5

In the classical rhetorical tradition, the term "tmesis" is used for breaking up a compound word, as in Ovid's circum virum dant for virum circumdant.

Is there a term for breaking up a noun phrase (or other phrase) in the same way? For example, saying altōs ad montēs rather than ad montēs altōs or ad altōs montēs, breaking up the noun phrase by putting the preposition in the middle.

1 Answer 1

9

I believe this is called an anastrophe or a hyperbaton.

For Wikipedia, a hyperbaton is a phrase being interrupted by the insertion of words not belonging to the phrase. Your example would meet this definition, as ad intrudes on the noun phrase altos montes. This is what Wikipedia calls the "original" meaning, as opposed to the more general one, a word moving from its position in the normal or natural word order to a different one.

An anastrophe is more generally defined as a deviation from the normal or natural word order (whatever that may be), but also it is often implied that an anastrophe only moves a single word. This would still apply in your example, because essentially only ad and altos have changed places.

Quintilian speaks of an anastrophe (and not a hyperbaton proper) if only two adjacent words change places (Inst. 8, 6, 35):

Verum id cum in duobus verbis fit, anastrophe dicitur, reversio quaedam, qualia sunt vulgo "mecum", "secum", apud oratores et historicos "quibus de rebus". At cum decoris gratia traicitur longius verbum, proprie hyperbati tenet nomen: "animadverti, iudices, omnem accusatoris orationem in duas divisam esse partis". Nam "in duas partis divisam esse" rectum erat, sed durum et incomptum.

So in this view, your example (which is analogous to quibus de rebus) would not be a hyperbaton.

3
  • I wouldn't have batted an eye at altos ad montes and see that construction all the time. Is the ad there really intrusive here?
    – cmw
    Apr 5 at 3:30
  • Similarly, mecum and secum aren't really hyperbaton.
    – cmw
    Apr 5 at 3:31
  • 2
    @cmw I would say that the ad is indeed intrusive, but only slightly. So maybe not a hyperbaton but just a baton?
    – Joonas Ilmavirta
    Apr 5 at 7:52

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.