Literary Term - Anthimeria

 

Literary Term

Anthimeria 

Anthimeria has originated from the Greek word anti-meros, which means “one part for another.” It is a rhetorical device that uses a word in a new grammatical shape, often as a noun or a verb. Simply, it replaces one part of speech with another. Anthimeria is also known as Antimeria.

Anthimeria is also known as a conversion or functional shift in grammar studies. This is because anthimeria is a way in which our language transforms and changes over time. Words once designated as nouns or verbs become adjectives or other types of speech.

Anthimeria is very common in novels, short stories, and particularly in poetry. The proposed meaning is not difficult to recognize from the ways and methods of expression commonly used in literature. It happens in advertisements, because the culture of this world is constantly changing, language must also grow, improve, and develop. Anthimeria, in fact, provides writers a method to describe ideas in a unique way that makes the readers think. Sometimes, writers use a new word to create images and imagery. Besides this, it is a method through which we transform and change our language over time.

Examples:

I could use a good sleep.

She headed the ball.

Don’t forget to hashtag that post.

Searching online is no longer “searching.” Now we Google.

He mouthed a message to her.

The Olympian medaled seven times.

They debuted the new movie on Friday.

The thunder would not peace at my bidding

 

Types of Anthimeria

Like slang, anthimeria also becomes permanent in use. There are two types of anthimeria: temporary and permanent.

Temporary anthimeria is anthimeria which may be popular but which does not become a permanent part of the language. For example - “hashtagging”.

Permanent anthimeria is anthimeria which has emerged and become a permanent part of the language. For example - “Texting”, “Typing”, “Watering” etc.

Post a Comment

0 Comments