[ 'mɛtənɪm ]
■ noun a word or expression used as a substitute for something with which it is closely associated, e.g. Washington for the US government.
Derivatives
~ic adjective
~ical adjective
~ically adverb
~y mɪ'tɒnɪmi noun ( plural ~ies ).
Origin
C19 (earlier (C16) as ~y ): via L. from Gk metōnumia , lit. 'change of name'.