synecdoche
[si-nek-duh-kee]
- a figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole or the whole for a part, the special for the general or the general for the special, as in ten sail for ten ships or a Croesus for a rich man.
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Origin of synecdoche
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for synecdoche
Contemporary Examples
They became a synecdoche for the woman herself: conservative, intimidating, feminine.
Reddit is a synecdoche for the Internet: a set of tools for sharing and organizing content.
Sex appeal,” Levy writes, “has become a synecdoche of all appeal.
After Synecdoche, it will be impossible not to take notice of her talent.
Historical Examples
Qm is one of the positions in a Namz and is here used by synecdoche for it.
The Faith of IslamEdward Sell
Whether it be synecdoche, metaphor, or metonymy, there is still a figure.
History of the Great Reformation, Volume IVJ. H. Merle D'Aubign
Metalepsis carries us so far, but synecdoche must supplement it.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)Charles Creighton
I did send for you to draw me a device, an Imprezza, by Synecdoche a Mott.
The Works of John MarstonJohn Marston
And apparently various causes might produce this Synecdoche.
synecdoche
- a figure of speech in which a part is substituted for a whole or a whole for a part, as in 50 head of cattle for 50 cows, or the army for a soldier
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Word Origin
C14: via Latin from Greek sunekdokhē, from syn- + ekdokhē interpretation, from dekhesthai to accept
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for synecdoche
n.
late 14c., "part for whole or vice versa," from Medieval Latin synodoche, from Late Latin synecdoche, from Greek synekdokhe, literally "a receiving together or jointly," from synekdekhesthai "supply a thought or word, take with something else," from syn- "with" (see syn-) + ek "out" (see ex-) + dekhesthai "to receive," related to dokein "seem good" (see decent). Figure in which an attribute or adjunct is substituted for the thing meant ("head" for "cattle," etc.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper