ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-HAR8-0014 · ATLAS 260

Synchoresis

In the sense selected from Lanham, synchoresis expressly leaves judgement to the addressee.

Part of the subject path Rhetoric and Style

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

F · Figure / procedure R1 · Distinct contribution to understanding

Following Lanham’s selected sense, synchoresis transfers judgement to an addressee and thereby changes the addressee’s role. Alternative traditions treating it as concession remain explicit.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

“I leave that to your judgement” assigns the hearer a decision-making role. It can invite genuine assessment or make one answer appear compulsory. Other rhetorical traditions place synchoresis among concessions. The Atlas identifies the selected source rather than treating the term as univocal.

Movement of thought

1. Identify the explicit transfer of judgement. 2. Ask what decision genuinely remains open to the addressee. 3. Distinguish judgement-transfer from the alternative concession tradition.

Scientific use case

Argument analysis tests whether an apparent transfer of judgement permits genuine alternatives or frames the preferred answer as compulsory.

Example

Original example: “You have heard both accounts. Whether this explanation is adequate I leave to your judgement.”

Counterexample

Polite agreement, complete recantation, or merely repeating an opponent is not synchoresis. A limited concession must pass into a continuing argument of the speaker's own.

Distinction

Judgement-transfer is compared with epitrope. Uses meaning concession are recorded as a different terminological tradition.

Effect on thought and perception

The refined distinction makes the analytical test and its limits explicit.

Resonance

Comparison with a neighbouring concept changes how the initial example is revisited without collapsing the two concepts.

Provenance

Accepted editorial clarification, 15 October 2026, packages D01–D11; original canonical evidence retained separately.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Synchoresis“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-HAR8-0014. ATLAS 260, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-HAR8-0014

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-HAR8-0014

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.

Source-specific historical context · editorial revision

Lanham (1991, p. 147) supports the selected judgement-transfer sense. Concession traditions, including the Consensio article in the Historisches Wörterbuch der Rhetorik, remain documented as alternative uses of the name.

Status of this clarification

Editorially accepted on 15 October 2026. The sources and limitations named in the profile support this reading. A superseded conflicting profile is not displayed as an additional current explanation; the original evidence remains archived unchanged. This does not assert a new first attestation or exhaustive verification.