Synecdochical

Definition

Relating to or employing synecdoche, a figure of speech in which a part represents the whole or vice versa, such as 'all hands on deck' meaning 'all people' or 'Hollywood' meaning 'the American film industry'.

Example Usage

The poet's synecdochical use of 'heart' to represent the entire emotional self gave the verse powerful resonance.

Origin

From Greek 'synecdochē', combining 'syn-' (together) and 'dechesthai' (to receive), literally 'receiving together' or substitution.

Fun Fact

Synecdoche is subtly different from metaphor and metonymy, making it one of the trickier literary devices to identify correctly in analysis.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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