Metonymy. Glossary of Linguistic Terms

Metonymy

Definition note

Here are two senses for metonymy:

Metonymy is, broadly defined, a trope in which one entity is used to stand for another associated entity.
Metonymy is, more specifically, a replacive relationship that is the basis for a number of conventional metonymic expressions occurring in ordinary language.

Example note

(English)

The pen is mightier than the sword.
- Pen and sword represent publishing and military force, respectively.
The following examples illustrate the controller-for-controlled metonymy :
- Nixon bombed Hanoi.
  - Nixon stands for the armed forces that Nixon controlled.
- A Mercedes rear-ended me.
  - The word me stands for the car that the speaker was driving.

Bibliographic note 3

Page/s: 748

Source: Mish 1991

Mish, Frederick (editor). 1991.Webster's ninth new collegiate dictionary. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster. 1,564 pages. 0877795088; indexed 0877795096; deluxe 087779510X.

Page/s: 35–36, 38

Source: Lakoff, G. and Johnson 1980

Lakoff, George, and Mark Johnson. 1980.Metaphors we live by. Chicago: University of Chicago.

Page/s: 116

Source: Beekman and Callow 1974

Beekman, John, and John Callow. 1974.Translating the Word of God. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.