Syllepsis

[si'lepsis]

Definition

(noun.) use of a word to govern two or more words though agreeing in number or case etc. with only one.

Checked by Darren--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) A figure of speech by which a word is used in a literal and metaphorical sense at the same time.

(n.) The agreement of a verb or adjective with one, rather than another, of two nouns, with either of which it might agree in gender, number, etc.; as, rex et regina beati.

Editor: Michel

Definition

n. substitution: a figure in rhetoric by which we take the sense of words rather by the intention of the author than by the strictness of grammar: the agreement of a verb or adjective not with the word next it but with some other word in the sentence.—adjs. Syllep′tic -al.—adv. Syllep′tically.

Editor: Ozzie