parataxis

[par-uh-tak-sis]

noun Grammar.

the placing together of sentences, clauses, or phrases without a conjunctive word or words, as Hurry up, it is getting late! I came—I saw—I conquered.

Compare hypotaxis.

Origin of parataxis

1835–45; < New Latin < Greek parátaxis an arranging in order for battle. See para-¹, -taxis

Related formspar·a·tac·tic

[par-uh-tak-tik] /ˌpær əˈtæk tɪk/, par·a·tac·ti·cal, adjectivepar·a·tac·ti·cal·ly, adverb

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British Dictionary definitions for parataxis

parataxis

noun

the juxtaposition of clauses in a sentence without the use of a conjunction, as for example None of my friends stayed — they all left early

Derived Formsparatactic (ˌpærəˈtæktɪk), adjectiveparatactically, adverb

Word Origin for parataxis

C19: New Latin from Greek, from paratassein, literally: to arrange side by side, from para- 1 + tassein to arrange

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for parataxis

1838, from Greek parataxis "a placing side by side, a placing in line of battle," from stem of paratassein "to place side by side," from para- "beside" (see para- (1)) + tassein "to arrange" (see tactics). Related: Paratactic.