2. synecdoche (/sɪˈnɛkdəkiː/, si-
NEK-də-kee; from Greek
synekdoche (συνεκδοχή),
meaning "simultaneous
understanding") is a figure of
speech in which a term for a part
of something refers to the whole
of something, or vice-versa.[An
example is referring to workers as
hired hands
3. Synecdoche is a rhetorical trope and a type of figurative speech
similar to metonymy—a figure of speech in which a term that
denotes one thing is used to refer to a related thing. Indeed,
synecdoche is sometimes considered a subclass of metonymy. It
is more distantly related to other figures of speech, such as
metaphor.
More rigorously, metonymy and synecdoche can be considered
sub-species of metaphor, intending metaphor as a type of
conceptual substitution (as Quintilian does in Institutio
oratoria Book VIII). In Lanham's Handlist of Rhetorical
Terms, the three terms have somewhat restrictive definitions,
arguably in tune with a certain interpretation of their
etymologies from Greek:
metaphor: changing a word from its literal meaning to one not
properly applicable but analogous to it; assertion of identity
rather than, as with simile, likeness.
metonymy: substitution of cause for effect, proper name for one
of its qualities, etc.
4. Etymology:
The word "synecdoche" is derived from
the Greek word συνεκδοχή = "together-
out-accepting", from the prepositions
συν- + εκ- and the verb δέχομαι (= "I
accept"), originally meaning accepting a
part as responsible for the whole, or vice
versa.
5. Use
Synecdoche is often used as a type of personification, by
attaching a human aspect to a non-human thing. This is
used in reference to political relations, including "having a
footing," used to mean a country or organization is in a
position to act, or "the wrong hands," to describe opposing
groups, usually in the context of military power.
Synecdoche can be used to emphasize an important aspect
of a fictional character;[1] for example, the X-Files
character the Smoking Man. Sonnets and other forms of
love poetry frequently use synecdoche's to characterize the
beloved in terms of individual body parts rather than a
coherent whole. This practice is especially common in the
Petrarchan sonnet, where the idealized beloved is often
described part by part, from head to toe.
6. It is also popular in advertising. Since
synecdoche uses a part to represent a whole, its
use requires the audience to make associations
and "fill in the gaps," engaging with the ad by
thinking about the product. Moreover, catching
the attention of an audience with advertising is
often referred to by advertisers as "getting
eyeballs," another synecdoche. Synecdoche is
very common in spoken English, especially in
reference to sports. The names of cities are used
as shorthand for their sports teams to describe
events and their outcomes, such as "Denver won
Monday's game," when specifically a sports team
was victorious.
8. What is a synecdoche?
Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a
part of something is used to represent the
whole or the whole of something is used to
represent part of it. It is considered to be a
special kind of metonymy.
9. Types and examples of synecdoche
1. Part of something is used to refer to the whole thing -
A hundred head of cattle (using the part head to refer to the whole
animal)
2.The whole of a thing is used to represent part of it -
The world treated him badly (using the world to refer to part of the
world)
3. A specific class of thing is used to refer to a larger, more general
class -
A bug (used to refer to any kind of insect or arachnid, even if it is
not a true bug)
4. A general class of thing is used to refer to a smaller, more specific
class -
The good book (referring to the Bible or the Qur'an)
5. A material is used to refer to an object composed of that material
-
Glasses or steel ( referring to spectacles or sword)
6. A container is used to refer to its contents -
A barrel (referring to a barrel of oil)
11. Metonymy is a figure of speech
in which a thing or concept is not
called by its own name, but by the
name of something intimately
associated with that thing or
concept.
12. Here are some examples of metonymy:
Crown. (For the power of a king.)
The White House. (Referring to the American
administration.)
Dish. (To refer an entire plate of food.)
The Pentagon. (For the Department of Defense and
the offices of the U.S. Armed Forces.)
Pen. (For the written word.)
Sword - (For military force.)
Hollywood. (For US Cinema.)
Hand. (For help.)