metaphor
met.a.phor \'met-*-.fo.(*)r, -f*r\ \.met-*-'fo.r-i-k*l, -'fa:r-\ \-i-k(*-)le-\ n [MF or L; MF, metaphore, fr. L metaphora, fr. Gk, fr. metapherei]n to transfer, fr. meta- + pherein to bear - more at BEAR : 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 the ship plows the sea); broadly : figurative language - met.a.phor.i.cal aj