( haiˈpɜːrbəˌtɑn )

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the use, esp. for emphasis , of a word order other than the expected or usual one, as in “Bird thou never wert”

Word origin

[

hyperbatós

hyper-

hyper-

ba-

baínein

-tos

basis

]

This word is first recorded in the period 1570–80. Other words that entered English at around the same time include: agent , assimilate , cartridge , deadhead , snag

hyper- is a prefix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “over,” usually implying excess or exaggeration ( hyperbole ). On this model, hyper- is used, especially as opposed to hypo- , in the formation of compound words ( hyperthyroid ). Other words that use the affix hyper- include: hyperbaric , hypercorrection , hyperkinesia , hyperopia , hyperventilation

1570–80; ‹ L ‹ Gk: transposition, lit., overstepping, deriv. of neut. of, equiv. to(s. ofto walk, step) +verbal adj. suffix; cf.