hendiadys

[ hen-dahy-uh-dis ]

noun

, Rhetoric.

1. a figure in which a complex idea is expressed by two words connected by a copulative conjunction: “to look with eyes and envy” instead of “with envious eyes.”

hendiadys

/ hɛnˈdaɪədɪs /

noun

1. a rhetorical device by which two nouns joined by a conjunction, usually and, are used instead of a noun and a modifier, as in to run with fear and haste instead of to run with fearful haste

Word History and Origins

Origin of hendiadys¹

1580–90; < Medieval Latin; alteration of Greek phrase hèn dià dyoîn one through two, one by means of two

Word History and Origins

Origin of hendiadys¹

C16: from Medieval Latin, changed from Greek phrase hen dia duoin, literally: one through two

Example Sentences

This line is a type of hendiadys, the first half of the line being redefined by the second.

From Project Gutenberg

Real instances of hendiadys are much rarer than is generally supposed.

From Project Gutenberg

A hendiadys for 'Go drink all the mind-purging hellebore that grows in Anticyra'.

From Project Gutenberg