mihailoff's definitions

philologist

From Ancient Greek: phil- (love), and -logos (word).

1. Someone who studies language or literature.

2. Specifically, someone who studies Ancient Greek and Latin languages; a classicist.

For his Method, let no nice Philologist distaste it, as too Calvinistical.

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

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

litotes

1. The affirming of a thing by denying its contrary.

His philology is not irresponsible.

Her statement is not inaccurate.

by mihailoff February 20, 2005