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catachresis

Noun CEFR C1
ˌkæt.əˈkɹiː.sɪs

Definitions

  1. A misuse of a word; an application of a term to something which it does not properly denote.
  2. Such a misuse involving some similarity of sound between the misused word and the appropriate word.
  3. A misapplication or overextension of a figurative or analogical description; a wrongly applied metaphor or trope.

Equivalents

Españolcatacresis
Françaiscatachrèse
DeutschKatachrese
6 more languages
Italianocatacresi
Portuguêscatacrese
Русскийкатахре́за

Examples

“A Catachresis terms abused receives, And epithets and attributes improper gives.”

CEFR level

C1
Advanced
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.
See all C1 English words →

See also

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