Obs. rare. [Gr. κακέμφατον ‘ill-sounding, equivocal.’] An ill-sounding expression.
[1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie (Arb.), 261. This vice is called by the Greekes Cacemphaton, we call it the vnshamefast or figure of foule speech.]
1622. Peacham, Compl. Gentl. (1661), 248. It had beene an harsh and unpleasing Cacemphaton, as your own eare will tell you.
1721–90. in Bailey.
