Hȳ-pĕr'bo-le, n.

n. [Lat. & Fr. hyperbole, Gr. ὑπερβολή. See supra.] (Rhet.) A figure of speech in which the expression is an exaggeration of the meaning intended to be conveyed, or by which things are represented as much greater or less, better or worse, than they really are; a statement which exaggerates through passion or intense excitement.

The following are instances of the use of this figure: “If a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.” Gen. xiii. 16. “He was owner of a piece of ground not larger than a Lacedæmonian letter.” Longinus. “He was so gaunt, the case of a flagelet was a mansion for him.” Shak.