Chiasmus

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Chiasmus \Chi*as"mus\ (k[-i]*[a^]z"m[u^]s), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
     chiasmo`s a placing crosswise, fr. chia`zein. See {Chiasm}.]
     (Rhet.)
     An inversion of the order of words or phrases, when repeated
     or subsequently referred to in a sentence; thus,
     [1913 Webster]


  
           If e'er to bless thy sons
           My voice or hands deny,
           These hands let useful skill forsake,
           This voice in silence die.               --Dwight.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  chiasmus
       n : inversion in the second of two parallel phrases
       [also: {chiasmi} (pl)]