You have heard phrases like, “I crushed my wheels yesterday on my way back home.” As in this case, you automatically understood what the speaker was saying, partly because of the context of the conversation. You figured by “wheels,” the speaker means his or her car. This type of reference is so common in our conversations. It is called synecdoche. Let’s learn more about synecdoche.

The definition of synecdoche

The word synecdoche comes from the Greek word synekdochē which means “simultaneous understanding.” Synecdoche is pronounced as “si-Nek-duh-kee.” Some writers may define synecdoche as a figure of speech that allows a part of the whole to represent the whole. Others may say synecdoche is a literary technique in which a part of something is used to signify the whole. They are all right.

Synecdoche is a literary device in which a term for a part of something refers to the whole thing or vice versa.

Examples of sentences with the use of synecdoche

Behind bars (represents jail or being in jail)

All hands on deck (used when referring to people working)

Alumni (refers to graduates from a specific school)

Hand in marriage (used to refer to the consent of a woman in marriage)

Boots on the ground (used to refer to soldiers)

A glass (used to refer to a drink)

Some of the famous poets and writers were also known to use synecdoche in their work. Let’s take a look at some of the examples:

'I heard a Fly buzz / When I died / The stillness in the Room / Was like the Stillness in the Air / Between the Heaves of Storm / The Eyes around / had wrung them dry / And breaths were gathering firm / For that last Onset / when the King / Be witnessed / in the Room' 

(I heard a Fly buzz - When I Died by Emily Dickinson)

Emily Dickinson uses “The ‘eyes’ around” to signify the mourners present at the poet’s death. Her use of synecdoche prompts imagery in the audience’s mind; the audience picture sad mourners crying over the poet’s death.

Writers and poets such as William Shakespeare also used synecdoche in their various works.

Types of synecdoche

There are two types of synecdoche:

Microcosm (a smaller part of something represents a larger whole)

Macrocosm (a larger part of something refers to a smaller part of the same thing)

The difference between synecdoche and metonymy

Synecdoche and metonymy are very alike as both of them work on the principle of one thing representing something else. However, there is a significant difference between the two:

Synecdoche entails the representation of a part of something with another part (smaller or larger) of the same thing.

Metonymy entails the representation of one thing with another thing. This is usually when both of the things (objects or concepts) are conceptually related.

The uses of synecdoche

To enhance imagery

The use of synecdoche helps to enhance imagery in your work. For instance, instead of saying, “I want everyone to start working on the new project," you can say, “I want all hands on deck for the new project.” The latter triggers the reader’s imagination, unlike the former.

Offers a variety of choices

Instead of the writer directly saying the government, he or she can use common synecdoche to refer to them. For instance, one can use “the White House” to refer to the government of the United States.

Sources

https://www.litcharts.com/literary-devices-and-terms/synecdoche
https://literarydevices.net/synecdoche
https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-synecdoche.html