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Figurative language

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  1. onomatopoeia
    using words that imitate the sound they denote
    Dilys Rose[16] Onomatopoeia is a word designed to be an imitation of a sound.[17]
  2. oxymoron
    conjoined contradictory terms
    An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which a pair of opposite or contradictory terms is used together for emphasis.
  3. figure of speech
    language used in a nonliteral sense
    Example: "His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.../And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow." (emph added)—Clement Clark Moore[10] A metaphor[11] is figure of speech in which two "essentially unlike things" are shown to have a type of resemblance or create a new image.[12]
  4. metaphor
    a figure of speech that suggests a non-literal similarity
    Example: "His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.../And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow." (emph added)—Clement Clark Moore[10] A metaphor[11] is figure of speech in which two "essentially unlike things" are shown to have a type of resemblance or create a new image.[12]
  5. hyperbole
    extravagant exaggeration
    Hyperbole is a figure of speech which uses an extravagant or exaggerated statement to express strong feelings.[22]
  6. rhetorical
    relating to using language effectively
    Personification[18] is the attribution of a personal nature or character to inanimate objects or abstract notions,[19] especially as a rhetorical figure.
  7. contradictory
    not able to be true at the same time
    An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which a pair of opposite or contradictory terms is used together for emphasis.
  8. personification
    attributing human characteristics to abstract ideas
    Personification[18] is the attribution of a personal nature or character to inanimate objects or abstract notions,[19] especially as a rhetorical figure.
  9. pun
    a humorous play on words
    A pun is an expression intended for a humorous or rhetorical effect by exploiting different meanings of words.
  10. figurative
    not literal
    An idiom is an expression that has a figurative meaning unrelated to the literal meaning of the phrase.
  11. idiom
    expression whose meaning cannot be inferred from its words
    An idiom is an expression that has a figurative meaning unrelated to the literal meaning of the phrase.
  12. simile
    a figure of speech expressing a resemblance between things
    A simile[8] is a comparison of two things, indicated by some connective, usually "like", "as", "than", or a verb such as "resembles" to show how they are similar.[9]
  13. exaggerate
    enlarge beyond bounds or the truth
    Hyperbole is a figure of speech which uses an extravagant or exaggerated statement to express strong feelings.[22]
  14. inanimate
    not endowed with life
    Personification[18] is the attribution of a personal nature or character to inanimate objects or abstract notions,[19] especially as a rhetorical figure.
  15. paradox
    a statement that contradicts itself
    [20] Examples: Organized chaos, Same difference A paradox is a statement or proposition which is self-contradictory, unreasonable, or illogical.[21]
  16. allusion
    passing reference or indirect mention
    Allusion is a reference to a famous character or event.
Created on Fri Jun 14 11:33:30 EDT 2013

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