Literary Terms

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hyperbole

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exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally

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personification

Back 2

attributing human qualities to inanimate objects

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alliteration

Back 3

repetition of initial consonant sounds

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polysyndenton

Back 4

use of many conjunctions

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conceit

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an unlikely and/or elaborate comparison, extended comparison

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irony

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use of words to convey an opposite or unexpected meaning, actual outcome is different than expected outcome

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chiasmus

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second half of sentence is inversely balanced with the first

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synecdoche

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a part standing in/representing the whole

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metonymy

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the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely related object

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litotes

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statement expressed by negating its opposite/understatement

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anaphora

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intentional repetition at the beginning of sentences or phrases

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allusion

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reference to historical, literary, biblical, or political evidence that everyone is supposed to understand

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onomatopoeia

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imitation of sounds in words

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pathos

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the element in literature that simulates or elicits pity or sorrow; paints a picture making you feel bad for someone

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image

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language that appeals to the senses

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symbol

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an object that represents an idea

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foreshadowing

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a hint or glimpse of something to com

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parallelism

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recurrent syntactical similarity; adds balance, rhythm, and clarity

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juxtaposition

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placing two things together side by side for comparing/contrasting

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approbation

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approval or praise

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expostulate

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to express strong disapproval or disagreement

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jaded

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tired, bored, or lacking enthusiasm, especially after having had too much of something

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provincial

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unsophisticated, narrow-minded

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assuage

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to make an unpleasant feeling less intense, to satisfy an appetite or desire

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hackneyed

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lacking significance through having been overused

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lurid

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presented in vividly shocking or sensational terms, harsh, unpleasant

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simulate

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imitate the experience or character of

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coalition

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an alliance for combined action

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hiatus

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a pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process

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meritorious

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deserving reward or praise

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transcend

Back 31

be or go beyond the range or limits of something

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decadence

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moral or cultural decline, especially after a peak or culmination of achievement; luxurious self-indulgence

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innuendo

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an allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or a disparaging one

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petulant

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(of a person or their manner) childish, sulky, or bad tempered

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umbrage

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offense or annoyance, shade cast by a tree

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elicit

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to evoke or draw out (a response, answer, etc) from someone in reaction to one's own actions or questions

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intercede

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to intervene on behalf of one another

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prerogative

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a right or privilege exclusive to a specific individual or class

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unctuous

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(of a person) excessive or ingratiatingly flattering, oily

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ameliorate

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to make better

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epitome

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a person or thing that is a perfect example of a specific quality or type

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interloper

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a person who becomes involved in a situation or place where they are not wanted or do not belong

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occult

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supernatural, mystical, or magical beliefs, or practices, or phenomena

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aplomb

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self-confidence or assurance, especially in a demanding situation

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ex officio

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by virtue of ones position or status

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intrinsic

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belonging naturally; essential

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permeate

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to spread throughout something, to pervade

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bombastic

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high sounding language with little meaning, used to impress people

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exhort

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to strongly encourage or urge someone to do something

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inveigh

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to speak or write about something with great hostility

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precipitate

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to cause an event or something to happen unexpectedly, prematurely, or suddenly

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callow

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inexperienced and immature, especially of a young person

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infringe

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to actively break the terms of a law, agreement, etc.

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lassitude

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a state of physical or mental weariness, lack of energy

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stringent

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(of rules, regulations, requirements) strict, precise, and exacting

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drivel

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silly nonsense, saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose

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ingratiate

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to bring oneself into favor with someone by flattering or trying to please them

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millennium

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a period of one thousand years

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surmise

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suppose that something is true without having evidence to prove it

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abominate

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to detest, loathe

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commiserate

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to express or feel sympathy or pity for, to sympathize with

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inadvertent

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not resulting from deliberate planning, by mistake of action

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sangfroid

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composure or coolness, especially in trying situations

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acculturation

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to assimilate or cause to assimilate to a different culture

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enjoin

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to instruct or urge someone to do something

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nominal

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very small, insignificant, existing in name only

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seditious

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inciting or causing people to rebel against the authority of a state

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adventitious

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happening or carried on according to chance rather than inherent nature, by cosmic mistake

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expedite

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to make something happen faster

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noncommittal

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not expressing or revealing commitment to a definite opinion or course of action

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tenuous

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very weak or slight

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ascribe

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attribute to a particular person or period

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expiate

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to make up for, make amends

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peculate

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to embezzle or steal something given into ones trust

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vitriolic

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cruel and bitter criticism

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circuitous

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longer than the shortest way, not direct

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ferment

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to turn something into alcohol by chemical reaction, to incite or stir up trouble or disorder

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proclivity

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a tendency to choose or do something regularly, an inclination to do something

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wheedle

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to employ endearments or flattery to persuade someone to do something or give one something