Tmesis; or, Mid-cut
Tmesis; or, Mid-cut
A Change by which one Word is cut in two, and another Wordput in between
Tm-sis. Greek, , a cutting, from (temnein), to cut.
It is a figure by which a compound word or connected phrase is separated, and the position of its syllables changed, by the intervention of one or more words.
Each of the syllables thus cut off is a separate and complete word. Thus in to us ward, the word toward is, by the figure Tmesis, cut in two: and the word us is put in between the two separated words, to us ward. So also we say to heaven ward, or what condition soever.
The figure is also called DIACOPE, Di-ac-o-pee. Greek, , a cutting in two.
DIAERESIS, D-AE-re-sis. Greek, (diairesis), a dividing through.
DIASTOLE, Di-as-to-lee. Greek, , a separating through.
ECTASIS, Ec-ta-sis. Greek, , a stretching out.
DIALYSIS, Di-al-y-sis. Greek, , a dissolving or parting asunder.
DIVISIO, Division.
There is an example of it in Eph 6:8 : (ho ti ean), three words, which usually go together in this order, are divided: and the last is put in between the other two, so that it reads what soever thing, instead of what thing soever.
Our English Tmesis here better expresses the Greek, than the A.V. [Note: The Authorized Version, or current Text of our English Bible, 1611.] which neglects the Greek Tmesis.
Through not seeing the figure in this passage, there are several various readings created in order to explain it.