How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Antiptosis

Techniques > Use of language > Figures of speech > Antiptosis

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Antiptosis is translation of one case into another, using 'of' in the linkage.

Example

The folly of man (vs. the foolishness of man)

The depth of water (vs. the deep water)

In the fullness of time (vs. in full time)

Discussion

Antiptosis uses preposition 'of' more like a conjunction, joining things together, rather than showing membership. The connection can be used to join and hence extend or enhance meaning, in the manner of an analogy.

Antiptosis is very similar to hendiadys, where two words are typically linked by 'and'. For example the hendiadys 'The kingdom and the glory' becomes the antiptosis 'The kingdom of glory'.

Antiptosis is also similar to hypallage, where two words and cases are exchanged along with a reversal of sense and relationship.

A 'case' is a noun, pronoun or adjective, often marked by inflection, which is related in some way to other words in a sentence, such as 'deep' and 'depth'.

'Antiptosis' is also used to describe the simple joining of words by 'of'.

Classification: Reference