Literary Terms

Edit 0 2 …

Terms to Know and Use



external image wwwlogo_live.gif



Created using the Wordsmyth GlossaryMaker on Tue Aug 7 15:49:33 2007
metaphor

Part of Speech
noun

Pronunciation
meh tE for

Definition
 1.
 a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is used to describe one thing in terms of another in a nonliteral way, such as "drowning in work".




Related Words
figure , analogy , conceit




Derived Forms
metaphorical, adj. ; metaphorically, adv. ; metaphoricalness, n.
symbol

Part of Speech
noun

Pronunciation
sIm bEl

Definition
 1.
 something that represents something else, esp. a material sign or object that stands for a complex or abstract concept.

Example
The rose is a symbol of love.

Crossref. Syn.
mark , figure , synonym , token , emblem

Definition
 2.
 a sign or figure conventionally used to represent a particular quantity, quality, process, or the like.

Example
The plus sign is the mathematical symbol for addition.

Synonyms
sign (2)




Related Words
figure , number , crown , character , letter , accent , device , image , mark , cipher , numeral
theme

Part of Speech
noun

Pronunciation
thim

Definition
 1.
 the central topic of a speech, discourse, sermon, essay, or other literary work.

Synonyms
topic (1) , subject (1)

Crossref. Syn.
argument , text , keynote , message

Similar Words
gist , meaning , intent1 , argument , point , text , idea , concept , notion

Definition
 2.
 a short essay or composition, esp. as a scholastic writing exercise.

Synonyms
essay (1) , composition (3)

Similar Words
treatise , thesis , opinion , tractate , disquisition , monograph

Definition
 3.
 a main melody on which a musical composition is based.

Synonyms
leitmotif , motif (1)

Crossref. Syn.
melody

Similar Words
melody , strain2 , tune , passage , refrain2




Related Words
topic , dissertation , content , article , motif
vignette

Part of Speech
noun

Pronunciation
vin yeht

Definition
 1.
 a brief written or musical sketch, or brief film scene, that describes or characterizes an incident, personality, or the like.

Crossref. Syn.
portrait

Definition
 2.
 a decorative design or illustration at the beginning or end of a chapter or book, or on the border of a page.

Definition
 3.
 a graphic representation, such as a drawing or photograph, that shades off at the edges so that it has no definite border.




Related Words
illustration , miniature , episode , act




Part of Speech
transitive verb

Inflected Forms
vignetted, vignetting, vignettes

Definition
 1.
 to shade off at the edges (a drawing or photograph).

Definition
 2.
 to give a brief description or characterization of; sketch.




Derived Forms
vignettist, n.

Term

Definition

Epigraph

Autobiography