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

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!!

So now I know I'm a chronic catachretic.Bill Hunt
or should it be catachreticist?

Okay, catachrestic. I'm pathetic.wwh

After all,if I could get it right, I wouldn't be one.wwh