epanorthosis

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἐπανόρθωσις (epanórthōsis, “correction”).

Noun

epanorthosis (plural epanorthoses)

Examples (rhetoric)

Most brave! Brave, did I say? Most heroic act!

  1. (rhetoric) A rhetorical device or element in which a speaker or writer retracts a word that has been spoken and substitutes a stronger or more suitable word; often done for emphasis or sarcasm.
    • 1835, L[arret] Langley, “[Rhetorical Figures.] Epanorthosis.”, in A Manual of the Figures of Rhetoric, […], Doncaster, South Yorkshire: […] C. White, […], →OCLC, page 61:
      Epanorthosis oft a phrase corrects,
      And feeble words, for stronger terms, rejects.

Further reading

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