Monthly Archives: May 2017

Posted on May 10, 2017 | Leave a comment

Synecdoche (si-nek’-do-kee): A whole is represented by naming one of its parts (or genus named for species), or vice versa (or species named for genus).

He held his glass up high as he got ready to toast the woman in flats: the woman of his dreams, the woman he just married, the woman he was looking forward to spending the rest of his life with.

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Synonymia

Posted on May 9, 2017 | Leave a comment

Synonymia (si-no-ni’-mi-a): In general, the use of several synonyms together to amplify or explain a given subject or term. A kind of repetition that adds emotional force or intellectual clarity. Synonymia often occurs in parallel fashion. The Latin synonym, interpretatio, suggests the expository and rational nature of this figure, while another Greek synonym, congeries, suggests the emotive possibilities of this figure.

He was a big, huge, hulking man. He had a heart of gold, silver, and platinum all rolled into one precious object beating to the meter of a beautiful love poem.

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Synthesis

Posted on May 9, 2017 | Leave a comment

Synthesis (sin’-the-sis): An apt arrangement of a composition, especially regarding the sounds of adjoining syllables and words.

There is enough beach to teach us a thing or two. This time of the year it’s empty. In a month or two you will be back here, hair blowing in the wind, swimsuit on, sun shining: a perfect day to get away from all your fears. You will ride the surf toward shore, step off your board and do it again.

Summer is the angel of time: absorb the beauty. Live well!

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Syntheton

Posted on May 9, 2017 | Leave a comment

Syntheton (sin’-the-ton): When by convention two words are joined by a conjunction for emphasis.

Brownies and ice cream!

Bacon and eggs!

This food and that food, if they belong together, they belong together!

Brownies and ice cream–yum!

Bacon and eggs–yum!

Yum. Yum. Yum. Yum.

They belong together!

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Synzeugma

Posted on May 8, 2017 | Leave a comment

Synzeugma (sin-zoog’-ma): That kind of zeugma in which a verb joins (and governs) two phrases by coming between them. A synonym for mesozeugma.

All kind of fuzzy, the day dragged on, with boredom bouts to keep it uninteresting. Not your typical day at the office when everything pops and cracks like a fireworks display. I guess it was Monday that was driving us to sleep at our desks! Come on Tuesday–you are welcome to show up today if you can liven things up just a little bit. Let’s have a Tuesday kind of Monday!

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Systrophe

Posted on May 8, 2017 | Leave a comment

Systrophe (si’-stro-fee): The listing of many qualities or descriptions of someone or something, without providing an explicit definition.

He wore big black leather boots. His blond hair was slicked straight back, held in place by some kind of industrial strength gel. He stood on the corner of two busy streets as if the corner was his front porch. His mustache drooped below his mouth. His coat had a shiny badge shaped like an octagon pinned to the front–a little crookedly. He looked straight into my eyes and turned around and walked away, slapping his golden truncheon in the palm of his hand. I was glad it was his hand and not my head.

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Tapinosis

Posted on May 8, 2017 | Leave a comment

Tapinosis  (ta-pi-no’-sis): Giving a name to something which diminishes it in importance.

So, where did you get your new Muddy Benz? Was it at an auction?

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Tmesis

Posted on May 8, 2017 | Leave a comment

Tmesis (tmee’-sis): Interjecting a word or phrase between parts of a compound word or between syllables of a word.

The far right outer space Re-nutty-publicans have a long way to go before their health care bill becomes the law of the land.

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Topographia

Posted on May 7, 2017 | Leave a comment

Topographia (top-o-graf’-i-a): Description of a place. A kind of enargia [: {en-ar’-gi-a} generic name for a group of figures aiming at vivid, lively description].

It had one smeared window overlooking a crowded parking lot. It smelled like stale cigarette smoke. The carpet was shaggy brown–I’m sure it absorbed and hid the dirt. The bed was small–a single about as wide as a tight kitchen countertop. The green bedspread looked like a wilted spinach salad–all rumpled up like the last occupant had just jumped out of it as I came through the door. The walls were light yellow–smoke stained. There was a small plastic plant on the dresser and the TV was small–not much larger than a cereal box.

This was the “free room” that I earned by winning the contest where I had to write a vivid description of my ideal motel room.

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.

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Traductio

Posted on May 7, 2017 | Leave a comment

Traductio (tra-duk’-ti-o): Repeating the same word variously throughout a sentence or thought. Some authorities restrict traductio further to mean repeating the same word but with a different meaning (see ploce, antanaclasis, and diaphora), or in a different form (polyptoton). If the repeated word occurs in parallel fashion at the beginnings of phrases or clauses, it becomes anaphora; at the endings of phrases or clauses, epistrophe.

I have a new lawnmower. It is huge–more like a tractor than a lawnmower! But when the grass grows it mows–so it’s a lawnmower!

I’m glad I have such a big and trusty lawnmower! No matter how big it is, it’ll always be a trusty lawnmower to me.

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Tricolon

Posted on May 7, 2017 | Leave a comment

Tricolon (tri-co-lon): Three parallel elements of the same length occurring together in a series.

I sat. I read. I slept. When I woke up later in the day I had a stiff neck and drool on the front of my shirt. That’ll teach me to sleep in chairs in libraries in the middle of the day! But those library chairs are so comfortable! I don’t think I can refrain from sitting in them–I just have to stay awake and read. Next time I’ll have some coffee before I go to the library. I hope that will work.

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Abating

Posted on May 7, 2017 | Leave a comment

Abating: English term for anesis: adding a concluding sentence that diminishes the effect of what has been said previously. The opposite of epitasis (the addition of a concluding sentence that merely emphasizes what has already been stated. A kind of amplification).

Your paper is very clear. It’s a shame that the position you’ve taken is very wrong. You need to learn how to make an argument. I can help you with that!

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Abbaser

Posted on May 6, 2017 | Leave a comment

Abbaser [George] Puttenham’s English term for tapinosis. Also equivalent to meiosis: reference to something with a name disproportionately lesser than its nature (a kind of litotes: deliberate understatement, especially when expressing a thought by denying its opposite).

Your Mercedes 500 CS is the cost equivalent of a Volkswagen for you–you’re not exactly poor–it probably didn’t even put a dent in your little piggy bank.

Definitions courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.

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Abecedarian

Posted on May 5, 2017 | Leave a comment

Abecedarian (a-be-ce-da’-ri-an): An acrostic whose letters do not spell a word but follow the order (more or less) of the alphabet.

A big car! A big cigar! Life is good.

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Accismus

Posted on May 4, 2017 | Leave a comment

Accismus (ak-iz’-mus): A feigned refusal of that which is earnestly desired.

Oh my God! I can’t take this ring from you–it must be worth $5,000! What I did for you is nothing compared to what you did for me! I am so humbled & grateful! Push a little harder & maybe I’ll take it.

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Acervatio

Posted on May 1, 2017 | Leave a comment

Acervatio (ak-er-va’-ti-o): Latin term Quintilian employs for both asyndeton (acervatio dissoluta: a loose heap) and polysyndeton (acervatio iuncta: a conjoined heap).

Asyndeton: the omission of conjunctions between clauses, often resulting in a hurried rhythm or vehement effect.

Walk, run, trot, jog, fly! Time is running out on the avocado sale at the grocery store! Go! Go!

Polysydeton: employing many conjunctions between clauses, often slowing the tempo or rhythm.

I went to the drugstore, and I got my prescription filled, and I saw a friend from high school, and we decided to have a couple of diet cokes, and we talked, and after that I went home and took my medication.

I am boring, and my life is boring, and I’m glad.

Definitions courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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