epizeuxis

[ ep-i-zook-sis ]

/ ˌɛp ɪˈzuk sɪs /

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noun Rhetoric.

a literary or rhetorical device that appeals to or invokes the reader’s or listener’s emotions through the repetition of words or phrases in quick succession, as in “Threaten me all you want, I won’t do it. I won’t! I won’t! I won’t!”

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

false

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Origin of epizeuxis

First recorded in 1580–90; from New Latin, from Greek epízeuxis “fastening together, joining, repetition (of words),” equivalent to prefix epi- and zeûxis “yoking (of oxen), joining,” verbal noun from zeugnýnai “to yoke, join”; see origin at epi-; see also hypozeuxis, yoke¹

Words nearby epizeuxis

epitrochoid, epitympanic, epitympanum, Epivir, epixylous, epizeuxis, epizoic, epizoite, epizoology, epizoon, epizootic