noun
language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense (Freq. 1)
• Members of this Usage Domain:
↑cakewalk, ↑blind alley, ↑blockbuster, ↑megahit, ↑smash hit, ↑sleeper, ↑bell ringer, ↑bull's eye, ↑mark, ↑home run, ↑housecleaning, ↑goldbrick, ↑lens, ↑domino effect, ↑flip side, ↑period, ↑summer, ↑dawn, ↑evening, ↑rainy day
• Hypernyms: ↑rhetorical device
• Hyponyms:
↑conceit, ↑irony, ↑hyperbole, ↑exaggeration, ↑kenning, ↑metaphor, ↑metonymy, ↑oxymoron, ↑personification, ↑prosopopoeia, ↑simile, ↑synecdoche, ↑zeugma
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: an expression (as a metaphor or euphemism) that substitutes a variation in point of view by which one thing or notion is referred to as if it were different in some way (as in identity, degree, shape) from what it actually is or seems to be but so related that the expression successfully implies an intended meaning or effect either slightly or greatly different from what is literally said (as “the apple of my eye”, “forever chasing rainbows”, “she didn't go to the party because she had nothing to wear”, “a pretty pickle”)
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Rhet.
any expressive use of language, as a metaphor, simile, personification, or antithesis, in which words are used in other than their literal sense, or in other than their ordinary locutions, in order to suggest a picture or image or for other special effect. Cf. trope (def. 1).
[1815-25]
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figure of speech noun
Any of various devices (such as simile or metaphor) for using words in such a way as to make a striking effect
• • •
Main Entry: ↑figure
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an expression in which the words are used figuratively , not in their normal literal meaning
Thesaurus: types of phrase or expressionhyponym
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figure of speech,
an expression in which words are used out of their literal meaning or in striking combinations to add beauty or force. “The eye of an eagle” (a metaphor) and “as brave as a lion” (a simile) are figures of speech.
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a word or phrase used in a nonliteral sense to add rhetorical force to a spoken or written passage
calling her a crab is just a figure of speech
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noun, pl figures of speech [count]
: a phrase or expression that uses words in a figurative way rather than in a plain or literal way
“You are the apple of my eye” is a figure of speech.
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a word or phrase used in a different way from its usual meaning in order to create a particular mental picture or effect
Useful english dictionary. 2012.