Palilogy refers to the act of repeating a word or phrase for emphasis. Its spelling is a bit tricky, as it contains two instances of the letter "l" and three instances of the letter "i." The IPA phonetic transcription for palilogy is /pəˈlɪlədʒi/. This can be broken down into individual sounds: /p/ as in "pie," /ə/ as in "sofa," /ˈlɪ/ as in "lily," /l/ as in "lot," /ə/ as in "sofa," /dʒ/ as in "judge," and /i/ as in "ski."
Palilogy refers to a rhetorical device in which a word or phrase is repeated for emphasis, typically in immediate succession or within close proximity. Derived from the Greek word "palillogia," which means "speaking again," it is often used to intensify the impact of a statement or to evoke a particular emotional response from the audience.
Palilogy can take different forms, such as the repetition of a single word or multiple words. It can occur within a sentence, a clause, or even a whole paragraph, depending on the desired effect. This device can create a powerful rhetorical effect in speeches, poetry, or other forms of creative writing.
By repeating certain words, palilogy serves to emphasize a particular idea or evoke certain emotions within the listener or reader. It can convey a sense of urgency, passion, or even frustration depending on the context in which it's used. Furthermore, it can also be employed for comedic effect, in order to highlight absurdity or irony.
Notably, palilogy is closely related to other rhetorical devices such as anadiplosis, epizeuxis, or epiphora, which involve the repetition of words or phrases. However, palilogy is unique in that it specifically refers to the repetition of words for rhetorical purposes rather than for clarity or emphasis.
In rhet., the repetition of a word, or the fragment of a sentence, with the view of increased energy.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word palilogy originates from the Greek word palillogia, which is a combination of two elements: pali, meaning again, and logos, meaning word or speech. Therefore, palilogy literally translates to saying the same thing again.