Metonymy is a linguistic device where something is referred to by something else associated with it. It is often linked with metaphor and synecdoche, but differs in that it uses an already established relationship. Synecdoche specifically uses a part of something to refer to the whole object.
Metonymy is a linguistic device by which a thing is referred to by referring directly to something else associated with it. For example, citizens of the United States often use the word “Washington” in reference to Washington, DC, to refer to the United States government since federal government leaders work in that city. Similarly, in many countries and time periods that have a monarchical ruling class, the term “crown” is often used to refer to the actual ruler. Metonymy is somehow connected and taught with other devices such as metaphor and synecdoche, although they are not the same thing.
The idea behind the use of metonymy is that people make associations between a particular object and a related object. In the sentence “the pen is mightier than the sword,” for example, there are two instances of metonymy at work. “The pen” does not literally refer to a writing instrument, but instead refers to the process of writing and the expression of ideas, while “the sword” again does not literally mean a weapon, but instead refers to a group military or armed action. Those who hear this type of phrase are usually able to understand what is meant, as these associations are quite common within a particular culture or society.
Metonymy is often linked with metaphor, as they can function in somewhat similar ways, although they serve very different purposes. Both devices work by exploiting the similarities between two things, but metonymy makes this connection through a relationship that is already established between the two. The use of the word “crown” to indicate royalty exploits the fact that there is already an explicit connection between royal traditions and the wearing of a crown. A metaphor like “her beauty was an arrow” is not using an already established relationship; can change meaning depending on what follows it, such as “that she hit me in the chest” or “that she was quick to fire, but lacked accuracy.”
Synecdoche is also a linguistic device often related to metonymy. The main difference, however, is that synecdoche specifically uses something that is part of something else to refer to it. For example, someone who refers to his car as “check my wheels” is using synecdoche. In this usage, he or she typically does not mean someone is just looking at the wheels of the car, but uses that part of the car to refer to the whole object. Some people consider synecdoche to be a specific type of metonymy, although this is not universal and many instructors teach them as separate devices.
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