Nearby Words
noun
1.
a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.” Compare mixed metaphor, simile (def. 1).
2.
something used, or regarded as being used, to represent something else; emblem; symbol.
Origin:
1525–35; < Latin metaphora < Greek metaphorá a transfer, akin to metaphérein to transfer. See meta-, -phore
1525–35; < Latin metaphora < Greek metaphorá a transfer, akin to metaphérein to transfer. See meta-, -phore
Related forms
met·a·phor·i·cal·ly, adverb
met·a·phor·i·cal·ness, noun
hy·per·met·a·phor·ic, adjective
hy·per·met·a·phor·i·cal, adjective
EXPANDnon·met·a·phor·ic, adjective
non·met·a·phor·i·cal, adjective
non·met·a·phor·i·cal·ly, adverb
sem·i·met·a·phor·ic, adjective
sem·i·met·a·phor·i·cal, adjective
sem·i·met·a·phor·i·cal·ly, adverb
sub·met·a·phor·ic, adjective
sub·met·a·phor·i·cal, adjective
sub·met·a·phor·i·cal·ly, adverb
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Metaphorical
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
Example Sentences
- One possibility is that aliens could invade from another metaphorical galaxy.
- In contrast to the richly metaphorical projections, the paintings are as efficient as hammers.
- Certainly he never thought of this or any of his pictures in metaphorical terms.
Collins
World English Dictionary
| metaphor (ˈmɛtəfə, -ˌfɔː) | |
| —n | |
| Compare simile a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action that it does not literally denote in order to imply a resemblance, for example he is a lion in battle | |
| [C16: from Latin, from Greek metaphora, from metapherein to transfer, from | |
| metaphoric | |
| —adj | |
| meta'phorical | |
| —adj | |
| meta'phorically | |
| —adv | |
| meta'phoricalness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
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