tmesis

[ tuh-mee-sis ]

noun

1. the interpolation of one or more words between the parts of a compound word, as be thou ware for beware.

tmesis

/ ˈmiːsɪs; təˈmiːsɪs /

noun

1. interpolation of a word or group of words between the parts of a compound word

Other Words From

• tmet·ic [t, uh, -, met, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tmesis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tmesis¹

C16: via Latin from Greek, literally: a cutting, from temnein to cut

Example Sentences

Perhaps we might read ἐπὶ δὲ γᾶς πεδιοπλοκτύπου ὠσὶν χρίμπι βοὰ, by tmesis, for ἐπιχρίμπτεται.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes he indulges in tmesis which reminds us of Ennius: inque pediri, disque supata, ordia prima.

From Project Gutenberg

Or he might by tmesis, more liberally used, have further widened the field for its employment.

From Project Gutenberg

His abstinence from inflexion absolutely, and from tmesis almost entirely, in the use of , I think deserves remark.

From Project Gutenberg