Antonomasia

[,æntәnәu'meiziә]

Definition

(n.) The use of some epithet or the name of some office, dignity, or the like, instead of the proper name of the person; as when his majesty is used for a king, or when, instead of Aristotle, we say, the philosopher; or, conversely, the use of a proper name instead of an appellative, as when a wise man is called a Solomon, or an eminent orator a Cicero.

Checked by Dylan

Definition

n. a figure of speech which uses an epithet on the name of an office or attributive for a person's proper name e.g. his lordship for an earl; and conversely e.g. a Napoleon for a great conqueror.

Edited by Angus