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tmesis
[ tuh-mee-sis ]
/ təˈmi sɪs /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
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
First recorded in 1580–90; from Late Latin tmēsis, from Greek tmêsis “a cutting,” equivalent to tmē- (variant stem of témnein “to cut”) + -sis -sis
OTHER WORDS FROM tmesis
tmet·ic [tuh-met-ik], /təˈmɛt ɪk/, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use tmesis in a sentence
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.
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 3|W. E. GladstoneHis 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 3|W. E. Gladstone
British Dictionary definitions for tmesis
tmesis
/ (təˈmiːsɪs, ˈmiːsɪs) /
noun
interpolation of a word or group of words between the parts of a compound word
Word Origin for tmesis
C16: via Latin from Greek, literally: a cutting, from temnein to cut
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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