| Brilliant Speech |
BS |
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| Briticism |
An expression or vocabulary item specific to British English (as opposed to American English) An example of this would be "rubbish bin' (British English) and 'trash can" (American English) |
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| British Empire |
The British Empire consisted of the colonies and territories occupied or administered by the United Kingdom, from the late 16th and early 17th centuries. It became the principal global power and by 1922 it ruled a population of about 458 million people: one-quarter of the world's population. During the 20th century, most of the Empire gained independence as part of decolonisation. See post-colonialism. |
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| British English |
The English language of the British Isles |
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| broken rhyme |
This technique is when a word is split in order to create a rhyme. This is rare, except in comic verse. |
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| Bronte family |
A family of three female novelists and poets who lived with their father and brother in a remote weaving village on the Yorkshire moors. Charlotte Bronte (1816-55) is noted for emotional realism in her writing. Her works include Jane Eyre (1847) Emily Bronte (1818-48) works including Wuthering Heights (1847) Finally, Anne Bronte (1820-49) explores religious doubt in her poetry. Notable works include The tenant of Wildfell Hall1848. |
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| BTT |
Best Table |
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| burlesque |
a term applied to writing which sets out to satirise a subject, work or literary style by making a deliberate mismatch between the manner and the matter. |
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| Byronic hero |
A male character who displays a number of qualities, largely negative. A Byronic hero has a dark side and emotional issues. Heathcliff in Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" is often considered an example of a Byronic hero. |
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| cadence |
The musical rhythm of language in prose or verse. |
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| caesura |
A natural pause in a line of verse, sometimes roughly midway and usually denoted by punctuation. Regularly used alongside enjambment to give variety in the pacing of verse, and to avoid monotonous regularity. Also sometimes referred to as rhythmical pause. |
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| calque |
A type of translation or borrowing from another language. |
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| canon |
The concept of an accepted list of great literature which constitutes the essential tradition of English |
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| canticle |
Hymn, poem or song of praise. |
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| canto |
A division in a longer poem. |
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| canzone |
A type of Italian lyric poem. |
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| Cardinal Virtues |
Justice, Prudence, Temperance and Fortitude. |
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| caricature |
A style of writing (or drawing) which intentionally amplifies particular features of its subject or character, usually for comic and/or satirical effect |
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| carpe diem |
A Latin term coined by the poet Horace, which means 'seize the day'. The phrase suggests that as life is short one must grasp present pleasures. This motif is used in literature, and was especially popular with the Elizabethan lyric poets. |
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| catachresis |
A word or phrase used in an inappropriate or strained way (such as a mixed metaphor) |
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