Peronyma

A peronyma (plural: peronyma) is a term used in onomastics to describe a name or epithet that refers to someone or something else of the same nature or type, acting as a generalized or descriptive substitute. It differs from a simple synonym in that it emphasizes a shared characteristic or association rather than direct equivalence. Think of it as a "type of" name, rather than a direct replacement. The concept is closely related to, but distinct from, metonymy and synecdoche. With metonymy, a thing or concept is referred to by the name of something closely associated with that thing or concept (e.g., "the crown" referring to the monarchy). Synecdoche uses a part to refer to the whole or the whole to refer to a part (e.g., "wheels" referring to a car). A peronyma, however, provides an alternative label drawing on shared qualities without implying the direct, contextual association of metonymy, nor the part/whole relationship of synecdoche. The usage of peronyma is more common in literary analysis and etymological studies than in everyday conversation.