what is synecdoche? definitions and examples about synecdoche - literary terms

What is synecdoche?

Answer: A figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the whole ( for example,  ABCs for Alphabet)  or the whole for a part ( England won the world cup in 1966).  A synecdoche is a type of trope, which is a figure of speech. When used in literature,  a synecdoche will add to the visual imagery of the passage and enhance the Reader's experience.

Difference Between synecdoche and metonumy

Synecdoche examples are often misidentified  as metonymy (another literary terms). Both are often resemble each other to some extent but they are not the same. Synecdoche refers to the whole of thing by the name of any one of its parts. For example, calling a car ' wheels"  is a synecdoche because a part of a car ' wheels ' stands for the whole car. However, in metonymy,  the word we use to describe another thing is closely linked to that partucular thimg, but is not necessarily a part of it. For example, " crown" that refers to power or authority  is a metonymy used to replace the word "king" or "queen".

Some important Synecdoche Examples from everyday life

- The word " bread" refers to food to food or money as in 'Writing  is my bread and butter" or " sole breadwinner"

- The word "sails" refers to a whole ship.

- The phrase "gray beard" refers to an old man.

- The word "boots" usually  refers to soldiers.

- The word "suits" refers to businessman.

- The word " glasses " refers to spectacles.

Synocdoche In english Literature

Coleridge employs synecdoche in his poem " The rime of the ancient mariner "

"The western wave was all a- flame.
 The day was well was nigh done!
Almost upon thre western wave.
Rested the broad bright sun"

HERE " The Western  wave" is a synecdoche  as it refers to the sea by the name of one of its parts.

Look at the use of synecdoche in the lines taken from Shakespear’s sonnet 116

" O no! It is an ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken"