isocolon

[ ahy-suh-koh-luhn ]

/ ˈaɪ səˌkoʊ lən /

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noun, plural i·so·co·la

[ahy-suh-koh-luh]. /ˈaɪ səˌkoʊ lə/. Rhetoric.

a figure of speech or sentence having a parallel structure formed by the use of two or more clauses, or cola, of similar length, as “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of isocolon

1550–60; <Greek isókōlon, from neuter of isókōlos “of equal members,” equivalent to iso- (meaning “equal”) + colon¹ (in the sense “a rhythmic measure within a prosodic sequence”)

Words nearby isocolon

isochroous, isocitric acid, isoclinal, isocline, isoclinic line, isocolon, isocracy, Isocrates, isocyanate, isocyanic acid, isocyanide