ANTONOMASIA

n. 1 the substitution of an epithet or title etc. for a proper name (e.g. the Maid of Orleans for Joan of Arc, his Grace for an archbishop). 2 the use of a proper name to express a general idea (e.g. a Scrooge for a miser). [L f. Gk f. antonomazo name instead (as ANTI-, + onoma name)]