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Metonymy

Exchange of nouns

Metonymy is the figure in which a thing is designated not by its own name but by the name of something closely associated with it — not by resemblance (as in metaphor) but by association, proximity, or cause-and-effect relationship. The name of one thing is transferred to another.

Etymology

From the Greek μετωνυμία (metônymia): meta (over/beside) + onoma (name). In Latin metonymia (change of name). Bullinger distinguishes four main types based on the kind of relationship that enables the transference.

Definition

Bullinger’s four types of Metonymy:

  1. Of the Subject — the container for the thing contained, or the subject for the adjunct: “the cup” for what it contains; “the pen” for what is written with it
  2. Of the Object — the sign for the thing signified, the effect for the cause: “the atonement” for the blood of Christ
  3. Of the Cause — the cause for its effect, the author for his work: “Moses” for the books of Moses
  4. Of the Adjunct — the adjunct for the subject, the attribute for the subject: “the sword” for war; “the crown” for kingship

Biblical Examples

Type 3 — the author for his work:

  • Luke 16:29 — “They have Moses and the prophets” — the writers for their writings; Scripture as the extension of its authors
  • Acts 15:21 — “For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him” — likewise
  • 2Cor. 3:15 — “But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart” — the Pentateuch for Moses

Type 1 — the container for the thing contained:

  • Ps. 23:5 — “my cup runneth over” — the cup for the blessing it contains
  • Matt. 26:28 — “For this is my blood of the new testament” — blood as the seal of the covenant

Type 4 — the adjunct/attribute for the subject:

  • Rom. 3:30 — “circumcision” for the Jewish people; “uncircumcision” for the Gentiles
  • Gal. 5:16 — “Walk in the Spirit” — the Spirit for His guidance and influence
  • Gen. 42:38 — “grey hairs” for old age / the approaching end

Type 2 — the sign for the thing signified:

  • Matt. 10:34 — “I came not to send peace, but a sword” — the sword for strife and division
  • Rev. 6:4 — “power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth… and there was given unto him a great sword” — the sword for military violence
  • metaphor — also a transference of name, but based on resemblance rather than association
  • synecdoche — part for the whole or the whole for its part (related but treated separately by Bullinger)
  • hendiadys — two words for one concept (different mechanism)

Source

E.W. Bullinger, Figures of Speech Used in the Bible (1898), pp. 538-567.

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