Date: Sat Sep 23 00:02:09 EDT 2000
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--hyperbaton
Xhyperbaton (hye-PUR-buh-ton), noun, plural hyperbatons, hyperbata

The use, especially for emphasis, of a word order other than the expected or usual one, as in "Bird thou never wert.'

[Greek huperbaton, from neuter of huperbatos, transposed, from huperbainein, to step over : huper-, over, across + bainein, to step.]