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metaphor

met·a·phor

metaphor

 
 
pronunciation:
me t for
features:
Word Combinations (noun), Word History, Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: noun
definition: a phrase that describes something by comparing it to some other thing.
"Her words are pearls" is a metaphor.
 
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derivation: metaphorical (adj.)
Word History
The word metaphor comes from an ancient Greek word that meant "to transfer or carry over to something else." When you use a metaphor, it is as though you are taking the word for one thing and transferring it to another thing that you perceive to be like the first thing.
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