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Definition of Malapropism
1. Noun. The unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar.
Definition of Malapropism
1. n. A grotesque misuse of a word; a word so used.
Definition of Malapropism
1. Noun. The blundering use of an absurdly inappropriate word or expression in place of a similar sounding one. ¹
2. Noun. An instance of this; malaprop. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Malapropism
1. [n -S]
Lexicographical Neighbors of Malapropism
Literary usage of Malapropism
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage by Inc. Merriam-Webster (1994)
"malapropism is much older as a phenomenon than it is as a word. ... Jespersen and
Bolinger 1980 discuss the causes of malapropism. Bolinger identifies it as ..."
2. The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare (1916)
"4. agitation, a " malapropism " for " cogitation." 25. one by another, means
either " one in competition with another," or " taking one with another, ..."
3. She Stoops to Conquer, Or, The Mistakes of a Night: A Comedy by Oliver Goldsmith, Joseph Malaby Dent (1900)
"... a popular malapropism for '" harpischord," found in a letter written by Gray
to Chute in 1746. De Wilde's portrait of Quick in this scene represents ..."
Other Resources:
