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#18059 02/02/01 03:59 PM
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i came across this word today, and was surprised to see that an AWAD search on it comes up empty, since so many of our threads make reference to misused words.

according to M-W:

Main Entry: cat·a·chre·sis
Pronunciation: "ka-t&-'krE-s&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural cat·a·chre·ses /-"sEz/
Etymology: Latin, from Greek katachrEsis misuse, from katachrEsthai to use up, misuse, from kata- + chrEsthai to use
Date: 1553
1 : use of the wrong word for the context
2 : use of a forced and especially paradoxical figure of speech (as blind mouths)
- cat·a·chres·tic /-'kres-tik/ or cat·a·chres·ti·cal /-ti-k&l/ adjective
- cat·a·chres·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

bridget=)

Ipsa scientia potestas est ~Bacon

#18060 02/02/01 04:38 PM
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just to make this a continuing public service thread, OneLook now includes the AHD, with its audio pronunciations!
for instance, onelook took me here for catechresis; just click the little speaker icon...
http://www.bartleby.com/61/wavs/22/C0152200.wav

ohmygawd! what have I done!!


#18061 02/02/01 11:57 PM
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So now I know I'm a chronic catachretic.Bill Hunt
or should it be catachreticist?


#18062 02/03/01 12:02 AM
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Okay, catachrestic. I'm pathetic.wwh


#18063 02/03/01 12:32 AM
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wwh Offline
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After all,if I could get it right, I wouldn't be one.wwh



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