metonymies

Part-for-whole figures

Metonymies is the plural of metonymy, a figure of speech where something is called by the name of something closely associated with it.

When reporters refer to the White House meaning the president's administration, or Wall Street meaning the financial industry, they're using metonymy.

The technique appears constantly in everyday speech: the crown for monarchy, suits for executives, the bottle for alcohol.

rhetoric

synecdoche

Part standing for whole

tropeRecurring narrative device
figurativeRepresenting through imagery
litotesUnderstatement via negation

hyperbole · irony · euphemism · oxymoron · understatement · allusion · ellipsis · idiom · conceit · kenning

substitution

synecdoche

Part standing for whole

contiguityState of touching directly
stand-inTemporary human placeholder
proxyAuthorized substitute

surrogate · placeholder · shorthand

symbolism

emblem

Representational sign or device

iconPictorial screen symbol
totemSpiritual clan symbol
badgeWorn symbol of membership

insignia · hallmark · token · motif · representation · figuration · imagery · archetype · resonance · significance

Opposites

figurative vs. literal language

metonymiesdenotations

Literal meanings of terms

plain speech · proper names

type of figurative device

metonymiesmetaphors

Implicit comparison expressions

similes · analogies · synecdoches · symbols

Family

metonymic

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Rated G