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Joined: Aug 2010
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stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2 |
I know there is a word out there for this, but I can't remember it. The definition is using a specific place name to refer to a general community or group. For example, we say Washington to refer to the federal government, or Wall Street to reference the financial industry, or we say Hollywood when we mean the entertainment business in general.
I've tried searching for it, but I'm failing miserably at coming up with the answer. Can anyone help?
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Joined: Jun 2008
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,948 Likes: 3 |
----please, draw me a sheep----
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
synecdoche [L. a. Gk synekdoche] /suh NEK duh kee/ (rhymes with Schenectady : ) a figure by which a more comprehensive term is used for a less comprehensive or vice versa; as whole for part or part for whole, genus for species or species for genus, etc. (compare metonymy)
metonymy /met ON ah me/ a figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated, as in the use of Washington for the United States government or of the sword for military power
source: worthless word for the day : )
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290 |
synecdoche ... as whole for part or part for whole
aka totum pro parte and pars pro toto by those who like our tongues Latinate.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2 |
Thank you thank you thank you! Metonymy is the word I was seeking (and have been for some time). You people are great! Synecdoche fits my feeble wording of what I was seeking, but that is really more like calling your car your wheels. It is close, but metonymy (or more specifically, metonym) is the EXACT word. Again, a million thanks. That itch is finally scratched! 
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2002
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Welcome, and stick around - you owe us a backscratch.
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