Vocabulary Entry

syllepsis

|noun

noun

A figure of speech in which a word is applied to two others in different senses.

Example Sentences

"In the sentence 'He lost his keys and his temper,' the words 'lost' and 'his' demonstrate syllepsis."

"Syllepsis can create humor, as seen in the phrase 'She walked in with a smile and a heavy heart.'"

"Many writers use syllepsis to create a clever twist in their narratives."