Second Accumulative Test

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allegory

Back 1

The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. In some allegories, for example, an author may intend the characters to personify an abstraction like hope or freedom.

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allusion

Back 2

A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. Allusions can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical.

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antecedent

Back 3

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.

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antithesis

Back 4

opposition; contrast; the opposite

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apostrophe

Back 5

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. It is an address to someone or something that cannot answer. The effect may add familiarity or emotional intensity

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caricature

Back 6

a verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person's distinctive physical features or other characteristics

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didactic

Back 7

intended for instruction; instructive. Didactic words have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principals

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euphemism

Back 8

the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.

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homily

Back 9

a sermon, usually on a Biblical topic and usually of a nondoctrinal nature.

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invective

Back 10

vehement or violent denunciation, censure, or reproach. (Abusive language)

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litotes

Back 11

understatement, especially that in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary, as in “not bad at all.”

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narrative

Back 12

a story or account of events, experiences, or the like, whether true or fictitious.

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parallelism

Back 13

Also referred to as parallel construction or parallel structure. It refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity.

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parody

Back 14

a humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing

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rhetoric

Back 15

the study of the effective use of language.

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sarcasm

Back 16

involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something

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satire

Back 17

A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule. Regardless of whether or not the work aims to reform human behavior, satire is best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose for writing.

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semantics

Back 18

The branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.

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syllogism

Back 19

a syllogism is a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises (the first one called "major" and the second called "minor") that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.

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synesthesia

Back 20

when one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another

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metaphorical

Back 21

a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.”

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heteroclite

Back 22

a person or thing that deviates from the ordinary rule or form.

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manifesto

Back 23

a public declaration of intentions, opinions, objectives, or motives, as one issued by a government, sovereign, or organization.

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capricious

Back 24

subject to, led by, or indicative of caprice or whim; erratic

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hyperbole

Back 25

obvious and intentional exaggeration.

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apposition

Back 26

the act of placing together or bringing into proximity; juxtaposition.

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juxtaposition

Back 27

an act or instance of placing close together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.

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effusive

Back 28

unduly demonstrative; lacking reserve

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terse

Back 29

neatly or effectively concise; brief and pithy, as language.

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pedantic

Back 30

ostentatious in one's learning.

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cynical

Back 31

like or characteristic of a cynic distrusting or disparaging the motives of others.

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philanthropic

Back 32

of, pertaining to, engaged in, or characterized by philanthropy benevolent

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altruistic

Back 33

unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others (egoistic).

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quixotic

Back 34

extravagantly chivalrous or romantic; visionary, impractical, or impracticable

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paradox

Back 35

a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

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Utopian

Back 36

founded upon or involving idealized perfection.

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fervent

Back 37

having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc.; ardent

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anecdote

Back 38

a short account of a particular incident or event, especially of an interesting or amusing nature

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chiasmus

Back 39

a reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases, as in “He went to the country, to the town went she.”

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antithesis

Back 40

opposition; contrast

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importune

Back 41

to press or beset with solicitations; demand with urgency or persistence.

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domesticate

Back 42

to tame (an animal), especially by generations of breeding, to live in close association with human beings as a pet or work animal and usually creating a dependency so that the animal loses its ability to live in the wild.

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reliance

Back 43

confident or trustful dependence

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interlope

Back 44

to intrude into some region or field of trade without a proper license.

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dishearten

Back 45

to depress the hope, courage, or spirits of; discourage.

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asinine

Back 46

foolish, unintelligent, or silly; stupid

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admonish

Back 47

to caution, advise, or counsel against something.

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extemporaneous

Back 48

speaking or performing with little or no advance preparation

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mendicant

Back 49

begging; practicing begging; living on alms.

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deprecate

Back 50

to express earnest disapproval of

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logos

Back 51

persuading by the use of reasoning

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pathos

Back 52

persuading by appealing to the reader's emotions

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ethos

Back 53

ethical appeal, means convincing by the character of the author

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didactic

Back 54

intended for instruction; instructive

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nostalgic

Back 55

sentimental or wistful yearning

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pedantic

Back 56

ostentatious in one's learning.

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trite

Back 57

lacking in freshness or effectiveness because of constant use or excessive repetition; hackneyed; stale

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contemptuous

Back 58

showing or expressing contempt or disdain; scornful.

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sardonic

Back 59

characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; cynical; sneering

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benevolent

Back 60

characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings