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Webster 1913 Edition

Chiasmus

‖

Chi-as′mus

(kī̍-ăz′mŭs)

,

Noun.

[NL., fr. Gr.

χιασμόσ

a placing crosswise, fr.

χιάζειν

. See

.]

(Rhet.)

An inversion of the order of words or phrases, when repeated or subsequently referred to in a sentence

; thus,

If e’er to bless thy sons
My

voice

or

hands

deny,
These

hands

let useful skill forsake,
This

voice

in silence die.

Dwight.