Dictionary entry

Syllepsis

Webster's Dictionary 1913

‖Syl‐lep″sis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. σύλληψισ a taking together, from �. See syllable, n.] 1. (Rhet.) A figure of speech by which a word is used in a literal and metaphorical sense at the same time.

2. (Gram.) The agreement of a verb or adjective with one, rather than another, of two nouns, with either of which it might agree in gender, number, etc.; as, rex et regina beati.