SYLLEPSIS Definition & Meaning

syllepsis

[si-lep-sis]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Grammar.

plural

syllepses

the use of a word or expression to perform two syntactic functions, especially to modify two or more words of which at least one does not agree in number, case, or gender, as the use of are in Neither he nor we are willing.

syllepsis

/ ��ɪˈ��ɛ��ɪ�� /

noun

(in grammar or rhetoric) the use of a single sentence construction in which a verb, adjective, etc is made to cover two syntactical functions, as the verb form have in she and they have promised to come
another word for zeugma

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

sylleptic adjective
sylleptically adverb
��ˈ��پ�� adjective
��ˈ��پ��ally adverb

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of syllepsis¹

1570–80; < Medieval Latin ��ŧ�� < Greek ��ý��ŧ��, equivalent to syl- syl- + ��ŧ��- (variant stem of ��á�Ա𾱲� to take) + -sis -sis

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of syllepsis¹

C16: from Late Latin, from Greek ��ܱ��ŧ��, from sul- _syn- + ��ŧ�� a taking, from lambanein to take

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

For example: Here’s an explanation of the rhetorical term syllepsis: “the use of a word that relates to, qualifies, or governs two or more other words but has a different meaning in relation to each.”

From

Now, for the first time at the apex of the living pyramid, it is Man and Nature, but Man himself is a syllepsis, a compendium of Nature—the Microcosm!

From

For a Creed is or ought to be a syllepsis of those primary fundamental truths that are, as it were, the starting-post, from which the Christian must commence his progression.

From

syllabus syllogism

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