metaphor
UK[ˈmetəfə(r)]US[ˈmetəfɔːr]
n
A word or phrase used to describe somebody/something else, in a way that is different from its normal use, in order to show that the two things have the same qualities and to make the description more powerful.
n
The use of such words or phrases.
Morpheme Breakdown
meta
phor
meta
change
phor
carry
Etymology
The word 'metaphor' has a direct lineage from the Greek metaphora, itself a compound of meta- (meaning "over, across") and pherein (meaning "to carry, to bear"). The literal sense is "a transfer" or "a carrying over." This etymology perfectly captures the word's function: a metaphor carries meaning from one concept over to another, creating an implicit comparison. It entered English in the late 15th century via Old French metaphore and Latin metaphora, retaining its core rhetorical meaning. The logic is beautifully preserved: a metaphor is a vehicle that transfers the qualities of one thing across to another, changing our understanding of it.
Analysis
Structure: meta (change) + phor (carry)
meta: From Greek, meaning "with, across, after, or change." In this word, it conveys the sense of "over, across, or change."
phor: From Greek pherō (to bear, to carry). It is a root indicating the action of carrying or bearing.
Examples
The author uses the metaphor of a storm to describe the character's inner turmoil.
"Time is a thief" is a common metaphor for how quickly life passes.
Her speech was rich in metaphor, painting vivid pictures in the minds of the audience.