Definition of: metaphor

(met′ə·fôr, -fər) noun
A figure of speech in which one object is likened to another by speaking of it as if it were that other: distinguished from simile by not employing any word of comparison, such as “like” or “as.” See synonyms under ALLEGORY, SIMILE.
—mixed metaphor Figurative language in which incongruous, and often contradictory, metaphors are used; confusion of figurative with plain statement. [<F métaphore <L metaphora <Gk. <metapherein <meta- beyond, over + pherein carry]
—met′a·phor′·ic (-fôr′ik, -for′ik) or ·i·cal adjective
—met′a·phor′·i·cal·ly adverb