the substitution of a title or epithet for a proper name, such as his highness
2.
the use of a proper name for an idea
he is a Daniel come to judgment
Derived forms
antonomastic (ˌæntənəˈmæstɪk)
adjective
antonomastically (ˌantonoˈmastically)
adverb
Word origin
C16: via Latin from Greek, from antonomazein to name differently, from onoma name
antonomasia in American English
(ˌæntənəˈmeiʒə)
noun
1. Rhetoric
the identification of a person by an epithet or appellative that is not the person's name, as her ladyship
2.
the use of the name of a person who was distinguished by a particular characteristic, as Don Juan or Annie Oakley, to designate a person or group of persons having the same characteristic
Derived forms
antonomastic (ˌæntənouˈmæstɪk)antonomastical
adjective
antonomastically
adverb
Word origin
[1580–90; ‹ L ‹ Gk, verbid of antonomázein to call by a new name, equiv. to ant-ant- + onomat- s. of ónomaname + -ia-ia]