What is "tmesis"

Tmesis \Tme"sis\ (m[=e]"s[i^]s or t'm[=e]"s[i^]s; 277), n. [L., from Gr. tmh^sis a cutting, fr. te`mnein to cut.] (Gram.) The separation of the parts of a compound word by the intervention of one or more words; as, in what place soever, for whatsoever place.

1580s, from Greek tmesis "a cutting," related to temnein "to cut," tome "a cutting" (see tome). The separation of the elements of a compound word by the interposition of another word or words (such as a whole nother).

n. (context prosody English) The insertion of one or more words between the components of a compound word.

Tmesis (; Ancient Greek: tmēsis, "a cutting" < temnō, "I cut") is a linguistic phenomenon in which a word or phrase is separated into two parts, with other words interrupting between them.