Metonymy

Metonymy (/metˈɒn.ə.mi/) is a figure of speech, defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as “the act of referring to something using a word that describes one of it’s qualities or features“. (“metonymy“)

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, „Metonymy is closely related to synecdoche, the naming of a part for the whole or a whole for the part, and is a common poetic device. Metonymy has the effect of creating concrete and vivid images in place of generalities.“ („Metonymy“)

Examples of metonymy:

We are studying Jane Austen. - Jane Austen = her work

We are loyal to the crown. - the crown = the queen/the king

The White House has issued a statement. - The White House = the president

BUT

She showed off her new wheels. - wheels = car

             - We refer to the whole car by its part – the wheels, therefore we are using SYNECDOCHE

Examples of metonymy in literature:

 Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears! - In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony uses „ears“ to refer to the act of listening. (“Metonymy“)

Sources:

Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.). metonymy. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/metonymy. Accessed 22 October 2023.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023, 20 Sep). Metonymy. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/metonymy. Accessed 22 October 2023.

McNamara, Sylvie. (2017, 5 May) Metonymy. LitCharts LLC. https://www.litcharts.com/literary-devices-and-terms/metonymy. Accessed 22 October 2023.

Author of the page: Petra Petlachová