Jan. 29th, 2016

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zeugma, n. zeug·ma \ˈzüg-mə\

: the use of a word to modify or govern two or more words usually in such a manner that it applies to each in a different sense or makes sense with only one
(as in “opened the door and her heart to the homeless boy”)

Etymology:

Middle English zeuma, from Medieval Latin, from Latin zeugma, from Greek, literally, joining, from zeugnynai to join; akin to Latin jungere to join — more at yoke


First Known Use: 15th century

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