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Gracious Word: Catachresis

3/5/2014

 
catachresis
Word every Gracious Individual should know: Catachresis 

Definition: Catachresis; (Pronounced: cat·a·chre·sis) Greek; adjective
1. Use of a forced and especially paradoxical figure of speech; use of the wrong word for the context 

Why I love this word:
Catachresis is the misapplication of a word or phrase to create a deliberately strained figure or a mixed metaphor. Usually you see this a lot in poetry. However, in non poetic writing and speech, catachresis can be problematic, but poets have used it to achieve great compression and rhetorical energy. 

Photograph by Ben Sasso


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    Gracious Words

    With the Word of the Day and the Monthly Book Club, this page is for the intellectual reader or for anyone who wants to improve their vocabulary.

    As intellectuals, having a remarkable vocabulary speaks measures. Knowing the right words sharpens communication skills and opens minds to help express ourselves better whether in our personal or professional lives. Practice these Words of the Day and join in on the conversation. 


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