paronomasia

[ par-uh-noh-mey-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh ]

noun

, Rhetoric.

1. the use of a word in different senses or the use of words similar in sound to achieve a specific effect, as humor or a dual meaning; punning.
2. a pun.

paronomasia

/ ˌpærənəʊˈmeɪzɪə; ˌpærənəʊˈmæstɪk /

noun

1. rhetoric a play on words, esp a pun

Derived Forms

• ˌparonoˈmastically, adverb
• paronomastic, adjective

Other Words From

• par·o·no·mas·tic [par-, uh, -noh-, mas, -tik], adjective
• paro·no·masti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of paronomasia¹

1570–80; < Latin < Greek paronomasía a play on words, assonance, derivative of paronomázein to make a slight name-change ( par- par- + onomázein to name, derivative of ónoma name ); -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of paronomasia¹

C16: via Latin from Greek: a play on words, from paronomazein to make a change in naming, from para- ¹(beside) + onomazein to name, from onoma a name

Example Sentences

These figures may in some cases be a mere pictorial paronomasia, but the explanation above suggested is the more probable one.

From Project Gutenberg

The only grounds for this theory are the easiness of the Greek style and the paronomasia in iv.

From Project Gutenberg

Who now hath plumbed the depths of a contumelious paronomasia?

From Project Gutenberg

When the allusions are forgotten, such paronomasia naturally results in hopeless obscurity.

From Project Gutenberg

Reuss renders the paronomasia, "qu'il soit cach ou lch en Israel."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• double entendre
• joke
• quip