Metonymy - "A figure of speech that consists of the use of the name of one object or concept for that of another to which it is related, or of which it is a part.”
Often confused with the figure of speech
synecdoche, in which a part of something is used as a stand-in for the whole, or vice versa. From the Greek noun
metonymia meaning “change of name”, which itself comes from the Greek roots
meta- meaning “change” and
-onym meaning “name.” (All information is from
www.wikipedia.org,
www.etymonline.com and/or
www.dictionary.com).
RELATED WORDS/PHRASES – metastasize, metaphysics, metabolism, metatarsal, metamorphosis, metanoia, metaphor
Example of metonymy: “The Pentagon today announced that...”
Pentagon in this instance really means “The Department of Defense” - the Pentagon is just a five-sided building, it cannot speak.
Example of synecdoche: “Nice wheels!” meaning “Hey, cool car.” Wheels are only part of a car, not the whole car.
GUESS THE APHORISM: One man’s trash... (scroll for answer)
A: Is another man’s treasure.