antanaclasis

Etymology

Gk. anti "against" or "back," ana "up" and klasis "a breaking" from kla "to break"

Synonyms, partial synonyms, and alternate spellings

anaclasis, antistasis, refractio, word-clashing

Definition

At least two uses of the same word with different senses, or of at least two mutual homonyms.

A man may take to drink because he feels himself to be a failure, and then fail all the more completely because he drinks. It is rather the same thing that is happening to the English language. It becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts. (Orwell 1946)

Orwell, George. 1946. “Politics and the English Language.” Horizon 13 (76): 252–65.