Living Glossay

1.      Motif

Dictionary Definition: a recurring subject, theme, idea etc. especially in literature

Personal Definition: repetitive theme

In a Sentence: A significant motif in the play Hamlet is appearance vs. reality.

2.      Subtext

Dictionary Definition: underlying or implicit meaning, as of a literary work

Personal Definition: what is not said, but implied by the words

In a Sentence: Although her letter said it was nice to see me, the subtext suggested she did not want to meet for lunch later.

3.      Synecdoche

Dictionary Definition: a figure or speech in which a part is used for the whole or the whole for a part

Personal Definition: a single part representing a group

In a Sentence: We set sail.

4.      Metonymy

Dictionary Definition: a figure of speech that consists of the use of the name or one object or concept for that of another to which it is related, or which it is a part

Personal Definition: a close association represents the whole

In a Sentence: After his wife died, he hit the bottle.

5.      Human Condition

Dictionary Definition: encompassing the unique features of being human

Personal Definition: what it means to be human

In a Sentence: Every individual has a different interpretation of his or her own human condition

6.      Memento Mori

Dictionary Definition: an object, as a skull, serving as a reminder of death or mortality

Personal Definition: representation of death

In a Sentence: Hamlet is famous for its memento mori connections

7.      Oedipus Complex

Dictionary Definition: the unresolved desire of a child for sexual gratification through the parent of the opposite sex, especially the desire of a son for his mother

Personal Definition: children who like their parents a little too much

In a Sentence: The character Hamlet has been questioned to have symptoms of the Oedipus Complex

8.      Pedagogy

Dictionary Definition: the function or work of a teacher; the art of science of teaching

Personal Definition: way of teaching

In a Sentence: Many cultures pass on tradition through oral pedagogies.

9.      Epistemology

Dictionary Definition: a branch of philosophy that investigates the origin, nature, methods, and limits of human nature

Personal Definition: way of knowing

In a Sentence: He was interested in the philosophical branch of epistemology.

10.  Denotation

Dictionary Definition: the explicit or direct meaning or set of meanings of a word or expression, as distinguished from ideas or meaning associated with it or suggested by it; the association or set of associations that a word usually elicits for most speakers of a language, as distinguished from those elicited for any individual speaker because of personal experience

Personal Definition: literal meaning

In a Sentence: His house was located at the end of a street.

11.  Connotation

Dictionary Definition: the associated or secondary meaning of a word or expression in addition to its explicit or primary meaning.

Personal Definition: implied meaning or mood

In a Sentence: His mansion was surrounded by old oak trees at the end of a long, winding driveway.

12.  Ubiquitous

Dictionary Definition: existing or being everywhere, especially at the same time

Personal Definition: repetition of a certain appearance

In a Sentence: The ubiquitous symbol of Christianity is a cross.

13.  Malapropism

Dictionary Definition: the use of an incorrect word in place of a word with a similar sound

Personal Definition: using a wrong word

In a Sentence: ‘An example is Yogi Berra’s statement: “Texas has a lot of electrical votes” rather than “electoral votes”’ (Wikipedia)

14.  Aphorism

Dictionary Definition: a terse saying embodying a general truth, or astute observation

Personal Definition: short saying representing a complex truth

In a Sentence: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” (Lord Acton)

15.  Antithetical

Dictionary Definition: directly opposed or contrasted; opposite

Personal Definition: opposite

In a Sentence: One is often attracted to someone who is antithetical to oneself.

16.  Juxtaposition

Dictionary Definition: an act or instance of placed close together, especially for comparison or contrast

Personal Definition: implied comparison

In a Sentence: The juxtaposition of blue and orange is the reason the Oilers logo is so eye catching.

17.  Milieu

Dictionary Definition: surroundings, especially for a social or culture nature

Personal Definition: the context of the time period

In a Sentence: Hamlet takes place in an Elizabethan milieu.

18.  Paradoxical

Dictionary Definition: having the nature of a paradox,

Personal Definition: self-contradictory

In a Sentence: “It is paradoxical how the events that made the universe habitable were catastrophic.”  (http://sentence.yourdictionary.com/paradoxical)

19.  Verisimilitude

Dictionary Definition: the appearance of semblance of the truth

Personal Definition: appearance of truth

In a Sentence: The truth potion Veritaserum is to have said to been developed from root word verisimilitude

20.  Serendipitous

Dictionary Definition: come upon or found by accident

Personal Definition: coincidental, unintentional

In a Sentence: That scientific discovery was serendipitous.

21.  Metafiction

Dictionary Definition: fiction that discusses, describes, or analyzes a work of fiction or the conventions of fiction; usually work draws attention to itself as a work of art

Personal Definition: a book within a book, a novel within a movie

In a Sentence: The Princess Bride is a metafiction work of art.

22.  Abstract

Dictionary Definition: a summary of text, scientific article, document, speech, etc.

Personal Definition: a brief outline of what is to come

In a Sentence: The students were required to compose an abstract at the beginning of their research projects.

23.  Punctum

Dictionary Definition: an emotional reaction to a specific detail in an image

Personal Definition: focal point of a photograph

In a Sentence: Although the punctum of a photograph may be perceived the same, people often have very differing reactions and emotions to the art.

24.  Transcendentalism

Dictionary Definition: a character, thought or language that may be beyond the human experience, but not beyond all human knowledge

Personal Definition: human instincts

In a Sentence: “Human senses are limited; they convey knowledge of the physical world, but deeper truths can be grasped only through intuition” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

25.  Antediluvian

Dictionary Definition: very old, or out of date, antiquated

Personal Definition: out of date

In a Sentence: Her grandmother’s dress was considered to be quite antediluvian.

26.  Fecundity

Dictionary Definition: the capacity of abundant production

Personal Definition: unlimited

In a Sentence: His imagination was fecund.

27.  Mercurial

Dictionary Definition: changeable; volatile, fickle, flighty, erratic

Personal Definition: temperamental

In a Sentence: After serving five years in jail, he became very mercurial.

28.  Omnipotent

Dictionary Definition: almighty or very great authority

Personal Definition: infinite power

In a Sentence: God is often perceived as being omnipotent.

29.  Avarice

Dictionary Definition: insatiable greed for riches; inordinate, miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth

Personal Definition: extreme greed

In a Sentence: She was so avarice she was willing to marry him strictly for his money.

30.  Euphemism

Dictionary Definition: the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be blunt, harsh, or offensive

Personal Definition: Speaking in a more empathetic way

In a Sentence: “To pass away” is a euphemism for “to die”.