Auxesis (figure of speech) explained

Auxesis (Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: αὔξησις, aúxēsis) is the Greek word for "growth" or "increase". In rhetoric, it refers to varying forms of increase:

• hyperbole (overstatement): intentionally overstating a point, its importance, or its significance^{[1] [2] [3]}
• climax (ascending series): a series of clauses of increasing force^[4]
• amplification (rhetorical increase): extension or exaggerated, needless repetition of arguments to emphasize the point

See also

• Anticlimax, the opposite of auxesis in its climactic sense
• Catacosmesis, a form of anticlimax
• Figure of speech
• Banter
• Meiosis and litotes, the opposite of auxesis in its hyperbolic sense
• Rhetoric
• Trash-talk, insulting language usually found at sporting events
• Fighting words, language to create a verbal/physical confrontation by their use
• Flaming (Internet)
• Flyting, the exchanging of insults
• Hip hop music
• Profanity
• Sledging (cricket)
• Talking shit
• The dozens
• Wolf-whistling

Notes and References

1. Encarta World English Dictionary (1999)
2. The Times English Dictionary (2000)
3. OED 1st edition
4. http://rhetoric.byu.edu/figures/A/auxesis.htm Gideon O. Burton, Brigham Young University Silva Rhetoricae