The Collaborative International Dictionary
Antonomasia \An`to*no*ma"si*a\ (?; 277), n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to name instead; ? + ? to name, ? name.] (Rhet.) The use of some epithet or the name of some office, dignity, or the like, instead of the proper name of the person; as when his majesty is used for a king, 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 Solomon, or an eminent orator a Cicero.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Wiktionary
n. 1 (cx rhetoric English) The substitution of an epithet or title in place of a proper noun 2 (cx rhetoric English) Use of a proper name to suggest its most obvious quality or aspect.
Wikipedia
In rhetoric, antonomasia is a kind of metonymy in which an epithet or phrase takes the place of a proper name, such as "the little corporal" for Napoleon I. Conversely, antonomasia can also be using a proper name as an archetypal name, to express a generic idea.
A frequent instance of antonomasia in the Late Middle Ages and early Renaissance was the use of the term "the Philosopher" to refer to Aristotle. A more recent example of the other form of antonomasia (usage of archetypes) was the use of "Solons" for "the legislators" in 1930s journalism, after the semi-legendary Solon, lawgiver of Athens.
Stylistically, such epithets may be used for elegant variation to reduce repetition of names in phrases.
The word comes from the Greek , antonomasia, itself from the verb , antonomazein 'to name differently'.
Usage examples of "antonomasia".
Malambruno is satisfied in every way, the faces of the duennas are once more smooth and clean, King Clavijo and Queen Antonomasia have been restored to their former state, and as soon as the squirely flogging shall have been completed, the white dove shall be set free of the annoying gerfalcons that persecute it and shall return to the arms of its beloved mate.
It was decided that Don Clavijo should appear before the Vicar to ask her hand in marriage, since there was a written contract, and Antonomasia was put into protective custody.
And so the days came and went, and the girl Antonomasia reached the age of fourteen, with a beauty so perfect that nature could do nothing to improve it.
There was only one difficulty, and that was inequality, Don Clavijo being an impoverished knight and Princess Antonomasia the heiress, as I have said, to the kingdom.
Malambruno is now satisfied on every point, the chins of the duennas are now smooth and clean, and King Don Clavijo and Queen Antonomasia in their original form.