SOLECISM

Etymology

Noun

solecism (plural solecisms)

An erroneous or improper usage.

(grammar) Error in the use of language.

A faux pas or breach of etiquette; a transgression against the norms of expected behavior.

Anagrams

• misclose

Source: Wiktionary

Sol"e*cism, n.Etym: [F. solécisme, L. soloecismus, Gr. soloikismo`s, fr. soloiki`zein to speak or write incorrectly, fr. so`loikos speaking incorrectly, from the corruption of the Attic dialect among the Athenian colonists of So`loi in Cilicia.]

1. An impropriety or incongruity of language in the combination of words or parts of a sentence; esp., deviation from the idiom of a language or from the rules of syntax. A barbarism may be in one word; a solecism must be of more. Johnson.

2. Any inconsistency, unfitness, absurdity, or impropriety, as in deeds or manners. Cæsar, by dismissing his guards and retaining his power, committed a dangerous solecism in politics. C. Middleton. The idea of having committed the slightest solecism in politeness was agony to him. Sir W. Scott.

Syn.

– Barbarism; impropriety; absurdity.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition