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

Note the separation of the epithets from the nouns, and the high level of diction produced by the hyperbaton.

From Project Gutenberg

The figure hyperbaton belongs to the same class.

From Project Gutenberg

The use of tmesis, asyndeton, anacoluthon, aposiopesis, hyperbaton, hyperbole, litotes, in Latin oratory and poetry.

From Project Gutenberg

By hyperbaton we mean a transposition of words or thoughts from their usual order, bearing unmistakably the characteristic stamp of violent mental agitation.

From Project Gutenberg