paronomasia

noun par·o·no·ma·sia \ˌpa-rə-nō-ˈmā-zh(ē-)ə, ˌpa-ˌrä-nə-ˈmā-\

Definition of PARONOMASIA

: a play on words : pun

— par·o·no·mas·tic \-ˈmas-tik\ adjective

Latin, from Greek, from paronomazein to call with a slight change of name, from para- + onoma name — more at name

First Known Use: 1577

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