hyperbaton

[ hahy-pur-buh-ton ]

noun

, Rhetoric.

, plural hy·per·ba·tons, hy·per·ba·ta [hahy-, pur, -b, uh, -t, uh].

1. the use, especially for emphasis, of a word order other than the expected or usual one, as in “Bird thou never wert.”

hyperbaton

/ haɪˈpɜːbəˌtɒn /

noun

1. rhetoric a figure of speech in which the normal order of words is reversed, as in cheese I love

Other Words From

• hy·per·bat·ic [hahy-per-, bat, -ik], adjective
• hyper·bati·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyperbaton¹

1570–80; < Latin < Greek: transposition, literally, overstepping, derivative of neuter of hyperbatós, equivalent to hyper- hyper- + ba- (stem of baínein to walk, step) + -tos verbal adjective suffix; basis

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyperbaton¹

C16: via Latin from Greek, literally: an overstepping, from hyper- + bainein to step

Example Sentences

The hyperbaton in the second stanza is carefully judged, reversing the usual syntactical hierarchy and ensuring the most significant words come first.

From The Guardian

Hyperbaton Transgressio, when the ryghte 31 order of wordes is troubled, & hath these kyndes.

From Project Gutenberg

This confusion of persons constantly occurs in Boccaccio, especially in the conversational parts of the Decameron, in which he makes the freest use of the various forms of enallage and of other rhetorical figures, such as hyperbaton, synecdoche, etc., to the no small detriment of his style in the matter of clearness.

From Project Gutenberg

Here comes a violent but effective hyperbaton or suspension, in which the action of the mind mimics that of the labourer— surveys his lot, low but free from care; then by a sudden strong act throws it over the shoulder or tosses it away as a light matter.

From Project Gutenberg

Similar instances of hyperbaton at 28 'quod fecit quisque tuetur opus', Met IV 803 'pectore in aduerso quos fecit sustinet angues', and Fast VI 20 'tum dea quos fecit sustulit ipsa metus'.

From Project Gutenberg