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chiasm

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Explanation of the Word "Chiasm"

Definition:
A "chiasm" is a noun that refers to an intersection or crossing of two things, often in a way that resembles the letter "X." In language or literature, it can describe a specific structure where ideas are presented in a certain order and then repeated in reverse order.

Usage Instructions:
  • "Chiasm" is used mainly in literary and linguistic contexts. When discussing texts, you can refer to a chiasm when analyzing how ideas are structured.
Example:
  • Literary Context: In a poem, you might find a line that says, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." This structure is a simple form of chiasm where the order of ideas is flipped.
Advanced Usage:
  • In more advanced discussions, especially in literary analysis, "chiasm" can also refer to a rhetorical device. For instance, in the phrase "He went to the city, to the city he returned," the repetition and inversion create a chiasmic effect.
Word Variants:
  • Chiasmic (adjective): Describing something that has the characteristics of a chiasm. For example: "The chiasmic structure of the novel enhances its thematic depth."
Different Meanings:
  • While primarily used in literary contexts, "chiasm" can also refer to anatomical structures in biology, such as the optic chiasm, where the optic nerves cross in the brain.
Synonyms:
  • Intersection
  • Cross
  • Crossing
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
  • There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "chiasm." However, you may encounter phrases that discuss intersections or crossings in a metaphorical sense, like "crossing paths" or "meeting at a crossroads."
Summary:

"Chiasm" is a specialized word used to describe the crossing of two ideas or structures, often in a literary or rhetorical context.

Noun
  1. an intersection or crossing of two tracts in the form of the letter X

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