Writing World

Bill W · November 17

The word "synecdoche" comes from the Greek word synekdoche (συνεκδοχ), meaning "understanding together" or "receiving together". It is formed from three Greek components: syn- ("together"), ek- ("out"), and dekhomai ("to receive" or "to accept"). The word passed into Latin (synecdoche) and then into English, where it reflects the figure of speech's meaning, where a part is understood with or represents the whole.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest known use of "synecdoche" in English was in the Middle English period before 1450. The first evidence for its use comes from the Prologue to the Old Testament.

Examples of a part for the whole:
"Boots on the ground": Refers to soldiers.
"All hands on deck": Refers to all workers.
"All eyes on me": Refers to all people watching.
"The captain commands one hundred sails": Refers to ships.
"Can you give me a hand?": Refers to a person's assistance.

Examples of a whole for the part:
"The classroom was noisy": Refers to the students and teacher.
"The White House announced...": Refers to the President or a specific group of people in the administration, not the building itself.
"The universe is against me": Refers to a collection of negative events, not the entire universe.

Examples of a specific to a general:
"I need a Kleenex": Used to ask for any brand of facial tissue.
"Can I have a Coke?": Used to ask for any type of soda.