iteratio

Iteratio is a term with multiple uses in classical and modern scholarship, derived from the Latin iteratio, meaning the act of repeating or repetition. In its broad sense, it denotes the occurrence of repetition within a sequence of words, sounds, or ideas.

In rhetoric, iteratio refers to the deliberate repetition of a word or phrase to emphasize a point, enhance cohesion, or create a particular rhythm. It is related to, but distinct from, figures such as anaphora (repetition at the start of successive clauses) and epistrophe (repetition at the end of successive clauses). In practice, iteratio can appear anywhere repetition serves stylistic or persuasive aims, from sermons to poetry.

In linguistics and literary studies, iteratio describes repetitive patterns at various levels, including lexical repeats, prosodic echoes, or thematic recurrences. Researchers study how such repetition affects comprehension, memory, and emotional impact, as well as its historical usage across languages and genres.

In modern contexts, iteratio is sometimes used as a Latin or pseudo-Latin label for discussions of repetition or iterative processes in philosophy, history of science, or computer science texts that engage with Latin terminology. However, the standard English term for repeated execution is still iteration, and iteratio is most often encountered in Latin-language discussions or analytical descriptions of rhetorical technique.

See also: iteration, repetition, rhetorical devices, anaphora, epistrophe.