paraprosdokian

[ par-uh-prohz-doh-kee-uhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a sentence or expression in which the second part provides an unexpected resolution or contrast to the first part, as in I'd like to see you again, but I've lost my glasses. Compare zeugma ( def ).

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Word History and Origins

First recorded in 1885–90; from Greek prepositional phrase parà ��ǲ��ǰ�í��n “contrary to expectation”; from �貹��á “beside, beyond” + ��ǲ��ǰ�í�� “expectation” (noun derivative of prosdokân, pros��ǰ��î�� “to expect,” from ��ó�� “toward, forward” + ��ǰ��î�� “to seem, seem good, be of the opinion”); dogma ( def ), paradox ( def )

paraprofessional parapsychology

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