The word "syntripsis" is a Greek compound noun that means "compression." In terms of spelling, it can be broken down phonetically as /sɪnˈtrɪpsɪs/. The first syllable, "syn," is pronounced with a short "i" sound, followed by "tri" with a short "i" as well. The final syllable, "psis," is pronounced with a short "i" and a hissing "s" sound at the end. This unique spelling highlights the word's Greek origin and its specific meaning in the English language.
Syntripsis is a linguistic term that refers to the omission of one or more words in a grammatical construction, often resulting in a condensed or shortened sentence. It is commonly used in poetry, rhetoric, and literature to create a more concise and vivid expression of ideas.
In syntripsis, certain words or phrases that would typically be expected to appear in a sentence are intentionally left out, relying on the context or the reader's understanding to fill in the missing elements. This omission can be applied to any part of speech, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or even entire phrases.
The purpose of syntripsis is to elicit a more impactful emotional response, intensify the meaning, or enhance the aesthetic quality of a piece of writing. By deliberately excluding certain words, the writer places emphasis on the remaining words and may enhance the overall rhythm and musicality of the sentence.
Syntripsis is often used in poetry to achieve brevity, evoke imagery, or create a specific mood or tone. It requires a certain level of reader engagement and interpretation to reconstruct the complete meaning of a sentence or phrase. In rhetoric, syntripsis can add rhetorical force to arguments or make a statement more memorable.
Overall, syntripsis is a literary device that deliberately leaves out words, resulting in a condensed, more impactful, and aesthetically pleasing expression of ideas.
A comminuted fracture, or its production.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term syntripsis is derived from the Greek words syn meaning together or with and tríbein meaning to rub or to wear away. In ancient Greek rhetoric and grammar, syntripsis refers to a figure of speech where two consecutive words or phrases are contracted or blended together by the omission of a letter or a syllable. It is often used as a form of wordplay or for stylistic effect. The word syntripsis itself is a Latinized form of the Greek word syntribo which means I rub together.