Advertisement

Advertisement

chiasmus

[ kahy-az-muhs ]

noun

, Rhetoric.
, plural chi·as·mi [kahy-, az, -mahy].
  1. a reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases, as in “He went to the country, to the town went she.”


chiasmus

/ kaɪˈæzməs; kaɪˈæstɪk /

noun

  1. rhetoric reversal of the order of words in the second of two parallel phrases

    he came in triumph and in defeat departs

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • chiastic, adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of chiasmus1

1870–75; < Greek chiasmós, equivalent to chi chi 1 + -asmos masculine noun suffix, akin to -asma; chiasma
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of chiasmus1

C19: from New Latin, from Greek khiasmos crisscross arrangement; see chiasma
Discover More

Example Sentences

There is chiasmus here, since privata is contrasted with honoratis and quieta with claris.

For the more complicated forms of chiasmus consult Ngelsbach, Stil.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


chiasmatypychiastic