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Adynaton (plural adynata) is a figure of speech in the form of hyperbole taken to such extreme lengths as to insinuate a complete impossibility: *''I will sooner have a beard grow in the palm of my hand than he shall get one on his cheek''.〔Shakespeare, Henry IV, Part 2〕 The word derives from the Greek ἀδύνατον (''adunaton''), neuter of ἀδύνατος (''adunatos''), "unable, impossible" (''a-'', "without" + ''dynasthai'', "to be powerful").〔(ἀδύνατος ), Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, ''A Greek-English Lexicon'', on Perseus〕 ==Classical and Medieval usage == Adynaton was a widespread literary and rhetorical device during the Classical Period. Its plural form (''adynata'') was translated in Latin as ''impossibilia''. A frequent usage was to refer to one highly unlikely event occurring ''sooner'' than another: :''One can expect an agreement between philosophers sooner than between clocks.'' Seneca, "''The Pumpkinification of Claudius''". However it largely fell into disuse during the Middle Ages before undergoing a minor revival in the works of romantic poets, who would boast of the power of their love, and how it could never end. : ''Together, we shall sooner see, I, & you, The Rhône tarry, & reverse its course, The Saône roil, & return to source, Than this my fire ever die down'' Maurice Scève 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「adynaton」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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