cataphasis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2+ (extremely rare)Formal, Academic, Technical (rhetoric, philosophy, theology)
Quick answer
What does “cataphasis” mean?
The explicit affirmation or positive declaration of something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The explicit affirmation or positive declaration of something.
In rhetoric, it denotes affirmation as opposed to denial (apophasis). In certain philosophical and theological contexts, it can refer to the method of describing God by stating what He is, rather than what He is not.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional differences in meaning or usage. The term is equally (and vanishingly) rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Exclusively scholarly, with connotations of classical rhetoric or advanced theological/philosophical discourse.
Frequency
Near-zero frequency in general corpora. Found primarily in specialized texts.
Grammar
How to Use “cataphasis” in a Sentence
[Subject] + employs/uses + cataphasis + to affirm [Proposition]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cataphasis” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cataphasic approach in his theology was evident.
American English
- She preferred a cataphastic description of the divine attributes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in advanced literary criticism, rhetoric, philosophy of language, and theology.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
The primary domain. A precise term in rhetorical and theological studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cataphasis”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cataphasis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cataphasis”
- Misspelling as 'cataphesis' or 'cataphasis'. Incorrectly using it as a general synonym for 'emphasis' or 'repetition'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare, specialist term used almost exclusively in academic discourse on rhetoric, philosophy, and theology.
No, there is no standard verb form ('cataphasise' is not attested). It is primarily used as a noun, with a related adjective ('cataphatic' or 'cataphasic').
The primary field is theology, specifically discussions about how to speak about God (apophatic vs. cataphatic theology). It is also used in rhetorical studies.
Only superficially in sharing the Greek root '-phasis' (speaking). 'Emphasis' means 'to show, to appear in', while 'cataphasis' means 'to speak positively about'. Their meanings are distinct.
The explicit affirmation or positive declaration of something.
Cataphasis is usually formal, academic, technical (rhetoric, philosophy, theology) in register.
Cataphasis: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈtæfəsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈtæfəsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the via cataphasis (the affirmative way)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CATegorically AFFirms A StatIS' - Cataphasis.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEECH IS LIGHT (to affirm is to illuminate the nature of something).
Practice
Quiz
'Cataphasis' is most directly the opposite of which term?