CATACHRESIS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does catachresis mean? 

• CATACHRESIS (noun)
  The noun CATACHRESIS has 1 sense:

1. strained or paradoxical use of words either in error (as 'blatant' to mean 'flagrant') or deliberately (as in a mixed metaphor: 'blind mouths')

  Familiarity information: CATACHRESIS used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CATACHRESIS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Strained or paradoxical use of words either in error (as 'blatant' to mean 'flagrant') or deliberately (as in a mixed metaphor: 'blind mouths')

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("catachresis" is a kind of...):

rhetorical device (a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance))

Derivation:

catachrestic; catachrestical (constituting or characterized by or given to catachresis)