metonymy
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me·ton·y·my

noun \mə-ˈtä-nə-mē\
plural me·ton·y·mies

Definition of METONYMY

: a figure of speech consisting of the use of the name of one thing for that of another of which it is an attribute or with which it is associated (as crown in lands belonging to the crown)
met·o·nym·ic \ˌme-tə-ˈni-mik\ or met·o·nym·i·cal \-mi-kəl\ adjective

Origin of METONYMY

Latin metonymia, from Greek metōnymia, from meta- + -ōnymon -onym
First Known Use: 1547

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

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