Catachresis
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Catachresis is the (usually intentional) use of any figure of speech that flagrantly violates the norms of a language community. Compare malapropism.
Common forms of catachresis are:
- Using a word to denote something radically different from its normal meaning.
- 'Tis deepest winter in Lord Timon's purse – Shakespeare, Timon of Athens
- Using a word out of context.
- Using paradoxical or contradictory logic.
- Creating an illogical mixed metaphor.
- To take arms against a sea of troubles... – Shakespeare, Hamlet
Catachresis is often used to convey extreme emotion or alienation, and is prominent in baroque literature and, more recently, in the avant-garde.