Rhet. Also 6 -che. [Late L. symplocē, a. Gr. συμπλοκή an interweaving, f. σύν SYM- + πλέκειν (see SYMPLECTIC). Cf. F. symploque, symploce.] A figure consisting in the repetition of one word or phrase at the beginning, and of another at the end, of successive clauses or sentences; a combination of anaphora and epistrophe.
1577. Peacham, Gard. Eloquence, Ij b. Symploce,… comprysing … both Epanaphora and also Epiphora.
1589. Puttenham, Engl. Poesie, III. xix. (Arb.), 209. Take me the two former figures and put them into one, and it is that which the Greekes call symploche, the Latines complexio, or conduplicatio, and is a maner of repetition, when one and the selfe word doth begin and end many verses in sute.
a. 1679. Hobbes, Rhet., IV. v. (1681), 150. When both of these [sc. anaphora and epistrophe] are joyned together, it is called a coupling or Symploce [mispr. symplote].
