syllepsis
/sɪˈlɛpsɪs/
noun
- A figure of speech in which a word is used in a literal and a metaphorical sense at the same time, or in which a word agrees grammatically with one word but logically applies to another.
- In the sentence 'She opened the door and her heart to the homeless boy,' the verb 'opened' is an example of syllepsis.
- Many classic examples of syllepsis come from Shakespeare's plays.
- The poet used syllepsis to create a clever double meaning in just a few words.