play of words

Definitions

The ordering of words in a text, speech, etc., taking regard for both the individual words (their meanings, sounds, etc.) and the interplay between them.

rhetoric

Examples

“1683, William Atwood, Three Letters to Dr. Sherlock Concerning Church-communion, Jonathan Robinson, page 16, Great is Diana of the Epheſians, and great is the uſe of the word Church, when good Crafts-maſters have⟳ the handling of it; and of all Men thoſe of Rome have⟳ ſucceeded beſt at this play⟳ of words.”

“1988, Span, Issue⟳ 26, University of Queensland, page 104, At the outset the reader is fascinated by the complex surface play⟳ of words. In the poem 'Paraphrase' the play⟳ of words is likened to the play⟳ of imagery on the surface of a lake; words 'beckon' and 'whisper⟳', luring the reader towards an undisclosed meaning or goal.”

“The components of that analysis will be: characterization of a main figure⟳ in the narrative, the use⟳ of time and the patterning play⟳ of words.”

“2000, Stephanie Quinn, Why Vergil?, Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, page 3, In addition, the selections are organized to make⟳ a case for the value of the play⟳ of words and for their power, about ideas and history, and art.”

“1695, "P. H." (translator), "Pierre Boher", The Art of Knowing Ones Self: Or, a Diligent Search⟳ After the Springs of Morality, Part II, Richard Bentley, page 47, For to ſhew that all this is but a Play⟳ of Words, it muſt be ſuppoſed, that there are two ſorts of Love⟳ which one may have⟳ of God, a Love⟳ of Intereſt, and a Love⟳ of pure Amity, as the Theologians call⟳ it.”

“1964, Explorations, Volumes 1-13, Explorations Publishing Company, page 29, "Plays of words" in our culture are usually clever, abstract constructs, whereas in these stories the multiple meanings of a term or the similarity of terms refer⟳ to experienced, meaningful realities.”

“Proust is then "like⟳ Leda", receiving the swan: but by an unconscious play⟳ of words, resembling the plays of words in dreams, Marcel is also he who has received the sign⟳ ("signe" = "cygne") of literary genius, certainly, but also of homosexuality, of hermaphroditism, even of Judaism.”

CEFR level