Poetic Terms Dictionary
Technique

Anagram

From Greek anagramma: ana (back) + gramma (letter). Used as a playful or cryptic device since ancient times; common in Renaissance word-games.

Definition

A rearrangement of the letters of a word or phrase to produce another meaningful word or phrase.

Example

'Listen' rearranges to 'silent' — a pairing poets exploit to suggest hidden connections.

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