Front | Back |
Allegory
|
A representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another.
Ex. The Wizard of Oz
|
Alliteration
|
The commencement of two or more stressed syllables of a word group either with the same consonant sound or sound group.
Ex. She sells sea shells by the sea shore.
|
Allusion
|
A passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication.
Ex. It has rained so long, it seems as though it has rained for 40 days and nights. (Refence to Noah's Ark).
|
Ambiguity
|
Doubtfulness or uncertainty of meaning or intention.
Ex. I promise I'll give you a ring tomorrow.
|
Analogy
|
A similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison may be based.
Ex. A street light is like a star.
|
Antecedent
|
A word, phrase, or clause, usually a substantive, that is replaced by a pronoun or other substitute later, or occasionally earlier, in the same or in another, usually subsequent, sentence.
Ex. Jane lost a glove and she can't find it.
|
Antithesis
|
The placing of a sentence or one of its parts against another to which it is opposed to form a balanced contrast of ideas.
Ex. Give me liberty of give me death.
|
Aphorism
|
A terse saying embodying a general truth, or astute observation.
Ex. “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” (Lord Acton).
|
Apostrophe
|
The sign ('), as used: to indicate the omission of one or more letters in a word, whether unpronounced, as in o'er for over, or pronounced.
Ex. Gov't
|
Atmosphere
|
The gaseous envelope surrounding the earth; the air. The of a room that someone is in.
Ex. As she played her piano, the atmosphere of the room was very relaxing.
|
Caricature
|
A picture, description, etc., ludicrously exaggerating the peculiarities or defects of persons or things.
Ex. His caricature of the mayor in this morning's paper is the best he's ever drawn.
|
Chiasmus
|
A reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases.
Ex. He went to the country, to the town went she.
|
Clause
|
A syntactic construction containing a subject and predicate and forming part of a sentence or constituting a whole simple sentence.
Ex. I like to go swimming with friends.
|
Colloquialism
|
Colloquial change or style.
Ex. Fire instead of dismiss.
|
Conceit
|
The use of such metaphors as a literary characteristic, esp. in poetry.
Ex. "Shall I compare thee to a summers day? Thou art more lovely and more temperant."
|