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metonymy

Pronunciation: /mɪˈtɒnɪmi/
Definition of metonymy

noun (plural metonymies)

[mass noun]
  • the substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant, for example suit for business executive, or the turf for horse racing.

Derivatives

metonymic

Pronunciation: /mɛtəˈnɪmɪk/
adjective

metonymical

adjective

metonymically

adverb

Origin:

mid 16th century: via Latin from Greek metōnumia, literally 'change of name'

metonymy in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of metonymy in the US English dictionary
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