catachresis

[ kat-uh-kree-sis ]

noun

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

catachresis

/ ˌkætəˈkriːsɪs; ˌkætəˈkrɛstɪk /

noun

1. the incorrect use of words, as luxuriant for luxurious

Derived Forms

• catachrestic, adjective
• ˌcataˈchrestically, adverb

Other Words From

• cat·a·chres·tic [kat-, uh, -, kres, -tik], cata·chresti·cal adjective
• cata·chresti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of catachresis¹

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. See cata-, -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of catachresis¹

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

Example Sentences

Wellman wrote the play in 2004, possibly as a riff on a word he loves, “catachresis,” which means the misuse of language, but also sounds a lot like “cat crisis.”

From New York Times

Catachresis, incorrect use of a word: My catachrestic family!

From Washington Post

I spoke to three game developers whose Kickstarter appeals have been unexpectedly successful – Cameron Kunzelman, creator of Catachresis and Alpaca Run, Josh Presseisen, whose Kickstarter for The Deer God reached the $50,000 initially requested by Areal, and Fargo himself, whose wildly overfunded campaign to make Wasteland 2 was one of the prime movers in the influx of video game projects to Kickstarter.

From Forbes

Overfunding on Catachresis meant that everyone could be paid a little more.

From Forbes

Kunzelman has used Kickstarter twice before, asking for small amounts: the spiritual successor to Epanalepsis, Catachresis, asked for a measly $125 and ultimately raised ten times that amount.

From Forbes

Related Words

• corruption
• exploitation
• harm
• maltreatment
• mistreatment
• prostitution
• squandering
• waste