n.
Pronunciation: ' züg-m ə
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English zeuma, from Medieval Latin, from Latin zeugma, from Greek, literally, joining, from zeugnynai to join; akin to Latin jungere to join ― more at YOKE
Date: 15th century
: the use of a word to modify or govern two or more words usually in such a manner that it applies to each in a different sense or makes sense with only one (as in “ opened the door and her heart to the homeless boy ” )