meronym

English - English

Definition of meronym in English English dictionary

A term that denotes a part of the whole that is denoted by another term

If one starts with some complex whole, like {automobile} or {human_body}, it can be broken down into several levels of meronyms, but many of those meronyms will also be meronyms of other wholes. That is to say, some components serve as parts of many different things: think of all the different mechanisms that have gears.

a word that names a part of a larger whole; "`brim' and `crown' are meronyms of `hat'

a word that names a part of a larger whole; "`brim' and `crown' are meronyms of `hat'"

A concept that is part of another concept Knob is a part of a door Opposite of holonym See also synecdoche and part/whole relation

a concept that is part of another concept A room is a meronym of a house See also: holonym

Antonyms

holonym

Etymology

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