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Zeugma
01
the use of a word with two senses each of which apply to a different word in a sentence, as a figure of speech
What is "zeugma"?
Zeugma is a literary device where one word, often a verb or adjective, connects two or more different ideas or elements in a sentence, though the word often applies to each in a different way. This technique can create a unique effect by linking different ideas or actions. For example, in the sentence "He stole my heart and my wallet", the verb "stole" connects the two objects "heart" and "wallet," but the verb has different meanings: one literal and one metaphorical. This device can add variety, humor, emphasize contrasts, or create an interesting twist in meaning.
zeugma
n
Example
The writer's clever use of zeugma added a layer of wit to his novel, connecting disparate ideas with a single verb.
The poet's favorite rhetorical device was zeugma, allowing him to play with the meanings of words in surprising ways.
In her speech, she employed zeugma, saying, "She conquered the mountains and her fears."
Using zeugma, the comedian joked, "He stole my thunder and my umbrella."
The English teacher explained zeugma by illustrating how one verb could link both a literal and a figurative object in a sentence.
