Glossary of Linguistic Terms

Antonomasia

Definition: 

Antonomasia is:

  • the use of a proper name to stand for something else having an attribute associated with that name, or
  • the use of a general term to stand for a referent having a proper name.
Examples: 

(English)

The use of a Solomon to stand for "a wise man"

The use of Land of Lakes to stand for "Minnesota"