Use of a word to govern two or more words though agreeing in number or case etc. with only one

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Syllepsis \Syl*lep"sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. sy`llhpsis a taking together, from ?. See syllable , n.] (Rhet.) A figure of speech by which a word is used in a literal and metaphorical sense at the same time. (Gram.) The agreement of a verb or adjective with ...

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
use of a word at once in both a literal and metaphoric sense, 1570s, from Late Latin syllepsis , from assimilated form of Greek syn "together" (see syn- ) + lepsis "a taking," related to lambanein (see analemma ). Related: Sylleptic .

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. use of a word to govern two or more words though agreeing in number or case etc. with only one [also: syllepses (pl)]

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 (context rhetoric English) A figure of speech in which one word simultaneously modifies two or more other words such that the modification must be understood differently with respect to each modified word; often causing humorous incongruity 2 (context ...