Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun semantics A term that denotes a part of the whole that is denoted by another term.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a word that names a part of a larger whole

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

mero- + -onym, from Ancient Greek μέρος (meros, "part") + ὄνομα (onoma, "name").

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Examples

Comments

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  • The example in OED is faces being used to describe people. E.g. “I see several familiar faces present.�?

    Meronym—what a wonderful word!

    February 10, 2009

  • Brim and crown are meronyms of hat.

    August 28, 2010