Terms

Question 1

What is acyrologia?

Answer 1

An incorrect use of words, especially the use of words that sound alike but are far in meaning from the speaker’s intentions.

from Gk. a, “not”, kyros, “authority,”
and logos, “speech”
Also sp. acirilogia
acyron, improprietas

Question 2

What is synecdoche?

Answer 2

A whole is represented by naming one of its parts (genus named for species), or vice versa (species named for genus).

Gk. “to take with something else”
Also sp. syndoche
intellectio, subintellectio, pars pro toto
intelleccion, figure of quick conceite

Question 3

What is metonymy?

Answer 3

Reference to something or someone by naming one of its attributes.
The Pen is mightier than the Sword.
Words attributed to Pen
Might attributed to Sword

Question 4

What is metalepsis?

Answer 4

Reference to something by means of another thing that is remotely related to it,

Question 5

What is catachresis?

Answer 5

The use of a word in a context that differs from its proper application.
This figure is generally considered a vice; however, Quintilian defends its use as a way by which one adapts existing terms to applications where a proper term does not exist

Question 6

What is acyron?

Answer 6

The use of a word repugnant or contrary to what is meant
“Never could I have hoped for such great woe” Aeneid 4.419

Gk. without authority
improprietas
uncouth

Related to: acyrologia, catachresis

Question 7

Give an example of acyrologia

Answer 7

Examples: The teacher’s aid is will be neutering me

Homey the clown

Question 8

What French term is close to acyrologia?

Answer 8

Note: Malapropisms are a kind of acyrologia.

Question 9

Name some of the relationships in metalepsis

Answer 9

Either through a farfetched causal relationship, or through
an implied intermediate substitution of terms. Often used for comic effect through its preposterous exaggeration.
A metonymical substitution of one word for another which is itself figurative.

Question 10

Give examples of catachresis

Answer 10

Examples: A misapplication of one part of the body to another: “The elbow of his nose”
“parricide” is used to refer to matricide
misuse of verb ‘see’: “I could see from his speech”

Question 11

Break down the etymology for metonymy

Answer 11

from meta, “change” and onoma, “name”

Question 12

Synonyms for metonymy

Answer 12

Also sp. metonimia
hypallage
denominatio, transmutatio, transnominatio
the misnamer, change of noun or name, transmutation of a word

Question 13

Break down the etymology for metalepsis

Answer 13

from Gk. meta, “change” and

lambanein “to take” (“to change the sense”)

Question 14

Synonyms for metalepsis

Answer 14

transumptio

transumption, the farrafet

Question 15

‘Transumption’ applies to which Greek rhetorical term?

Answer 15

metalepsis

Question 16

‘Transmutation of a Word’ applies to which Greek rhetorical term?

Answer 16

metonymy

Question 17

‘The farrafet’ applies to which Greek rhetorical term?

Answer 17

metalepsis

Question 18

Which Canon of Rhetoric does metalepsis belong to?

Answer 18

Invention

Question 19

Give an example of metalepsis

Answer 19

Pallid Death
Lead Foot (substitution of terms)
Tristram Shandy blames his troubled life and character (the effect) on his parents' ill-timed conception of him (the remote cause)—a rather comical and extended example of metalepsis.

Question 20

Given an example of synecdoche?

Answer 20

Wheels for car

Longhorns for cattle

Question 21

What is Syncrisis?

Answer 21

Comparison (or contrast) in parallel clauses.
Example:
We support the victory; they decry the cost

Question 22

What other terms is Syncrisis related to?

Answer 22

1. Antithesis
   NB. Comes full circle back to Topic of
   Invention (Contraries)
2. Parallelisms

Question 23

What are Parallelisms?

Answer 23

Similarity of Structure Between:
1. Words
    Her pastry was light and fluffy 
2. Phrases
    Walking or chewing gum is lotsa fun
3. Sentences
    Pork is plentiful, ham is inexpensive,
    tenderloin is cheap, but 
    spare ribs are the best

Question 24

What is taxis and what Topic is it related to?

Answer 24

To divide a subject up into its various components or attributes.
Related to Comparison (Subject / Adjuncts)

Question 25

What is Subject / Adjuncts; and what Topic is it related to?

Answer 25

A topic of invention in which one takes into account both what is essential (the “subject”) and what is accidental or simply characteristic of something (its “adjuncts”).
Related to Topic of Invention

Question 26

What rhetorical terms are closely associated with Subject/ Adjuncts?

Answer 26

taxis
metonymy
peristasis
epitheton
periphrasis
antonomasia
enargia
Figures of Amplification

Question 27

Other than Hegel, what other terms is antithesis associated with?

Answer 27

enantiosis
antitheton
paradox
oxymoron
Figures of Balance
Gorgianic Figures

Question 28

What is enantiosis?

Answer 28

Using opposing or contrary descriptions together, typically in a somewhat paradoxical manner.
Example: Money is an excellent servant, but cruel master

Question 29

What is antitheton?

Answer 29

A proof or composition constructed of contraries.
NB. Antitheton is closely related to and confused with the Figure of Speech “antithesis”. However, it is more properly considered a Figure of Thought (=Topic of Invention: Contraries).
Example:
Flattery hath pleasant beginnings, but the same hath very bitter endings

Question 30

What is paradox?

Answer 30

A statement that is self-contradictory on the surface, yet seems to evoke a TRUTH nonetheless.
He who loses his life shall find it.

Question 31

What is oxymoron?

Answer 31

A compressed paradox.

Question 32

What is inopinatum and what is it closely related to?

Answer 32

A kind of paradox which includes an expression of one’s inability to believe or conceive of something; a type of faux wondering).
Example:
It seems impossible to me that this administration could so quickly reverse itself on this issue.
Related:
As such much like aporia and functions much like a rhetorical question or erotema.

Question 33

What is aporia?

Answer 33

Deliberating with oneself as though in doubt over some matter; asking oneself (or rhetorically asking one’s hearers) what is the best or appropriate way to approach something.
Example:
How shall I begin to describe her wisdom?

Question 34

What is erotema?

Answer 34

(More form than substance)
The rhetorical question. To affirm or deny a point strongly by asking it as a question.
Generally, as Melanchthon has noted, the rhetorical question includes an emotional dimension, expressing wonder, indignation, sarcasm, etc.
Example:
Why are you so stupid?

Question 35

What is irony?

Answer 35

Speaking in such a way as to imply the contrary of what one says, often for the purpose of derision, mockery, or jest.

Examples:
When in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing the constable Dogberry says “redemption” instead of “damnation” (itself a malapropism), the fact that he means precisely the opposite of what he so passionately exclaims makes this a comical use of irony:
O villain! thou wilt be condemned into everlasting redemption for this

Question 36

What are the main figures of irony?

Answer 36

1. Antiphrasis
   Irony of one word, often derisively through patent
   contradiction.
2. Paralipsis
   Stating and drawing attention to something in the
   very act of pretending to pass it over.
3. Epitrope
   A figure in which one turns things over to one’s
   hearers, either ironically, or in such a way as to
   suggest a proof of something without stating it.
4. Sarcasmus
   Use of mockery or verbal taunts.
5. Mycterismus

Question 37

What is Mycterismus?

Answer 37

A mock given with an accompanying gesture, such as a scornful countenance.
Example:
Nothing happened between the blond and me, nudge nudge, wink wink.

Question 38

What is contrarium?

Answer 38

Juxtaposing two opposing statements (=antithesis) in such a way as to prove the one from the other. More generally, a composition of opposites (=antitheton).
Related figures to come