the same tenor
mixed metaphor
a trope that is sustained through several lines, ringing changes on the multiple relevance of the vehicle to the tenor
extended metaphor
the underlying meaning or set of meanings that provide one of the chief challenges and gratifications of literature
subtext
a figure of thought (or trope) in which an abstract concept, animal, or inanimate object is treated a though it were alive or had human attributes
personification
an extended form of of personification, in which an abstract concept is presented as though it were a character who speaks and acts as an independent being
allegory
a special type of personification, in which inanimate aspects of nature, such as the landscape or the weather, are represented as having human qualities or feelings
pathetic fallacy
a figure of thought in which the term for part of something is used to represent the whole, or less commonly, the term for the whole is used to represent a part
synecdoche
a trope which substitutes the name of an entity with something else that is closely associated with it
meonymy
consists of implying a meaning different from, and often the complete opposite of, the one that is explicitly stated
verbal irony
refers to an implication of alternate or reversed meaning that pervades a work
structural irony
occurs when the audience is privy to knowledge that one or more of the characters lacks
dramatic irony
refers to an implied worldview in which characters are led to embrace false hopes of aid or success, only to be defeated by some larger force, such as God or fate
cosmic irony
a trope in which a point is stated in a way that is greatly exaggerated
hyperbole
a form of irony in which a point is deliberately expressed as less, in magnitude, value, or importance, than it actually is
understatement
a trope in which a statement that appears on the surface to be contradictory or impossible turns out to express an often striking truth
paradox
a compressed paradox that closely inks two seemingly contrary elements is a way that, on further consideration, turns out to make good sense.
oxymoron
a figure of thought in which a point is affirmed by negating its opposite
litotes
a figure of thought in which a point is stated by deliberate circumlocution, rather than directly
periphrasis
a figure of thought that plays on words that have the same sound (homonyms), or closely similar sounds, but have sharply contrasted meaning
pun
a special form of the pun, in which a word or phrase that has disparate meanings is used in a way that makes each meaning equally relevant
equivoque
an address to a dead or absent person or to an inanimate object or abstract concept
apostrophe
a special form of apostrophe, in which the poet addresses an appeal to a muse or god to inspire the creative endeavor
invocation
a figure of speech in which a question is posed not to solicit a reply but to emphasize a foregone or clearly implied conclusion
rhetorical question
the intentional repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines, stanzas, sentences, or paragraphs
anaphora
a figure of speech in which words or phrases that are parallel in order and syntax express opposite or contrasting meanings
antithesis
a figure of speech in which two successive phrases or clauses are parallel in syntax, but reverse the order of the analogous words
chiasmus
