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métaphore

metaphor

noun meh-tah-FOR Rare
Arts & Culture Literature

Usage Note

Métaphore is used in literature and everyday speech to describe a direct figurative comparison without 'like' or 'as'. The related term métaphore filée ('extended metaphor') is important in French literary analysis. French distinguishes métaphore from métonymie (metonymy) and comparaison (simile using comme), distinctions taught in secondary school literature.

Examples

"Cette expression est une belle métaphore."

Natural Translation

This expression is a beautiful metaphor.

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