pars pro toto
Latin phraseTo save this word, you'll need to log in.
pars pro to·to | \ ˈpärs-(ˌ)prō-ˈtō-(ˌ)tō 
\
\Definition of pars pro toto
: a part (taken) for the whole
Comments on pars pro toto
What made you want to look up pars pro toto? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
May 2020 Words of the Day Quiz
- Which is a synonym of exiguous?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share pars pro toto