hyperbaton

American  

[hahy-pur-buh-ton] / haɪˈpɜr bəˌtɒn /

noun

Rhetoric.

hyperbatons, plural hyperbata plural

1. the use, especially for emphasis, of a word order other than the expected or usual one, as in “Bird thou never wert.”

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hyperbaton British  

/ haɪˈpɜːbəˌtɒn /

noun

1. rhetoric a figure of speech in which the normal order of words is reversed, as in cheese I love

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• hyperbatic
  adjective
• hyperbatically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• hyperbata
  plural
• hyperbatons
  plural

Etymology

Origin of hyperbaton

1570–80; < Latin < Greek: transposition, literally, overstepping, derivative of neuter of hyperbatós, equivalent to hyper- hyper- + ba- (stem of baínein to walk, step) + -tos verbal adjective suffix; cf. basis

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hyperbaton hyperbata

Note the separation of the epithets from the nouns, and the high level of diction produced by the hyperbaton.

From The Last Poems of Ovid by Akrigg, Mark Bear

By hyperbaton we mean a transposition of words or thoughts from their usual order, bearing unmistakably the characteristic stamp of violent mental agitation.

From On the Sublime by Havell, H. L. (Herbert Lord)

Now the figure hyperbaton is the means which is employed by the best writers to imitate these signs of natural emotion.

From On the Sublime by Havell, H. L. (Herbert Lord)

The hyperbaton adds elevation and dignity to the prayer. 129-30.

From The Last Poems of Ovid by Akrigg, Mark Bear

The figure hyperbaton belongs to the same class.

From On the Sublime by Havell, H. L. (Herbert Lord)

Lastly, he observes the tendency to hyperbata or transpositions of words, and to rhythmical uniformity as well as grammatical irregularity in the structure of the sentences.

From Laws by Jowett, Benjamin

Aggravations are then in their proper places; interrogations, exclamations, hyperbata, or a disordered connection of discourse, are graceful there, because they are natural.

From The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 05 by Scott, Walter, Sir