catachresis

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“
The hyperbole and catachresis are so nearly related to a bull, that I shall dwell upon them with pleasure.

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Definitions (6)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. noun The misapplication of a word or phrase, as the use of blatant to mean "flagrant.”
  2. noun The use of a strained figure of speech, such as a mixed metaphor.

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (2)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (1)

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Examples (25)

  • "I never saw these before Johnny hurried over to the papers, cast a glance over them, then eyed the girl Hermeneutical catachresis is expedient," he remarked What Your explanation had better be good," Johnny told her I've been framed!" —  042 - The Midas Man
  • In this sense the proverb is current by a misuse, or a catachresis at least of both the words, Fortune and Fools How seldom, friend, a good great man inherits Honor or wealth with all his worth and pains It sounds like stories from the land of spirits If any man obtain that which he merits Or any merit that which he obtains REPLY For shame! —  The Best of the World's Classics, Vol. V (of X) - Great Britain and Ireland III
  • The hyperbole and catachresis are so nearly related to a bull, that I shall dwell upon them with pleasure. —  Tales and Novels — Volume 04
  • You must listen to the definition of a catachresis:--'A catachresis is the boldest of any trope. —  Tales and Novels — Volume 04
  • It is a sort of quaint alteration or catachresis of _Possunt quia posse videntur_. —  A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1 From the Beginning to 1800
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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Latin catachrēsis, improper use of a word, from Greek katakhrēsis, excessive use, from katakhrēsthai, to misuse : kata-, completely; see cata- + khrēsthai, to use; see gher-2 in Indo-European roots.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. L. (later F. catachrèse = Spanish catacrésis = Portuguese catachrese = Italian catacresi), from Greek κατάχρησις, misuse of a word, from καταχρη̄σθαι, misuse, from κατά, against, + χρη̄σθαι, use.
 

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/kætəˈkrisɪs/
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