enjambment etymology

Etymology

  • French enjambement, from enjamber "to step over", from Vulgar Latin incambare, from Latin in- "into" + camba "leg"

Meaning

  • (of a line of poetry) running over into the next line without a pause

Origin

The term "enjambment" was first used in English in the 16th century. It is derived from the French word enjambement, which comes from the Vulgar Latin verb incambare, meaning "to step over". The term was originally used to describe the way that a line of poetry could run over into the next line without a pause, creating a sense of continuity and flow.

Enjambment is a common technique in poetry. It can be used to create a variety of effects, such as:

  • Emphasis: By running a line over into the next line, a poet can emphasize certain words or phrases.
  • Suspense: Enjambment can create a sense of suspense by keeping the reader guessing about what will come next.
  • Movement: Enjambment can create a sense of movement by suggesting that the poem is flowing forward.
  • Unity: Enjambment can help to unify a poem by creating a sense of continuity between the lines.

Enjambment is a powerful tool that can be used to create a variety of effects in poetry. It is a technique that has been used by poets for centuries, and it continues to be used by poets today.

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