Anaphora

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ænəˈfɔɹə/, /É™nˈæfəɹə/

Alternative forms

• plural of anaphora anaphoras, anaphors
• plural of anaphor anaphors

Origin

From Ancient Greek ἀναφορά (anaphora, "a carrying back"), from ἀνά (ana, "up") + φέρω (pherō, "I carry").

Full definition of anaphora

Noun

1. (rhetoric) The repetition of a phrase at the beginning of phrases, sentences, or verses, used for emphasis.
2. (linguistics) An expression that can refer to virtually any referent, the specific referent being defined by context.
3. (linguistics) An expression that refers to a preceding expression.
4. Plural of anaphor
5. Plural of anaphora

Derived terms

• anaphoric

Usage notes

In linguistics, the terms anaphor and anaphora are sometimes used interchangeably, although in some theories, a distinction is made between them. See Anaphora (linguistics).

Hypernyms

• (reference to something previously mentioned) endophora

Coordinate terms

• (reference to something previously mentioned) cataphora, exophora, homophora