Use Sophia to knock out your gen-ed requirements quickly and affordably. Learn more
×

Vocabulary- English IV, Spring '16

Author: Cassie Faris

Vocab #1: Quiz 2/5

Greek/Latin Roots

ast(er) (G)

  • meaning: star
  • examples: (defined to show connection to root, only need to copy the word)
  1. asteroid: any of the small rocky celestial bodies found especially between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
  2. asterisk: a star-shaped symbol * used to mark printed or written text, typically as a reference to an annotation or to stand for omitted matter.
  3. astronomy: the scientific study of the universe and the objects in it, including stars, planets, nebulae, and galaxies.

audi (L)

  • meaning: hear
  • examples: (defined to show connection to root, only need to copy the word)
  1. audible: capable of being heard,
  2. auditorium: the part of a theater, concert hall, or other public building in which the audience sits.
  3. audition: an interview for a particular role or job as a singer, actor, dancer, or musician, consisting of a practical demonstration of the candidate's suitability and skill.

auto (G)

  • meaning: self
  • examples: (defined to show connection to root, only need to copy the word)
  1. automatic: having the capability of starting, operating, moving, etc., independently.
  2. autopsy: an examination of a cadaver in order to determine the cause of death or to study pathologic changes.
  3. autograph: something written or made with one's own hand.

Literary Terms

kenning (n) - a compound expression in Old English and Old Norse poetry with metaphorical meaning; ex.: wave tumult = ocean

alliteration (n) - a stylistic device in which a number of words, having the same first consonant sound, occur close together in a series; ex.: The boy bought a brand new bike

assonance (n) - when two or more words close to one another repeat the same internal vowel sound; ex.: The breeze blows under the trees while we sleep.

caesura (n) - a pause in a line of poetry that is formed by the rhythms of natural speech; ex.: look how the lines in Beowulf are broken up

Text Terms (Beowulf)

reparation (n) - the making of amends for a wrong one has done, by paying money to or otherwise helping those who have been wronged. Syn: amends, restitution, compensation

solace

  • (n) - comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness. Syn: comfort, support, relief
  • (v) - to comfort, cheer, or console. Syn: see definition

purge

  • (v) - to clear (a container or space, for example) of something unclean or unwanted. Syn: remove, eliminate
  • (n) - an abrupt or violent removal of something (a group of people, for example) from an organization or place. Syn: expulsion, dismissal, eviction

writhing (adj) - making twisting or turning motions. Syn: wiggly, snake-like, wriggling

Vocab #2: Quiz 2/12

Greek/Latin Roots

bene (L)

  • meaning: good
  • examples: benefit, benign

bio (G)

  • meaning: life
  • examples: biography, biology

chrono (G)

  • meaning: time
  • examples: chronic, synchronize

Literary Terms
direct characterization (n) - author reveals the character's personality through direct statements (tell)

  • Example: Mary was indecisive.

indirect characterization (n) - author reveals the character's personality through the speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions, and looks of that individual (show)

  • Example: Mary tried on 12 different outfits before asking her mother which one she should wear.

satire (n) - the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices

  • Example: iPhone video

social commentary (n) - the act of using rhetorical means to provide commentary on issues in a society, often done in an attempt to implement change by informing the public about a problem 

  • Example: Children See, Children Do video

Text Terms (Canterbury Tales)
solicitous (adj) - characterized by or showing interest or concern. Syn: attentive, mindful, caring


absolution (n) - formal release from guilt, obligation, or punishment. Syn: forgiveness, pardon, mercy


sanguine (adj) - optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation. Syn: hopeful, cheery, confident


prevarication (n) - the act of deviating from the truth. Syn: lie, dishonesty, equivocation


Vocab #3: Quiz 2/19

Greek/Latin Roots

dict (L)

  • meaning: say
  • examples: FIND YOUR OWN! Make sure they truly use the root and aren't just spelled the same. Search words using ___ root.

duc (L)

  • meaning: lead, make
  • examples: FIND YOUR OWN! Make sure they truly use the root and aren't just spelled the same. Search words using ___ root.

gen (L)

  • meaning: give birth
  • examples: FIND YOUR OWN! Make sure they truly use the root and aren't just spelled the same. Search words using ___ root.

Literary Terms

exemplum (n)- An anecdote (brief story) used to make a point in an argument or to illustrate a moral truth.

  • Example: "The Pardoner's Tale"

archetype (n)- A typical character, an action, or a situation that seems to represent universal patterns of human nature.

  • Example: The hero (Beowulf, Superman, etc.)

allegory (n)- a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

  • Example: The Matrix films are an allegory for the Christian faith with Neo representing a modern-day Jesus.

fabliau (n)- A medieval verse tale characterized by comic, bawdy (suggestive/indecent) treatment of themes drawn from life.

  • Example: Many of the pilgrims' tales following "The Prologue" are considered fabliaux (plural of fabliau) because they are inappropriate and make fun of everyday life.

Text Terms (The Canterbury Tales)
avarice (n)- extreme greed for wealth or material gain. Syn: greed, cupidity, materialism
pallor (n)- an unhealthy, pale appearance. Syn: paleness, sickliness, wanness
tarry (v)- stay longer than intended; delay leaving a place. Syn: linger, loiter, dawdle
prating (n)- the act of excessive and pointless talking. Syn: chatter, babble, blather

Vocab #4: Quiz 2/26

Greek/Latin Roots
geo (G)
  • meaning: earth
  • examples: FIND YOUR OWN! Make sure they truly use the root and aren't just spelled the same.
graph (G)
  • meaning: write
  • examples: FIND YOUR OWN! Make sure they truly use the root and aren't just spelled the same.
jur, jus (L)
  • meaning: law
  • examples: FIND YOUR OWN! Make sure they truly use the root and aren't just spelled the same.
Literary Terms

idealize (v)- regard or represent as perfect or better than in reality.

  • Example: Chaucer's knight, parson, plowman, host

realism (n)- The representation in art or literature of objects, actions, or social conditions as they actually are, without idealization or presentation in abstract form.

  • Example: The rest of Chaucer's characters
legend (n)- a traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but unauthenticated.
  • Example: Tales of King Arthur
fantasy (n)- Any literature that is removed from reality, especially stories set in a nonexistent world
  • Example: Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Charlotte's Web, etc.
Text Terms (Gawain and the Green Knight, Le Morte d'Arthur)
gallantry (n)- courageous behavior, especially in battle; polite attention or respect given by men to women. Syn: chivalry, courtesy
largesse (n)- generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others. Syn: benevolence, munificence

peril (n)- serious and immediate danger. Syn: hazard, threat

entreat (v)- ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do something. Syn: plead, beg

inter (v)- to place in a grave or tomb. Syn: bury, entomb

Vocab #5: Quiz 3/4

Greek/Latin Roots

log, logue (L)

  • meaning: thought
  • examples: FIND YOUR OWN! Make sure they truly use the root and aren't just spelled the same.

luc (L)

  • meaning: light
  • examples: FIND YOUR OWN! Make sure they truly use the root and aren't just spelled the same.

man(u) (L)

  • meaning: hand
  • examples: FIND YOUR OWN! Make sure they truly use the root and aren't just spelled the same.

ballad (n)- a poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas, authorship usually unknown.

  • Example: "Twa Corbies," "Lord Randal"

dialect (n)- language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group as identified by grammar, pronunciation, syntax, and vocabulary. (Note: Not just colloquialisms, slang, or accents- having all of these could add up to dialect)

  • Example: Of Mice and Men (language of California migrant workers during Great Depression)
  • Example: like paragraphs in a story or verses in a song

meter (n)- a stressed and unstressed syllabic pattern in a verse or within the lines of a poem

  • Example: Shakespeare writes in iambic pentameter (unstressed/stressed pattern, 10 syllables per line)

Text Terms (Gawain and the Green Knight, Le Morte d'Arthur)

weary

  • (adj)- feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep. Syn: exhausted, spent
  • (v)- cause to become tired. Syn: fatigue, tire

pact (n)- a formal agreement between individuals or parties. Syn: treaty, deal

guile (n)- sly or cunning intelligence. Syn: craftiness, duplicity

usurp (v)- take (a position of power or importance) illegally or by force. Syn: seize, commandeer