Penguin’s Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Cricitism

Glossary of terms

A hierophant is a person who brings religious

congregants into the presence of that which is
deemed holy

Supine adjective

 UK  /ˈsuː.paɪn/ /ˈsjuː.paɪn/ US  /ˈsuː.paɪn/

formal (lying) flat on your back, looking up /
lying on one’s back

We walked along the beach, past the rows of

supine bodies soaking up the sun

Acquiescent adjective

 UK  /ˌæk.wiˈes.ənt/ US  /ˌæk.wiˈes.ənt/ formal

willing to do what other people want:

She has a very acquiescent  nature.

tatterdemalion

a person dressed in ragged clothing

anguish noun [ U ]

 UK  /ˈæŋ.ɡwɪʃ/ US  /ˈæŋ.ɡwɪʃ/

extreme unhappiness caused by physical or men
tal  suffering:

His anguish at the outcome  of
the court case was very clear.

In her anguish she forgot to leave a  message.