English Explanatory Dictionary

aprosdoketon

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A figure of speech where an expected word in an idiom is replaced unexpectedly by an unusual one, as in Rome wasn't built in a teacup.
  2. Any surprising use or interpretation of language.

Pronunciation

/ˌæp.ɹəsˈdɑ.kɪˌtɑn/ en-us-aprosdoketon-greek.ogg /əˌpɹɑs.dəˈkiˌtɑn/ en-us-aprosdoketon-latin.ogg

Word forms

aprosdoketon aprosdoketons aprosdoketa aprosdoceton

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἀπροσδόκητος (aprosdókētos, “unexpected”).

Related words

antiproverb malaphor malapropism mixed metaphor
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