Vocabulary Flashcards
Having become functionless through the course of evolution
Vestigial
An observation that contains a general truth (e.g.: “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”)
Aphorism
Concise and forcefully expressive
Pithy
To remove material that is considered improper or offensive from a text, especially with the result that it becomes weaker or less effective
Bowdlerize
A verb used in forming the tenses, moods, and voices of other verbs
Auxiliary Verb
The subject of a sentence or clause (e.g.: “he”)
Nominative Case
The object of a verb or preposition (e.g.: “him”)
Objective Case
Shows ownership between a noun and other words in the sentence (e.g.: “his”)
Possessive Case
Roundabout speech or writing when fewer words would be sufficient. Can be a deliberate attempt to be vague or evasive
Circumlocution
A sentence with 2 independent clauses and 1 dependent clause
Compound - Complex Sentence
A pair of lines of verse that rhyme
Couplet
The outcome of a plot
Denouement
The cast of characters
Dramatis Personae
For example (e.g.)
Exempli Gratia
What is the difference between an Epigram, Epigraph, and Epitaph?
Epigram is a brief, clever, and memorable statement that’s often witty or satirical. Epigraph is an inscription on a building, statue, coin. Epitaph are words written in memory of a person who has died (can be on a tombstone)
What is the Nazi’s “The Final Solution” an example of?
Euphemism
Remove matter thought to be objectionable or unsuitable from a text
Expurgate
What is another name for a homophone?
Homonyms
“That is” in Latin. An explanation or paraphrase
Id Est
Horace wrote in this style often, jumping right “in the middle of things”
In Medias Res
A brief exclamation (DAMN!)
Interjection
A verb that doesn’t need a direct object (“He jumped”)
Intransitive Verb
A humorous five line verse (AABBA rhyming) popularized by Edward Lear
Limerick
A confusion of words that sound familiar
Malapropism
Note well, a notation giving emphasis (N.B.)
Nota Bene
A thought that does not logically follow what is being discussed, off topic
Non-sequitur
The part of a sentence or clause that says something about the subject (the main verb and all modifiers)
Predicate
Writing full of ornate language
Purple Prose
A novel that disguises actual people and places as fictional characters
Roman a Clef
A lyric poem of 14 lines
Sonnet
“To quickly go home” is an example of what type of verb?
Split Infinitive
Shoulda, coulda, woulda verbs
Subjunctive
An adjective of the highest degree (best, most, etc)
Superlative
A musical piece intended to be sung
Cantata
A musical piece intended to be played by one or a few instruments
Sonata
A slow, stately ballroom dance in triple time
Minuet
A slow, danceable love song
Bolero
