epanorthosis

[ep-uh-nawr-thoh-sis]

noun, plural ep·a·nor·tho·ses [ep-uh-nawr-thoh-seez] /ˌɛp ə nɔrˈθoʊ siz/. Rhetoric.

the rephrasing of an immediately preceding word or statement for the purpose of intensification, emphasis, or justification, as in “Seems, madam! Nay, it is; I know not ‘seems.’ ”

Origin of epanorthosis

First recorded in 1570–80, epanorthosis is from the Greek word epanórthōsis correcting, revision. See ep-, ana-, orthosis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for epanorthosis

Historical Examples of epanorthosis

Epanorthosis is a figure of frequent occurrence in all languages, but particularly in those of the East.
Grammar of the New Zealand language (2nd edition)
Robert Maunsell

British Dictionary definitions for epanorthosis

epanorthosis

noun

rhetoric the almost immediate replacement of a preceding word or phrase by a more correct or more emphatic one, as for example in thousands, nay, millions

Derived Formsepanorthotic, adjective

Word Origin for epanorthosis

C16: from Greek: correction, from epi- + ana- + orthos straight

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