auxesis (rhetoric)
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Auxesis ( grc-gre, αὔξησις, ''aúxēsis'') is the Greek word for "growth" or "increase". In rhetoric, it refers to varying forms of increase: *
hyperbole Hyperbole (; adj. hyperbolic ) is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech. In rhetoric, it is also sometimes known as auxesis (literally 'growth'). In poetry and oratory, it emphasizes, evokes strong feelings, and ...
(overstatement): intentionally overstating a point, its importance, or its significance''OED'' 1st edition * climax (ascending series): a series of clauses of increasing forceGideon O. Burton, Brigham Young University ''Silva Rhetoricae''
* amplificatio (rhetorical increase): extension or exaggerated, needless repetition of arguments to emphasize the point In
ancient Greece Ancient Greece ( el, Ἑλλάς, Hellás) was a northeastern Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean civilization, existing from the Greek Dark Ages of the 12th–9th centuries BC to the end of Classical Antiquity, classical antiquity ( AD 600), th ...
, it was also sometimes known as ''auxanein'' ("growing").


See also

* Anticlimax, the opposite of auxesis in its climactic sense * Figure of speech *
Banter Conversation is interactive communication between two or more people. The development of conversational skills and etiquette is an important part of socialization. The development of conversational skills in a new language is a frequent focu ...
*
Meiosis Meiosis (; , since it is a reductional division) is a special type of cell division of germ cells in sexually-reproducing organisms that produces the gametes, such as sperm or egg cells. It involves two rounds of division that ultimately r ...
and
litotes In rhetoric, litotes (, or ), also known classically as ''antenantiosis'' or ''moderatour'', is a figure of speech and form of verbal irony in which understatement is used to emphasize a point by stating a negative to further affirm a positive, o ...
, the opposite of auxesis in its hyperbolic sense * Rhetoric *
Trash-talk Trash talk is a form of insult usually found in sports events, although it is not exclusive to sports or similarly characterized events. It is often used to intimidate the opposition and/or make them less confident in their abilities as to win e ...
, insulting language usually found at sporting events * Fighting words, language to create a verbal/physical confrontation by their use *
Flaming (Internet) Flaming or roasting is the act of posting insults, often including profanity or other offensive language, on the internet. This term should not be confused with the term trolling, which is the act of someone going online, or in person, and causing ...
* Flyting, the exchanging of insults * Hip hop music *
Profanity Profanity, also known as cursing, cussing, swearing, bad language, foul language, obscenities, expletives or vulgarism, is a socially offensive use of language. Accordingly, profanity is language use that is sometimes deemed impolite, rud ...
*
Sledging (cricket) In the sport of cricket, sledging is the practice of deliberately insulting or verbally intimidating an opposing player. The purpose is to try to weaken the opponent's concentration, thereby causing them to underperform or be more prone to err ...
* Talking shit *
The dozens The Dozens is a game played between two contestants in which the participants insult each other until one of them gives up. Common in African-American communities, the Dozens is almost exclusively played in front of an audience, who encourage the ...
*
Wolf-whistling A wolf whistle is a distinctive two-note glissando whistled sound made to show high interest in or approval of something or someone, especially at someone viewed as physically or sexually attractive. Today, a wolf whistle directed at a person is ...


References

Rhetorical techniques {{rhetoric-stub