polysyndeton

[ pol-ee-sin-di-ton, -tuhn ]

/ ˌpɒl iˈsɪn dɪˌtɒn, -tən /

Save This Word!

noun Rhetoric.

the use of a number of conjunctions in close succession.

QUIZ

TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Compare asyndeton.

Origin of polysyndeton

From New Latin, dating back to 1580–90; see origin at poly-, asyndeton

Words nearby polysyndeton

polysyllable, polysyllogism, polysymbrachydactyly, polysynaptic, polysyndactyly, polysyndeton, polysynthesism, polysynthetic, polytechnic, polytendinitis, polytene

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

British Dictionary definitions for polysyndeton

polysyndeton

/ (ˌpɒlɪˈsɪndɪtən) /

noun

rhetoric the use of several conjunctions in close succession, esp where some might be omitted, as in he ran and jumped and laughed for joy

Also called: syndesis grammar a sentence containing more than two coordinate clauses

Word Origin for polysyndeton

C16: poly- + -syndeton, from Greek sundetos bound together

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