Catachresis
/ˌkætəˈkrisiːs/noun
The use of a wrong word in place of a word that has a similar sound.
Did you know?In ancient rhetoric, catachresis was considered a powerful tool, transforming ordinary language into a form of sorcery that could captivate an audience.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
καταχρησία
“Abuse or misuse, particularly in language.”
Late Latin
Latin
catachresis
“A borrowed term for misuse or improper use.”
Middle Ages
Medieval Latin
catachresis
“Adoption of a term in an incorrect context.”
Renaissance
English
catachresis
“Adoption of a term in a figurative or improper sense.”
Modern English
English
catachresis
“The use of a word in a context that is not conventional.”
Explore more surprising origins