What does catachresis mean?
Definitions for catachresis
ˌkæt əˈkri sɪscat·achre·sis
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word catachresis.
Princeton's WordNet
catachresisnoun
strained or paradoxical use of words either in error (as `blatant' to mean `flagrant') or deliberately (as in a mixed metaphor: `blind mouths')
Wiktionary
catachresisnoun
A misuse of a word; an application of a term to something which it does not properly denote.
catachresisnoun
A misapplication or overextension of figurative or analogical description; a wrongly-applied metaphor or trope.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
CATACHRESISnoun
It is, in rhetorick, the abuse of a trope, when the words are too far wrested from their native signification, or when one word is abusively put for another, for want of the proper word; as, a voice beautiful to the ear. Smith’s Rhetorick.
Etymology: ϰατάχϱησις, abuse.
Wikipedia
Catachresis
Catachresis (from Greek κατάχρησις, "abuse"), originally meaning a semantic misuse or error—e.g., using "militate" for "mitigate", "chronic" for "severe", "travesty" for "tragedy", "anachronism" for "anomaly", "alibi" for "excuse", etc.—is also the name given to many different types of figures of speech in which a word or phrase is being applied in a way that significantly departs from conventional (or traditional) usage.
Webster Dictionary
Catachresisnoun
a figure by which one word is wrongly put for another, or by which a word is wrested from its true signification; as, "To take arms against a sea of troubles". Shak. "Her voice was but the shadow of a sound." Young
Etymology: [L. fr. Gr. misuse, fr. to misuse; kata` against + to use.]
Freebase
Catachresis
Catachresis is the name of many different types of figure of speech who all have in common that they are using words "wrong".
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Catachresis
kat-a-krē′sis, n. (rhet.) a figure by which a word is used in a sense different from, yet analogous to, its own: a harsh or far-fetched metaphor.—adjs. Catachres′tic, -al.—adv. Catachres′tically. [L.,—Gr. katachrēsis, misuse.]
Matched Categories
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of catachresis in Chaldean Numerology is: 4
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of catachresis in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7
Translations for catachresis
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"catachresis." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2023. Web. 1 Jun 2023. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/catachresis>.
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