English
Etymology
L. chiasmus from Gr. �ια�μ��, from �ιάζειν (to mark with a chi), from chi, written �.

Pronunciation
SAMPA: [kaI"a:zm@s]

Noun
chiasmus (plural: chiasmi)

1. An inversion of the relationship between the elements of phrases, e.g. To stop too fearful, and too faint to go -- Goldsmith. Used especially in classical languages, e.g. haec queritur, stupet haec (this woman complains, this one gapes) -- Ovid, Ars Amatoria, 1.124

Derived terms
chiastic

vi:chiasmus
zh:chiasmus

• 2007-05-11 17:30 - Stephen G. Brown - /* Etymology */

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