mihailoff's definitions

anaphora

1. (Rhetorical Figure) The repetition of a word at the beginning of successive clauses.

rerum copia verborum copiam gignit (Cicero, De Oratoribus, iii. 125)

ABUNDANCE of matter produces ABUNDANCE of expression.

by mihailoff February 20, 2005

sine qua non

1. What is necessary

A shocker is the sina qua non for John to emit his yoghurt truck

by mihailoff February 20, 2005

meden agan

1. Ancient Greek for "Nothing in excess."

The words 'meden agan' are written on the temple at Delphi.

by mihailoff February 20, 2005

philology

1. Study of language or literature.

2. Specifically, study of the languages and literatures of Classical Greece and Rome; study of Latin and Ancient Greek languages.

See philologist

Hoold thou thy pees thou poete Marcian That writest vs that ilke weddyng murie Of hire Philologie and hym Mercurie. (Martianus Capella, 5th cent. wrote ‘De nuptiis Philologiæ et Mercurii’.) 1386, Chaucer, Merch. T. 490

by mihailoff February 20, 2005

chiasmus

1. (rhetorical figure): A reversing of the order of words in corresponding pairs of phrases.

leges supplicio improbos afficiunt, defendunt ac tuentur bonos (Cicero, De Legibus, ii. 13)

The laws VISIT PUNISHMENTS upon the wicked, but the good they DEFEND and PROTECT.

by mihailoff February 20, 2005