Poetic Terms Dictionary
Figure of Speech

Zeugma

From Greek zeugma: a yoking. Syllepsis is the type where the word is grammatically correct but semantically mismatched. Pope's use is simultaneously a pun and a social satire.

Definition

A single verb or adjective that governs or modifies two or more nouns in grammatically or semantically incongruous ways.

Example

Pope: 'She sometimes counsel takes, and sometimes tea' — 'takes' governs both 'counsel' and 'tea' absurdly.

Related Terms

Syllepsis Catachresis Pun Wit