CATACHRESIS
CATACHRESIS
CATACHRESIS is one of the five affections of Tropes, and is commonly applied, among masters of the rhetorical art, to a somewhat harsh transference of a word from its strict signification to one alien, to it. [ERNESTI In Rhet. p. ii. ch. 2, p. 164. Comp. KINDERLINGS Grundsatze der Beredsamkeit, Th. 2, 117,] In a more general sense, for the most part CATACHRESIS is also applied to a certain kind of abuse of a word, when it denotes something akin to the thing strictly signified; for terms are not always attributed altogether strictly to the things, but in such a way as to correspond at least in some manner to the thing to which they are applied [FLACIUS Clavis Script. P. ii. p. m. 221]: e.g.-Rom 3:27, an appropriate Catachresis of the term Law.-Gal 3:8, , the verb approaching to a Catachresis most sweetly. To Abraham, before the times of the Gospel, the Gospel was preached.-1Th 4:9, . The word taught has in it a kind of Catachresis, so as that it may be opposed to the act of writing. The Gnom. on this passage-Add to these instances the further definition of the Gnom. [on Luk 16:8, ]: It is a frequent, and often a sweet and noble Catachresis, whereby a term expressing a thing not good is nevertheless employed in a good sense, there being no other more suitable term extant. Such are , that which is not considered: , that for which no suitable return of gratitude can be repaid. Such instances also as and , 2Co 5:13; 2Co 11:8; and what is more directly in point as regards this passage,- , Mat 11:12; , Luk 11:8.