metonymy

[ mi-ton-uh-mee ]

noun

, Rhetoric.

1. a figure of speech that consists of the use of the name of one object or concept for that of another to which it is related, or of which it is a part, as “scepter” for “sovereignty,” or “the bottle” for “strong drink,” or “count heads (or noses)” for “count people.”

metonymy

/ ˌmɛtəˈnɪmɪkəl; mɪˈtɒnɪmɪ /

noun

1. the substitution of a word referring to an attribute for the thing that is meant, as for example the use of the crown to refer to a monarch Compare synecdoche

Derived Forms

• ˌmetoˈnymically, adverb
• metonymical, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of metonymy¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin metōnymia, from Greek metōnymía “change of name”; met-, -onym, -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of metonymy¹

C16: from Late Latin from Greek: a changing of name, from meta- (indicating change) + onoma name

Example Sentences

Metonymy is the substitution of the name of one thing for that of another to which the former bears a known and close relation.

From Project Gutenberg

Metonymy calls one thing by the name of another which is closely related to the first.

From Project Gutenberg

In both cases the term so approximates to the meaning of Earth, doubtless by metonymy, as to be indistinguishable from it.

From Project Gutenberg

Metonymy consists in naming an object by one of its attributes or accompaniments.

From Project Gutenberg

The general effect of metonymy is to bring before the mind a definite image, and thus to impart a graphic quality to the style.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• analogy
• image
• symbol