ZEUGMA

zeugma

(noun) use of a verb with two or more complements, playing on the verb’s polysemy, for humorous effect; “‘Mr. Pickwick took his hat and his leave’ is an example of zeugma”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

---

Etymology

Noun

zeugma (plural zeugmata or zeugmas)

(rhetoric) The act of using a word, particularly an adjective or verb, to apply to more than one noun when its sense is appropriate to only one.

(rhetoric) Syllepsis.

Usage notes

Some writers distinguish between zeugma and syllepsis, while others do not.

Hypernyms

• brachylogy

Coordinate terms

• syllepsis

Source: Wiktionary

---

Zeug"ma, n. Etym: [L., from Gr. Yoke.] (Gram.)

Definition: A figure by which an adjective or verb, which agrees with a nearer word, is, by way of supplement, referred also to another more remote; as, "hic illius arma, hic currus fuit;" where fuit, which agrees directly with currus, is referred also to arma.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

---