n.
Pronunciation: ' me-t ə - ˌ fo ̇ r also -f ə r
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English methaphor, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French metaphore, from Latin metaphora, from Greek, from metapherein to transfer, from meta- + pherein to bear ― more at BEAR
Date: 15th century
1 : a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (as in drowning in money ) broadly : figurative language ― compare SIMILE
2 : an object, activity, or idea treated as a metaphor : SYMBOL 2
– met · a · phor · ic \ ˌ me-t ə - ' fo ̇ r-ik, - ' fär- \ or met · a · phor · i · cal \ -i-k ə l \ adjective
– met · a · phor · i · cal · ly \ -i-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb