Library / English Dictionary

SYNECDOCHIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Using the name of a part for that of the whole or the whole for the part; or the special for the general or the general for the special; or the material for the thing made of it

Example:

to use 'hand' for 'worker' or 'ten sail' for 'ten ships' or 'steel' for 'sword' is to use a synecdochic figure of speech

Synonyms:

synecdochic; synecdochical

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

figurative; nonliteral ((used of the meanings of words or text) not literal; using figures of speech)

Derivation:

synecdoche (substituting a more inclusive term for a less inclusive one or vice versa)

Credits