antimetabole etymology

Etymology

The word "antimētabŏlē" (ἀντιμεταβολή) is derived from the Greek roots:

  • anti- (ἀντί, anti): "opposite" or "against"
  • meta- (μετά, meta): "change"
  • bolē (βολή, bolē): "throw" or "exchange"

Meaning

Antimetabole is a figure of speech that involves the repetition of words or phrases in reverse order, typically to create a sense of balance or parallelism.

Origin

Antimetabole has been used in rhetoric and literature since ancient times. It is believed to have originated in Greek rhetoric, where it was known as antistrophē (ἀντιστροφή), which means "counter-turn."

Examples

  • "To err is human; to forgive, divine."
  • "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
  • "He had a heart of gold, but a tongue of silver."
  • "Age wrinkles the body; youth wrinkles the soul."

antimetabole relate terms

  • metabolism

    Etymology Greek metabole change transformation Meaning The sum total of all che

  • meta

    Etymology The word meta is derived from the Ancient Greek prefix μετα meta

  • anti

    Etymology The word anti has its origins in the Greek prefix ἀντί anti meanin

  • antipasto

    Etymology The word antipasto is derived from the Italian words ante meaning before

  • answer

    Etymology Meaning A response to a question or request Origin The word answer come

  • anticipate

    Etymology Latin anticipare from ante before capere to take Literally meaning

  • antique

    Etymology From Middle English antique anglicized loan word from Old French antique an

  • conquer

    Etymology The word conquer comes from the Old French word conquerre which is derived

  • posh

    Etymology Middle English posch posshe Anglo Norman French poche from Old French po

  • stoic

    Etymology The word stoic is derived from the Greek word Στωικός Stoikos wh

  • time

    Etymology Old English tîma time period hour West Germanic tîmon Proto Germanic

  • banter

    Etymology Proto Germanic bantrian meaning to dispute quarrel Related to the Old En

  • costume

    Etymology From Old French costume from Late Latin consuetudo meaning custom usage

  • father

    Etymology The word father comes from the Proto Indo European root ph₂tḗr which a

  • frank

    Etymology The name Frank originates from the Frankish word franc which means free