catachresis

American  

[kat-uh-kree-sis] / ˌkæt əˈkri sɪs /

noun

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

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catachresis British  

/ ˌkætəˈkriːsɪs, ˌkætəˈkrɛstɪk /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• catachrestic adjective
• catachrestical adjective
• catachrestically adverb

Etymology

Origin of catachresis

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

Example Sentences

Tis true, no poet but may sometimes use a catachresis.

From An English Garner Critical Essays & Literary Fragments by Arber, Thomas Seccombe, Professor

In this sense the proverb is current by a misuse, or a catachresis at least, of both the words, fortune and fools.

From Confessions of an Inquiring Spirit and Some Miscellaneous Pieces by Coleridge, Samuel Taylor

V.—I like that catachresis, but once again I repeat, I am practical, and prefer synedoche.

From Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56: No. 3, January 19, 1884. A Weekly Journal for the Farm, Orchard and Fireside by Various

As to 'twinn'd stones'—may it not be a bold catachresis for muscles, cockles, and other empty shells with hinges, which are truly twinned?

From Literary Remains, Volume 2 by Coleridge, Samuel Taylor

It is a sort of quaint alteration or catachresis of Possunt quia posse videntur.

From A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1 From the Beginning to 1800 by Saintsbury, George

Related Words

• corruption
• exploitation
• harm
• maltreatment
• mistreatment
• prostitution
• squandering
• waste