Herbert Weir Smyth, A Greek Grammar for Colleges

---

[*] 3048. Zeugma (ζεῦγμα junction, band) is a form of brachylogy by which two connected substantives are used jointly with the same verb (or adjective) though this is strictly appropriate to only one of them. Such a verb expresses an idea that may be taken in a wider, as well as in a narrower, sense, and therefore suggests the verb suitable to the other substantive. Cp. “Nor Mars his sword, nor war's quick fire shall burn The living record of your memory.”

““οὔτε φωνὴν οὔτε του μορφὴν βροτῶν ὄψει” thou shalt know neither voice nor form of mortal man” A. Pr. 21, ἀλλ᾽ ἢ πνοαῖσιν ἢ βαθυσκαφεῖ κόνει κρύψον νιν no, either give them to the winds or in the deep-dug soil bury them S. El. 435, ἔδουσί τε πἱ_ονα μῆλα οἶνόν τ᾽ ἔξαιτον they eat fat sheep and drink choice wine M 319.

a. Different from zeugma is syllēpsis (σύλληψις taking together), by which the same verb, though governing two different objects, is taken both in its literal and its metaphorical sense; but does not properly change its meaning. Thus, ““χρήματα τελοῦντες τούτοις . . . καὶ χάριτας” paying money and rendering thanks to them” P. Cr. 48c.