Tag Archives: figures of speech

Congeries

Posted on February 21, 2013 | Leave a comment

Congeries (con’-ger-eez): Piling up words of differing meaning but for a similar emotional effect [(akin to climax)].

The new Appple iGod is indestructible, immutable, and runs on pure sweet love beamed from above by iDove. Its media player will supposedly “restoreth your soul” with endlessly looping ambient angelic music available on iHymn for all eternity for only 99¢! Bottom line: like all things Appple, it’s beyond biblical, man! It’s like, hyperousion!

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

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Apocarteresis

Posted on February 20, 2013 | Leave a comment

Apocarteresis (a-po-car-ter’-e-sis): Casting of all hope away from one thing and placing it on another source altogether.

When I was young beauty was in the eye of the beholder–I was the beholder and I was delighted  to be in the presence of beauty–of beautiful bodies and beautiful things.

Now that my sight has faded and my other senses are failing, I have found that being in the presence of beauty and beholding its glory can no longer be a source of delight: there is no beholding, just a dull awareness of the material world–of light and darkness and moving shadows and the garble of human speech.

Yet, as I drift into old age’s oblivion it is the persistance of the idea of beauty that lingers and embraces me and excites me and delights me! For this, I am grateful. For this, I am not fearful of what will come next.

When I was young, I thought Plato was an idiot. Now, I can ‘see’ the Truth of what he was telling me and why you should take him seriously.

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

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Palilogia

Posted on February 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

Palilogia (pa-li-lo’-gi-a): Repetition of the same word, with none between, for vehemence. Synonym for epizeuxis.

Snow snow snow and more snow! The first foot was fun, but now you need to stop! Stop!

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

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Diazeugma

Posted on February 18, 2013 | Leave a comment

Diazeugma (di-a-zoog’-ma): The figure by which a single subject governs several verbs or verbal constructions (usually arranged in parallel fashion and expressing a similar idea); the opposite of zeugma.

I couldn’t get to sleep because my report wasn’t finished, my psycho neighbor was playing with his musical clapper, the handgun my mother had given me was missing, and worst of all, my Sleep Number bed’s 5-part fully adjustable electric frame was stuck at 9–AKA spine bending speed bump.

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

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Epitrope

Posted on February 15, 2013 | Leave a comment

Epitrope (e-pi’-tro-pe): A figure in which one turns things over to one’s hearers, either pathetically, ironically, or in such a way as to suggest a proof of something without having to state it. Epitrope often takes the form of granting permission (hence its Latin name, permissio), submitting something for consideration, or simply referring to the abilities of the audience to supply the meaning that the speaker passes over (hence Puttenham’s term, figure of reference). Epitrope can be either biting in its irony, or flattering in its deference.

A specific form of epitrope is the (apparent) admission of what is wrong in order to carry our point.

Take your time–go ahead, obey the speed limit! It can’t matter that much. I’ll have the baby right here on the front seat.  It’s better than a hospital. I won’t die. You won’t be sorry, and our baby won’t suffer! Why don’t you just slow down a little bit more–there’s no rush.

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

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Dendographia

Posted on February 13, 2013 | Leave a comment

Dendographia (den-dro-graf’-ia): Creating an illusion of reality through vivid description of a tree.

Trees! Tall trees. Small trees. All trees. Dark bark maybe grey, birch bark black and white; day and night with leaves–leaves hanging by their thread-thin stems feeding light to sap, and in the sunny breeze of dawn’s mortal moment they swarm like clouds of butterflies waving winged shadows over tangled bumpy stumpy roots reaching deep beneath the soddy earth. The smell of pine. The womb of woods. The trees!

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

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Isocolon

Posted on February 12, 2013 | Leave a comment

Isocolon (i-so-co’-lon): A series of similarly structured elements having the same length. A kind of parallelism.

I drove. I parked. I shopped. I dropped.

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

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Scesis Onomaton

Posted on February 7, 2013 | Leave a comment

Scesis Onomaton (ske’-sis o-no’-ma-ton): 1. A sentence constructed only of nouns and adjectives (typically in a regular pattern).  2. A series of successive, synonymous expressions.

1. Wild nights, bleary mornings, sunburned days. Spring break !

2. I have your best interests close to my heart. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. The sky’s the limit. Just ask.

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

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Symploce

Posted on February 6, 2013 | Leave a comment

Symploce (sim’-plo-see or 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.

We never know what the future will bring. We never know what a promise will bring. We never know and yet we must travel on, not knowing, but hoping  for what only hope will bring.

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

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Polyptoton

Posted on February 5, 2013 | Leave a comment

Polyptoton (po-lyp-to’-ton): Repeating a word, but in a different form. Using a cognate of a given word in close proximity.

Lovers love loving and being loved.

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

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Epistrophe

Posted on February 3, 2013 | Leave a comment

Epistrophe (e-pis’-tro-fee): Ending a series of lines, phrases, clauses, or sentences with the same word or words.

It’s cold today. The bills are due today. I’ve got to do my laundry today. My cat is driving me nuts today. Why can’t tomorrow be today, today?

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

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Bomphiologia

Posted on January 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

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

I am the stars in your sky, the hope in your heart, and the love of your life.   What more could you ask for, baby?

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

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Tapinosis

Posted on January 13, 2013 | Leave a comment

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

The so-called “fiscal cliff” is actually a fiscal curb. If we go over the fiscal curb, we’ll drive off the road to prosperity.

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

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Metonymy

Posted on December 24, 2012 | Leave a comment

Metonymy (me-ton’-y-my): Reference to something or someone by naming one of its attributes. [This may include effects or any of the four Aristotelian causes {efficient/maker/inventor, material, formal/shape, final/purpose}.]

Hey Big Tooth, give me five! Long time no see! Are you still a shrink?

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

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Epimone

Posted on December 5, 2012 | Leave a comment

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

The PAC wants to go over Lemming Cliff!

We need your help! The PAC is depending on you! Come to the meeting! Show up! Be there! Tonight!

Be a good little rodent and follow the PAC over Lemming Cliff!

Do it for the PAC!

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

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Anesis

Posted on December 2, 2012 | 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.

My little doggy is cute, affectionate, and obedient.  That said, he smells like a polluted mud flat at low tide on a hot afternoon.

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

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Anthimeria

Posted on November 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

Anthimeria (an-thi-mer’-i-a): Substitution of one part of speech for another (such as a noun used as a verb).

Are you going Black Fridaying today?

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

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Antithesis

Posted on November 6, 2012 | Leave a comment

Antithesis (an-tith’-e-sis): Juxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas (often, although not always, in parallel structure).

My opinion is neither true nor false, neither is yours.  Some opinions differ. Some opinions don’t.

Opinions may be judged as better or worse, negative or positive, ill-founded or well-grounded, but never true or false.

That’s the truth.

It’s election day in the USA and one thing is for certain, one’s vote is one of the most powerful ways to express one’s opinion.

That’s my opinion.

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

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Charientismus

Posted on October 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

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

Another Big Whopper! All bun and no meat! Don’t you have anything else to dish up to the American people? Now that you’ve stuffed them with big empty whoppers for the past three months, don’t you think they’re just about fed up?

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

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Epitrope

Posted on October 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

Epitrope (e-pi’-tro-pe): A figure in which one turns things over to one’s hearers, either pathetically, ironically, or in such a way as to suggest a proof of something without having to state it. Epitrope often takes the form of granting permission (hence its Latin name, permissio), submitting something for consideration, or simply referring to the abilities of the audience to supply the meaning that the speaker passes over (hence Puttenham’s term, figure of reference). Epitrope can be either biting in its irony, or flattering in its deference.

A specific form of epitrope is the (apparent) admission of what is wrong in order to carry your point.

Go ahead and vote for Mr. Romney if you want to!  If you want to send Big Bird to the ostrich farm, if you want Elmo to talk like George Bush, if you want amphibians to be banned from having relationships with pigs, go ahead, vote for Mr.Romney. He’s got a heart of gold.

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

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Antimetabole

Posted on September 26, 2012 | Leave a comment

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

Sow and harvest. Harvest and sow. If you sow the seed of love, and cultivate it,  you may harvest  joy and feed your soul. When your joy is nearly all exhausted, it’s time to sow the seed of love again, and cultivate it, and help it grow.  Nurtured by the joy produced, you sow the seed of love again, and cultivate it, and harvest joy, and start all over again! Love and joy. Joy and love. You may harvest what you need from  the seed you sow.

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

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Aporia

Posted on September 24, 2012 | 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].

How should we approach immigration reform?

Amnesty for all?

Build a wall?

Let’s just say US immigration policy needs an overhaul!

Hey–we should give Joe Arpaio a call!

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

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Epanorthosis

Posted on September 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

Epanorthosis (ep-an-or-tho’-sis): Amending a first thought by altering it to make it stronger or more vehement.

Trying to understand what’s going on in the world by consuming social media is like trying to cross a busy intersection while you’re spinning around in circles! No–it’s WORSE than that! It’s like running into a burning building to save your life!

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

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Traductio

Posted on July 29, 2012 | 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.

Hope for rain and hope will reign even if it doesn’t rain!

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

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Symploce

Posted on July 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

Symploce (sim’-plo-see or 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.

Without some degree of certainty about healthcare reform, it is difficult for businesses and investors to plan for the future.

Without some degree of certainty about healthcare reform, it is difficult for parents and their children to plan for the future.

Without some degree of certainty about healthcare reform, it is difficult for working people and retirees to plan for the future; and, for people with preexisting conditions, even after the Supreme Court’s ruling, it is nearly immoral to force them to sweat out the summer in fear, at the edge of catastrophe, not knowing whether they will be insured after November’s election.

Stop beating your Republican chest and boasting that you will repeal the Affordable Care Act (or what you call “Obamacare”) when you’re elected.

Your cruelty is unbearable.

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

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