paraprosdokian

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first part.

Pronunciation

/ˌpæɹəˌpɹoʊsˈdoʊkiən/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-paraprosdokian.wav

Word forms

paraprosdokian paraprosdokians

Etymology

From Ancient Greek παρά (pará, “against”) + προσδοκία (prosdokía, “expectation”).

Related words

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