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View synonyms for metonymy
metonymy
[ mi-ton-uh-mee ]
noun
, Rhetoric.
- 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
- 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
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Derived Forms
- ˌmetoˈnymically, adverb
- metonymical, adjective
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of metonymy1
C16: from Late Latin from Greek: a changing of name, from meta- (indicating change) + onoma name
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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
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