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AP Lit Vocab
All Vocabs
45
Literature
12th Grade
09/12/2012

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Term
Synecdoche
Definition
A figure of speech in which a part is used for a whole or the whole for a part
Term
Metonymy
Definition
a figure of speech that consists of the use of the name of one object or concept for that of another to which it is related
Term
Metaphor
Definition
1) a figure of speech in which a term of phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance
2) something used to represent something else
Term
Simile
Definition
1) a figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared
Term
Apostrophe
Definition
1) a digression in the form of an address to someone not present, or to a personified object or idea, as "O death, where is thy sting?"
Term
Phlegmatic
Definition
1) not easily excited to action or display of emotion
2) self-possessed, calm, or composed
3) of the nature of or abounding in the humor phlegm
Term
Splenetic
Definition
1) of the spleen
2) irritable; peevish; spiteful
3) affected with, characterized by, or tending to produce melancholy (depression)
Term
Melancholy
Definition
1) a gloomy state of mind, especially when habitual or prolonged; depression
2) sober thoughtfulness; pensiveness
3) the condition of having too much black bile, considered in ancient and medieval medicine to cause gloominess and depression
4) black bile
5) a sad thoughtful state of mind
Term
Sanguine
Definition
1) cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident
2) reddish; ruddy
3) having blood as the predominating humor and consequently being ruddy-faced, cheerful, etc
4) bloody; sanguinary
Term
Choleric
Definition
1) extremely irritable or easily angered; irascible
Related words: Short tempered, hotheaded
Term
Rhetoric
Definition
1) the undue use of exaggeration or display
2) the art or science of all specialized literary uses of language
3) the study of the effective use of language
4) the ability to use language effectively
5) the art of prose in general as opposed to verse
Term
Redundant
Definition
1) characterized by verbosity or unnecessary repetition in expressing ideas
2) being in excess; exceeding what is usual or natural
3) having some unusual or extra part or feature
4) characterized by superabundance or superfluity
Term
Strumpet
Definition
1) a prostitute; harlot
Term
Sychophant
Definition
1) a self-seeking, servile, flatterer' fawning parasite
Term
Unctuous
Definition
1) characterized by excessive piousness or moralistic fervor, especially in an affected manner; excessively smooth, suave, or smug
2) of the nature of or characteristic of an unguent or ointment; oily; greasy
Term
Condone
Definition
1) To disregard or overlook
2) to give tacit approval to
3) to pardon or forgive
4) to cause the condonation
5) to forgive or act so as to imply forgiveness of
Term
Pragmatic
Definition
1. of or pertaining to a practical point of view or practical considerations
2. of or pertaining to pragmatism
3. treating historical phenomena with special reference to their causes, antecedent conditions, and results
Term
Auspicious
Definition
1. promising success; favorable
2. favored by fortune
Term
Perquisite
Definition
1. an incidental payment, benefit, privilege, or advantage over and above regular income, salary, or wages
2. a gratuity or tip
3. something demanded or due as a particular privilege
Term
Stoic
Definition
1. a person who can endure pain or hardships without showing their feelings or complaining
2. a member of the ancient philosophical school of Stoicism
Term
Hackneyed
Definition
1. made commonplace or trite;stale
2. used so often as to be trite, dull, and stereotyped
Term
Jaded
Definition
1. dulled or satiated by overindulgence
2. worn out of wearied, as by overwork or overuse
3. tired, bored, or lacking enthusiasm, typically after having had too much of something
4. dissipated
Term
Solipsist
Definition
1. the theory that only the self exists, or can be proved to exist
2. extreme preoccupation with and indulgence of one's feelings, desires, etc
Term
Trite
Definition
1. lacking in freshness or effectiveness because of constant use or excessive repetition; hackneyed
2. characterized by hackneyed expressions, ideas, etc.
Term
Hamartia
Definition
1. a fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine
2. tragic flaw
Term
Hubris
Definition
1. excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance
2. an excess of ambition, pride, etc, ultimately causing the transgressor's ruin
Term
Didactic
Definition
1. intended for instruction; instructive
2. inclined to teach or lecture others too much
3. teaching or intending to teach a moral lesson
4. containing a political or moral message to which aesthetic conditions are subordinated
Term
Itinerant
Definition
1. working in one place for a comparatively short time and then moving on to work in another place
2. a person who alternates between working and wandering
3. a person who travels from place to place, especially for duty or business
Term
Mawkish
Definition
1. characterized by sickly sentimentality; weakly emotional
2. having a mildly sickening flavor, slighting nauseating
Term
Jejune
Definition
1. without interest or significance; dull
2. juvenile; immature; childish
3. lacking knowledge or experience; uninformed
4. deficient or lacking in nutritive value
Term
Ameliorate
Definition
1) to make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better, more bearable, or more satisfactory
2) improve; meliorate
Term
Superficial
Definition
1)being at, on, near, or pertaining to the surface
2) external or outward
3) concerned with or comprehending only what is on the surface or obvious
4) shallow; not profound or thorough
5) apparent rather than real
6) insubstantial or insignificant
Term
Archetype
Definition
1) the original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form; prototype
2) a collectively inherited unconscious idea, patter of thought, image, etc., universally present in individual psyches
Term
Egerious
Definition
1) extraordinary in some bad way; glaring; flagrant
2) outstandingly bad; shocking
3) distinguished or eminent; remarkably good
Term
Satire
Definition
1) the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc.
2) a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule
3) a novel, play, entertainment, etc, in which topical issues, folly, or evil are held up to scorn by means of ridicule and irony
Term
Fastidious
Definition
1) excessively particular, critical, or demanding; hard to please
2) requiring or characterized by excessive care or delicacy; painstaking
3) very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail
4) very concerned about matters of cleanliness
Term
Hyperbole
Definition
1) obvious and intentional exaggeration
2) an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally, as "to wait an eternity"
Term
Onomatopoeia
Definition
1) the formation of a word, as cuckoo, meow, honk, or boom, by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent
2) the use of imitative and naturally suggestive words for rhetorical, dramatic, or poetic effect
Term
Ephemeral
Definition
1) anything short-lived, as certain insects
2) lasting but one day
3) lasting a very short time; transitory
Term
Allusion
Definition
1) an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference
2) a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication
3) *obsolete* a metaphor; parable
Term
Vacillate
Definition
1) to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute
2) to sway unsteadily; waver, totter, stagger
3) to oscillate or fluctuate
Term
Apocryphal
Definition
1) (of a story or statement) of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true
2) *ecclesiastical* A. (initial capital letter) of or pertaining to the Apocrypha (biblical or related writings not forming part of the accepted canon of scripture) B. of doubtful sanction; uncanonical
3) false; spurious
Term
Feisty
Definition
1) full of animation, energy,, or courage; spirited, spunky, plucky
2) ill-tempered; pugnacious
3) troublesome; difficult
Term
Altruistic
Definition
1) unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others (opposed to egoistic)
2) *animal behavior* of or pertaining to behavior by an animal that may be to its disadvantage but that benefits others of its kind, often its close relatives
Term
Sonnet
Definition
*Prosody* a poem, properly expressive of a single, complete thought, idea, or sentiment, of 14 lines, usually in iambic pentameter, with rhymes arranged according to one of certain definite schemes, being in the strict or Italian form divided into a major group of 8 lines (the octave) followed by a minor group of 6 lines (the sestet), and in a common English form into 3 quatrains followed by a couplet.
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