Words to Know Flashcards
Analogy
A literary device that helps to establish a relationship based on similarities between two concepts or ideas.
Can convey a new idea by using the blueprint of an old one as a basis for understanding. With a mental linkage between the two, one can create understanding regarding the new concept in a simple and succinct manner.
Ex- In the same way as one cannot have the rainbow without the rain, one cannot achieve success and riches without hard work.
Aphorism
A concise statement that is made in a matter of fact tone to state a principle or an opinion that is generally understood to be a universal truth.
Often adages, wise sayings and maxims aimes at imparting sense and wisdom.
Usually witty and curt & often have an underlying tone of authority to them
Ex- Upon seeing the shoddy work done by the employee the boss told him to “either shape up or ship out.”
Ex (2)- A bad penny always turn up
A barking dog never bites
Actions speak louder than words
Euphemism
Used to refer to literary practice of using a comparatively milder or less abrasive form of a negative description instead of its original, unsympathetic form.
Used when writing about matters such as sex, violence, death, crimes and things “embarrassing”
Purpose- substitute unpleasant and severe words with more genteel ones in order to mask the harshness
Ex- Using “to put out to pasture” when one implies retiring a person because they are to be effective
Ex(2)- “kick the bucket” (describes death of a person)
Before I go -> Before I die
Mentally challenged (stupid)
Perspiration (sweat)
Ex(3)- “Royal wench!
She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed
He plowed her, and she cropped”
Plowed - act of sexual intercourse
Cropped - a euphemism for becoming pregnant
Synecdoche
A figure of speech wherein a part of something represents the whole thing
Ex- “fifty head of cattle’s” (head=herd)
Ex (2)- “Ulysses” refers to his former companions as free hearts, free foreheads
(Alfred Lord Tennyson)
Metonymy
A figure of speech in which a word represents something else which it suggests
Ex- a herd of fifty cows may be referred to Z fifty head of cattle
Oxymoron
A combination of contradictory terms,
Such as Romeo in Act1 scene1 of “Romeo and Juliet”
Ex- Why then, O brawling love! O loving hate!
O heavy lightness, serious vanity;
Misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms!
Feather of lead, bright smile, cold fire, sick health!
Paradox
A situation/ statement that seems to contradict itself, but on closer inspection, does not
Line (John Donne - Holy sonnet 14)
Ex- That I may rise, and stand, o’erthrow me [ Poet asks God to knock him down, so he may stand. to destroy his present self by god and remake a holier person]
Looks stupid but ironic
Parable
A brief story, told or written in order to teach a moral lesson
Ex- Christ’s tale of the Good Smarnritan
Shrewd
To describe a person/ thing that is smart/ clever in a practical sort of way
Insouciant
A person who is calm, without cares or concerns
Ex- someone sitting by the pool and shipping cocktail while on vacation
Reverent
About having/ showing respect for someone/ thing
Ex- showing respect by respectfully worshipping that..
Fatalistic
To describe someone who believes outcomes are determined in advance and cannot be changed
(Believe in destiny)
Agnostic
Believing that ultimate truth, particularly in terms of the existence of God, is unknowable
Ex- Charles Darwin (an agnostic person)
Equivocal
Of doubtful nature/character; questionable; dubious; suspicions; aliens of equivocal loyalty
Statesmanlike
A man who is a leader/ political leader/ respected leader in a given field
Chastise
To scold someone severely for bad behavior or even to punish someone by beating the person
Ex- when you publicly shout at your assistant in front of everyone for making an error
Redirect
- To change the course or direction of redirect
- An examination of a witness that follows a cross-examination: redirect examination called the witness back to the stand for redirect
Reiterate
To state or do over again or repeatedly sometimes with wearying effect
Diatribe
A violent or bitter criticism of something/ someone rhetorical device used as a verbal attack against a person, group, institution, or a particular behavior
Proclamation
A formal public statement
Dispirited
Marked by low spirits; showing no enthusiasm/ filled with melancholy and despondency
Ex- “a dispirited and divided Party” ; “reacted to the crisis with listless resignation”
“Gloomy at the though of what he had to face”
“Gloomy predictions”
“Gloomy silence”
Homily
A sermon/speech that a religious person or priest delivers before a group of people to offer them moral connection
Purpose- spiritual edification
A public discourse on a moral/ religious subject
Proverb
A brief, simple, and popular saying or a phrase that gives advice and effectively embodies a commonplace truth based on practical experience/common sense
May have an allegorical message behind it’s odd appearance
Ex- “The weakest goes to the wall” (weak people are never favored)
Listless
Someone who is lacking in energy/ vitality and does not extend physical effort
Listless is a depressed person who lays around all day
Ex- a listless mood/ handshake/ melancholy attitude
Enigmatic
Resembling an enigma/ a puzzling occurrence situation,statement, person,etc
Ex- She has a perpetually enigmatic expression on her face
This is the most enigmatic book I’ve ever read!
Self-serving
Serving one’s own interests often in disregard of the truth/ the interests of others
