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Webster 1913 Edition

Metonymy

Me-ton′y-my

(mē̍-tŏn′ĭ-my̆; 277)
,
Noun.
[L.
metonymia
, Gr.
μετωνυμία
;
μετά
, indicating change +
ὄνυμα
, for
ὄνομα
a name: cf. F.
métonymie
. See
Name
.]
(Rhet.)
A trope in which one word is put for another that suggests it;
as, we say, a man keeps a good
table
instead of good
provisions
; we read
Virgil
, that is, his
poems
; a man has a warm
heart
, that is, warm
affections
; a city dweller has no
wheels
, that is, no automobile.

Webster 1828 Edition

Metonymy

MET'ONYMY

,
Noun.
[Gr. over, beyond, and name.] In rhetoric, a trope in which one word is put for another; a change of names which have some relation to each other; as when we say, 'a man keeps a good table.' instead of good provisions. 'We read Virgil.' that is, his poems or writings. 'They have Moses and the prophets,' that is, their books or writings. A man has a clear head, that is, understanding, intellect; a warm heart, that is affections.

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