trope – A figurative or metaphorical use of a word or phrase. More…
ingrain, ingrained – Ingrain literally means “work into the grain” (originally, of fabric), and ingrained is metaphorically “deep-seated.” More…
farce – First meant forcemeat stuffing and came to be used metaphorically when a humorous play was “stuffed” in between two more serious acts of the main theatrical presentation—or for interludes of impromptu buffoonery in a dramatic presentation. More…
relieve – Metaphorically, to “alleviate, lighten,” from Latin relevare, “raise again.” More…