Langimage
English

hyperbaton

|hy/per/ba/ton|

C2

🇺🇸

/haɪˈpɜːrbətɒn/

🇬🇧

/haɪˈpɜːbətɒn/

inversion for emphasis

Etymology
Etymology Information

'hyperbaton' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'hyperbaton,' where 'hyper-' meant 'over' and 'bainein' meant 'to step.'

Historical Evolution

'hyperbaton' changed from the Greek word 'hyperbaton' and eventually became the modern English word 'hyperbaton'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'overstepping,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'inversion of word order for rhetorical effect.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a rhetorical device involving the inversion of the normal order of words for emphasis or effect.

In the sentence 'This I must see,' the normal word order is inverted for emphasis.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/02/04 04:19