7. Hýsteron Próteron consists in the inversion of the natural order of two words or phrases; as,—
moriāmur et in media arma ruāmus = let us rush into the midst of arms and die.
B. Figures of Rhetoric.
[375]. 1. Lítotes (literally softening) is the expression of an idea by the denial of its opposite; as,—
haud parum labōris, no little toil (i.e. much toil);
nōn ignōrō, I am not ignorant (i.e. I am well aware).
2. Oxymóron is the combination of contradictory conceptions; as,—
sapiēns īnsānia, wise folly.
3. Alliteration is the employment of a succession of words presenting frequent repetition of the same letter (mostly initial); as,—
sēnsim sine sēnsū aetās senēscit.
4. Onomatopœia is the suiting of sound to sense; as,—