polysyndeton

Polysyndeton is a rhetorical device in which coordinating conjunctions are used repeatedly in close succession, typically between each word, phrase, or clause. The effect is to emphasize each element and to convey a sense of continuity or abundance. It contrasts with asyndeton, which deliberately omits conjunctions, and with syndeton, which uses a controlled number of conjunctions.

Common pattern: X and Y and Z and W. This repetition slows the rhythm, heightens drama, and can create a cumulative or ceremonial feel. It can also convey insistence, fatigue, or exuberance by piling up items or actions.

Origins: The term comes from Greek polysyndeton, from polys (“many”) and syndeton (“bound together”). It is found in ancient Greek and Latin rhetoric and has persisted in English and other languages.

Examples: "He ran and jumped and shouted for joy." "We lived and laughed and loved and learned." In longer passages, polysyndeton can sustain momentum and produce a ritual, breathy cadence that underscores the gravity or abundance of the scene.

Usage: Polysyndeton is common in poetry, speeches, and narrative prose where a deliberate accumulation of elements is desired. It is most effective when the repetition serves a thematic or emotional purpose, rather than simply adding conjunctions for their own sake.