hypozeuxis

9.9

A series of short clauses each with its own subject and verb, like 'I came, I saw, I conquered'

noun
/ˌhaɪpəˈzuːɪs/

Literature

: hipozeuxis

An English teacher pointed out the use of hypozeuxis in the famous phrase 'I came, I saw, I conquered.'

Examples

The ancient speech employed hypozeuxis to emphasize each action taken by the hero.
Writers often use hypozeuxis for clarity and dramatic effect in persuasive texts.
The speech was filled with hypozeuxis to emphasize the speaker's achievements.
Can you identify the use of hypozeuxis in his latest work?
An English teacher pointed out the use of hypozeuxis in the famous phrase 'I came, I saw, I conquered.'
The ancient speech employed hypozeuxis to emphasize each action taken by the hero.
Writers often use hypozeuxis for clarity and dramatic effect in persuasive texts.

Surface Forms

hypozeuxis singular

hypozeuxes plural

Morphology

hypozeuxis = hypo + zeug + is

This is a learned Greek rhetorical term built from classical elements, but its meaning is not recoverable for an average learner from hypo- plus the root alone.

Etymology

Hypozeuxis comes from Greek parts hypo- meaning 'under' and zeuxis meaning 'yoke' or 'join', like the English word yoke. Think of it as each short clause getting its own 'yoke' with a subject and verb, which is why hypozeuxis is the name for a list like 'I came, I saw, I conquered'.