Tag Archives: trope

Procatalepsis

Procatalepsis (pro-cat-a-lep’-sis): Refuting anticipated objections.

You may believe that my proposal is not warranted by law or expediency. You may believe it does not look far enough into the future or take into account the contingencies that may thwart the fulfillment of its aims. Well, I’m here today to tell you that it is lawful, practical, and forward-looking, and that it explicitly addresses all the conceivable pitfalls that lie ahead! First, as far as its legality is concerned . . .

  • Post your own procatalepsis on the “Comments” page!

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

Astrothesia

Astrothesia (as-tro-the’-si-a): A vivid description of stars. One type of enargia.

This morning I was up at 3.45–I had to drive my daughter to school to catch the bus for her class trip. As we came out the back door, we saw the big dipper low over the treetops in the northeastern sky. As we rode down the hill toward school, we were both struck by the sudden appearance of a brilliant star–maybe a planet–reflecting the beautiful speeding light that races in and out of every day and every night! Sunrise. Sunset. The night sky. The stars. Wow!

And, as we said “Wow” together, there together, being together, happy together, riding together, my heart ached with the painful realization that this moment would not come again. So, I wrote it into The Daily Trope to give that moment a chance to virtually repeat itself again and again.

  • Post your own astrothesia on the “Comments” page!

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

Metaphor

Metaphor (met’-a-phor): A comparison made by referring to one thing as another.

Time is a blister on eternity.

  • Post your own metaphor on the “Comments” page!

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

Appositio

Appositio (ap-po-sit’-i-o): Addition of an adjacent, coordinate, explanatory or descriptive element.

My new computer, the fastest desktop ever made, has a footprint that’s smaller than a shoebox and a 10-tetrabyte hard drive!

  • Post your own appositio on the “Comments” page!

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

Diaphora

Diaphora (di-a’-pho-ra): Repetition of a common name so as to perform two logical functions: to designate an individual and to signify the qualities connoted by that individual’s name or title.

This tomato will not be a tomato until it becomes the “T” in a BLT!

  • Post your own diaphora on the “Comments” page!

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

Synonymia

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.

This day is sad, unhappy, without joy–without the bright lightning flashes of laughter that often lit our stormy lives–she is gone, she is done, she is ended, and we are left here together to fill this time together with words of rememberance sent from deep within ourselves–to summon her bold loving spirit to our time of grief and longing as we begin to learn to live without her without forgetting, without cutting the threads of friendship she wound around our lives.

  • Post your own synonymia on the “Comments” page!

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

Enallage

Enallage (e-nal’-la-ge): The substitution of grammatically different but semantically equivalent constructions.

I climbed that mountain. That mountain was climbed by me!

  • Post your own enallage on the “Comments” page!

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

Charientismus

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!

  • Post your own charientismus on the “Comments” page!

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

Deesis

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!

  • Post you own deesis on the “Comments” page!

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

Anesis

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.

  • Post your own anesis on the “Comments” page!

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