What does epitasis mean?
Epitasis is a rhetorical device in which a statement is made and then immediately qualified or contradicted by a statement that is its opposite. This device is often used in literature and rhetoric to add nuance and depth to a statement. It can be used to convey the complexity of human emotions or to highlight the contradictions in a particular idea. Epitasis is a useful tool for writers and speakers who want to add depth and complexity to their arguments. It can also be used to create a sense of irony or paradox. Overall, epitasis is a powerful rhetorical device that can be used to add nuance and depth to a statement.
nounA rhetorical device in which a statement is made and then immediately qualified or contradicted by a statement that is its opposite.
- A rhetorical device in which a statement is made and then immediately qualified or contradicted by a statement that is its opposite.
"The politician's speech was full of epitasis, as he claimed that the economy was improving, but then quickly added that it was still in a precarious state."
"The politician's speech was full of epitasis, as he claimed that the economy was improving, but then quickly added that it was still in a precarious state."
"The writer used epitasis in her novel to convey the complexity of human emotions."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of epitasis
The word epitasis comes from the Greek word ἐπιτάσσω (epitassō), meaning 'to place upon'. This word was later adopted into Latin as epistasis, meaning 'a placing upon'. The term epitasis has been used in English since the 17th century to describe this rhetorical device.
How epitasis is actually used
Epitasis is often used in literature and rhetoric to add nuance and depth to a statement. It can be used to convey the complexity of human emotions or to highlight the contradictions in a particular idea.