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paronomasia

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par⋅o⋅no⋅ma⋅sia

  [par-uh-noh-mey-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh]
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–noun Rhetoric.
1. the use of a word in different senses or the use of words similar in sound to achieve a specific effect, as humor or a dual meaning; punning.
2. a pun.
Origin:
1570–80; < L < Gk paronomasía a play on words, assonance, deriv. of paronomázein to make a slight name-change (par- par- + onomázein to name, deriv. of ónoma name ); see -ia

Related forms:
par⋅o⋅no⋅mas⋅tic  [par-uh-noh-mas-tik] , adjective
par⋅o⋅no⋅mas⋅ti⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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par·o·no·ma·sia   (pār'ə-nō-mā'zhə, -zhē-ə)   
n.  

  1. Word play; punning.

  2. A pun.


[Latin, from Greek paronomasiā, from paronomazein, to call by a different name : para-, beside; see para-1 + onomazein, to name; see onomastic.]
par'o·no·mas'tic (-mās'tĭk), par'o·no·ma'sial (-mā'zhəl, -zhē-əl) adj., par'o·no·mas'ti·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

paronomasia

a humorous use of a word in such a way as to suggest different meanings or applications, or a play on words, as in the use of the word rings in the following nursery rhyme: Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross,To see a fine lady upon a white horse; Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes,She shall have music wherever she goes

Learn more about paronomasia with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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