METONYMY

Janelle Smith

Definition

Metonymy: substitution of some

attributive or suggestive word for what is

actually meant.

What is a Metonymy?

Metonymies are very similar to Synecdoches

Both serve to define a part of a whole

Metonymies differ because they can be placed in a

sentence instead of the whole

The most important point is that metonymies are links

between ideas which are not always clearly stated

How Do I Use One?

A good example... “I have nothing to offer but blood, soil,

tears, and sweat.” (Sir Winston Churchill)

In using a metonymy we substitute one thing for another such as the word crown for royalty. The meaning of crown is inferred and based off of an understanding of the context it is being used in.

More Examples

“The pen is mightier than the sword” refers to the pen as literary works and the sword as military force.

“He writes with a fine hand” does not literally his hand is fine, but tells us that he has good handwriting.