A rhetorical device where two clauses are balanced against each other by reversing their structure. A reversal of grammatical structures in successive phrases for effect.
From Greek 'chiasmos' meaning crossing, from 'chi' (the Greek letter X). Named for the X-shaped pattern created when you diagram the crossing grammatical elements.
Think of the Greek letter CHI (X) - chiasmus creates an X pattern! Like 'Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country' - the structure flips like an X.
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