antonomasia noun. [antǝnǝ'meɪzɪǝ] M16.
[Latin from Greek, from antonomazein name instead, formed as ANTI- + onoma name: see -IA¹.]
The substitution of an epithet etc. or the name of an office or dignity, for a proper name (e.g. the Iron Duke for Wellington). Also, conversely, the use of a proper name to express a general idea (e.g. a Solomon for 'a wise man').

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲