Contains Quote by Paul Ricoeur
““The dictionary contains no metaphors.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Rule of Metaphor and the Function of Language, 1975
He claims dictionaries list literal meanings, not figurative language like metaphors.
In simple terms: Dictionaries lack figurative expressions.
Key Takeaway
Use other resources for metaphorical meaning.
Themes
language
semantics
metaphor
Mood
philosophical
inquisitive
Type
statement
observation
When to use this quote
- writing
- teaching
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
lexicography
interpretation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we capture figurative language in reference works?
- What role do metaphors play in thought?
A Different Perspective
Metaphors can be context‑dependent and hard to catalog.
