zeugma Hear it!

zeugma definition

zeugma (zyo̵̅o̅g′mə, zo̵̅o̅g′-)

noun

  1. syllepsis
  2. a figure of speech in which a single word, usually a verb or adjective, is syntactically related to two or more words, though having a different sense in relation to each (Ex.: The room was not light, but his fingers were)

Etymology: L < Gr, lit., yoke

Related Forms:

  • zeugmatic zeug·mat′ic (-mat′ik) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Zeugma75 months ago
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