Main Entry: trite
Pronunciation: 'trIt
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): trit·er; trit·est
Etymology: Latin tritus, from past participle of terere to rub, wear away -- more at THROW
Date: 1548
: hackneyed or boring from much use : not fresh or original
- trite·ly adverb
- trite·ness noun
synonyms TRITE, HACKNEYED, STEREOTYPED, THREADBARE mean lacking the freshness that evokes attention or interest. TRITE applies to a once effective phrase or idea spoiled from long familiarity <"you win some, you lose some" is a trite expression>. HACKNEYED stresses being worn out by overuse so as to become dull and meaningless <all of the metaphors and images in the poem are hackneyed>. STEREOTYPED implies falling invariably into the same pattern or form <views of minorities that are stereotyped and out-of-date>. THREADBARE applies to what has been used until its possibilities of interest have been totally exhausted <a mystery novel with a threadbare plot>.
Main Entry: hack·neyed
Pronunciation: 'hak-nEd
Function: adjective
Date: 1749
: lacking in freshness or originality
Main Entry: theme
Pronunciation: 'thEm
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English teme, theme, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French teme, from Latin thema, from Greek, literally, something laid down, from tithenai to place -- more at DO
Date: 14th century
1 a : a subject or topic of discourse or of artistic representation b : a specific and distinctive quality, characteristic, or concern <the campaign has lacked a theme>
2 : STEM 4
3 : a written exercise : COMPOSITION <a research theme>
4 : a melodic subject of a musical composition or movement
Main Entry: char·ac·ter·iza·tion
Pronunciation: "kar-ik-t(&-)r&-'zA-sh&n
Function: noun
Date: 1814
: the act of characterizing; especially : the artistic representation (as in fiction or drama) of human character or motives
Main Entry: sit·u·a·tion
Pronunciation: "si-ch&-'wA-sh&n
Function: noun
Date: 15th century
1 a : the way in which something is placed in relation to its surroundings b : SITE c archaic : LOCALITY
2 archaic : state of health
3 a : position or place of employment : POST, JOB b : position in life : STATUS
4 : position with respect to conditions and circumstances <the military situation remains obscure>
5 a : relative position or combination of circumstances at a certain moment b : a critical, trying, or unusual state of affairs : PROBLEM c : a particular or striking complex of affairs at a stage in the action of a narrative or drama
Main Entry: ste·reo·typed
Function: adjective
Date: 1849
: lacking originality or individuality
Main Entry: 1phrase
Pronunciation: 'frAz
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin phrasis, from Greek, from phrazein to point out, explain, tell
Date: 1530
1 : a characteristic manner or style of expression : DICTION
2 a : a brief expression; especially : CATCHWORD b : WORD
3 : a short musical thought typically two to four measures long closing with a cadence
4 : a word or group of words forming a syntactic constituent with a single grammatical function <an adverbial phrase>
5 : a series of dance movements comprising a section of a pattern
Main Entry: ex·pres·sion
Pronunciation: ik-'spre-sh&n
Function: noun
Date: 15th century
1 a : an act, process, or instance of representing in a medium (as words) : UTTERANCE <freedom of expression> b (1) : something that manifests, embodies, or symbolizes something else <this gift is an expression of my admiration for you> (2) : a significant word or phrase (3) : a mathematical or logical symbol or a meaningful combination of symbols (4) : the detectable effect of a gene; also : EXPRESSIVITY 1
2 a : a mode, means, or use of significant representation or symbolism; especially : felicitous or vivid indication or depiction of mood or sentiment <read the poem with expression> b (1) : the quality or fact of being expressive (2) : facial aspect or vocal intonation as indicative of feeling
3 : an act or product of pressing out
those are all fucking cliches for fuck's sake