Today's Word "tmesis"
Separation of the parts of a compound word
on
Published in Vocabulary
tmesis \TMEE-sis\ (noun) - In grammar and rhetoric, the separation of the parts of a compound word, now generally done for humorous effect; for example, "what place soever" instead of "whatsoever place," or "abso-bloody-lutely."
"As an example of a tmesis, Franklin was wont to quote Shakespeare from Richard II, :If on the first, how heinous e'er it be, To win thy after-love I pardon thee."
Tmesis is from Greek tmesis, "a cutting," from temnein, "to cut."
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