Figures of definition
Defining is a basic mode of discourse. As such, Definition is one of the Topics of Invention, serving as a common method for developing or supporting an argument. Even if definition is not employed to support a main point or develop the section of a speech, many figures are based on some kind of definition. The following figures are likely to be used either in the statement of facts, as part of a legal argument, or in your closing speech, although they may be used in other parts as well. Figures of definition that may be used in these parts of a legal argument are:
Horismus -Providing a clear, brief definition, especially by explaining differences between associated terms
Antonomasia -Substituting a descriptive phrase for a proper name, or substituting a proper name for a quality associated with it.
Circumlocution -Supplying a descriptive phrase in place of a name.
Systrophe-The listing of many qualities or descriptions of someone or something, without providing an explicit definition.
Correctio -To amend a term or phrase one has just employed.
Auxesis and Meiosis (tapinosis) are terms that involve a kind of redefiining—referring to something in terms disproportionately large or small.
Parenthesis -A lexical interruption may include a kind of explanation or definition, suggested by one Latim synonym provided (by Suarez) for this term, "interpretatio."
Synonymia -Employing multiple terms for the same idea is a kind of explanation or definition.
See Exergasia (expolitio) which involves repetition of the same idea in different words, which can serve the purpose of explaining or defining that idea.
Acknowledgement
The above information on individual rhetorical techniques is reproduced from the website “Silva Rhetoricae” (www.rhetoric.byu.edu ) under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Credit for this content lies with Professor Gideon O Burton of Brigham Young University.