A sudden stroke, blow, or shock; in rhetoric, a figure of speech expressing strong rebuke or blame.
From Greek 'epiplexis' (a striking upon), from 'plexis' (a stroke), used in classical rhetoric and medicine to describe sudden events.
Ancient Greek orators used epiplexis as a dramatic device to shame audiences directly—'How dare you!'—making it one of history's first forms of emotional public speaking.
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