LessonsDefinitions of Literal and Figurative Use and the Technical Divisions of MetaphorQuiz

Figurative uses are not all based on the same relation. When an expression is transferred because of resemblance, the figure is metaphor (istiʿārah). Where the relation is causal, part–whole, container–contained, or another non-resemblance relation, the figure is a non-metaphorical transferred use (majāz mursal).

رأيت أسداً يخطب
I saw a lion preaching.

Courage links the orator and lion. By contrast, naming a location to refer to its inhabitants depends on a spatial relation rather than likeness. What matters is the type of semantic relation, not nonliteralness alone.

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Distinguishing metaphor from other figurative uses

Definitions of Literal and Figurative Use and the Technical Divisions of Metaphor

Figurative uses are not all based on the same relation. When an expression is transferred because of resemblance, the figure is metaphor (istiʿārah). Where the relation is causal, part–whole, container–contained, or another non-resemblance relation, the figure is a non-metaphorical transferred use (majāz mursal).

رأيت أسداً يخطب
I saw a lion preaching.

Courage links the orator and lion. By contrast, naming a location to refer to its inhabitants depends on a spatial relation rather than likeness. What matters is the type of semantic relation, not nonliteralness alone.