metaphotically

Metaphotically is an adverb used to indicate that a statement should be understood in a metaphorical sense. It is an uncommon, nonstandard variant of the more common adverb metaphorically.

Etymology and status: The form appears to be a blend of metaphor-related morphology with the adverbial suffix -ically, but it is not widely documented in major dictionaries. Unlike metaphorically, metaphotically is rarely used and is typically regarded as nonce or playful language.

Usage: In practice, metaphotically tends to appear in informal writing, literary prose, or rhetorical critique when authors seek extra emphasis or a visually vivid metaphor. In formal or academic writing, writers usually prefer metaphorically or figuratively.

Examples:

- She described resilience metaphotically, likening it to a lighthouse that remains steady through storms.

- The speaker argued metaphotically that data acts as a compass guiding decisions in uncertain times.

See also: metaphor, metaphorically, figuratively.