| metonymy | |
| me-ton'-y-my | from meta, "change" and onoma, "name" |
| Also sp. metonimia | |
| hypallage denominatio, transmutatio, transnominatio |
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| the misnamer, change of noun or name, transmutation of a word |
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Reference to something or someone by naming one of its attributes. | |
| Examples | ||
| The pen is
mightier than the sword The pen is an attribute of thoughts that are written with a pen; the sword is an attribute of military action We await word from the crown. I'm told he's gone so far as to giver her a diamond ring The IRS is auditing me? Great. All I need is a couple of suits arriving at my door. |
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| Related Figures | ||
| Related Topics of Invention | ||
| Sources: | Ad Herennium 4.32.43 ("denominatio"); Quintilian 8.6.23-27; Susenbrotus (1540) 8-9 ("metonymia," "transnominatio"; Wilson (1560) 200 ("Transmutation of a Word"); Fraunce (1588) 1.2-5; Putt. (1589) 191 ("metonimia," "the misnamer"); Day 1599 78 ("metonymia," "transnominatio"); Hoskins 1599 10 ("metonymia") | |
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