asyndeton etymology

Etymology

  • Greek: ἀσύνδετον (asýndeton), from ἀ- (a-, "without") + σύνδετον (sýndeton, "bond")

Meaning

  • A rhetorical figure in which conjunctions are omitted between words, phrases, or clauses to create a sense of urgency, excitement, or emphasis.

Origin

Asyndeton is a classical rhetorical device that has been used for centuries. It was commonly employed by Greek and Roman orators to create a sense of drama and intensity in their speeches.

Examples of Asyndeton:

  • "I came, I saw, I conquered." (Julius Caesar)
  • "We the people, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." (Preamble to the US Constitution)
  • "The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers." (William Wordsworth)

asyndeton relate terms

  • asyndetic

    Etymology Greek a without syndeton conjunction Meaning Asyndetic refers

  • asyndeton

  • abysmal

    Etymology The word abysmal derives from the Greek word abyssos which means bottoml

  • adamant

    Etymology The word adamant comes from the Greek word adamas which means unconquerabl

  • amethyst

    Etymology Greek ἀμέθυστος amethystos meaning not drunk Meaning and Or

  • amoral

    Etymology amoralis Latin a prefix meaning without moralis Latin meaning mora

  • agnostic

    Etymology From Ancient Greek ἀ a without γνῶσις gnōsis knowledge

  • acolyte

    Etymology From Middle English acolite from Old French acolit from Ecclesiastical Lati

  • acoustic

    Etymology The word acoustic is derived from the Greek word akouein which means to

  • Adelphi

  • press

    Etymology The word press originates from the Old French word presse which in turn c

  • Albuquerque

    Etymology Albuquerque is derived from the Spanish name Alburquerque which is probably

  • specious

    Etymology The word specious has Latin roots deriving from the following speciōsus

  • scepter

    Etymology The word scepter derives from the Old French word sceptre which in turn c

  • artificial

    Etymology Artificial Derived from Latin ars art and facere to make or do Etymo

  • turkey

    Etymology The word turkey derives from the following sources Old French Turkie M

  • jukebox

    Etymology of Jukebox The term jukebox is a portmanteau word derived from the followi

  • tank

    Etymology and Meaning The word tank originates from the French word tanque which mea

  • scorn

    Etymology Middle English scorn from Old English scorn of uncertain origin Possibl

  • sacrament

    Etymology The word sacrament is derived from the Latin word sacramentum which origin