Definition of 'catachresis'

Word Frequency

catachresis in British

(ˌkætəˈkriːsɪs )

noun

the incorrect use of words, as luxuriant for luxurious

Derived forms

catachrestic (ˌkætəˈkrɛstɪk ) or catachrestical (ˌcataˈchrestical)

adjective

catachrestically (ˌcataˈchrestically)

adverb

Word origin of 'catachresis'

C16: from Latin, from Greek katakhrēsis a misusing, from katakhrēsthai, from khrēsthai to use

Word Frequency

catachresis in American

(ˌkætəˈkrisɪs ; katˌəkrēˈsis)

nounWord forms: plural ˌcataˈchreˌses (ˌkætəˈkriˌsiz ; katˌəkrēˈsēzˌ)

incorrect use of a word or words, as by misapplication of terminology or by strained or mixed metaphor

Derived forms

catachrestic (ˌcataˈchrestic) (ˌkætəˈkrɛstɪk ; katˌəkresˈtik)

adjective or ˌcataˈchrestical

catachrestically (ˌcataˈchrestically)

adverb

Word origin of 'catachresis'

L < Gr katachrēsis, misuse of a word < katachrēsthai < kata-, against + chrēsthai, to use < chrē, it is necessary < ? IE *ĝhrē-, var. of base *ĝher-, small, be lacking

Word Lists

figure of speech

Trends of 'catachresis'

Used Rarely. catachresis is in the lower 50% of commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Nearby words of 'catachresis'

Source

Definition of catachresis from the Collins English Dictionary

The verb be is used as an auxiliary verb and it can also be used as a main verb. See Types of main verb. The verb be is irregular. It has eight different forms: be, am, is, are, was, were, being, bee...