catachresis

[ kat-uh-kree-sis ]
See synonyms for: catachresiscatachrestic on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. misuse or strained use of words, as in a mixed metaphor, occurring either in error or for rhetorical effect.

Origin of catachresis

1
First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin catachrēsis, from Greek katáchrēsis “a misuse or misapplication of a word or phrase” (derivative of katachrêsthai “to misuse”), equivalent to kata- verb prefix implying waste or consumption + chrêsis “use” (noun derivative of chrê(sthai) “to use, need”) + -sis verbal abstract noun suffix. See cata-, -sis

Other words from catachresis

  • cat·a·chres·tic [kat-uh-kres-tik], /ˌkæt əˈkrɛs tɪk/, cat·a·chres·ti·cal, adjective
  • cat·a·chres·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby catachresis

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How to use catachresis in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for catachresis

catachresis

/ (ˌkætəˈkriːsɪs) /


noun
  1. the incorrect use of words, as luxuriant for luxurious

Origin of catachresis

1
C16: from Latin, from Greek katakhrēsis a misusing, from katakhrēsthai, from khrēsthai to use

Derived forms of catachresis

  • catachrestic (ˌkætəˈkrɛstɪk) or catachrestical, adjective
  • catachrestically, adverb

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