catachresis
- noun
- /ˌkætəˈkriːsɪs/
- Literature
:
catacresis
- Many writers employ catachresis to create vivid imagery, but sometimes it leads to ambiguity in their messages.
Examples
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In comparing the trope to catachresis, which means "misuse" in Greek, Hollander points to this tradition.
Academic text (1997) -
Catachresis often evolves into acceptance as a standard.
Blog text (17) -
A conclusion, I suspect, would enter this sketch as a catachresis, a mendacious metaphor.
Academic text (1993) -
Further, it is, of course, catachresis: to visualize a man as an eyeball strains the faculties.
Academic text (1997) -
Though catachresis, like synchronic metalepsis, can be a wrenching abuse of words, the effects of its "misuse" can be powerful.
Academic text (1997) -
As noted earlier, Quintilian relates transumption to catachresis and abusio in his list of tropes that effect a change in a word's meaning.
Academic text (1997) -
Another example of catachresis in the Princeton comes from Shakespeare's Timon of Athens: "T is deepest winter in Lord Timon’s purse" (3.4.15).
Academic text (1997) -
The phrase "heart of stone" is a classic example of catachresis, as it uses a physical attribute to describe an emotional state.
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When he called the meeting a "wrinkle in time," his use of catachresis confused everyone in the room.
Synonyms
3
6.8
A mix of different images that do not fit together and sound confusing
1
7.5
Using something in a wrong or unsuitable way
Using unclear language that may mislead people
Surface Forms
Etymology
Catachresis comes from Greek parts kata 'wrong' and chresis 'use', so it literally means a 'wrong use' of a word. That's why catachresis describes a mistaken or deliberately strange use of language, such as a mixed or awkward metaphor.