Tag Archives: figures of speech

Litotes

Posted on August 28, 2007 | Leave a comment

Litotes (li-to’-tees): Deliberate understatement, especially when expressing a thought by denying its opposite. The Ad Herennium author suggests litotes as a means of expressing modesty (downplaying one’s accomplishments) in order to gain the audience’s favor (establishing ethos).

Finding your kitten was no big deal, and driving 20 miles out of my way to bring him home to you was the least I could do.  I can’t imagine you offering me a reward!

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

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Antanaclasis

Posted on August 27, 2007 | Leave a comment

Antanaclasis (an’-ta-na-cla’-sis): The repetition of a word or phrase whose meaning changes in the second instance.

There isn’t much room, but at least I finally have my own room!

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

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Charientismus

Posted on August 26, 2007 | Leave a comment

Charientismus (kar-i-en-tia’-mus): Mollifying harsh words by answering them with a smooth and appeasing mock.

Hey–stop barking or I may bark right back at you!

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

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Antimetabole

Posted on August 25, 2007 | Leave a comment

Antimetabole (an’-ti-me-ta’-bo-lee): Repetition of words, in successive clauses, in reverse grammatical order.

Hope to live!  Live to hope!

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

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Heterogenium

Posted on August 24, 2007 | Leave a comment

Heterogenium (he’-ter-o-gen’-i-um): Avoiding an issue by changing the subject to something different. Sometimes considered a vice.

You want to know why I forgot your birthday? That’s not the right question. The right question is: Who ran over my golf clubs in the driveway? They’re destroyed!

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

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Aporia

Posted on August 23, 2007 | Leave a comment

Aporia (a-po’-ri-a): Deliberating with oneself as though in doubt over some matter; asking oneself (or rhetorically asking one’s hearers) what is the best or appropriate way to approach something [=diaporesis].

What should I do with my lottery winnings? Buy real estate? Invest in a mutual fund? The money market? Bonds? Gold? Buy more lottery tickets? Ah! Here’s a plan: buy my mother the poodle she’s always wanted, hire a financial advisor, and then go to a Red Sox game! No. Not good. Let’s see, maybe I should . . . ?

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

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Bomphiologia

Posted on August 22, 2007 | Leave a comment

Bomphiologia (bom-phi-o-lo’-gi-a): Exaggeration done in a self-aggrandizing manner, as a braggart.

I am so cool that I can make it snow in Florida on the Fourth of July! Goodbye global warming–Mr. Ice is on the planet!

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

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Cataplexis

Posted on August 21, 2007 | Leave a comment

Cataplexis (kat-a-pleex’-is): Threatening or prophesying payback for ill doing.

You think you will be vindicated by history, but your pettiness, stubbornness, and complete lack of foresight will make your name synonymous with incompetence until the end of time!

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

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Paronomasia

Posted on August 20, 2007 | Leave a comment

Paronomasia (pa-ro-no-ma’-si-a): Using words that sound alike but that differ in meaning (punning).

Fashion maven to police officer: “That Taser you’re wearing is a stunning piece of equipment.”

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

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Adynaton

Posted on August 19, 2007 | Leave a comment

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 changing his mind about buying a motorcycle as a cinder block has of doing your income taxes!

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

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Deesis

Posted on August 10, 2007 | Leave a comment

Deesis (de’-e-sis) An adjuration (solemn oath) or calling to witness; or, the vehement expression of desire put in terms of “for someone’s sake” or “for God’s sake.”

Please, for the sake of the children–for God’s sake–stop driving like a maniac! Slow down!

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

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Epimone

Posted on August 9, 2007 | Leave a comment

Epimone (e-pi’-mo-nee): Persistent repitition of the same plea in much the same words.

You promised to pay me back two days ago. Give me the money now. I trusted you. Pay me back now. I want my money! Pay me!

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

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Climax

Posted on August 8, 2007 | Leave a comment

Climax (cli’-max): Generally, the arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of increasing importance, often in parallel structure.

Every person, every city, every state, and every nation is a facet of the same shining gem–circling the sun in numbered orbits–circling toward the end.

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

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Abecedarian

Posted on August 7, 2007 | 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.

He was a listless muddled nobody on pot quietly rolling some totally uncool vortex weed.

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

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Tapinosis

Posted on August 6, 2007 | Leave a comment

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

The King’s wearing his metal sparkly-hat again!

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

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Anesis

Posted on August 4, 2007 | Leave a comment

Anesis (an’-e-sis): Adding a concluding sentence that diminishes the effect of what has been said previously. The opposite of epitasis.

He was smart, funny, and generally open to new ideas.  However, his temper was off the charts.

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

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