Traductio


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 ploceantanaclasis, 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.

We have a lunatic for President. Nearly everything he does indicates he’s a lunatic. He accused Canada of burning down the White House during the war of 1812. Lunatic! He takes children from their parents. Lunatic! He claims he can pardon himself. Lunatic! He started a trade war. Lunatic!

Trump is a lunatic.

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

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