epiphora
- noun
- /ɪˈpɪfərə/
- Literature
:
epífora
- The poet's use of epiphora at the end of each stanza created a powerful emotional impact.
Examples
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In literature, epiphora serves to reinforce important ideas through repeated phrases.
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The speaker employed epiphora to emphasize key themes during the entire presentation.
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We report the case of a woman with a 4-month history of right epiphora and dacryocystitis.
Academic text (2010) -
In the six-month follow-up period, nine patients had epiphora, four of whom developed lagophthalmos.
Academic text (2015) -
Our patient had been experiencing epiphora, which had been attributed to a blockage within the nasolacrimal sac.
Academic text (2009) -
Patients generally present with intermittent epiphora, pain, and swelling in the medial canthal area.
Academic text (2009) -
Ophthalmologic examination confirmed the epiphora and the abscess in the area of the right lacrimal sac.
Academic text (2010) -
We found that the patients who underwent packing experienced significantly more postoperative pain, headache, epiphora, dysphagia, and sleep disturbance on the night of surgery.
Academic text (2008) -
Just prior to discharge, patients filled out a questionnaire to indicate whether they had experienced any headache, epiphora, dysphagia, or sleep disturbance on the night of surgery.
Academic text (2008) -
A previously healthy 44-year-old man came to us with a history of recent-onset progressive hearing loss and tinnitus in the left ear, right epiphora, and mild headache.
Academic text (2004)
Synonyms
10
3.2
Using the same word or phrase to make a point stronger and create a rhythm
3
4.9
An action of saying or doing the same thing again to make it clear and show its importance
Repeating a word or short phrase at the end of several sentences to add emphasis
Surface Forms
Morphology
epiphora = epi + phora
Formed from Greek combining elements (epi- + -phora) that are not productive or familiar to average learners, so the meaning cannot be reliably derived from the parts.
Etymology
Epiphora comes from Greek parts epi- 'on' or 'at' and phora 'to carry', and the same 'phor' appears in metaphor. So epiphora is like 'carrying' the same words to the ends of sentences, which is why it means repeating a word or phrase at the end to make a strong effect.