hyperbaton

[ hahy-pur-buh-ton ]

noun

, Rhetoric.

, plural hy·per·ba·tons, hy·per·ba·ta [hahy-, pur, -b, uh, -t, uh].

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

hyperbaton

/ haɪˈpɜːbəˌtɒn /

noun

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

Other Words From

• hy·per·bat·ic [hahy-per-, bat, -ik], adjective
• hyper·bati·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyperbaton¹

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; basis

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyperbaton¹

C16: via Latin from Greek, literally: an overstepping, from hyper- + bainein to step

Example Sentences

Hyperbaton Transgressio, when the ryghte 31 order of wordes is troubled, & hath these kyndes.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

It seems to be a mere normalization of the hyperbaton; the elimination of the elision (mittere ad) may have been a factor as well.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

In none of these passages is ut separated from si: the hyperbaton elevates the phrase and makes more natural its use in verse.

From Project Gutenberg