An antanaclasis is a rhetorical figure in which a word or phrase is repeated, each occurrence bearing a distinct meaning. The device carves itself by lexical doubling with semantic shift — the same surface form, two different senses, the pivot between them generating the effect. It persists through oral and written discourse, maintained by the practice of stylistic variation and punning. [formal: antanaklasis | substrate: mind | horizon: a moment | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.02]
Accepted ontology entry
antanaclasis
An antanaclasis is a rhetorical figure in which a word or phrase is repeated, each occurrence bearing a distinct meaning. The device carves itself by lexical doubling with semantic shift — the same surface form, two different senses, the p…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is repeated, each time in a different sense — e.g. 'Your argument is weak, and so is your presentation.' A human-made rhetorical construct that persists through literary practice, rhetorical teaching, and oral performance.
Names and aliases
- antanaclasisen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmrmf7wqp001sd1nlgdko4rbiSERVES →
Antanaclasis (repeating a word in two different senses, e.g. 'Your passion is not from heaven, and your peace is not from God') is a rhetorical figure whose purpose is rhetorical effect through semantic shift. Its designed function serves rhetoric.
- cmrtnm79k0014plvprodv9fvkINSTANCE_OF →
Antanaclasis is a specific rhetorical device involving the repetition of a word or phrase with a different meaning each time. Law 9: a competent speaker would identify antanaclasis 'as a rhetorical device.' The INSTANCE_OF direction is correct — specific figure of speech → general category.
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Record identity
- Created
- Jul 30, 2026, 1:58 AM UTC
- Content hash
- 36460120038c08caf855c68cc5a8943955d2c6ca41b140e0f5f8209b8ee97658