Diachoresis

/ˌdaɪəkɔːˈriːsɪs/ noun

Definition

In ancient Greek rhetoric and music, the separation or division of a phrase into distinct parts for stylistic effect.

Etymology

From Greek 'dia-' (through/apart) + 'choresis' (a moving/separating), literally 'moving through or dividing.'

Kelly Says

Diachoresis shows how ancient speakers were proto-multimedia artists—they'd pause mid-phrase like modern music producers add breaks, using silence and separation to make words hit harder.

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