Word of the Day – Catachresis

Catachresis (noun)

kat-a-krees-is

Misuse or strained use of words, as in a mixed metaphor, occurring either in error or for rhetorical effect.

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin catachrēsis, from Greek katáchrēsis “a misuse or misapplication of a word or phrase” (derivative of katachrêsthai “to misuse”), equivalent to kata- verb prefix implying waste or consumption + chrêsis “use” (noun derivative of chrê(sthai) “to use, need”) + -sis verbal abstract noun suffix.

Example sentences

“In this sense the proverb is current by a misuse, or a catachresis at least.”