synecdoche (n.)
"figure of speech in which a part is taken for the whole or vice versa," late 15c. correction of
synodoches (late 14c.),
from Medieval Latin
synodoche, alteration of Late Latin
synecdoche,
from Greek
synekdokhe "the putting of a whole for a part; an understanding one with another," literally "a receiving together or jointly,"
from
synekdekhesthai "supply a thought or word; take with something else, join in receiving,"
from
syn- "with" (see
syn- +
ek "out" (see
ex-) +
dekhesthai "to receive," related to
dokein "seem good" (from PIE root
dek- "to take, accept").
Typically an attribute or adjunct substituted for the thing meant ("head" for "cattle," "hands" for "workmen," "wheels" for "automobile," etc.). Compare
metonymy.
