Definition of Synecdoche

1. Noun. Substituting a more inclusive term for a less inclusive one or vice versa.

Examples of language type: Fireside, Hearth, Face
Generic synonyms: Figure, Figure Of Speech, Image, Trope
Derivative terms: Synecdochic, Synecdochical

Definition of Synecdoche

1. n. A figure or trope by which a part of a thing is put for the whole (as, fifty sail for fifty ships), or the whole for a part (as, the smiling year for spring), the species for the genus (as, cutthroat for assassin), the genus for the species (as, a creature for a man), the name of the material for the thing made, etc.

Definition of Synecdoche

1. Noun. (figure of speech) A figure or trope by which a part of a thing is put for the whole, the whole for a part, the species for the genus, the genus for the species, or the name of the material for the thing made, and similar. ¹

2. Noun. (rhetoric) The use of synecdoche; synecdochy. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Synecdoche

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Synecdoche

syndics
synding
syndings
syndiotactic
syndoche
syndoches
syndromal
syndrome
syndromes
syndromic
synds
syne
synecdochal
synecdoche (current term)
synecdoches
synecdochic
synecdochical
synecdochically
synecdochy
synechdoche
synechia
synechiae
synechias
synecism
synecisms
synecological
synecologically
synecologies

Literary usage of Synecdoche

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Manual of Composition and Rhetoric: A Text-book for Schools and Colleges by John Seely Hart (1892)
"synecdoche. synecdoche is a figure somewhat akin to Metonymy. ... In synecdoche we do not change a name from one object to another, but we give to an object ..."

2. Manual of English Rhetoric by Andrew Dousa Hepburn (1875)
"synecdoche.—synecdoche is a trope founded on the relation of the whole to its ... There are various forms of synecdoche, answering to the different kinds of ..."

3. Lectures on Rhetoric and Oratory: Delivered to the Classes of Senior and by John Quincy Adams (1810)
"synecdoche. FROM 'the class of figures, which convey a meaning different from the import of their words, by means of the association of ideas, ..."

4. Public School Methods (1921)
"Metonymy and synecdoche. In metonymy the name of something associated with a thing is used for the thing itself. " Few were his words of rebuke, ..."

5. Elements of Rhetoric and Literary Criticism: With Copious Practical by James Robert Boyd (1852)
"Q. And what do you mean by synecdoche ? A. That figure by which we put the whole for a part, ... Q. Can you give a more full account of the synecdoche ? (1. ..."

6. A Rhetorical Grammar: In which Improprieties in Reading and Speaking are by John Walker (1822)
"synecdoche. A synecdoche puts the whole for a part, or a part for the whole, as, Thy growing virtues justified my cares, And promis'd comfort to my silver ..."

7. First Lessons in Composition by John Seely Hart (1872)
"synecdoche. EXAMPLE. — The superintendent reported that he •would need ... Change the following sentences so as to introduce a synecdoche into, each : 1. ..."

8. The Century Dictionary: An Encyclopedic Lexicon of the English Language by William Dwight Whitney (1891)
"Of the nature of or expressed by synecdoche ; implying a synecdoche. .... figures Métaphore and Abase and the rest, the Greeks then call it synecdoche. ..."

9. A Manual of Composition and Rhetoric: A Text-book for Schools and Colleges by John Seely Hart (1892)
"synecdoche. synecdoche is a figure somewhat akin to Metonymy. ... In synecdoche we do not change a name from one object to another, but we give to an object ..."

10. Manual of English Rhetoric by Andrew Dousa Hepburn (1875)
"synecdoche.—synecdoche is a trope founded on the relation of the whole to its ... There are various forms of synecdoche, answering to the different kinds of ..."

11. Lectures on Rhetoric and Oratory: Delivered to the Classes of Senior and by John Quincy Adams (1810)
"synecdoche. FROM 'the class of figures, which convey a meaning different from the import of their words, by means of the association of ideas, ..."

12. Public School Methods (1921)
"Metonymy and synecdoche. In metonymy the name of something associated with a thing is used for the thing itself. " Few were his words of rebuke, ..."

13. Elements of Rhetoric and Literary Criticism: With Copious Practical by James Robert Boyd (1852)
"Q. And what do you mean by synecdoche ? A. That figure by which we put the whole for a part, ... Q. Can you give a more full account of the synecdoche ? (1. ..."

14. A Rhetorical Grammar: In which Improprieties in Reading and Speaking are by John Walker (1822)
"synecdoche. A synecdoche puts the whole for a part, or a part for the whole, as, Thy growing virtues justified my cares, And promis'd comfort to my silver ..."

15. First Lessons in Composition by John Seely Hart (1872)
"synecdoche. EXAMPLE. — The superintendent reported that he •would need ... Change the following sentences so as to introduce a synecdoche into, each : 1. ..."

16. The Century Dictionary: An Encyclopedic Lexicon of the English Language by William Dwight Whitney (1891)
"Of the nature of or expressed by synecdoche ; implying a synecdoche. .... figures Métaphore and Abase and the rest, the Greeks then call it synecdoche. ..."

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