epanorthosis

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἐπανόρθωσις (epanórthōsis, “correction”).

Noun

epanorthosis (plural epanorthoses)

Examples (rhetoric)
Most brave! Brave, did I say? Most heroic act!

1. (rhetoric) A rhetorical device or element in which a speaker or writer retracts a word that has been spoken and substitutes a stronger or more suitable word; often done for emphasis or sarcasm.
   • 1835, L[arret] Langley, A Manual of the Figures of Rhetoric, […], Doncaster: Printed by C. White, Baxter-Gate, →OCLC, page 61:

     Epanorthosis oft a phrase corrects,
     And feeble words, for stronger terms, rejects.

Further reading

• epanorthosis on Wikipedia.Wikipedia