METONYMY
“Metonymy” is a figure of speech based on association. The word “Metonymy” has been derived from the Greek word “Metonumia“. “Meta” means “Substitute” and “Onoma” means “Name“. Thus, Metonymy means “The substitutions of name“. This figure consists in the substitution of the thing named for the thing meant.
»For Example;
Grown [The thing named] for king. [The thing meant]
✓ City for its inhabitants.
DIFFERENT KINDS OF SUBSTITUTE IN METONYMY
The following are the different kinds of substitutions used in this figure of speech:
(1) THE SIGN OR SYMBOL FOR THE THING SYMBOLIZED:
»For Example;
1. The pen is mightier than the sword.
Here, the pen means (or is for) writer and the sword means (or is for) fighter.
2. From the cradle to the crave.(Frim childhood to death.)
3. Grey hair should be respected. (The elder should be respected.)
(2) THE TOOL OR MEANS FOR THE AGENT:
»For Example;
1. The pen is mightier than the sword.
2. Give everyman thy ear,
But few thy voice.
(3) THE AUTHOR FOR HIS WORKS AND THE PLACE FOR ITS PRODUCTION:
»For Example;
1. I read Shakespeare.
(The sentence means Shakespeare’s works.)
2. All Arabia breaths from yonder box.
(The sentence refers to the perfumes of Arabia.)
(4) THE CONTAINER FOR THE THING CONTAINED:
»For Example;
1. He drank the cup.
(The meaning of the sentence is the contents of the cup.)
2. The kettle boils.
(Means the water in the kettle boils.)
(5) THE EFFECT FOR THE CAUSE AND THE CAUSE FOR THE EFFECT:
»For Example;
1. A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
(Cause of joy)
2. The bright death quivered at the victim’s throat.
(Death here means sword: cause of death)
(6) THE NAME OF A FEELING OR PASSION FOR ITS OBJECT:
»For Example;
1. Gandhiji is the pride of India. (Object of pride)
2. Weep more more, woeful shepherd, weep no more,
For Lycidas, your sorrow is not dead. (Object of sorrow)
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