Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun The saying of one thing when another is meant; specifically, a disordered or morbid mental condition which leads to the saying or writing of one thing when another is meant; physical incapacity to express one's ideas in language conveying a correct impression. When heterophemy becomes a pronounced disease it is known as aphasia. Also
heterophemism .
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun The unconscious saying, in speech or in writing, of that which one does not intend to say; -- frequently the very reverse of the thought which is present to consciousness.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun The
use of oneword orphrase whenanother ismeant
Etymologies
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Examples
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By a happy heterophemy of Mrs. March's the German Hoheit had now become
Their Silver Wedding Journey — Complete William Dean Howells 1878
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By a happy heterophemy of Mrs. March's the German Hoheit had now become
Complete March Family Trilogy William Dean Howells 1878
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By a happy heterophemy of Mrs. March's the German Hoheit had now become
Their Silver Wedding Journey — Volume 2 William Dean Howells 1878
vendingmachine commented on the word heterophemy
n. The saying of one thing when another is meant; specifically, a disordered or morbid mental condition which leads to the saying or writing of one thing when another is meant; physical incapacity to express one's ideas in language conveying a correct impression. When heterophemy becomes a pronounced disease it is known as aphasia. Also heterophemism.
August 11, 2015