Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Using the name of one thing for that of another with which it is closely associated: Describes a figure of speech where a concept or object is referred to by the name of something closely related to it, rather than by its own name.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:
  • The phrase "The White House issued a statement" is a metonymical expression, where "The White House" stands for the presidential administration.
  • In the sentence "He is addicted to the bottle," the word "bottle" is used in a metonymical way to represent alcoholic drink.

Advanced Usage

• Metonymical Reference in Literature: Often used in poetry and prose to create richer imagery or concise expression.
  • The poet's metonymical use of "crown" to refer to royal power is effective.
• Distinction from Metaphor: While a metaphor implies a comparison ("life is a journey"), a metonymical expression is based on association or contiguity ("the press" for journalists).

Variants and Related Words

• Metonymy (n): The rhetorical device itself.
  • "The pen is mightier than the sword" is an example of metonymy.
• Metonymically (adv): In a metonymical manner.
  • The city is metonymically referred to as "Wall Street" when discussing finance.

Synonyms

• Figurative: Not literal; involving a figure of speech.
• Synecdochic: Using a part to represent the whole or vice versa (a specific type of metonymy).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "The suits": A metonymical phrase where "suits" refers to business executives or bureaucrats.
  • The suits on the top floor made the final decision.
• "The crown": A metonymical phrase where "the crown" refers to the monarchy or royal authority.
  • Laws are enacted in the name of the crown.

Adjective

1. using the name of one thing for that of another with which it is closely associated
   • to say `he spent the evening reading Shakespeare' is metonymic because it substitutes the author himself for the author's works