prosopopoeia

noun pro·so·po·poe·ia \prə-ˌsō-pə-ˈpē-ə, ˌprä-sə-pə-\

Definition of PROSOPOPOEIA

: a figure of speech in which an imaginary or absent person is represented as speaking or acting

Latin, from Greek prosōpopoiia, from prosōpon mask, person (from pros- + ōps face) + poiein to make — more at eye, poet

First Known Use: circa 1555

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