chiasmus

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Derived terms 1.3.3 Related terms

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Latin chiasmus from Greek χιασμός, from χιάζειν (“‘to mark with a chi’”), from χ (chi), “‘chi’”)

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /kaɪˈæːzməs/, SAMPA: /kaI"{:zm@s/

[edit] Noun

chiasmus (plural chiasmi)

1. An inversion of the relationship between the elements of phrases

   To stop too fearful, and too faint to go -- w:Oliver Goldsmith.

[edit] Usage notes

Used especially in classical languages,

haec queritur, stupet haec (this woman complains, this one gapes) -- Ovid, Ars Amatoria, 1.124

[edit] Derived terms

• chiastic

[edit] Related terms

• chiasma