Bible Lexicons

Bullinger's Figures of Speech Used in the BibleBullinger's Figures of Speech

Asteismos; or Urbanity

An Expression of Feeling by way of Politeness

As-te-is´-mos. Greek, ἀστεϊσμός, refined or polite talk; clever, witty, or pleasing language; graceful or happy turn of phrase.

It is from ἀστεῖος (asteios), of the town (from ἄστυ (astu), city): i.e., the polite and genteel expressions of society: Urbanity as opposed to Rusticity.

It is used as a change involving the application of words by way of expression of feeling.

Sometimes Asteïsmos is used as an addition affecting the sense of words by way of reasoning. For this, see page 488.