Acoloutha

Techniques > Use of language > Figures of speech > Acoloutha

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Substitution of reciprocal words, where each word could be substituted in the each other's contexts.

Example

1. John ran down the road.
2. Jane hurried to work.

1a. John hurried down the road.
2a. Jane ran to work.

Discussion

Acolutha is similar in form to a synonym, but it is not a synonym, in which two words are equivalent in meaning. In acolutha, rather than having the same meaning, the words have replaceable meaning.

Acolutha is the opposite of Anacoloutha, which is the substitution of non-reciprocal words.

Acolutha comes from the Greek word 'acolouthos', meaning 'following, attending upon'.

Category: Substitution