Rhet. [L. epitrope, a. Gr. ἐπιτροπή, f. ἐπιτρέπειν to give up, yield, ἐπί upon + τρέπειν to turn.] (See quot.)
1657. J. Smith, Myst. Rhet., 130–1. Epitrope.… A figure when we either seriously or ironically permit a thing, and yet object the inconveniency.
1678–1706. in Phillips.
1800. in Bailey.
1844. J. W. Gibbs, Philol. Stud. (1857), 217. Epitrope … is a figure of rhetoric by which a permission, either seriously or ironically, is granted to an opponent, to do what he proposes to do.
