| zeugma |
| Definition: When a single noun or verb governs multiple parts of a sentence. Note: If the meaning of the governing word must change to agree with the different parts of the sentence, it is a type of zeugma called syllepsis. |
| Example:
He arrived in a taxi and in a huff
(The verb arrived governs both in a taxi and in a huff) |
| Etymology: In Greek the word literally means "a yoking." |
| Oxford English Dictionary: Its first citation is from 1586: "Zeugma, when one or more clauses are concluded vnder one verbe, as to say, His loosnesse ouercame all shame; his boldnesse, feare; his madnesse, reason." (A. Day Engl. Secretorie ii. (1595) 82) |