paratactic
|pa-ra-tac-tic|
/ˌpærəˈtæktɪk/
arranged side-by-side (no subordination)
Etymology
'paratactic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'parataktikos', where 'para-' meant 'beside' and 'taxis' meant 'arrangement' or 'ordering'.
'paratactic' changed from the Greek adjective 'parataktikos' into Late/Neo-Latin/paratacticus and entered English usage (via grammatical terminology) as 'paratactic'.
Initially it referred to the basic idea of 'arrangement side by side'; over time it came to be used specifically in grammar and stylistics to mean 'using parataxis' or 'characterized by juxtaposed elements without subordination'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or using parataxis: placing clauses, phrases, or words side by side without subordinating connections (i.e., coordination rather than subordination).
The author's paratactic style strings short clauses together with few conjunctions.
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Adjective 2
characterized by simple juxtaposition of elements, producing a terse or clipped rhythm (often used in stylistic or rhetorical descriptions).
The poem's paratactic lines give it a staccato, breathless pace.
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Last updated: 2025/08/29 18:21