Vocab 2/23

Question 1

Act

Answer 1

the major subunit into which the action of a play is divided. The number in a play typically
ranges between one and five, and these are usually further divided into scenes

Question 2

Amelioration

Answer 2

the act of relieving ills and changing for the better.

Question 3

Aside

Answer 3

A dramatic device in which a character speaks directly to the audience and is understood to
be unheard by other characters.

Question 4

Ballad

Answer 4

a story told through song

Question 5

Diminutive

Answer 5

Very small

Question 6

Distort

Answer 6

make false by mutilation or addition

Question 7

Harbinger

Answer 7

something indicating the approach of someone or something

Question 8

Imminent

Answer 8

close in time, about to occur

Question 9

Incessantly

Answer 9

without interruption

Question 10

Inflict

Answer 10

to impose something unpleasant

Question 11

Mewling

Answer 11

Crying or whining

Question 12

Monologue

Answer 12

in drama, a speech that a character gives to either themselves, the audience, or
another character

Question 13

Motif

Answer 13

an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Often collections of
symbols, this helps reinforce the central themes of a work

Question 14

Pantaloon

Answer 14

sixteenth century slang for an old man; similar to our word “geezer”

Question 15

Playwright

Answer 15

A person who writes plays

Question 16

Premonition

Answer 16

An early warning about a future event

Question 17

Prophetic

Answer 17

foretelling events as if by supernatural intervention

Question 18

Reproach

Answer 18

To express criticisms toward

Question 19

Sans

Answer 19

French for “without”

Question 20

Scene

Answer 20

a minor subunit into which the action of a play is divided. They typically divide the acts
of a play

Question 21

Soliloquy

Answer 21

a type of monologue in which the character is in conversation with him/herself

Question 22

Theme

Answer 22

a universal idea, lesson, or message explored throughout a work of literature

Question 23

Tone

Answer 23

reflects the writer’s attitude toward the subject matter or audience of a literary work

Question 24

Treble

Answer 24

the high voice of a small boy

Question 25

Vantage

Answer 25

place or situation affording some benefit