Catachresis (from Greek κατάχρησις), which literally means the incorrect or improper use of a word -- such as using the word decimate (e.g., "they were severely decimated") mistakenly for devastated -- is a term used to denote the (usually intentional) use of any figure of speech that flagrantly violates the norms of a language community. Compare malapropism. This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ... A figure of speech, sometimes termed a rhetorical, or elocution, is a word or phrase that departs from straightforward, literal language. ... This article or section seems to contain too many examples (or examples of poor quality) for an encyclopedia entry. ...

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 to denote something for which, without the catachresis, there is no actual name.

"a table's leg"

• Using a word out of context.

'Can't you hear that? Are you blind?'

• Using paradoxical or contradictory logic.
• Creating an illogical mixed metaphor.

'The Quality of Mercy is not Buffy' – Joss Whedon, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

To take arms against a sea of troubles... – Shakespeare, Hamlet

Arguably, however, this is perhaps neither a catachresis nor a mixed metaphor. In context, Hamlet is pondering futility: faced with a sea of troubles, taking up a sword and shield is not going to have an effect on the oncoming wave. In this sense, the quotation is a straightforward metaphor, albeit interpretable as a catachresis.

Catachresis is often used to convey extreme emotion or alienation, and is prominent in baroque literature and, more recently, in the avant-garde. Shakespeare redirects here. ... Timon of Athens is a play by William Shakespeare written around 1607. ... A name is a label for a person, thing, place, product (as in a brand name) and even an idea or concept, normally used to distinguish one from another. ... Look up paradox in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Logic, from Classical Greek λόγος logos (the word), is the study of patterns found in reasoning. ... In language, a metaphor is a rhetorical trope where a comparison is made between two seemingly unrelated subjects. ... Joss Hill Whedon (born Joseph Hill Whedon on June 23, 1964 in New York) is an American writer, director, executive producer, and creator of the well-known television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly. ... Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an American cult television series that aired from March 10, 1997, until May 20, 2003. ... Shakespeare redirects here. ... Hamlet is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, and is one of his best-known and most-quoted plays. ... Look up metaphor in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Block quote For other uses, see Baroque (disambiguation). ... A work similar to Marcel Duchamps Fountain Avant garde (written avant-garde) is a French phrase, one of many French phrases used by English speakers. ...

See also

• Figure of speech
• Rhetoric
• Audio illustrations of catachresis