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AP Lang Vocab
Cumulative List of English Language vocabulary for AP English Lang and Comp (includes some basic allusions)
69
English
11th Grade
11/29/2012

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Term
Paralleism
Definition
Several parts of a sentence or several sentences are expressed similarly to show that the ideas in the parts or sentences are equal in importance.
Term
Antithesis
Definition
Establishes a clear, contrasting relationship between two ideas by joining them together or juxtaposing them in parallel structure.
Term
Antimetabole
Definition
Reversing the order of repeated words or phrases to intensify the final formulation, to present alternatives, or to show contrast.
Term
Parenthesis
Definition
A word, phrase, or whole sentence inserted as an aside in the middle of another sentence or double dashes.
Term
Appositive
Definition
A noun or noun substitute placed next to another noun to be described or defined by it.
Term
Assonance
Definition
Similar vowel sounds repeated in successive or approximate words containing different consonants.
Term
Anaphora
Definition
Repetition of beginning words, phrases, or clauses for effect.
Term
Epistrophe
Definition
Counterpart to anaphora because the repetition of the same word(s)comes at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences.
Term
Anadiplosis
Definition
Repeats the last word of one phrase, clause, or sentence at or near the beginning of the next phrase, clause or sentence.
Term
Achilles' heel
Definition
The spot that is most vulnerable, a weakness.
Term
Ellipsis
Definition
The omission of one or more words that are obviously understood but that must be supplied to make a construction grammatically complete; a sudden leap from one topic to another.
Term
Polysyndeton
Definition
The use of several conjunctions in close succession, esp. where some might be omitted.
Term
Apophasis
Definition
The stating of an issue by claiming not to mention it (as in "We won't discuss his past crimes.").
Term
Eponym
Definition
Word that is derived from the proper name of a real or mythical person or place.
Term
Zeugma
Definition
The use of a word to modify or to govern two or more words although its use may be grammatically or logically correct with only one.
Term
Climax
Definition
Mounting by degrees by words or sentences of increasing weight and in parallel construction with an emphasis on the high point or culmination of an experience or series of events.
Term
Epanalepsis
Definition
Figure of emphasis in which the same word or words both begin and end with a phrase, clause, or sentence; beginning and ending a phrase or clause with the same word(s).
Term
Epizeuxis
Definition
Repetition of the same word in succession.
Term
Asyndeton
Definition
Figure of omission which normally occurring conjunctions are intentionally omitted in successive phrases or clauses; a string of words not separated by normally occurring conjunctions.
Term
Adonis
Definition
Handsome young man; Aphrodite loved him.
Term
Hypophora
Definition
Raising one or more questions and then proceeding to answer them, usually at some length.
Term
Metaphor
Definition
Something described by using words that are not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance; does not use like or as.
Term
Simile
Definition
A comparison of one thing with another, often using like or as.
Term
Synecdoche
Definition
A figure of speech in which a part is substituted for a whole or a whole for a part, as in 50 heads of cattle for 50 cows (synonym for whole).
Term
Metonymy
Definition
A figure of speech in which a thing or concept is not called by its own name, but by the name of something intimately associated with that thing or concept (The suits of Wall Street walked off with our savings).
Term
Personification
Definition
Metaphorically represents an animal or inanimate object as having human attributes.
Term
Analogy
Definition
Compares two things, which are alike in several respects, for the purpose of explaining or clarifying some unfamiliar or difficult idea or object by showing how the idea or object is similar to some familiar one.
Term
Anthimeria / antimeria
Definition
The use of one part of speech as another part of speech (all that roam the wood/or wing the sky).
Term
Onomatopoeia
Definition
The forming of a word by imitating a sound that is associated with the thing being named (buzz, chirp, murmur).
Term
Bacchanal
Definition
Wild, drunken party or rowdy celebration; from god of wine Bacchus.
Term
Cassandra
Definition
A person who continually predicts misfortune but often is not believed; from Greek legends a daughter of Priam cursed by Apollo for not returning his love; he left her with the gift of prophecy but made it so no one believed her.
Term
Gorgon
Definition
A very ugly or terrible person, especially a repulsive woman; Medusa, any one or three sisters have snakes for hair and faces so horrible that anyone who looked at them turned to stone.
Term
Hyperbole
Definition
Overstatement; exaggeration
Term
Litotes
Definition
Strengthening or weakening a statement by denying its opposite (He was no ordinary John Doe).
Term
Euphemism
Definition
The substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive word for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant.
Term
Figure of Speech
Definition
An expression of speech that uses words in a non-literal way.
Term
Irony
Definition
The use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning.
Term
Satire
Definition
A literary work holding up human vices or follies to ridicule or scorn in hopes of improving society.
Term
Alliteration
Definition
The repetition of the same sounds or kinds of sounds at the beginning of words in close proximity.
Term
Epigraph
Definition
Phrase, quotation, or poem set at the beginning of a piece of literature that often implies or connects to the theme of the work.
Term
Narrative
Definition
A story or account of events.
Term
Herculean
Definition
Very strong or of extraordinary power; from Hercules, Hera's glory, the son of Zeus, performed the 12 labors imposed by Hera.
Term
Verbal Irony
Definition
A figure of speech where the speaker intends to be understood as meaning something that contrasts with the literal or usual meaning of what he says.
Term
Dramatic Irony
Definition
A plot device in which the audience's or reader's knowledge of events or individuals surpasses that of the characters; the words and actions therefore take on a different meaning for the audience than they do for the play's characters.
Term
Situational Irony
Definition
A situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what is intended so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected.
Term
Cosmic Irony
Definition
The idea that fate, destiny, or a god controls and toys with human hopes and expectations; also, the belief that the universe is so large and man so small that the universe is indifferent to the plight of man, also called irony of fate.
Term
Sarcasm
Definition
Harsh or bitter derision or irony; a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark. (A tone developed from irony.)
Term
Euphony
Definition
The quality of being pleasing to the ear, esp. through a harmonious combination of words.
Term
Cacophony
Definition
Jarring, discordant sounds; dissonance; heard a cacophony of horns during the traffic jam.
Term
Paradox
Definition
A statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but, in reality, expresses a possible truth.
Term
Understatement
Definition
A figure of speech in which a writer or speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is.
Term
Narcissism
Definition
A being in love with our own self-image; named for Narcissus, a handsome young man despised love. Echo, a nymph who was in love with him, was rejected and decreed, "Let he who loves not others, love himself." Hearing this, he fell in love with his image, while gazing in a pond, and drowned himself trying to capture it.
Term
Juvenalian
Definition
Attacks vice and error with contempt and indignation; bitter and harsh; it emphasizes criticism more than humor.
Term
Horatian
Definition
Voice is indulgent, amused, tolerant, or witty about human folly; it is often a general comment on the failing of humankind and was known as telling the truth with a smile.
Term
Parody
Definition
Imitates the characteristic style of an author for comic effect or ridicule; it is imitation through distortion and exaggeration.
Term
Caricature
Definition
Exaggeration of distortion of parts or features in order to produce a ridiculous effect, as in a cartoon.
Term
Invective
Definition
Violent abuse or accusation; harsh or bitter utterance.
Term
Mock Heroic
Definition
A form of satire in which trivial subjects, characters, and events are treated in the ceremonious manner and elevated language and elaborate devices characteristic of the heroic style.
Term
Reversal
Definition
To present the opposite of the normal order; it can focus on the order of events or on hierarchical order like when a young child makes all the decisions for a family.
Term
Martial
Definition
Comes from Mars, the Roman god of war. Something associated with war, or someone who is a warrior or warlike.
Term
Harpy
Definition
Comes from Greek myth for a ravenous creature with a women's head/trunk, and a bird's wings and/or claws. A greedy, predatory person, or a scolding/nagging/bad-tempered woman, a shrew.
Term
Mercurial
Definition
Comes from Mercury, the Roman messenger of the gods. Someone who is volatile, lively, or relates to the planet Mercury. Could be someone flowing when compared to quicksilver (mercury). Someone who is cranky.
Term
Mnemonics
Definition
From Greek for mindful/remembering. Process that assists memory or something pertaining to memory.
Term
Nemesis
Definition
From Greek roots to deal out justice. The goddess of retribution and vengeance. Something that cannot be overcome or an act of retribution.
Term
Niobe
Definition
A Greek myth and a daughter of Tantalus who was turned to stone by Artemis and Apollo for boasting about her children, but continued to weep. Niobe is a grieving women.
Term
Pandora's Box
Definition
Zeus gave the box to Pandora and told her not to open it, she did and all the world's problems came out. It is a source of extensive but unseen problems.
Term
Phoenix
Definition
A mythical, fire-bird that dies but rises out of the ashes. It can be an emblem of immortality or hope, a beautiful thing, or something being restored after suffering a calamity.
Term
Promethean
Definition
Greek titan who taught mankind about fire then Zeus chained him to a rock where a vulture would prey on his liver everyday. Something that is creative, boldly original, or resembles the titan in spirit or action.
Term
Psyche
Definition
A Greek goddess loved by Cupid who personified the soul. The human soul, psychological structure of a person, or the universal consciousness.
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