apoxesis

/ˌæpɒksɪˈsɪsɪs/

Definitions

1. noun

A linguistic process in which a word is lengthened by the addition of a vowel sound, especially to indicate emphasis or stress, as in ‘ten thousand’ from ‘ten thousandth’.

“The poet used apoxesis to emphasize the importance of the moment, saying ‘all we have is all we need’.”

Synonyms

  • elision
  • hyperbole
  • tmesis

Antonyms

  • abridgment
  • ellipsis