Anastole is a uncommon term used in literature to describe the disheveled and unkempt appearance of a person's hair. Its pronunciation is [əˈnæstəli], with the stress on the second syllable. The "a" at the beginning is pronounced as a schwa sound. The "st" is pronounced as "s-t" with no emphasis on either letter. The final "e" is silent, making it a four-syllable word. Although infrequently used, mastering the correct spelling and pronunciation of anastole can enhance one's vocabulary and understanding of literature.
Anastole is a term used primarily within the field of rhetoric and as such, its definition is rooted in this discipline. Anastole refers to a rhetorical figure characterized by the reversal or inversion of the usual order of words or phrases in a sentence. It is a form of syntactical deviation that achieves emphasis and stylistic effect. By deliberately altering the typical arrangement of words or phrases, anastole aims to catch the listener's attention, create a sense of novelty, or add poetic and rhythmic qualities to a composition.
The purpose of employing anastole is to disrupt the anticipated order of words, thereby drawing attention to the speaker or writer's skill and creativity in language manipulation. Although anastole is more commonly found in poetry, it can also be employed in prose to convey a particular tone or to emphasize certain ideas or concepts. The inversion of words through anastole may alter the grammatical structure or flow of a sentence, lending it an artistic charm or a striking effect.
Overall, anastole serves as a rhetorical device used to enhance language creativity and capture the audience's attention through the unconventional reordering of words or phrases within a sentence, thus adding distinct stylistic and rhythmical qualities to a composition.
Gaping of a wound.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "anastole" is derived from the Greek word "anastolḗ" (ἀναστολή) which means "reversion" or "turning back". It is a compound word consisting of "ana" (ἀνα) meaning "up" or "back" and "stolḗ" (στολή) meaning "garment" or "robe". In Greek literature, "anastolḗ" was used metaphorically to refer to the turning back or folding over of a garment, and eventually, this term was adopted in English to describe a specific rhetorical device where the normal or expected order of words or phrases is deliberately reversed for effect.