epizeuxis

American  

[ep-i-zook-sis] / ˌɛp ɪˈzuk sɪs /

noun

Rhetoric.

1. 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!”

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Etymology

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- ( def. ); see also hypozeuxis ( def. ), yoke ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

The remainder of the first book deals with meter and verse forms, baldly of prose rhythm, epizeuxis, conceited verses, and various rhetorical figures.

From Rhetoric and Poetry in the Renaissance A Study of Rhetorical Terms in English Renaissance Literary Criticism by Clark, Donald Lemen

Of the remaining long list of figures, the Irish are particularly disposed to the epizeuxis, as 'indeed, indeed—at all, at all,' and antanaclasis, or double meaning.

From Tales and Novels — Volume 04 by Edgeworth, Maria

They spelled from the grammars, hyperbole, synecdoche, and epizeuxis.

From Laddie; a true blue story by Stratton-Porter, Gene