Abbreviation - Buzzword
A glossary of grammatical and rhetorical terms, from ABBREVIATION to BUZZWORD. Click on a term for definitions, examples, word history, pronunciation guide, and links to related articles.
abbreviation
A shortened form of a word or phrase.
A shortened form of a word or phrase.
absolute adjective
An adjective with a meaning that is generally not capable of being intensified or compared.
An adjective with a meaning that is generally not capable of being intensified or compared.
absolute metaphor
A metaphor (or figurative comparison) in which one of the terms (the tenor) can't be readily distinguished from the other (the vehicle).
A metaphor (or figurative comparison) in which one of the terms (the tenor) can't be readily distinguished from the other (the vehicle).
absolute phrase
A group of words (often consisting of a participle and its subject) that modifies an independent clause as a whole.
A group of words (often consisting of a participle and its subject) that modifies an independent clause as a whole.
abstract
A brief overview of the key points of an article, report, or proposal.
A brief overview of the key points of an article, report, or proposal.
abstract noun
A noun that names an idea, a quality, or a concept.
A noun that names an idea, a quality, or a concept.
academic writing
The forms of expository prose used by university students and researchers to convey a body of information about a particular subject.
The forms of expository prose used by university students and researchers to convey a body of information about a particular subject.
accent
(1) In speaking, an identifiable style of pronunciation. (2) In traditional English metrics, the emphasis given a syllable by stress, pitch, and duration. (3) A diacritical mark.
(1) In speaking, an identifiable style of pronunciation. (2) In traditional English metrics, the emphasis given a syllable by stress, pitch, and duration. (3) A diacritical mark.
accismus
Coyness: a form of irony in which a person feigns a lack of interest in something that he or she actually desires.
Coyness: a form of irony in which a person feigns a lack of interest in something that he or she actually desires.
accumulation
Figure of speech in which a speaker or a writer gathers scattered points and lists them together.
Figure of speech in which a speaker or a writer gathers scattered points and lists them together.
accusative case
See "objective case."
See "objective case."
acronym
A word formed from the initial letters of a name or by combining initial letters of a series of words.
A word formed from the initial letters of a name or by combining initial letters of a series of words.
acrostic
A series of lines in which certain letters--usually the first in each line--form a name or message when read in sequence.
A series of lines in which certain letters--usually the first in each line--form a name or message when read in sequence.
active voice
The verb form in which the subject of the sentence performs or causes the action expressed by the verb.
The verb form in which the subject of the sentence performs or causes the action expressed by the verb.
ad hominem
An argument based on the failings of an adversary rather than on the merits of the case; a logical fallacy that involves a personal attack.
An argument based on the failings of an adversary rather than on the merits of the case; a logical fallacy that involves a personal attack.
adjective
The part of speech that modifies a noun or a pronoun.
The part of speech that modifies a noun or a pronoun.
adjective clause
A dependent clause used as an adjective within a sentence.
A dependent clause used as an adjective within a sentence.
adjunct
A word, phrase, or clause--usually an adverbial--that is integrated within the structure of a sentence and that can be omitted without making the sentence ungrammatical.
A word, phrase, or clause--usually an adverbial--that is integrated within the structure of a sentence and that can be omitted without making the sentence ungrammatical.
adverb
The part of speech that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb.
The part of speech that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb.
adverb clause
A dependent clause used as an adverb within a sentence.
A dependent clause used as an adverb within a sentence.
adverbial
A phrase or clause that performs the function of an adverb.
A phrase or clause that performs the function of an adverb.
affix
A word element (morpheme)--usually a prefix or suffix--that can be attached to a base, stem, or root to form a new word.
A word element (morpheme)--usually a prefix or suffix--that can be attached to a base, stem, or root to form a new word.
a fortiori
An argument in which a rhetor reaches a conclusion by first setting up two possibilities, one of which is more probable than the other. Whatever can be affirmed about the less probable can be affirmed with even greater force about the more probable.
An argument in which a rhetor reaches a conclusion by first setting up two possibilities, one of which is more probable than the other. Whatever can be affirmed about the less probable can be affirmed with even greater force about the more probable.
African-American Vernacular English (AAVE)
A variety of American English spoken by many African Americans.
A variety of American English spoken by many African Americans.
agent
The person or thing that performs an action in a sentence.
The person or thing that performs an action in a sentence.
agreement
The correspondence of a verb with its subject in person and number, and of a pronoun with its antecedent in person, number, and gender.
The correspondence of a verb with its subject in person and number, and of a pronoun with its antecedent in person, number, and gender.
agrammatism
The pathological inability to use words in grammatical sequence.
The pathological inability to use words in grammatical sequence.
allegory
Extending a metaphor so that objects, persons, and actions in a text are equated with meanings that lie outside the text.
Extending a metaphor so that objects, persons, and actions in a text are equated with meanings that lie outside the text.
alliteration
Repetition of initial consonant sound.
Repetition of initial consonant sound.
allonym
The name of a person (usually a historical person) assumed by a writer as a pen name or alias.
The name of a person (usually a historical person) assumed by a writer as a pen name or alias.
allophone
In linguistics, an audibly distinct variant of a phoneme.
In linguistics, an audibly distinct variant of a phoneme.
alphabet
The letters of a language, arranged in the order fixed by custom.
The letters of a language, arranged in the order fixed by custom.
allusion
A brief, usually indirect reference to a person, place, or event--real or fictional.
A brief, usually indirect reference to a person, place, or event--real or fictional.
ambiguity
The presence of two or more possible meanings in any passage.
The presence of two or more possible meanings in any passage.
amelioration
The upgrading or elevation of a word's meaning, as when a word with a negative sense develops a positive one.
The upgrading or elevation of a word's meaning, as when a word with a negative sense develops a positive one.
Americanism
An English word or phrase--or a feature of grammar, spelling, or pronunciation--that originated in the United States and/or is used primarily by Americans.
An English word or phrase--or a feature of grammar, spelling, or pronunciation--that originated in the United States and/or is used primarily by Americans.
ampersand
The character or sign (&) representing the word "and."
The character or sign (&) representing the word "and."
amphiboly
An ambiguous word or grammatical structure in a sentence.
An ambiguous word or grammatical structure in a sentence.
amplification
General term for all of the ways that an argument, an explanation, or a description can be expanded and enriched.
General term for all of the ways that an argument, an explanation, or a description can be expanded and enriched.
anacoluthon
An incoherent statement or deliberate rhetorical effect created by an abrupt change in a sentence to a second construction inconsistent with the first.
An incoherent statement or deliberate rhetorical effect created by an abrupt change in a sentence to a second construction inconsistent with the first.
anadiplosis
Repetition of the last word of one line or clause to begin the next.
Repetition of the last word of one line or clause to begin the next.
anagram
A type of word play in which a word or phrase is formed by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase.
A type of word play in which a word or phrase is formed by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase.
analogy
Reasoning or arguing from parallel cases.
Reasoning or arguing from parallel cases.
analysis
A form of expository writing in which the writer separates a subject into its elements or parts.
A form of expository writing in which the writer separates a subject into its elements or parts.
anaphora (grammar)
A grammatical term for the use of a pronoun or other linguistic unit to refer back to another word or phrase.
A grammatical term for the use of a pronoun or other linguistic unit to refer back to another word or phrase.
anaphora (rhetoric)
Repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or verses.
Repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or verses.
anastrophe
See "inversion."
See "inversion."
anecdote
A short account of an interesting or humorous incident, intended to illustrate or support some point.
A short account of an interesting or humorous incident, intended to illustrate or support some point.
antanaclasis
One word used in two contrasting (and often comic) senses.
One word used in two contrasting (and often comic) senses.
antecedent
The noun or noun phrase that a pronoun refers to.
The noun or noun phrase that a pronoun refers to.
Anglo-Saxon
See Old English.
See Old English.
animate noun
A semantic category of noun, referring to a person, animal, or other creature.
A semantic category of noun, referring to a person, animal, or other creature.
anthimeria
The use of one part of speech for another.
The use of one part of speech for another.
anticipation
General name for argumentative strategies whereby a speaker or writer foresees and replies to objections.
General name for argumentative strategies whereby a speaker or writer foresees and replies to objections.
anticlimax
An abrupt shift from a noble tone to a less exalted one--often for comic effect.
An abrupt shift from a noble tone to a less exalted one--often for comic effect.
anti-language
A minority dialect or method of communicating within a minority speech community that excludes members of the main speech community.
A minority dialect or method of communicating within a minority speech community that excludes members of the main speech community.
antimetabole
A verbal pattern in which the second half of an expression is balanced against the first but with the words reversed.
A verbal pattern in which the second half of an expression is balanced against the first but with the words reversed.
antiphrasis
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is used in a sense contrary to its conventional meaning for ironic or humorous effect; verbal irony.
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is used in a sense contrary to its conventional meaning for ironic or humorous effect; verbal irony.
antirrhesis
Rejecting an argument because of its insignificance, error, or wickedness.
Rejecting an argument because of its insignificance, error, or wickedness.
antistasis
Repetition of a word in a different or a contrary sense.
Repetition of a word in a different or a contrary sense.
antithesis
Juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases.
Juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases.
antonym
A word having a meaning opposite to that of another word.
A word having a meaning opposite to that of another word.
antonomasia
Substitution of a title, epithet, or descriptive phrase for a proper name (or of a personal name for a common name) to designate a member of a group or class.
Substitution of a title, epithet, or descriptive phrase for a proper name (or of a personal name for a common name) to designate a member of a group or class.
aphasia
Partial or total loss of the ability to articulate ideas or comprehend spoken or written language, resulting from damage to the brain caused by injury or disease.
Partial or total loss of the ability to articulate ideas or comprehend spoken or written language, resulting from damage to the brain caused by injury or disease.
aphesis
The gradual and unintentional loss of a short unaccented vowel at the beginning of a word.
The gradual and unintentional loss of a short unaccented vowel at the beginning of a word.
aphorism
(1) A tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion. (2) A brief statement of a principle.
(1) A tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion. (2) A brief statement of a principle.
apocope
The loss of one or more sounds or syllables from the end of a word.
The loss of one or more sounds or syllables from the end of a word.
apophasis
The mention of something in disclaiming intention of mentioning it--or pretending to deny what is really affirmed.
The mention of something in disclaiming intention of mentioning it--or pretending to deny what is really affirmed.
aporia
The expression of real or simulated doubt or perplexity.
The expression of real or simulated doubt or perplexity.
aposiopesis
An unfinished thought or broken sentence.
An unfinished thought or broken sentence.
apostrophe
(1) Mark of punctuation used to indicate possessive case or omission of a letter. (2) Rhetorical term for breaking off discourse to address some absent person or thing.
(1) Mark of punctuation used to indicate possessive case or omission of a letter. (2) Rhetorical term for breaking off discourse to address some absent person or thing.
appeal
In classical rhetoric, one of the three main persuasive strategies: the appeal to logic (logos), the appeal to the emotions (pathos), and the appeal to the character (or perceived character) of the speaker (ethos). More broadly, any persuasive strategy, especially one directed to the emotions, sense of humor, or cherished beliefs of an audience.
In classical rhetoric, one of the three main persuasive strategies: the appeal to logic (logos), the appeal to the emotions (pathos), and the appeal to the character (or perceived character) of the speaker (ethos). More broadly, any persuasive strategy, especially one directed to the emotions, sense of humor, or cherished beliefs of an audience.
appeal to authority
A fallacy in which a rhetor seeks to persuade not by giving evidence but by appealing to the respect people have for the famous.
A fallacy in which a rhetor seeks to persuade not by giving evidence but by appealing to the respect people have for the famous.
appeal to force
A fallacy that relies on force or intimidation (scare tactics) to persuade an audience to accept a proposition or take a particular course of action.
A fallacy that relies on force or intimidation (scare tactics) to persuade an audience to accept a proposition or take a particular course of action.
appeal to ignorance
A fallacy based on the assumption that a statement must be true if it cannot be proved false.
A fallacy based on the assumption that a statement must be true if it cannot be proved false.
appeal to the people
An argument (generally considered a logical fallacy) based on widespread opinions, values, or prejudices and often delivered in an emotionally charged way.
An argument (generally considered a logical fallacy) based on widespread opinions, values, or prejudices and often delivered in an emotionally charged way.
appendix
A collection of supplementary materials, usually appearing at the end of a report, proposal, or book.
A collection of supplementary materials, usually appearing at the end of a report, proposal, or book.
apposition
Placing side-by-side two coordinate elements, the second of which serves as an explanation or modification of the first.
Placing side-by-side two coordinate elements, the second of which serves as an explanation or modification of the first.
appositive
A noun, noun phrase, or series of nouns used to identify or rename another noun, noun phrase, or pronoun.
A noun, noun phrase, or series of nouns used to identify or rename another noun, noun phrase, or pronoun.
aptronym
A name that matches the occupation or character of its owner, often in a humorous or ironic way.
A name that matches the occupation or character of its owner, often in a humorous or ironic way.
archaism
A word or phrase that is considered extremely old fashioned and long out of common use.
A word or phrase that is considered extremely old fashioned and long out of common use.
argot
A specialized vocabulary or set of idioms used by a particular social class or group, especially one that functions outside the law.
A specialized vocabulary or set of idioms used by a particular social class or group, especially one that functions outside the law.
argument
A course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating truth or falsehood.
A course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating truth or falsehood.
argumentation
The process of forming reasons, justifying beliefs, and drawing conclusions with the aim of influencing the thoughts and/or actions of others.
The process of forming reasons, justifying beliefs, and drawing conclusions with the aim of influencing the thoughts and/or actions of others.
arrangement
The parts of a speech or the structure of a text.
The parts of a speech or the structure of a text.
ars dictaminis
In medieval rhetoric, the art of letter writing.
In medieval rhetoric, the art of letter writing.
article
A type of determiner that precedes a noun: "a," "an," and "the."
A type of determiner that precedes a noun: "a," "an," and "the."
artistic proofs
In classical rhetoric, proofs (or means of persuasion) that are created or invented by a speaker.
In classical rhetoric, proofs (or means of persuasion) that are created or invented by a speaker.
Asiatic
A prolix or highly ornamented style. Contrast with Attic.
A prolix or highly ornamented style. Contrast with Attic.
aspect
The verb form that adds time meanings to those expressed by tense. The two aspects in English are perfect and progressive.
The verb form that adds time meanings to those expressed by tense. The two aspects in English are perfect and progressive.
assonance
Identity or similarity in sound between internal vowels in neighboring words.
Identity or similarity in sound between internal vowels in neighboring words.
asterisk
A star-shaped figure (*) primarily used to indicate an omission or call attention to a footnote.
A star-shaped figure (*) primarily used to indicate an omission or call attention to a footnote.
asyndeton
Omission of conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses (opposite of "polysyndeton").
Omission of conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses (opposite of "polysyndeton").
Attic
Brief, witty, sometimes epigrammatic style--opposite of the ornate Asiatic style.
Brief, witty, sometimes epigrammatic style--opposite of the ornate Asiatic style.
attributive adjective
An adjective that usually comes before the noun it modifies without a linking verb.
An adjective that usually comes before the noun it modifies without a linking verb.
audience
The intended readership for a piece of writing.
The intended readership for a piece of writing.
audience analysis
In composing an essay, report, speech, or argument, the process of determining the values, interests, and attitudes of the intended audience.
In composing an essay, report, speech, or argument, the process of determining the values, interests, and attitudes of the intended audience.
Australianism
An English word or phrase--or a feature of grammar, spelling, or pronunciation--that originated in Australia and/or is used primarily by Australians.
An English word or phrase--or a feature of grammar, spelling, or pronunciation--that originated in Australia and/or is used primarily by Australians.
autobiography
An account of a person's life written or otherwise recorded by that person.
An account of a person's life written or otherwise recorded by that person.
auxesis
A gradual increase in intensity of meaning with words arranged in ascending order of force or importance.
A gradual increase in intensity of meaning with words arranged in ascending order of force or importance.
auxiliary verb
A verb that determines the mood or tense of another verb in a verb phrase.
A verb that determines the mood or tense of another verb in a verb phrase.
a-verbing
A form of the verb (usually the present participle) in which the base is preceded by the prefix "a-."
A form of the verb (usually the present participle) in which the base is preceded by the prefix "a-."
baby talk
The simple language forms used by young children, or the modified form of speech used by adults with children.
The simple language forms used by young children, or the modified form of speech used by adults with children.
back-formation
The process of forming a new word (a neologism) by extracting actual or supposed affixes from another word; shortened words created from longer words.
The process of forming a new word (a neologism) by extracting actual or supposed affixes from another word; shortened words created from longer words.
backing
In the Toulmin model of argument, the support or explanation provided for the warrant.
In the Toulmin model of argument, the support or explanation provided for the warrant.
back slang
A form of slang in which words are spoken or spelled backwards.
A form of slang in which words are spoken or spelled backwards.
bafflegab
See "gobbledygook"
See "gobbledygook"
bandwagon
A fallacy based on the assumption that the opinion of the majority is always valid: everyone believes it, so you should too.
A fallacy based on the assumption that the opinion of the majority is always valid: everyone believes it, so you should too.
barbarism
Broadly, an incorrect use of language. More specifically, a word considered "improper" because it combines elements from different languages.
Broadly, an incorrect use of language. More specifically, a word considered "improper" because it combines elements from different languages.
base
The form of a word to which prefixes and suffixes are added to create new words.
The form of a word to which prefixes and suffixes are added to create new words.
base form of a verb
The first- and second-person singular, and the plural present-tense form of a verb. In grammar, the base form of a verb is the simplest form, without a special ending; it is the form listed in the dictionary.
The first- and second-person singular, and the plural present-tense form of a verb. In grammar, the base form of a verb is the simplest form, without a special ending; it is the form listed in the dictionary.
Basic English
A version of the English language "made simple by limiting the number of its words to 850, and by cutting down the rules for using them to the smallest number necessary for the clear statement of ideas" (I.A. Richards).
A version of the English language "made simple by limiting the number of its words to 850, and by cutting down the rules for using them to the smallest number necessary for the clear statement of ideas" (I.A. Richards).
bathtub effect
The observation that, when trying to remember a word or name, people find it easier to recall the beginning and end of a lost item than the middle.
The observation that, when trying to remember a word or name, people find it easier to recall the beginning and end of a lost item than the middle.
bdelygmia
A litany of abuse--a series of critical epithets, descriptions, or attributes.
A litany of abuse--a series of critical epithets, descriptions, or attributes.
begging the question
See "circular argument."
See "circular argument."
bibliography
A list of works on a particular subject or by a particular author.
A list of works on a particular subject or by a particular author.
biography
The story of a person's life, written by another.
The story of a person's life, written by another.
blend
A word formed by merging the sounds and meanings of two or more other words. See "portmanteau."
A word formed by merging the sounds and meanings of two or more other words. See "portmanteau."
block language
Language structures--typical of headlines, slogans, lists, and text messages (including Tweets)--made up only of words that are essential to convey a message.
Language structures--typical of headlines, slogans, lists, and text messages (including Tweets)--made up only of words that are essential to convey a message.
block quotation
A direct quotation that is not placed inside quotation marks but is instead set off from the rest of a text by starting it on a new line and indenting it from the left margin.
A direct quotation that is not placed inside quotation marks but is instead set off from the rest of a text by starting it on a new line and indenting it from the left margin.
boosting
An adverbial construction used to support a claim or express a viewpoint more assertively and convincingly.
An adverbial construction used to support a claim or express a viewpoint more assertively and convincingly.
borrowing
A word from one language adapted for use in another.
A word from one language adapted for use in another.
bound morpheme
A morpheme (or word element), such as a prefix or suffix, that cannot stand alone as a word.
A morpheme (or word element), such as a prefix or suffix, that cannot stand alone as a word.
brackets
Marks of punctuation ([ ]) used to interject text within other text.
Marks of punctuation ([ ]) used to interject text within other text.
brainstorming
An invention and discovery strategy in which the writer collaborates with others to explore topics, develop ideas, or propose solutions to a problem.
An invention and discovery strategy in which the writer collaborates with others to explore topics, develop ideas, or propose solutions to a problem.
Briticism
A word or phrase that is typical of English as it is used in Britain.
A word or phrase that is typical of English as it is used in Britain.
broadening
The process by which the meaning of a word becomes broader or more inclusive than its earlier meaning.
The process by which the meaning of a word becomes broader or more inclusive than its earlier meaning.
bullet
A mark of punctuation (•) used to introduce items in a list.
A mark of punctuation (•) used to introduce items in a list.
business writing
Memorandums, reports, proposals, and other forms of writing used in organizations to communicate with internal or external audiences.
Memorandums, reports, proposals, and other forms of writing used in organizations to communicate with internal or external audiences.
buzzword
An informal term for a fashionable word or phrase (often a neologism) that is used more to impress than to inform.
An informal term for a fashionable word or phrase (often a neologism) that is used more to impress than to inform.