Definition

A figure of speech in which the order of words in one phrase is reversed in the next phrase, creating a mirror effect.

Example

The author used chiasmus to emphasize the contrast between the two ideas in his poem.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the term chiasmus?

Yeah, I think it's a rhetorical device, right?

Exactly! It’s when you invert the structure of a phrase for effect.

That sounds really interesting; I’d love to see some examples!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Chiasmus is derived from the Greek word "chiasmos" (meaning crossing) which comes from "chiazein" (meaning to shape like the letter X). The term refers to a rhetorical figure in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order, creating a crossing effect in the structure of the sentence.

Memory Tip

Imagine the letter 'X' crossing over itself to remember that chiasmus involves a crossing or reversal of words in a sentence.

Visually Confused Words