catachresis

cat·a·chre·sis

noun \ˌka-tə-ˈkrē-səs\

plural cat·a·chre·ses\-ˌsēz\

Definition of CATACHRESIS

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

Origin of CATACHRESIS

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

First Known Use: 1550

Rhymes with CATACHRESIS

anamnesis, apheresis, catechesis, exegesis