tmesis
[tuh-mee-sis]
- the interpolation of one or more words between the parts of a compound word, as be thou ware for beware.
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Origin of tmesis
1580–90; < Late Latin tmēsis < Greek tmḗsis a cutting, equivalent to tmē- (variant stem of témnein to cut) + -sis -sis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for tmesis
Historical Examples
Or he might by tmesis, more liberally used, have further widened the field for its employment.
Studies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 1 of 3W. E. Gladstone
His abstinence from inflexion absolutely, and from tmesis almost entirely, in the use of , I think deserves remark.
Studies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 1 of 3W. E. Gladstone
Perhaps we might read ἐπὶ δὲ γᾶς πεδιοπλοκτύπου ὠσὶν χρίμπι βοὰ, by tmesis, for ἐπιχρίμπτεται.
Sometimes he indulges in tmesis which reminds us of Ennius: inque pediri, disque supata, ordia prima.
tmesis
- interpolation of a word or group of words between the parts of a compound word
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Word Origin
C16: via Latin from Greek, literally: a cutting, from temnein to cut
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for tmesis
1570s, from Greek tmesis "a cutting," related to temnein "to cut," tome "a cutting" (see tome). The separation of the elements of a compound word by the interposition of another word or words (e.g. a whole nother).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper