Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » trope

trope

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of a trope is a figure of speech or a play on words.

(noun)

Repeating a word that can be used in two different contexts - such as Ben Franklin's quote "If we don't hang together, we'll hang separately" is an example of a trope.

See trope in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. the use of a word or words in a figurative sense
2. a figure of speech
3. figurative language in general
a common, often conventional, theme, motif, style, etc.
in the medieval church,
1. the interpolation of a phrase or passage into the authorized service: such passages were later developed into dramatic dialogues
2. any such passage

Origin: L tropus < Gr tropos, a turning, turn, figure of speech (akin to tropē, a turn) < trepein, to turn < IE base *trep-, to turn

1. a turning or changing
2. something that turns or changes: thaumatrope
turning

Origin: Gr -tropos: see trope

See trope in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A figure of speech using words in nonliteral ways, such as a metaphor.
A word or phrase interpolated as an embellishment in the sung parts of certain medieval liturgies.

Origin:

Origin: Latin tropus

Origin: , from Greek tropos, turn, figure of speech; see trep- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: