noun
- A rhetorical device in which conjunctions (especially 'and') are repeated in close succession to join words, phrases, or clauses for emphasis or effect.
Usage: Literary and rhetorical term; Opposite of asyndeton
Examples
- The phrase 'I came, and I saw, and I conquered' uses polysyndeton to emphasize each action.
- In the sentence 'We laughed and talked and danced all night,' the repeated 'and' is an example of polysyndeton.
- Dickens employed polysyndeton in his writing to create rhythm and emotional intensity.
- The speaker used polysyndeton—'tired and hungry and frustrated'—to stress the accumulation of hardships.
- Polysyndeton can slow down the pace of a sentence and draw attention to each element listed.