syllepsis

views updated Jun 27 2018

syl·lep·sis / səˈlepsis/ • n. (pl. -ses / -sēz/ ) a figure of speech in which a word is applied to two others in different senses (e.g., caught the train and a bad cold) or to two others of which it grammatically suits only one (e.g., neither they nor it is working). Compare with zeugma.DERIVATIVES: syl·lep·tic / -tik/ adj.

syllepsis

views updated May 21 2018

syllepsis (gram.) figure by which one word or form is made to refer to two or more in the same sentence while strictly applying to only one. XVI. — late L. syllēpsis — Gr. súllēpsis, f. SYL- + lēpsis taking, f. lēb- lāb- lab-, base of lambánein take.