Apostrophize

/əˈpɒstrəfaɪz/ verb

Definition

To directly address someone absent or non-human in speech or writing (literary device), or to mark text with apostrophes (punctuation).

Etymology

From apostrophe plus the American verb-forming suffix -ize. Combines the rhetorical device meaning with the punctuation practice into one versatile verb.

Kelly Says

Every time a poet 'apostrophizes' the moon or death or lost love, they're using a 2,000-year-old rhetorical trick—basically speaking to things that can't answer back to make emotions feel more intense!

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