More Odyssey Vocabulary

epic simile noun phrase SYN DEF a simile which extends over several lines, sometimes called “homeric simile”

An epic simile occurs when Homer describes what happens to the eye of the ___________________.

“…and the broiling eyeball burst – its crackling roots blazed and hissed – as a blacksmith plunges a glowing ax or adze in an ice-cold bath and the metal screeches steam and its temper hardens – that’s the iron’s strength- So the eye of the Cyclops sizzled round that stake!”

in media res prepositional phrase SYN DEF Latin for “in the middle of things” - a narrative technique of beginning the story in the middle of the action

___________________begins “in media res.”

epithet n. SYN DEF an adjective or phrase applied to a noun to accentuate a certain characteristic a word or phrase used to insult or abuse

a. “Man’s best friend” is an epithet referring to ___________________. b. She hurled an epithet out the window when the other car____________________.

“back-breaking work” “heartfelt thanks” “stone-cold dead”

aphorism noun SYN truism DEF a concise, pointed statement that reveals a truth or a principle (not quite the same as a proverb)

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” is an aphorism by _________________________.

sage noun and adjective SYN thinker DEF n. a profoundly wise person Adj. wise, with good judgment and experience

a. The old sage in Star Wars is named________________. b. She gave me some sage advice when I _________________________________________________.

rogue noun SYN scoundrel DEF a bad, dishonest person

n.That rogue just ran over here and stole my _______________________!

assuage verb SYN mitigate DEF to make milder or less severe, to alleviate pain or discomfort

My hunger was assuaged when I _________________.

rancor noun (rancorous: adjective) SYN malice DEF bitter resentment, ill will, bad feelings

Can we please conduct this ________________________ without the rancor of the last one?

rancorous

implacable adjective SYN uncompromising DEF impossible to comfort, appease, or assuage

His good efforts were met with implacable _____________________; nobody could understand how he could hang on to anger for that long.

bereft adjective SYN deprived DEF to be deprived of something and as a result be lonely and miserable

He was bereft of all sense of fun after _______________. The teacher felt bereft when all of her students finally ___________________.

insolent adjective SYN impertinent DEF boldly rude or disrespectful, insulting

As the young woman walked insolently into the office, the CEO knew she had to_____________________.