Definition of syllepsis in English:
syllepsis
nounPlural syllepses sɪˈlɛpsɪssəˈlɛpsəs
1A figure of speech in which a word is applied to two others of which it grammatically suits only one (e.g. neither they nor it is working).
Example sentencesExamples
- A strong syllepsis in French, ‘Mauvais Genres’ was the title of an exhibit and debate where ‘gore’ and horror film and literature were explored.
- You were allowed to go right inside and just wander about until you got bored or asthma (I think that is syllepsis but I could be wrong).
- Probably the most common type, however, is syllepsis, where a word is understood differently in relation to two or more other words which it modifies or governs.
- Danny also noted that the term "syllepsis" may be more apt for certain items usually labeled zeugma.
- More complex instances of authorial disruptions might be labeled narratological syllepses.
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Origin
Late Middle English: via late Latin from Greek sullēpsis 'taking together'.