catachresis
[ kat-uh-kree-sis ]
/ ˌkæt əˈkri sɪs /
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noun
misuse or strained use of words, as in a mixed metaphor, occurring either in error or for rhetorical effect.
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT 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
OTHER WORDS FROM catachresis
cat·a·chres·tic [kat-uh-kres-tik], /ˌkæt əˈkrɛs tɪk/, cat·a·chres·ti·cal, adjectivecat·a·chres·ti·cal·ly, adverbWords nearby catachresis
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for catachresis
British Dictionary definitions for catachresis
catachresis
/ (ˌkætəˈkriːsɪs) /
noun
the incorrect use of words, as luxuriant for luxurious
Derived forms of catachresis
catachrestic (ˌkætəˈkrɛstɪk) or catachrestical, adjectivecatachrestically, adverbWord Origin for catachresis
C16: from Latin, from Greek katakhrēsis a misusing, from katakhrēsthai, from khrēsthai to use
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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