| antonomasy | 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. Origin: L, fr. Gr, fr. To name instead; + to name, name. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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