hemimetabole

Hemimetabole is a rhetorical figure in which a word or phrase is repeated in successive clauses with a change in its grammatical form or function in the second occurrence, creating a partial reversal or “half turn” of the expression. The term comes from Greek hemi- meaning “half” and metabole meaning “change,” and it appears in classical rhetoric as a device to add emphasis, rhythm, or wit.

In practice, hemimetabole is distinguished from antimetabole, which repeats the same words in reverse order, and from chiasmus, which reverses the parallel structure of two corresponding clauses. Hemimetabole relies on repeating a term but altering its grammatical role or form rather than merely reversing word order; this can produce a subtler or more nuanced effect.

Usage and interpretation: The figure appears in literary prose, poetry, and occasionally in political or ceremonial rhetoric. It can contribute to memorability and a concise cadence, sometimes producing a wittier or more striking line through partial repetition. Because the boundaries between hemimetabole and related devices can be fluid, some scholars treat it as a subtype of chiasmus or as a broad category encompassing several forms of partial repetition.