paronomasia

par·o·no·ma·sia  (pr-n-mzh, -zh-)

n.

1. Word play; punning.

2. A pun.

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[Latin, from Greek paronomasi, from paronomazein, to call by a different name : para-, beside; see para-¹ + onomazein, to name; see onomastic.]

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paro·no·mastic (-mstk), paro·no·masial (-mzhl, -zh-l) adj.

paro·no·masti·cal·ly adv.

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paronomasia

1. Rhetoric. the use of a word in different senses or the use of words similar in sound for effect, as humor or ambiguity; punning.
2. a pun. — paronomastic, adj.

See also: Punning

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the use of a word in different senses or the use of words similar in sound for effect, as humor or ambiguity; punning. Also called adnomination, agnomination, annomination.

See also: Rhetoric and Rhetorical Devices

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

paronomasia - a humorous play on words; "I do it for the pun of it"; "his constant punning irritated her" pun, punning, wordplay fun, sport, play - verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously); "he became a figure of fun"; "he said it in sport"