Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
chiasmus
noun
/kaɪˈæzməs/
Definition
Chiasmus is a rhetorical device in which two or more clauses are balanced against each other by the reversal of their structures.
Examples
- The famous phrase ‘Never let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You’ illustrates chiasmus.
- ‘Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country’ is another well-known example.
Meaning
It often involves the repetition of words or phrases in reverse order, creating an artistic effect in speech or writing.
Synonyms
- Inversion
- Reversal
- Antimetabole
