Final answer:
The phrase characterized by Abuelita as 'an angel' is an example of figurative language called a metaphor, which is a direct comparison that does not use 'like' or 'as'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "Oh, she's an angel," said Abuelita, employs a form of figurative language known as a metaphor. A metaphor directly compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'. In this case, Abuelita metaphorically describes someone as an 'angel' to imply purity, goodness, or perfection, without implying the person literally has wings or resides in heaven.