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metonymy

The definition of a metonymy is a figure of speech in which one thing is replaced with a word closely associated with it.

(noun)

An example of a metonymy is referring to the King as "the Crown."

See metonymy in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. metonymies

a figure of speech in which the name of one thing is used in place of that of another associated with or suggested by it (Ex.: “the White House” for “the President”)

Origin: LL metonymia < Gr metōnymia < meta, other (see meta-) + onoma, onyma, name

Related Forms:

metonymic adjective or metonymical

See metonymy in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. me·ton·y·mies

A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated, as in the use of Washington for the United States government or of the sword for military power.

Origin:

Origin: Late Latin metōnymia

Origin: , from Greek metōnumiā

Origin: : meta-, meta-

Origin: + onuma, name; see nō̆-men- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: