catachresis noun. [katǝ'kri:sɪs] Pl. -chreses [-'kri:si:z]. M16.
[Latin catachresis from Greek katakhrēsis, from katakhrēsthai to misuse, formed as CATA- + khrēsthai use.]
(An instance of) the incorrect use of words.

■ catachrestic [-'krɛst-, -'kri:-] adjective (of a word etc.) misused, misapplied; of the nature of catachresis: M17.

■ catachrestical [-'krɛst-, -'kri:-] adjective E17.

■ catachrestically [-'krɛst-, -'kri:-] adverb E17.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲