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

Figures of speech: Hidden meaning

Techniques > Use of language > Figures of speech > Figures of speech: Hidden meaning

There is a family of figures of speech where a key element is having something that is subtle or hidden in some form. They are thus not always what they appear to me. Here they are:

Accismus: Feigned refusal of that which is desired.
Adianoeta: Expression that has second, subtle meaning.
Antanagoge: Being positive about something negative.
Autoclesis: introducing an item by refusing to discuss it.
Cledonism: Circumlocution to avoid saying unlucky words.
Homophone: Different words that sound the same.
Perissologia: Excessive use of words.
Paronomasia: Using similarly sounding words.
Periphrasis: Roundabout wording.
Praecisio: Not speaking to get over the message.
Pun: A play on words.
Subreption: Phrasing words to misrepresent and concealing facts.
Synchysis: Confused arrangement of words.

Figures of speech: Hidden meaning

See also