Poetic Terms Dictionary
Figure of Speech

Epistrophe

From Greek epistrophe: a turning about. Also called epiphora. One of the oldest rhetorical schemes, found in Psalms, classical oratory, and Renaissance poetry.

Definition

Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses — the mirror image of anaphora.

Example

Lincoln: 'government of the people, by the people, for the people.' — 'the people' closes each phrase.

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