‖ epiphonema
(ˌɛpɪfəʊˈniːmə)
[L. epiphōnēma, a. Gr. ἐπιϕώνηµα, f. ἐπιϕωνέειν to call to, f. ἐπί upon + ϕωνέειν to speak out, f. ϕωνή voice.]
1. Rhet. An exclamatory sentence or striking reflection, which sums up or concludes a discourse or a passage in the discourse.
| 1579 E. K. Gloss. Spenser's Sheph. Cal. May 304 Such end, is an Epiphonema, or rather the moral of the whole tale. 1622 Peacham Compl. Gentl. 80 What excellent Allegories..what Epiphonema's. 1659 Hammond On Ps. cxlv. 17 annot., Witness that solemn Epiphonema, His mercy endureth for ever. 1727 Pope, etc. Art Sinking 115 The epiphonema or exclamation [may be learned] frequently from the bear-garden. 1870 tr. Lange's Comm. Song of Sol. iii. 5 The epiphonema to the daughters of Jerusalem has a subordinate significance as a refrain. |
b. transf.
| 1664 Evelyn Sylva (1776) 649 Those who may take these wonders for a florid Epiphonema only of this work. |
2. (See quots.)
| 1654 L'Estrange Chas. I (1655) 99 The House gave their Epiphonema and applause at every close and period. 1657 J. Smith Myst. Rhet. 143 Epiphonema..Acclamation, or a shouting of the voyce. 1678–96 in Phillips. |
Hence ˌepiˌphoneˈmatical a., of the nature of an epiphonema. ˌepiˌphoneˈmatically adv., in the manner of an epiphonema.
| a 1617 Bayne Diocesan's Trial (1621) 3 Christ in his Epiphonematicall conclusion..doth speake of the same. 1644 Jessop Angel of Eph. 12 The Epiphonematicall sentence which is added at the end of each Epistle. 1605 T. Hutton in Hieron's Def. (1607) I. 161 Taking the word Iacob nominatively, vocatively, or epiphonematically. |