Definition & Meaning of "catachresis"

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.