A course of modern english lexicology

6. SYNECDOCHE

Synecdoche is the simplest kind of metonymic relations which can be called quantitative. It is when a part stands for the whole, or the whole stands for a part.

Synecdoche “Red Hood”, “Hands wanted”, “I am reading books.” These wheels will drive you at your pleasure.

7. ANTONOMASIA

Antonomasia is the use of a proper name for a common noun or vice versa. The examples of metonymic antonomasia are:
1) using the name of a famous personality for his characteristic feature;
2) using a geographical name where some event took place for the very event;
3) using the name of some establishment to denote its policy;
4) using geographical names for things that originated from there;
5) naming things for their inventors.

Metonymic antonomasia famous personality : He is the Napoleon of crime. event : He met his Waterloo. establishment : the White House. geographical name : china, champaign. inventors : Amper, Volt, Makintosh.

The examples of metaphoric antonomasia are:
1) using a proper noun for a common one. The proper name in this case expresses the most striking feature in the personage’s character;
2) using a common noun as a proper name. The proper name serves the man’s main characteristic.

Metaphoric antonomasia A proper name for a common noun : “Don Juan” for an amorous man; “Othello” for a jealous man. A common noun for a proper name : Bekky Sharp, Коробочка.

The appeal to imagination in metonymy is much weaker than in metaphor. Nevertheless, it is a powerful means of poetic expression because of its conciseness with which the metonymy can pick out one particular aspect of a complex things or idea making it easier to understand.