Honors Humanities Vocabulary List #18

Oxymoron

A figure of speech in which contradicting terms are combined Examples: Jumbo Shrimp, Same difference, Pretty ugly, Known Secret

Pun

A play on words wherein the word is used to convey two meaning at the same time Examples: Ms. Schelhorse is addicted to soccer. She should kick the habit., Romeo & Juliet: Mercutio says "Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man"

Paradox

A statement or situation that seems to be self-contradictory but still has valid meaning Examples: Must be cruel in order to be kind, I always lie, Cut your hair to make it grow

Turgid

Adjective: enlarged by fluid; swollen or engorged Synonyms: bloated, distended, puffy Antonyms: normal, regular

Banal

Adjective: overused or common Synonyms: mundane, cliched Antonyms: new, original

Metonymy

Figure of speech in which a word represents something else it suggests Examples: White House = President and the Staff, Man of the cloth = priest, Hollywood = American Film Industry (not just the place)

Zephyr

Noun: a gentle, low wind Synonyms: breath, breeze, draft Antonym: stagnant

Granule

Noun: a small particle; a single grain, as of salt Synonyms: gragmend, clumb, drop Antonyms: lot, whole

Veracity

Noun: honesty; the quality of keeping to the truth Synonyms: integrity, sincerity Antonyms: deceit, lying

Euphemism

Substitution of a harsher word or phrase for a mild or less negative word or phrase for a mild or less negative word or phrase. Put something bad or embarrassing in a positive or at least neutral light. Examples: Death = _____ Fired = ______ "Not the sharpest tool in the shed" = ________ Security Prevention Officer =

Teem

Verb: to be excessively or abundantly filled with things Synonyms: overflow, burst Antonyms: lack, want

Ameliorate

Verb: to make something better, particularly a bad situation or condition; to improve Synonyms: lighten, relieve, help Antonyms: aggravate, harm

Exhume

Verb: to remove from the ground something that was buried, especially removing a body from a grace Synonyms: unearth, disembalm Antonyms: bury, entomb

Fray

Verb: to tear, cut, or pull the edges of a cloth or rope, so that the strings separate from each other Synonyms: shred, unravel Antonyms: ravel, complete

Skepticism

noun: an attitude of doubt or questioning that maintains a need for proof Synonyms: disbelief, distrust Antonyms: brief, certainly