catachresis

[kat-uh-kree-sis] /ˌkæt əˈkri sɪs/
noun
1.
misuse or strained use of words, as in a mixed metaphor, occurring either in error or for rhetorical effect.
Origin
1580-90; < Latin < Greek: a misuse (akin to katachrêsthai to misuse), equivalent to kata- cata- + chrêsis use (chrê(sthai) to use, need + -sis -sis)
Related forms
catachrestic
[kat-uh-kres-tik] /ˌkæt əˈkrɛs tɪk/ (Show IPA), catachrestical, adjective
catachrestically, adverb
British Dictionary definitions for catachresis

catachresis

/ˌkætəˈkriːsɪs/
noun
1.
the incorrect use of words, as luxuriant for luxurious
Derived Forms
catachrestic (ˌkætəˈkrɛstɪk), catachrestical, adjective
catachrestically, adverb
Word Origin
C16: from Latin, from Greek katakhrēsis a misusing, from katakhrēsthai, from khrēsthai to use
Word Origin and History for catachresis
n.

1580s, from Latin catachresis, from Greek katakhresis "misuse" (of a word), from katakhresthai "to misuse," from kata- "down" (here with a sense of "perversion;" see cata-) + khresthai "to use" (see hortatory). Related: Catachrestic; catachrestical; catachrestically.