Enallage

Pronunciation: e-nal'-la-ge

Alternate Spelling: Gk. “change”

Latin Synonyms: figure of exchange

Definition

The substitution of grammatically different but semantically equivalent constructions.

Note: Erasmus delineated numerous specific methods of enallage as ways of varying expression by substituting equivalent expressions in order to build copia.

Examples

"I consumed the triple-decker pizza" (active verb) through enallage of mood is transformed to: "The triple-decker pizza was consumed by me" (passive verb).