78-metonymy v.s synecdoche

[matilda]

Dear all

Hello

I need a good reference about (metonymy) and (synecdoche). If there is a link or if any of you can give a perfect reply to these two.

Thanks all

Matilda

[MrPedantic]

Hello Matilda

"Metonymy" is where an attribute (or significant accompaniment) of X is used instead of X, e.g.

1. From the cradle to the grave.

= from childhood to death.

"Synecdoche" is where the particular is used for the general, or vice versa, e.g.

2. To be a comrade with the wolf and owl (from Shakespeare's "King Lear").

i.e. to be an associate of bloodthirsty creatures: "wolf" and "owl" are particular examples of the class "bloodthirsty creatures".

3. He's a real Judas.

i.e. he's treacherous: "Judas" is a particular example of the class "treacherous people".

4. He's a wretched creature.

Here, we have an example of the general ("creature") used for the particular ("man", which is a kind of "creature").

MrP