Anastrophe

C2 8+

Pronunciation: /əˈnæstrəfi/

Definitions of anastrophe

noun a rhetorical device in which the usual order of words is reversed for emphasis or effect

Example Sentences

A1 Anastrophe is when words in a sentence are in a different order than usual.

A2 Anastrophe can be used in poetry to create a more dramatic effect.

B1 The author employed anastrophe to emphasize certain words in the sentence.

B2 The speech used anastrophe to add a unique rhythm and flow to the words.

C1 The anastrophe in the novel challenged readers to think about language in a new way.

C2 The playwright's masterful use of anastrophe added depth and complexity to the dialogue.

Examples of anastrophe in a Sentence

formal The poet used anastrophe to create a sense of emphasis in his verse.

informal By switching the word order, anastrophe can make a sentence sound more poetic.

slang Anastrophe may seem like a weird grammar rule, but it can actually make your writing more interesting.

figurative Just as anastrophe flips the order of words, sometimes life throws unexpected twists at us.

Grammatical Forms of anastrophe

past tense

anastrophized

plural

anastrophes

comparative

more anastrophic

superlative

most anastrophic

present tense

anastrophes

future tense

will anastrophe

perfect tense

have anastrophed

continuous tense

is anastrophing

singular

anastrophe

positive degree

anastrophic

infinitive

to anastrophe

gerund

anastrophing

participle

anastrophed

Origin and Evolution of anastrophe

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: Greek
Story behind the word: The word 'anastrophe' originated from the Greek word 'anastrophē', meaning 'turning back'.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in rhetoric to refer to the inversion of the usual order of words for emphasis or stylistic effect, the term 'anastrophe' has evolved to also be used in literature and poetry to describe a similar technique of rearranging words for artistic purposes.