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Zeugma

usgb/ˈzuːɡmə/Volume
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Literary Device

Zeugma often appears in literature to convey cleverness or humor through unexpected word pairings.

Illustration for Literary Device
He bolted the door and his breakfast.
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Understanding Context

In zeugma, context is key; the meaning changes based on how the shared word relates to other words.

Illustration for Understanding Context
She opened her door and her heart to the orphans.
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Recognizing Zeugma

Spot zeugmas by looking for a single word governing multiple objects in a way that alters its meaning with each.

Illustration for Recognizing Zeugma
He caught the train and a cold.
Visual representation of the word "Zeugma"

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