A Modest Proposal Vocabulary

Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality Synonym: sarcasm Sentence: The irony is that the new tax system will burden those it was intended to help.

verbal irony

A figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant Synonym: sarcasm Sentence: Irony can be generally divided into four types: verbal irony, situational irony, dramatic irony. This thesis takes verbal irony as the focus of research.

Satire

A literary work that criticizes human misconduct and ridicules vices, stupidities, and follies. Synonym: ridicule intended to expose truth Sentence: My services were much in demand, not only for sentimental verses, but for expressions of anger and rather cruel satire.

Parody

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule. Synonym: imitation, spoof Sentence: She has become a parody of herself, doomed to spend the rest of her life acting out her own mythical qualities.

Temperance

Def: (n) moderation, self-control, esp. regarding alcohol or other desires or pleasures; total abstinence from alcohol Synonym: abstinence Sentence: I found my way to a temperance hotel advertised in the guide-book and found it a homely house.

expedient

Def: (n.) a means to an end; (adj.) advantageous, useful Synonym: convenient Sentence: Since there was soon to be a general election, the Prime Minister decided that a change of policy was politically expedient.

Importuning

Def: Troubling with requests or demands Synonym: beg Sentence: One can no longer walk the streets without seeing beggars importuning passers by.

Curate

Def: a member of the clergy engaged as assistant to a vicar, rector, or parish priest. Synonym: Assistant Sentence: Since Angel is becoming too busy to do things Angel wants to get a curate to help him out.

Desponding

Def: becoming disheartened Synonym: hopelessness Sentence: The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches are apt to choke everything good within us, and we grow fretful , desponding, perhaps proud and carnal.

Encumbrance

Def: burden; hindrance Synonym: hindrance Sentence: The one and only one property encumbrance search engine enabling quick and appropriate business decision - making.

Emulation

Def: effort or desire to equal or excel others Synonym: envy Sentence: The computer emulation results show that the dynamic threshold mechanism is better than the static one in terms of full usage of resources and decreasing of cell loss probability.

raiment

Def: especially fine or decorative clothing Synonym: wardrobe Sentence: In its dazzling raiment of spring, the land belies the tragedy that inflicted such sorrow on the people of Oklahoma.

parsimony

Def: extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources Synonym: closeness Sentence: Occasional visitors could be forgiven for thinking parsimony is a typically German trait.

prudence

Def: wisdom, caution, or restraint Synonym: cautiousness Sentence: If you wish to succeed, you should use persistence as your good friend, experience as your reference, prudence as your brother and hope as your sentry.

Hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. Synonym: exaggeration Sentence: There's nothing wrong a little confidence, even the point of near hyperbole.

Understatement

the presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is. Synonym: restrained statement Sentence: He informed us with massive understatement that he was feeling disappointed.

Sarcasm

the use of irony to mock or convey contempt Synonym: mocking remark Sentence: You have been working hard, " he said with heavy sarcasm, as he looked at the empty page.