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Catachresis
01
a type of figurative language that involves the unconventional or strained use of words, often resulting in an unexpected or exaggerated expression
What is "catachresis"?
Catachresis is the misuse or strained use of a word or phrase, often in a way that mixes up meanings or creates an unusual expression. For example, saying "the elbow of a chair" or "a voice full of smiles" involves using words in ways that do not match their typical meanings. This linguistic phenomenon can happen due to a lack of suitable words or as a creative, poetic device. In rhetoric and literature, catachresis can add uniqueness or emphasis, though it can also lead to confusion when the intended meaning is unclear.
