Tasis (ta’-sis): Sustaining the pronunciation of a word or phrase because of its pleasant sound. A figure apparent in delivery.
Together, to gather for concord’s sake–true to our promise in concord’s wake–never far, always near–concord’s spirit conquered fear, and concord’s hope brought us here: warmed by the knowledge that we’re not alone, sheltered by this place that we call home.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Dehortatio (de-hor-ta’-ti-o): Dissuasion.
Every day you sit at your kitchen table working at your hobby projects–empty cans with pictures from Star Magazine pasted on them, paperclip key rings, gum wrapper religious icons, and a bunch of other stuff. Maybe you’re having fun, but maybe you could use your spare time to make something better for somebody else. There’s a food pantry right around the corner. There’s a homeless shelter on the other side of town. There’s a literacy program at St. Mary’s. Take your pick. Volunteer your time. Give it to somebody who needs it. Get up. Go out. Do good.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Distinctio (dis-tinc’-ti-o): Eliminating ambiguity surrounding a word by explicitly specifying each of its distinct meanings.
This “truth” is not self evident, scientific, or even factual. This “truth” resonates with hope as a quality of faith enabling one to envision, plan, posit, and actualize a better future–it is a compelling representation of a beloved possibility.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Adynaton (a-dyn’-a-ton): A declaration of impossibility, usually in terms of an exaggerated comparison. Sometimes, the expression of the impossibility of expression.
You have as much of a chance of winning the lottery as a chicken does of climbing Mt. Everest!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Anastrophe (an-as’-tro-phee): Departure from normal word order for the sake of emphasis. Anastrophe is most often a synonym for hyperbaton, but is occasionally referred to as a more specific instance of hyperbaton: the changing of the position of only a single word.
Hopeful, most of the time I am.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Tasis (ta’-sis): Sustaining the pronunciation of a word or phrase because of its pleasant sound. A figure apparent in delivery.
Twitter gives new meaning to ubiquity–yoooobiquity–tweetbiquity!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Epitasis (e-pit’-a-sis): The addition of a concluding sentence that merely emphasizes what has already been stated. A kind of amplification. Opposite of anesis.
I think you’re obnoxious. You’re totally inappropriate.
Definition courtesy of Silva Rhetoricae (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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 new house is beautiful! Too bad it’s right next to the freeway.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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Anacoloutha (an-a-co’-lu-tha): Substituting one word with another whose meaning is very close to the original, but in a non-reciprocal fashion; that is, one could not use the first, original word as a substitute for the second. This is the opposite of acoloutha.
Rising sun rips the night; jagged day, jags of light.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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Assonance (ass’-o-nance): Repetition of similar vowel sounds, preceded and followed by different consonants, in the stressed syllables of adjacent words.
The new parking restrictions are a cue to everyone who knows how crowded the village green can be on Saturday mornings in summer and fall: a two-block walk from a side street will keep people away. Who wants to lug a couple of turnips, twelve ears of corn, and a torn bag of tomatoes two blocks back to their car? Not me. Can’t you see how this will hurt the local produce farmers?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Symploce (sim’-plo-kee): The combination of anaphora and epistrophe: beginning a series of lines, clauses, or sentences with the same word or phrase while simultaneously repeating a different word or phrase at the end of each element in this series.
Today we celebrate the hope that is honored and fulfilled by our being gathered here. Today is also a compelling reminder of what is not here.
The future.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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Epitasis (e-pit’-a-sis): The addition of a concluding sentence that merely emphasizes what has already been stated. A kind of amplification. Opposite of anesis.
I just got back to the U.S.A. Home at last!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Antanaclasis (an’-ta-na-cla’-sis): The repetition of a word or phrase whose meaning changes in the second instance.
When your yacht leaked, you bailed it out. When your business failed, you bailed out.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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Hypallage (hy-pal’-la-ge): Shifting the application of words. Mixing the order of which words should correspond with which others. Also, sometimes, a synonym for metonymy (see Quintilian).
Birds do not bark. Dogs do not tweet. Cows do not croak. Frogs do not moo. Stop trying to prove yourself by doing what you can’t do.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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Epitasis (e-pit’-a-sis): The addition of a concluding sentence that merely emphasizes what has already been stated. A kind of amplification. Opposite of anesis.
I did not mean to hurt you. Not even the slighest bit.
Definition courtesy of Silva Rhetoricae (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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Antirrhesis (an-tir-rhee’-sis): Rejecting reprehensively the opinion or authority of someone.
I reject your point of view–it’s based on the belief that people cannot be trusted to govern themselves. If people cannot be trusted to govern themselves, who is going to govern them? Cows? Caterpillars? Coyotes? Hoot owls? Earthworms? How can we trust a person who claims that people can’t be trusted? Certainly, I don’t trust you–not because you’re a person, but because you’re a fool.
Definition courtesy of Silva Rhetoricae (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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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.
We practice, we play, we win, we lose, we love it! That’s it. That’s our game plan. Let’s go!
Polysydeton: employing many conjunctions between clauses, often slowing the tempo or rhythm.
You told me you were my friend, and you let me believe you were going to help me, and you kept me thinking everything was going to be all right, and then you walked out the door, and you didn’t leave a trace, and all my dreams were shattered; and now you’re asking me to forgive you and welcome you back like nothing happened at all? Get out!
Definitions courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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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).
New York–a little town on a little island in a river.
Definitions courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
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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).
His new job is great, but it keeps him away from his family and friends.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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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.
Either with luck, hope is realized, or with hard work.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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Graecismus (gree-kis’-mus): Using Greek words, examples, or grammatical structures. Sometimes considered an affectation of erudition.
There’s a kairos for everything.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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Exouthenismos (ex-ou-then-is’-mos): An expression of contempt.
You are a stain.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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Epilogus (e-pi-lo’-gus): Providing an inference of what is likely to follow.
They will not live happily ever after. They will be hunted, caught, tried, convicted, and punished. That will be their fate. That is their future. The end.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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Distinctio (dis-tinc’-ti-o): Eliminating ambiguity surrounding a word by explicitly specifying each of its distinct meanings.
This “bar” is not a bar of soap, candy, or silver. This bar isn’t named Joe’s Place. It isn’t a tool to pry things loose. It isn’t made of sand. This bar is where we bring our disputes and settle them in accord with principles of justice!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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