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Enjambment: meaning, definitions and examples

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enjambment

 

[ ษ›nหˆdส’รฆmbmษ™nt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

poetry technique

Enjambment is a poetic technique in which a sentence or phrase extends beyond the end of a line or verse and continues onto the next line without a grammatical pause. This flowing structure often creates a sense of urgency or tension in the poem, compelling the reader to move quickly to the next line. Enjambment contrasts with end-stopping, where the phrase concludes at the end of a line. Poets use enjambment to enhance the thematic or emotional impact of their work.

Synonyms

continuation, run-on line

Examples of usage

  • The poet used enjambment to create suspense.
  • Enjambment helps maintain a rhythm in free verse.
  • In this stanza, enjambment drives the narrative forward.

Translations

Translations of the word "enjambment" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น enjambment

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ enjambment

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Enjambement

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ enjambment

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ enjambment

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ enjambment

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚จใƒณใ‚ธใƒฃใƒณใƒใƒกใƒณใƒˆ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท enjambement

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ enjambment

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท enjambment

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท enjambment

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ enjambment

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ enjambment

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ enjambment

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ enjambment

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ enjambment

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ enjambment

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ enjambment

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช enjambment

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ enjambment

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ enjambment

Etymology

The term 'enjambment' comes from the French word 'enjambement', which derives from the verb 'enjamb' meaning 'to straddle or to step over'. The term was first adopted in the English poetic tradition in the 19th century, although the technique itself has been employed by poets since ancient times. Historically, enjambment has been used across various poetic forms to create dynamics in pacing and emotional cadence. Its prominence grew during the Romantic and Modernist movements when poets began experimenting more freely with structure and form, breaking from traditional norms. As poetic styles evolved, enjambment became a hallmark of modern poetry, representing a shift towards more innovative and expressive uses of language.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,362, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.