What term refers to the compounding of multiple figures of speech?

The correct term that refers to the compounding of multiple figures of speech is metalepsis. This literary device involves a nuanced way of using language where one figure of speech is linked to another in a complex manner, often requiring the reader or listener to make indirect connections. It can create layered meanings and enrich the text, allowing for a more sophisticated interpretation.

Metalepsis is distinct in that it requires a deeper engagement with the text, as it connects broader ideas through various figures of speech, creating a web of associations. This feature makes it particularly effective in poetry and complex prose where nuance is critical for understanding the breadth of meaning.

In contrast, the other terms represent specific rhetorical devices. A metaphor directly compares two unlike things for illustrative purposes without overt linking. Sindeton refers to the omission of conjunctions, primarily for heightened effect, and hyperbole is an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally. Each of these is valuable in its own right but does not capture the essence of compounding multiple figures of speech in the same way that metalepsis does.