metaphor Hear it!

metaphor definition

meta·phor (metə fôr′)

noun

a figure of speech containing an implied comparison, in which a word or phrase ordinarily and primarily used of one thing is applied to another (Ex.: the curtain of night, “all the world's a stage”)

Etymology: Fr métaphore < L metaphora < Gr < metapherein, to carry over < meta, over (see meta-) + pherein, to bear

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.
Related Discussions (2)
TopicRepliesLatest Post
Saddam's Statue as a Metaphor336 years ago
Simile & Metaphor26 years ago

Browse Forums