polysyndeton

[ pol-ee-sin-di-ton, -tuhn ]

noun

, Rhetoric.

1. the use of a number of conjunctions in close succession.

polysyndeton

/ ˌpɒlɪˈsɪndɪtən /

noun

1. rhetoric the use of several conjunctions in close succession, esp where some might be omitted, as in he ran and jumped and laughed for joy
2. Also calledsyndesis grammar a sentence containing more than two coordinate clauses

Word History and Origins

Origin of polysyndeton¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1580–90; poly-, asyndeton

Word History and Origins

Origin of polysyndeton¹

C16: poly- + -syndeton, from Greek sundetos bound together

Example Sentences

He talked of “nemesis” and “the "Polysyndeton—“of the ... of the ... "—lends that resonant three-part phrase an extra afflatus, and has—at least to my ear—a slightly and deliberately Biblical resonance. mark of Cain,” of enemy commanders with “stains on their souls,” and “stoking the fires of hell.”

From Literature

Professor Ben Yagoda teaches us the power of the literary technique polysyndeton as demonstrated everywhere from the King James Bible to Lil Wayne.

From Slate