HYPERBATON Meaning and
Definition
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Hyperbaton is a rhetorical figure characterized by a deliberate alteration in the natural word order of a sentence or phrase, thereby placing emphasis on certain words or ideas and creating a distinct emphasis. It involves the out-of-place and intentional rearrangement of words to achieve a particular effect or create a memorable impact. By disrupting the usual word order, hyperbaton can draw attention to key elements, highlight contrasts, or enhance the overall rhythm and musicality of a sentence.
This rhetorical device often occurs in poetry, song lyrics, and speeches, where the rearrangement of words adds both stylistic and communicative value. It allows speakers and writers to employ their creativity to generate a heightened sense of imagery, emotion, or emphasis that would not be achieved through a more conventional word order.
Hyperbaton can take various forms, such as the separation of an adjective from its noun or the insertion of extra words between a subject and its verb. Through this intentional rearrangement, a sense of tension, suspense, or surprise can be created, enhancing the rhetorical impact.
It is important to note that hyperbaton should not cause confusion or hinder comprehension; instead, it should enhance and elevate the overall message or rhetorical effect. Skilled speakers and writers use hyperbaton strategically to generate a powerful and memorable impact on their audience, crafting language in a way that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also intellectually stimulating.
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A figure of grammar in which the natural order or construction of a sentence is inverted.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for HYPERBATON
- gyperbaton
- byperbaton
- nyperbaton
- jyperbaton
- uyperbaton
- yyperbaton
- htperbaton
- hgperbaton
- hhperbaton
- huperbaton
- h7perbaton
- h6perbaton
- hyoerbaton
- hylerbaton
- hy-erbaton
- hy0erbaton
- hypwrbaton
- hypsrbaton
- hypdrbaton
Etymology of HYPERBATON
The word "hyperbaton" comes from the Greek words "hyper" meaning "over, above, beyond" and "batos" meaning "to step, go". In Greek rhetoric and language, hyperbaton refers to a figure of speech where words are arranged in an unusual or unconventional order, deviating from the typical word order. It was first used in English in the 16th century.
Similar spelling words for HYPERBATON
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