Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [kat-uh-kree-sis]
- /ˌkæt əˈkri sɪs/
- /kˌatətʃrˈiːsɪs/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [kat-uh-kree-sis]
- /ˌkæt əˈkri sɪs/
Definitions of catachresis word
- noun catachresis the incorrect use of words, as luxuriant for luxurious 3
- noun catachresis incorrect use of a word or words, as by misapplication of terminology or by strained or mixed metaphor 3
- noun catachresis misuse or strained use of words, as in a mixed metaphor, occurring either in error or for rhetorical effect. 1
- noun catachresis The use of a word in a way that is not correct, for example, the use of mitigate for militate. 1
- noun catachresis A misuse of a word; an application of a term to something which it does not properly denote. 0
- noun catachresis (rhetoric) A misapplication or overextension of figurative or analogical description; a wrongly-applied metaphor or trope. 0
Information block about the term
Origin of catachresis
First appearance:
before 1580 One of the 35% oldest English words
1580-90; < Latin < Greek: a misuse (akin to katachrêsthai to misuse), equivalent to kata- cata- + chrêsis use (chrê(sthai) to use, need + -sis -sis)
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Catachresis
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
catachresis popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 61% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data about 58% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.
catachresis usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for catachresis
noun catachresis
- inhumanity — the state or quality of being inhuman or inhumane; cruelty.
- atrocity — An atrocity is a very cruel, shocking action.
- brutality — Brutality is cruel and violent treatment or behaviour. A brutality is an instance of cruel and violent treatment or behaviour.
- cruelty — Cruelty is behaviour that deliberately causes pain or distress to people or animals.
- barbarity — If you refer to someone's behaviour as barbarity, you strongly disapprove of it because you think that it is extremely cruel.
Antonyms for catachresis
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with c
- Words starting with ca
- Words starting with cat
- Words starting with cata
- Words starting with catac
- Words starting with catach
- Words starting with catachr
- Words starting with catachre
- Words starting with catachres
- Words starting with catachresi
- Words starting with catachresis