epanorthosis

Definition: The act of saying something and then immediately rephrasing and restating it to increase its emphasis.
Example: You, my friend, are a fool. Fool did I say? Nay. You're the fool's fool's fool.
Etymology: The word derives from the Greek epi, in addition + ana, again + orthos, straight or correct, thus "a setting straight."
Oxford English Dictionary: Its first citation is from 1579:
"A prety *Epanorthosis in these two verses."
( E. K. Gloss. Spenser's Sheph. Cal. Jan. 61)



Please comment

E-Mail: