An'to-no-mā'zi-a, n.

(Synop., § 130), n. [Lat. antonomasia, Gr. ἀντονομασία, from ἀντονομάζειν, to name instead, from ἀντί, instead, and ὀνομάζειν, to name, ὄνομα, name.] (Rhet.) The use of the name of some office, dignity, profession, science, or trade, instead of the proper name of the person; as when his majesty is used for a king, or his lordship for a nobleman, or when, instead of Aristotle, we say, the philosopher; or, conversely, the use of a proper name instead of an appellative, as when a wise man is called a Cato, or an eminent orator a Cicero, the application being supported by a resemblance in character.