| hyperbole |
| Definition: A figure of speech where exaggeration is used to emphasize. |
| Example:
(1) He makes tons of money. (2) I've been waiting for ages. |
| Etymology: The word derives from the Greek hyperbole, exaggeration, which itself derives from hyperballein, to throw over or beyond (from hyper, beyond + ballein, to throw). |
| Oxford English Dictionary: Its first citation is from 1529: "By a maner of speking which is among lerned men called yperbole, for the more vehement expressyng of a mater." ( More, Dyaloge iv. 110b/1) |