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What do you call it when the meaning of a word changes within a sentence?

English Language & Usage Asked on July 31, 2021

Here’s an example from "The Hill We Climb," by Amanda Gorman (the poem that she read at Pres. Biden’s inauguration): "We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms." The meaning of "arms" changes from the first to the second appearances.

One Answer

This is called antanaclasis (OED: "The same word is repeated in a different, if not a contrary signification"; Merriam-Webster: "the repetition of a word within a phrase or sentence in which the second occurrence utilizes a different and sometimes contrary meaning from the first"), with many other examples provided at the link.

Correct answer by Chemomechanics on July 31, 2021

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