catachresis etymology

Etymology:

• From Late Latin catachrēsis, from Greek κατάχρησις (katachrēsis), from κατα- (kata-) "down" + χρῆσις (chrēsis) "use".

Meaning:

The use of a word or phrase in a figurative or non-literal sense, especially when it is considered to be inappropriate or incorrect.

Origin:

The term "catachresis" was first used in a literary context by the Greek rhetorician and critic Quintilian in the 1st century AD. He defined it as "the use of a word in a sense different from its proper meaning."

In the Middle Ages, catachresis was considered a rhetorical device that could be used to create a vivid or humorous effect. However, by the 17th century, it had come to be seen as a misuse of language that should be avoided.

Today, catachresis is still recognized as a figure of speech, but it is generally considered to be less formal and less acceptable than other forms of figurative language, such as metaphor or simile.

catachresis relate terms

• cata

  Etymology The word cata is derived from the Greek prefix κατά kata which means

• catapult

  Etymology The word catapult comes from the Greek words ката kata meaning d

• catachresis

  Etymology From Late Latin catachrēsis from Greek κατάχρησις katachrēsis

• catalogue

  Etymology The word catalogue originates from the Greek word katálogos which means

• catachresis

  Etymology From Late Latin catachrēsis from Greek κατάχρησις katachrēsis

• charisma

  Etymology The word charisma originates from the Greek word χάρισμα charisma

• chervil

  Etymology French cerfeuil Late Latin caerefolium Vulgar Latin chaerefolium Greek ch

• chrestomathy

  Etymology The word chrestomathy is derived from the Greek words χρηστός

• Eucharist

  Etymology The word Eucharist is derived from the Greek word εὐχαριστία e

• exhort

  Etymology Exhort comes from the Latin word exhortari meaning to encourage strongly Th

• exhortation

  Etymology Latin exhortatio a urging encouragement ex out from hortari to

• greedy

  Etymology The word greedy derives from the Old English word grædig which means ea

• hortative

  Etymology The word hortative comes from the Latin word hortor which means to urge

• hortatory

  Etymology Latin hortator exhorter encourager From hortari to exhort encourage Rela

• yearn

  Etymology Middle English zerne from Old English georn or georne meaning eager

• stone

  Etymology The word stone comes from the Old English word stān which is derived from

• scorn

  Etymology Middle English scorn from Old English scorn of uncertain origin Possibl

• algebra

  Etymology The word algebra comes from Arabic الجبر al jabr meaning reunion

• modern

  Etymology Modern comes from the Latin word modernus which means recent or of the p

• knockoff

  Etymology Knockoff is a blend of two words Knock to imitate or copy something Of

• propagate

  Etymology Latin propagare meaning to lead forth to extend From pro forth

• magazine

  Etymology The word magazine derives from the French word magasin which in turn comes

• deception

  Etymology Old French decepcion 13th century Latin deceptio act of deceiving decept

• Iowa

  Etymology and Meaning The name Iowa is derived from the Iowa Native American tribe who