metalepsis

noun

meta·​lep·​sis
ˌmetᵊlˈepsə̇s
plural metalepses
-ˌsēz
: a figure of speech consisting in the substitution by metonymy of one figurative sense for another

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek metalēpsis, literally, alteration, participation, from metalambanein to exchange, participate in, from meta- + lambanein to take

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near metalepsis

Cite this Entry

“Metalepsis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metalepsis. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!