me·ton·y·my (m -t n -m )n. 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. [Late Latin met  nymia, from Greek metnumi : meta-, meta- + onuma, name; see n -men- in Indo-European roots.]met  o·nymic (m t-n mk), meto·nymi·cal adj.met o·nymi·cal·ly adv. |
metonymy [mit-on-im-ee]
Noun
pl -mies a figure of speech in which one thing is replaced by another associated with it, for instance the use of Downing Street to mean the British government [Greek meta-, indicating change + onoma name]
metonymy
a rhetorical or stylistic device in which one thing is named or referred to by the name of another, related thing; for example, the use of White House in referring to the presidential administration. — metonym, n. — metonymous, metonymie, metonymical, adj.
See also: Namesa rhetorical or stylistic device in which one thing is named or referred to by the name of another, related thing; for example, the use of White House for the presidential administration. — metonym, n. — metonymous, metonymic, metonymical, adj.
See also: Rhetoric and Rhetorical Devices
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | metonymy - substituting the name of an attribute or feature for the name of the thing itself (as in `they counted heads') metalepsis - substituting metonymy of one figurative sense for another voice - (metonymy) a singer; "he wanted to hear trained voices sing it" |
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