Main Entry: cat·a·chre·sis

Pronunciation: \ˌka-tə-ˈkrē-səs\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural cat·a·chre·ses \-ˌsēz\

Etymology: Latin, from Greek katachrēsis misuse, from katachrēsthai to use up, misuse, from kata- + chrēsthai to use

Date: 1550

1 : use of the wrong word for the context
2 : use of a forced and especially paradoxical figure of speech (as blind mouths)

— cat·a·chres·tic \-ˈkres-tik\ or cat·a·chres·ti·cal \-ti-kəl\ adjective

— cat·a·chres·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb