chiasmus Definition
a rhetorical or literary figure in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order, in the same or a modified form.
Using chiasmus: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "chiasmus" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.
Example
You forget what you want to remember, and you remember what you want to forget.
Example
Love as if you would one day hate, and hate as if you would one day love.
chiasmus Synonyms and Antonyms
Summary: chiasmus in Brief
The term 'chiasmus' [kahy-az-muhs] refers to a rhetorical or literary device where words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order, in the same or a modified form. It is used to create emphasis or to make a point memorable. Examples include 'Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.' and 'Love as if you would one day hate, and hate as if you would one day love.'
