hyperbole

Definition

Deliberate or unintentional overstatement, particularly extreme overstatement.

Etymology

From Middle English iperbole, yperbole, from Latin hyperbolē, from Ancient Greek ὑπερβολή (huperbolḗ, “excess, exaggeration”), from ὑπέρ (hupér, “above”) + βάλλω (bállō, “I throw”, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gʷelH-). Doublet of hyperbola.

Example Sentences

• "Hyperbole soars too high, or creeps too low, Exceeds the truth, things wonderful to shew."
• "The great staircase, however, may be termed, without much hyperbole, a feature of grandeur and magnificence."
• ""Nay, nay, good Sumach," interrupted the Deerslayer, whose love of truth was too indomitable to listen to such hyperbole, with patience[…]"

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